Category: Grace Living (Christian Life)

If Not For the LORD On Our Side #2

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:…” (Psalm 124:2,3 KJV).

Where is true victory for Israel?

Many cross-references should come to mind when pondering today’s Scripture. For example, the nation Israel had been helpless in captivity for centuries before the LORD God used 10 plagues to gradually destroy Egypt. Although Pharaoh reluctantly released the Jewish people, he and his armies pursued them across the Red Sea before the LORD intervened and drowned those Egyptian troops.

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea” (Exodus 15:1-4).

Of course, another occasion of miraculous deliverance came when Israel griped about not having potable water in the wilderness. God furnished them with drink from the rock, but enemies arose in an attempt to steal that water. The Amalekites started a war—but God ensured Israel won. “So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword” (Exodus 17:10-13).

Yet, there is more….

If Not For the LORD On Our Side #1

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:…” (Psalm 124:2,3 KJV).

Where is true victory for Israel?

Everyone enjoys winning, yet, here is what we must remember. Whether a political election, a sports competition, or a war, someone has to lose at some point. Victory is most gratifying after an extended, hard-fought battle—especially when it looked so grim or hopeless because of a history of failure (loss, disappointment, misfortune). In today’s Scripture, the nation Israel actually finds itself in a similar predicament.

King David writes Psalm 124 as follows: “A Song of degrees of David. [1] If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; [2] If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: [3] Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: [4] Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: [5] Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. [6] Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. [7] Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. [8] Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

Observe how the Psalm starts with parallelism: “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say; If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us.” This repetition of today’s Scripture underscores or emphasizes where Israel’s triumph resides. Read Psalm 124 again and notice the rephrasing: “Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth…. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” The only means whereby we recognize the significance of these comments is to search the Scriptures to see how Israel had to learn this “the hard way….”

The Greatest Veteran

Monday, November 11, 2024

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15 KJV).

Today is Veterans’ Day in the United States, so let us especially thank the “Greatest Veteran of All Time.”

We thank veterans, living and departed, the often-forgotten men and women who risked their lives to secure our freedom. Just as we remember flesh-and-blood veterans who fought for our physical liberty, we reserve our worship and utmost respect for the least esteemed Veteran, He who secured our spiritual liberty.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Through Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary, we have eternal victory over sin, death, hell, and Satan. Everything that God has planned for us is dependent upon Christ’s victory at Calvary.

Jesus Christ nailed the Mosaic Law to His cross (today’s Scripture). His sinless blood covered our failure to obey God’s laws; Jesus’ righteousness annulled our unrighteousness (sin). Christ not only liberated us from sin and its penalty (the everlasting lake of fire), but today’s Scripture affirms He also triumphed over Satan himself!

Christ has “spoiled [destroyed] principalities and powers [Satan’s power], he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it [His cross].” Jesus Christ destroyed Satan’s plans. Through Christ’s cross, God has “delivered us from the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:13), Satan’s evil system of Ephesians 2:1-3.

During a recent cemetery visit, I noticed American flags flying above deceased veterans’ headstones. These individuals can no longer hear or regard our thanks, but Jesus Christ’s body is not decaying in some tomb. If there ever was a Veteran most worthy of our gratitude, it is our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He died in battle, allowing Himself to be executed on a Roman cross of shame and scorn, He resurrected. He is alive and well today, alive forevermore!

Saints, eternity will ring with our thanks to the Veteran worth thanking, the Lord Jesus Christ.

*Adapted from our 2010 Bible study, “The Greatest Hero.” The Bible study video can be viewed here.

David’s Two Wives #5

Sunday, November 10, 2024

“So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite” (2 Samuel 2:2 KJV).

Why did David have two wives? Did the LORD endorse such polygamy?

Though David’s first wife Michal was married off to another man, David demanded she be returned to him after the Philistines slew King Saul in battle (see 1 Samuel 31:1-13 and 2 Samuel 3:13-16). David was anointed Israel’s new monarch, Saul’s successor, in 2 Samuel chapter 5—which corresponds to Jesus Christ’s Millennial Reign in the ages to come. In dozens upon dozens of ways, David symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ. As touching today’s Scripture, both men are married to one woman, then to two women, before the relationship to the original woman is restored.

Let us tie it all together now in one succinct narrative. David’s marriage to Michal was dissolved due to sin; she was taken from him and given to another man. Likewise, the LORD’S nation (Israel) was stolen from Him and given to another man (heathen gods or pagan idols). David subsequently married two women, Ahinoam and Abigail, and Michal later rejoined him once he became king. After David’s idolatrous son Solomon died, Israel was divided into two kingdoms or two nations, Israel and Judah (two women or wives). Yet, the New Covenant will reconcile Israel and Judah to each other, and reunite them to the Lord Jesus Christ (JEHOVAH God). In that day of His Second Coming, He will reign as their King—and there will be one wife, one nation, one kingdom (Michal’s return), serving one God (no more idols).

We can see how sin complicates life, whether short-term or long-term. Again, polygamy or polyandry was never God’s intention, but we live in a fallen world. David’s marital situations were not easy or justifiable, yet the Holy Spirit placed them into the record of Scripture forever to illustrate how the LORD God would have a similar relationship with Israel: one wife (one kingdom/nation), then two wives (divided kingdoms/nations), with the original wife finally returning (united kingdom/nation). In fact, in various ways David is most unlike Christ too, for, as his influence grew, King David kept multiplying wives as per eastern custom (2 Samuel 5:12,13; 1 Chronicles 3:1-9). Again, the Bible tells the truth—even about its heroes!

David’s Two Wives #4

Saturday, November 9, 2024

“So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite” (2 Samuel 2:2 KJV).

Why did David have two wives? Did the LORD endorse such polygamy?

Once JEHOVAH God called Israel out of Egypt, the nation became His wife. “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:…” (Jeremiah 31:32). We know this “covenant” as “The Law of Moses,” or “The Old Covenant.”

It can be found in Exodus 19:4-6: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” This covenant was ratified in chapter 24, with the sprinkling of animal blood. “…All the words which the LORD hath said will we do” (Exodus 24:3). Of course, we know Israel was a group of sinners (idolaters), and failed miserably to keep the Law. “The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD” (Hosea 1:2).

Eventually, due to King Solomon’s idolatry, the 12 tribes of Israel split into 10 northern tribes and two southern tribes (see 1 Kings 11:1-13). Two nations and two kingdoms resulted—Israel (north) and Judah (south). The New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31 reverses this, with Israel and Judah reunited and brought under one King (Jesus Christ, whose shed blood redeems them from the curse of the disobeyed Moses’ Law and sanctifies them unto the righteousness of Messiah’s Law). Also see Hosea 2:1-23; Ezekiel 37:15-28; John 10:14-16; John 11:51,52; Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 10:1-22.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

David’s Two Wives #3

Friday, November 8, 2024

“So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite” (2 Samuel 2:2 KJV).

Why did David have two wives? Did the LORD endorse such polygamy?

In 1 Samuel chapter 19, David lost his first wife, Michal, to sin (his father-in-law, unbelieving King Saul, forced him to flee for his life). While righteous David was a fugitive from unrighteous Saul, David encountered another diabolical man by the name of Nabal (chapter 25). Nabal, who has a beautiful and understanding wife called Abigail, is also unkind to David. Simply put, the LORD kills wicked Nabal and David marries widowed Abigail. It is here that he also takes a second wife—Ahinoam. At this point, we learn Michal was married off to another man.

“And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died. And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife. And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee, to take thee to him to wife. And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. And Abigail hasted, and arose and rode upon an ass, with five damsels of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives. But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim” (1 Samuel 25:38-44).

You may also see 1 Samuel 27:3, 1 Samuel 30:5, 2 Samuel 2:2 (today’s Scripture), 2 Samuel 3:2-3, and 1 Chronicles 3:1 for more references to these two wives of David. Let us now see their prophetic significance….

David’s Two Wives #2

Thursday, November 7, 2024

“So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite” (2 Samuel 2:2 KJV).

Why did David have two wives? Did the LORD endorse such polygamy?

It is crucial for us to get the chronology straight. Before David had two wives, he had just one. “Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal” (1 Samuel 14:49). “And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him…. Wherefore David arose and went, he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale [number, count, total] to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law. And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife. And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him” (1 Samuel 18:20,27,28).

Unbelieving King Saul, sensing how the LORD favors (believing) David, now seeks to kill David! “Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain…. So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped…. And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth…. And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?” (1 Samuel 19:11-13,17).

With David fleeing Saul’s wrath, Saul retaliates by marrying off Michal to another man: “But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim” (1 Samuel 25:44). As indicated in today’s Scripture, this led to David finding and marrying two other women, Ahinoam and Abigail….

David’s Two Wives #1

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

“So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite” (2 Samuel 2:2 KJV).

Why did David have two wives? Did the LORD endorse such polygamy?

First of all, it was always in God’s design to have monogamous (single-spouse) human marriages. Polygamy (multiple wives at the same time) and polyandry (multiple husbands at the same time) were never His original plan. Just look at the first marriage, Adam and Eve.

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help [one!] meet for him…. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife [one!]: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife [one!], and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:18,24,25). “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife [one!]: and they twain shall be one flesh?” (Matthew 19:4,5; cf. Mark 10:6-8). “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife [one!], and let every woman have her own husband [one!]” (1 Corinthians 7:2).

Howbeit, David in today’s Scripture has two wives at the same time! A Christian woman once complained to me how she thought that was disgusting. Being a Bible ignoramus myself, I struggled to understand it. Why would God include this in His Word? Did He approve it? Here is what we can say. Firstly, the Bible always tells the truth about its heroes—even when they do wrong. The record is correct, factual, historical. We may not like what it says, but we cannot change what it says. Secondly, God the Holy Spirit placed it into the Scriptures, so He had His reasons for teaching it to us. What He expects us to do is look at the passage as spiritual adults, not Bible babies who gripe about matters they have not thought about critically or diligently searched the Scriptures for any possible commentary in other verses….

Be of Good Cheer!

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

“And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2 KJV).

The (dreaded) United States’ Election Day is here, but “Be of good cheer!”

Our King James Bible uses the exhortation, “Be of good cheer,” on seven occasions—during depressing circumstances. Today’s Scripture, the first instance, is Jesus encouraging the paralyzed man He is about to heal (physically, but more importantly, spiritually)!

As a storm violently rocks the disciples’ boat, Jesus walks on the water, saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Mark 6:50 reads: “For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” On the night of His arrest, just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus tells His disciples in the upper room: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

After Paul was violently attacked in Jerusalem, he is arrested and stands before the Sanhedrin (Israel’s governing religious body). “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). While Paul sails to Rome, inclement weather threatens the ship. Acts 27:22 and 25 quote his words to his companions: “And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship… Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” (According to verses 23 and 24, an angel had appeared to Paul to comfort him and his fellow travelers.)

Saints, no matter the election outcome, let us “be of good cheer.” We are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), and this is not our home anyway! Furthermore, as our Lord said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)! 🙂

In light of the U.S. Presidential Election, you may read our archived study: “Is ‘divine right of kings’ a Scriptural teaching?”

Arrayed in Hypocrisy

Thursday, October 31, 2024

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27,28 KJV).

“Looks can be deceiving” is not only true during Halloweentime, but confirmed year-round within Christendom.

Today is Halloween, when children dress up and feign themselves to be creatures they are not. Likewise, many church leaders today wear “Christian” garbs, but their ministries do not bring the Lord Jesus Christ glory and honor. They promote their denomination, and seek to perpetuate it, rather than serve and exalt the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The Bible manifests these who appear to be good, as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

In today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ exposed Israel’s corrupt religious leaders who misled the nation in His day. In His Parable of the Tares, Matthew 13:24-30,37-43, Christ explained how just as He had sown good seed (wheat, believing Jews) in Israel, Satan had also sown tares/weeds (unbelieving Jews). Tares resemble wheat; unbelieving Jews resemble believing Jews. The unbelieving Pharisees and scribes, for instance, looked like God’s people (believing Israel). Judas Iscariot was another example of Satan’s tares—the apostles never realized who Judas really was until it was too late!

But Satan’s counterfeit believers are not confined to Israel’s program. Today, within local assemblies of the Body of Christ, there are people feigning themselves to be Christians: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Beloved, beware of the church leaders who are arrayed in hypocrisy, “and avoid them” (Romans 16:17b). If their teaching does not agree with the rightly divided King James Bible, you have no business as a child of God to be listening to them.

*This is excerpted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

You may also see our special study, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?” In addition, “What does the Bible say about ghosts?”