Peace to Those with Whom He Is Pleased

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:12–14)

Peace for whom? There is a somber note sounded in the angels’ praise. Peace among those on whom his favor rests. Peace among those with whom he is pleased. But without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So, Christmas does not bring peace to all.

“This is the judgment,” Jesus said, “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19). Or as the aged Simeon said when he saw the child Jesus, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed . . . so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Oh, how many there are who look out on a bleak and chilly Christmas day and see no more than that — a sign to be opposed.

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11–12). It was only to his disciples that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

The people who enjoy the peace of God that surpasses all understanding are those who in everything by prayer and supplication let their requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6–7).

The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace is faith in the promises of God. So, Paul prays, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). And when we do trust the promises of God and have joy and peace and love, then God is glorified.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Everyone — from every people, tongue, tribe, and nation — who would believe.

John Piper 

December 6

John 15:18-27

The Hatred of the World

[18] “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. [20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. [21] But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. [22] If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. [23] Whoever hates me hates my Father also. [24] If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. [25] But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

[26] “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. [27] And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Revelation 3:14-22

To the Church in Laodicea

[14] “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.

[15] “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! [16] So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. [17] For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. [18] I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. [19] Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. [20] Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. [21] The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. [22] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Job 29

Job’s Summary Defense

[1] And Job again took up his discourse, and said:

    [2] “Oh, that I were as in the months of old,

        as in the days when God watched over me, 

    [3] when his lamp shone upon my head,

        and by his light I walked through darkness, 

    [4] as I was in my prime,

        when the friendship of God was upon my tent, 

    [5] when the Almighty was yet with me,

        when my children were all around me, 

    [6] when my steps were washed with butter,

        and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! 

    [7] When I went out to the gate of the city,

        when I prepared my seat in the square, 

    [8] the young men saw me and withdrew,

        and the aged rose and stood; 

    [9] the princes refrained from talking

        and laid their hand on their mouth; 

    [10] the voice of the nobles was hushed,

        and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. 

    [11] When the ear heard, it called me blessed,

        and when the eye saw, it approved, 

    [12] because I delivered the poor who cried for help,

        and the fatherless who had none to help him. 

    [13] The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me,

        and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 

    [14] I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;

        my justice was like a robe and a turban. 

    [15] I was eyes to the blind

        and feet to the lame. 

    [16] I was a father to the needy,

        and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. 

    [17] I broke the fangs of the unrighteous

        and made him drop his prey from his teeth. 

    [18] Then I thought, ‘I shall die in my nest,

        and I shall multiply my days as the sand, 

    [19] my roots spread out to the waters,

        with the dew all night on my branches, 

    [20] my glory fresh with me,

        and my bow ever new in my hand.’

    [21] “Men listened to me and waited

        and kept silence for my counsel. 

    [22] After I spoke they did not speak again,

        and my word dropped upon them. 

    [23] They waited for me as for the rain,

        and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. 

    [24] I smiled on them when they had no confidence,

        and the light of my face they did not cast down. 

    [25] I chose their way and sat as chief,

        and I lived like a king among his troops,

        like one who comforts mourners.

Joel 1

[1] The word of the LORD that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel:

An Invasion of Locusts

    [2] Hear this, you elders;

        give ear, all inhabitants of the land!

    Has such a thing happened in your days,

        or in the days of your fathers? 

    [3] Tell your children of it,

        and let your children tell their children,

        and their children to another generation.

    [4] What the cutting locust left,

        the swarming locust has eaten.

    What the swarming locust left,

        the hopping locust has eaten,

    and what the hopping locust left,

        the destroying locust has eaten.

    [5] Awake, you drunkards, and weep,

        and wail, all you drinkers of wine,

    because of the sweet wine,

        for it is cut off from your mouth. 

    [6] For a nation has come up against my land,

        powerful and beyond number;

    its teeth are lions’ teeth,

        and it has the fangs of a lioness. 

    [7] It has laid waste my vine

        and splintered my fig tree;

    it has stripped off their bark and thrown it down;

        their branches are made white.

    [8] Lament like a virgin wearing sackcloth

        for the bridegroom of her youth. 

    [9] The grain offering and the drink offering are cut off

        from the house of the LORD.

    The priests mourn,

        the ministers of the LORD. 

    [10] The fields are destroyed,

        the ground mourns,

    because the grain is destroyed,

        the wine dries up,

        the oil languishes.

    [11] Be ashamed, O tillers of the soil;

        wail, O vinedressers,

    for the wheat and the barley,

        because the harvest of the field has perished. 

    [12] The vine dries up;

        the fig tree languishes.

    Pomegranate, palm, and apple,

        all the trees of the field are dried up,

    and gladness dries up

        from the children of man.

    A Call to Repentance

    [13] Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests;

        wail, O ministers of the altar.

    Go in, pass the night in sackcloth,

        O ministers of my God!

    Because grain offering and drink offering

        are withheld from the house of your God.

    [14] Consecrate a fast;

        call a solemn assembly.

    Gather the elders

        and all the inhabitants of the land

    to the house of the LORD your God,

        and cry out to the LORD.

    [15] Alas for the day!

    For the day of the LORD is near,

        and as destruction from the Almighty it comes. 

    [16] Is not the food cut off

        before our eyes,

    joy and gladness

        from the house of our God?

    [17] The seed shrivels under the clods;

        the storehouses are desolate;

    the granaries are torn down

        because the grain has dried up. 

    [18] How the beasts groan!

        The herds of cattle are perplexed

    because there is no pasture for them;

        even the flocks of sheep suffer.

    [19] To you, O LORD, I call.

    For fire has devoured

        the pastures of the wilderness,

    and flame has burned

        all the trees of the field. 

    [20] Even the beasts of the field pant for you

        because the water brooks are dried up,

    and fire has devoured

        the pastures of the wilderness.

Why Obligated Obedience Falls Flat

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.’”

DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9

 

PONDER THIS

We are called to live for Christ no matter what it costs. You cannot compromise with obedience. This is inflexible obedience—when we obey God no matter what. These apostles knew that to obey God could mean death. They were preaching with the cloud of a death sentence over their heads.

Selective obedience is not obedience at all. A man was bragging about his dog. Someone said, “What kind of a dog is he?” He responded, “Oh, he’s a very smart dog, very well trained.” She said, “Show me what he can do.” He said, “Well, when I go somewhere, all I have to say to the dog is ‘Are you coming with me or not?’ and either he does or he doesn’t.” It is silly but that’s the way some of us are. We decide what we want to do. We make the decisions for ourselves, but at the end of the day, selective obedience is not obedience at all.

Our obedience must be impassioned obedience; we must do the will of God from our hearts. Telling these men not to preach and not to share the Lord Jesus Christ was futile, because they were full of burning, blazing, emotional passion for the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you have a zeal for God? God forgive our lukewarm, half-hearted, indifferent obedience. If you’re going to serve Him, serve Him with joy.

What is the most difficult part of obeying God wholeheartedly?

What is the difference between obedience that comes from the heart and obedience that comes from obligation?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to someone who has a passion for God. Ask what whole-hearted obedience to God looks like for him or for her.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

No Detour from Calvary

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6–7)

You would think that if God so rules the world as to use an empire-wide census to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, he surely could have seen to it that a room was available in the inn.

Yes, he could have. He absolutely could have! And Jesus could have been born into a wealthy family. He could have turned stone into bread in the wilderness. He could have called 10,000 angels to his aid in Gethsemane. He could have come down from the cross and saved himself. The question is not what God could do, but what he willed to do.

God’s will was that though Christ was rich, yet for your sake he became poor. The “No Vacancy” signs over all the motels in Bethlehem were for your sake. “For your sake he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

God rules all things — even hotel capacities and available Airbnbs — for the sake of his children. The Calvary road begins with a “No Vacancy” sign in Bethlehem and ends with the spitting and scoffing of the cross in Jerusalem.

And we must not forget that he said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross” (Luke 9:23).

We join him on the Calvary road and hear him say, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).

To the one who calls out enthusiastically, “I will follow you wherever you go!” Jesus responds, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:57–58).

Yes, God could have seen to it that Jesus have a room at his birth. But that would have been a detour off the Calvary road.

 

John Piper 

December 5

John 15:9-17

[9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

[12] “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command you. [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. [17] These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Revelation 3:1-13

To the Church in Sardis

[1] “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. 

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  [2] Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. [3] Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. [4] Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. [5] The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. [6] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

To the Church in Philadelphia

[7] “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

[8] “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. [9] Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. [10] Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. [11] I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. [12] The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. [13] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Job 28

Job Continues: Where Is Wisdom?

    [1] “Surely there is a mine for silver,

        and a place for gold that they refine. 

    [2] Iron is taken out of the earth,

        and copper is smelted from the ore. 

    [3] Man puts an end to darkness

        and searches out to the farthest limit

        the ore in gloom and deep darkness. 

    [4] He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives;

        they are forgotten by travelers;

        they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro. 

    [5] As for the earth, out of it comes bread,

        but underneath it is turned up as by fire. 

    [6] Its stones are the place of sapphires,

        and it has dust of gold.

    [7] “That path no bird of prey knows,

        and the falcon’s eye has not seen it. 

    [8] The proud beasts have not trodden it;

        the lion has not passed over it.

    [9] “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock

        and overturns mountains by the roots. 

    [10] He cuts out channels in the rocks,

        and his eye sees every precious thing. 

    [11] He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle,

        and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light.

    [12] “But where shall wisdom be found?

        And where is the place of understanding? 

    [13] Man does not know its worth,

        and it is not found in the land of the living. 

    [14] The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’

        and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ 

    [15] It cannot be bought for gold,

        and silver cannot be weighed as its price. 

    [16] It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,

        in precious onyx or sapphire. 

    [17] Gold and glass cannot equal it,

        nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. 

    [18] No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;

        the price of wisdom is above pearls. 

    [19] The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,

        nor can it be valued in pure gold.

    [20] “From where, then, does wisdom come?

        And where is the place of understanding? 

    [21] It is hidden from the eyes of all living

        and concealed from the birds of the air. 

    [22] Abaddon and Death say,

        ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’

    [23] “God understands the way to it,

        and he knows its place. 

    [24] For he looks to the ends of the earth

        and sees everything under the heavens. 

    [25] When he gave to the wind its weight

        and apportioned the waters by measure, 

    [26] when he made a decree for the rain

        and a way for the lightning of the thunder, 

    [27] then he saw it and declared it;

        he established it, and searched it out. 

    [28] And he said to man,

    ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

        and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Hosea 13

The LORD’s Relentless Judgment on Israel

    [1] When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling;

        he was exalted in Israel,

        but he incurred guilt through Baal and died. 

    [2] And now they sin more and more,

        and make for themselves metal images,

    idols skillfully made of their silver,

        all of them the work of craftsmen.

    It is said of them,

        “Those who offer human sacrifice kiss calves!” 

    [3] Therefore they shall be like the morning mist

        or like the dew that goes early away,

    like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor

        or like smoke from a window.

    [4] But I am the LORD your God

        from the land of Egypt;

    you know no God but me,

        and besides me there is no savior. 

    [5] It was I who knew you in the wilderness,

        in the land of drought; 

    [6] but when they had grazed, they became full,

        they were filled, and their heart was lifted up;

        therefore they forgot me. 

    [7] So I am to them like a lion;

        like a leopard I will lurk beside the way. 

    [8] I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;

        I will tear open their breast,

    and there I will devour them like a lion,

        as a wild beast would rip them open.

    [9] He destroys you, O Israel,

        for you are against me, against your helper. 

    [10] Where now is your king, to save you in all your cities?

        Where are all your rulers—

    those of whom you said,

        “Give me a king and princes”? 

    [11] I gave you a king in my anger,

        and I took him away in my wrath.

    [12] The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up;

        his sin is kept in store. 

    [13] The pangs of childbirth come for him,

        but he is an unwise son,

    for at the right time he does not present himself

        at the opening of the womb.

    [14] I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol;

        I shall redeem them from Death.

    O Death, where are your plagues?

        O Sheol, where is your sting?

        Compassion is hidden from my eyes.

    [15] Though he may flourish among his brothers,

        the east wind, the wind of the LORD, shall come,

        rising from the wilderness,

    and his fountain shall dry up;

        his spring shall be parched;

    it shall strip his treasury

        of every precious thing. 

    [16]  Samaria shall bear her guilt,

        because she has rebelled against her God;

    they shall fall by the sword;

        their little ones shall be dashed in pieces,

        and their pregnant women ripped open.

Hosea 14

A Plea to Return to the LORD

    [1] Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,

        for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. 

    [2] Take with you words

        and return to the LORD;

    say to him,

        “Take away all iniquity;

    accept what is good,

        and we will pay with bulls

        the vows of our lips. 

    [3] Assyria shall not save us;

        we will not ride on horses;

    and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’

        to the work of our hands.

    In you the orphan finds mercy.”

    [4] I will heal their apostasy;

        I will love them freely,

        for my anger has turned from them. 

    [5] I will be like the dew to Israel;

        he shall blossom like the lily;

        he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; 

    [6] his shoots shall spread out;

        his beauty shall be like the olive,

        and his fragrance like Lebanon. 

    [7] They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;

        they shall flourish like the grain;

    they shall blossom like the vine;

        their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

    [8] O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?

        It is I who answer and look after you.

    I am like an evergreen cypress;

        from me comes your fruit.

    [9] Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

        whoever is discerning, let him know them;

    for the ways of the LORD are right,

        and the upright walk in them,

        but transgressors stumble in them.

How to Find Joy in Obedience

“And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” ACTS 5:40-42

 

PONDER THIS

Don’t get the idea that the will of God is something you have to do; God’s not going to force it on you. The will of God is something you get to do. When you learn to obey, you will learn the joy people talk about in the Christian life. There’s no such thing as a happy, disobedient Christian. That is a contradiction in terms. Verse 41 says, “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” I am telling you that obedience and rejoicing come together. It is a lie out of Hell that doing the will of God is painful and makes you miserable. The Bible says, “His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

Now the reason some of us don’t obey the Lord or understand there’s joy in obeying the Lord is that we don’t trust the Lord, and we struggle to take commands from a stranger. You get to know the Lord Jesus Christ and you will learn that His commands are not a burden. The Bible says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us” (1 John 4:10). His way is good; His way leads to life. It is a joy to have such clarity, direction, and purpose when we walk in Him!

How have you seen God’s way as an obligation instead of as an opportunity?

What changes when you see God’s way as a way you get to be with Him joyfully instead of as a difficult obligation?

PRACTICE THIS

Open yourself up to God in prayer. Be honest with Him about the hard parts of obedience and ask Him to grow your joy in following Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

For God’s Little People

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (Luke 2:1–5)

Have you ever thought what an amazing thing it is that God ordained beforehand that the Messiah be born in Bethlehem (as the prophecy in Micah 5:2 shows); and that he so ordained things that when the time came, the Messiah’s mother and legal father were living not in Bethlehem but in Nazareth; and that in order to fulfill his word and bring two unheard-of, insignificant, little people to Bethlehem that first Christmas, God put it in the heart of Caesar Augustus that all the Roman world should be enrolled each in his own town? A decree for the entire world in order to move two people seventy miles!

Have you ever felt, like me, little and insignificant in a world of seven billion people, where all the news is about big political and economic and social movements and outstanding people with global significance and lots of power and prestige?

If you have, don’t let that make you disheartened or unhappy. For it is implicit in Scripture that all the mammoth political forces and all the giant industrial complexes, without their even knowing it, are being guided by God, not for their own sake, but for the sake of God’s little people — the little Mary and the little Joseph who have to be got from Nazareth to Bethlehem. God wields an empire to fulfill his word and bless his children.

Do not think, because you experience adversity in your little world of experience, that the hand of the Lord is shortened. It is not our prosperity or our fame but our holiness that he seeks with all his heart. And to that end, he rules the whole world. As Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” And he is always turning it for his saving and sanctifying and eternal purposes among his people.

He is a big God for little people, and we have great cause to rejoice that, unbeknownst to them, all the kings and presidents and premiers and chancellors and chiefs of the world follow the sovereign decrees of our Father in heaven, that we, the children, might be conformed to the image of his Son, Jesus Christ — and then enter his eternal glory.

John Piper