Tag: Proof

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Trusting God

Daily Reading

1Chronicles 3-5

Daily Thought

First Chronicles begins with 9 chapters of names, a genealogy of families fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham, “I will multiply your offspring as the sand that is on the seashore” (Genesis 22:17). These long lists are names, the sons of Judah (1Chronicles 4:1) and Simeon (1Chronicles 4:24) and Reuben (1Chronicles 5:1), etc., are the grains of sand advertising that God has done exactly what he said he would do. It is a trail of trust; our faith is not blind. The God who has always been faithful is forever faithful, and, based on that, will continue to be. We can trust him with our lives.

In the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” Indy is chasing the Holy Grail, the cup of legend, supposedly shared by Jesus with his disciples at the Last Supper. The bad guy wants the cup, too, so he shoots Indy’s dad, not dead, but dying.  “It’s time to ask yourself what you believe,” said the bad guy. Go get the Grail, Indy, it’s the only thing that can save your dad. Indy took a book, given to him by his father, that should lead him to the Holy Grail. Could he trust the book?

The book said, “Kneel.” Indiana Jones knelt, and blades of steel passed harmlessly over his head. The book said, “Proceed on the name of God,” and Indy stepped on rocks labeled I-E-H-O-V-A-H (with an “I” because it’s Latin) to safety. Then the book said, “Leap,” but there was nowhere to leap–just a deep chasm before him. He stepped forward anyway onto a bridge unseen. It was a leap of faith, but it wasn’t blind, because the book had proven true. Indiana Jones trusted the book.

Followers of Jesus are those who trust the book. God’s Word proves true and we put our lives in the hands of its author. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). We, like the Hebrews, discover and develop trust in God as we immerse ourselves in Scripture, even long lists.

Daily Prayer

God, You are faithful and true. I can trust fully in You. Build my faith, God, and strengthen my trust. You are certainly worthy of it. I know that if I seek You and only You, I do not need to worry or be anxious. All things are in Your hand. It baffles me how many things distract me when I only need to keep my eyes on One. You.

May I be faithful to Your Word, reading it, no, devouring it with delight. The more I am in it, the more I am overwhelmed by Your grace and truth. You search deep inside me with Your Words, and You clean house, and You lead me to a life full of Your majesty and wonder.

Amen

Daily Question

Why do you trust the Word of God to be true?

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Silence of the Lamb

Daily Reading

Isaiah 49-53

Daily Thought

Isaiah, in describing the coming Messiah, the Servant of the Lord, emphasizes his silence, the silence of the sacrificial lamb.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth. ~Isaiah 53:7

In a debate, I cherish the last word, the snappy comeback, the perfect counter punch that stuns and silences my adversary. “Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?’ But he gave him no answer, not to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed” (Matthew 27:13-14). Jesus was silent. He did not desire nor require the last word. 

Sometimes silence is the better statement. 

The work of Jesus was not to be argued in Pilate’s court, but accomplished on the cross. Actions speak louder: “Jesus yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:50-54). 

Ah, there it is, the last Word.

Daily Prayer

God, My Savior, You who made the heavens, placed the stars, grew the mountains, filled the seas, You became the servant of man, the lamb of sacrifice, and suffered for my salvation. You showed Your glory through humility, Your majesty through affliction, Your wisdom through the cross.

On the cross, Your Son cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” I, on the other hand, am amazed that You pursue me? Who am I, O God, that You would show me grace and mercy, forgiveness and salvation? You are forever to be worshiped. You are my joy, my strength, my life.

Amen

Daily Question

What are the best ways to convince someone of the truth of Jesus Christ?