Hebrews 1:8

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“But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.” Hebrews 1:8.

In the previous verse devotion, Hebrews 1:1-7 (available here), the writer spoke about how God used prophets and Godly people to direct them in God’s ways, as well as declaring to them important information they had no other access to including future events, and the coming of the Christ who would ultimately die, paying the penalty for the sins of all mankind who accept Him. Throughout this next section, God refers to the Christ as His Son. Let me take a moment to speak about this.

Jesus is not the Son of God with the idea of a human father and a son. God did not get married and mate with Mary and have a son. Jesus is God’s Son in the sense that He is God manifested in human form.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-2,14.

Jesus is called God’s Son in that He was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. We see this clearly in the gospel of Luke.

“The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.’” Luke 1:35.

Now moving forward, we read verses 8 and 9.

“But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.” Hebrews 1:8-9.

But notice what we read in the psalms.

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows.” Psalm 45:6-7.

We see here that this message in Hebrews 1:8-9 is taken from Psalm 45:6-7. The Father is telling His Son, that His kingship would be a never ending one.

Next, we read the following.

“And, ’YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT, AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.’” Hebrews 1:10-12.

Again, notice what we read in the psalms.

“Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” Psalm 102:25-27.

The writer of Hebrews used the Psalms at various times to validate his thoughts. In here we see that the creation of everything was by the Son. It was He who laid the foundation of everything created. But He also notes that all of this will cease to exist. This idea is also found in the Book of Matthew  where everything will be made new.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35.

As well as in Revelation.

“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. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2.

The basic idea here is that the new home of God’s people will not consist of anything that exists now, which includes the seas. Everything will be made totally new and will be perfect and last for eternity. We, as God’s people, will be changed into immortal beings that will live forever with Him, just like Jesus. And referring to Jesus,

“But you are the same, and your years will not come to an end.” Hebrews 1:12b.

And just as God; The Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, will live forever, so shall we in His kingdom.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Then we read the final two verses in Hebrews 1.

“But to which of the angels has He ever said, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET”? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14.

For the seventh time in chapter 1, the author quotes the Hebrew Scriptures, this time to demonstrate that Jesus is greatly superior to any angelic being. He quoted Psalm 110 to show again that God the Father said things to Jesus He never said to angelic beings.

“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” Psalm 110:1.

Angels are ministering spirits, not governing spirits. They are called to service and assist those who have accepted Christ as Savior. They are commanded to serve God, and He shares these servants with redeemed men and women. This shows the great love of God for us, and how He wants to share all things with us.

Quoting theologian F.F. Bruce:

“The most exalted angels are those whose privilege it is to “stand in the presence of God” like Gabriel (Luke 1:19), but none of them has ever been invited to sit before him, still less to sit in the place of unique honor at his right hand. Their standing posture betokens their promptness to execute his commands, or simply to abide his pleasure.” F.F. Bruce.

To go back to Hebrews 1:1-7, click the following link.

Psalm 113:2-3

Verse of the Day: Psalm 113:2-3

“Blessed be the name of the LORD From this time forth and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting.  The name of the LORD is to be praised.” – Psalm 113:2-3 

I absolutely love these verses.  They cover times and places regarding the praises of God.  We are to praise Him without ceasing.  Verse two says we are to praise God starting now and continue forever.  Note the wording ‘from this time forth and forever.’  We are always to praise God.   We can praise Him with our voice, we can praise Him by our deeds. We can praise Him in our sharing of Him to the lost, we can praise Him in our encouraging of the brethren.  We praise Him when we trust in Him completely.  Living our lives in complete and total submission to God is an act of praise and worship.

Verse three addresses where we are to praise Him.  In the Hebrew, the intent of the phrase ‘from the rising of the sun’ denotes anything to the east of our position, for the sun rises in the east.  In the same way, the intent of the phrase ‘to its setting’ denotes anything to the west of our position, for the sun sets in the west.  And because the earth is round and if you continue to travel to the east, you will arrive at the same place from the west, and vice-versa, it covers our current position as well.

The main idea of these two verses is clear.  God is to be praised always and in all places.  The apostle Paul said it as clearly as it can be.  “Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31.  By giving God the glory, we are giving Him our praise as well.

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

Psalm 106:1

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 106:1

“Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 106:1

This is a very powerful verse.  In fact, this same wording is found in several other places.  For instance, let’s look at the next chapter in Psalms.  “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”  Psalm 107:1. Now, compare this with a verse in 1 Chronicles.  “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”  1 Chronicles 16:34. In comparing Psalm 107:1 and 1 Chronicles 16:34, they are word for word the same.  Then when you look at our focus verse, the wording is also identical after the first three words, ‘Praise the Lord’’.  You will also find the same wording in 2 Chronicles 20:21, Psalm 118:1, Psalm 118:29 and, Psalm 136:1.  There are many other verses that are very close, with slight word changes.  However, the meaning is clear.

These words are found in enough places in the scriptures that I would venture to say this was a phrase well known to the Israelites.  And they must become very familiar to us as well.  Our God is great, greater than anyone or anything.  For without Him, nothing else would exist.  He is all powerful, there is nothing that can stop Him or His will from being accomplished.  He is all knowing, knowing every minutia of everything and everybody in every moment of time.  And He is everywhere all the time, “Can a man hide himself in hiding places, so I do not see him?  declares the LORD. Do I not fill the heavens and the earth? declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:24. He is an incredible God we serve.  And He loves us beyond our comprehension. God spoke these words to Jeremiah, but they are applicable to us today. “The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3. There will never be a need He will not meet.  “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. And most important of all, He died that we might live.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13.

How can we not praise Him with our whole being?  How can we not worship Him from the very depth of our heart?  How can we not thank Him for His goodness He has poured out on us?  And how can we not love Him with everything we are, for our God’s love, from Him who does not change, is an everlasting love, from eternity to eternity.

“Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

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

Psalm 16:11

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 16:11

“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” – Psalm 16:11

This is a very encouraging verse.  David here is speaking to the Lord and thanking Him for the goodness of the life to come.  First he is saying that God has shown to Him the path of life.  What he is referring to is that even though he may die in this life, God will not keep him in this state.  He would be brought back to the living world, that which is life everlasting.  David believed in the resurrection from the dead.  He believed that God had for Him a life that will no end.  “He asked life of You, you gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever.” Psalm 21:4. We see this same idea from Daniel.  “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.  Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:2-3.  The idea of everlasting life for the righteous is found in various places in the Old Testament, and David took comfort in this truth. Note, Daniel was after the time of David, however, it shows this truth carried forward to his time.)  Regardless of this, David rejoiced in knowing he would be resurrected when the end came.

He then says that in the presence of God is fullness of joy.  This is not a partial nor imperfect joy, intermingled with pain and sorrow.  This is a joy that completely satisfies the soul not in conjunction with anything that may minimize it.  This is not a joy as we experience here, but an unimaginable joy that will never lessen, nor will it end.  It will not be diminished by the idea we have in this life that all earthly joy must come to an end.  It will be a joy that will be understood as everlasting.  This is the joy we will experience in the next life.  “So, the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.”  Isaiah 51:11.

And lastly, David says that in His right hand are pleasures forever.  God’s right hand is the place of honor, where the saints will be throughout eternity.  It denotes that he would be raised up to exalted position; one filled with eternal happiness and exalted honor.  And this happiness will be forever.  This is not happiness as we find here in this life that comes and goes.  We will reside forever in happiness, for there will be nothing that can take it away.

This is the life we look forward to as Christians.  First, we will be raised from the dead to a life that is infinitely different from this one, and God will guide us into this new life, we will be in His presence forever where our joy will be full and never ending, and there will be great pleasure because of our exalted position in Christ.  And this will never end.  What more could we ask for, and what could ever be better than this promise from Him.

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

Hebrews 13:8

Verse of the Day Devotion: Hebrews 13:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8 

This verse says a lot.  Jesus Christ, our savior, the one that came and died to take away our sins, is the same from everlasting to everlasting.  Malachi wrote, “For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Malachi 3:6. God does not change.  What He was in eternity past He is now and shall be in eternity future.

It is important for us to understand that before creation, the second person of the Trinity was chosen to be the sacrifice that was intended to reconcile men with the Father.  This was prior to the creation of man. “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.”  Revelation 13:8. God declared all things from the beginning.  He knew man would fall; however, He loved man; therefore prior to creating him, He set up his reconciliation.

Now, is Jesus Christ God?  Let’s look at what Isaiah says, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6. Notice that the child born here would be called “The Mighty God” and “Eternal Father”.  This verse refers to the coming Messiah.  Now, is Jesus called the Messiah in the New Testament?  See the following, “Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah.”  Matthew 1:16. So, we see that Jesus Christ is God as we see in Isaiah 9:6.  Therefore, He does not change as it speaks of God in Malachi 3:6.

Now, what does this mean to us?  It means that whatever God says will come to pass, for if it does not, this means that God has changed His mind.  And if He would change His mind on one thing, it means He could change His mind on anything.  Looking at the above verses above, especially our focus verse, we see that God does not change.  And, in Numbers we read, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”  Numbers 23:19.  He does not change His mind either.  Therefore, since Jesus was decreed to die for our sins prior to creation, this hope of salvation is sure.  We can trust His word, knowing it will come to pass if we commit ourselves through faith to Him.

Let us rejoice because, as Christians, our future is sure and absolute.  There is true comfort and solace in this knowledge.

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

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.

Psalm 37:18

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Psalm 37:18  

“The LORD knows the days of the blameless, and their inheritance will be forever.” – Psalm 37:18

I do not believe many will question the idea that these are difficult times.  There has been a terrible pandemic that has effected practically everyone in this world.  And because of this many are suffering physically because of the virus.  And a side affect has been the financial upheaval what with the shutting down of small businesses and the fear that is held by many such that they stay home and have few interactions with family and friends.  No one knows how long this will last, and it seems like it will be years before things start coming back to normal.  And based on what we hear on the news and read in the newspapers this may be a completely new normal.

But we as Christians can have hope for the present and the future.  In our focus verse we read, “The LORD knows the days of the blameless,” Psalm 38:18a.  The third word translated ‘knows’ is the Hebrew word yaw-dah’ which has a variety of rich meanings, however the idea here is that God knows the number of our days here and all that will happen to us.  As the theologian Albert Barnes puts it, “He sees their whole course of life; he sees the end. It is implied here that his eyes are on all the allotted days of their life; on all that has been ordained for them in the whole course of their life; and that nothing can shorten the days appointed to them.”  There is also the idea that God cares for our life and takes an interest in it. This shows the love God has for us that He will direct our steps.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.  He will ensure that nothing will happen that we are unable to cope with.

And because of the above, we can be certain that we are taken care of, for God is watching over us.  However, the last part of this verse is very important as well.  “And their inheritance will be forever.” Psalm 37:18b.  We are promised an unbelievably wonderful future, and this future will be unending for we, as Christians, are children of God.  “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” John 1:12.  And as Children we will live forever in His presence.  And because of this, we can be assured there will be no troubles or trials for all eternity. 

So, as believers when we look at our lives we see nothing but positives.  First, God knows everything about our lives, every moment of every day.  There is nothing that can happen that surprises Him.  And everything that occurs is for our good.  “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ” Romans 8:28-29.  And everything about our life and calling are already determined.  “and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”  Romans 8:30.  And therefore, we can be at peace in everything now and going forward, for there is nothing but good ahead.  Praise God!!!

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

Psalm 107:1

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Psalm 107:1  

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 107:1

This verse is a call to mankind to give thanks to God for His amazing mercy He has bestowed upon us.  And not just mercy regarding certain things we may be going through, but everything that God has done for us, whether we find it personally pleasant or not.  We must always remember that we may not have chosen certain outcomes in our lives, however, God does everything for our good.  We have no idea how to pray explicitly for our needs and trials, so we must rely on God to do what He knows is best.  “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26:27. We must trust that God knows everything, from the beginning of all things to the end of all things. “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 46:8-10. Because of this knowledge that God has, He knows exactly how to  help us in our times of troubles because of this infinite knowledge as He searches our hearts and intercedes on our behalf. 

And because of this incredible God we serve, the one as stated above, who has infinite knowledge regarding what is and what shall be, and also what should be, ensures that we Christians will always experience what we can trust is good.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.  And this is not just in this life, but for eternity; never to end.  “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30.  God knew us, who have accepted Him, from the beginning of time.  And it promises that we shall be conformed to the image of His Son.  We have been called by God, are justified by Him, and we are also glorified.  And because of all that God has given us, comforted us in times of trial, and prepared us for an infinite life, how can we not give thanks to our God.  “When You did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts on behalf of the one who waits for Him.” Isaiah 64:3-4.  We cannot even imagine what we have to look forward to in eternity. 

So, back to our focus verse.  He has given us so much that we cannot begin to know and understand. He does everything for our good, even though we may not see it that way. He has prepared an eternity that we cannot even comprehend.  And He is always with us, for as He has told us through Moses, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6.  In all of this and so much more, how can we not be thankful for all His goodness.  “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Psalm 107:1.

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

Psalm 23:6

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Psalm 23:6   

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” – Psalm 23:6

This is the last verse in Psalm 23, where he wraps up these thoughts on God’s goodness to Him.  David declares all the good things God provides for him.  He says that whatever His needs are, God provide them for him.   He take him to green pastures to rest in, and to quiet waters to quench his thirst.  When he was weary or sinned against the Lord, God will forgive him and strengthen him.  No matter where Gid leads him, he does not fear, for the Lord is with him all the time.  The Lord blesses him in the presence of his enemies because God’s rod and staff comforts him because He is protected. 

Now, in verse six we read, “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life” Psalm 26:6a.  God has promised those who live their lives for God, just as David did, goodness and lovingkindness.  And this will be his life all the days of his life.  Another verse says something very similar.  “One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.”  Psalm 27:4.  What he is asking for is that he can spend time in God’s house in worship and devotion to Him.  This was very important to him, for worship and praise was an essential part of his life.  He loved being in the temple, meditating on God. 

David trusted that for the rest of his life goodness and lovingkindness would be a part of his experience.  We read in Lamentations the following, “ Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers And is bowed down within me. The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:19-23.  His lovingkindness and His compassion never fails.  In fact, they are new every morning.  The beauty of this is that His love is always with us, and we can trust this with no questioning.

Now, the last past of our focus verse says, “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6b.  In my research, many have stated that this does not mean eternal, but the rest of life.  However, I tend to disagree with this.  Here is the focus verse again.  “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6.  There are two time periods mentioned.  “all the days of my life” and ‘I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.  All the days of my life, and forever.  These must be two different periods of time because of the distinction.  So, in this last part of the verse, it is saying that forever, I will spend in His house.  If this was a temporal idea, then we would be living forever here.  We know that is not the case.  Also, look at what is said in the book of Revelation.  “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. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 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.  You may be asking, how would David know of this?.  There are many verses where God reveals the future to David, so this is not necessarily out of the norm. 

And what David was promised in this verse, is ours, as Christians, as well.  Think about this verse in relation to you.  “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6.  And I must say I look forward to these days.   

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

Isaiah 40:8

Verse of the Day Devotion: Isaiah 40:8 

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” – Isaiah 40:8     

Some years ago, I took an Old Testament History class I listened to online from Covenant Theological Seminary.  I remember after each forty-five-minute class, the professor would end the lesson with this verse.  And the more I looked at it, the more meaning I have derived. 

Starting with verse six we read, “A voice says, Call out. Then he answered, What shall I call out? All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.” Isaiah 40:6.  Isaiah here declares the frailty of man.  He states regarding all flesh, not just a particular family or people or nation, but all flesh on the earth.  He compares it to plant life in the field.  All that men are or have, even their highest accomplishments, are simply like the grass of the field, weak and soon to vanish, soon to be brought to nothing.  And our loveliness is like the flowers in the field.  The theologian Albert Barnes puts it this way in his commentary on Isaiah,  “The idea is, that the plans of man must be temporary; and all that appears great in him must be like the flower of the field.”  Man’s ways look good for a season, just as the grass and the flowers look for a time.  However, as the next verse says, it is not permanent. 

“The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.” Isaiah 40:7.  This verse speaks of the frailty of man being like the grass and flowers in a heavy wind.  The term ‘wind of Jehovah’ is a Hebraism, referring to nothing more than a strong wind, especially the well-known hot winds in the east that destroys every green thing in its path.  This idea is also spoken of in in the psalms where we read, “As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.” Psalm 103:15-16. 

When we come to our focus verse, we see a comparison of man and the Word of the Lord.  “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8.  The beginning of verse seven is repeated, but now not focusing on the frailty of man, as with the previous verse, but this time focusing on the permanence of God’s Word.  As men and his ways are temporary and eventually ended, God’s Word is permanent.  As an example, a man builds a house for him and his family, but eventually that house may be destroyed, and another built at a later time.  Or maybe someone comes up with a new idea which is well accepted, but in a short period of time, someone else comes up with a another idea which is deemed better than the first.  Nothing man does is permanent; however, what God does and says is eternal, both past and future. 

This verse shows the greatness of God in comparison to the frailty of man.  What man says and does will fade away, for we are here for just a season.  However, God’s Word is eternal, unchanging, and absolute truth.  We should keep this in mind as we live our lives.  God’s Word is true, and we should follow it and not ignore or forget it.  His ways are forever, ours are not.  However, His Word says, as Christians, we will live eternally with Him in a glorious life.  And in that I totally believe and cannot wait.

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