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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 8 March 2022:
Exodus 15:1-21 – Church worship music is used to proclaim the glory of God and to remind people of His mighty works. What Christian songs and hymns mean the most to you?
Exodus 15:3 – “The Lord is a man of war.”
Many are on a mission to end all war, considering war to be the worst evil. However, there are evils that are worse than war. Injustice and godlessness can cause far more destruction over time than war. God is a God of justice, and “the Lord is a man of war.” Peace only comes through surrender to God’s will. When Jesus Christ reigns, war will end. Until then, wars will continue, and when there is not war, there will still be other forms of conflict and oppression. Luke 19:42 — “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
Exodus 15:8-10 — “…the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea…. the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.”
Again, this does not describe a “reed sea” where Pharaoh’s chariots were simply stuck in mud. This describes an unforgettable miracle seen by millions that brought them to their knees in fearful worship. Also, other nations heard of this event and trembled. (v14-16) Don’t let humanists explain away God’s miracles. Don’t let them call you ignorant because you believe the truth of God’s word and because you believe in the power of God which transcends their understanding.
Exodus 15:24 – “And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’”
If you are going to be a leader, you are going to have to deal with ingratitude, disrespect, bad attitudes, selfishness, incompetence, etc. As one pastor said, “If you can’t stand the smell of sheep, don’t be a shepherd.” People need leadership for a reason. Leadership is lonely and costly. Real leadership rarely ‘pays off’ in this world. Real leaders sacrifice all without walking around with a ‘martyr complex’. Real leaders rarely say “I” or “me”, but only point to the Truth.
Exodus 15:26 — “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God….”
Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by works. However, many of God’s blessings on earth are conditional – “If.” God commands love as the Greatest Command. Jesus said that the evidence of love or product of love is obedience – If you love me, you will obey my commands. We walk with Jesus and grow closer to Jesus through obedience. If you truly love Him, you will obey Him; the more you obey Him, the more you will learn to love Him. Be diligent in your walk in the word.
Acts 19:15 – “And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
There is no secondhand spirituality. No one else can develop Christian maturity on your behalf. A strong Christian heritage is a blessing and an asset, but it cannot take the place of your own vibrant, growing relationship with Christ. Paul had a powerful walk with God. God used him so mightily that extraordinary miracles occurred through his life. Cloths that touched Paul were taken to the sick, and the sick were healed (Acts 19:10-12). Evil spirits were cast out. Paul’s preaching and teaching were instrumental in building a strong church in Ephesus. Paul’s ministry was so impressive, in fact, that others tried to duplicate it. Seven sons of the chief priest, Sceva, attempted to cast out demons the way Paul did. They confronted an evil spirit and attempted to exorcise it “by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” These men were trying to use a spiritual power that Paul had acquired after years of walking closely with his Lord. They could imitate Paul’s words, but they could not duplicate the power that was his through his personal relationship with God. The evil spirit retorted, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” The demon then viciously attacked them and humiliated them. The evil spirits were fearfully aware of Jesus (James 2:19); they were familiar with Paul’s influence over the powers of darkness. But the demons had no knowledge of the seven sons of Sceva. You can duplicate the words and deeds of a spiritually mature Christian, but you cannot inherit his or her walk with God. Christian maturity takes effort; it comes over time. If you ignore the place of prayer and if you neglect your relationship with Christ, you will not grow in your faith. Imitating the faith of others will not give you victory. Only as you nurture your own relationship with Jesus will your life be filled with spiritual maturity and power. (Henry T. Blackaby)
Acts 19:20 – “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.”
Paul’s world worshiped idols. No idol was more revered in Ephesus than the goddess Diana. The great statue was housed in a magnificent temple and was recognized as one of the wonders of the world. An idol-making industry, providing a livelihood for many people, developed in Ephesus to support the widespread idolatry of the day. Paul did not go to Ephesus to condemn those worshiping idols but to unashamedly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. As Paul shared the truths of God, and as people were set free from their sins, idol worship began to decline. The contrast between stone carvings and God’s power to change lives became obvious. The righteous lives of the Christians stood in stark contrast to the hedonistic practices of the idol worshipers. The victorious Christian witness was so compelling that the economy of the entire city was thrown into upheaval as idolatry diminished in favor of Christianity. An idol is anything that diverts our devotion from God. Our society is as idolatrous as Paul’s was. Rather than worshiping statues, we choose possessions, pleasures, or careers as our gods and pour our time, finances, and energy into these things. Each of us is called, as Paul was, to live a victorious, joyful, and purposeful Christian life in the midst of an idolatrous society. We do not have to seek out and condemn today’s idols. Rather, as we live out our Christianity, enjoying the abundant life God gives, our lives will discredit the idols around us. We may face opposition and hostility from those who are angered at the contrast between our God and theirs. People do not like to have their idols dethroned! Yet as we uphold Christ, others will see a difference and be drawn to Him and the life that He offers. (Henry T. Blackaby)
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 8 Mar 22: Today, pray that God will fill you with genuine spiritual maturity and the power of God in your life will be evident to those around and serve as a powerful testimony to God’s glory.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 