BJU Press Blog

Devotions

FLOCK

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In the verses below, we are reminded that our Lord inspired the psalmist to call Him a shepherd. Of all the names He uses to communicate Himself to His people, this may be the most often repeated and perhaps the most cherished. I must consider it a great honor to be in His flock. John 10:27 assures me that as one of His sheep, I will hear Him, be known of Him, and follow Him. No pagan deity promises such intimacy and power to its followers.

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“Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron” (Psalm 77:20). David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). The Lord Jesus said to His disciples, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Paul said to the elders of Ephesus, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Peter exhorted elders, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; nor for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2–3).

GOLDEN THOUGHT : Fear not, little flock.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (March 9 reading).]

FEAR, REVERENCE

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Reverential fear is an essential characteristic of the Christian and may well be the litmus test as to whether a person has genuine faith. It knows no boundaries of age or status. In Psalm 115:13, the psalmist wrote “He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.” Without fear we deem God to be our equal. But when we revere Him we find Him to be very great indeed.

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“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever” (Psalm 19:9). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). “The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened” (Proverbs 10:27). “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27). “Servants, obey in all things your masters . . . not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God” (Colossians 3:22). “Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28). “Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great” (Revelation 19:5).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: Let us serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (March 2 reading).]

EYE

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Cast out. Homeless. Destitute. With child. Hagar, Abraham’s servant-mistress was utterly alone. Then “the angel” found her, bringing direction, assurance, promise. “Thou God seest me.” God’s eye was enough for her. It is enough for me.

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“Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy” (Psalm 33:18). “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” (Psalm 34:15). “He that formed the eye, shall he not see?” (Psalm 94:9). “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18). “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling” (Ephesians 1:18). “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns” (Revelation 19:12). “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (February 24 reading).]

ENDURE

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Nothing pertaining to this life or this earth shall endure. II Peter 3:10 reminds us that “the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” But that which is holy and uncorrupt will never perish. The verses below are a great comfort for those of us who are “graven” in the palms of His “hands.” Like the psalmist I rejoice that my eternal life rests secure in the “Holy One” who will never “see corruption.”

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“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:9). Reverence toward God is pure and will last forever. That is because God is holy and eternal. The psalmist says, “His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun” (Psalm 72:17a). God’s name is the manifestation of His nature. “But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations” (Psalm 102:12). “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Peter 1:25). His word will endure because God endures. “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). Believers can endure difficult times because they know that God will endure and will triumph at last.

GOLDEN THOUGHT: Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (February 17 reading).]

DESIRE

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“Success” in the Lord’s work is no indicator of genuine belief or pure motives, but desire is. If there is a desire to glorify God, any spiritual endeavor is not in vain regardless of the perceived outcome. The following verses remind me that what I hunger for, reveals who I am.

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The psalmist says of the words of God, “More to be desired are they than gold” (Psalm 19:10). “Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee” (Psalm 38:9). God knows fully the deepest longings of the human heart. “The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted” (Proverbs 10:24). The wicked, who fear above all things the loss of material goods, will in the end loose every last thing. But the righteous, who long for the presence of God, will be fully satisfied at last. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). The believer should hunger and thirst for the knowledge of the Word of God. “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).

GOLDEN THOUGHT: The desire of the righteous shall be granted.

[Excerpt adapted from Wonderful Words by Stewart Custer (February 10 reading).]