Proverbs 2:1-22

Although the temptation to compromise threatens every believer, we don’t have to give in. If we’re aware of the danger and understand the downward progression and ultimate consequences, we can determine to be vigilant in obedience to the Lord.

The first step in learning how to avoid compromise is understanding why it is so tempting. When others pressure us to take part in in what we know God has forbidden, it’s easy to give in because we don’t want to feel rejected. But anyone who’s committed to living a godly life must be willing to stand alone and face ridicule or even persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). At other times, we consent to activities that violate our conscience just to avoid conflict, but peace at any price means we have to sacrifice obedience to God.

However, the temptation to compromise doesn’t always originate with others. In fact, James 1:14 says we are tempted when we’re carried away by our own lusts. How many Christians have fallen into sexual immorality or pornography by desiring a second look? Greed is another motivation that drives us to compromise. If you fudge on your income tax or take a few things home from the office, you’ve stepped over the line of obedience to God. Our choices should be based on scriptural truth, not on our feelings and desires.

In order to stand firm against compromise, we must make God’s Word the standard for our conduct. If you begin each day with the Lord in His Word, He will guide your way. Then when the Spirit gives a warning, obey immediately, because giving consideration to the temptation opens a door for Satan.

 The prolific author F.W. Boreham was once described as a man who went about his life “scattering benedictions.” The description colorfully puts an image of the beloved minister in my mind.

 For some, the word “benediction” signals the end of a church service, the parting words of a pastor with lifted hands sending forth the congregation in the grace and love of Jesus Christ. The word comes from two Latin words meaning literally “good speaking” and is most often translated “blessing.” Benediction is the act or pronouncement of divine blessing upon another person.

 To pronounce a person or group of people blessed was in fact given as a commandment to Aaron and his sons, the tribe chosen to serve as priests among the Israelites. The book of Numbers recounts that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenanceupon you and give you peace’” (6:22-26). It is a sublime utterance, blessing as much as it teaches. The hearer is lifted in the name of the Lord, the keeper of creation, the giver of peace, the one who longs to bless us such that it was given as a command. As a father looks at his son and delights to find his own smile, so the Lord’s face is lifted in kind to those made in God’s own image, shining upon those God has called the “apple of his eye.” God’s name is exalted, for it to be upon us is a great blessing, and in it, God is glorified.

 But herein lies the potency of benediction. At the end of God’s instructions for the Aaronic blessing, God adds distinctly, “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them” (v. 27). Whereas doxology is ascribing praise to God, and prayer is expressing oneself to God, a benediction is a word of blessing on behalf of God. The former rise from the heart of the saint, the other overflows from the heart of God. As author Samuel Chadwick writes, “[T]he benediction does not approach the subject from the standpoint of theology but of experience. It is not concerned with definition, nor does it contemplate the glory of God in the absoluteness of his deity.” Rather, notes Chadwick, it sets God forth as God is realized in the soul.

 Scattering benedictions, it seems then, is a high calling. And I would add, it is a mysterious gift given to all made in God’s image. The putting of God’s name upon another soul as we go about life is our tongue’s greatest utterance. It is a hopeful command, a most uplifted effort. As God’s name is set forth, not only is it God who does the blessing, it is God who is the fulfillment of the words we offer. God is the blessing.

 Therefore, may the blessing of the LORD be upon you, and may you know the joy of putting the name of God upon others. For indeed, whether hiding or curious or seeking in earnest, blessed are those who rest in the light of God’s face.

 Jill Carattini is managing editor of A Slice of Infinity at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.

 Morning “I will love them freely.” / Hosea 14:4

 This sentence is a body of divinity in miniature. He who understands its

meaning is a theologian, and he who can dive into its fulness is a true master

in Israel. It is a condensation of the glorious message of salvation which was

delivered to us in Christ Jesus our Redeemer. The sense hinges upon the word

“freely.” This is the glorious, the suitable, the divine way by which love

streams from heaven to earth, a spontaneous love flowing forth to those who

neither deserved it, purchased it, nor sought after it. It is, indeed, the

only way in which God can love such as we are. The text is a death-blow to all

sorts of fitness: “I will love them freely.” Now, if there were any fitness

necessary in us, then he would not love us freely; at least, this would be a

mitigation and a drawback to the freeness of it. But it stands, “I will love

you freely.” We complain, “Lord, my heart is so hard.” “I will love you

freely.” “But I do not feel my need of Christ as I could wish.” “I will not

love you because you feel your need; I will love you freely.” “But I do not

feel that softening of spirit which I could desire.” Remember, the softening

of spirit is not a condition, for there are no conditions; the covenant of

grace has no conditionality whatever; so that we without any fitness may

venture upon the promise of God which was made to us in Christ Jesus, when he

said, “He that believeth on him is not condemned.” It is blessed to know that

the grace of God is free to us at all times, without preparation, without

fitness, without money, and without price! “I will love them freely.” These

words invite backsliders to return: indeed, the text was specially written for

such–“I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely.” Backslider!

surely the generosity of the promise will at once break your heart, and you

will return, and seek your injured Father’s face.

 

Evening “He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.” / John 16:15

 There are times when all the promises and doctrines of the Bible are of no

avail, unless a gracious hand shall apply them to us. We are thirsty, but too

faint to crawl to the water-brook. When a soldier is wounded in battle it is

of little use for him to know that there are those at the hospital who can

bind up his wounds, and medicines there to ease all the pains which he now

suffers: what he needs is to be carried thither, and to have the remedies

applied. It is thus with our souls, and to meet this need there is one, even

the Spirit of truth, who takes of the things of Jesus, and applies them to us.

Think not that Christ hath placed his joys on heavenly shelves that we may

climb up to them for ourselves, but he draws near, and sheds his peace abroad

in our hearts. O Christian, if thou art tonight labouring under deep

distresses, thy Father does not give thee promises and then leave thee to draw

them up from the Word like buckets from a well, but the promises he has

written in the Word he will write anew on your heart. He will manifest his

love to you, and by his blessed Spirit, dispel your cares and troubles. Be it

known unto thee, O mourner, that it is God’s prerogative to wipe every tear

from the eye of his people. The good Samaritan did not say, “Here is the wine,

and here is the oil for you;” he actually poured in the oil and the wine. So

Jesus not only gives you the sweet wine of the promise, but holds the golden

chalice to your lips, and pours the life-blood into your mouth. The poor,

sick, way-worn pilgrim is not merely strengthened to walk, but he is borne on

eagles’ wings. Glorious gospel! which provides everything for the helpless,

which draws nigh to us when we cannot reach after it–brings us grace before

we seek for grace! Here is as much glory in the giving as in the gift. Happy

people who have the Holy Ghost to bring Jesus to them.

He will take what is mine and declare it to you.    John 16:15

 There are times when all the promises and doctrines of the Bible are of no help unless a gracious hand applies them to us. We are thirsty but too faint to crawl to the water-brook. When a soldier is wounded in battle, it is of little use for him to know that there are those at the hospital who can bind up his wounds and medicines to ease all the pains that he now suffers: What he needs is to be carried there and to have the remedies applied. It is the same with our souls, and to meet this need there is one, even the Spirit of truth, who takes the things of Jesus and applies them to us.

Do not think that Christ has placed His joys on heavenly shelves so we may climb up and retrieve them for ourselves; rather He draws near and sheds His peace abroad in our hearts. Christian, if you are tonight struggling under deep distress, your Father does not give you promises and then leave you to draw them up from the Word like buckets from a well. The promises He has written in the Word He will write afresh on your heart. He will display His love to you and by His blessed Spirit dispel your cares and troubles.

Let it be known to you, if you mourn, that it is God’s prerogative to wipe every tear from the eyes of His people. The good Samaritan did not say, “Here is the wine, and here is the oil for you”; he actually poured in the oil and the wine. So Jesus not only gives you the sweet wine of His promise, but He holds the golden cup to your lips and pours the lifeblood into your mouth. The poor, sick, worn-out pilgrim is not merely strengthened to walk, but he is lifted up on eagles’ wings. Glorious Gospel that provides everything for the helpless, that draws near to us when we cannot reach it ourselves—it brings us grace before we seek grace! There is as much glory in the giving as in the gift. Happy people who have the Holy Spirit to bring Jesus to them!

Family Reading Plan  Daniel 7  Psalm 115