Romans 10:15

Verse of the Day Devotion: Romans 10:15

“How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” – Romans 10:15

There are so many people in this world have never given their life to Christ.  Some because they have heard the message and have decided to reject it.  However, there are a great number who have never heard the truth of the gospel; some never having heard it at all and some who have heard about Jesus but do not understand what the Christian life is about.

The verse just prior to our focus verse states, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14. The reason we use the term unbeliever is because those who are not Christians do not believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He came to die for their sins.  So, Paul is asking a fair question.  How can they, who do not believe in Jesus, call out to Him?  Many people around the world have never heard about the God we serve.  They worship false gods that have been introduced to them by the people around them.  They are told that these gods are real, and they must please them through various ordinances laid out in their religious rituals.  So, if these are the only gods they know, why would they cry out to a God they have never heard of?

Now, at the end of verse 14, Paul asks the question, how can they hear about the true God and His Son Jesus if there is no one to tell them?  The answer is simple, they most likely will not hear about Him.  The religious leaders of their false gods will not tell them, mostly because they have never heard of Him as well.  Also, because they would never speak against the gods they serve for fear of losing their favor.  So, it is up to us, as Christians who know Christ intimately, to spread the word of Jesus and the gift of salvation He has provided.

Now, not all of us are called to be missionaries in a foreign country or even away from where we live.  But we are all called to reach the lost where God sends us.  Jesus said this to His disciples, and through His word, to us.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.  This is about evangelism and sharing the good news because you cannot make someone a disciple unless He is a Christian.  So, from our focus verse, we are the ones sent by God to the world.

Paul then, in quoting Isaiah when He says that how beautiful are the feet of those bring the good news to the lost.  We are all called to preach the gospel, whether in a foreign country, a distant city or only as far as your neighborhood.  When we fulfill that calling, our work with its message is a beautiful thing in the eyes of God.  It is why we are here.  Let’s make it happen and bring the message of salvation to all God brings to our path.

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

Psalm 149:4

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 149:4 

“For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” – Psalm 149:4         

This is a psalm that should bring us great encouragement and rejoicing.  We read here that God takes pleasure in His people.  As Christians, we are His people and therefore we can infer that God takes great pleasure in us 

This is a beautiful thought because this tells us that not only do we take pleasure in Him, but He takes pleasure in us.  He enjoys fellowship with us as we with Him.  We sometimes forget this concept thinking only of how we enjoy His presence.  However, this verse tells us that He also enjoys being with us as well.  He loves us. He showers on us His blessings and favor.  And in Him doing this, our hearts are filled with gladness.  He delights in us doing well.  “Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:22.  He delights to make us prosperous and happy.  He wants to make us content, and He does this by meeting our needs.  “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19  God loves doing good to is.

However, my greatest thing God has done to show His delight in us is the salvation He provided through His Son.  Look at the second part of this verse.  “He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.”  Psalm 149:4b. The word rendered beautify means to adorn, to honor.  It basically means the salvation He provides would be like an ornament, as if we are clothed with splendid and costly clothing, beyond anything we could ever imagine.  The ‘afflicted ones’ refer to the humble in means and/or in heart. Those who humble themselves in God’s presence and does the work He has called them to do.  These will be afflicted either by men or the enemy, however, the affliction will end at the time of His coming.

However, those whom He adorns will be with Him forever without end.  He loves us and delights in us so much that He will make it such that He will always be with us.  We need to see this idea both ways.  We will be with Him for eternity, and He will be with us for eternity.  He loves us and takes great pleasure in creating a new home for us.  “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.”  Revelation 21:1. 

Next is a verse I find intriguing.  “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,” Revelation 21:3.  Note the wording used twice in this verse, He will be among us and He will Dwell among us.  Again, just as Christ came down to us and saved us, He will come to us in the new heaven and earth and dwell with us.  He delights in being with us and fellowshipping with us that He comes to be with us in our new dwelling place for all eternity.  He creates our new home and then abides with us there.  This is how much He loves us.    

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