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Daily Devotions - Entries from December 2008

ThuThursdayJanJanuary1st2009 Genesis 1-3

Posted Thursday, January 01 2009 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

You are a work of God! You are the product of His design. The world would have you believe that you are an accident that has no more worth than another cellular accident so you have no real purpose and you will have no real end to which you are heading. Everything is just one accident after another and whatever happens is also an accident for no particular purpose.

This is considered the wisdom of the world. Their message to you is that you are of no real particular value to anyone, but don’t worry, just be happy. Somehow this just does not ring true in their practice. There lifestyle disagrees with their philosophy. When things go wrong and they are treated in a way they consider unjust, they cry out for justice. But our response if we believe this worldview must be to reply, “From where does your cry for justice come? Cellular accidents cannot have any real understanding of justice. If everything is only a meaningless accident where does the need for justice come?”

There is no person in the world who accepts the philosophy so prominently taught in our schools of academia. There is no academician who could live in any other way than a Biblical worldview. They may say they do not believe the Bible and its message, but they live in a way that supports the Biblical worldview anyway.

When we hear the scholars preach evolution and accidental creation, we must stand up along with the Biblical Faith and call them to account for their living hypocrisy. At the very beginning of the bible it presupposes a personal Creator who is behind everything working his own plans for his own glory. This is the only presupposition that makes sense to anyone with a mind that has not been accidentally evolved from the primates.

Evening: Genesis 2:24-25 (NIV)
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

How often do the thoughts of your past sins haunt you? The tapes of your sinful life play on, endlessly seeking to condemn you when you attempt to live for Christ. The enemy gets foothold in your soul whenever you attempt to live for God by just reminding you of all the times you have failed. Shame comes for a visit and then it knocks you off the path of following Christ.

Shame and guilt over our past failures carry with them a heavy burden and often it weighs Christians down and keeps them from experiencing the joy that God desires to give. The Word of God this morning reminds us of a time when there was no shame, no guilt and there was absolute freedom to do whatever God commanded. That must have been a great time for Adam and Eve, but there was something that was not completely right in the garden.

There was a fallen enemy of God present in this garden. He was already there shortly after Adam and Eve were created and he was set to destroy God’s original intention. It did not take long and the fall was complete. The enemy of God thought he had foiled God’s plan, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, God had planned for the fall from the beginning. It did not catch him by surprise. The enemy of God had walked right into God’s purposes and was an agent who accomplished God’s plan of redemption.

Had there been no fall there would be no redemption. What the enemy of God did not understand was that Christ was set apart before the foundation of the world to be a redeemer. With no fall there would be no need of a redeemer and therefore Christ’s purpose would be unfulfilled. But now with the fall the purpose and role of Christ would be fulfilled.

He will come as rescue us from all sin and guilt and shame. One day we will be set free from the sin and shame forever. It is his purpose now to work in us our ability to trust Him in the days of our fallen nature so when we are rescued from this fallen world we will be fully able to rejoice in what he has done for us.

Adam and Eve experienced for a fleeting moment living with no shame but they never fully experienced living with complete redemption so we have a better future for us because of Christ who has redeemed us from sin and guilt and shame.

WedWednesdayDecDecember31st2008 Revelation 21-22

Posted Wednesday, December 31 2008 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: Revelation 21:6 (NIV)
6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Attacks in the Middle East cause a sharp rise in oil prices. Governments that were once considered moral examples have now fallen into gross immorality. Our own nation has become a moral cesspool led by leaders who are corrupt and set on corrupting others. What confidence can we live with in these uncertain times? How can we be sure of the promises of God to redeem us and set us in heaven sometime in the future? Because we have his word on it. “It is done!” What marvelous words these are in the Sacred pages. It is done! The word used here means, “It has come to pass” It is already a finished work.

When did John hear these words? In the first century correct? What did he hear? The end of all things has already been set. The final outcome of history is already a sure thing. We have no need to worry about how it will all turn out because it is already a fixed thing in God’s sovereign plan. Rulers may gather together against the Lord and his anointed, but they do so in vain, not realizing that even in all their plans God is working behind the scenes to bring about his perfect plan by which he will rescue all the ransomed and set them in heave with him forever.

Our responsibility is to live in such a manner that those around us will see the confidence we have in Christ and will long to know him even as we do. Let us live with confidence in this day for the glory of Christ.

Evening: Revelation 22:17 (NIV)
17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Who gets in on the promises of God? Who is included in Christ in the heavenlies? There are some who say only those who are among the elect and there are some who say only those who are thirsty and come to the fountain of life and drink of Christ. The Bible answers both statements in the affirmative. Let us not labor to say only those who are the elect will come or only those who choose Christ will be included. Let us say along with the Scripture that only those who are among the elect will come and only those who know Christ will be included.

Let us not go further than what the Scripture does, but let us also go as far as the Scripture does. If knowing Christ is your sole desire, if you are thirsty and have found that the things of this world do not satisfy, if you long for real life and real relationship with God, come. You are included in Christ, you are among the redeemed, and you are among the elect. If you hear his voice and long to run to be with Him then run to Him and he will not cast you away.

Come to the fountain so rich and sweet cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet. Plunge in today and be made complete, Glory to His name. Come right now as the Lord is calling you. Put away all sin and shame and run to Christ for the cleansing of the His fountain of grace found only in His Son and his shed blood for you. Take of the free gift of the water of Life and find your soul’s satisfaction in Christ, the living water from heaven.

TueTuesdayDecDecember30th2008 Acts 27-28

Posted Tuesday, December 30 2008 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: Acts 27:13-14 (NIV)
13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island.

They had been warned by a prophet of God not to go any further because danger was ahead. God warned them, but they could not see it. Even though a prophet of God had warned them, they were still focused on their physical sight and so when the favorable winds began to blow they assumed everything was safe.

The scariest words in all of Scripture are these, “They thought they had obtained what they wanted.” All the circumstances seemed to indicate they were safe to proceed but one. The evidence of the prophet of God who spoke to warn them not to proceed.
If we do not heed the warnings of the prophets we will be plunged into storms of hurricane force that will knock the wind out of our sails. Do you see the design of the enemy in this passage? His desire is to get us to see only with our physical eyes and forget the spiritual senses that God has given us.

God speaks to warn us of the coming judgment; he speaks to convict us of our sin that will lead us to certain death. Once his voice is heard the enemy of our souls arranges fair winds to blow to soothe our consciences and make us think we are safe because the amount of evidence seems to indicate this “truth.”

So we set off not heeding the warning of God feeling secure in the evidences we have compiled. The fair winds are at our back and we are enjoying the voyage. All of a sudden without warning winds of hurricane force sweep down on us and are set to take the very life we have. Now the guilt of the sting of our rebellion surfaces in the midst of the storm and we think to ourselves how foolish we have been. The voice of the accuser begins to speak in the storm, “You were a fool not to trust God, but now because you have made up your own mind and gone your own way He will not take you back. You are doomed to death because you did not heed his warning. Don’t even think he will hear you now when you cry out to Him!”

Every one of us has played the part of the sailing team on the Mediterranean. But read the rest of the story. Paul stands up and says to them in the midst of the storm, God will rescue you but you have to first abandon all your cargo, throw into the sea everything that weights the ship down and give up all hope of being saved by your own efforts.

Obey the voice of the prophet and you will find salvation in Christ. Now do you see it? Every word of God is true and profitable for teaching and correction and training in righteousness, even a story about a sailing voyage.

Set your sails by the Word of God and you will find a pleasant and adventuresome voyage.

Evening: Acts 28:30-31 (NIV)
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.
31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul understood the teaching of the sovereignty of God. He knew that everything that came his way was sent by God for the purpose of declaring the glory of Christ to a lost world. Here in Rome Paul was under house arrest but e was allowed to rent his own home while he awaited trial. The world is scared of their approaching death so they live in fear all their lives but when Paul was in Rome awaiting his trial everyone knew that death was the end result of this trial. Word spread in Rome that one of the apostle’s had come to Rome and was awaiting trial for his life.

Paul apprehended this circumstance and used it for the glory of Christ. Others began to hear about a man awaiting trial with Caesar and how he was fearlessly declaring Christ in the face of his approaching certain death. So the world came with great curiosity and heard from the lips of a man prepared to die on how to live.

What circumstances do you have in your day today? Cease them and use them for the purpose of making Christ known and you will find great boldness and strength for declaring the word of the Lord.

MonMondayDecDecember29th2008 Psalms 149-150

Posted Monday, December 29 2008 @ 11 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: Psalm 149:4-5 (NIV)
4 For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

Did you ever think that yours could be such a lot? Imagine it- God, the Creator of the universe, takes great delight in you. How could this be for one such as you? You have rebelled against his word more times than you can count, yet the God who made you and fashioned you rejoices over you. He set his affection on you and finds great delight in you.

Surely this is where the Bible becomes a fairy tale book. This must be some sort of misprint or scribal error. After comparing the manuscripts and examining the existing copies, there is no copy where this verse is in question.

How can he do such a thing as to take such delight in us? He takes great delight in His son and His son in residence within us since the day of our conversion. Our union with Christ has permanently destroyed any hint of sin before the Father. There was a miracle that occurred at our spiritual birth, our sins were completely removed and now when the Father sees us he sees us without sin or stain of guilt remaining.

What does this bring about within the heart of the believer? There is great rejoicing in the hearts of all believers when they consider such truth. Even though they may suffer many pains and afflictions, they rejoice and sing for joy on their beds because of such grace that is given them. This grace transforms bed of affliction into altars of praise and joy all because of Christ and the father’s love for us.

Evening: Psalm 150:6 (NIV)
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

This evening take a moment to breathe in deeply and then exhale and feel the breath coming in and out of your lungs. Do you have breath at all? If the answer is yes, take a moment to sing your praises to God. What is that breath you possess that you just breathed out? It was the same breath that was breathed into you when you were yet unformed and unnoticed by the outside world in your mother’s womb.

You may be asking the reason as to why you were given breath. The answer is very simple, so that you might join the chorus of praise to this great God of ours. If you have not yet joined the chorus of praise there is still room to sign up.

SunSundayDecDecember28th2008 Jude

Posted Sunday, December 28 2008 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:

What great words of comfort for us this Sunday morning. We are not only loved by God, which is enough for us to break out in praise and worship, but we are also kept by Christ. The love that God loves us with is kept for us by His Son.

Think of it, God knows how unable we are to keep anything he has ever given us so in his infinite wisdom he has given us His love but he does not ask us to keep it he has given us His Son and it his ministry to keep us in His Love. We do not labor to keep his love we labor to enter into his rest and once we enter into his rest all striving ceases, all worrying comes to a halt for we do not have to keep ourselves but we are kept by Christ.

Evening: 3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

Jude is a person who has very strong feelings for the gospel. Take notice this evening of what the gospel does for those who possess it. First of all those who possess the gospel develop relationships with people that are strong and powerful. Jude uses the words “dear friends” to address his audience.

Not many are those who have dear friends in this world. Many will have acquaintances and business partners but very few will have dear friends. To have dear friends means you are committed to them for life. You will go to great lengths to defend them and protect them. If you have the gospel then you should have some dear friends.

The next thing to notice is that those who possess the gospel will possess a joy the world will never approach nor appreciate. Jude indicates he was pleased to perform some labor of love for his audience in the words “I was eager.” Many are those who do the work necessary but they are not eager to do it, they only do it because it a means to an end. For Jude the end and the means were one and the same. To write about this great salvation brought him joy as well as to possess this great salvation.

In the Christian life there is no such thing as work which we dread because all of the work that our Lord calls us to do is work that he accomplishes through us as we yield our lives to him. We find our joy and gladness as we obey His commands and then we will discover his life flowing through us to perform the very things he has commanded us to do.

The next thing we observe is the Christian life is a life of strong compelling desires. There is no lethargy in the Christian faith only great joy and strength to experience as we yield our lives to our Lord. One morning as Jude was contemplating this great salvation he began to think of those whom he cared for in the faith and he was moved by the Spirit to put into words what he was feeling for his dear friends.

Notice the strong words Jude uses as he writes to his friends. “I had to write you to urge you to contend for the faith.” Whenever we think of the gospel and its implications for our lives there will be the accompanying strong feelings. God has so designed us that when we obey His Word we will find the strength to complete the tasks we are called upon to finish.

This evening I encourage you to spend some time before you close your eyes, in contemplating the wonders of the gospel that you have received in Christ. You may discover some new source of strength you did not know you possessed.

SatSaturdayDecDecember27th2008 Acts 27-28

Posted Saturday, December 27 2008 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

This was a place that was not really suited for a sailing vessel to winter, but Paul spoke to warn the sailors that trouble lay ahead if they continued and did not winter there.

The place was called “Fair Havens” but it did not suit the sailors. They were in a hurry to get their cargo to the port where they could make money so they put out again against the advice a spiritual leader. They avoided a place that was not well suited for them so they left quickly and found a much worse storm on the high seas.

How is it we are often like these sailors. We find a place that is not well suited for our taste so we decide to put out to get to a better place and find ourselves in much worse predicament. The place where God may want to refine us is called “Fair Havens”, though it does not look like much outwardly it is the place where God will protect us if we will allow Him to work in us that which is pleasing in his sight.

Have you reached some place in your life with great difficulty? When you look around do you see all the headaches of staying in such a place and decide to leave ahead of God’s timing? Wherever you are is the place of Fair Havens for you. Do not seek to find a way out of the adverse circumstances. Rather, let God do His work in you and you will be saved from a much worse fate than what you now have. From now on let us call the places of difficulty "Fair Havens" and let us allow God to do the work in us he so needs to do.

Evening: “There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.” (Acts 28:7)

What a great series of miracles that brought the gospel to a winter Island of Malta. I want you to take notice of how it was that the gospel first came to Malta. It came because of the Captain of a sailing vessel, thinking he knew better than the Word of the Lord, attempted to sail when he should have remained in Fair Havens.

Do you notice the confidence that Paul lived with in this story? Things did not go the way he thought they should go, but he was convinced that God was in total control so he made the necessary adjustments and went about his ministry of sharing the gospel to all who came his way.

As a result of their unexpected layover in Malta, Paul had the opportunity to share the Gospel with the entire island. What unplanned event have you experienced recently that may very well be a plan of the Lord to bring you to a place where the gospel can be heard by others more readily because of your readjustment?

Take a moment to pray that God would open your eyes to where you need to share the gospel and then get about sharing it.

FriFridayDecDecember26th2008 Revelation 18-22

Posted Friday, December 26 2008 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: (Rev 18:10) Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:
"'Woe! Woe, O great city,
O Babylon, city of power!
In one hour your doom has come!'

There are many who think that they can stand against the judgment of God. They spend their time building their defenses and gathering their wares, all the while thinking they will be able to avert the judgment headed their way.

The great leaders of the world think they can gather their armies and withstand the coming day of wrath. They will be sadly mistaken. When God comes in judgment, though all the armies of this world are in agreement, they will not be able to stand. Their destruction will be gone in what will seem like a pass in the night.

The Scripture tells us that in one hour the most powerful forces allied against God will be reduced to nothing. If this is true then it is a good thing to be on the side of God when judgment comes. May we live in the fear of the Lord so others will see that they are hopeless to stand against such a great and awesome God.

Evening: (Revelation 22:3) No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads

Someone I care about deeply has had significant difficulty trusting in God in the face of sever suffering. It is not their own suffering. but those they love and care for. The question was put, “Why does God allow or direct such suffering to his people? How can I ever trust such a God who would allow such suffering to happen?”

The question does not come from a heart of complacency, but rather from a heart that grieves with those who grieve. How shall we answer such questions? Books have been written for centuries attempting to give sufficient replies and so far we do not find sufficient logical reasoning to settle all queries and questions.

So are we left alone with no answer at all? Such is not the case of our faith. God certainly does not answer this question as we should like and we are often left to wonder as to the reason. Suffice it to say that God has his own reasons that we cannot fully understand but we do know enough about God to trust him for the questions we have no answers for.

We know that suffering is part of this world. We also know that God is good and delights in his children. We also know that God has designed us to find our greatest joy in Him alone. So with that all said we look at suffering through these glasses. Whatever the purpose of suffering we know that God is working out everything for our ultimate good not our temporary good.

We also see from this text before us this evening that all suffering for those who know God has an ultimate end. The end of all suffering for the children of God will come when our Lord returns for us. At that time this text will be true for us. No more curse. The sinful nature will be eradicated never to bother us again. We shall see his face, no more questions unanswered that need to be answered. Everything will be made plain and we will know God fully.

Once we see His face all the toils and troubles of this world will fade away. They will no longer plague our thoughts for we shall see Him as He is. Until then we live with many unanswered questions and we trust in His sovereign care for us no matter what.

ThuThursdayDecDecember25th2008 Song of Solomon 7-8

Posted Thursday, December 25 2008 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: (Song of Solomon 7:6) How beautiful you are and how pleasing,
O love, with your delights!

What a great present we present to our God when we find our source of contentment in Him alone. What beauty he works in us through His Son. All of the impurities that once stained us are now gone forever because of Christ. The Father can look at us and see only delight and not pollution.

What a marvelous work of grace to take that which was once an object of wrath by nature, and transform it into an object of his pleasure and delight. Rejoice this Christmas morning that you are now made an object of his delight. Let this truth be firmly fixed in you before the day begins with all the activity of other things.

This truth will silence the voice of the accuser and put to flight any other thoughts that would lead you to despair. Hear again the words of the angel, “Fear not for behold I bring you good news of great joy that shall be for all the people. For unto you is born this day a savior who is Christ the Lord.”

Christmas is not really about us giving each other presents, it is about God giving us His Son that we may be forever set free from our sin and find our greatest joy in God and become an object of pleasure for God as well.

Evening: (Song of Solomon 8:7-8) 7 Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

Just how secure are those who have trusted in Christ? Let us ponder this question once more. This is what we must know if we are to find any joy in God. If God has set his affection on us and entered into a covenant with us then these words are for us.

How secure are we in the love of God? More secure than any storm that would seek to ravage our relationship with Him. Many waters cannot quench love. Though the seas and the oceans roar and their waves soar high over our heads we will not fear for God has promised that many waters will not quench his love for us.

Are there any conditions to this promise? Perhaps you may think you have not done enough to earn his affection, or you do not look beautiful enough to capture his attention. Enough with such talk, for his love toward us is without cost. If one were to give all the wealth of his house it would not be received for this love comes without cost.

This love met us when we were by nature objects of wrath headed for an eternal judgment from which there was not escape. But because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy wherein he loved us made us alive in Christ. You could pay nothing for it and you can pay nothing to keep it. You must rest content in the fact that his love is without merit. He has set his affection on you just because.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

WedWednesdayDecDecember24th2008 Psalms 149-150

Posted Wednesday, December 24 2008 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: (Psalms 149:2-3) Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
3 Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

We are drawing near to finishing reading through of God’s Word for the year. As we come the close of another year of reading and meditating on the Word of God, we see the Psalmist paint for us what should be our experience as we have given ourselves to God’s Word. The more we read, the more we should be filled with the praises of our great God.

Where are we to find our rejoicing? Where are we to find our source of gladness and joy? We will look forever in the world and not find our lasting joy or gladness here. The Psalmist beckons us to find our joy and gladness in God alone.

Have you yet considered and been convinced that God has designed your greatest joy to be found in Him. During this holiday season where have you gone to search for lasting joy? Perhaps you have travelled through the malls and stores trying in vain to find that one gift that will forever settle your search for real joy. Let me save you much needless roaming. Read again and consider the words of the Psalmist, “Let Israel rejoice in their maker.”

What will happen when you find your true source of joy in God? You will not be able to contain it. You will find yourself caught up, dancing and singing for joy. Some may even think you are drunk because of your joy in God. May you give yourself to this one thing during these holiday's festivities. May you find the real source of lasting joy in Christ. This is God’s desire for you this season.

Evening: Psalm 147:10-11 (NIV)
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

This morning we considered where the true source of our joy was, and we discovered it was found in God alone. This evening we will consider one of God’s true joys and pleasures. Certainly God is joyful in Himself for he is entirely self-sufficient and needs nothing and no one to be fully satisfied. But this evening we will consider something that many of this age cannot begin to fathom.

Though God is entirely self-sufficient in himself, there is something that brings God great pleasure and joy beyond himself and that is when he finds his people resting, content in His care for them. They do not trust in anything but in him alone for their life and strength. God desires to shows himself strong on the behalf of those who se hearts are fully yielded to Him.

God does not delight in how strong you are, or in what great gifts you have developed, he is pleased and thrilled when you put aside all and trust in Him alone. The Scripture tells us that when we trust in Christ alone we bring him great delight

Take a moment before you go to sleep this Christmas Eve and rejoice in God alone for a moment. Try this prayer on for size.

"God, I cannot see how you could rescue me in the midst of such chaos. My world is falling apart around me and I cannot see anyway to be delivered but your Word says I will bring you great delight as I trust in you alone so here I am and I have no where else to go but to you. Please rescue me and be my deliverer for the sake of your great name that many others will see that you are a great God who delivers and turn to you."

TueTuesdayDecDecember23rd2008 Esther 1-5

Posted Tuesday, December 23 2008 @ 12 AM byPhil Nelson Tagged No tags 0 comments Add comment

Morning: (Esther 2:20)But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

Obedience to the authorities God had given her delivered Esther and the Jewish nation from total destruction. You may be reading this devotion this morning and find yourself at odds with someone who is in authority over you. Perhaps it is your parents, teachers, or some spiritual leader in your church. God has ordained every authority for your good and for your protection.

As Esther obeyed her Uncle Mordecai she found deliverance for her and the entire Jewish nation. As you prepare to go to work or school this morning take a moment and pray for those in positions of authority over you. Ask God to give you a spirit of godly submission and as you honor those in authority over you, you will have many opportunities to share Christ with those who will ask you, “Why are you so respectful of your parents, teachers, pastors, and governing authorities?” Then your answer will be “Because God promises to provide for me as I willingly submit to their teaching and guidance.” This should cause quite a stir at your school or workplace or home.

Evening: Esther 3:1 (NIV)
1 After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles.

Haman was an Agagite. Agagites were those that God decreed he would be at war at from generation to generation in Exodus 17:16. For almost 600 years God was at war with the descendants of Agag. Now we see Haman, an Agagite, being raised to a position of high honor in the kingdom of Persia. Some think that if they could just be given a place of honor and prestige things would be different and they would serve the Lord better once their circumstances changed. This was not so with Haman and it is not so with us. It is not our circumstances that need to change it is our hearts. God is not so much concerned with our position in life as our position in Christ. If we are not in Christ it will not change our life for the better.

Notice that Haman, not having been changed by repentance towards God, grows even viler. When Mordecai refuses to bow before Haman, Haman becomes enraged and sets about to destroy the nation of Israel. If you were only to look with the eyes of the physical world you would be prone to be worried and upset about circumstances. How could a small nation in captivity ever hope to be rescued?

Here in this story, though we do not see the name of God used in the text, we see it all throughout the story of Esther. Though God is not seen in the writing of Esther, he is very much at work in bringing about the deliverance of his favored nation. So it is with us. We may find the world deals with us in hatred and animosity but the story of Esther reminds us that God is always working out the circumstances for what is best for his people and for his name.

No matter how many Haman’s you must deal with, God will bring all of their plans to harm you to naught. He may even use their plans to bring you great good and himself great glory. So do not worry about what will happen to you, God is at work behind the scenes even when you cannot see him for your good and His glory.

Daily Devotions

by Devotions for your daily Bible readings written by Pastor Phil Nelson. If you would like a copy of an older devotional, please contact the church office.