AN UNWILLING PROPHET

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JONAH
Read Jonah 1–4

But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 NIV

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 In this story, God commanded Jonah to do something no other Jewish prophet had been asked to do–to go to a pagan city to pronounce judgment. The city of Nineveh, Assyria, was founded by the infamous Nimrod who built the tower of Babel.

Earlier prophets, Amos and Hosea, had prophesied that Assyria would carry Israel off into captivity, so it is understandable that Jonah would balk at being asked to preach to Israel’s sworn enemy. But it seems that Jonah had no choice. God decided to offer mercy to a Gentile city and Jonah would be the messenger–willing or not.

Thousands of years later, both Jews and Gentiles (non–Jews) are recipients of this same mercy and grace. God truly cares about people of every nation and tongue who will repent and believe on Him.

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 Lord, thank you that You loved me before I even knew about You. Give me a love for other people and forgive me for any hesitancy in sharing my faith. I am so glad that someone took the time to share the gospel message with me.

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 ”Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left… Should I not be concerned about that great city?” Jonah 4:11 NIV

THE CRIME OF PRAYER

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DANIEL IN THE LIONS’ DEN

Read Daniel 6

“Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel 6:20 NIV

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This is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible, along with stories like Noah’s Ark and David and Goliath–but it is far more than a children’s bedtime story. It’s the story of a man who served God continually from the time he was a teenager–taken into Babylonian captivity–until he was a very old man serving Darius, the king of the Medes and Persians.

No matter what the circumstance, Daniel was faithful to his God. His crime in this story was that he prayed and gave thanks before his God three times a day, as was his custom since early days. (6:10b)  Daniel–a man who seldom had control of his circumstances– served a God who was always in control of his circumstances. This is an amazing truth that most of us find hard to absorb.

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Lord, I am not likely to face a fiery furnace or hungry lions, but I still struggle to remember who controls my life and the lives of those I love. May it be said of us, like Daniel, “they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful;” (Daniel 6:4b NKJV)

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Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.” Daniel 6:21–22 NIV

PRIDE AND ARROGANCE

FATHER AND SON

 Read Daniel 4–5

 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 4:37 NIV

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 This passage in Daniel tells the story of two kings– Nebuchadnezzar and his son Belshazzar.  They were both guilty of pride and arrogance, but Nebuchadnezzar repented of his pride and glorified the ‘King of heaven.’

Even though Belshazzar knew about his father’s experience, he chose to blaspheme God.  Daniel said to him, “You his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven…You did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.” (5:22–23)

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 If there is a major theme in the book of Daniel it is that we have a sovereign God who is in charge of the events of history and the lives of men. What He says will surely come to pass.  Lord, how privileged I am that the sovereign God of the Bible is also my personal Savior. I praise You for all You have done in my life already and all you have planned for the future. May I never fail to give praise and honor to you.

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 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two. Daniel 5:29–31 NIV

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

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 HUNGER AND THIRST

 Read Isaiah 55; John 4:10-42, 7:37-39

“Surely you will summon nations you know not and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy one of Israel…” Isaiah 55:5 NIV

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Here, Isaiah is speaking of Israel’s future; prophesying that other nations will join them in worshiping Messiah. God has a future plan and a hope for all who will trust in Him. He says, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) He tells them, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. (Isaiah 55:2) Hundreds of years later the Messiah, would say, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)

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 Lord, this morning I come to You, hungry for the Bread of Life, and thirsty for Living Water. Bless this reading of Your Word for You have said, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (55:9) As I prepare meals for my family help me to serve with a thankful heart that because of You, we “delight in the richest of fare.”

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 ”Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!” Isaiah 55:1 NIV

ISAIAH 53

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TAUGHT BY THE LORD

Read Isaiah 52–54

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all” Isaiah 53:6
“After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many and he will bear their iniquities. ” Isaiah 53:11 NIV

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Isaiah 53 contains the most detailed prophesies in the Old Testament describing the Messiah’s suffering, death and resurrection. Written hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth; its accuracy should reassure us of the trustworthiness of God’s Word.

By this time, the prophesied 70 years of captivity had been fulfilled and Isaiah prepared the people to go back to their land. God promised them, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” (54:10)

Isaiah spoke of a future day when Messiah would set up His kingdom in Jerusalem and all would be made right. In that day, he told them, “All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.” (54:13)

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Dear Father, I look forward to that coming day when everyone will be taught by the Lord in Your kingdom–but for now Lord, help us to be faithful in teaching our sons and daughters Your Word, and modeling obedience in our own lives.
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“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds . . . Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up…” Deuteronomy 11:18a,19 NIV

PEACE LIKE A RIVER

I WILL NOT FORGET YOU

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Read Isaiah 48–49

“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17 NIV

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God, through Isaiah’s prophesy of deliverance from Babylon, reminds the captives of His absolute sovereignty in their lives. He would soon raise up Cyrus, king of Persia to overthrow Babylon and help the Israelites return to their land. Of Cyrus He says, “I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I will bring him, and he will succeed in his mission.” (48:15)

The Lord reminds them that if they had been obedient, they would not have been carried off to Babylon in the first place. He says, “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. (48:18)

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Most Holy Father, You are the One in control of our lives. Above all, I want my children to know and obey God; for I know that You love them even more than I do. You have promised through Isaiah, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (49:15)

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“See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22 NIV
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6b NIV

BEAUTIFUL TREASURES

TRUE RICHES

Read Proverbs 24

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3–4 NIV

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Throughout the Proverbs of Solomon, he refers to wisdom as treasure to be eagerly sought out and cultivated. He said, “Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you…” (24:14)

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There is no better place for wisdom to grow than in our Christian homes. The beautiful home will be furnished with more than lovely possessions. True riches, if nurtured, will dwell in the hearts of our children. First, we must seek wisdom for ourselves as parents, cultivating our love for each other and the Lord; then we will have an abundance of treasure to share with our children. This is a lifelong process, but the time we have to invest in our children is all too short.

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Lord, help us to cultivate the fields of our own hearts so that we will have a harvest of treasures to bring into our home. Help us to remember that “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4 NKJV) Give us love for each other and the wisdom we need to lead our children in the ways of the Lord.

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Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. Proverbs 24:27 NIV

FAR ABOVE RUBIES

LESSONS FROM BATHSHEBA

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 Read Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her… Proverbs 31:10–11a NIV

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 This chapter contains words of wisdom, probably from Solomon’s mother, though she calls him Lemuel, meaning, “Devoted to God.”

Solomon’s mother was Bathsheba, and she would have instructed him, knowing the painful consequences of promiscuity. She used this Hebrew acrostic poem as a tool to teach him how to choose a godly wife. As a king, he could seek out the most beautiful woman in the land, but Solomon’s mother reminds him that “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” (31:30)

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 Lord, help us to be examples of the kind of woman You want our sons to choose. Bathsheba said, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies . . . She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”(31:10, 26)  Give us the right words in instructing our daughters to be loving, faithful wives. Protect our children from the temptations of this sexually charged culture, and may they become godly men and women, honoring to You.

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 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:28-29 NIV

WARNINGS TO A SON

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

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Read Proverbs 23

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. Proverbs 23:22–23 NIV

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Proverbs 23 has a lengthy section warning of the consequences of substance abuse. Solomon counsels, “Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat,” (Proverbs 23:19–20)

We live in a day when churches are no longer talking about the dangers of alcohol. As a result, even Christian homes are dealing with this problem. Drugs are illegal, yet easily accessible for many young people. Children are developing alcohol problems at an early age, as there is less and less supervision at home.

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Oh Father, this is a problem I wish we didn’t have to be concerned about, but even as Christians, we do. Help us to be an example of self control in these matters, realizing that “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” (Romans 14:21) Help us to communicate our own convictions with clarity, so that our sons and daughters will want to live a pure and holy life.

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The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
Proverbs 23:24–25 NIV

HIDDEN TREASURE

THE SEARCH FOR WISDOM

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Read Proverbs 2; James 1

–and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure– then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:4–6 NIV

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Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon presents a very important principle echoed in the New Testament: We must seek and ask for wisdom from God, and when He gives it, we must act upon it. James said, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” (James 1:23–24) The beginning of wisdom is belief that God’s Word is true–but believing is not enough if we don’t carry through and apply it to our lives.

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Lord, as I open my Bible this morning, I am seeking for hidden treasure. Show me what I need to learn and then empower me to make any changes You require. I lift up my family, my husband and my children. Give me the ability to understand their needs and be ready with a wise and discerning answer. May my thoughts and actions reflect the wisdom mirrored in Your precious Word.

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If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NIV