# 17. 2017 Dev. Mt. 6:3-4. Read verses 1-4. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Matthew 6:3-4a

³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret.

 Jesus’ sermon on the mount in the Gospel of Matthew goes on for three chapters, 5,6,7. Today we move to chapter 6 :1-4 and Jesus moves from loving your enemies to giving to the needy.  Chapter 6 begins the third section of Jesus’ sermon.  The Beatitudes is the introduction to the Kingdom of Jesus that include the gifts of the Kingdom (blessings). In the second section are the ethical expectations of the Kingdom, ending at the end of Ch. 5. Ch.6 begins the comparison of Jewish legalism and the ways of the world to the Kingdom.

 Giving to the needy is assumed here, Jesus expects his followers to help the disadvantaged. Giving with compassion is part of the image of God in us. Both believers and unbelievers are compassionate but what Jesus is talking about here is the way we help others.  

 This section begins with a warning: “be careful how you practice righteousness”. One would think that righteousness is self qualifying. That would be true if our motivations are neutral; if our motivation is only to practice righteousness with no thought about the perception of others about us.

 Along with a warning to be careful Jesus includes what can only be interpreted as a negative promise; “you will have no reward from your Father in heaven”. Apparently, as we see today, some people at that time made big announcements when giving to the poor. Jesus tells us that drawing attention to ourselves when giving to others is not righteousness but unrighteousness.

 Therefore, Jesus says: “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”. Give in secret and God will reward you but those who seek the praise of men have their reward already. I think that Jesus is warning us because it is a very subtle issue in our lives; often, we are upset because we get very little recognition for the good we do as followers of Jesus. We have work to do in this area and we thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us moving closer to Jesus. Praise God!

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# 16. 2017 Dev. Ps. 8:1 God’s Majesty!  Read all of Ps. 8. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 8:1

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!                                                                                  You have set your glory in the heavens.

Ps. 8 is bracketed with v.1a and v.9, in-between are two sections, God’s glory and God’s reference to man. Surely God’s glory is all around us! The Psalmist talks about the heavenly host; the moon and the stars “set in place by God’s fingers”. There are still a few places in the world where it is really dark because there is no man made light. On a clear night the heavenly lights are overwhelming, that is what David is talking about here. But in contrast David also writes: “Through the praise of (small) children and infants you have established a stronghold” to hold back and to defeat evil.  It is hard for us to imagine that God empowers the innocent, the vulnerable, the praise of the helpless.

 Verse 4 is the center of this Psalm. There is a shift from God’s work to man. How is it possible God that in your great power you reach out to man and the children of man? When confronted with God’s glory we immediately see our own short comings! Yet, “We are a little lower that the angels” and you have put much of creation in our hands. We are co-reagents with you Lord in our responsibility to care for the earth.  Hebrews 2: 6-8 attributes Ps. 8:4-8 as a reference to Jesus: “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (v.6-11}. Hebrews point is that Jesus is also fully human.  Yet these verses also refer to us, mankind: Hebrews points out in v.11: ^“Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters”. We speak of the true church of Jesus.

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!  Amen!                                                                             

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# 15. 2017 Dev. Mt. 5: 43-44a. Love your Enemies! Read verses 43-48. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 Matthew 5:43-44a

 ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”

 The devotional for this week is much like what Jesus told us two weeks ago (The Eye and Tooth). It is not what people want to hear. Jesus is radical in that way; his expectations are the opposite of what the world dictates. Jesus gives us the example of God’s Grace and Gifts of His creation given equally to the righteous and unrighteous. God’s love by the power of the Holy Spirit holds this world together for every human being.

 It is no wonder that Jesus says love your neighbors. Loving a neighbor is more than loving a friend or our spouse. It is not the same kind of love but love as we see what the Good Samaritan shows to a stranger; showing compassion and mercy to a needy person, it is, more than likely, what followers of Jesus would do and are doing now.

 But Jesus is asking for more, much more! Love those who are not your friends and not of your family. Love those who appose you because you follow Jesus. Love those who persecute you, love your enemies! Really? How do we love those? It is not the kind of love we have for a neighbor but it is a love that seeks good for those who appose us and seeks good for all people. Jesus tells to do so by praying for them. Praying for their well being, praying for them to see and understand God’s love and praying for their conversion.

 When you pray for a person it is hard to hold a grudge or to hold onto hate, it may even move us to forgive. That is the goal here, to bring peace and harmony and thereby proving ourselves to “be children of your father in heaven”. Let’s pray this prayer as well: Jesus, empower us to be perfect as our “heavenly Father is perfect”. Amen?    

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# 14. 2017 Dev. God Most High! Ps. 7:8-9. Read all of Psalm seven. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 Psalm 7:8-9

“Let the Lord judge the peoples. Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God
who probes minds and hearts.”

 David appeals to the court of heaven. He is under attack, probably by king Saul or a supporter of the king. King Saul continually pursued David but David did not raise his hand against him, even at opportune times. David takes refuge in God; “My shield is God Most High who saves…” David is completely dependent on God for his physical and spiritual well being.

 “Let the Lord judge the peoples” David placed his case with God but he is not over confident about his innocence or God’s help: There are two “ifs” In this Psalm. vs. 3-4 “if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me”. David accepts the fact that he may have fallen short and would accept possible punishment. V. 12 referring to God here: “If he does not relent,” God’s grace comes into play; God will take action according to His time and according to His righteous will.

 The message and prayer of this Psalm and the two verses we look at is much needed today: David appeals to God: “Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.” Evil is attempting to overwhelm all of us here and in many places around the world but God is in control.

 Whatever we are struggling with right now, know that God is in control of our physical and spiritual well being. God stands to judge all people and our faith in Christ puts us in the grace of God. May we continually pray the prayer of this Psalm and along with David we say: “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praises to the name of the Lord most high”. Amen and Amen!

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# 13. 2017 Dev. Mt. 5:38-39. The Eye and Tooth. Read verses 38-42. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Mathew 5: 38 -39

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[h] 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also”.

This statement of Jesus may be one of the most difficult to apply. The idea of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, a foot for a foot is found in Ex. 21:24, Lev.24:20, and Dt. 19:21 The precept is about personal injury and the appropriate response to it. It does not mean that an eye, tooth or foot would be required but a response appropriate for the offense is required.

Jesus is saying something quite different and even more radical. Don’t resist, turn the other cheek for a second blow. Really?  Don’t resist evil with evil but with good, not by allowing ourselves to be a door mat but to give to those in need. What Jesus is saying is that we respond with an appropriate response; Love!

If someone wants something from us it should be appropriate to the need of the person. Does he/she really need a shirt or a coat? If we have what we need we are required to help those in need. We are told to not only look to or own interest but to the interest of others and love others more than ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4. “Have the same mind of Christ.” Paul tells us: in humility serve others.

Jesus is talking about our relationships; in the last analysis our relationships are more important than our processions. That is not the way of the world, we are surrounded with appeals to buy, buy this and be happier, a lot of it we do not need. Jesus is telling us to think about others in conflict, “turn the other cheek” and to look at others who are in legitimate need, help and go the extra mile. As followers Jesus our responses should be geared to build relationships, thereby building the Kingdom of God. Amen!   

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# 12. 2017 Dev.Ps.6:2-3. Read all of Ps. 6. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 6:2-3

 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.³ My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?

Ps 6 is a Lament, and one of 7 “Penitential Psalms” (along with 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143). David thinks that God is angry with him but that may not be necessarily so. God disciplines people for sin but also to prepare one for what is to come, to prepare one for service, holiness (Heb. 12:1-13).

Perhaps there is an indiscretion, a sin, or perhaps he is dealing with a difficult situation that he has not yet come to grips with; Sin not confessed , lack of forgiveness, not dealing with perceived unjustified bad treatment as was the case with David’s enemies. All these unresolved issues bring on “deep anguish” and a physical decline resulting in “groaning and weeping”. David struggles night after night, weeping, asking for mercy, blaming his sorrow on his foes.

But David has hope because of God’s “unfailing love”, because God has heard his prayer and heard his cry for mercy, he is assured an answer. We can identify with David, whether we deal with sin in our lives or we are unable to forgive, or we feel personally attacked and we are not able to move on. Because of God’s “unfailing love” we ask for mercy, we bring our lament to God, we are specific in our prayers and we anticipate God’s answer in his time. Praise be to God!      

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# 11. 2017 Dev. Mt. 5:34-35. Yes, and No! Read verses 33-36. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 Mathew 5: 34-35

 “But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.”

 One wonders why Jesus had to bring up vows when it seems to us to be a less important issue. Obviously, it was a problem in the day as it is today in terms of swearing by God’s name. Vows in biblical times are the defined as: “a solemn promise made to God to perform or to abstain from performing a certain thing” (Smiths Biblical Dictionary). Vows go way back in Scripture; Jacob vowed to tithe to God if he was blessed and protected. Leviticus set the regulations of vows to God. Vows were considered worship to God.

 Today we make promises and by biblical standards we are to keep the promises we make, promises are vows we make to others and to God. For followers of Jesus keeping our promises is an act of worship. The second issue is using God’s name to reinforce the things we say. Sometimes we use euphemisms like gee, gosh or heck but they are the real thing; swearing by God or by evil.

 What Jesus is saying to us is this: don’t swear by anything, not by God, not by creation, nor by yourself. Simply say “Yes or No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one’”. Using God’s name in vain is a habit and we don’t realize that we are desecrating His name. Jesus is saying; pay attention to the words of your mouth, they are important. Thank you Lord Jesus!

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# 10. 2017 Dev. Ps. 5. God’s great Love for his people. Read all of Ps 5. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 5:7-8 “But I, by your great love, (mercy) can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.⁸ Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies—make your way straight before me.”

David has opposition during his tenure as the King. As a type of Christ, David will have opposition at every turn from family and from enemies. We identify with David as followers of Jesus! David calls out to God and is confident for an answer. Verses 9-10 is the opposite of how David sees himself in God’s eyes. That is the contrast of followers of God and those who rebel against God. They are not trustworthy, they take advantage of every situation and are unrepentant sinners rebelling against God and persecuting his people.

Not so for those who repent and trust God, David asks for guidance: “make your ways straight before me.” David’s request is heard because of God’s love and mercy for those who trust Him. Followers of Jesus may enter into the presence of God; He has made us His dwelling place. By the power of the Holly Spirit His kingdom dwells in our hearts. How fantastic is that! Along with David we rejoice in God’s love and mercy, his blessings and his protection. Thank you Lord Jesus!

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# 9. 2017 Dev. Mt. 5: 31-32. Marriage, Divorce, Recovery. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

Matthew 5: 31-32.    “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{[f] 32} But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

Jesus here is correcting the perception of that day that divorce is only a matter of giving a certificate by the husband to the wife. Jesus, speaking about divorce later explains this precept. This is the occasion: Mt 19 “When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. ² Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

³ Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

“After saying these Things”: Take note that this discussion on divorce follows Jesus’ discussion with Peter about the number of times for forgiveness. “70 times 7” Jesus tells him and Peter’s question precipitated “The parable of the unmerciful servant” (Mt. 18: 21-35).

Jesus gives the Pharisees this answer: ⁴ “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’^{[a] 5} and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’^{[ 6} So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

⁷ “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”

⁸ Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. ⁹ I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

¹⁰ The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”

¹¹ Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. ¹² For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

This is an amazing answer, particularly the last part in response to the disciples’ comment: “it is better not to marry”. It is obvious from Jesus’ answer that relations with the opposite sex and marriage is a matter of choice. Sex and marriage is a gift not a right. 

What are the implications for divorce? Divorce is allowed if there is sexual immorality but it is not mandatory if there can be reconciliation which is preferred. The next question is what constitutes immorality? Adultery for sure but there is also emotional adultery, emotional and physical abuse, child abuse, porn, explicit literature, and as we have already read, immoral thoughts about men and women. I think all the above are included in immorality.

Marriage is not a contract where there is a reciprocal relationship that can be easily broken. Marriage is a vow. Couples should vow to be committed one to the other even if love is not always reciprocated. Love is like the love of Christ, He loves us regardless of our response. He loves us and nothing we can do will make Him love us more or love us less! That is the basis for love in marriage. However, if one does think about divorce every effort must be made to reconcile by being honest with each other, then by agreeing to counseling by Christian counselors or by someone you respect, a pastor, an elder or a couple you know.  The above will work if both partners want to save the marriage. If one party files for divorce over the other party’s objection and every realistic compromise has been extended to the spouse filing, not much can be done by way of reconciliation.

Paul writes (I Cor. 7) about an issue current today: He agrees with Jesus but he also writes about unbelieving spouses. “¹⁰ To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. ¹¹ But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife”.

^12 “To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy”.^15 “But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace”.

The bottom line is that God knows our thoughts, our motivations and every situation in which we find ourselves. Further, “God has called us to live in peace”! On the basis that God loves and takes care of His people, God in Jesus is merciful, forgives, and extends grace to those who belong to Him in order to cope with and recover from the pain of divorce. Thank you Jesus!

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# 8. 2017 Dev. Ps. 4:4-5. Trust God! Read all of Ps. 4. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God by memorizing selected passages of Scripture. Further, to view the passage in context and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living with family, friends and others. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 Psalm 4: 4-5 “Tremble and^[d] do not sin; (or “do not sin in your anger”) when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. ⁵ Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.”

David continues with his prayer, he asks God to listen to him, to “hear my cry for help”. The title indicates that this is a liturgical song, or is spoken at worship representing the congregation, “many are asking ‘who can show us any good?” Is the king being questioned or is this a lack of trust in God? David answers this question with a request; asking for God’s face to light his way and to fill his heart with joy. “Only God is good!” Only God does good to us!

 In times of difficulty we also allow doubt and discouragement to affect our prayers,  to affect our most intimate thoughts as we ponder our relationship to God and think about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we are discouraged do we look for help in the right places? Do we have the right state of mind? Do we ask ourselves the right questions? Do we look to God and His Word? As in David’s time there is delusion of the truth all around us and a running after false gods.

 Let us not be discouraged. Today is a time to look to God, to stay close to Jesus and along with David we say: “Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.” God loves His people in Christ Jesus and He forgives us in Christ Jesus! Therefore, we “will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O lord, make me dwell in safety,” Praise be to God!

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