Bible Truth Daily Devotion

May 31, 2010

The Day of the LORD

Filed under: Devotion in Joel — Tags: , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 11:22 pm

Joel 1:15-2:14

 

 

There are likely three different responses to the Judgment Day.  Some people look forward it, some others shrug, and others would be fearful.  Our attitude toward it reveals to some degree our love of God and our expectation of our own fate.  Read this passage and think about the inevitable return of Jesus.

 

Commentary:

Joel 1:15. The day of the LORD referred to the judgment day of God.  In OT, the day of LORD could refer to past and future judgment.  In that day, God would use natural and supernatural means to repudiate the sins of the nation of Israel or other nations.  God would unleash His wrath toward the wrongs which people did against the elects and against God.   The prophet Joel warned that it would be a day to come in this verse.

Joel 1:16-20.  Joel described in this passage an image of the recent locust plague.   There were shortages of food for humans and no vegetation for livestock.  The devastation of the locust plague was comparable to a wild fire.  This haunting image served as a warning of the coming God’s judgment on the people of Israel.

Joel 2:1. The sounding of the trumpet served as a siren to an impending attack.  It was the call of the prophet to wake up the indulging people in Zion, which is Jerusalem. Surely the Day of Judgment was near. 

Joel 2:2-4. The scale of the attacking army would be unprecedented and unequal in the future.  The army would come like fire; desolation would be everywhere they pass through.  They are fast moving, comparable to horses, the fastest vehicle at the time of Joel. 

 

Meditation:

The day of the LORD can be interpreted as a prelude to Jesus’ second coming.  When the nation of Israel is attacked, we can expect Jesus would soon return to earth to reign.  The Millennium Kingdom would be established.  

Although we do not know the exact day of Jesus’ return, we learn from the Bible that people are generally indulgent in the flesh in that time.  They would love the world and ignore God.  Just when the people disregard God, Jesus would return to judge.

As children of God, we of course look forward to the return of Jesus.  The heaven is the perfect place where there are no more tears and sadness.  We also have to know that the world and God are not compatible.  If we love the world, then the love of the Father is not in us (1John 2:15).  

We also have the calling to light up the world. Our world needs us to tell them about Jesus.  Our world needs us to show them what trusting Jesus is like in real life. 

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have called us to be light and salt of this world.  We pray for the opportunity to witness Jesus in our life.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 30, 2010

Prosperity and Spiritual Stagnation

Filed under: Devotion in Joel — Tags: , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 11:20 pm

Joel 1:1-14

 

 

One sign of prosperity is shown through the consumption of alcohol.  This is evident in the large number of beer commercial on TV and on internet.  Moreover, statistically, fifty percent of adults are regular drinker.  Today’s passage highlights a similar situation in the day of Joel, who was likely a prophet around the time of Solomon and slightly after, when Israel was prosperous. 

 

Commentary:

Joel 1:1-3. A calamity just happened in the land of Judah.  God has called on Joel to be His prophet.  Joel would declare to the people what the meaning of this plague was and what people should do.  

The severity of the plague was unprecedented.  Its unparalleled devastation was to jolt people out of their comfort zone.  Its impact was meant to last generations and generations. 

Joel 1:5. People of God needed to wake up from their spiritual slumber.  Prosperity had caused them to move away from God.  The Jews at the time of Joel indulged on the consumption of alcohol, like our present day.  They needed a spiritual revival, and spiritual revival began with life change.  They need to start with the renunciation of their indulgence. 

Joel 1:9. The devastation of the plague affected the religious ceremony as well.  The shortage of food and wine caused the grain and drink offerings to cease.  This served as a good warning to the religious leaders to not be complacent.  When they failed to forewarn people of their precarious spiritual state, they too would suffer.  God would punish them for failing to lead people to follow God faithfully.

Joel 1:13-14.  Joel called on the priests and the ministers of God to lead a revival. They would call on the leaders and the people to repent.  Repentance was expressed through the outward actions of fasting and praying. 

 

Meditation:

Wine is not the only indulgence our society has.  We have drug, expensive toys, gaming, endless music and video entertainment, and so for and so on.  This rampant materialistic enjoyment is not only a sign of prosperity but also the lack of focus in God in people’s life.

What the society enjoys can affect Christians as well.  We can lose our focus in God and become entrapped by the things our society has to offer. Two other common effects are the stagnation of our spiritual growth and our lack of motivation to pass down our faith to the next generation. We become complacent to counter the influence of the world.  We let its values seep into our life, our home, and our church.  Gradually, Christians of the next generation can become like the rest of the world.

Lay leaders and pastors have the responsibility to guard this deterioration.  Let’s imitate Joel to call on the people of God to repent of sins.  Let’s lead in the spiritual discipline of fasting and praying.  Let’s practice Christian living at church and at home. 

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for sending calamity to warn us.  We pray that we and all people of God will wake up from our spiritual slumber.  We pray that we be the light of this world. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 29, 2010

The Faith of Joseph

Filed under: Devotion in Genesis — Tags: , , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 8:27 am

Genesis 50:1-26

 

 

Faith is abstract and metaphysical.  Yet faith is as real as the bone in the body.  If it is there, it will support the whole person.  Today’s final chapter of Genesis will let us see the concrete faith of Joseph. 

 

Commentary:

Genesis 50:1-14. Like his father and grandfather, Jacob would be buried in his homeland, Canaan.  Before his body was sent off, Egyptians gave him an extraordinary honor by a very long period of mourning.  When it was sent off, dignitaries of the Egyptians joined the funeral possession to Canaan.  So much so that the Canaanites thought that they buried an Egyptian there.

Genesis 50:15-21. As Jacob passed away, the sons figured their protection went with it. Joseph made clear to his brothers that he did not harbor any grudge against them.  They might have meant harm, but God protected him and turned that evil into good. 

Genesis 50:22-26.  Joseph thoroughly experienced the faithfulness of God.  Therefore, he had confidence that the people of Israel would move into the Promised Land.  He made the sons of Israel to vow to bring his bones back to Canaan.

 

Meditation:

Joseph’s life let Christians know that God watches over us.  There may be authorities, principalities, and spiritual forces plotting evil against us, God would turn that evil into something good. 

Joseph’s trusted in God.  That trust is not temporary.  His reliance went beyond deliverance of his troubles.  He kept on trusting whether he needed God’s help or not.  He also kept on trusting whether he experienced God’s help or not.  His faith is the genuine faith. 

Joseph’s faith affected his whole person.  What he experienced could easily turn him into a very bitter person.  He also did not have good role model to imitate after; he could easily be as devious or vicious as his brothers were.   The temptation he went through could easily entrap any young person.  Yet Joseph remained positive and unadulterated by the negativities and entrapments around him because he had faith.  His faith in God dominated his thinking, words, and action.

What have we experienced the protection of God over us?  Meditate on the faithfulness of God through that experience.  Transfer that trust into other areas of your life

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for you watch over us just like you did with Joseph.  We pray that we have faith like Joseph.  Let our faith be shown through our actions, word, and thinking.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 28, 2010

The Prophecy of Israel

Filed under: Devotion in Genesis — Tags: , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 5:03 pm

Genesis 49:1-33

 

 

Prophecy is the spoken word of God.  It can be just a declaration of God’s will, a pronouncement of judgment, or a foretelling of future events.  Today’s chapter is a Jacob’s prophecy about what will happen to his sons, the future pillars of the nation of Israel.

 

Commentary:

Genesis 49:1-2.  Not just another parting word, Jacob gathered his sons to prophesize to them.  What he was going to say would be fulfilled in due time.   The fate of Rueben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, and Joseph were of particular interest.

Genesis 49:3-4.  Being the first born, Reuben should have preeminence over his brothers and receive a double inheritance.  Yet he was immature and impulsive.  His impetuous act resulted in his loss of his birth right.

Genesis 49:5-7. Simeon and Levi killed the Shechemites to revenge the rape of Dinah.  This vengeance was not approved by God.  It was judged as fierce and cruel.  After the conquest of Canaan, while every tribe had a distinct border, the Simeon tribe received their portion inside the territory of Judah.  Levites did not even receive a set territory and were scattered throughout the land.

Genesis 49:8-12. Here the tribe of Judah became the preeminence of all Israel.  Judah would rule over other tribes; a promise fulfilled in King David.  Judah would also rule over all nations when Shiloh comes.  The word Shiloh means peace bringer, a term pointing to Jesus the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.  When Jesus came the first time, the nations did not pay him homage.  When He comes again, all knees would bow to the King of kings.

Genesis 49:22-26. Joseph was the reason that the family of Israel survived.  Because of that, blessings of abundance were lavished upon him.  The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh later grew strong during the days of judges and the divided kingdom. 

 

Meditation:

While other religion has almost no prophecy, the Bible has many. Although the foretelling of future events is not the most frequent type in the Bible, it is impactful.   People sit up and pay attention because of its miraculous nature.   They know that the God of the Bible is the one true God because the prophecy is fulfilled.

The prophecy of Jacob has been fulfilled in many areas.  The fulfillments assure Christians that the prophecy is true.  One day all of it will come to pass.  Jesus will return to reign on earth.  In the Day of the Lord, we will all rejoice because Jesus will rule. 

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you that you have ordained the peace bringer to reconcile us back to you.  We pray that Jesus will return soon to bring the true peace and justice.   In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 27, 2010

Moving Toward God’s Direction

Filed under: Devotion in Genesis — Tags: , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 5:06 pm

Genesis 48:1-22

 

 

God can let us know His plan.  Not just the general one, God will let us know some detail plan if He so chooses to.  Today’s chapter shows that God can show His people His plan.

 

Commentary:

Genesis 48:3-4. Jacob was about to bless the two sons of Joseph.  The occasion struck up memory of his past.  Jacob remembered that God blessed him in Luz, which was renamed to Bethel.  He was about to pass on the blessings to his sons.

Genesis 48:5. Jacob decided to give the first born right to the Joseph.  Joseph would have a double portion of inheritance. Jacob did so by taking the two sons of Joseph and calling them as his own.  Later on, when the Israelites returned to Canaan, the land portion was divided based on the tribal population.  Joseph’s two sons received a portion each.  Hence, Joseph got a double portion (Joshua 7-8). 

Genesis 48:14-20. Jacob had sight problem, but he could see whom he was blessing.  When he crossed his hands and laid his right hand on Ephraim, he knew that he was favoring the younger over the older.  Jacob was spiritually in tune with what God was about to do.  God would bless Ephraim and made it a much bigger tribe than Manasseh. This was fulfilled in the divided kingdom period.  The Northern Kingdom began with King Jeroboam of the Ephraim tribe, while the Southern Kingdom was ruled by the tribe of Judah. 

 

Meditation:

What God intends to do, God would accomplish.  It did not escape Jacob that he had what he enjoyed because God blessed him.  He might have been the second born, but God let him rule over his brother.  He might have been on the run, but God protected him and made him prosperous.  He might have died in the drought, but God put him and his family in fertile land.  God’s plan would be brought to past.    

What people of God need to learn is to be in tune with God like Jacob did.   Jacob realized that that Ephraim would be the first.  He went along with the plan of God.  Christians need to discern the will of God and move toward the direction that God is moving. 

What have God informed us in the spirit?  We cannot say that we do not have any yet.  Some are written clearly in the Bible, such as reading the Bible, praying, worshipping, following Jesus, and telling people gospel.  What have we done to fulfill these instructions?  What have we done to pursue God?

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have made known to us your fundamental direction.  We pray that we are obedient to do what you ask us to do.  We also pray for the spirit of discernment to know what you want to accomplish and move toward that direction. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 26, 2010

The Virtue of Patience

Filed under: Devotion in Genesis — Tags: , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 8:00 am

Genesis 47:1-31

 

 

The virtue of patience is fast becoming extinct in our microwave culture.  We want everything at our fingertip instantaneously.  That is why instant noodle is popular.  Cell phone and iPod feeds into our need to connect to what we want instantly.  The problem is that we expect everything to be quick as well.  But many things do not work like that; for example, instant gratification seldom works when it comes to human relationship.  Patience is a timeless invaluable virtue.  This chapter shows us an example of that. 

 

Commentary:

Genesis 47:13-26. Joseph had a plan for Pharaoh.  The plan required a lot of patience.  In the year or following the year that Jacob arrived, the Egyptians used up their money to buy food.   Then the next year, they gave up the livestock for food.  The year after that, they sold their land and themselves to Pharaoh to avoid starvation.  Eventually, Pharaoh owned all the land.  He was able to rule over the feudal lords and to run the country as he fit.

 

Meditation:

Joseph was patient in carrying out his plan.  Despite the number of years it took, it was finally complete.  His patience paid off because people were grateful to Pharaoh for saving their life instead of taking their land.  Without patience, people probably would rebel instead of being grateful.  Once the plan was complete, Pharaoh got to move people to where he wanted them to be. 

We all need patience.  We need to trust in God in working out His plan.  Sometimes, it may be longer than we like.  When that happens, we are tempted to use our wisdom or our own scheme to accomplish the goal.  If we can’t wait for the Lord, we will not get the blessings from God. 

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, grant us the patience in the midst of difficulties.  Help us trust without seeing the result.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 25, 2010

The Encounter with God

Filed under: Devotion in Genesis — Tags: , , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 6:50 pm

Genesis 46:1-34

 

 

Where do we find God?  It is a question that most people ask.  The non-Christians are curious and ask those who are supposed to know.  The Christians ask sheepishly because we are supposed to know.  The best place to find out is from the scripture.  Today’s chapter contains the story of another encounter between God and Jacob.

 

Commentary:

Genesis 46:1.  Beersheba was the ancestral home of Jacob, who stayed in Bethel.  He went there to worship God and probably hoped to hear from God.  Deep in his heart, Jacob knew that Canaan was the Promise Land, so he was not sure if going to Egypt was the right thing to do. 

Genesis 46:2-4. God reassured Jacob that this was indeed His will for Jacob and his family to move down to Egypt.  But Canaan was still the homeland.  That was why Jacob would be brought up to be buried there.

Genesis 46:34. I do not know why Egyptians did not like shepherds at the time of Joseph.  This dislike served an important purpose for the nation of Israel.  Since the Egyptians would despise the Jews and would avoid comingling with Israelites, Jews were able to keep themselves pure from following the idols of Egypt. 

 

Meditation:

For Jacob finding God at a time of unknown was important.  From his first journey to this last journey away from home, Jacob encountered God and found assurance to where he was going.  With God’s blessings, Jacob had tremendous comfort.

Many of us envy this experience of God visiting us at critical junctures in our life.  That experience would be a high spot of our life.  That is why people want to know.  The fact is that many Christians claim to experience the presence of God in their life.  Either they found that tremendous peace of God in a chaotic moment or that comfort of our Lord in their anguish.  Because of the encounter, their faith deepens.  The question is how we find God consistently.

One important key to experiencing God is to seek God out.  Joseph went to worship God in Beersheba.  In New Testament, Christian does not have to go to a certain place to find God.  The Holy Spirit is in every believer who receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  What we need to do is to exercise our right.  Go to God daily in studying the Bible and pray to him unceasingly.  Christians who have spiritual discipline invariably have more God encounter than those who do not.

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in our heart.  We want to experience you daily in our life.  Help us to be firm in our daily scriptural reading and praying.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 24, 2010

When is Suffering Good?

Filed under: Devotion in Genesis — Tags: , , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 2:16 pm

Genesis 45:1-28

 

 

How do you view suffering or trials?  You probably know that most people shun them.  People do not think of them as being beneficial. Yet the Bible has a lot of stories about the good that comes as a result of the trails.  Joseph is a shining example of the maturity and blessings derived from his painful experience.  Let’s see this wonderful outcome displayed in the characters of Joseph in this chapter. 

 

Commentary:

Genesis 45:1-2. Joseph was gravely wronged years ago.  Yet he harbored no hatred toward his brother.  He was taught by his experience that what his brothers meant for evil God had turned it into good.  Joseph experienced the faithfulness of God.

Joseph tested his brothers to determine their state of mind.  When his testing revealed that his brothers loved Benjamin, he was tremendously relieved.  Joseph could no longer hold back the emotion from years of suffering and imprisonment; the tears came rushing down. 

Genesis 45:5. Joseph was concerned that his brothers may take his good will the wrong way.  He brought up the issue of their offense against him and consoled them.  He made it clear that God was the ultimate authority for what happened to him.

Genesis 45:24. Joseph had matured a lot in these years of suffering.  His self-assurance had grown through his daily exercise in overseeing Egypt.  When he sent off his brothers, he was acting more like the oldest brother than the one next to the youngest. 

 

Meditation:

Certainly Joseph has matured tremendously through trials.  His case proves that trials will be good if God is in it.  The opposite is also true.  Trials will have no meaning and would seem unjust if God did not participate in the process.  Evidently it is true, for many people without God usually experience mostly tremendous hollowed and negative feelings from trials. 

Christians should rejoice because God is always present in our life.  We can rest assured that no trials would be an empty encounter.  Sometimes, we know right away the benefits of them.  Other times, we will find out much later on.  Nevertheless, we know we are always cared for by our Lord.

Reading about the tears of Joseph brings up something that needs to be validated.  Just because suffering can be beneficial does not mean that it is not painful.  Emotion is still real and needs to be dealt with.  I think that is why Christians need to have fellowship.  In the care, communication of our genuine, loving family of God, we can find balm to our wounds and rest for our weary souls.  

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for always looking out for us.  We praise you for you can turn the ugliest situation into something good.  We pray that we will be more willing and more collaborate to your work in times of our trials.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 23, 2010

The Test of Character

Filed under: Devotion in Genesis — Tags: , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 8:00 am

Genesis 44:1-34

 

 

Most of us have taken tests in life.  Whether we do well in test or not, we know it is necessary for proving our worth in the subject.   There are tests in school for our knowledge, what about our character?  If there should be one, who should be the judge and what should it be done?  Should we even be told that we are tested?  Today’s chapter gives details of the test that Joseph gave to his brothers. 

 

Commentary:

Genesis 44:1-13. Joseph proceeded to setup a trap to test his brothers.  He instructed his house steward to plant incriminating evidence in Benjamin’s sack.  He wanted to see if his brothers valued their own life over the life of Benjamin.

Genesis 44:14-34.  As the brothers bowed before Joseph, they were willing to suffer the same fate as Benjamin.  Joseph offered to let them go and to keep Benjamin only.  Judah begged Joseph to let him take the punishment in the place of Benjamin. 

 

Meditation:

What a drastic change it was for Judah.  He was the one who suggested to sell Joseph into slavery for a profit.  This time, he was willing to sacrifice himself for Benjamin.   

The Bible does not offer any reason for the change in Judah.  The only story between selling Joseph into slavery and offering himself as a slave is the story of his loss of own sons and his moral failure.  It is obvious that Judah had grown and matured spiritually in this chapter.  In this test of persecution, Judah passed with flying color. 

Joseph will not be around to test us, but what if God gives us a test?  We do not know when we will be tested, but The Bible says that we will be tested for sure.  The tests for Christians can come in the form of trails, persecution, or suffering. 

The Bible also says that we need to face our tests with joy.  The tests that God gave would help us be perfect and complete.  Here are the words from Apostle James in James 1:2-4:

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for administering the test for our sake.  We pray for growth in our character to be more like Jesus.  We ask that we be perfect and complete as we are tested.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

May 22, 2010

The Necessity of Going Egypt

Filed under: Devotion in Genesis — Tags: , , — Pastor Brian Cheung @ 8:00 am

Genesis 43:1-34

 

 

“Hunger is sharper than the sword.” When people are driven by the need of food, they are willing to do anything.  In this chapter, we will see that Jacob became willing to risk the life of Benjamin because of the impending hunger. 

 

Commentary:

Genesis 43:1-15. The family dynamic of Jacob’s family was on display in the passage.  The subject of Egypt was taboo.  No one talked about it until it was absolutely necessary.  Never mind that there was one brother still locked in jail in Egypt.  They would not talk about going back to Egypt until the food ran out.  It was like Simeon was not that important at all.

Judah had taken up the role of the eldest son in two ways.  He spoke to his father about bringing Benjamin with them.  He offered to lead the return visit to Egypt.  He also personally guaranteed the safe return of Benjamin.  Upon Judah’s leadership and the dire situation of running out of food, Jacob agreed to let them go to Egypt.  This leadership along with other factors was the basis for Judah to inherit the blessing of the first born later. 

Genesis 43:16-34.  Joseph was delighted to see his brothers.  He let Simeon out of jail and set a sumptuous dinner for his brothers.  In fulfillment of Joseph’s dream and unbeknown to them, the brothers bowed twice to Joseph.

 

Meditation:

Most of us probably never faced famine but have experienced hunger.  Therefore, we can all understand Jacob’s willingness to take risk in the face of hunger.  God used famine as a force to drive this journey to Egypt and eventually to move the family into Egypt.

If Egypt represents some place that God wants us to go, what will make us go there?  Is it some hunger, death in the family, or a financial crisis?  Those are all painful situations that no one wants to be in.  The smart thing to do is to move in the direction that God reveals to us in the Bible before that dire situation. 

 

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, teach us to be wise.   Let us number our year and plan according your will.  Let us lay up treasure in heaven.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

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