December 17

John 19:17-27

The Crucifixion

 So they took Jesus, [17] and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. [18] There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. [19] Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” [20] Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. [21] So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” [22] Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”

[23] When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, [24] so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, 

    “They divided my garments among them,

        and for my clothing they cast lots.”

    So the soldiers did these things,  [25] but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” [27] Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Revelation 14

The Lamb and the 144,000

[1] Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. [2] And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, [3] and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. [4] It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, [5] and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.

The Messages of the Three Angels

[6] Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. [7] And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

[8] Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”

[9] And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, [10] he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [11] And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

[12] Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

[13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

The Harvest of the Earth

[14] Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. [15] And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” [16] So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.

[17] Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. [18] And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” [19] So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. [20] And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle, for 1,600 stadia.

Job 36:16-33

    [16] He also allured you out of distress

        into a broad place where there was no cramping,

        and what was set on your table was full of fatness.

    [17] “But you are full of the judgment on the wicked;

        judgment and justice seize you. 

    [18] Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing,

        and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. 

    [19] Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress,

        or all the force of your strength? 

    [20] Do not long for the night,

        when peoples vanish in their place. 

    [21] Take care; do not turn to iniquity,

        for this you have chosen rather than affliction. 

    [22] Behold, God is exalted in his power;

        who is a teacher like him? 

    [23] Who has prescribed for him his way,

        or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?

    [24] “Remember to extol his work,

        of which men have sung. 

    [25] All mankind has looked on it;

        man beholds it from afar. 

    [26] Behold, God is great, and we know him not;

        the number of his years is unsearchable. 

    [27] For he draws up the drops of water;

        they distill his mist in rain, 

    [28] which the skies pour down

        and drop on mankind abundantly. 

    [29] Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds,

        the thunderings of his pavilion? 

    [30] Behold, he scatters his lightning about him

        and covers the roots of the sea. 

    [31] For by these he judges peoples;

        he gives food in abundance. 

    [32] He covers his hands with the lightning

        and commands it to strike the mark. 

    [33] Its crashing declares his presence;

        the cattle also declare that he rises.

Nahum 1

[1] An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.

God’s Wrath Against Nineveh

    [2] The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;

        the LORD is avenging and wrathful;

    the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries

        and keeps wrath for his enemies. 

    [3] The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,

        and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.

    His way is in whirlwind and storm,

        and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 

    [4] He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;

        he dries up all the rivers;

    Bashan and Carmel wither;

        the bloom of Lebanon withers. 

    [5] The mountains quake before him;

        the hills melt;

    the earth heaves before him,

        the world and all who dwell in it.

    [6] Who can stand before his indignation?

        Who can endure the heat of his anger?

    His wrath is poured out like fire,

        and the rocks are broken into pieces by him. 

    [7] The LORD is good,

        a stronghold in the day of trouble;

    he knows those who take refuge in him. 

    [8]     But with an overflowing flood

    he will make a complete end of the adversaries,

        and will pursue his enemies into darkness. 

    [9] What do you plot against the LORD?

        He will make a complete end;

        trouble will not rise up a second time. 

    [10] For they are like entangled thorns,

        like drunkards as they drink;

        they are consumed like stubble fully dried. 

    [11] From you came one

        who plotted evil against the LORD,

        a worthless counselor.

    [12] Thus says the LORD,

    “Though they are at full strength and many,

        they will be cut down and pass away.

    Though I have afflicted you,

        I will afflict you no more. 

    [13] And now I will break his yoke from off you

        and will burst your bonds apart.”

    [14] The LORD has given commandment about you:

        “No more shall your name be perpetuated;

    from the house of your gods I will cut off

        the carved image and the metal image.

    I will make your grave, for you are vile.”

    [15]  Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him

        who brings good news,

        who publishes peace!

    Keep your feasts, O Judah;

        fulfill your vows,

    for never again shall the worthless pass through you;

        he is utterly cut off.

Nahum 2

The Destruction of Nineveh

    [1] The scatterer has come up against you.

        Man the ramparts;

        watch the road;

    dress for battle;

        collect all your strength.

    [2] For the LORD is restoring the majesty of Jacob

        as the majesty of Israel,

    for plunderers have plundered them

        and ruined their branches.

    [3] The shield of his mighty men is red;

        his soldiers are clothed in scarlet.

    The chariots come with flashing metal

        on the day he musters them;

        the cypress spears are brandished. 

    [4] The chariots race madly through the streets;

        they rush to and fro through the squares;

    they gleam like torches;

        they dart like lightning. 

    [5] He remembers his officers;

        they stumble as they go,

    they hasten to the wall;

        the siege tower is set up. 

    [6] The river gates are opened;

        the palace melts away; 

    [7] its mistress is stripped; she is carried off,

        her slave girls lamenting,

    moaning like doves

        and beating their breasts. 

    [8] Nineveh is like a pool

        whose waters run away.

    “Halt! Halt!” they cry,

        but none turns back. 

    [9] Plunder the silver,

        plunder the gold!

    There is no end of the treasure

        or of the wealth of all precious things.

    [10] Desolate! Desolation and ruin!

        Hearts melt and knees tremble;

    anguish is in all loins;

        all faces grow pale! 

    [11] Where is the lions’ den,

        the feeding place of the young lions,

    where the lion and lioness went,

        where his cubs were, with none to disturb? 

    [12] The lion tore enough for his cubs

        and strangled prey for his lionesses;

    he filled his caves with prey

        and his dens with torn flesh.

    [13] Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard.

Nahum 3

Woe to Nineveh

    [1] Woe to the bloody city,

        all full of lies and plunder—

        no end to the prey! 

    [2] The crack of the whip, and rumble of the wheel,

        galloping horse and bounding chariot! 

    [3] Horsemen charging,

        flashing sword and glittering spear,

    hosts of slain,

        heaps of corpses,

    dead bodies without end—

        they stumble over the bodies! 

    [4] And all for the countless whorings of the prostitute,

        graceful and of deadly charms,

    who betrays nations with her whorings,

        and peoples with her charms.

    [5] Behold, I am against you,

        declares the LORD of hosts,

        and will lift up your skirts over your face;

    and I will make nations look at your nakedness

        and kingdoms at your shame. 

    [6] I will throw filth at you

        and treat you with contempt

        and make you a spectacle. 

    [7] And all who look at you will shrink from you and say,

    “Wasted is Nineveh; who will grieve for her?”

        Where shall I seek comforters for you?

    [8] Are you better than Thebes

        that sat by the Nile,

    with water around her,

        her rampart a sea,

        and water her wall? 

    [9] Cush was her strength;

        Egypt too, and that without limit;

        Put and the Libyans were her helpers.

    [10] Yet she became an exile;

        she went into captivity;

    her infants were dashed in pieces

        at the head of every street;

    for her honored men lots were cast,

        and all her great men were bound in chains. 

    [11] You also will be drunken;

        you will go into hiding;

    you will seek a refuge from the enemy. 

    [12] All your fortresses are like fig trees

        with first-ripe figs—

    if shaken they fall

        into the mouth of the eater. 

    [13] Behold, your troops

        are women in your midst.

    The gates of your land

        are wide open to your enemies;

        fire has devoured your bars.

    [14] Draw water for the siege;

        strengthen your forts;

    go into the clay;

        tread the mortar;

        take hold of the brick mold! 

    [15] There will the fire devour you;

        the sword will cut you off.

        It will devour you like the locust.

    Multiply yourselves like the locust;

        multiply like the grasshopper! 

    [16] You increased your merchants

        more than the stars of the heavens.

        The locust spreads its wings and flies away.

    [17] Your princes are like grasshoppers,

        your scribes like clouds of locusts

    settling on the fences

        in a day of cold—

    when the sun rises, they fly away;

        no one knows where they are.

    [18] Your shepherds are asleep,

        O king of Assyria;

        your nobles slumber.

    Your people are scattered on the mountains

        with none to gather them. 

    [19] There is no easing your hurt;

        your wound is grievous.

    All who hear the news about you

        clap their hands over you.

    For upon whom has not come

        your unceasing evil?

The God of Automatic Doors

“Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals’; and so he did. And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me.’ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.’” ACTS 12:8-11

 

PONDER THIS

Do you remember the first time you saw an automatic door? It was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen. As amazing as that is, this is not an entirely new occurrence. Here in Acts chapter 12, this iron gate just opened of its own accord and Peter walked on out. It’s interesting that Peter’s deliverance came at the last moment.

I want you to see how God’s power is working here. Some people might have thought that God was weak or that God was unconcerned and did not care. You may say in your problems, “Where is God? Is God able? Doesn’t God care?”

If you’re in a situation and God doesn’t deliver you it’s not because He can’t. If God is not working according to what you can see, it doesn’t mean God is not working. And if evil seems to succeed, the success of evil is only temporary. When you hit a crisis, please remember these things: Don’t demand to understand; you’ll never figure it out. Remember the resource of prayer. Set your eyes on God, rest in His love, and expect God to move in His own time and in His own way. He will do it. He’s the Christ of every crisis.

What are some of the crises you are facing? What would change if you were to remember Jesus is the Christ of those crises?

When have you felt like God was distant or didn’t care? What did you do?

PRACTICE THIS

Write down a verse that reminds you Jesus is the Christ of your crisis and put it up in a place you will see it every day.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

God’s Most Successful Setback

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)

Christmas marked the beginning of God’s most successful setback. He has always delighted to show his power through apparent defeat. He makes tactical retreats in order to win strategic victories.

In the Old Testament, Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, was promised glory and power in his dream (Genesis 37:5–11). But to achieve that victory he had to become a slave in Egypt. And, as if that were not enough, when his conditions improved because of his integrity, he was made worse than a slave: a prisoner.

But it was all planned. Planned by God for his good and the good of his family, and eventually for the good of the whole world! For there in prison he met Pharaoh’s butler, who eventually brought him to Pharaoh, who put him over Egypt. And finally, his dream came true. His brothers bowed before him, and he saved them from starvation. What an unlikely route to glory!

But that is God’s way — even for his Son. He emptied himself and took the form of a slave. Worse than a slave — a prisoner — and was executed. But like Joseph, he kept his integrity. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:9–10).

And this is God’s way for us too. We are promised glory — if we will suffer with him as it says in Romans 8:17. The way up is down. The way forward is backward. The way to success is through divinely appointed setbacks. They will always look and feel like failure.

But if Joseph and Jesus teach us anything this Christmas it is this: What Satan and sinful men meant for evil, “God meant it for good!” (Genesis 50:20).

You fearful saints fresh courage take

The clouds you so much dread

Are big with mercy and will break

In blessings on your head.

John Piper 

December 16

John 19:1-16

Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified

[1] Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. [2] And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. [3] They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. [4] Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” [5] So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” [6] When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” [7] The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” [8] When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. [9] He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. [10] So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” [11] Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

[12] From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” [13] So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. [14] Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” [15] They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” [16] So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. 

Revelation 13

The First Beast

[1] And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. [2] And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. [3] One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. [4] And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

[5] And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. [6] It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. [7] Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, [8] and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. [9] If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

    [10] If anyone is to be taken captive,

        to captivity he goes;

    if anyone is to be slain with the sword,

        with the sword must he be slain.

    Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. 

The Second Beast

[11] Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. [12] It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. [13] It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, [14] and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. [15] And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. [16] Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, [17] so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. [18] This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

Job 36:1-15

Elihu Extols God’s Greatness

[1] And Elihu continued, and said:

    [2] “Bear with me a little, and I will show you,

        for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf. 

    [3] I will get my knowledge from afar

        and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 

    [4] For truly my words are not false;

        one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

    [5] “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any;

        he is mighty in strength of understanding. 

    [6] He does not keep the wicked alive,

        but gives the afflicted their right. 

    [7] He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,

        but with kings on the throne

        he sets them forever, and they are exalted. 

    [8] And if they are bound in chains

        and caught in the cords of affliction, 

    [9] then he declares to them their work

        and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. 

    [10] He opens their ears to instruction

        and commands that they return from iniquity. 

    [11] If they listen and serve him,

        they complete their days in prosperity,

        and their years in pleasantness. 

    [12] But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword

        and die without knowledge.

    [13] “The godless in heart cherish anger;

        they do not cry for help when he binds them. 

    [14] They die in youth,

        and their life ends among the cult prostitutes. 

    [15] He delivers the afflicted by their affliction

        and opens their ear by adversity.

Micah 6

The Indictment of the LORD

    [1] Hear what the LORD says:

    Arise, plead your case before the mountains,

        and let the hills hear your voice. 

    [2] Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the LORD,

        and you enduring foundations of the earth,

    for the LORD has an indictment against his people,

        and he will contend with Israel.

    [3] “O my people, what have I done to you?

        How have I wearied you? Answer me! 

    [4] For I brought you up from the land of Egypt

        and redeemed you from the house of slavery,

    and I sent before you Moses,

        Aaron, and Miriam. 

    [5] O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised,

        and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,

    and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,

        that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD.”

    What Does the LORD Require?

    [6] “With what shall I come before the LORD,

        and bow myself before God on high?

    Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

        with calves a year old? 

    [7] Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,

        with ten thousands of rivers of oil?

    Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

        the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” 

    [8] He has told you, O man, what is good;

        and what does the LORD require of you

    but to do justice, and to love kindness,

        and to walk humbly with your God?

    Destruction of the Wicked

    [9] The voice of the LORD cries to the city—

        and it is sound wisdom to fear your name:

    “Hear of the rod and of him who appointed it! 

    [10]     Can I forget any longer the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked,

        and the scant measure that is accursed? 

    [11] Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales

        and with a bag of deceitful weights? 

    [12] Your rich men are full of violence;

        your inhabitants speak lies,

        and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. 

    [13] Therefore I strike you with a grievous blow,

        making you desolate because of your sins. 

    [14] You shall eat, but not be satisfied,

        and there shall be hunger within you;

    you shall put away, but not preserve,

        and what you preserve I will give to the sword. 

    [15] You shall sow, but not reap;

        you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil;

        you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine. 

    [16] For you have kept the statutes of Omri,

        and all the works of the house of Ahab;

        and you have walked in their counsels,

    that I may make you a desolation, and your inhabitants a hissing;

        so you shall bear the scorn of my people.”

Micah 7

Wait for the God of Salvation

    [1] Woe is me! For I have become

        as when the summer fruit has been gathered,

        as when the grapes have been gleaned:

    there is no cluster to eat,

        no first-ripe fig that my soul desires. 

    [2] The godly has perished from the earth,

        and there is no one upright among mankind;

    they all lie in wait for blood,

        and each hunts the other with a net. 

    [3] Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well;

        the prince and the judge ask for a bribe,

    and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul;

        thus they weave it together. 

    [4] The best of them is like a brier,

        the most upright of them a thorn hedge.

    The day of your watchmen, of your punishment, has come;

        now their confusion is at hand. 

    [5] Put no trust in a neighbor;

        have no confidence in a friend;

    guard the doors of your mouth

        from her who lies in your arms; 

    [6] for the son treats the father with contempt,

        the daughter rises up against her mother,

    the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

        a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. 

    [7] But as for me, I will look to the LORD;

        I will wait for the God of my salvation;

        my God will hear me.

    [8] Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;

        when I fall, I shall rise;

    when I sit in darkness,

        the LORD will be a light to me. 

    [9] I will bear the indignation of the LORD

        because I have sinned against him,

    until he pleads my cause

        and executes judgment for me.

    He will bring me out to the light;

        I shall look upon his vindication. 

    [10] Then my enemy will see,

        and shame will cover her who said to me,

        “Where is the LORD your God?”

    My eyes will look upon her;

        now she will be trampled down

        like the mire of the streets.

    [11] A day for the building of your walls!

        In that day the boundary shall be far extended. 

    [12] In that day they will come to you,

        from Assyria and the cities of Egypt,

    and from Egypt to the River,

        from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain. 

    [13] But the earth will be desolate

        because of its inhabitants,

        for the fruit of their deeds.

    [14] Shepherd your people with your staff,

        the flock of your inheritance,

    who dwell alone in a forest

        in the midst of a garden land;

    let them graze in Bashan and Gilead

        as in the days of old. 

    [15] As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt,

        I will show them marvelous things. 

    [16] The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might;

    they shall lay their hands on their mouths;

        their ears shall be deaf; 

    [17] they shall lick the dust like a serpent,

        like the crawling things of the earth;

    they shall come trembling out of their strongholds;

        they shall turn in dread to the LORD our God,

        and they shall be in fear of you.

    God’s Steadfast Love and Compassion

    [18] Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity

        and passing over transgression

        for the remnant of his inheritance?

    He does not retain his anger forever,

        because he delights in steadfast love. 

    [19] He will again have compassion on us;

        he will tread our iniquities underfoot.

    You will cast all our sins

        into the depths of the sea. 

    [20] You will show faithfulness to Jacob

        and steadfast love to Abraham,

    as you have sworn to our fathers

        from the days of old.

Do You Know God?

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

JOHN 17:3

 

PONDER THIS

A woman was in her house, and a knock came on the door. When she opened the door, the man standing there asked her, “Do you know God?” She was flustered, taken aback. She stuttered and stammered and was embarrassed; she just stepped back and shut the door. The man bowed his head and walked away.

Later the woman’s husband came home. She said, “Darling, let me tell you what happened today. A man knocked at the door of our house, and he asked me if I knew God. I didn’t know what to say. I shut the door in his face. I wish I could find him and apologize to him.” He said, “Apologize? You should’ve slammed the door in his face. What right did he have to ask you such a question? Why didn’t you tell him we are members of the biggest church in our city? Why didn’t you tell him we’re reputable people, that we have a good reputation?” And she said, “He didn’t ask that. He only asked if I knew God.”

That’s what I want to ask you today. Not if you’re a member of a church. Not whether people think you’re fine. Not if you have manners and culture. Not even whether you have religion. Do you know God? The unsaved person encounters hurt, and he’ll go to some looking for a quick fix and say, “Pray for me for all these areas of hurt in my life; I don’t want this trouble.” More than a quick fix, what that person needs is God. Only through Christ can you know God and truly live satisfied.

Do you know God? How do you grow in your knowledge of Him?

Who are some people around you who do not know God?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to a friend who does not know God about how he or she copes during tough times.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Life and Death at Christmas

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

As I was about to begin this devotional, I received word that Marion Newstrum had just died. Marion and her husband Elmer had been part of our church longer than most of our members had been alive at the time. She was 87. They had been married 64 years.

When I spoke to Elmer and told him I wanted him to be strong in the Lord and not give up on life, he said, “He has been a true friend.” I pray that all Christians will be able to say at the end of life, “Christ has been a true friend.”

Each Advent I mark the anniversary of my mother’s death. She was cut off in her 56th year in a bus accident in Israel. It was December 16, 1974. Those events are incredibly real to me even today. If I allow myself, I can easily come to tears — for example, thinking that my sons never knew her. We buried her the day after Christmas. What a precious Christmas it was!

Many of you will feel your loss this Christmas more pointedly than before. Don’t block it out. Let it come. Feel it. What is love for, if not to intensify our affections — both in life and death? But oh, do not be bitter. It is tragically self-destructive to be bitter.

Jesus came at Christmas that we might have eternal life. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Elmer and Marion had discussed where they would spend their final years. Elmer said, “Marion and I agreed that our final home would be with the Lord.”

Do you feel restless for home? I have family coming home for the holidays. It feels good. I think the bottom-line reason for why it feels good is that they and I are destined in the depths of our being for an ultimate Homecoming. All other homecomings are foretastes. And foretastes are good.

Unless they become substitutes. Oh, don’t let all the sweet things of this season become substitutes of the final, great, all-satisfying Sweetness. Let every loss and every delight send your hearts a-homing after heaven.

Christmas. What is it but this: I came that they may have life? Marion Newstrum, Ruth Piper, and you and I — that we might have Life, now and forever.

Make your Now the richer and deeper this Christmas by drinking at the fountain of Forever. It is so near.

John Piper 

December 15

John 18:28-40

Jesus Before Pilate

[28] Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. [29] So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” [30] They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” [31] Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” [32] This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

My Kingdom Is Not of This World

[33] So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” [34] Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” [35] Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” [36] Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” [37] Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” [38] Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” 

After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.  [39] But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” [40] They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

Revelation 12

The Woman and the Dragon

[1] And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. [2] She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. [3] And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. [4] His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. [5] She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, [6] and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.

Satan Thrown Down to Earth

[7] Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, [8] but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. [10] And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. [11] And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. [12] Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

[13] And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. [14] But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. [15] The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. [16] But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. [17] Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

Job 35

Elihu Condemns Job

[1] And Elihu answered and said:

    [2] “Do you think this to be just?

        Do you say, ‘It is my right before God,’ 

    [3] that you ask, ‘What advantage have I?

        How am I better off than if I had sinned?’ 

    [4] I will answer you

        and your friends with you. 

    [5] Look at the heavens, and see;

        and behold the clouds, which are higher than you. 

    [6] If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him?

        And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? 

    [7] If you are righteous, what do you give to him?

        Or what does he receive from your hand? 

    [8] Your wickedness concerns a man like yourself,

        and your righteousness a son of man.

    [9] “Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out;

        they call for help because of the arm of the mighty. 

    [10] But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker,

        who gives songs in the night, 

    [11] who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth

        and makes us wiser than the birds of the heavens?’ 

    [12] There they cry out, but he does not answer,

        because of the pride of evil men. 

    [13] Surely God does not hear an empty cry,

        nor does the Almighty regard it. 

    [14] How much less when you say that you do not see him,

        that the case is before him, and you are waiting for him! 

    [15] And now, because his anger does not punish,

        and he does not take much note of transgression, 

    [16] Job opens his mouth in empty talk;

        he multiplies words without knowledge.”

Micah 4

The Mountain of the LORD

    [1] It shall come to pass in the latter days

        that the mountain of the house of the LORD

    shall be established as the highest of the mountains,

        and it shall be lifted up above the hills;

    and peoples shall flow to it, 

    [2]     and many nations shall come, and say:

    “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,

        to the house of the God of Jacob,

    that he may teach us his ways

        and that we may walk in his paths.”

    For out of Zion shall go forth the law,

        and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 

    [3] He shall judge between many peoples,

        and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away;

    and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,

        and their spears into pruning hooks;

    nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

        neither shall they learn war anymore; 

    [4] but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree,

        and no one shall make them afraid,

        for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. 

    [5] For all the peoples walk

        each in the name of its god,

    but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God

        forever and ever.

    The LORD Shall Rescue Zion

    [6] In that day, declares the LORD,

        I will assemble the lame

    and gather those who have been driven away

        and those whom I have afflicted; 

    [7] and the lame I will make the remnant,

        and those who were cast off, a strong nation;

    and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion

        from this time forth and forevermore.

    [8] And you, O tower of the flock,

        hill of the daughter of Zion,

    to you shall it come,

        the former dominion shall come,

        kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem.

    [9] Now why do you cry aloud?

        Is there no king in you?

    Has your counselor perished,

        that pain seized you like a woman in labor? 

    [10] Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion,

        like a woman in labor,

    for now you shall go out from the city

        and dwell in the open country;

        you shall go to Babylon.

    There you shall be rescued;

        there the LORD will redeem you

        from the hand of your enemies.

    [11] Now many nations

        are assembled against you,

    saying, “Let her be defiled,

        and let our eyes gaze upon Zion.” 

    [12] But they do not know

        the thoughts of the LORD;

    they do not understand his plan,

        that he has gathered them as sheaves to the threshing floor. 

    [13] Arise and thresh,

        O daughter of Zion,

    for I will make your horn iron,

        and I will make your hoofs bronze;

    you shall beat in pieces many peoples;

        and shall devote their gain to the LORD,

        their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth.

Micah 5

The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem

    [1]  Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;

        siege is laid against us;

    with a rod they strike the judge of Israel

        on the cheek. 

    [2]  But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

        who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

    from you shall come forth for me

        one who is to be ruler in Israel,

    whose coming forth is from of old,

        from ancient days. 

    [3] Therefore he shall give them up until the time

        when she who is in labor has given birth;

    then the rest of his brothers shall return

        to the people of Israel. 

    [4] And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,

        in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.

    And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great

        to the ends of the earth. 

    [5] And he shall be their peace.

    When the Assyrian comes into our land

        and treads in our palaces,

    then we will raise against him seven shepherds

        and eight princes of men; 

    [6] they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,

        and the land of Nimrod at its entrances;

    and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian

        when he comes into our land

        and treads within our border.

    A Remnant Shall Be Delivered

    [7] Then the remnant of Jacob shall be

        in the midst of many peoples

    like dew from the LORD,

        like showers on the grass,

    which delay not for a man

        nor wait for the children of man. 

    [8] And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations,

        in the midst of many peoples,

    like a lion among the beasts of the forest,

        like a young lion among the flocks of sheep,

    which, when it goes through, treads down

        and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver. 

    [9] Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries,

        and all your enemies shall be cut off.

    [10] And in that day, declares the LORD,

        I will cut off your horses from among you

        and will destroy your chariots; 

    [11] and I will cut off the cities of your land

        and throw down all your strongholds; 

    [12] and I will cut off sorceries from your hand,

        and you shall have no more tellers of fortunes; 

    [13] and I will cut off your carved images

        and your pillars from among you,

    and you shall bow down no more

        to the work of your hands; 

    [14] and I will root out your Asherah images from among you

        and destroy your cities. 

    [15] And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance

        on the nations that did not obey.