DEVOTIONS

Orchestrated Confusion

OCTOBER 6, 2023
Daily Reading – Isa. 5-7 / Eph. 3

 

GOD’S WORD:

Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        “Woe unto them…” Even the phrase sounds bad. In its original context it means to point out, or bring to the attention of someone with lamentations, weeping, or tears. In our English language, the word woe is used for great sorrow or distress. What is it that God shares through Isaiah that brings about such great sorrow? It begins back in Isaiah 5:8 with people who are selfish and consume everything around them so others might not have anything. Then twice in verses 11 and 22 it speaks of those who run to consume alcohol, until alcohol consumes them. Verses 18 and 19 points to, “them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity.” The implication is that they are so tied to their sinfulness, their pride and stubbornness cause them to question if Gods is even in control. Finally verses 20 & 21 speak of their pride and insincerity. Calling; “evil good, and good evil,” and being “wise in their own eyes.” Suggesting that they want God to rescue them in their sin, not out of it. Woe unto them who are so engrafted and confused in their sinfulness that they want God to endorse it as ok and join them in it. Woe indeed.

 

        It takes no great leaps of imagination to see that society in general is very close to living this same way today worldwide. Global consumerism has cheered on a world filled with selfish, addicted, stubborn, insincere, prideful people. Then we wonder why there is woe all around us. 

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        In the English language there is another word that sounds like woe. We hear it in western shows when the cowboy wants his horse to stop, he says “Whoa.” Maybe this is the whoa we ought to exercise in life today before God pronounces woe on us.

 

Which will it be for you, whoa or woe?

 

O House Of Jacob

OCTOBER 5, 2023
Daily Reading – Isa. 1-4 / Eph. 2

 

GOD’S WORD:

Isaiah 2:5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        The book of Isaiah is a book that has many levels to it. Some of the book is written to Israel as a warning. Some of this book is prophetic in nature about things that were to come. Such as the birth and life of Christ, that have now been fulfilled. There are other segments from the Prophet Isaiah that have yet to come to pass. One thing that is constant, God never changes. In the very beginning of this book Isaiah says, “O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.” The verses that follow tells of a why it was that God had removed His blessings off these people. Vs 6 says they are like the superstitious people of the east who invoke divining spirits and are involved in pagan practices. Also, they have accumulated untold wealth which they now believe will be their security. Their armies now have horses and chariots they are trusting in for protection. If that were not enough, they have included idols in their religious practices. Putting faith in an item made by their own hand. Isaiah says, “O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.” Is there any question why it is that God has removed His blessings in light of what we see?

 

        Could we not just as easily say; “O House Of God, come and let us walk in the light of God’s word.” Many of the churches today have judged God’s Word as obsolete for modern society. Is it any wonder why God may not bless us today?
 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        O child of God, though the world may not trust our God for protection, or sustaining of life, we must never forget. Though they may turn to witchcraft, and accept sinfulness as ok, let us hold to the truth of God’s Word. His blessings are still available. 

 

Where do you place your trust?

 

Only Me

OCTOBER 4, 2023
Daily Reading – Song of So. 7-8 / Eph. 1

 

GOD’S WORD:

Song of Solomon 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        The Shulamite wife has persuaded her husband to go back to the field where they met. This is his field, and the harvest of this field would be his harvest. He agrees to go, but as they approach, his mind imagines other handsome shepherds who may have at another time caught her eye. Solomon shares his heart’s desire to be her one and only. As Song of Solomon 8:6 says, “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.” It was customary for a mark, known as a seal, to be placed on the arm or the breast, symbolizing all I do, (arm) and all my thoughts, (heart) are to be for you. It was often a small puncture filled with a blue powder that would leave a permanent mark. Solomon says to his bride, I want you to be only faithful to me. Only me.

 

        When we see Solomon as a picture of Christ, we can hear Paul say to the church in 2 Corinthians 11:2 “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” God Himself said in the ten commandments in Exodus 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” He has sealed us until the day of redemption with His Holy Spirit and says, Me, Only Me. No one else.  

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        The Shulamite assures Solomon in vs 7 that her heart is knit only to him. She says, if a man gave all he had for love, it would not change her heart. Jesus said in Matt. 22:37 “…love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” .

 

DO WE?

 

Open My Eyes

OCTOBER 3, 2023
Daily Reading – Song of So. 4-6 / Gal. 6

 

GOD’S WORD:

Song of Solomon 5:9 What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        In marriage counseling, many times you will find if you call into question the goodness of the spouse, well often the argument is almost over. For example, let’s say a couple comes in arguing over, “who cares” what. After some initial get acquainted conversation, the counselor may say to one of the two something like, “well I can see that your partner is absolutely worthless and probably the worst person on the planet, right?” To which, a good share of the time the answer will be in the line of, “well I would not go that far.” Continuing with the antagonizing, the counselor responds, “well you just told me how rotten they were, why in the world did you two get together in the first place?” This is intended to lead them down memory lane and out flows a list of good qualities about their spouse. Soon after you have two people who have just said in the presence of the other why they fell love to begin with. Now, when you go back to the original conflict, it can seem so insignificant and manageable.

 

        In today’s passage, the Shulamite bride finds herself disheartened in the new marriage. In Song or Sol. 5:6-8 she is complaining about the fact that he has left her, and she feels alone. Then in verse 9 the women of the city ask, “What is thy beloved more than another beloved,” or, why is he so great anyway? Suddenly her eyes are open, and it calls to memory the many reasons why she loves him. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        I know it may seem like a long while since Christ went back to heaven, but let me ask you, why did you fall in love with Him in the first place? Sometimes a simple question can open our eyes and refresh our love for the one we miss.

 

So why did you fall in love with Jesus?

 

Oath Of Love

OCTOBER 2, 2023
Daily Reading – Song of So. 1-3 / Gal. 5

 

GOD’S WORD:

Song of Solomon 2:3-4 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        There are thousands of self-help relationship books available today. Some talk only of his needs, while others speak only of hers. Yet, the best advice of all time is found in the best-selling book of all time. The Bible. In its pages we find a simple three-point outline that will help any marriage if applied early and repeated often.

 

        In today’s verses the woman says, “I sat down under his shadow.” She felt safe by his protection of her. Next, she exclaims “his fruit was sweet to my taste.” The word taste refers to knowledge gained by a close intimate relationship. As the Psalmist says in Ps. 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good.” She knew his heart because they had spent time with one another. Then she declares “his banner over me was love.” Troops in that day carried a banner announcing who they were. She knew of his love for her because he is not ashamed of her as he brings her into the king’s banquet hall and lets others see his affection for her. Three things both partners should find in marriage. Protection, physically and emotionally. Neither party should ever slander the other, nor stand for others to do so. Next, intimacy. Not only physically, but really knowing each other from time spent together. Finally obvious displays of affection for one another. Hold hands, open a door, and speak kindly of them. Your partner and others will see your oath of love and find joy in your relationship.

 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        So, what do you do with all those other books? Read them first, there is good advice in many of them. Then, maybe start a fire and cuddle up next to one another. Remember, the love you display shows the world an example of God’s love for us.

 

What example of God’s love do you display?