Day 233: The Lord Upholds

The Daily Word: Friday, August 21^st, 2020
Job 1:1-3:26
1 Corinthians 14:1-17
Psalm 37:12-29
Proverbs 21:25-26
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the Lord upholds the righteous. – Ps. 37:16-17

Do you remember when Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms?

But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. – Ex. 17:12-13

All Moses had to do to win the battle was keep his hands raised in praise! But the burden was heavy. The task was weighty. So God sent good friends to hold up Moses’ hands and help him reach victory.

Today’s Scripture says that when you are righteous, God Himself will hold up your hands! He will support your arms so you never get tired on your way to victory. If you are wicked (i.e. if you don’t know Jesus), the weight of what you are trying to hold and the burden you are trying to carry will break your arms. Your work will seem impossible! But when you have Jesus, your work will feel incredibly light.

Won’t you receive Jesus this morning? He will carry your burden. He will hold up your hands! He will bring you to victory, in Jesus’ name.

“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matt. 11:30

Prayer:

Father, thank You for upholding me. Thank You for keeping my arms raised in praise! I am hidden in Jesus, and that means I am righteous! I am so grateful that the burdens of life will never crush me; they will only make me stronger, in Jesus’ name.

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See commentary from this day in 2019.

Day 232: The God You Serve

The Daily Word: Thursday, August 20^th, 2020
Esther 8:1-10:3
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 21:23-24
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. So the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai; and Esther appointed Mordecai over the house of Haman. – Esther 8:1-2

This is the God you serve! Haman was, “…the enemy of the Jews” (Esther 8:1). Haman wanted to kill Esther, Mordecai, and the entire Jewish people group! But God thwarted Haman’s plans. Not only that, but He also gave Queen Esther, “…the house of Haman” (v. 1): all his possessions. But as good as that is, God didn’t stop there! He also gave Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, the king’s “signet ring” (v. 2), which represented the near-absolute power and authority over the Kingdom of Persia that Haman had enjoyed as the king’s second-in-command.

The enemy might be out to get you. He comes, “…to steal, ands to kill, and to destroy” (Jn. 10:10). But God will thwart His plans! Not only that, God will take provision and authority you’ve never imagined and give them to you as a reward for staying faithful in your pursuit of God through adversity and trial.

Don’t worry. The enemy may have plans. But God has a better plan! His plan is to prosper you, “…to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11)! And when God wants you to succeed, no plan of the enemy can ever make you fail.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for protecting me! Thank You for ensuring that, even when the enemy has it out for me, I will not only survive, but I will also thrive. Thank You for taking care of me, in Jesus’ name!

Day 231: Loss of Life

The Daily Word: Wednesday, August 19^th, 2020
Esther 4:1-7:10
1 Corinthians 12:1-26
Psalm 36:1-12
Proverbs 21:21-22
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” – Esther 4:16

A wicked plot had just been released into the Kingdom of Persia. Everyone of Jewish descent would be executed! At first, Queen Esther was reluctant to help. She feared the king. She was afraid of what would happen if she went into his presence and asked him to change his mind and reverse the decree!

But then something changed. All of a sudden, Esther was willing to help. She agreed to go to the king and ask for mercy. What was the sudden change? Esther no longer feared losing her life. She was willing to do what was asked of her in service to God’s people, even if it meant she would die: “…and if I perish, I perish” (v. 16).

What a switch! Esther was instantaneously effective because she no longer feared losing her life. She served well because she no longer feared death! And if you want to serve Jesus well, you must get to the point where you are willing to do what God asks, even if it costs your life.

If you cling to your life, you will be an ineffective servant. But if you lay down your life, God will move through you!

…and they did not love their lives to the death. – Rev. 12:11

Prayer:

Jesus, I am not afraid to die for You. Make me an effective servant! Help me to preach the Gospel without fear. I will lay down my life for You, in Jesus’ name!

Day 230: Receive to Deliver

The Daily Word: Tuesday, August 18^th, 2020
Esther 1:1-3:15
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 21:19-20
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread… – 1 Cor. 11:23

The Apostle Paul received, and he delivered. Jesus spoke to him about the importance of communion; so Paul delivered that message to the local church. The Apostle Paul didn’t hide what Jesus had asked him to make public and share! He was faithful to release the things that God had asked him to release. There are two healthy reminders in today’s verse:

First, you have to receive before you can deliver. You should spend the first portion of your morning receiving from Jesus. Always. Get alone with God and ask Him to renew you with strength. Ask Him to refresh your mind! Ask Him to give you the strength you need to thrive throughout your day, and He will honor your prayer.

Second, delivery is the end goal of receipt. Are you sharing the goodness of God with other people, or are you keeping Him to yourself? God will give you revelation. He will heal your body! But part of the purpose of every experience with Him is so you can tell other people just how faithful He is.

Are you making time to receive? Are you delivering what God has entrusted into your care?

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. – Matt. 10:8

Prayer:

Father, help me to make time to receive from You. I know it is impossible to pour out what has not been poured in! Also, help me to be faithful to focus on delivering what I have received. You gave it to me so I can pass it on to others! I ask that You help me to be faithful to that end, in Jesus’ name!

Day 229: Take Time to Celebrate

The Daily Word: Monday, August 17^th, 2020
Nehemiah 12:27-13:31
1 Corinthians 11:1-16
Psalm 35:1-16
Proverbs 21:17-18
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps…So I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two large thanksgiving choirs. – Neh. 12:27, 31a

Nehemiah and the remnant of people who returned to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon had just finished rebuilding the wall around their city. So they celebrated. This wasn’t just a small party; it was a huge celebration! But why all the hubbub?

This wasn’t just a wall! This was a task from God. The completion of the wall wasn’t just about finishing a construction project; it represented a major victory. God’s people had successfully carried out the task that He had anointed them to fulfill. So they took time to celebrate.

Are you doing what God has called you to do? Celebrate that! Are you taking steps – whether small or large – towards becoming the person God has called you to be? Celebrate that! Don’t you remember what it felt like to be drifting through life before you met Jesus, not sure what you were put on earth to accomplish? God has delivered you from the pain and uncertainty of unfulfilled ambition! What a joy it is to be on the track God has given you, instead of lost in pursuit of your own desires!

Take time to celebrate today. You get to spend eternity with God in Heaven! And in light of that reality, you get to spend your days on earth joyfully completing the work He has given you to do.

Prayer:

Lord, remind me to take time to celebrate. I should be joyful over every victory in Christ, no matter how small or large! Thank You for delivering me from myself. I get to have joy because I am on Your path for me, instead of my path for me, in Jesus’ name!

Day 228: Attracting God

The Daily Word: Sunday, August 16^th, 2020
Nehemiah 11:1-12:26
1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Psalm 34:11-22
Proverbs 21:14-16
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. – Ps. 34:18

Do you want to be “near to God?” Do you want to hear His voice like never before? God wants to be near to you. He wants you to hear His voice more than you want to hear His voice! But before we can hear Him accurately, we need to remove any obstacles that might be in the way. We need to humble ourselves and allow Him to break our hearts for the things that break His.

I pray that pride – thinking we know best – never interferes with your ability to hear God’s voice. The remedy to pride is to, “…have a contrite spirit:” to realize that apart from Jesus, you are nothing; but in Him, you have everything. As you allow God to humble your heart, you will hear His voice like never before.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded…Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. – Jas. 4:8, 10

Prayer:

Lord, I need to hear You! I long to hear your voice. I pray You would break my heart for what breaks Yours. Humble me! Give me the strength to kneel at Your feet and never move, in Jesus’ name.

Day 227: Celebration of Discipline

The Daily Word: Saturday, August 15^th, 2020
Nehemiah 9:22-10:39
1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13
Psalm 34:1-10
Proverbs 21:13
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. – 1 Cor. 9:27

Paul preached the Gospel everywhere he went, He shared the revelation that Jesus is Lord. He led people into salvation by introducing them to Jesus, who forgives all your sin and heals all your diseases (Ps. 103:3). But just because Paul was a preacher didn’t mean he could throw discipline out the window! He “disciplined his body” (v. 27) all the more. He led by example! Paul didn’t do what Paul wanted to do; he did what God wanted Paul to do so that more people could be saved!

Discipline is not a curse word. It is not something we should shy away from! Discipline creates freedom. Discipline ensures that we are divinely positioned to receive everything God has for us. Discipline crucifies the desires of the flesh, and activates the desires of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul was a man of discipline. And so should you and I be.

Follow Jesus! Stay the course. Don’t look from the path God has for you. Discipline your body and reject the desires of the flesh so that you can receive the full reward that comes with serving at Jesus’ feet.

Recommended Resource: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

Prayer:

Father, help me to love discipline! Help me to beat back the desires of the flesh so that I can walk in the fullness of the calling You have on my life. I want everything Jesus died for me to have, in Jesus’ name!

Day 226: Don’t Stop There

The Daily Word: Friday, August 14^th, 2020
Nehemiah 7:73-9:21
1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Psalm 33:12-22
Proverbs 21:11-12
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. – Prov. 21:11

Are you a parent with kids who sometimes do the wrong thing? Are you a manager of employees who sometimes need coaching? A leader at a church where people sometimes don’t get it right?

Punishment has its purpose. Punishment acknowledges that wrong has been done. Our Scripture today says that punishment makes the simple wise! It provides a person who has made a mistake with the realization that change needs to happen.

But even the wise need instruction. Instruction makes the wise knowledgeable. Don’t stop at punishing your kids, your employees or your congregation! Take it one step further and teach them. Take them by the hand and show them where to go. Don’t just tell them what they did wrong! Instruct them so that they know what it means to do right. It does no good to tell people what they can’t do, unless you also instruct them in what they can.

God didn’t leave us in our sin. He didn’t leave us punished for failing to keep His law! He sent Jesus so that we might see what it means to do right. He sent Jesus to the Cross so His Spirit would live within us and instruct us every moment of every day!

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a good parent. A good manager. A good leader! I don’t want to just tell people in my care what they did wrong. I want to show them what it means to do right! Instruct me so that I can have the knowledge I need to love people well, in Jesus’ name.

Day 225: Focus on Love

The Daily Word: Thursday, August 13^th, 2020
Nehemiah 5:14-7:73
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Psalm 33:1-11
Proverbs 21:8-10
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. – 1 Cor. 8:1

Knowledge puffs up. It makes you proud! But love edifies: it keeps you humble while lifting others up in your place. Won’t you make it your goal today to love other people well? All the knowledge in the world does no good unless you use it to love others!

When you get to Heaven, God will not be interested in how much knowledge you accumulated. All He will want to know is: 1) did you love Jesus and 2) did you love others?

Knowledge is a good thing. But love is better. You don’t have to know everything! You just have to love on everything that moves. Focus on loving other people well, and God will fill you with the wisdom and knowledge you need to do it well.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. – 1 Cor. 13:1

Prayer:

Lord, help me to love other people well! I want to know the deep mysteries of God. But I want to know them so it will make me better at loving others, not just better at knowing stuff! Love is the goal. Help me to get there, in Jesus’ name.

Day 224: You Never Know

The Daily Word: Wednesday, August 12^th, 2020
Nehemiah 3:15-5:13
1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Psalm 32:1-11
Proverbs 21:5-7
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David. – Neh. 3:15

Nobody’s ever heard of Shallun! He was, “…the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah” (v. 15). But I bet you’ve never noticed the true identity of the project in which he is participating here. He, “…repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah [also translated Shiloah or Siloah][1] by the King’s Garden.” This is the same “Pool of Siloam” [also translated Shiloah or “sent”][2] where Jesus sent a blind man to be healed in John 9!

When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. – Jn. 9:6-7

You never know what the groundwork you’re laying for God may be used for in the future. This obscure Old Testament leader Shallun had no idea at the time; but the very pool he was repairing would be the stage for a miracle healing that would show the world that Jesus is God! What if he had given up because he didn’t believe his work was significant? What if he swallowed the lie that the role he was playing in rebuilding Jerusalem didn’t matter?

Do not despise the work God has given you to do. It may not seem like much now; but Jesus will use it for something great in the end.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the work You have given me to carry out. Help me to serve You with joy in my heart and a smile on my face! Only You know what my work will be used for in the end!

[1] Strong’s H7975

[2] Strong’s G4611

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