Daily Devotional
March 14 - 20, 2010
March 14
I Chronicles 29
"And moreover, in my delight in the house of my God, the treasure I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God …" (v5). When God gave David the Temple blueprint (28:19), David couldn't contain his excitement. His son Solomon would actually build the Temple, but David collected gold, iron, silver, onyx, bronze, wood, precious stones and alabaster, and then he added personally to the storehouse of materials.
David was excited to give, having experienced a lifetime of God's faithfulness. Together, "the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly … with a whole heart" (v9).
March 15
Psalm 83
"O God, do not remain quiet; do not be silent and, O God, do not be still" (v1). In the psalmist's day, Israel was often at war with her enemies, and God came to the aid of His "treasured ones" (v3). Now, believers are persecuted around the world, because "everyone who does evil hates the light" (John 3:20). But New Testament saints like Stephen, when persecuted, followed Jesus' model of forgiveness. Vengeance and justice are left in God's hands.
"Like a flame that sets the mountains on fire," (v14), God will certainly judge the wicked. We can leave justice in His hands.
March 16
Romans 7
"But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good" (v16). Though Paul was writing to Jews under the Mosaic Law, the truth is that every human has a conscience that constantly accuses or defends them (1:15). Our conscience tells us that we are created for a better way of life, yet we are prisoners of sin. We cannot live up to our own ideals.
"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" The Perfect One set us free; we do not have to serve evil anymore.
March 17
Romans 8:1-17
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons …" (v15). The life of the spirit is very different from our past bondage to sin. We are not slaves; we are now beloved children. We are spiritually alive, though we face temptation and must keep "putting to death" our sinful desires. Fear and guilt cannot control us, because the "mind set on the Spirit is life and peace" (v6).
Amazingly, as "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ", the best is yet to come (v17).
March 18
Romans 8:18-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (v35). Paul knew that believers wondered about the difficult, sometimes painful experience of life on earth. We are new creatures, but we live in the old environment. We are reassured that "the Spirit also helps our weakness." The Spirit prays for us when we cannot. God does not abandon us to random fate, but causes "all things to work together for good" (v28) for His beloved children.
The love of Christ is stronger than death, life, powers, the past, present, and future. Nothing can separate us from Him.
March 19
II Chronicles 1-7
"Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven … and the glory of the Lord filled the house" (7:1). The presence of the Lord made the Temple something more than just a wealthy, beautiful monument. Solomon used the very best materials and very best artisans to craft each piece of the Temple. However, it only became a place of worship when God Himself met the people there.
The Queen of Sheba was amazed by Solomon's wisdom and wealth. The true treasure was the gift of God Himself, willing to live with His people.
March 20
Proverbs 22
"The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naïve go on, and are punished for it" (v3). Wise people avoid situations likely to lead to sin (thorns and snares, v5), instead of walking next to the edge of disaster. Because we are easily influenced, the proverbs warn us not to associate with "a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways" (v24). Dealing unjustly or foolishly with money (v22, 26) will also bring predictably bad consequences.
While much of life is beyond our control, the proverbs teach us to pay attention to the areas within our own power.
