October (part 2 of 2)
Even though Paul the apostle was mightily used of the Lord to establish many churches and also he had the privilege of being called into the third heaven and hearing words which could not be uttered in human language, yet he longed more and more to know the Lord, and the power of His resurrection (Phil. 3:10). In the early church also the believers gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ with great power, and great grace was upon them all. Thus it is very necessary for us as believers to learn to appropriate this wonderful power of resurrection.
OCTOBER 20
"For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous" (1 Peter 3:12).
"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chronicles 16:9). God's love is so great that His eyes are running to and fro throughout the whole earth, working on our behalf. His loving eyes run to and fro, like a mother watching over her child. Even though she is at work in the kitchen she keeps her eyes on the child, lest the child falls into danger. If we keep our hearts perfect towards Him by doing His will then we know that Lord's eyes move on our behalf to give us many friends, brothers and sisters, and to show us many favours.
Again we read, "he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye" (Zech. 2:8). The eye is very delicate organ. You can touch any part of the body but if you touch the eyes, they will say to you, "Don't touch me, don't touch me." So God is saying, "If anybody touches you, I will say, 'Don't touch him, don't touch him, he is my child, he belongs to Me.'" We are so precious to Him, that He will not allow any man or power to harm us.
The Psalmist says, "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry" (Ps. 34:15). The Lord keeps His eye upon us to save us. Furthermore in Ps. 32:8, we read, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." You can say many things with the eyes. The Lord says, "I will guide you with Mine eyes. I will tell you where to go and when to go". The eyes of the Lord protect us from all dangers and guide us, as we continue looking unto Him.
OCTOBER 21
"...an anchor of the soul, ...which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus" (Heb. 6:19,20).
The apostle speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ as the anchor of our salvation in Hebrews chapter six, "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (Heb. 6:19). Paul and his fellow passengers had to face a very furious storm in the sea on their way to Rome (Acts 27:28,29). They were in danger of falling upon the hidden rocks. So they cast four anchors out of the stern to keep the ship steady. We too have to face many storms and temptations in our lives. At times the attacks of the enemy are very severe both within and without. In such situations the Lord Jesus Christ is our true anchor. He will never leave us not forsake us. We have to say by faith, "Lord, You are my anchor." Even in the most difficult situations we have to lay hold upon the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is our true anchor.
In Heb. 6:14 the Lord says, "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." God used the storm to take Paul to the island of Melita to preach the Gospel there. The people of Melita had not heard the Gospel. Through Paul's preaching many were born again there. They loaded Paul and other people with all necessary things when they were leaving for Rome. Thus we see that the storms of our lives are used by God to bring us to great and multiplied blessings.
Many people are satisfied just with receiving forgiveness of their sins and have the hope of occupying some corner in heaven. But the Lord's desire is that we should go on to perfection (Heb. 6:1,2). We must not remain babes spiritually but long to go on to perfection. We should not glory in our past experiences however wonderful they may have been. We must believe God's Word fully, and with His strength and wisdom reach upto His standard.
The God of perfection has a great desire to bring us into His perfection by the intercessory ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is our everlasting and faithful High Priest (Heb. 7:11,25). All of us try to overcome our trials and temptations in our own strength. Then we realise how weak and feeble we are. To be able to overcome trials and temptations we have to appropriate the intercessory ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf. He is our unchangeable, everlasting High Priest (Heb. 7:24). That means He is constantly interceding on our behalf knowing our weaknesses, trials and failures. But unless we take His ministry by faith it has no value for us. For example, just by saying that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, we do not receive salvation. When we say by faith that He died on the cross even for me; He took my place; He bore my punishment and my judgment; then His sacrifice becomes effective in our lives. In the same way, we have to believe that He is our everlasting, unchangeable High Priest, Who lives for ever to intercede on our behalf. If we appropriate by faith His death, burial and resurrection as our death, burial and resurrection and also His High Priestly ministry, we shall be helped. The very second we are defiled, we call upon Him and claim His intercessory ministry by faith.
OCTOBER 22
"...for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" (2 Cor. 6:14).
A Christian lady doctor known to me had an income of Rs. 40,000 a year through her practice. Her friends advised her to declare a lesser amount of Rs. 25,000, because if she gave the correct figure, the Government officers would still think that, like others, she also had given a false figure, and was actually getting much more. She came to me for advice. I told her that she was a Christian and so should never tell a lie but should give the correct figure even though the officials might harass her, saying she must be getting much more than that. In the end, the Lord would honour her. In many subtle ways we will be constantly tempted to go against our conscience. We should not be deceived by the hope of some earthly gain to surrender our moral integrity.
King Asa was given God's message of warning through the prophet, But instead of accepting it thankfully, he became infuriated with the prophet (2 Chro. 16:7-10). So he put the prophet in prison. However this did not change God's message, and Asa was troubled by wars for the rest of his life. He had forfeited the blessing of God. Jehoshaphat was the son of King Asa. He also began very well like his father (2 Chron. 17:1-12). As long as he obeyed God he went on prospering. But later on, although he knew how his father had failed the Lord and brought loss upon himself, he also succumbed to the subtle devices of the enemy and brought destruction upon himself.
Jehoshaphat chose Ahab's daughter Athaliah for his son Jehoram and in this way he and Ahab became great friends. The result was that much worldliness entered into Jehoshaphat's life. The same calamity has befallen many believers. At first they showed much zeal for the Lord. They always carried their Bibles with them and witnessed and preached very boldly. Then the time came for them to arrange the marriage of a son or daughter. Temped by worldly gain and prosperity they made alliances with ungodly families. When some servant of God took courage to warn them and show them God's Word, like king Asa they became very angry with him. As a result now they have fallen into sorrow and shame. All this is a warning to us not to allow worldly friends like Ahab to deceive us; not to be attracted by worldly pomp and glory to make marriage alliances with ungodly people; and not to get angry with God's servants who give us God's Word. On the other hand we are exhorted to obey God and honour His living Word at all times and at any cost.
OCTOBER 23
"... for we are not ignorant of his (Satan's) devices" (2 Cor. 2:11).
When Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem heard that Nehemiah had eventually succeeded in building the wall of Jerusalem, they wanted to do some harm to Nehemiah himself. When the enemy fails to hinder the work of God and when he sees that God's work is progressing, his next weapon is to bring trouble upon His servants. Throughout our service to the Lord we have had to face battles very often. We who are in His service should be prepared for all kind of battles, which we have to face day by day.
To start with Sanballat and Tobiah tried to draw Nehemiah away from his responsibility of completing the wall (Neh. 6:2,3). In the same way when we as God's children are engaged in His work, worldly people invite us for worldly functions with the bad motive of keeping us away from His work. At times they will even offer the believers positions of honour so that they may be attracted by self-glory. In some place we have seen that when a newly born again person takes much interest in the things of God, they are invited to take up some responsible position such as a chairman or as an elder. It is quite unscriptural to make a newly born again person an elder in the Church. According to 1 Tim. 3:1-10, and Titus 1:6-9, no one should be made an elder unless he is proved and tested. This is another way in which the devil deceives the newly born again people and hinders them from growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. When a newly born again person shows zeal for Word of God and desires spiritual growth they invite him to go and give speeches. Gradually other people also get the desire to become popular and thus many good people are deceived and misled and become ambitious for high positions. Generally those who are ambitious are the ones who cause much trouble. People can see that their own family life is not exemplary. Their children are rebellious. Such people have no burden for prayer. But they want to be elders and if they are not given a chance they begin to create trouble by false propaganda.
OCTOBER 24
"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days" (Heb. 11:30).
Jericho had great strong walls and all the gates were shut for fear of the children of Israel. Inside were mighty men of valour. The very sight of the high strong walls would have frightened anyone, but such was not the case with Israelites. The Lord had promised them that He had already given Jericho into their hands along with all inhabitants (Josh. 6:2). So even before they came near Jericho they already had the strong confidence that the victory belonged to them. The king of Jericho and his mighty men point to the devil and his angles. We have to fight against evil powers (Eph. 6:12). But our Lord Jesus Christ had already defeated Satan and has put him to shame (Col. 2:15). He won that victory on our behalf. So by faith we too can claim His victory over every attack of the evil one.
God could have destroyed Jericho by using His angels, had He wished so. But He wanted the Israelites to be His co-workers. To become His co-workers, we need to have strong faith. For that reason the Israelites had to believe in the promises of God and they had to obey His commands without any doubt or question. If the Lord desired, the Isarelites could have gone round the city of Jericho just once and the walls would have fallen down. But we see they had to go round the city thirteen times. Every time they went round, their faith was strengthened more and more. They were instructed not to pay any attention to any people who might have been watching them from the top of the wall. Perhaps these people were also laughing and mocking at them. On the other hand through the blowing of the trumpets, the children of Israel were rejoicing in the victory from the Lord. Their eyes were drawn away from the city and its inhabitants and were fixed only on the Lord. It was only by this strong active faith in the words of the Lord and implicit obedience to His commands that they could enter into the promised land and possess it.
They had to go round the city of Jericho for seven days. That points to the fiery trials which are allowed in the life of a believer to give him strong faith (1 Pet. 1:6-7). Gold is purified when it passes through fire seven times. To enable us to have the full portion of our heavenly inheritance God will take us through several painful situations.
OCTOBER 25
"For our conversation is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20).
In Eph. 1:22 God's people are called the Church. In Greek it is called "Ecclesia" which means a people who have been pulled out or drawn out. As long as we live in sin, we are like a person who has fallen into deep horrible pit, which is so deep that no one can draw us out of it. We require a mighty hand, or a great power to pull us out. Sin is also likened to miry clay. If you go on some parts of Assam, you will find miry places. Some time ago we went there for Gospel work and we had to go through jungles and streams, to get to a certain place. As we were walking in one place, I suddenly found my feet sinking in the ground. I sank so deep that my friend had to pull me out. Nobody can ever come out by himself. If he tries to get out he will only sink in all the more. In Africa, many tigers and lions die in the miry clay. The miry clay sucks the animal inside, and however strong it may be, it cannot get out by itself. The Psalmist says, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings" (Psa. 40:2).
The world can also be compared to a 'horrible pit' or 'miry clay' and none of us can come out of the world by ourselves. The people of Israel, even though they had been brought out of Egypt and had seen many miracles, yet were longing for the things of Egypt. In the same way many who are born again do not know their heavenly calling; they long for worldly pleasure. It is surprising how many believers watch movies, read worldly books, and wear fashionable clothes. At the time of marriage all worldliness in people comes out by their worldly clothes, worldly movies, worldly conversation. Judging by their clothes, habits and conversation, nobody will think they are born again, because worldliness is there.
Read 2 Cor. 6:14 or 18. Suppose a man has become a Christian from a Hindu background. He no longer goes to the temple everyday but decides to go once a month or once in three months; would you accept him as a Christian? It would be impossible. In the same way how can we have fellowship with worldly people when we have been drawn out from the world? By conversation and habit, by clothing or association, we must be peculiar in every way. How sad it is today to see worldliness among believers, who say they are born again. That is why they do not know their heavenly calling or vocation. We are heavenly people, we must keep our eyes upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
The right understanding of the word Church, will free us from all temptation to imitate worldly people. By our conversation and habits we have to prove that we are His people, His Church. In the same way, we read in Col. 3:1-2, our affection should be for heavenly things. The true Church consists of those who have been pulled out, or drawn out by the Lord Jesus Christ from the world and worldly things. So wonderful is this experience and fact, that even though we are hated and despised, we do not go back into the world, but thank God for the privilege we are given to bear reproach for His Name's sake.
OCTOBER 26
"For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building" (1 Cor.3:9).
Among the many names given to us as believers, one is "Labourers together with God" (1 Cor. 3:9). The same is found in 2 Cor. 6:1, "We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." If God had so desired He could have used some heathen people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, or He could have used the same king Cyrus to send his army with materials to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem or God could have used the king Artaxerxes and his men to rebuild it in a very short time. But He did none of that because He wanted to reserve that privilege and responsibility exclusively for God's people. Only those who are truly born again and have received the gift of eternal life have this privilege to take part in building God's House.
However, we are not saved to build a denomination or a group. We are called by His Name to build God's Habitation. God's Dwelling Place, a heavenly House. According to Eph. 2:22 we are brought together as believers to become God's everlasting Habitation, God's Temple. "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." This temple is not made of bricks, stones, mud or wood. It is an everlasting spiritual habitation, and the privilege and honour of building it is out of reach of worldly people. This privilege is not even given to angels, but it is given exclusively to those who are purchased by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
OCTOBER 27
"Now faith is the ... evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).
Enoch walked with God (Gen. 5: 22, 24). It means that whenever God called him either during the day or the night he was ready to go to Him. He never questioned Him. He pleased God and not himself. By the same faith he was translated. A mother taught her daughter the story of Enoch. Afterwards someone questioned her- "How did Enoch to go heaven?" The child said with simple faith, "Enoch and God were good friends. Every day they went for a long walk. One day while walking, God said, 'Enoch, let's go home'. He said, 'Yes Lord, I am ready'. So they both went to heaven." There are some who question as to how such a thing could happen. Whatever God says in His Word, we must accept with simple faith. Phrase like "God said", "And God spake", appears 558 times in the first five books of the Bible and nearly 2000 times in the Old Testament. That proves that each verse in the Bible is God's Word and not man's Word. After my conversion, these phrases helped me to believe that the Bible is God's Word and they gave me a new love for His Word. One day a man came to me with a doubt and asked me, "Do you believe that from cover to cover the Bible is God's Word?' I replied, "Yes." Again he asked, "Do you believe that Jonah was in the fish's belly for three days?" I said, "I strongly believe. And if the Bible says that the fish was in Jonah's belly, I will believe that also. I may not understand many portions of the Bible but I will never doubt it." God uses small phrases of His Word for salvation of people. By reading the Bible slowly and systematically upon our knees we receive many blessings. As we read we should pray, "Lord, speak to me according to my need." Then by quiet meditation upon the Word many hidden mysteries will be revealed to us. Some truths of the Bible are revealed to us in sickness, trials, troubles and loneliness. It is God's Word and the Holy Spirit is our best teacher.
Many people doubted the record of the flood in the Bible in Noah's time. But when fossils of sea animals were discovered on many high mountains, they believed that once upon a time these mountains must have been covered with water. When God commanded Noah to build an ark, he immediately believed in the coming judgement and obeyed (Heb. 11:7). He never questioned God. His workers must have mocked him, but he believed God and was made righteous, because of his faith. We too may have to face many mockings for the sake of our faith, but such experiences will only give us strong faith.
OCTOBER 28
"They go from strength to strength" (Psalm 84:7).
When we are born again we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, but after many years of battle and victories we begin to acknowledge Him as our King. In some cases it takes one's entire life to come under the Kingship and Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ. The tribe of Judah was the first to come under the kingship of David. Judah means praise. Those who begin to praise God and magnify Him, accept the Lord as their King. As we learn to praise the Lord, worship and magnify Him we learn to acknowledge Him as our King.
In 2 Sam. 3:1 we read, "Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker". Joab was fighting on behalf of David, and Abner was fighting on behalf of Saul's family. In that battle David and his men did not use force. As David began to obey God's will he became stronger and stronger, but Saul's house became weaker and weaker, because they wanted self-exaltation. Abner and his men were governed by false loyalty to Saul. In our time also we find that a battle is going on. Because of human sympathy we like to have a man to be our king. Those who want power, authority, and self-glory refuse the Kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ. But those who are definitely on the Lord's side, want Him to be their King. Because people do not give the proper place in their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ as their King, they live a life of defeat and failure. There is a conflict going on among many believers everywhere. On the one hand they are people who want to have full authority over everything. They have an ambition to become elders and get position and power. They want to be kings themselves. There is a constant battle for position and authority in the work of God. On the other hand there are people who are definitely desirous of giving, the Lord Jesus Christ the first place in their activities. In 1 Peter 5:2-3 we read about different motives of people in serving the Lord. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock". Some are ambitious for power, some for money and some for position. But there are very few who want to serve the Lord Jesus as servants. First we have to enthrone the Lord Jesus Christ as King in our lives, then we begin to see our true position as His coworkers. It is only by coming under His Kingship, Lordship and Headship that we begin to realise our partnership with Him.
OCTOBER 29
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).
In the letter to the Colossians the apostle Paul says that having understood our spiritual union with the Lord Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection we find a new life coming into us (Col. 3:1-3). Our affections for earthly things have now decreased, and we have a longing to know more about God's kingdom, to live a pure life, to know God's will, and to understand heavenly mysteries and to serve the Lord more fruitfully.
When a wound become infected it gets filled with pus, but when it heals you find the old flesh getting dry gradually and new, clean flesh forming. In the same way when the life of the Lord Jesus comes into us, old things like hatred, malice, jealously and enmity, dry away and new attitudes appear in their stead (Col. 3:8-10). That is why we read, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering" (verse 12). These virtues come by themselves when the power of resurrection works within us.
When a seed it sown in a garden and watered daily, after a few days a little plant comes out from the earth without any sound or noise. Later on the leaves appear, and in due time the flowers and the fruit. But all this happens very quietly. In the same manner the life of the Lord Jesus will also work in you and you will find in your heart patience, meekness, humbleness, long suffering and forbearance. Every one who has wronged you, you will have a desire to forgive just as the Lord did. You will remember how many times the Lord has forgiven you and the same love will come into you and make you forgive others and will keep your heart free from bitterness and hatred. Heavenly peace will fill your soul. You heart will be full of gratitude to God and you will end every day with thanksgiving as you constantly remember how the Lord Jesus Christ suffered for your sins and forgive you.
As we see in Col. 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." At one time you might have been wasting your time with novels, magazines, cinemas and such like things, and you have no hunger for the Word of God. The new life of Christ brings in you a great hunger for the Word of God and a great love for the Saviour. The divine life you receive fills your heart with spiritual songs which you love to sing any part of the day or night, and they bring peace and comfort to your heart.
OCTOBER 30
"O SING unto the LORD a new song" (Psa. 96: 1).
The Psalmist is full of gratitude. He is inviting the whole earth to join him in his song. His joy was so abundant, else he would not have done this. The writer of this Psalm had gone through much hardship. Yet is spite of all this suffering, he was singing the praises of God. Is not that unusual? Generally, during the days of suffering, a man would not feel like singing. Yet, here we have a person who was rejoicing in the midst of extreme suffering with joy which is so great, abundant and wonderful, that he wants everyone to join him in it. How did this singer get such a great joy and such a wonderful song? It was received by his knowledge of God and the experience of His great salvation. Everyone who has received the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour will receive such kind of heavenly joy, which will go on multiplying day by day, and which they can share with the whole world and even with the whole universe.
Why is the song called a "new song?" This indicates that it has not been sung before. It is not like the good old songs sung in different parts of the world. It is entirely new in its language, meaning and music. It is a new song unknown to earthly men. Some people think only of an experience which they had some time ago. They have no fresh experience and so they live only on the past experience. We thank God for every happy experience of God we have had in the past. But we cannot go on living in these experiences always. If we do, our song will not be a new song any more. Some believers go on repeating the same old words in prayer and worship week after week. Of course, such are better than those who never sing or pray or worship at all. But their joy would have been more if they had to learnt to sing "The new song", through fresh experiences of Christ received from time to time.
In order to help us have such fresh experiences, God sends trials and difficulties in our lives, so that we may prove His faithfulness again and again in new ways. At such times some people are overwhelmed and discouraged. They are full of complaints and tears. But those who learn by faith how to get victory over their trials can sing, "I stumbled and the Lord raised me up; I was in difficulties and He helped me." In this way they can show forth His salvation day by day.
OCTOBER 31
"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him" (2 Timothy 2: 12).
God's heavenly plan is to bring us to a high position through suffering. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Rom. 8:17). Before we can receive glory we have to go through much suffering (1 Peter 4:12,13). Gold and silver have to go through fire before they are made so shine brightly. A small piece of gold is more precious than much iron. If we want shining gold, it has to go through purification. There is no comparison between gold and iron. Iron becomes rusty after sometime, but gold remains the same always. Even a small particle of dirt will obstruct gold from shining. That is why the goldsmith goes on purifying gold till he see his face in it. In the same way, believers have to go through purification. "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes" (Psa. 119:67,71). Most of us miss God's way and go in our own ways. But to come to the right path we have to go through some suffering. "For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried...For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness" (Psa. 66:10; Heb. 12:10). What we think beautiful, is filthy in God's sight. God wants us to have His beauty. He gave us everlasting life through His everlasting love, and now wants us to have His own perfect beauty. Whenever He takes away what we have, it is with the purpose of giving us double.
God took apostle Paul through many sufferings in Rome. Peter was crucified upside down. We see from God's Word that every hardship, calamity and suffering is for our good. We have to thank Him and praise Him for His goodness. Whatever happens in your life, think that it is for your own good. He wants us to be members of the Heavenly City whose builder is God Himself. That Heavenly City is very great and very strong. If you are not born again, you cannot enter into Heaven. Have you received the forgiveness of your sins? God never rejects those who come to Him. Take the decision now. Believe from your heart that the Lord Jesus Christ forgiven of your sins. The work of forgiveness will be done in your life the moment you repent of your sins and seek His forgiveness.