Today Or Tomorrow
God's plan is to bring healing, help, and hope to the world through you today. Count the cost and know that a commitment to Christ is required to fulfill your calling as one of His disciples.
“Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard...In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors...Jezebel his wife said...seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth...This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood...There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.” 1 Kings 21:2-25
Have you ever wanted anything so much that you were willing to compromise your principles to get what you wanted? Was it worth it? Looking back now can you see more clearly?
Ahab just had to have the vineyard. Keep in mind he already had a huge castle, but he wanted more. His wife hatched an evil plan and had Naboth killed. God was not pleased and pronounced punishment on Ahab. The Bible said Ahab sold himself to do evil.
How often do you think about the cost of following Jesus? Do you understand the impact on your soul when you lie, cheat or steal to get something you want? Jesus said what good is it to get everything you want and lose your soul. Truth tells us that our time on earth is very limited, but our time in heaven is eternal.
“Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts...the poor are plundered and the needy groan...I will protect them from those who malign them...the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.” Psalms 12:1-8
What a perfectly timed psalm given today's other texts. David was no stranger to seeing how envy, jealousy, and deception could fill the hearts of others. He saw it in others and in himself. David had fallen into a trap of evil in his own life with Bathsheba. Why do we do what we should not do and trade our souls for temporary pleasures?
One thing that does not fade is the word of God. It has power. It refines and is unbreakable. God has promised that He will help those in need. His promises never fail. We are meant to build our lives upon the eternal Word.
David contrasted what pleases God with what culture celebrates. David said what is vile is honored by the human race. Is that not what we see every day when we read the news or listen to popular culture? When things seem like they cannot get crazier, they gets crazier. Why? Why is this the case? Because human hearts and the flesh lust like Ahab. We can so easily focus on what we do not have rather than on living a life of faith. How are lust, envy, jealousy, or comparison impacting your heart?
“Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!...it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. My son, keep your father’s command...Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life,” Proverbs 6:1-23
Solomon said free yourself. This is interesting advice. What would happen if each day we started with confession and reflection about where we might need freedom? There are many things that can ensnare our hearts. Sins like offense, unforgivenness, pride, envy, jealousy, lust. Solomon said God hates these things. He loves the sinner, but hates the sin because He wants you to be free. Where do you need freedom in your life? Have you taken steps to be free?
Solomon said correction and instruction are a way of life. We are meant to confess and repent. You're meant to work and do God's will. Solomon said laziness will lead to poverty and scarcity. There is an old adage that says idle hands are the devil's workshop. It is good to work. Too much time can lead to evil. What are you doing with your spare time? Are you looking for ways to help others or allowing yourself to be led into sin?
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn...They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness" Isaiah 61:1-10
Jesus quoted this passage when he began his ministry. His focus was on doing God's will, God's way. He was not worried about worldly possessions, but wanted to live a life of worship. He came to rebuild, restore, and renew. His focus was not himself, but how His life could help others.
This mission statement is our mission statement. Nothing has changed. Jesus said we would receive the Holy Spirit and as spirit led people, we would do all that Isaiah described in this passage. How does God want to help you bring love to the world? How does he want you to help the helpless and bring hope to the hurting? You are uniquely gifted to do God's work.
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt...Who do the crowds say I am?”...what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”...The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected...and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life....Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:1-62
There is a contrast between the kingdom of God and the ways of the world. Can you see it? Ask yourself if you will be a person who lives for their own gain or like Jesus live to that others might gain access to the kingdom. What matters more to you? Getting what you want or doing what God wants?
Ahab saw a vineyard he wanted and was willing to sacrifice another person to get it. Jesus saw a broken world and sacrificed Himself to save it. One gained the world at the expense of his soul; the other gave His life to save our souls. This is the choice placed before us each day. Will we be led by the desires of our flesh, always wanting more, or will we be led by the Spirit and use what God has given us to bring healing, help, and hope to others?
God’s Word is the lamp that keeps us on the right path. It reveals where we have allowed the world in, corrects our thinking, and frees our hearts from the traps that keep us from our calling. We were not saved to sit on our hands or spend our lives pursuing pleasure.
We have been anointed by God to proclaim good news, help the hurting, comfort the brokenhearted, and bring hope to a world that desperately needs hope. Jesus sent His disciples out to do the same work He did. He did not give them a rigid roadmap or point by point plan. Rather, he empowered them to always be prepared to share the reason for the hope they have. He is that reason is because He is the Messiah.
The Spirit who led Jesus lives in you. If you are unsure of how to do this, consider where you are most gifted, what your strengths are, what energizes you most, what your passions are, or where you have received the most healing. Pause and pray for Jesus to reveal the next step, then see where there is a need around you. You do not have to travel the globe to share good news. More often the need is right in front of you.
Today's passages include a confrontational truth. Following Jesus has a cost. It requires surrender, discipline, repentance, and a willing heart to do God's work without looking back. Some people get so stuck in the past they never unlock their strengths. Do not listen to the lies of the enemy or let anything keep you from being who God made you to be. Deny your flesh, take up your cross, and follow Jesus where He leads you. Look for the brokenhearted and the captive. Notice the person who needs hope. Help someone who cannot ever help you. There is good news so proclaim it as often as possible. It is no good to lose your soul and gain the world, but always good to lend a hand or offer an encouraging word to those in need.