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Heartfelt Devotions
for Christians:

O children of Israel! there is but one source of happiness for all mankind, the favor of God; – Josephus (Antiquities 4.8.2)

Now, this is not to say that only those that are God’s people will have any measure of happiness. God has made the earth, and when He was finished, He blessed it, and He called it good. And to an extent, there is a basic level of happiness that is extended to all people, both good and bad. “[F]or he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

But when all the dust settles, when it comes down to the heart of the matter, the source of all human happiness is God. And when we follow Him in faith, and walk in His will, the overall tendency will be toward joy. (Though that is not to say that we won’t have tribulations and trials in this life as well, but the overall trend will be upward, and not downward.) “But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy“ (Galatians 5:22).

And when we walk contrary to His commandments, and rebel against Him, the overall tendency will be toward pain. “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard“ (Proverbs 13:15). That is not to say that everyone will be instantly punished for their sins, but the overall trend is downward, and not upward.

That is, fornicators, the more they practice immorality, will tend to be more and more likely to get an STD. Murderers and thieves, the more they commit crimes, the more likely they are to become imprisoned. Drug addicts, the more they abuse themselves with illegal substances, the more likely they are to fall into depression and misery.

For our own benefit

God’s commands and laws are for our health, and not our imprisonment. The sabbath day of rest was created for our well-being, and not simply as a chore to take the day off from working to go to church. If we have called upon the name of the Lord, and accepted Jesus as our Savior, then God has given us His Holy Spirit: for our benefit and comfort.

God has provided for our happiness and joy, but if these blessings are given to us from God, then we can’t expect to have peace and joy in our hearts if we are constantly doing things that are displeasing to Him. God says in Scripture that it’s possible to “grieve” the Holy Spirit that is within you—that is, we can make Him sad through disrespect, neglect, or rebellion. “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). And again:

Quench not the Spirit. -1 Thessalonians 5:19

God has given us a clear choice. He has given us every blessing and gift that we need for this life: we need only to keep His commandments. For even in the New Testament, Jesus is continually reminding His disciples to keep His commandments:

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, [the Holy Ghost] that he may abide with you for ever; -John 14:15-16

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. -John 14:21

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. -John 15:10

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. -John 15:14

Choose life

The choice is ours! If we truly love our Lord, what price is too great to repay to Him that gave His very own life for us? Surely to honor God, and keep Him in the forefront of our thoughts and minds is a small price to pay for the One who has already done so much for us. We ought to choose life, as He is the Lord of life.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: -Deuteronomy 30:19

©iStockphoto.com/bo1982
Are you feeling increasingly distant from God?

Consider the warning that God gave to the church that was in Sardis:

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. -Revelation 3:2-3a

Next, take a look at this list and see if you can’t see any areas in your life where you need to repent, and “strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.”

10. Bad Company:

Your new friends and the people that you spend time with have much lower moral standards than you.

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. -1 Corinthians 15:33

9. Lack of Joy:

Your heart has grown cold, and you don’t delight in praising and worshiping God in the same way that you used to.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. . . . How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land? -Psalms 137:1-2,4

8. Formalism:

You intentionally go to church and participate in spiritual activities only for the “good feelings” and “vibes” that they impart.

Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: -Isaiah 29:13

7. Impulsiveness:

You are becoming increasingly impulsive, and increasingly act only on instinct, and “gut feelings,” rather than taking everything to the Lord in prayer.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. -Proverbs 3:5-7

6. Unanswered Prayers:

When you do pray, it feels as though no one is listening, and so you pray much less frequently than you used to, and with much less faith or fervency.

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. -Isaiah 59:1-2

5. Isolation:

You feel distant and increasingly isolated from people that you once cared about. Seeing your friends and family, your spouse, your children, your acquaintances, your co-workers, your church family: none of them bring you the same joy and happiness that you once felt.

He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me. . . .My breath is strange to my wife, -Job 19:13-14, 17a

4. Shamefulness:

You feel dirty, awkward, ashamed, or uncomfortable around God’s people: even if you may not have done anything specifically to offend them.

And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. -Genesis 31:2

3. Cultural Influences:

You are much more eager to listen to and follow after the ways of worldly teachers or popular figures than you are to study and apply the truth of the Bible.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. -Romans 16:17-18

2. Carnal Thoughts:

You’ve lost sight of your spiritual calling, your purpose, and ministry. Instead, your thoughts gravitate only toward meaningless and passing earthly pleasures and interests.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. -1 John 2:15-17

1. Indifference:

You’re losing all your highs and lows. You can’t cry. You can’t find true, lasting happiness: (though you can laugh quite well—and perhaps a bit too well, but it’s not from deep down within). You just don’t care.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. -Proverbs 14:12-16 (ESV)

Basic
Instructions
Before
Leaving
Earth

I once saw a little plaque with a picture of a Bible on it, and under it were the words: “When all else fails, read the instructions.”

And I thought, “when all else fails!?” We can’t afford to make that many mistakes. We would do well to read the Bible first thing, so that we know how to proceed along life’s path.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. -Proverbs 22:3

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. -2 Timothy 3:16-17

Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. -Deuteronomy 15:9

Here we see in the above verse an example of an oppressed person pressing charges. That is, when a person is wronged, and he cries out to the Lord, the Lord will then hold the wrong-doer accountable for their sins.

Another example of this is found in oppressing a widow or fatherless child. When they cry to God, He will hold any wrong-doers accountable.

Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; -Exodus 22:22-23

The miracle of mercy

But even though when we are wronged it’s in our own power to cry unto God—and thereby press charges—there is also a benefit in not pressing charges. There is a reward for turning the other cheek, and choosing to forgive.

Jesus said:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. -Matthew 5:38-40

The benefits of forgiveness and mercy

Yes, it would be mildly satisfying to see someone get punished, and get their just desserts: but are we perfect? Don’t we also need mercy in our own lives?

When someone wrongs me, I try to see it as someone handing me a “get out of jail free card.” Only in order to keep it, I have to forgive the person. If I press charges with God, the card is given up. Why not keep it? Why not show mercy to others, and thereby allow God to show you mercy as well?

The Bible states it simply: if you show no mercy to others, you’ll be shown no mercy from God. “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment” (James 2:13).

An example of mercy

When we show mercy to others, and forgive their offenses, not only do we store up mercy and favor for ourselves, but we bless those that have offended us.

Consider Stephen, as he was being marytred:

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. -Acts 7:60

Stephen chose to forgive, even as they were casting stones upon him to kill him. And who did he forgive? Who got the blessing? Among others, it was none other than Saul: later to become the apostle Paul.

And cast him [Stephen] out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. -Acts 7:58

And just imagine if Stephen had pressed charges. What if he had instead cried out: “Lord, do not hold this man guiltless, but persecute him until justice is served!” History as we know it would have been changed. For Stephen’s merciful prayer for his persecutors was answered in a mighty way when Saul was on the road to Damascus:

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? -Acts 9:3-4

And so, from the prayers of a just and godly man, another man was converted, and saved, and made into an apostle and witness for Jesus Christ, and who then went on to write a sizable portion of what is today the New Testament of the Bible.

Deciding to forgive

Just as Stephen chose to forgive, and saw many blessings for it in heaven, we too are faced with these same decisions every day. Showing mercy to others not only strengthens us and protects us from judgment, but it also blesses those whom we forgive: even if we can’t see the immediate effect. (And, in Stephen’s case, he never saw the effect of his dying prayer on earth at all, but it was no less real.)

Consider the parable that Jesus shares with Peter on forgiveness, and examine your own life to see if you live up to God’s standard:

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. -Matthew 18:21-35

O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? -Deuteronomy 3:24

This was the beginning of a prayer that Moses made to God. Notice that Moses says that God has begun to show him His greatness. At the time of this prayer, God had already given Israel a pair of great victories over their enemies: they had begun to see the goodness of God, and how He was bringing them in to the promised land.

Moses was stopped short

His prayer continues as he asks God to go into the promised land with the people; but he was stopped short. Not on account of his own wickedness, but because of the people’s disobedience: “But the LORD was wroth [angry] with me for your sakes, and would not hear me” (Deuteronomy 3:26).

But the people had been in this position before. Exactly 40 years earlier, to be precise.

On their first chance, the people stopped short

If you recall, God had shown the people many signs, wonders, and miracles in delivering Israel from Egypt, and leading them through the desert. But they came to the brink of the promised land and stopped short out of fear.

However, on the second try, some 40 years later, they were faced with a different threat: appeasement.

They were satisfied with only a foretaste of God power

If you recall, God had already given the people two military victories on the safer side of the Jordan river, before you enter the promised land. And so, some of the people saw that the land that they had currently taken was good too, and didn’t see any reason to go over to the promised land.

Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. -Numbers 32:5

This time, the people were not hindered by fear, but instead, by indifference. And Moses had seen this rebellion before, and he wouldn’t have a single word of it. He quickly rebuked the tribes that wanted to stay back:

And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land. -Numbers 32:7-8

Furthermore, the danger for the people was very real. The last time they rebelled and refused to go into the promised land, the entire generation wasted away in the desert for 40 years, until the next generation of Israelites came forth.

Now it was their turn to go up into the promised land, and when Moses heard the new proposal of the people, he not only wouldn’t hear it, but he somberly warned them of what had happened to their parents, those that had rejected God’s guidance in the previous generation:

And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel. For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people. -Numbers 32:14-15

Those are grave words indeed. Thankfully, they listened to Moses’ words on the second time around.

Don’t be satisfied with only a foretaste

Certainly a lesson can be learned from all of this. While it is a sin to be fearful to go and fight for God’s best, and reach out and grab hold of His blessings; it is equally a sin to sit down and become appeased with what God has done for us in the past. We ought not to let mere foretastes of God cause us to miss out on the main course!

The apostle Paul was one person who never let past instances interfere with His present goals. He was continually marching forward toward God’s calling:

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:7-14

Being
Under
Satan’s
Yoke

A Yoke of Oxen

Here, a “yoke” is a bar or other object used to link two animals together while they are working: usually in reference to a “yoke of oxen.” That is, a pair of oxen are linked together and caused to do work, as in plowing a field.

So, if we are “busy” under Satan’s yoke, this would imply that we are linked with him, and he is mercilessly spurring us on to work without rest. This is much in the same way that Israel was made to serve Egypt in the Old Testament:

And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. -Exodus 1:13-14

Some work is needed and good

Since man’s fall in the garden of Eden, God has expected us to work for our food. “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19). Yet I believe that there is such a thing as too much work, or perhaps rather, distracting work. It’s good for a person to work hard and earn their keep, but sometimes the pace and the scope of the labor is excessive.

Work becomes excessive when it goes beyond what is normally necessary, and is motivated by greed, pride, selfishness, or ungodly priorities. The devil wants to wear us out doing all sorts of meaningless and useless things, never making a true difference for eternity. Never coming into a true fellowship with our Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ.

The Yoke of Jesus Christ

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Matthew 11:28-30

Notice that is says, you shall find rest for your souls. The kind of enslavement that Satan puts us under, and the kind of freedom that Jesus brings us: it’s spiritual.

Even though man’s busyness appears to be only physical, there is usually an underlying spiritual motivation. Why would a millionaire work so hard for even more money unto the point that it nearly kills him, except he is bound by materialism. Why would someone press onward and neglect spouse, family, and friends all for an occupation, except he is serving another master.

Busyness is frequently the sign of an inward spiritual malady.

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. -Psalms 127:1-2