Turning Point with David Jeremiah

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, April 17

The Reward of Obedience

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
Daniel 3:30

Recommended Reading
Luke 19:11-27 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2019:11-27&version=NKJV )

When ancient kingdoms conquered another people, they took the best of the inhabitants captive to their own land. They also repopulated the conquered land with their own citizens. It was a way the conquerors could expand their influence.

Listen to Today's Radio Message  ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

God is also extending His domain (His kingdom) in this world. But He is not using political or military means. Whenever He finds one of His people who is obedient in a small thing, He expands their responsibilities and influence. When the influence of a child of God is extended, the kingdom of God is also extended. This happened in Babylon when Daniel and his three friends were obedient to God and God expanded their range of influence in the foreign land. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were faithful to God in not worshipping the king of Babylon's image, God rewarded them by expanding their influence: "Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon."

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9a).

In the mysterious chemistry of God's mercy, a man's very obedience is made a blessing to him.
John Blanchard

1Stephen F. Olford,  The Grace of Giving  (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications), 52.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Kings 21-22 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2021-22&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, April 18

Reasons to Be Humble

Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6b

Recommended Reading
Daniel 4:23-33 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%204:23-33&version=NKJV )

One day King Herod mounted his throne in Caesarea to speak to the people. Wanting to curry the king's favor, the people cried out, "[This is] the voice of a god and not of a man!" (Acts 12:22) Unfortunately, instead of deflecting their praise from himself to the true God, King Herod reveled in it. And it cost him dearly: "Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God" (Acts 12:23a).

Listen to Today's Radio Message   ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

A simple principle of God's economy is repeated at least four times in Scripture: God stands against (resists, pulls down) the proud but gives grace to (supports, encourages, expands the influence) the humble (Psalm 138:6; Proverbs 3:34; Matthew 23:12; James 4:6). The king of Babylon made the same mistake as Herod -- giving himself credit for abilities and accomplishments for which God deserved the praise (Daniel 4:30). And God afflicted the king for a time until he repented of his pride (Daniel 4:33-37). To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

The wise person lives in a constant state of humility -- not out of fear of God, but from an understanding that everything comes from Him (1 Chronicles 29:14).

Perish each thought of human pride, let God alone be magnified.
Philip Doddridge

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 1-3 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%201-3&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Friday, April 19

How to Repent

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:10

Recommended Reading
Daniel 4:34-37 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%204:34-37&version=NKJV )

When someone -- especially a public figure -- offers an apology for an offense committed, it raises the question: Is the person  really  sorry for what he did or is he sorry he got caught (especially when the apology is accompanied by the phrase, "If I offended anyone . . .")? Any apologetic words have to be accompanied by "godly sorrow [that] produces repentance" (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance can begin with words but much more time is required to validate its sincerity.

Listen to Today's Radio Message   ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had been humbled by God because of his pride. He fell into a period of seeming insanity, living in the wild like an animal. When his sanity was restored, he "blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever" (Daniel 4:34). It appears that his repentance toward God was genuine -- at least long enough for God's blessing to again be manifested in his kingdom (Daniel 4:36-37).

Nebuchadnezzar learned that "those who walk in pride [God] is able to put down" (Daniel 4:37). A humble, repentant life is much to be preferred over a prideful one.

Adversity does not fall out to us by chance, but is the method by which God arouses us to repentance.
John Calvin

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 4-5 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%204-5&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, April 20 & 21

Field Work: The Harvesters

Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
John 4:35b

Recommended Reading
John 4:27-38 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%204:27-38&version=NKJV )

While waiting for His disciples to do their grocery shopping, Jesus shared the Gospel with a woman of Samaria who needed direction in life. Because of His witness to her and of her subsequent witness to others, many fellow townspeople sought out the Lord Jesus. As the disciples returned with their food, they saw a mass of white-robed Samaritans flocking to Jesus. It looked like fields ripe unto harvest. (John 4)

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The work of soul winning is likened in Scripture to sowing and reaping. The psalmist said, "He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6). The apostle Paul said, "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9).

Try evangelizing as you walk around today. You never know when a word, a tract, an invitation, a Bible verse, or a sentence of testimony will become a harvest-bearing seed. The Bible says, "He who wins souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).

The Gospel soul winner does not simply persuade people ... he sows the wonderful living seed of the Word of God.
John R. Rice, in  The Soul-Winner's Fire

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 6-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%206-10&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Monday, April 22

The Supreme Sin

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
John 1:10

Recommended Reading
John 1:1-18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:1-18&version=NKJV )

Dr. A. W. Tozer once posed a troubling question: "What is the supreme sin of a profane society?" He found his answer in John 1:10. Though Jesus made the world and actually came into the world, the world still does not see Him, feel Him, respect Him, or know Him. "Surely," Tozer said, "this is the great curse that lies upon mankind today -- men are so wrapped up in their own godless world that they refuse the Light that shines, the Voice that speaks, and the Presence that pervades."

Listen to Today's Radio Message  ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

On the other hand, how wonderful when we  do  know Him! When He is Lord of our lives, we have order restored, hope renewed, and eternity assured. Rather than drifting, we have a North Star. Rather than despairing, we have purposeful direction. Rather than hell, we have heaven.

It's a fearful thing to be arrogant in the face of God, "but as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

He is still in the world, but mankind scoffs in its ignorance of Him, almost completely unaware of His revelation that the Word can be known and honored and loved by the humble human heart.
A. W. Tozer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 11-13 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2011-13&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Tuesday, April 23

The Limits of God's Patience

He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.
Psalm 103:9

Recommended Reading
Psalm 75:6-7 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2075:6-7&version=NKJV )

Israel's prophets brought comfort to the people during difficult times by reminding them, "[God] will not always strive with us." That's a comforting word, except that it is a reminder that, right now, God  is  striving with us! In other words, God's patience has its limits. As He demonstrated with Israel over and over, at some point God stops waiting for people to repent by their own choice and He sends judgment.

Listen to Today's Radio Message   ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

There was a period in which the nation of Babylon was under God's blessing -- when the king, Nebuchadnezzar, repented of his pride (Daniel 4:34-37). But when a new king, Belshazzar, took the throne, Babylon changed. In a drunken orgy one night, Belshazzar brought out the sacred vessels that had been stolen from the temple in Jerusalem and used them to drink wine. To take and use the sacred vessels from a nation's temple was a way to proclaim the impotence of the conquered god. The same is true when anyone flaunts or disobeys the laws of God.

God is holy and reserves the right to judge sacrilege, or any other sin, when repentance is absent.

As we search the Scriptures, we must allow them to search us, to sit in judgment upon our character and conduct.
Jerry Bridges

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 14-16 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2014-16&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Wednesday, April 24

The Hand Behind the Throne

And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
Daniel 2:21

Recommended Reading
Daniel 5:5-31 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%205:5-31&version=NKJV )

At the present time there are around 200 nations in the world (193 member states in the United Nations). Each has a leader. Whether that leader is a dictator or monarch for life, or is elected to a limited term of a few years, "kings" (leaders) of these 200 nations are constantly ascending and descending their "thrones." Without reason to think otherwise, the appointment of kings seems to be a purely human activity -- whether based on heredity or election.

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But the Bible gives us a reason to think otherwise. The prophet Daniel, after receiving a vision about the transfer of power from one kingdom to another in Mesopotamia, said it is God who "removes kings and raises up kings." We do our campaigning and voting, but in the end it is God who moves key players on and off the stage of world history. When the sacrilegious king of Babylon did not repent of his pride, God sent a message through handwriting on the wall that his days as king were over. That very night, the Medes and the Persians captured Babylon and killed the king.

We may not always agree with the changing of our leaders, but we can be confident that God has His reasons.

All the world's thrones are occupied by rulers under God's authority.
John Blanchard

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 17-18 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2017-18&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Thursday, April 25

The Judge of All

Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.
Daniel 5:27

Recommended Reading
Luke 12:47-48 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2012:47-48&version=NKJV)

Associated with judicial buildings all over the world, including the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., are statues of "Lady Justice" -- Justitia, to use the name given by the Romans to their goddess of justice. Typically, three objects are associated with her: a set of scales in one hand for weighing evidence and balancing fairness with justice, a double-edged sword in the other hand, symbolizing reason and justice, and a blindfold over her eyes, signifying the equal application of the law to every person.

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Even with those admirable goals and precautions, human justice still gets it wrong at times. Sometimes the innocent are punished and the guilty are not. But a day is coming when the scales of justice will be perfectly balanced. And it even happens perfectly in this life at times -- like when God weighed the king of Babylon in the scales of His justice and found Him "wanting." The result was justice -- the king and his kingdom were destroyed that very day (Daniel 5:30).

If you are waiting for justice in this life, be patient and trust the Judge of all men. If the scales aren't balanced in this age, they will be in the age to come.

God is not always a God of immediate justice, but He is a God of ultimate justice.
John Blanchard

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 19-21 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2019-21&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

 
Friday, April 26

Speaking the Truth

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Acts 4:20

Recommended Reading
Acts 23:1-10 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2023:1-10&version=NKJV )

One of life's greatest tests is whether to tell the truth when there may be a price to pay. Nathan the prophet did it when he pointed out King David's sins. Peter and John preached the Gospel even after the Jewish leaders told them to stop. Jesus said "Yes" when Pontius Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And Daniel the prophet did it when the king of Babylon asked him to interpret the handwriting on the wall.

Listen to Today's Radio Message   ( http://www.davidjeremiah.org/site/radio.aspx?tid=email_listenedevo )

Even before Daniel translated the words written on the wall at the banquet, he told the king, "But you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways" (Daniel 5:23, NIV). Just saying that might have been enough to send the king into a rage. But Daniel went ahead and told the king exactly what God was saying through the writing on the wall: Your kingdom is over; your kingdom has been given to the Medes and Persians. Fortunately, Daniel did not suffer for his honesty. But he didn't know what the outcome of speaking the truth would be.

If God puts you in a place where the truth needs to be heard, it's for a reason: The truth needs to be heard! Speak humbly and honestly and entrust yourself to Him.

Honesty that can be trusted and respected is a very fragrant flower in the life of a Christian.
A. W. Tozer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 22-23 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2022-23&version=NKJV )

[Judy Harder]

Weekend, April 27 & 28

Field Work: Elisha's Cook

So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into a pot of stew.
Kings 4:39

Recommended Reading
2 Kings 4:38-41 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20kings%204:38-41&version=NKJV )

We all make mistakes. Perhaps you've said something wrong, done something stupid, or acted in a way that you now realize was inappropriate. Someone has been hurt. You have been embarrassed. But there's a simple story in the Bible that shows us how God can even "bless" our mistakes.

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In 2 Kings 4:38-41, Elisha was teaching in his school of the prophets. The cook went out to the field to gather vegetables and herbs. Through an honest mistake he tossed poisonous gourds into the stew. When the students gathered for supper, they got sick. "There is death in the pot!" they cried. The cook had made a deadly mistake.

In God's providence, however, it all worked for good. Elisha performed a miracle by throwing some flour in the pot and healing the stew. As a result, this story has come down to us through the centuries with its great lesson: Even our ignorant mistakes can become blessings when God redeems them for good.

There are many death-dealing pots which Christ, as the Meal, can alone rid of their disastrous effects.
Herbert Lockyer

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Kings 24-25, 1 Chronicles 1-2 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2024-25,%201%20Chronicles%201-2&version=NKJV )