June Devotional - Made In Heaven

Those who are sentimental and romantic like me (I really am!) often associate weddings with the month of June. As a licensed minister, I get to officiate at a lot of weddings, especially in June. During the pandemic, with the restrictions on large gatherings, several couples I was working with decided to postpone their weddings.  What I told them, and anyone else who asks about marriage, it is definitely worth the wait! I am a very happily married man, celebrating 50 years, our Golden Anniversary, with my beautiful bride, Janet, this June 29^th.  

The idea of marriage started with God. Before we try to redefine marriage today we should consider the original definition given by the Creator when He put the first man and woman together on this earth: The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”  That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh (Genesis 2:23,24).

That union should be so strong and so permanent that it can represent the love God Himself has for us. Human marriage on earth should be a beautiful illustration of God’s intent to be joined together forever with us in heaven. We may fail each other but God’s love never fails. True to His Word, Jesus will return for His bride, those who have relationship with Him, and will bring us back to live with Him forever. It sounds like a fairy tale wedding because many fairy tales were actually written as allegories to teach us about this future reality.

This is how the apostle John described his revelation of heaven:  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:2-5).

Now that’s a wedding worth waiting for!

May 31 - Loud and Proud

 Read today’s texts first: Proverbs 16-18; Romans 12

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 God chose to invite all of us into His family
but we must choose to accept His invitation. 

Yesterday we talked about the themes emerging out of what seems like a random collection of proverbs. The theme that first came to my mind today fits neatly into the Romans reading. Paul is addressing the destructive pride he sees behind Jewish resistance to Gentiles being welcomed into the church. Today we let God’s Word speak for itself.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought....Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves....Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited (3,10,16).

Solomon wisely echoes Paul’s warnings, under the inspiration of the same Spirit: The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished....Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall....Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud (16:5,18,19); A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.... A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.... Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor (18:2,6,12).

Two things I noticed: pride shows up in words and those words destroy unity among God’s people. That may be why God “detests” pride. The proud are often loud, voicing opinions and stirring up strife. Unfortunately the destruction they leave in their wake affects more than themselves. “Pride goes before a fall” - we joke about it all the time, but it’s no laughing matter. Just as love is at the core of God’s nature, pride is at the core of Satan’s.

“Lord, I’m quick to notice pride in others but slow to see it in myself. But I know it’s there. I sometimes hear it in my words and see it in the strife I stir up. Forgive me and help me to take pride as seriously as You do!”

May 30 - Sleepy Sluggards

 Read today’s texts first: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty. 

Proverbs is so filled with practical wisdom that you could post a year’s worth of journal entries from this book alone! The wise sayings come fast and furious after chapter 9 but there are themes that emerge. One of my favourite themes is encapsulated in one of my favourite words: “sluggard”. Some of the modern versions use “lazybones,” but that makes a serious problem sound too cute.

Whenever we can, we like to teach our grand kids, the value of work. When we were putting in new lawns we combined the reward of a wheelbarrow ride with 10 shovels “full” of topsoil. Kids will love to work when you make it fun – and in my mind, work is fun! Proverbs speaks for itself when it comes to hard workers vs. sleepy sluggards.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man (6:9-11); Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son…. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him (10:4,5,26);

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (11:24,25); He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment….

Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor (12:11,24); The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied (13:4); He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy…. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty (14:21,23); The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway (15:19).

“Lord, thank You for parents who taught me to love work, especially Your work. Help me to pass that legacy on to my grand kids. There will be no ‘sleepy sluggards’ in our family!”

May 29 - Whosoever Will

 Read today’s texts first: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 God chose to invite all of us into His family
but we must choose to accept His invitation. 

Now that I’m serving as a chaplain for seniors, I finally get to sing the hymns again. One came to mind when I was reading in Romans today. The composer is the prolific hymn writer, P. P. Bliss (I used to laugh at his name as a kid in church), and he clearly had chapter 10 in mind:

Whosoever heareth, shout, shout the sound!
Spread the blessed tidings all the world around;
Spread the joyful news wherever man is found:
“Whosoever will may come.”

“Whosoever will, whosoever will,”
Send the proclamation over vale and hill;
’Tis a loving Father calls the wand’rer home:
“Whosoever will may come.”

This is why context is so important and why I recommend reading the whole Bible throughout the year. After reading chapter 9, it’s easy to see why reformers believe God determines who will be saved and who will not. But they miss the point of what Paul was saying. Many of the Jews in Paul’s day believed they were the only chosen people, the elect, but God can choose to include whoever He wants, just as he did Jacob over the rightful heir, Esau. In this chapter we read, “anyone who believes” (10:11), “all who call on him” (10:12), “everyone who calls” (10:13 – “whosoever will” in KJV). 

God chose to invite all of us but we must choose to accept His invitation. That’s why the Spirit of God inspired Paul to make this plea: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach , except they be sent? (10:14,15). Another choice is involved - will we go and invite “whosoever will” to come to Jesus?

“Lord, thank You for the opportunity to offer the hope of eternal life to those who have only a short time left to make that choice!”

May 28 - Make Good Choices

 Read today’s texts first: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Dabbling in sin is like playing with fire
and the burn marks stay with you. 

You may have heard your mom say this to you as you left the house for school each morning, “Make good choices, Bobby!” (actually, the Bobby part was just me; hopefully your mom knew your name). Many, many years later, I still have the voice of my mom in my head and I’m still trying to follow that wise advice. Solomon is saying the same thing in our Proverbs reading today and it is even more emphatic when coupled with our reading in Romans.

Romans 9 is often misunderstood because it gives the impression that God makes our choices for us, at least the most important choice of our eternal destination. I stated my view on this controversy back on December 2nd (see “Stop – You’re Both Right!”), but for this journal entry I’ll give the simple version.

God is sovereign. In other words, He’s in charge and makes the ultimate choices. But He created us in His image, giving us the ability to make choices as well. That’s one of the things that distinguishes us from animals, which live out their days largely by instinct. Like the God who designed us, humans can make plans, set goals, exercise logic, listen to God’s Spirit, and make choices that will determine their eternal future. The rest of Romans makes that clear (9:33; 10:9,11-17; 11:12,15,20-23).

So does all of Proverbs, which is essentially advice on making good choices. In this passage the choice is between the wisdom of God and the seduction of an adulterous woman. What struck me was how one bad choice can lead to ultimate destruction: little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave (7:21-27; 9:16-18). Genuine remorse and repentance can change that inevitability, but there are still consequences to every bad choice. Solomon may have been the first to use the analogy, “it’s like playing with fire!” (6:27-29) and the burn marks stay with you.

“Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit (and my mom!), for providing me with everything I need to consistently make good choices. Today I choose to follow You and Your wisdom!”

May 27 - Guard Your Heart

 Read today’s texts first: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Knowing that our eyes are the windows to the soul,
there are times we need to pull the shades. 

We often try to modify behaviour from the outside in. Within correctional facilities, rehab centres, even our own homes, we reward good behaviour and punish bad. But trying to bring about conformation from the outside can harden the heart, creating attitudes of legalism and judgmentalism. Instead, Romans calls for a transformation that can only happen from the inside out (Rom. 12:2). That’s the only way we can daily “walk in the Spirit” the way Paul describes in our NT reading today.

To respond to the gentle nudgings of the Holy Spirit, we must keep our hearts soft. Signs of a soft heart are humility, dependence on God, and a readiness to repent. Ironically, Solomon, who once had such a soft heart, hardened his through compromise. Again, he should have heeded his wise words: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil (4:23-27). 

Solomon correctly described the best way, the only lasting way, to modify behaviour - from the inside out, from heart to mouth to eyes to feet. If you keep your heart pure, your words will reflect that purity. Knowing that our eyes are the windows to the soul, there are times we need to pull the shades. We can’t allow our heart to be contaminated by the outside world. If we maintain our internal compass we won’t stray from the center of the straight and narrow. No dead ends, no detours, no soft shoulders, no sudden drop-offs!

“Lord, I need to guard my heart every day to keep it soft and open to You. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me, Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.”

May 26 - Word to the Wise

 Read today’s texts first: Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Sometimes what God asks us to do makes no sense
to our human logic or emotional impulses. 

Solomon was definitely wise, but he wasn’t always smart. The book of Proverbs he wrote, by the inspiration of the Spirit, is filled with memorable words to live by, but he didn’t always listen to his own advice. 

The verses that stood out to me have been meaningful to me my entire life, but never more so than my first day working as a chaplain at Buchanan. The words I read that morning were the words I needed to hear in that moment: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (3:5,6).

An hour later, as I stepped through the doors of this wonderful ministry, I was conflicted. The work I was beginning was very different from anything I’d done in my previous 40 years of pastoral ministry. And yet, after spending a day with God before making this decision, I was certain He was asking me to do it. In that moment of contradictory emotions, these verses came flooding back to me. Instantly, my spirit was filled with God’s incredible, inexplicable peace, the kind of peace that transcends human understanding (Phil. 4:7).

Sometimes what God asks us to do does not make sense according to human logic or emotional impulses. Solomon faced that same quandary, knowing what God wanted of his life, but torn by trying to make too many women happy. Though not a proverb, the saying, “happy wife, happy life” is very true. Unless, of course, you are Solomon, with 700 wives and 300 concubines! Before I got married, I envied his life; now I pity him. Trying to appease all those women, and their foreign gods, pulled Solomon away from simple trust in and obedience to the one true God. Solomon illustrated what our NT reading talks about, the war between flesh and Spirit, human and godly desires.

“Lord, Your ways and Your words are trustworthy, far more than my own. I acknowledge You as the one who led me into this new and exciting ministry, and I look forward to the straight path ahead!”

May 25 - Garnishing Our Wages

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 The selfless, unconditional love of Jesus dying in our place
distinguishes Him as the one, true God. 

I am not ashamed to admit I was a nerd growing up (I may still be). I loved school, experienced trauma when I got less than an “A” grade, and then regained my self-esteem by serving as president of the junior high chess club. But the activity that sealed my nerd status as a teenager was joining a Bible quiz team. We were national champions two years running, for the gospel of John and Paul’s letter to the Romans. The competition for Romans was so fierce I had to memorize most of the book in order to jump up early, finish the question, and then answer it.

One of the chapters I can still quote by heart is today’s reading, Romans 6. The quoting of this powerful chapter on dying to sin and living for righteousness helped me through numerous times of temptation during my teen years. As if speaking these Spirit-inspired words was not enough to break sin’s power, just the recall required to remember 23 verses would help me forget what the temptation was in the first place.

Listen to these powerful words: Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?.... For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (6:16,23).

Solomon’s story, especially the end of his life, vividly illustrates the truth about the wages of sin. When he stayed loyal to the one true God, obeying His commands, Solomon was so blessed that dignitaries from other nations, who worshipped false gods, had to come and see for themselves. The Queen of Sheba was so impressed, she recognized God’s part in Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity (10:7-9). But ironically Solomon turned from his God, the source of all his blessings, to pursue the pointless worship of foreign gods (11:1-8). It reminded me of those who travel to India today, where cows are sacred and people are starving, to discover “true spirituality” (eg. Eat, Pray, Love).  Solomon’s dalliance with false gods earned him some deadly wages, including new enemy uprisings and the division of Israel (11:9-40).

“Jesus, the wages for my sin should be my death, but You garnished my wages and took upon Yourself my death. That selfless act of unconditional love distinguishes You as the one, true God. Thank You for loving a nerd like me and for offering me Your free gift of eternal life!” (6:23).

May 24 - Steadfast Love

Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalms 136; Romans 5

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
God’s love is active, not reactive.
We could hate Him, or worse yet, ignore Him,
but He will never, ever stop loving us. 

I was happy when my son named his painting business “Steadfast Painting” - the word “steadfast” is often associated with God. Greg chose it because he is steady and fast when it comes to painting, but it applies to God because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). He is our rock, our foundation, solid, immovable, unshakable - exactly what we need to weather the storms of life (Matt. 7:24-27).

Our psalm today reminds us of God’s “steadfast love” a lot - 26 times actually, every second line. This must have been a soul gospel song, sung double time, backed up with a Hammond B3. I can picture Andre Crouch, with sister Sandra on the tambourine, ripping this song at Jesus Fest (sorry, dating myself again!). But the love of God is reason to celebrate! When everything in our world seems to be changing, most of the time for the worst, it’s reassuring to know we can always rely on God’s love.

Human love is fleeting. Our grand kids genuinely and generally love their Nana and Papa. But that love comes and goes, depending on how they feel in the moment. One day, I apparently hurt Kaitlyn’s feelings when I asked her to stop being a diva at the dinner table. She went to her room and wrote me a note. It said, with excellent hand writing I might add, “Papa, I hate you, love Kaitlyn”. Human love can indeed be fleeting, and confusing!

But God’s love is neither. In fact, our NT reading reminds us that His love is unconditional: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (5:8). We didn’t have to do anything to deserve His love, we didn’t have to clean up our act before He would help us. God’s love is active, not reactive. We could hate Him, or worse yet, ignore Him, but He will never, ever stop loving us. We talked yesterday about forgiveness being part of God’s nature; well, love is too. The truth is, God is love (1 John 4:8,16).

“Lord, my prayer today is with the psalmist: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever! (136:1-4). It’s so good, it bears repeating, Your steadfast love endures forever!”

May 23 - When We Sin

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Chronicles 6,7; Psalms 134,135; Romans 4

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 When you sow sin, you get something worse than crop failure - you reap a crop of failures, one after the other!

Solomon was indeed wise. During his incredible prayer of dedication, he mentioned over and over the inevitability of Israel’s sin, knowing there is no one who does not sin (6:36). He also correctly linked calamities of all kinds (eg. war, famine, pestilence, sickness, captivity) as possible consequences of sin. Solomon had learned from Israel’s history, and through his own experience, you reap what you sow. When you sow sin, you get something worse than crop failure - you reap a crop of failures, one after the other!

That’s not to say that all difficult circumstances are the result of sin. Bad things also happen to good people (eg. Job, Joseph, Paul, Jesus, to name a few). But when we choose to live outside of God’s will for our lives, things do tend to spiral out of control, and not always just because of God’s discipline. More often it’s just the natural consequences of bad choices. I can still hear my mom in my head: “if you play with fire... if you run with scissors... if you don’t eat your vegetables...!”

Solomon’s repeated prayer is like this: “when we sin and then turn from that sin, please hear our prayers and forgive us.” That’s a great prayer because God will always answer it. It’s in His nature. And He does answer Solomon with this memorable response: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (7:14). Repentance requires turning. Saying “I’m sorry” is meaningless if there is no change in behaviour (I learned that from my wife!). Fortunately the same power that was available to resist the temptation in the first place is also there when we repent.

I love the scene from the movie “Fireproof” when Caleb is being tempted by a seductive girl on his computer screen, saying “click here to see more.” He paces around the house crying out, “why is this so hard?” Then you see the change in his face from anguish to resolve, as the Spirit of God rises up in him with holy indignation. The next thing you see is Caleb dragging the computer out of the house and pummeling it with a baseball bat. When his wife returns home from work she sees the computer in the garbage can and a vase of beautiful roses sitting where the computer used to be. On the flowers is a note that simply says “I love you more!”

“Lord, that’s what it comes down to. I love You more than anything the enemy of my soul tries to offer me. But when I sin, move my heart to repent and turn back to You. I thank You in advance that it is in today’s promise and Your nature to forgive me!”

May 22 - Glory in the House

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 8: 2 Chronicles 5; Psalms 99; Romans 3

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
God’s  presence is so all-consuming that if you invite Him in, eventually there won’t be much left of you.
And that’s a good thing! (John 3:30) 

I’ve heard it so often in church altar calls and in one-on-one conversations, when believers are introducing Jesus to their friends: “why don’t you add Jesus to your life, just try Him, what have you got to lose?” Well, let me tell you – everything! Our readings today give us just a glimpse into the glory of God, and His presence is so all-consuming that if you invite Him in, eventually there won’t be much left of you. You can’t add Him to the mix; He will take over! You can’t just try Him; there’s no turning back! If you think you have nothing to lose, you haven’t got a clue what real discipleship is all about!

Today we read about the “shekinah glory” that filled the House of God:  Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God….When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it (2 Chron. 5:13,14; 7:1,2).

This was not just a warm and fuzzy moment, a soft, sentimental stirring of the heart that brings a wistful tear to the eye. This was a visible, tangible, awe-inspiring encounter with the glory of the God who spoke the universe into existence. It was like Moses and his fear-filled, face-glowing meeting with God on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 24:15-18). It was like the transfiguration of Jesus that so terrified Peter, James and John they did a face plant into the side of the mountain (Matt. 17:6). It was just a glimpse into a heaven that radiates light without a sun or moon - the glory of The Son shines into every corner of our future home (Rev. 21:22,23). No wonder the psalm today reads: The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake (99:1)!

“Lord, I was reminded of the consequences of my sin today and how I have fallen short of the glory of God, but I was also ecstatic to read how I’ve been justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (3:23,24). Your awe-inspiring glory is now resident in my body, Your Temple, because of what Jesus did for me. May I never take Your grace or Your glory for granted!”

May 21 - Sing a New Song

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalms 98; Romans 2

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
The furnishings of the Temple are illustrations of
worshipping God with all five of our senses.

As I’ve been reading through the psalms and many other poetic sections of the Bible, I keep remembering songs I wrote while I was in my teens and young adult years. In the 70s, there was a worship music movement that revived the importance of putting God’s Word to music. Because I loved music and loved to memorize the Bible (I was on several Bible quiz teams in my late teens), I often wrote my own music for certain scripture passages.

The psalm I read today was going to be the opening number for a musical I wrote, featuring various international genres. I had psalms written for Mexican mariachi, Jamaican reggae, Russian dance, French cancan, and Indian Bollywood style (before it became cool). No one heard these songs but me, and God. In all probability, no one else would have liked them, but I enjoyed singing them and I believed that God enjoyed hearing them. The point of the global theme was to celebrate with all the nations God’s gift of salvation.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (98:1-3).

This psalm helps us remember the big picture when we read about the intricate details of the temple in the OT and the reasons for the law in the NT. All of these things point to the promise of a coming Messiah, the Lamb of God who would fulfill the law and restore our intimate relationship with the Creator. For example, I like to think of the furnishings of the Temple as illustrations of worshipping God with our five senses: the laver represents touch, the incense smell, the lamp sight, the showbread taste, leading to the Ark of His presence where we get to hear directly from God.

“Lord, thank You for Your Word and the gift of music that helps me express my appreciation for it.” He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.  Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music (98:3,4).

May 20 - Real Wisdom

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalms 97; Romans 1

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 You can learn this the easy way or the hard way,
but you will learn it - God’s way is the only way! 

If you’ve participated in the memory stack taught at a “Walk Through The Bible” Seminar, you’ll no doubt remember the three phrases for Saul, David, and Solomon – “no heart, whole heart, half a heart.” While catchy and memorable, these descriptions are a little unfair. Actually, Saul started well, David had his share of serious sin, and Solomon, for the most part, was a godly, successful leader who accomplished things we can only dream about!

In the early days of Solomon’s reign we see a man who made good choices, especially when he chose wisdom over wealth, health, and long life. The wisdom given to him by God was real wisdom, unlike the foolishness of so-called human “wisdom” (Rom. 1:20-25). He cared deeply for his people and led them well. His reign stands alone as the most peaceful and prosperous time in Israel’s history. He completed the assignments given to him by his father David, including building God’s Temple and the king’s residence, and he did it with excellence, as a spectacular witness to the surrounding nations of the glory of God.

Unfortunately, as often happens, his success led to his undoing. The admiration of the world’s leaders led to human pride and worldly solutions to maintaining what God had accomplished. In David’s time, God protected Israel’s borders from their enemies. He didn’t need the vast show of military strength that Solomon flaunted. Nor did he need to placate rival powers through intermarriage, which became Solomon’s go-to strategy. While sealing international agreements through intermarriage was the accepted custom of their day, it was never God’s plan (Neh. 13:26).

Solomon, though a great leader in many ways, learned the hard way that God’s way is the only way! Ironically, the peace he secured would lead to conflict under his son, the unity he wisely nurtured would end in an irresolvable split, and the beautiful temple he spent seven years building would become a pile of rubble. The prophetic predictions he prayed at the dedication of that temple not only came true, he actually planted the seeds of Israel’s failure through his own compromises (1 Kings 8:46-53). That is a wise lesson for all of us to learn.

“Lord, I aspire to lead with the wisdom of Solomon, but especially the wisdom he acquired the hard way, through his own mistakes. His conclusions to the emptiness of human pursuits applies to me today: I want to honour You and keep Your commands!” (Eccl. 12:13).

May 19 - Built to Work

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 4,5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalms 101; 2 Thessalonians 3

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 If we do what we love and love what we do,
we will never worry about job security! 

When I took almost a year off from regular employment, I developed a renewed passion for work. My parents successfully passed on a strong work ethic to their six kids - maybe too strong. Trying to do three demanding jobs in my mid 60s may have been too much of a good thing for me, but after a needed break I felt fully restored - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Along with new energy, I acquired a new perspective on why we work.

As I was reading today about Solomon’s administration and preparations for the building of the Temple, I noted the emphasis on skilled craftsmen working together. People gained recognition based on their commitment to excellent work. I believe God created us with something to contribute in at least one area of excellence. It usually starts with a passion that can often be noticed at a very early age. I already envision possible career interests for my grand kids (even our youngest Gracie, who would make a great ballerina, model, or circus clown!). There’s always a need to add more knowledge and skills, but if we do what we love and love what we do, we will never worry about job security!

Unfortunately, many young people today pursue certain careers based on how much they pay. When that is the motivation, neither the job nor the money will bring satisfaction. We were created in the image of God and He built us for meaningful work, work that makes a difference in the lives of others. If we work for money, or for ourselves, or to build a nest egg to fund a self-centered retirement, we will become disillusioned and disappointed, guaranteed!

Work is not a curse. Adam and Eve were busy as gardeners before sin made work seem like a drudge (Gen. 3:17-19). When we leave this sin-polluted planet, we will be ruling with Jesus over the new heaven and new earth - that sounds like work! Lazy people (1 Thes. 3:6-12) or TGIF people who work to fund their parties are the real party poopers in life! Real fun and true fulfillment happens when we invest our lives in making a significant contribution to our community.

“Lord, Your Temple, then and now, was and is a collaborative labour of love. You know I want to contribute to building up the church, to do what I love and love what I do!”

May 18 - Integrity or Skill?

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalms 78; 2 Thessalonians 2

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
Maintaining a balance between skill and integrity is critical. We can never become so good at something that we no longer need God! 

Two observations after a busy time of supervising our energetic grand kids: you won’t always have a regular time for your daily devotions (the realities of life), but the opportunities you get to watch God at work make up for it! The theme of our readings today center around leadership and it has been fun witnessing a natural leader in action, directing the other neighbourhood kids in playing family.

It reminded me of another memorable moment with the grandkids. After returning from their reward at Chuckecheese (the kids had been earning tokens all week long playing Nana’s “good behaviour bingo”), Kaitlyn, who cashed all her tickets in on too much candy, was experiencing an overdose of sugar combined with some God-given charisma. She soon organized the neighbourhood kids into decorating our cul-de-sac with road chalk. While I was sitting in my lounge chair at the end of the driveway, again a little too engrossed in my reading, they soon had my son’s car covered in creative chalk designs. The party quickly changed to a neighbourhood carwash (after my leadership skills kicked in), with my granddaughter encouraging her friends to join her tomorrow in a new carwash business venture.

Asaph’s psalm today alluded to David’s leadership skills, which also started at a young age. David learned as a young boy that practice makes perfect, multi-tasking some target shooting while watching his father’s sheep. He also used that time to make music and write psalms of praise to His God. Those two things, his faith in God and his random slingshot skills, combined for a career-launching encounter with a giant named Goliath. From then on, his “integrity and skill” became the hallmark of his life and 40 year reign over Israel: He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them (78:70-72).

Solomon, David’s son and chosen heir to his throne, had similar integrity and leadership skills: Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great (1:1). What will be interesting to observe in the days ahead is how Solomon’s skills increase while his integrity is weakened through compromise. Maintaining that balance is critical and, unfortunately, very difficult. As leaders hone their natural abilities they can soon forget their need for God’s supernatural help. “Lord, while I know You made me a leader I also know I can only remain a leader with Your help. To continue to make an eternal difference in people’s lives, especially with my kids and grand kids, I need to lead with integrity of heart and skillful hands.”

May 17 - Obey and Live

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalms 95; 2 Thessalonians 1

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 “Obey your parents [and grandparents]… that you may enjoy long life on the earth” - a promise or a threat?! 

Jan and I take care of our precocious grand kids when their photographer parents travel to destination weddings. I used to invoke the fifth commandment a lot when we were raising our own kids, but by using a little “Hebrew original language” word study I was able to convince them the command applied to us as well: Children, obey your parents [and grandparents]… so that it will go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-3). It’s said to be the first command with a promise, but when uttered with the right tone of voice, it sounds more like a pretty serious threat!

It does make sense. When I was at a playground with the kids, I noticed the other parents and grandparents were from many different nationalities and socioeconomic backgrounds. Yet it was obvious that they had one thing in common - they all loved their children and wanted to protect them from harm!

Like King David and his farewell speech to his son, Solomon, these parents also want to pass on their collective wisdom to spare their kids from having to learn their lessons the hard way? I had a mini moment like that with Kaitlyn, who I accompanied to the playground washrooms. She rode her scooter into the ladies room but came out without it. Standing by the door, I asked, “forget something?” Her “oops” suggested she knew what I was talking about, but when I heard the water running followed by the hand dryer, I knew she was remembering something else, another good lesson she had been taught. We repeated the process again before the scooter came to mind. Sometimes it’s fun being the older, wiser one!

King David had a lot of life experience to pass on to Solomon. The incentive he offered sounded familiar: So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: walk in obedience to him.... Do this so that you will prosper in all you do and wherever you go (2:2,3). God then blessed Solomon for all that he did to honour his father’s words. Unfortunately the compromises he made later on meant that he would not be as successful in passing on his legacy to his son.

“Lord, I am so grateful for my godly parents and the wise words they passed on to me. As I watch these wonderful children of my children, playing, laughing, making friends, preparing for the harsh world waiting for them, I pray for wisdom for us and their parents and the grace to successfully pass it on, that their days may be long on the earth!”

May 16 - Bubble Boy

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalms 91; 1 Thessalonians 5

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 Faith is not the denial of reality,
but the firm belief in a greater reality. 

Our title today was inspired by my wife’s term of “endearment” for me. I have always enjoyed a positive outlook, some think to an extreme. What some call my rose-coloured glasses, I call faith. The bubble Jan thinks I live in is really my shield of protection. I believe everyone can live there, so consider yourself invited.

David understood God’s protection. He started out his career running for his life, pursued by his predecessor, King Saul. His career came full circle with his successors trying to usurp his throne, beginning with Absalom, and now in today’s reading, ending with Adonijah. So David was not oblivious to the troubles that surrounded him. In fact, many of his psalms start off with a review of his calamities, but they often end with praise for the safety he always felt in God’s presence.

Look at the confession of my fellow bubble boy in today’s psalm:  He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”.... If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the Lord , who is my refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways (91:1,2,9-11).

When we are walking with God, we really have nothing to worry about. Everything that happens to us is under His control and is always for our good, whether it feels that way or not. That’s the faith part - not denial of reality, but embracing a greater reality. The worse thing that can happen to us, death, is actually the best thing that could happen to us, as we are immediately transported to be with Jesus in Paradise!

“Lord, my praise to You today centers on the promise found in my other reading: But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. He died for us so that we can live with him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of his return. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing (5:8-11).”

PS. To all my readers: Welcome to my bubble!

May 15 - David the Worship Leader

 Read today’s texts first: 1 Chronicles 25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

 King David’s worship was current with his day,
just as ours should be.

One of my favourite things to do in church, or anywhere for that matter, is worship God. I especially love worshipping through music and I’ve had the privilege of leading worship for most of my ministry life. That may be one of the reasons I’ve always felt such an affinity with David, who clearly had the same passion.

Today we read about the 288 musicians who were assigned by David to lead Israel into the presence of God through music (25:7). Apparently, as if David wasn’t busy enough, he also made the instruments they played (or at least had them made - 2 Chron. 7:6). If that isn’t convincing enough, then perhaps the psalms he wrote (78 of the 150 included in Scripture) prove David’s obvious passion for musical worship.

While studying and teaching about worship, I noticed many books on worship refer to David. Some from the “restoration theology” camp think that we should restore a type of Davidic worship in the church today. They support their idea with an obscure reference to restoring David’s tabernacle (Acts 15:16). The point James was making to the Jerusalem Council was that the Gentiles need to be included in the church and in their public worship.

Ironically, when we try to bring a 3000 year old worship style into today’s church, we alienate the unchurched (the Gentiles of our day) and actually undermine the Great Commission. To be intentionally missional we need to communicate the gospel and express worship in meaningful and relevant ways. Singing Jewish songs, dancing with flowing robes, and waving banners may be a novelty for Christians but it is generally irrelevant and unattractive to our neighbours. King David’s worship was current with his day, just as ours should be.

“Lord, thank You for the gift of music. You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel' (Psa. 22:3). I become even more aware of Your presence and Lordship in my life when I sing Your praises.”

May 14 - The Place of Sacrifice

Read today’s texts first: 1 Chronicles 22-24; 1 Thessalonians 3

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
The very humility God requires of us
comes natural to Him. 

It took almost 1000 years from the early beginnings of God’s people, Israel, before they finally built Him a temple. It seems the very humility God requires of us comes natural to Him. The Creator of all that we see, on earth and in the heavens, has every reason to be proud and demanding. Yet He waited and waited, content to live in a tent with no fixed address. He waited until His people were settled peacefully in the land He promised them. He also waited until King David had built a spectacular palace for himself first.

The temples built by pagan nations for their false gods were far more opulent than his tent. Yet there was no hint of one-upmanship, no concerns about how other nations would judge Israel’s God. Their God was very different from man-made myths and idols. Greater than man’s sacrifices to God were His sacrifices for us! That’s the theme of the story behind Solomon’s Temple, starting with Abraham.

The location of the Temple Mount was Mt. Zion, located in Moriah, the very place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his only begotten son, Isaac. While he climbed that hill with Isaac, Abraham said, God will provide Himself a lamb (Gen. 22:8 - I love the messianic reference in that wording). We read yesterday that this was the same place where David built an altar to stop the plague he caused with his senseless census. When Araunah wanted to donate his threshing floor, David said, No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing (2 Sam. 24:24).

Ironically, as David gathered the materials for his son to use in building the Temple, it wasn’t just from his resources. Gold, silver, iron, bronze, stone and cedar logs came from all over, including the surrounding nations who served other gods (22:2-4;14-16). This massive project was a foreshadowing of the much greater cost paid by God Himself when He fulfilled Abraham’s promise: God did provide Himself as the perfect sacrifice on Mt. Calvary, a short but arduous walk from Mt. Zion.

“Lord, You no longer live in a temple made by human hands (Matt. 14:58). We are now Your temple (1 Cor. 6:19). The only response to the sacrifice You made for us is this: Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Heb. 13:15).