Monday, September 8, 2025

September 8

Luke 22:24-30


[24] A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. [25] And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. [26] But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. [27] For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.


[28] “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, [29] and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, [30] that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


Hebrews 5


[1] For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. [2] He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. [3] Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. [4] And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.


[5] So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, 


    “You are my Son,

        today I have begotten you”;


    [6] as he says also in another place, 


    “You are a priest forever,

        after the order of Melchizedek.”


    [7] In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. [8] Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. [9] And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, [10] being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.


[11] About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. [12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, [13] for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. [14] But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.


Proverbs 22:1-16


    [1] A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

        and favor is better than silver or gold. 

    [2] 

    The rich and the poor meet together;

        the LORD is the Maker of them all. 

    [3] 

    The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

        but the simple go on and suffer for it. 

    [4] 

    The reward for humility and fear of the LORD

        is riches and honor and life. 

    [5] 

    Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;

        whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. 

    [6] 

    Train up a child in the way he should go;

        even when he is old he will not depart from it. 

    [7] 

    The rich rules over the poor,

        and the borrower is the slave of the lender. 

    [8] 

    Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,

        and the rod of his fury will fail. 

    [9] 

    Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,

        for he shares his bread with the poor. 

    [10] 

    Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,

        and quarreling and abuse will cease. 

    [11] 

    He who loves purity of heart,

        and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. 

    [12] 

    The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,

        but he overthrows the words of the traitor. 

    [13] 

    The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!

        I shall be killed in the streets!” 

    [14] 

    The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;

        he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it. 

    [15] 

    Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,

        but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. 

    [16] 

    Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,

        or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.


Isaiah 21


[1] The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea. 


    As whirlwinds in the Negeb sweep on,

        it comes from the wilderness,

        from a terrible land. 

    [2] A stern vision is told to me;

        the traitor betrays,

        and the destroyer destroys.

    Go up, O Elam;

        lay siege, O Media;

    all the sighing she has caused

        I bring to an end. 

    [3] Therefore my loins are filled with anguish;

        pangs have seized me,

        like the pangs of a woman in labor;

    I am bowed down so that I cannot hear;

        I am dismayed so that I cannot see. 

    [4] My heart staggers; horror has appalled me;

        the twilight I longed for

        has been turned for me into trembling. 

    [5] They prepare the table,

        they spread the rugs,

        they eat, they drink.

    Arise, O princes;

        oil the shield! 

    [6] For thus the Lord said to me:

    “Go, set a watchman;

        let him announce what he sees. 

    [7] When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs,

        riders on donkeys, riders on camels,

    let him listen diligently,

        very diligently.” 

    [8] Then he who saw cried out:

    “Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord,

        continually by day,

    and at my post I am stationed

        whole nights. 

    [9] And behold, here come riders,

        horsemen in pairs!”

    And he answered,

        “Fallen, fallen is Babylon;

    and all the carved images of her gods

        he has shattered to the ground.” 

    [10] O my threshed and winnowed one,

        what I have heard from the LORD of hosts,

        the God of Israel, I announce to you.


    [11] The oracle concerning Dumah. 


    One is calling to me from Seir,

        “Watchman, what time of the night?

        Watchman, what time of the night?” 

    [12] The watchman says:

    “Morning comes, and also the night.

        If you will inquire, inquire;

        come back again.”


    [13] The oracle concerning Arabia. 


    In the thickets in Arabia you will lodge,

        O caravans of Dedanites. 

    [14] To the thirsty bring water;

        meet the fugitive with bread,

        O inhabitants of the land of Tema. 

    [15] For they have fled from the swords,

        from the drawn sword,

    from the bent bow,

        and from the press of battle.


    [16] For thus the Lord said to me, “Within a year, according to the years of a hired worker, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end. [17] And the remainder of the archers of the mighty men of the sons of Kedar will be few, for the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.”


Isaiah 22


[1] The oracle concerning the valley of vision. 


    What do you mean that you have gone up,

        all of you, to the housetops, 

    [2] you who are full of shoutings,

        tumultuous city, exultant town?

    Your slain are not slain with the sword

        or dead in battle. 

    [3] All your leaders have fled together;

        without the bow they were captured.

    All of you who were found were captured,

        though they had fled far away. 

    [4] Therefore I said:

    “Look away from me;

        let me weep bitter tears;

    do not labor to comfort me

        concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people.”


    [5] For the Lord GOD of hosts has a day

        of tumult and trampling and confusion

        in the valley of vision,

    a battering down of walls

        and a shouting to the mountains. 

    [6] And Elam bore the quiver

        with chariots and horsemen,

        and Kir uncovered the shield. 

    [7] Your choicest valleys were full of chariots,

        and the horsemen took their stand at the gates. 

    [8] He has taken away the covering of Judah.


    In that day you looked to the weapons of the House of the Forest,  [9] and you saw that the breaches of the city of David were many. You collected the waters of the lower pool, [10] and you counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. [11] You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to him who did it, or see him who planned it long ago.


    [12] In that day the Lord GOD of hosts

        called for weeping and mourning,

        for baldness and wearing sackcloth; 

    [13] and behold, joy and gladness,

        killing oxen and slaughtering sheep,

        eating flesh and drinking wine.

    “Let us eat and drink,

        for tomorrow we die.” 

    [14] The LORD of hosts has revealed himself in my ears:

    “Surely this iniquity will not be atoned for you until you die,”

        says the Lord GOD of hosts.


    [15] Thus says the Lord GOD of hosts, “Come, go to this steward, to Shebna, who is over the household, and say to him: [16] What have you to do here, and whom have you here, that you have cut out here a tomb for yourself, you who cut out a tomb on the height and carve a dwelling for yourself in the rock? [17] Behold, the LORD will hurl you away violently, O you strong man. He will seize firm hold on you [18] and whirl you around and around, and throw you like a ball into a wide land. There you shall die, and there shall be your glorious chariots, you shame of your master’s house. [19] I will thrust you from your office, and you will be pulled down from your station. [20] In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, [21] and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. [22] And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. [23] And I will fasten him like a peg in a secure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father’s house. [24] And they will hang on him the whole honor of his father’s house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons. [25] In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, the peg that was fastened in a secure place will give way, and it will be cut down and fall, and the load that was on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken.”


Isaiah 23


[1] The oracle concerning Tyre. 


    Wail, O ships of Tarshish,

        for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor!

    From the land of Cyprus

        it is revealed to them. 

    [2] Be still, O inhabitants of the coast;

        the merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea, have filled you. 

    [3] And on many waters

    your revenue was the grain of Shihor,

        the harvest of the Nile;

        you were the merchant of the nations. 

    [4] Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken,

        the stronghold of the sea, saying:

    “I have neither labored nor given birth,

        I have neither reared young men

        nor brought up young women.” 

    [5] When the report comes to Egypt,

        they will be in anguish over the report about Tyre. 

    [6] Cross over to Tarshish;

        wail, O inhabitants of the coast! 

    [7] Is this your exultant city

        whose origin is from days of old,

    whose feet carried her

        to settle far away? 

    [8] Who has purposed this

        against Tyre, the bestower of crowns,

    whose merchants were princes,

        whose traders were the honored of the earth? 

    [9] The LORD of hosts has purposed it,

        to defile the pompous pride of all glory,

        to dishonor all the honored of the earth. 

    [10] Cross over your land like the Nile,

        O daughter of Tarshish;

        there is no restraint anymore. 

    [11] He has stretched out his hand over the sea;

        he has shaken the kingdoms;

    the LORD has given command concerning Canaan

        to destroy its strongholds. 

    [12] And he said:

    “You will no more exult,

        O oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon;

    arise, cross over to Cyprus,

        even there you will have no rest.”


    [13] Behold the land of the Chaldeans! This is the people that was not; Assyria destined it for wild beasts. They erected their siege towers, they stripped her palaces bare, they made her a ruin.


    [14] Wail, O ships of Tarshish,

        for your stronghold is laid waste.


    [15] In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:


    [16] “Take a harp;

        go about the city,

        O forgotten prostitute!

    Make sweet melody;

        sing many songs,

        that you may be remembered.”


    [17] At the end of seventy years, the LORD will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. [18] Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the LORD. It will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who dwell before the LORD.

How to Repay God

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord. (Psalm 116:12–14)


The very use of the language “rendering to God for all his benefits to me” makes me nervous. Payback can so easily imply that grace is like a mortgage. It’s really generous, but you have to pay it back.


Paul said in Acts 17:25, God is not “served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” In other words, you can’t give anything to God or do anything for God that he hasn’t first given to you and done for you.


You see this again in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” So none of our work can ever be a payment to God, because the very work is another gift from God. With every deed we do for God we go deeper into debt to grace.


So in Psalm 116 what keeps the paying of vows free from the dangers of being treated like a debt payment is that the “payment” is, in reality, not an ordinary payment, but another act of receiving which magnifies the ongoing grace of God. It does not magnify our resourcefulness.


The psalmist’s answer to his own question, “What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits?” is, “I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” In other words, I call on the Lord to fill the cup. To pay back the Lord means to go on receiving from the Lord so that the Lord’s inexhaustible goodness will be magnified.


Lifting up the cup of salvation signifies taking the Lord’s satisfying salvation in hand and drinking it and expecting more. We know this because of the next phrase: “I will . . . call on the name of the Lord.” I will call for more help. What shall I render to God for graciously answering my call? Answer: I shall call again. I will render to God the praise and the tribute that he is never in need of me, but is always overflowing with benefits when I need him (which I always do).


Then the psalmist says, in the third place, “I will pay my vows to the Lord.” But how will they be paid? They will be paid by holding up the cup of salvation and by calling on the Lord. That is, they will be paid by faith in the promise that more grace — all-sufficient grace — is always on the way.



John Piper 

Turn Over the Reins

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” JAMES 4:7

 

PONDER THIS


One time, I was driving down the road and I saw a drunk person staggering along in disgrace. I recognized him and stopped the car. He got in and I drove him home. His dad and mother were there, and they took him in and got him to bed. I started to leave, but the dad stopped me. He said, “Pastor, I'm embarrassed, but my son is not the only drunk in the family. I'm a drunk too. I don't know what to say to this boy when I’m a hypocrite.” I asked, “Why don't you quit drinking?” He said, “Pastor, you probably won't believe this, but I hate liquor. I just can't stop.”


I said, “Imagine you were driving a team of wild horses that were getting away from you and you were afraid for your life, but you couldn't make them stop. But sitting next to you in the wagon was someone you knew could control them. What would you do?” He said, “Pastor, that's easy. I'd just turn the reins over to him.” And I said, “That's the only thing I know for you to do. Just say, ‘Lord Jesus, I can't.’ Quit trying and start trusting. Simply turn the reins over to Him because those horses are wild and there is only One who can contain them. He does not want to let them run wild, He does not want to cripple them, but he wants to cultivate that strength under control for His purposes.


When in your life have things felt out of control? How did you try to fix the situation? How might you have turned “the reins” over to Christ?

Why do we try to fix problems ourselves before giving them to Christ? What is wrong with that? What happens when we try to fix life on our own?


PRACTICE THIS


Talk to someone about where you need to hand over the reins of your life to God. Ask your friend to pray for you as you surrender to Christ.



LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Sunday, September 7, 2025

September 7

Luke 22:14-23


[14] And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. [15] And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. [16] For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” [17] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. [18] For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” [19] And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” [20] And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. [21] But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. [22] For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” [23] And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.


Hebrews 4:12-16


[12] For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. [13] And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.


[14] Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.


Proverbs 21:17-31


    [17] 

    Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;

        he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 

    [18] 

    The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

        and the traitor for the upright. 

    [19] 

    It is better to live in a desert land

        than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. 

    [20] 

    Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,

        but a foolish man devours it. 

    [21] 

    Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

        will find life, righteousness, and honor. 

    [22] 

    A wise man scales the city of the mighty

        and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. 

    [23] 

    Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue

        keeps himself out of trouble. 

    [24] 

    “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

        who acts with arrogant pride. 

    [25] 

    The desire of the sluggard kills him,

        for his hands refuse to labor. 

    [26] 

    All day long he craves and craves,

        but the righteous gives and does not hold back. 

    [27] 

    The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

        how much more when he brings it with evil intent. 

    [28] 

    A false witness will perish,

        but the word of a man who hears will endure. 

    [29] 

    A wicked man puts on a bold face,

        but the upright gives thought to his ways. 

    [30] 

    No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel

        can avail against the LORD. 

    [31] 

    The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

        but the victory belongs to the LORD.


Isaiah 17


[1] An oracle concerning Damascus. 


    Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city

        and will become a heap of ruins. 

    [2] The cities of Aroer are deserted;

        they will be for flocks,

        which will lie down, and none will make them afraid. 

    [3] The fortress will disappear from Ephraim,

        and the kingdom from Damascus;

    and the remnant of Syria will be

        like the glory of the children of Israel,

    declares the LORD of hosts.


    [4] And in that day the glory of Jacob will be brought low,

        and the fat of his flesh will grow lean. 

    [5] And it shall be as when the reaper gathers standing grain

        and his arm harvests the ears,

    and as when one gleans the ears of grain

        in the Valley of Rephaim. 

    [6] Gleanings will be left in it,

        as when an olive tree is beaten—

    two or three berries

        in the top of the highest bough,

    four or five

        on the branches of a fruit tree,

    declares the LORD God of Israel.


    [7] In that day man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will look on the Holy One of Israel. [8] He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and he will not look on what his own fingers have made, either the Asherim or the altars of incense.


[9] In that day their strong cities will be like the deserted places of the wooded heights and the hilltops, which they deserted because of the children of Israel, and there will be desolation.


    [10] For you have forgotten the God of your salvation

        and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge;

    therefore, though you plant pleasant plants

        and sow the vine-branch of a stranger, 

    [11] though you make them grow on the day that you plant them,

        and make them blossom in the morning that you sow,

    yet the harvest will flee away

        in a day of grief and incurable pain.


    [12] Ah, the thunder of many peoples;

        they thunder like the thundering of the sea!

    Ah, the roar of nations;

        they roar like the roaring of mighty waters! 

    [13] The nations roar like the roaring of many waters,

        but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far away,

    chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind

        and whirling dust before the storm. 

    [14] At evening time, behold, terror!

        Before morning, they are no more!

    This is the portion of those who loot us,

        and the lot of those who plunder us.


Isaiah 18


    [1] Ah, land of whirring wings

        that is beyond the rivers of Cush, 

    [2] which sends ambassadors by the sea,

        in vessels of papyrus on the waters!

    Go, you swift messengers,

        to a nation tall and smooth,

    to a people feared near and far,

        a nation mighty and conquering,

        whose land the rivers divide.


    [3] All you inhabitants of the world,

        you who dwell on the earth,

    when a signal is raised on the mountains, look!

        When a trumpet is blown, hear! 

    [4] For thus the LORD said to me:

    “I will quietly look from my dwelling

        like clear heat in sunshine,

        like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” 

    [5] For before the harvest, when the blossom is over,

        and the flower becomes a ripening grape,

    he cuts off the shoots with pruning hooks,

        and the spreading branches he lops off and clears away. 

    [6] They shall all of them be left

        to the birds of prey of the mountains

        and to the beasts of the earth.

    And the birds of prey will summer on them,

        and all the beasts of the earth will winter on them.


    [7] At that time tribute will be brought to the LORD of hosts 


    from a people tall and smooth,

        from a people feared near and far,

    a nation mighty and conquering,

        whose land the rivers divide,


    to Mount Zion, the place of the name of the LORD of hosts. 


Isaiah 19


[1] An oracle concerning Egypt. 


    Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud

        and comes to Egypt;

    and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence,

        and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. 

    [2] And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians,

        and they will fight, each against another

        and each against his neighbor,

        city against city, kingdom against kingdom; 

    [3] and the spirit of the Egyptians within them will be emptied out,

        and I will confound their counsel;

    and they will inquire of the idols and the sorcerers,

        and the mediums and the necromancers; 

    [4] and I will give over the Egyptians

        into the hand of a hard master,

    and a fierce king will rule over them,

        declares the Lord GOD of hosts.


    [5] And the waters of the sea will be dried up,

        and the river will be dry and parched, 

    [6] and its canals will become foul,

        and the branches of Egypt’s Nile will diminish and dry up,

        reeds and rushes will rot away. 

    [7] There will be bare places by the Nile,

        on the brink of the Nile,

    and all that is sown by the Nile will be parched,

        will be driven away, and will be no more. 

    [8] The fishermen will mourn and lament,

        all who cast a hook in the Nile;

    and they will languish

        who spread nets on the water. 

    [9] The workers in combed flax will be in despair,

        and the weavers of white cotton. 

    [10] Those who are the pillars of the land will be crushed,

        and all who work for pay will be grieved.


    [11] The princes of Zoan are utterly foolish;

        the wisest counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel.

    How can you say to Pharaoh,

        “I am a son of the wise,

        a son of ancient kings”? 

    [12] Where then are your wise men?

        Let them tell you

        that they might know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt. 

    [13] The princes of Zoan have become fools,

        and the princes of Memphis are deluded;

    those who are the cornerstones of her tribes

        have made Egypt stagger. 

    [14] The LORD has mingled within her a spirit of confusion,

    and they will make Egypt stagger in all its deeds,

        as a drunken man staggers in his vomit. 

    [15] And there will be nothing for Egypt

        that head or tail, palm branch or reed, may do.


    [16] In that day the Egyptians will be like women, and tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them. [17] And the land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians. Everyone to whom it is mentioned will fear because of the purpose that the LORD of hosts has purposed against them.


[18] In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD of hosts. One of these will be called the City of Destruction.


[19] In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. [20] It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them. [21] And the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship with sacrifice and offering, and they will make vows to the LORD and perform them. [22] And the LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the LORD, and he will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them.


[23] In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.


[24] In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, [25] whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”


Isaiah 20


[1] In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it—[2] at that time the LORD spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.


[3] Then the LORD said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush, [4] so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt. [5] Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast. [6] And the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day, ‘Behold, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria! And we, how shall we escape?’”

God-Given Foes and God-Given Faith

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . not frightened in anything by your opponents. . . . For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. (Philippians 1:27–29)


Paul told the Philippians that living worthy of the gospel of Christ meant fearlessness before enemies. Then he gave the logic of fearlessness.


The logic is this: God has given you two gifts, not just one — faith and suffering. That’s what verse 29 says. “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.” Granted to you to believe, and granted to you to suffer.


In this context that means: Both your faith in the face of suffering, and your suffering are gifts of God. When Paul says, don’t be frightened by your opponents, he had two reasons in his mind why they don’t need to be frightened:


One reason is that the opponents are in the hand of God. Their opposition is a gift from God. He governs it. That’s the first point of verse 29.


And the other reason not to be afraid is that your fearlessness, that is, your faith, is also in the hand of God. It too is a gift. That is the other point of verse 29.


So the logic of fearlessness in the face of adversity is this double truth: Both your adversity and your faith in the face of adversity are gifts of God.


Why is this called living “worthy of the gospel of Christ”? Because the gospel is the good news that Christ’s blood of the covenant infallibly obtained for all his people the sovereign working of God to give us faith and to govern our enemies — always for our eternal good. That’s what the gospel secured. Therefore, to live that way shows the power and goodness of the gospel.


Therefore, fear not. Your adversaries can do no more than God grants. And he will grant all the faith you need. These promises are blood-bought and sealed. They are gospel promises.


John Piper 

Resting in the Comfort of God

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” JOHN 14:16-17

 

PONDER THIS


What does it mean to be comforted? It's not a sympathetic pat on the back. The word comfort is not a word filled with sympathy. It's a word filled with strength. Our English word is very much like the Bible word. Com means, “with,” and fort means “strength.” Think of the words fortress and fortification. God says, “I will put my strength in you. I will be your strength. I will give you comfort. You will be comforted.”


God does this through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “And I will pray to the Father and He will give you another comforter.” He was talking about the One who lives in my heart today, the One who lives in every follower of Jesus. He gives you more than quick fixes and temporary solutions. He gives you true comfort, His ever-present help through the ups and downs of life. He speaks to your soul. His comfort lasts longer than the moment and hits deeper than the greatest encouragement. His comfort is what you really need and can readily have through Jesus.


How have you experienced comfort from God? How has that made a difference in your life?

Who is someone that needs comfort from God today? What can you do to remind that person of the comfort found in Him?


PRACTICE THIS


Encourage someone today who is struggling by extending love and kindness that points to the true Comforter.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers