Deuteronomy 18:18

Verse of the Day Devotion Deuteronomy 18:18 

“I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I commend him.” –  Deuteronomy 18:18

Up to Christmas day, I will be looking at the different prophesies which foresee the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  He came here in order to offer the means of salvation for all.  An important idea to remember is that God knows everything and forgets nothing.  “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” Isaiah 46:9-10.

Prior to this verse, the Lord speaks to His people, through Moses, referring to the new land that He is leading them to.  They were not to take on the practices of the people there which were against the Law of God.  “When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritists, or one who calls up the dead.” Deuteronomy 18:9-11. And if anyone does, “For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you.” Deuteronomy 18:12.

Now, after this Moses says that God has promised another prophet, which is found in our focus verse. “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18. This is similar to verse 15 above where he says, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” Deuteronomy 18:15. Notice that in these two verses, this prophet is declared to be like Moses. And this was true throughout the Old Testament.  Theologian Adam Clarke put it this way. ”Among all the succeeding prophets none was found so eminent in all respects nor so highly privileged as Moses; with him God spoke face to face – admitted him to the closest familiarity and greatest friendship with himself. Now all this continued true till the advent of Jesus Christ, of whom Moses said, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; but how great was this person when compared with Moses! Moses desired to see God’s glory; this sight he could not bear; he saw his back parts, probably meaning God’s design relative to the latter days: but Jesus, the Almighty Savior, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, who lay in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared God to man.”

Moses never saw the full glory of God, but Jesus radiated God’s glory. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4.

So, as we see in our focus verse, God said “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.”  Deuteronomy 18:18.  This is a prophesy of the coming Messiah, who will be born of a virgin and will declare the truth of God to all.  Those who believed and followed were saved, but many Jews would not accept His message for it went against the traditions of the Jewish faith.  And He ultimately came so that all who wanted to could accept the message of the truth and be saved.  And this is the primary reason for Christmas, to provide a way of salvation to all who would accept Him.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

2 Samuel 7:13

Verse of the Day Devotion 2 Samuel 7:13 

“He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” – 2 Samuel 7:13 

Up to Christmas day, I will be looking at the different prophesies which foresee the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  He came here in order to offer the means of salvation for all.  An important idea to remember is that God knows everything and forgets nothing.  “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” Isaiah 46:9-10.

This verse is part of a covenant God made with David.  The prophet Nathan was given a divine revelation from the Lord for David and his house.  God starts with a question. “Are you the one who should build Me a house to dwell in?” 2 Samuel 7:5. He continues by saying He has never dwelt in a house from the time He brought Israel out of Egypt to that current day, but have dwelt in a tent, a tabernacle.  Then He adds that He has never commanded any of the tribes to build a house for Him., “For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; but I have been moving about in a tent, even in a tabernacle. Wherever I have gone with all the sons of Israel, did I speak a word with one of the tribes of Israel, which I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?” 2 Samuel 7:6-7.

God then proposes to build David a permanent home. He starts by reminding David, through Nathan, what He had done for Him.  “Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be ruler over My people Israel.  And I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth. I will also appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may live in their own place and not be disturbed again, nor will the wicked afflict them any more as formerly, even from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies.” 2 Samuel 7: 8-11a. 

Then God, again through Nathan says. “The LORD also declares to you that the LORD will make a house for you.” 2 Samuel 7:11b.  This idea is a two-fold prophecy.  First, it speaks of Solomon, his direct descendent who would be the builder of the temple in Jerusalem.  However, this also speaks of Christ, and we see this through the words of the Apostle Peter in the book of Acts.  “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. is Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool. Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:29-36.   

And Christ did build the house as mentioned in our focus verse, which again is “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”  2 Samuel 7:13.  And what is this house?  We are. “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” Hebrews 3:1-6.

In closing, what God, through Nathan, is communicating to David is that there will be one who will come into this world with the purpose of building a house for the Lord, which He did not call His people to build in the days of King David. However, it will be an offspring of His people who would build that house of the Lord, that being the Church.  Jesus, the Messiah, would come and make that happen.  And as Peter stated to the Jews, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 3:36.  And this message is for all people, Jesus Christ came into this world, by way of David, and ultimately Mary, to bring His people together to be the house of the Lord and also to declare Himself to be the King who would rule an everlasting kingdom which never ends.  And it is in us that the Holy Spirit abides, in His Church: His house.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Danial 2:44

Verse of the Day Devotion Danial 2:44 

“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.” – Danial 2:44

Up to Christmas day, I will be looking at the different prophesies which foresee the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  He came here in order to offer the means of salvation for all.  An important idea to remember is that God knows everything and forgets nothing.  “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” Isaiah 46:9-10.

Our focus verse today is found in the Book of Daniel.  This verse comes from Daniel’s interpretation of a dream that God gave to King Nebuchadnezzar regarding the end of days.  It is a rather long interpretation, but what we read here is the climax of God’s revelation of the meaning of this dream.  Daniel begins by answering a question from the King where he asks, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel 2:26.  Daniel answers him with, “As for the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, conjurers, magicians, nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed.” Daniel 2:27-28. Daniel then starts by telling the king the dream that he had was a prophetic message. “As for you, O king, while on your bed your thoughts turned to what would take place in the future; and He who reveals mysteries has made known to you what will take place.” Daniel 2:29. 

Many things were in the King’s dream, but the critical parts, associated with the coming Messiah, is found in our focus verse.  “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.” Daniel 2:44.  This is the climax of the dream revelation, the coming kingdom of God. There are several things to look at here.  First, it is revealed that this kingdom will be established “in the time of those kings.” It will happen during the times of human kingship.  In other words, this new kingdom will overthrow all earthy kingdoms at that time.  Second, this kingdom will be set up by God.  Note the wording, “God of heaven will set up a kingdom”.  Man will have nosay regarding this kingdom, and therefore it will be a good and perfect one.  And then third, the kingdom will be eternal.  Again, note these important words, “it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.”.

Our focus verse most naturally should be understood to speak of Christ’s second coming. This new kingdom will replace all kingdoms that exist at the time of His coming.  When Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a manger, the world was introduced to our eternal King who will rule forever.  He paid the penalty so that we can, if we choose, to be a part of this new kingdom.  And when this kingdom is established, we will be able to live at peace forever, with a King that loves us and will rule with this love. “He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name.” Psalm 111:9.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Genesis 49:10

Verse of the Day Devotion Genesis 49:10 

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” – Genesis 49:10   

Up to Christmas day, I will be looking at the different prophesies which foresee the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  He came here in order to offer the means of salvation for all.  An important idea to remember is that God knows everything and forgets nothing.  “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” Isaiah 46:9-10.

Our focus verse today in Genesis speaks of Jacob’s blessings to his sons prior to his death.  He starts with Reuben, Simeon, and Levi.  He does not have much to say that is good regarding these three. Regarding Reuben, “Reuben, you are my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, Preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it, he went up to my couch.” 49:3-4.  Reuben defiled himself by sleeping with Bilhah, His father’s concubine. “And it came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard of it.” Genesis 35:22.  And with Levi and Simeon, they were considered violent by Jacob. “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Their swords are implements of violence. Let my soul not enter into their council; Let not my glory be united with their assembly; Because in their anger they slew men, And in their self-will they lamed oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. ” Genesis 49:5-7.

However, now we come to Judah.  “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up?”  Genesis 49:8-9.  This verse speaks of the countenance of Judah.  A high pre-eminence is destined to this tribe. Besides the honor of giving name to the Promised Land, David, and a greater than David the Messiah, sprang from him. Chief among the tribes, it grew up from a lion’s whelp, meaning with a little power, till it became  an old lion that is calm and quiet, yet still formidable.

However, the main item Jacob speaks of is in our focus verse.  “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” Genesis 49:10.  Basically, the scepter will come into the tribe of Judah, which was fulfilled in David, on whose family the crown was given. The meaning of the term, ‘till Shiloh comes’ is that the scepter would continue in that tribe till the coming of the Messiah.  Shiloh, in the Hebrew, means he whose it is.  What Jacob was saying was that the scepter and the rulers staff would remain with Judah, until the true owner has come, that being Jesus, who is the true Messiah and High Priest, who will rule for all eternity. We see this idea also in the Book of Hebrews.  “But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.” Hebrews 1:8.  So, this is clear.  When the Messiah came into the world and accomplished His purpose of dying on the cross for our benefit in paying the penalty of our sins, He took back the scepter which is the scepter of ‘His kingdom’ which is forever and ever.  

At the end of Genesis, Jacob gave a blessing to all his sons.  With some it included some negativity as with Reuben, Levi and Simeon, and others declaring the  goodness in them and their activities.  But with Judah, he said good things about him but then prophesies the coming of the Messiah who would rule and reign for ever and ever, without end.  And this Messiah would be born to a virgin and give the greatest gift ever given, the payment of the penalty of sin. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18.  This is the true meaning of Christmas, the coming of our redeemer.  It is important that we remember this as we celebrate this wonderful holiday.  He did for us what no one, including ourselves, could do for us.  And this is the greatest gift there is, salvation and eternal life with Jesus.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Genesis 3:15

Verse of the Day Devotion Genesis 3:15 

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” –  Genesis 3:15

Up to Christmas day, I will be looking at the different prophesies to foresee the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  He came here in order to offer the means of salvation for all.  An important idea to remember is that God knows everything and forgets nothing.  “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” Isaiah 46:9-10.

Our focus verse today regards the fall of man.  In Chapters 1 and 2, God’s work of creation is recorded, of which it says, “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31. Chapter two is a more detailed account of man’s creation which is included in the declaration of ‘and behold, it was very good’.

Now, in chapter three we see that story of man’s fall.  “And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. But the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:2-5.  The serpent here is very cunning and is able to deceive Eve, and eventually Adam, by stating God was keeping information from them.  “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.”  Genesis 3:6. And at this point, mankind sinned by dis-obeying God.

However, God knew this would happen and already had a means to address this issue.  And we see this in our focus verse.  “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. Here begins the judgement. 

Sentence is pronounced upon the serpent in the presence, no doubt, of Adam and Eve. The serpent is not examined, first, because it is a dumb unreasoning animal in itself, and therefore incapable of judicial examination, and it was the serpent only that was palpable to the senses of our first parents in the temptation; and, secondly, because the true tempter was not a new, but an old offender.  Yes, the serpent itself was punished. “The LORD God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.” Genesis 3:14. But then God moves on to pass sentence on Satan as well in our focus verse. Again, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15.

The idea of ‘seed’ refers to descendants or offspring.  This hostility is not just between the snake and the woman in the garden but applies to all demons/evil offspring and the specific future offspring from a woman.  Notice there is no reference to a man here, therefore this no doubt refers to a woman who has a child apart from a man, which could only be Jesus, the Messiah.  No doubt this is a prophecy of Jesus’ ultimate defeat of Satan. God announced that Satan would wound the Messiah “you shall bruise His heel”, but the Messiah would crush Satan with a mortal wound “He shall bruise your head”.  

It is the birth of the one, the only one, who could address our sins.  Jesus would live a perfect and sinless life so that He “could” pay the penalty for our sins.  The only one who can pay for another’s sins is one who has no sins to pay for.  Remember what Paul wrote to the Church in Rome.  “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.” Romans 3:21-25.  This is the reason for Christmas; for the Son of God to be born to a woman, be sinless, and then die for our sins.  And this is why we should be excited for Christmas, not necessarily for the gifts under the tree, but for the gift of God, Jesus, who would make it possible us to also become Children of the Father.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Colossians 4:6

Verse of the Day Devotion Colossians 4:6

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.” –  Colossians 4:6

Paul here is giving instructions to the Church in Colossae about being a witness of what this Christian life is all about.  In verse 5 he speaks of how we should be around non-believers.  “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” Colossians 4:5.  He starts by saying we are to be wise around those who are unbelievers.  We must understand that the Christian life isn’t only lived in Church or the prayer closet, but it also must be practical, lived-out Christianity, which lives wisely toward those who do not believe.  Back in the apostles time, distorted accounts of Christian conduct and belief were in circulation because of what so many who were against Christianity or had never come into contact with true believers thought.  And we are experiencing the same thing today. So many people have been fed lies and distortions regarding what true Christianity is.  Therefore, it is absolutely essential that we be wise as to how we speak and act around everyone.

Now, lets look at our focus verse.  “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6.  Paul here is stating that everything we say to, and even that which unbelievers may overhear, should be spoken graciously.  This communication continues to have the dual purpose of defending one’s behavior as a believer and inviting others to accept Christ as their Savior. Continuing the instructions about how to relate to unbelievers, this admonition encourages believers to engage them with courtesy and kindness. Engagement with even hostile outsiders must reflect the new life that believers possess in Christ. Such exchanges must manifest the “new self” that we are.

Also, Paul states that our speech should always be “seasoned with salt”. The phrase seasoned with salt confirms the translation “gracious”, because this well-known idiom means “pleasing”.  “Seasoned with” among the Greeks, was the emblem of wit. Here the meaning seems to be, that our conversation should be seasoned with piety or grace in a way similar to that in which we employ salt in our food, which makes it wholesome and palatable. So with our conversation.  We see this idea in 1 Peter where it says, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:13-16.

We must be careful how we present ourselves to those in the world who are not believers.  The final phrase of verse 6 could be read as a directive that concerns only friendly inquiry into the substance of the faith. But given the immediately preceding reference to Paul’s imprisonment for the gospel and the whole letter’s recognition that the powers that control the cosmos also oppose Christ; this reading is unlikely. The readers’ gracious speech must be able to explain to outsiders, even the suspicious and hostile, why people in the church believe and act as they do. The form of the phrase imposes an obligation: we must know how necessary it is to give an answer. This exhortation applies to all members of the community; all must prepare to tell about their faith. And they must prepare to answer everyone. In light of the preceding household code, everyone includes unbelieving husbands, parents, and employers, as well as unbelieving wives, children, and employees. It may even extend to the visionaries, particularly those in places of authority over others who may be expected to pose sharp questions about what the church teaches and why.  We must follow with all we are the words of Paul to Timothy where he said, “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:14-15.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Romans 5:3

Verse of the Day Devotion Romans 5:3

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance.” – Romans 5:3

Chapter five begins with the word ‘therefore’.  This denotes that it is a continuation of an idea that was at the end of the previous chapter.  “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2.  In fact, “Having  been justified by faith” summarizes the entire argument of the first four chapters. Those who have placed their trust in Christ can rest assured that their faith has been credited to them as righteousness. And because we have been justified by faith, we also have peace with God through Jesus Christ.  This speaks of the new relationship that exists between God and those who turn to him in faith. As Paul used the term, it does not primarily depict a state of inner tranquility. It is external and objective. To have “peace with God” means to be in a relationship with God in which all the hostility caused by sin has been removed.

Their confidence is based on the fact that Christ was put to death for their sins and raised again that they might be declared just. “Now not for his sake only was it written that it was reckoned to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be reckoned, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.” Romans 4:23-25. And because of this we stand, and we exult in hope of the glory of God. However, what comes next in our focus verse can be very difficult. “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance.” Romans 5:3.

From our focus verse, we see that not only do we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, but we also rejoice in our sufferings.  The believers’ joy is not simply something they hope to experience in the future but a present reality even in times of trials and distress. Their joy is not a stoic determination to make the best out of a bad situation. Christian suffering is a source of joy because its purpose is to build character in the believer.  James puts it this way.  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4.  We are to regard trials as a thing to rejoice in; a matter which should afford you happiness. We are not to consider it as a punishment, a curse, or a calamity, but as something we can experience joy in.  Thus it is the experience of coming through a time of testing that produces hope. Our confidence in God’s ability and willingness to bring us through difficult times leads to an ever brighter hope for that which lies beyond. Hope is not superficial optimism but the confident assurance of that which will surely come to pass. It distinguishes those who have kept the faith in times of severe testing.

In essence, we should be confident in God regarding everything we may experience, both what ‘we’ deem good or bad.  If we find ourselves in times of tribulation, we should rejoice knowing that God allows it because we can be strengthened,  “knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3b-5. No matter the situation, realize that it will strengthen us to do God’s work.  And because of this, we can be thankful.  “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Colossians 3:16

Verse of the Day Devotion Colossians 3:16

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:16

Paul here is referring to the gospel when he says, ‘the word of Christ’. We see that Paul, in many verses, uses the ‘word of God’ as in “Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,” Colossians 1:25, as well as “And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17.  So, what we see is that here in verse 16 he is referring to the ‘message about Christ’ rather then the message from Christ.

The meaning we can derive of the command is that the Christian message must be an integral and permanent living force in all Christian’s hearts, not just an outward performance or routine activities. It may be rather difficult in some languages to speak of a message living in someone’s heart. However, we can re-state it by saying,  a message may speak to the heart. This message should be such that if affects our very being.  Paul makes it clear by saying we must let it ‘richly dwell in us’. Richly is a metaphor for all the resources and blessings which are to be found in the Christian message. The phrase in all its richness may characterize either the message or the way in which the message must live in the believer. The meaning is essentially the same in either case. In the first instance, one may speak of the “the wonderful message” and in the second instance, “must live in a wonderful way.” And this is to be taken in two valid ways, in the heart of each individual as well as in the heart of the Church as a whole.

The main idea is that this message regarding Christ must be what we base our lives on.  We must live out this message in ourselves, and we must also help others live it out as well.  Many people who are new to the faith do not fully understand what this life is all about.  This is what I believe Paul was speaking of.  The word ‘teaching’ is the Greek word didaskō which has the idea of teaching publicly or privately, but also the idea of admonishing when they do not follow appropriately.  And we are called to do it with all wisdom, meaning ‘by using all wisdom’ or ‘by being wise in every way’.  We should not flippantly teach about Jesus and the gospel message but should do all we can to train everyone truly in the ways of Christ.  Too often people share the truth but do not go into the depth needed for others to understand it fully.  This message is far too important to simply present it without making its meaning clear.  You may be able to do this with one discussion, or it may take additional training.  But what is important is that the message is understood.

And the message we present, either of training or admonition, should be such that it prompts praise and thanksgiving to God for all He has done and is doing. The message of Christ is a message of grace and mercy.  We had no hope for salvation until Christ came and presented His body as a sacrifice for us all.  There was nothing we could do, so He did it all.  And finally, when we do all this, we must remember that “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17.  We must let our words be right, and our actions upright.  Theologian Adam Clarke puts it this way. “Begin with him, and end with him; invoke his name, and pray for his direction and support, in all that ye do; and thus every work will be crowned with all requisite success.” We must remember what Paul said to the Church at Philippi. “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13.  God is working through us to do what we are called to do.  And when we submit to God and allow Him to work through us, we can rejoice with the success we have in helping others become the Christian they are called to be.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Isaiah 29:13

Verse of the Day Devotion Isaiah 29:13 

“Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote.” –  Isaiah 29:13

In Isaiah 29, Isaiah is prophesying against Jerusalem and, by extension, the rest of Judah. He predicts judgment on the kingdom due to their sin, judgment that will come through invading armies.  “And I will camp against you encircling you, And I will set siegeworks against you, And I will raise up battle towers against you. Then you shall be brought low; From the earth you shall speak, And from the dust where you are prostrate, Your words shall come. Your voice shall also be like that of a spirit from the ground, And your speech shall whisper from the dust.“ Isaiah 29:3-4. However, the prophet also affirms that God is incredibly graceful and will restore Judah after bringing justice upon their enemies. “But the multitude of your enemies shall become like fine dust, And the multitude of the ruthless ones like the chaff which blows away; And it shall happen instantly, suddenly.” Isaiah 29:5.

In the middle of Isaiah’s prophecy, he diagnoses Judah’s problem of hypocrisy, which is bringing about their judgment: “Then the Lord said, “Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,” Isaiah 29:13. In essence, while the Israelites were saying the right things, their hearts were far from God.

And unfortunately, they continued this during the time of Jesus.  “And he said to them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”  Mark 7:6-7.  Jesus, here, quotes this verse in an important confrontation with the Pharisees. They, too, had hearts far from God. The Pharisees pretended to care about God’s law by following outward acts like handwashing, but they did not care about God on the inside. When they met God in the person of Jesus, they tried to kill Him!  Then Jesus scathingly summarized their heart condition: “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” Mark 7:8. The Pharisees still did religious things but had forgotten the reasons behind their actions. They said the right things, but their hearts were far from God.

As Christians, we are tempted to do the same as the hypocritical Israelites. Sometimes, it is easy to maintain the outward appearance of obedience to God by following a set of rules yet lack any real relationship with God in our hearts. We can sing the worship and praise songs without focusing on who we are worshipping and praising. We end up going through the motions without growing in love for God or for others. We might faithfully go to church every Sunday but ignore God the rest of the week. Like the Pharisees and the ancient Israelites, faking it is not spiritually healthy, and it will eventually catch up with us.  The idea is that it is more important why we do something rather than what we do.  Two people can be singing at the same time with clapping and joy, but only one may be glorifying God while doing it.

Our focus verse is a stark reminder that rules and rituals, by themselves, cannot please God. God wants true righteousness and with that, true worship. God wants us to love Him and our fellow man with everything we are. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:30-31.  And finally, God tells us what He desires from us.  “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6.  Therefore, we must examine why we obey God.  Is it because we want to follow the rules, or that we want to show are love to Him.  If it is the latter, then our heart is part of our time with God.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.

Habakkuk 3:17

Verse of the Day Devotion Habakkuk 3:17 

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stalls,” – Habakkuk 3:17 

This will be our last verse of the day for Thanksgiving 2021.  This will focus on why we can be thankful during difficult times, as we also see today.

This prophecy of Habakkuk is concerned with the rise of the Chaldeans to power. Habakkuk had seen this mighty people used in inflicting judgment upon Nineveh, and they appeared to be the very instrument of God. But a problem arose when they were seen to be as the Assyrians whom they had destroyed. How could God use for any purpose a heartless, cruel nation, bent wholly upon evil? The prophet’s answer is that God will make all His dealings clear if we but wait for Him. “The just shall live by faith.” Habakkuk 2:4. When the issues appear confused, the righteous can still remain steadfast and loyal to God.

Now, our focus verse, along with verse 18 form one long sentence in Hebrew and also in most English translations. Verse 17 contains a series of six clauses introduced by ‘Though’ which address various problems regarding lack of food, while verse 18 gives two clauses introduced by ‘yet’ which professes their loyalty and trust in God.  The basic idea expressed here in these two verses can be seen like this.  Even if there are no figs on the fig trees and no grapes on the vines, yet I will be joyful because of the Lord. Even if there are no olives on the olive trees, and no grain grows in the fields, yet I will be joyful because of the Lord. Even if there are no sheep in the sheep pens and no cattle in the cattle stalls, yet I will be joyful because of the Lord.

Note the wording in our focus verse.  Though the fig true “should not” blossom, and there be no fruit on the vine.  Though the yield of the olive “should fail”, and the fields produce no fruit.  Though the flocks “should be” cut off from the fold, and their be no cattle in the stall.  All of these situations had not happened. The prophet Habakkuk is saying ”should these things happen”. He was saying if these things come to pass, “Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:18.  No matter what happens, no matter how bad things get, or whatever God allows, we will continue to exalt the Lord and rejoice in Him who is their salvation.

The Israelites were hated by many of the nations of that time period. And as stated above, there was a very good possibility that the Chaldeans were looking to conquer them and take their land.  Today, we have many things that are happening in our world.  We have, as back then, countries and peoples who want to take over other countries. Americans are afraid of what the future could be like if the United States continue down the path we are currently on.  It is evident that fear is taking hold of so many people in this world.  However, as followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, we must place our hope and everything we are into His hands.  We may, and I want to accentuate may, lose a lot of what we have.  As costs go up faster than incomes, life could very well get difficult.  But, He has promised we will be taken care of no matter what.

And here are some verses where God has promised to care for us.

“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20. 

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’” 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 where Paul refers to Psalm 112:9.

“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.” Psalm 37:25-26.

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7.

So, I want to encourage us all to give all thanks and glory to our God.  And do it no matter what we may be going through.  For as God spoke through the prophet Habakkuk, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3”17-19.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.