Today’s reading: 1 Chron 21:1–22:19, 2 Tim 2:14–26, Ps 86:1–87:7

Today’s theme: Please God, not man

There are multiple lessons today all centred around the theme of ‘Pleasing God rather than man’. If we live to please God we will be merciful, excellent, Christlike in leadership, handle God’s word well, correct with gentleness and run from lust which will all serve to make our calling and election sure.

1 Chronicles 21:1–22:19

The opposer and accuser

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1 (ESV)

Satan (the one who opposes God and accuses His people), is a real being. He is not like God so he is NOT all knowing, all powerful or all present, the Devil is a fallen Angel, he can only be in one place at a time doing one thing at a time. Often we see him involved in high profile cases like Job’s trial, Jesus’ temptation and here he tempts David with the aim of destroying God’s people.

We need to be aware that Satan and his vast network of fellow demons are at work in the world today. Often in this same context, moving leaders to sin which brings destruction to the people.

Paul is aware of this invisible war and reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Please God, not men

But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab. 1 Chronicles 21:6 (ESV)

Joab was so often a good leader and this was one of his better moments where he refused to fulfil the Kings demand by skipping two of the tribes. We can learn from his example that we ought to fear God rather than man. See Mark 8:33 and Galatians 1:10 where Paul states “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Be merciful

Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” 1 Chronicles 21:13 (ESV)

God’s discipline is not vindictive or cruel but is tempered by His mercy. We must learn from this when we are in authority and need to deal out discipline to our children for example or a subordinate at work. Jesus clearly instructs us in Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Also see Jude 22-23.

Christlike leadership

And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.” 1 Chronicles 21:17 (ESV)

David is Christ like in his leadership, offering himself for the people. This is the heart of true intercession. A good leader will sacrifice himself for the people he leads. Jesus taught us that true leadership is servanthood and true greatness requires sacrifice.

Jesus declares in Mark 9:35 “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 9:19 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”

The Apostle John reminds us in 1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

The value of cost

But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 1 Chronicles 21:24 (ESV)

There is a cost in our walk, cost brings value and will cause us to treasure what is bought. Jesus teaches us to count the cost in Luke 14:28-33 “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?…So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

The benefits of discipleship far outweigh the cost!

Answered by fire

And David built there an altar to the LORD and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the LORD, and the LORD answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 1 Chronicles 21:26 (ESV)

David was a man of prayer like Elijah who God also answered by fire from heaven. James reminds us in James 5:17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.”

Be excellent

For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death. 1 Chronicles 22:5 (ESV)

We should have the same spirit of excellence with all we do for God, for the rise and spread of His fame throughout the earth

Arise and work

gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The LORD be with you!” 1 Chronicles 22:16 (ESV)

This same call goes out to God’s people today, we should arise and work, because God is with us. As Jesus reminds us in John 9:4 “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

2 Timothy 2:14–26

Handle God’s word correctly

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

This is why bible reading, bible study and submission to good bible teaching is so important. The word of God needs to be divided correctly, when taken out of context it is at best not helpful and at worst rank heresy.

We are all called to be God’s approved workers rightly handling God’s precious word. We should not get into endless debates which are a distraction and waste of time.

Make your own election sure

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV)

This scripture helps us deal with the mystery of election. God knows those who are His so we should not waste our time trying to figure that out. Instead, we should focus on departing from evil in our own lives. It is our sanctification that concerns us not the secret will of God in election. We make our calling and election sure (to us) by living as God commands.

Run away from lust

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)

There must be a conscious running away from lust and sin and a running toward purity, faith and love. We should see God’s commands not as a tightrope to walk between righteousness and sin but a starting line to run from, towards God. We should not teeter on the edge of darkness but rather run away from it lest we slip.

Correct with gentleness

correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)

We must remember this when we need to correct those opposing the truth.

Psalm 86:1–87:7

God our teacher

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (ESV)

God is our great teacher, we agree with this prayer today that our hearts will be single, devoted to Him and not double minded.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Timothy 2

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 18:1–20:8, 2 Tim 2:1–13, Ps 85:1–13

Today’s theme: Called to Generosity

Today we are taught a lot about our calling. One way of summing up our calling is that we are called to be generous with our riches, time, resources, energy and abilities. We all have a part to play so act out the miracle of your new life in Christ today.

1 Chronicles 18:1–20:8

Be generous and faithful

These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he had carried off from all the nations, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. 1 Chronicles 18:11 (ESV)

David shows us a great example of how we should be with all the Lord has given us. David was so generous and faithful to the Lord that he did not just make himself rich with the spoils of war but instead laid them up to be used by his son Solomon in the building of the temple.

Jesus commends this type of attitude in us as believers with both our physical and spiritual resources being dedicated to the Lord’s service. We see this in His parable about the coins (talents) in Matthew 25:14-30.

Play your part in God’s government

So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people. 1 Chronicles 18:14 (ESV)

David was more than just a military commander. This small section shows us that David reorganised the government of Israel at the highest levels with capable administrators helping to establish an efficient kingdom state.

Joab, who by the way is David’s Nephew who we see proves his military ability in the next chapter, was made head of the armed forces.  Meanwhile, courageous and loyal Beniah was made the head of the elite bodyguard detail (like the secret service).

In the body of Christ, Jesus like king David has organised His kingdom giving each member it’s role to perform for the good of the whole. We need to know what our office is and function within that calling.

1 Corinthians 12:18 tells us “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.”

Romans 12:4-8 teaches us “…so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us….”

Use your strength for God

Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 1 Chronicles 19:13 (ESV)

Joab’s military leadership really shines through in this passage. This is the type of strategising we see in military geniuses like Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Julius Caesar or Attila the Hun. Joab shows his heart for the Lord in this call to rally his troops as they enter battle.

Like Joab said, let us use our strength for the body of Christ and the kingdom of God. Paul knew this and so worked harder than all the other Apostles in 1 Corinthians 15:10. Paul also reminds us in 1 Timothy 4:10 that we are called to toil and strive for God’s kingdom.

Beware complacency, laziness or compromise

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 1 Chronicles 20:1 (ESV)

Here we start to see the slow burn of complacency and compromise with David. It was the time of the year when kings go to battle, but instead David stayed home and sent Joab his military ace. They got the victory but this behaviour set the precedent for the fall David would have with Bathsheba.

We must not be caught out by complacency, laziness or compromise. As in David’s case we may not see the result of the rot straightaway but it will soon become apparent. We must be sober, on our guard and not give the enemy an inch in our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 reminds us not to sleep but to stay awake and be alert. We must not get drunk on our own pleasure and comfort, we must stay sober.

Peter in his call to holiness proclaims in 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

At war every hour

And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 1 Chronicles 20:6 (ESV)

This giant with his 24 digits can be seen symbolically for the giant enemies we face each hour of the day. We should identify the giants that come to torment us and like David and his men, kill every last one of them. Jesus told us to take up our cross daily and follow him in Luke 9:23.

2 Timothy 2:1–13

Called to teach

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

This is the first of four analogies (Teacher, Soldier, Athlete and Farmer). Paul uses these to speak of the Christian life and ministry. Each points in some way to the need for whole hearted devotion in spite of difficulty.

As a teacher Paul encourages Timothy to pass on what he has learned from him (Paul) to faithful men who could also teach others. We see 4 generations here, Paul, Timothy, Faithful Men and Others.

Although the context tells us this is in regards to the continuation and spread of the ministry. Each of us is called to pass on what we have learned to the upcoming generations. We must grow and be mature as Christians so we can pass down what was passed down to us. We don’t need to make up something new, our faith is not novel. It is our duty to pass down the historically orthodox Christian faith to each generation.

Called to fight

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 2 Timothy 2:4 (ESV)

The second analogy for the Christian life is life as a soldier. As soldiers we endure harsh conditions, we are disciplined and willing to lay our lives on the line for our King. We obey commands, we show discipline, we fight, we defend, we protect, we have lives dedicated to duty.

We must not be short sighted, only concerned with life now. We must see the greater vision of the army and our commanding officer and seek to please Christ in faith.

Called to run and work

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:5–6 (ESV)

The next two analogies are of an Athlete and a Farmer.

Athletes need to be very disciplined, they need to watch what they eat and be disciplined in exercise and training. We need to be careful about what we eat spiritually and we need to constantly exercise our spiritual senses.

Athletes also have a drive to win, to gain the prize, to finish the race well. We can apply all of this to our walk with the Lord, we should run to win.

Farmers need to work hard. They get up earlier than everyone else, they need to show patience and perseverance in all seasons as they work ploughing the fields, planting the seeds and tending the crops. We are called to perseverance for our own lives but also as we work to see fruit in others.

The word of God is not bound

for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 2 Timothy 2:9 (ESV)

Nothing can stop the word of God! Even though Paul was in chains the word of God cannot be put in chains. This is why God allowed His word to be recorded in written form, this ensures the message goes where men cannot go and can be passed from person to person.

Thank God we have the unstoppable word of God. We should seek to see the word spread to every corner of the earth so that God’s elect may obtain the salvation that is in Jesus.

Psalm 85:1–13

The cross

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Psalm 85:10 (ESV)

This is seen in full on the cross where Jesus was sacrificed in our place, making peace between us and God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Timothy 2

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 16:1–17:27, 2 Tim 1:3–18, Ps 84:1–12

Today’s theme: Enjoy God

We are encouraged to rejoice in seeking the Lord today. God has given us His Holy Spirit so we do not need to be governed by fear. Today let’s declare God as king and seek to serve Him with joy in His kingdom. Do this in the security of His election and our eternal security as we persevere and guard what He has entrusted to us. Rejoice!

1 Chronicles 16:1–17:27

Rejoice as you seek the Lord

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 1 Chronicles 16:10 (ESV)

Like king David, we should sing and give praise to God, we should give glory to God. The thanks we see David giving to God here are taken from some of his many psalms. First we see Psalm 105:1-5, followed by Psalm 96 and then parts of Psalm 106.

As we seek the Lord we should do it in joy. We should rejoice from our hearts as we read and study God’s word.

Declare God as sovereign

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. 1 Chronicles 16:24–27 (ESV)

This great declaration proclaims God as sovereign. He is the only God and all the false gods are worthless nonsense.

We are called to proclaim God’s greatness as the true king to all nations. We do this through the proclamation of the Gospel and upholding the truth that God created the entire universe and deserves our praise and allegiance.

See Matthew 28:18–20 for the account of the great commission.

Seek to build God’s house

And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 1 Chronicles 17:10 (ESV)

God knew David’s heart was to build Him a house of worship. Because of this God blesses David’s family declaring that they will always be on the throne. This will find it’s ultimate fulfilment at the return of Christ. See Luke 1:32, Romans 15:12 and Revelation 22:16.

We should have a heart like David to build up God’s house, the body of Christ. When we seek to build the body from our hearts through the gifts God has given us, God will reward us as He does here for David. See Ephesians 4:16.

Find courage from God’s word

For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 1 Chronicles 17:25 (ESV)

When we consider God’s promises to us in His word, it should give us confidence to approach God in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 and Romans 4:20-21.

2 Timothy 1:3–18

The marks of the Holy Spirit

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

As Paul writes this to encourage the young Pastor Timothy to not be timid in the proclamation and defence of his faith, we too can be encouraged that we have been adopted by God. That we have the gift of God Himself in the Holy Spirit.

The first mark of the Holy Spirit is that we have power to be witnesses and to undergo suffering for the Lord.

The second mark is love. Without love we are not authentic disciples of Jesus Christ. It is only this which allows us to serve others in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The third mark is self control. The Holy Spirit enables us to respond rather than react to the sort of opposition and resistance Timothy is experiencing.

God has elected us

who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)

God saved us and gave us our calling in ministry. Not because of any good we did, not even because we choose to trust in Christ. He saved us before the universe began, according to His own purpose and grace.

This is the mystery of election, God choose us and we do not know why. We praise Him for the love and grace He has shown to us. The fact that God chose us before the world began should fill us with confidence as we stand and minister in His name.

Eternally secured

which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV)

When we give our lives to the Lord we are entrusting Him with our lives and He keeps us. This is why we can have confidence in our salvation. We know who we believe in and He is able to keep us and come good on His promise. It is because of Jesus that our salvation is eternally secured.

Guard what you have

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14 (ESV)

This is the other side of eternal security. We don’t just trust God to keep us and then spend the rest of our Christian life in a rocking chair.

We need to guard what has been given to us. We have been given the Gospel, we are taught the bible every week and have the Holy Spirit. It is down to us to guard what we have and to hold on to it with the Spirit’s power.

Our lives are not those of rich brats waiting to come into their inheritance. We are soldiers in a very real fight, in the army of our Commander, The Warrior King, Jesus.

Psalm 84:1–12

Enjoy church

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:2 (ESV)

We should love coming together at church to serve and worship our God, the Living God.

God is my king

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3 (ESV)

God is our King, we live by His decree, we live under His protection, serving in His kingdom and rejoicing in His reign.

Love God’s presence

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 (ESV)

Our preference should be God’s house. Our appetite should be for God’s presence and to fellowship with God’s people.

Enjoy life in God

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (ESV)

The Devil has lied to people saying God does not want good for them and wants to take the enjoyment out of life. This is a lie, God wants our lives to be full and enjoyable in Him.

As we walk in His ways there is no good thing that God will withhold from His people. God gets to define what is a good thing for us, not man.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Timothy 1

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 14:1–15:29, 2 Tim 1:1–2, Ps 83:1–18

Today’s theme: God breaks through

God breaks through against the enemy when we pray but also breaks through on us overcoming our flesh. We must be in a place to allow ourselves to be overcome by God

1 Chronicles 14:1–15:29

Polygamy is wrong

And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. 1 Chronicles 14:3 (ESV)

As mentioned in the note on 1 Chronicles 3:5, God never intended any man to practice polygamy (having multiple wives) and specifically instructed kings against this abuse of power in Deuteronomy 17:17.

David’s disobedience to this command has a terrible affect on his children as a brother rapes a sister. That brother is then killed by another brother who eventually usurps David.

As Christians we must defend and uphold the biblical model and mandate for marriage for life between one man and one woman.

Pray to God for breakthrough

And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 1 Chronicles 14:11 (ESV)

David did not just go up to fight, he asked God first and God answered him. This was not just in a spiritual sense but in the actual battle, God allowed them to defeat their enemies.

God is the God of breakthrough for our lives too. If we seek Him He will show us how to get breakthrough and see our enemies defeated. 2 Corinthians 10:4.

Be humble and repent

Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever. 1 Chronicles 15:2 (ESV)

One of the things we love about David’s example to us is that we see a real man with a real life full of mistakes who does not sit in the mess of his mistakes in pride forever. Rather, he seeks God in repentance.

Like David we must be quick to repent when we make mistakes and seek to live in accordance with God’s word. As David now seeks to minister in line with God’s law, so must we. Acts 17:30.

God breaks through

Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 1 Chronicles 15:13 (ESV)

God is the Lord of the Breakthrough in two ways. He will empower us to overcome our enemies but He will also Himself breakthrough against our flesh in loving discipline so that we can learn to walk according to His word.

Jesus reminds us in John 15:2 that “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Loving God’s presence

and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. 1 Chronicles 15:18 (ESV)

Obed-edom’s name comes up a few times in today’s reading. He is serving all over God’s house because he loves God’s presence.

Loving God’s presence cannot be disassociated with loving God Himself. Serving God should not be done or even considered apart from loving the Lord also.

2 Timothy 1:1–2

Grace, mercy and peace

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:2 (ESV)

Thank God today for the grace, mercy and peace that comes from God. These are three wonderful graces we should think about and be thankful for today, here are some short definitions.

Grace: In Christian doctrine, this term refers to unmerited divine favour. In summary form, the Christian message is “the gospel of God’s grace”.

Mercy: Compassion or leniency shown to another, especially an offender.

Peace: Safety, prosperity, well-being; intactness, wholeness. Peace can have a focus of security and safety which can bring feelings of satisfaction, well-being and contentment.

Taken from The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible and  Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words

Psalm 83:1–18

Pray for shame

Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD. Psalm 83:16 (ESV)

This is a strategy we can use in prayer.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Timothy 1

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 12:1–13:14, 1 Tim 6:11–21, Ps 81:1–82:8

Today’s theme: The army of the King

We have been called to enlist in God’s great army, as servants of the one true God and King, to see His kingdom established and His name glorified throughout the earth. We also learn other related lessons such as; understanding the times, God being at work in us, fighting to persevere, guarding the truth and honouring the one true God. These are all the expectations of soldiers in God’s army, that we might enjoy God’s blessings and praise His name.

1 Chronicles 12:1–13:14

God’s great army

For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God. 1 Chronicles 12:22 (ESV)

We are called to be in God’s great army. Here are some things we pick up from this chapter about what we should be, as fighters in God’s Army:

In verse 1 – we should love the Lord with all our mind, soul and strength, using our energy to help, for the cause of our king. Mark 12:30

In verse 2 – we should be flexible and adaptable in ministry and  our work for the Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:18 and Ephesians 4:16

In Verse 8 – our experiences in life and our walk with the Lord should help us as we fight the good fight, we should use the shield of faith. Let the Lion of the tribe of Judah shine through and be quick to follow the Lord, repent and do good. Ephesians 6:16

In verse 14 – we must remember that we are more than conquerors, our faith should be in God and we should be encouraged that greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world. Romans 8:37

In verse 18 – we should be clothed in the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

Let us fight in the King’s Army today. 1 Timothy 1:18 and 2 Timothy 4:7

Understanding of the times

Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. 1 Chronicles 12:32 (ESV)

Jesus taught us to watch and pray, in Mark 14:38, and He rebuked Israel for not seeing the signs and for missing it’s time of visitation, in Luke 19:44.

We should be like the men of Issachar who had understanding of the times. As Christians we need to engage with the world around us and keep ourselves informed on current affairs and the daily news.

We should understand what implications the news, law and cultural movements have, from a Christian worldview and what the potential spiritual impact is.

We have agencies and resources to help with this, these include: Open Doors, CSW and Release International. There is also Christian News/Trend analysis like Christian Concern and “The Briefing” by Albert Mohler, to name just a few.

We must stay watchful, be sober (1 Peter 5:8), keep our eyes open and always pray in response to what we see.

God at work in you

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. 1 Chronicles 13:10 (ESV)

The work and ministry of the Lord cannot be handled in whichever way we want, even our lives are not our own because it is God who is in us, just like He was in the Ark. 1 Corinthians 6:19

When we seek to live before God and to work in the Kingdom, we should do so with fear and trembling because God is God. We must be led by His Spirit and not work or try to live by our own ideas and fleshly efforts, which only leads to death. Romans 8:4-6 and Galatians 5:16

Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:12-13 regarding our walk and work before the Lord, that… “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

The blessing of God’s presence

And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had. 1 Chronicles 13:14 (ESV)

God’s presence in our lives, blesses our lives and households as it did Obed Edom. We should have homes where God’s presence dwells.

1 Timothy 6:11–21

The fight of perseverance

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV)

The word “Fight” is the Greek word agōnizomai (ἀγωνίζομαι) which means to compete, engage in a contest, to fight, struggle, conquer, defeat, help, agony, anxiety, make effort, contest, to contend, to exert, to be a combatant, to exert oneself and strive earnestly.

This is in line with the theme we observed in today’s OT reading, of being in God’s army and working in God’s way.

We are called to struggle against sin and compromise, to contend for the purity of the faith. We are summoned to take hold of eternal life, as the prize in this athletic contest.

So the encouragement is for us to persevere, to press forward despite resistance and difficulty. Our lives, if we are alive to Christ, will be lives of struggle, exertion, battle and contention. We are called to be good soldiers in the Army of our King Jesus, like David’s mighty men.

Doxology

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15–16 (ESV)

We should read this doxology again and again (short praise to God, like the benediction we recite at the end of a service). We should meditate on the wonderful truth that this early doxology affirms, that Jesus is the true sovereign, the only true sovereign, the King.

This is the bibles overarching story of the king in his kingdom. This is why one of the great themes of the bible is the sovereignty or kingship of God.

This affirmation also makes clear that Jesus is immortal, which means He was not created and is co-equal with God.

Enjoyment and pleasure

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV)

Everything God has provided us with is so that we enjoy them in Him. God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.

God wants us to enjoy our lives with and in light of Him (not the flesh). This is one of the core reasons God created all things, for enjoyment and pleasure.

We should enjoy living selflessly too, like serving, giving to the poor, bearing one another’s burdens etc.

We should not pin our hopes on money, money is not our salvation or solution. God is the great provider and He provides richly so that we can enjoy our lives, therefore we should focus on and trust in Him.

Guard the true story

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 1 Timothy 6:20 (ESV)

We should avoid wasting our time and energy in pointless debates, we should guard what we have, the gospel that has been handed down to us.

Today we must guard our hearts and beliefs from all the false alluring stories in the world, knowing that we hold the authentic story and all others are a dim reflection or blatant distortion / repudiation of the true.

Psalm 81:1–82:8

There is only one true God

I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” Psalm 82:6–7 (ESV)

These verses have caused controversy in the church and have been picked up by modern day TV preachers who say that we are all gods by our very nature and that when God created us, He created us as little gods so that we too can create things with our words, like God. This is rank heresy.

Here, God is addressing the judges and rulers of Israel who have been granted some power of attorney on God’s behalf, to administer justice, but they have not.

God makes very clear that He alone is God in the previous psalm and in this one, He makes clear to these men He is addressing, that although they were clothed for a while in the authority by which God judges men, they too were men, mortal and so would die, unlike the only true King who we read about today, who is immortal.

We may make appeals on God’s behalf and as the body of Christ we stand as representatives of the King and His kingdom, in the world today. We are not kings, we are servants. We are not gods. Only God is God!

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 6