Day 46

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. (Proverbs 15:1-2)

The book of proverbs has a lot to say about the power of speech. As we can see from the verses above, words have the ability to turn away wrath or be the cause of great anger. I am sure all of you have at one time in your life been on the receiving end of both encouraging words and words that cut to your soul. But how many times have you used your tongue to speak words of hostility toward another?

The tongue is one of the most difficult things to control and as you can see in Proverb 18:8 (The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly) it can cut deep like a sword right to the belly of a man.

I pray that you would contemplate the mediations of your heart and the words of your mouth as we finish this great book of wisdom. Here is what the psalmist prayed when pondering his speech: "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3).

Sincerely, 

Jay

Day 45

What is the point of a proverb, but to think, reflect, and attain unto wise counsels? 

Proverbs is a book of wisdom which counsels us to walk near to God and seek after his understanding. In this book we also read that both knowledge and wisdom begin with fearing the Lord. And so we quickly see there is great profit in the counsel of the Scripture. We see that God really does have our best interest at heart when he provides his word's to us. But then we also see the stark contrast of not walking in the counsel of Scripture.

vv. 1:30-32 reveal that God gives those who despise his counsel over to their own wicked hearts. This thought is echoed again in Psalm 81:11-12 and Romans 1:24-25. Those who despise God's word and reject the truth are not only given up by God to the lust of their own hearts, but their hearts in turn lead them blindly through this world seeking vanity after vanity inching ever closer to their own grim destruction. They are like blind men desperately seeking a way out from the cold, damp, dark reaches of the deepest caves in this earth. They grope and grasp and crawl in every direction their blindness leads them but never closer to the light. This is what life is lived outside the counsel of God himself.

So what do you fill your heart and mind with each day? Are you seeking the wise counsel of God or the foolishness of men? The Scriptures will order our steps appropriately for a holy righteous life, but our hearts will lead us stumbling blindly into the blackest pit of hell.

I pray that you will give due attendance to the book of proverbs and the instruction we receive in the Scriptures as we read through them.

With Love in Christ Always,

Jay Silvas

Day 44

Congratulations! You made it to the official HALF-WAY point! I really hope this reading has been a blessing to you.

And in celebration of this great feat I would like to take a look at Psalm 27:1, "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

Think about how much time we spend day after day building our own little kingdom. We spend years studying to prepare for college so we can then study more. When we graduate we look for jobs that will keep our bank accounts full. We work countless hours, even willing to sacrifice our own relationships with spouse and children, just to make an extra dollar.

After a while we can forget when enough is enough. We forget that we need to step back; we forget that we need to rest. And most importantly, we forget that it is God who determines all outcomes. We can not change what will be. If God does not build it, we will labor in vain.

I hope that you have not been laboring in vain these past 44 days. You have been given the greatest opportunity ever: To rest for an hour each and every day and meditate in God's word. What a blessing is that! Just consider all of Psalm 119. I hope that you have not squandered this time laboring in vain toward some vain pursuit.

With Love in Christ,

Jay Silvas

Day 43

Have you begun to notice a pattern in the Psalms? As we continue to read we see that Psalms grouped together often share some common themes. In today's reading we find a very clear theme of lifting up our voice to praise the Lord. Over and over we see the psalmist praising the Lord. But notice why. Often the psalmist cites Gods eternal mercy as the reason for such a high praise. 

Who is heaven is like our God? There is no other god who is rich in mercy like our God is.

This is the point of what it all. We worship and praise a matchless God who overflows with eternal mercy: The mercy of God is the very foundation of our salvation (c.f. Romans 9). Just consider some of these verses captured in the Psalms:

"For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us... The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;" (Psalm 103:11-12 & 17).

I pray you will reflect on the infinite mercy God has shown you in salvation. Can you praise him today?

Day 42

How long must suffering endure?

Today we read psalms collected under the title of Asaph. And while each one is unique in it's own right, we do see some common themes through out. We see the outpouring of God's wrath upon the earth, the continued existence of suffering, and this one question repeated often: "How long?"

How long must I endure this sickness? How long must my emotional pain last? How long must I wet my bed with the tears of sorrow? How long will my enemies taunt me? How long will I be poor and wasted? How long will injustice prevail? How long...?

One of these questions may be very personal to you. Perhaps you are long enduring something else and you ask God, "How long?" Each of these questions have the same end in mind: When will the promised righteousness of God prevail?

I believe we find ourselves asking these questions when we are at our weakest points. When we are down and out and can't recall the last time God has moved in our life. It's in these times that we "forget" the greatness and glory of God and "forget" all the marvelous things he has done. Just consider Asaph's answer to these questions:

Will the Lord cast off for ever? 

And will he be favourable no more?

Is his mercy clean gone for ever?

Doth his promise fail for evermore?

Hath God forgotten to be gracious?

Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

I will remember the works of the LORD: 

Surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

I will meditate also of all thy work, 

And talk of thy doings. 

(Psalm 77:7-12)

So when we find ourselves asking "How long oh Lord?" remember the works of the Lord. Meditate in all his works and speak of all his doings. You can read about them in the Scriptures. You can recall them in your prayer journal (if you keep one). They will proclaim the victory of the Lord; they will teach you of his justice and righteousness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm_gmEJjHws

In Christ, 

Jay Silvas

Day 41

David is fleeing from his enemies or suffering at the hands and deeds of his enemies in many of the psalms that we read today. And if you recall from reading Kings and Chronicles, David had many enemies and suffered much. But the Scriptures say about David that he did nothing wrong except the matter concerning Uriah (1 Kings 15:5).

But in these same psalms we also read that David always trusted God. God was always the source of his strength and hope. He Always looked toward God for comfort and protection. So what really was so unique about David anyway? Is there a great secret to successful faith David was hiding? 

I believe part of the answer is in Psalm 55:17 "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." Of all the advice we receive in Scripture, the top two most practical ones are continual prayer and meditation in the word. Both of these are heavily embedded in the Psalms; all of them, not just some of them.

Through this we are reminded of the power of the Gospel: That Christ has accomplished all that is required. In Christ alone can we rest from the labour of our own righteousness and snare of wickedness that traps us into lives of envy, fear, hatred, and shame. In prayer and meditation are we reminded that Christ Jesus is all we need.

Sincerely, 

Jay

Day 40

I am a little ahead of the group but it is the only way that I could keep the same schedule with my upcoming flight and loosing a whole day in the process. It's great coming to America from Korea because you gain an entire day. However, when you go to Korea from America you loose an entire day.

I want you to think about God your rock. I couldn't help but notice how often God is compared to a rock in the psalms as I was reading today. Over and over we read that God is unchanging, unmoving, always secure, always enduring. He will not erode; He will not wither. He gives strength to the weak and he is the foundation of the poor. A mans life built on the rock of Christ will never be uprooted.

I pray that you would find salvation in Christ Jesus and build your life on him.

In Christ Alone,

Jay Silvas

Day 39

The Psalms are full of great things. I have so many notes I wrote during my reading today. I hope that you too found many things to reflect on as you read these things. But most notably is Psalm 22. In this Psalm we see the foreshadow of Christ suffering on the Christ beginning with those painful words "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

I hope that you will take your time to read through this slowly as you reflect on the text and remember the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jay

Day 38

Job suffered much, but it was his friends that caused the most damage. The funny thing is that most of them were speaking truth, just not applied correctly to the given situation. Its as if they were speaking without the proper context and this caused Job great grief. 

Just look at Elihu's response. He was furiously angry with them because they "could not" answer Job even though they accused him. With all their wisdom they could not address the cause of Job's suffering or convince him that he had a hypocrites heart.

More often we are better off being slow to speak and quick to have compassion. Ephesians tells us that we edify (build up) each other in the church by speaking the truth in love. Job's visitors did not speak truth in love and it pierced his soul.

I hope we would never be guilty of piercing each other through with painful words in times of suffering and sorrow because we speak the truth in ignorance.

With Love,

Jay Silvas

Day 37

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." (Job 19:25-27).

This was really the heart of Job's faith during suffering. While he might not have understood his present suffering, he did understand that it really did not matter what he suffered; God would not leave him. In his declaration we see the promise of glorification: Even though our bodies be destroyed, wither, and fade away, yet will we see God with our own eyes.

Jesus will not leave us in our present state. Even death itself has no power over us. And though we will all one day pass into life's final journey alone, we will not be alone. We will be in the presence of Jesus Christ where we will be fully redeemed and fully restored. Our bodies will be renewed in perfection and we will declare and confess with our own lips that Jesus Christ is the Lord!

I hope this small declaration of hope found in the book of Job gives you hope today. He will not leave us and never forsake us.

Jay

Day 36

What a time to read about suffering. We read about Esther's people suffering and we read about Job suffering and I think to myself, "How many of my dear friends, loved ones, and church members are suffering right now?" Some of you may be experiencing the suffering of poor health, broken hearts, torn relationships, the death of a loved one, and the list continues...

What encouragement do we have in the Scriptures to see that even in the darkest hours of Israels suffering God was preparing Esther to represent her people. Even in Job's suffering we see the continuing grace and mercy of God.

I don't know what you may face today or tomorrow, but you can rest in the arms of Jesus Christ. It was by his strength that he has saved us. It is by his power that he has redeemed us. And it is by his greatness that he will never leave us nor forsake us. We have lost nothing in Christ. He will never lose us.

I pray that you will be reminded of this as we continue our reading through the book of Job and considering the suffering in your own life.

May the grace of God be with you all,

Jay Silvas

Day 35

There really is so much that we could discuss about Nehemiah. Everytime I read this book I reflect back on all the sermons and Bible studies I have participated covering this book. But going back to the though of who you keep company with and guarding your circle of influence; take a look at Sanballat and Tobiah. 

These two guys really tried to cause some problems among Judah. They tried to sneak into the census, tried to stop the work with terrorism, letters from the king. They spread rumors and slander, hired people to put fear in the leaders hearts so that they would sin against God, and even plotted to do personal harm. 

Just consider how they tried to take Nehemiah away from his work. In chapter six they sent to him four times to come visit so that they could distract Nehemiah from the work and ultimately take him away from it. But his response is classic. He didn't have time for them. He knew his mission and he was focused on that alone. 

Do you ever let people or things distract you from your work? I am not talking about the work you do to earn a living. I mean your work for the Lord Jesus. What are those things in your life (maybe people) who distract you and seek to take you away from the fellowship of Gods people, the presence of God in prayer, and the word? Can you identify them? And most importantly, can you say to them "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"

Sincerely,

Jay

Day 34

Have you ever tried to fit in somewhere but no matter how hard you tried you just didn't? 

Today I interviewed four missionary applicants who want to come to Korea. Now, if you have ever sat in an interview or conducted an interview you will know that there are certain things both parties are looking for to find out if they belong where they are trying to apply. An applicant tries to convince the interviewer that they indeed do belong where they are applying. But the interviewer checks to make sure they they are a good fit and meets all the requirements.

In today's reading we read about King Cyrus who made a decree for Judah to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. But when those people returned they took a census so see if the people returning to the holy city were indeed part of the family. Some had tried to return with the exiles but could not prove their identity (Ezra 2:59-60). 

We need to be careful who we let in our inner circles. We should not let just anyone in, but those who are children of the Lord Jesus and only those who will serve to better us in the Kingdom. As we continue through the Scriptures we will begin to read about guarding our company and walking in the counsel of the righteous. 

So I will ask you this: Who do you keep company with? Do they belong to the family of God? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in their life? Or are they impostors seeking entry into your life for what ever reason and with whatever motive. I pray that you will prayerfully consider this as we continue through our reading.

In Christ,

Jay

Day 33

It's really astonishing to see the great difference between the kings of Judah. Just look at three we read about today.

Hezekiah ruled for 29 years and did a great work toward bringing the hearts and minds of Israel back to God. But Manasseh reigned after him for 55 years. His rule was nothing more than a path of destruction. He basically went around undoing and destroying all the work Hezekiah accomplished. But after him we see Josiah who ruled for 31 years. It wasn't till the 18th year of his ministry that radical reformation took place. So in the course of these 115 combined years of leadership the country went through a drastic and constant change. We may say, "How is that even possible?!"

Change doesn't necessarily have to be sudden and extreme. It can be a slow process. If you change just a little bit at a time it will add up to a huge change over the course of several years. The problem becomes that we don't always see the change because our lives are always adapting until one day we have something that is very far away from the Lord.

The word of God has never changed. It never will. We can base our life on that standard. Just look at the reform that took place when Josiah's priests found the lost book of the law. Has your Bible slowly been getting lost in a growing see of books and papers?

One day you don't read your Bible so you put it on the table. Then you clean the table off so you put it on the shelf. Your shelf gets cluttered so you box it all up. The boxes get overwhelming so you store them away. Years latter you go through those boxes and discover... your Bible that was long lost and not read.

I hope this will not describe our life. Lets echo the words of the translators of the English Bible: tolle lege tolle lege!

In Christ,

Jay

Day 32

"And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him... And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord." (II Chronicles 12:1 & 14).

Today's reading echoes what I sent to you yesterday. God cares about the heart. Our heart condition is brought up so frequently in Scripture that you must turn inward when reading: "What is the condition of my heart?" It's evident from our reading, and the verses I highlighted above, that Rehoboam sought to establish himself to a position of greatness without concern for the Lord. Specifically, he sought to establish the kingdom and strengthen himself.

One of the challenges our president brought to us at the conference I am attending is to guard who you rub shoulders with. We tend to like to be invited to the important functions and mingle with the important people, but in doing so we can be carried away from serving the Lord with integrity of heart. Ultimately it will come down to your motivations. Rubbing shoulders with "big wigs" is not a bad thing. But our desire to supplant Christ in our life with preeminence and success is evil.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Jay

Day 31

God cares a whole lot about the heart.

Today I sat in a meeting with all the administrators and directors who oversee the daily operations of our mission organization and I had the opportunity to hear from our president as he poured out his heart to us. With tears he spoke to us about a man and close friend to all of us who has caused a path of destruction in the lives of so many people we care about. As he began to share his personal grief and sorrow over the situation he concluded with this thought, "Those who serve in our organization need to do so with a pure heart."

His speech reminded me of David's prayer and plea to God in today's reading:

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: (1 Chronicles 29:17-18).

Sincerely,

Jay

Day 30

Today is day 30 of reading the Bible. They say it takes 30 days to

form a habit. If that is true then you have either made a habit of

reading the Bible or given up along the way. I hope you are becoming a

habitual Bible reader; that is more profitable than giving up ;-)

Anyway, I wanted to highlight God's response to Uzza touching the ark.

We read about this in Kings, but we see it again in Chronicles. If you

missed it, David commanded the men of Israel to bring the Ark of the

Covenant home, so they loaded it on a new cart driven by animals. When

the ox stumbled and the cart was in danger of falling to the ground,

Uzza reached his hand out to hold the ark. God killed him for it.

There are several things wrong with what they did and David corrected

the error of how to move the cart in 15:13-15. The ark was never

intended to be carried on a cart driven by animals, but to be carried

on the shoulders of holy men. But it was not this spiritual laziness

that God killed Uzza for. Let's just say that Uzza assumed his hands

were cleaner than the dirt of the ground.

He did not intend to offend God, nevertheless, he did. It was a

combination of spiritual laziness, ignorance, and thinking they knew

what was best all mixed together with best intentions. However, God is

not pleased with our "best intentions". He wants our obedience; and

our devotion should be in line with what he has revealed to us.

So how can you know if your worship is offensive? Do you read your

Bible? How can you know what God expects if you don't read it? Do you

simply rely on your pastor to tell you how to approach God?

I hope you have not given up in our 90 day quest to read what God has

written to you and me. If you are like me then you easily forget those

things which have been long written down. I know I need to keep

reading or I will forget.

Day 29

"The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all

acquit the wicked" Nahum 1:3.

One thing is apparent when you read the genealogical records in

Chronicles: The Lord does not forget. In the record we see that many

of Israel's enemies descended from Ham, the son of Noah who uncovered

his fathers nakedness. The curse he calls on Ham's son, Canaan, is

easy to forget, but we see it played out in the record.

Another thing to note is what ultimately became of Reuben and Judah.

You can see that Reuben, the first born of Israel, defiled his

father's bed thus forfeiting the birthright to Judah. Because of this,

Judah receives a blessing in Israel's old age that the scepter will

not be removed from his lineage. Christ is ultimately descended

through the line of Judah, not Reuben.

But there is more to the story too. Remember, God is slow to anger but

does not forget. The descendants of Reuben were ultimately carried off

by the Assyrians (5:26) never to be seen again, but the descendants of

Judah were carried away captive by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (6:15).

You could say that while captivity is not charming, Judah fared far

better than Reuben: At least they were allowed to return and rebuild

their city, the temple, and the walls.

Yes, the Lord truly is slow to anger and great in power, but he will

not forget nor acquit the wicked. The day is approaching when Christ

will return and the earth will be destroyed; the righteous and the

wicked will be divided, and there will be payment for the wages of

sin.

So where do you fit into the record? Will you be there when the roll

is called up yonder?

--------------------------------

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,

And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;

When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,

And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

Refrain:

When the roll is called up yonder,

When the roll is called up yonder,

When the roll is called up yonder,

When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,

And the glory of His resurrection share;

When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,

And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,

Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;

Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,

And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

Day 28

I know I have mentioned it before several times, but it just simply amazes me that Israel continued to worship the brazen serpent even into the days of king Hezekiah! They had even given the idol a name, Nehushtan. Do you find it odd that Israel took the things God meant for their own good and turned them into wickedness? They even went as far as to forget the God who gave them the serpent in the first place! Surely we will never do that, right?

Well, as it turns out we tend to hold our traditions and ceremonies higher than the God we seek to worship. Some recite the Lord's prayer and the Apostles creed in worship and others observe the Sacraments every week. Are these things evil? No. But we should never become functionally idolatrous in these things. What God gives us is for our good, not for us to twist into idolatry and forgetting the very God these things represent.

I hope and pray that you all had a wonderful day of rest in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jay

Day 27

There are so many things to be learned in our reading today that's its
really hard to focus on just one. I think I'd like to comment on
Naaman though for a minute. You can read about him in II Kings 5.

Just consider his problem. He had established his own expectations
about how God would heal him. When Elisha's servant told him simply to
wash seven times in the river he became furious considering the whole
encounter offensive.

Yet that is how we sometimes act. Sometimes we come to God with our
expectations, our requirements, our goodness, and we think that surely
God will act on our behalf for how great we are. But when we hear that
none of that matters, that everything is accomplished in Jesus Christ,
and all that is required is faith in Him... well, that seems
offensive.

Let us never consider faith in Christ too simple. Truly anything else
is too great a burden, which we can never bear. Praise God for his
mercy and grace.

And as I said in the beginning, there are many things that could have
been commented on... So go ahead and share your thoughts. Click reply
to all and tell us what has inspired your mind as you read.

Day 26

Today I had the honor to attend a pre-deployment ceremony for the 1/214th, Bravo Battery, Field Artillery, Thomson National Guard. Many important people gave speeches of encouragement and trust in God as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan shortly. In attendance of the ceremony, and keynote speaker, was Lt. Gen. Retired Patrick of the Korean Field Army. In his speech he reminded the soldiers of the pains and struggles of deployment but also to trust their training and God who had prepared them for this great task. But during the entire ceremony not one person thought to boast in what they had already accomplished. You see, these soldiers are leaving for deployment and not one of them knows what awaits them where they go. Neither can anyone of them claim a victory over their enemy before they have even set foot on ground in Afghanistan.

But listen to the words of Benhadad, the king of Syria, when he went to war against Israel and king Ahab. Benhadad had already claimed victory over all of Israel claiming to carry off their wealth, women, children and all the goodliest stuffs before even raising one sword in agression. King Ahab's reply is priceless "And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off."

Our victory is in Christ, not in our actions, deeds, or self-effort. We have nothing to boast in in this life save the person and work of Christ. He has accomplished everything necessary for faith and life with God the Father. Lets not be like Benhadad and prematurely claim a victory that we will not see through, but trust the Lord Jesus Christ, who has won every victory, to fight for us. 

Christian, lay down your hands and rest in the power of Christ this day,

Jay Silvas

Day 25

When Sheba came from Egypt to inquire at the hand of Solomon she

replied that God truly did love Israel. All Solomon's people were

happy and blessed. Solomon had truly been blessed as a king to rule

his people with a God given wisdom. But in the end, how did all of his

wisdom keep him from evil?

The Scriptures tell us that as he aged he loved the ladies even more.

He had gained 700 wives and 300 concubines, and they all led his heart

away from the one true God. The ladies had become an point of

idolatry. It was because of his wives that he began to worship

Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom: The pagan gods of Israel's enemies.

So do any of you think yourself to be wise? Can any one of you keep

yourself from evil, from wickedness, from idolatry? Is anyone of you

wise to discern what is righteous and what is wicked? If it were not

for the grace and mercy of God alone we would not be saved. None of us

could continue in this life even a minute outside the persistent grace

of the Lord Jesus Christ.

So let's learn from Solomon that we do not have it within us to keep

ourselves wholly obedient to God. We must grow closer every day

following the leading of the Spirit of God every moment. Only then

will we have victory over this life.

Day 24

Payday Someday... I believe that was the title of an R. G. Lee sermon
back in the day, but based on Naboth's vineyard (Early 1900's).

It's the title of that sermon I think about as I read the Scriptures
today. We see the compassion of David and true heart toward God
throughout our readings in Samuel. However, this does not excuse the
sin and wickedness of those men who were an offense to God and the
king. Just consider how some of them are repayed at David's death.

He is on his deathbed and he tells his son and successor, Solomon, not
to forget those who did evil in his days. Then we read about Solomon
cleaning house.

He puts an end to Adonijah's wickedness, who had sought to take the
kingdom from David and even Abishag to wife. He slew Joab, David's
close captain and friend, for his wickedness in following after
Adonijah's rebellion and for the blood of war that was spilled in
peace time. He banished Abiather, the priest and counselor to king
David, for his wickedness of rebellion. And ultimately, Shimei, the
man who griefed David when fleeing from Absalom, was slain for his
wickedness. Truly, there is a payday for wickedness.

So just because you think you can get away with wickedness in this
life, do not be fooled. If you see those around you enjoying a life of
wickedness, be sure that it will be short lived. God lets nothing pass
by without its due wages. And finally, rest in Christ. He is our only
hope in this wicked world and escape from sin in a time of temptation.

With Love,

Jay

Day 23

It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies : thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. (II Samuel 22:48-49).

David trusted God even through some of his greatest suffering. When David fled his home because Absalom sought to overthrow his father's throne, a man named Shimei came out to tuant and curse him on his way. He followed along side his party throwing dirt and rocks and cursing him. Davids party (Abishai) wanted to slay the man for this but David would have nothing to do with it. Instead he responded "So let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?" and "It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day."

David understood that nothing in his life could come to pass if it were not the will of God alone. His attitude was this: Who am I to question the workings of God. He trusted God's providence in all things, even to restore him back to the throne. He would not lay his hand to sword to defend himself. The Lord is his defense. 

How often do we seek to fight with our own strength when the trials of this life become to great. We will throw every resource available to us at a problem if we think it will even slightly ease our suffering. Remember, God's works of providence are "His most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions." (WSC, q. 11). What can this world do to prevail against us?

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things?If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:28-39)

Solus Christus,

Jay Silvas

Day 22

One thing I notice about David when I read II Samuel is the amount of

compassion and heart he has for others. Just consider a few of the

examples we read about today.

He did not seek revenge or harm on those who might have been his enemy

or caused him shame. When the Amelekite came to tell David of Saul's

death, thinking that he would be over-joyed, he did not rejoice but

instead mourned for the death of Saul. This is a man who often times

sought to kill David. That did not matter to him. And neither did

Abner's offense. He did not seek revenge on Abner for killing Joab's

brother but sent him away in peace. And he did not celebrate Abner's

death when Joab caught him and killed him. Neither did he celebrate

when Ishosheth, and enemy to his kingly rule, died at the hands of

Rechab and Baanah.

We can further see the pure heart and inner motives of David when he

restores Mephibosheth to a place of honor, even giving him all of his

fathers lands and setting him a lasting place at the kings table. He

desired to show the "kindness of God" to him for Jonathan's sake.

How often do we find ourselves wishing harm on our enemies. How often

do we find ourselves as Michal who despised David in her heart for his

foolishness? I believe David demonstrates what is told to us in the

new testament "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This

is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments

hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)

Day 21

There is so much we can learn from the life of David but I would like to point out one thing when he went to face Goliath in battle. Saul prepared David to fight by giving him weapons of war. However, David had not proved them. He had not trained with the sword or the armor and therefore did not use them.

Instead, David preferred to trust the Lord with the tools and training he had given him. As a Shepard he had faced both a lion and a bear with nothing more than a staff and a sling and he trusted God that this was proper enough preparation to face the battle hardened Goliath.

So, are you trusting the good grace of God and the gifts he has given you? He has and even is preparing you for his service by every means in your life. Discount no experience; nothing is wasted in your life.

In Christ,

Jay

Day 20

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat or rams.
I Samuel 15:22

Rejecting the Lord God of Israel as King cost the people more than
they could have thought. Not only did they get Saul as king, but he
had a history of doing things as he saw fit. This is not a quality
indicative of a king of Israel. Consider Deuteronomy 17:18-20.

Saul presumed to worship God in his own way which only led to his
total rejection by God himself. I pray that we would not set up men
over us to lead us in this way. But I pray that we could follow our
Lord and King Jesus Christ into all righteousness.

Saul did not seek to understand the word of his King. Let it not be so
of us. Understand what you read and obey Him.

With love in Christ,

Jay

Day 19

The book of Judges ends with a really crazy account of lawlessness that almost ends with an entire tribe being wiped off the face of the earth. The heartbeat of Judges can be summarized in this verse which is repeated throughout the book "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." But it's much more than simply an earthly king; the people repeatedly forgot God altogether and began walking in their own ways. This is pretty ridiculous when you consider the great lengths God went through to give them a perfect abiding law. 

Anyway, I find the ending of Judges to be quite intriguing, especially when the prophet travels to Gibeah with his whore concubine. If you pay attention to the details it's as if the events that led up to Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction are being revisited. It's actually quite chilling if you stop to consider the implications. Here we read about God's holy people acting exactly like the Godless heathens who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah. So whats the point? Israel is no better than the Godless heathen.

Their wickedness is just as great as the unrighteous. They are guilty of the same wickedness, and without the grace of God there can be no righteousness. Overtime Israel began to look at the rest of the world and say "Thank God I am not like those heathens. I am so much better then they are." But this self-righteous view is fractured in so many ways.

We are not better because we are in Christ. It is by his grace that we have been made righteous. There is nothing for us to boast in. So please don't look down your nose at the Godless heathens. Remember, you are one too. When you start living in your own righteousness you will become like Israel who had "no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes" because you begin to set yourself up as king. Christ paid for your sin with his life and death; you contributed nothing. The next time the Godless offend you realize that if it were not for the grace of God you could not be saved, then go tell them about this marvelous grace we have in Jesus Christ.

Sola Gratia,

Jay Silvas