Today’s reading: 2 Chron 6:12–8:18, Titus 1:10–16, Ps 94:1–23

Today’s theme: God knows everything

Today we learn that God alone knows everything. We also learn that God disciplines us in love and expects discipline and correction to operate in the church, to His glory and our joyful flourishing.

2 Chronicles 6:12–8:18

God knows everything

then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind, 2 Chronicles 6:30 (ESV)

We see a unique attribute of God here, namely His omniscience or all knowledge. There is literally nothing God does not know, He knows every thought of every heart, and He knows everything in advance. God knows what each of us will choose to do because He knows the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:10.

It goes even further than that, God knows the outcome of evey one of the infinite possibilities of each thought and action. He knows for example, what will happen if I turn right or if I turn left at the end of the street, nothing takes God by surprise.

Demons do not have this perspective or advantage that belongs only to God. Only God knows our hearts and only God has the capacity to know everything. Only God has the unique vantage point of standing outside time and space and therefore sees the whole story from start to end.

Knowledge is not successive to God like it is to us, God knows past, present and future, now. It is always now for God because His knowledge is perfect and eternal, God does not need sense knowledge or the power of imagination, God knows perfectly.

We are reminded in Hebrews 4:13 “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

And even regarding our salvation God knew his chosen before the world began as we read in Romans 8:29 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

God hears and answers prayer

hear from heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name. 2 Chronicles 6:33 (ESV)

God’s unique ability to hear and answer prayer should cause us to reverence Him. The temple would stand as an evangelical monument to the nations that God is real, God could be entered into relationship with and God could answer prayer.

This prayer shows one of Israel’s core purposes, to be a light and blessing to the nations, showing them the way to the one true God.

Jesus now replaces the temple, as the hope for all nations. Jesus told us Himself that He is greater than the temple, in Matthew 12:6 “I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.”

Jesus also teaches us that he is the only way, in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Jesus is the one that we should point people to, as He is able to save them. Hebrews 7:25 says “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

Repentance, heartfelt turning

if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their captivity to which they were carried captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen and the house that I have built for your name, 2 Chronicles 6:38 (ESV)

Repentance is not a confession said to a priest, or some ritual to make us feel better. It is a heartfelt turning of mind and therefore behaviour.

The word repentance has the following basic meaning in the original languages of the Bible. In Hebrew (The old testament) “niphal” which means “to regret, be sorry,” and “to return.” In Greek (The new testament) metanoeō which means “to change one’s mind”.

God grants us repentance by His grace, as we read in Acts 5:31, 2 Timothy 2:25 and Acts 11:18 which says “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

The temple points to Jesus

As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’s house. 2 Chronicles 7:1–2 (ESV)

What an amazing response from God to the prayer of Solomon. This brings credibility to the temple and the request of Solomon for God to fulfil His word. The people viewing and recording this would have been filled with confidence and faith to use the temple as a place to meet with God, pray and to sacrifice.

Jesus is our temple. The fire that came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, speaks of Jesus being consumed by the wrath of God on our behalf on the cross. The temple being filled with the glory of the Lord’s presence speaks of the glorious resurrection and the outpouring of God’s Holy spirit.

God’s loving discipline

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

This verse has been picked up by God’s people today, to be used when we pray for our nations. We pray and apply this in faith and we have seen God move.

However the original application was quite specific to the people of Israel and the land of Israel, when in a God inflicted drought. God was confirming that yes, He would listen to the prayers directed toward the temple and stop the drought which He had brought about as judgement and discipline.

God disciplines those He loves, seeking that they might turn and cry out to Him in heartfelt repentance. Hebrews 12:6 reminds us “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

If your life feels like it is in a time of drought right now, then cry out to God, you may be under His loving discipline. We read later in Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

The slow rot of compromise

Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the city of David to the house that he had built for her, for he said, “My wife shall not live in the house of David king of Israel, for the places to which the ark of the LORD has come are holy.” 2 Chronicles 8:11 (ESV)

We start to see the slow rot of compromise in Solomon’s life. He knew his wife was unholy in her beliefs and practices, yet he married her and now holds a compromised position, because he knows the things of God are holy.

We must ask ourselves the question today, what are our “darling” sins? The sins we hold dear, sins that have such a grip on us that they lead us into an unsustainable place of compromise.

We should ask the Lord to help us be free from any entanglements like these and walk in the true freedom and holiness that Christ brought for us at the cross.

Galatians 5:1 remind us “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.“

Titus 1:10–16

Biblical correction

This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. Titus 1:13–14 (ESV)

This is a Pastoral letter so we should be careful not to take the responsibility on our own shoulders to rebuke sharply, although we must be ready to rebuke and correct where necessary.

In this case we are dealing with false teachers who were Jewish preachers in the early church, trying to bring the church under the superstition and bondage of circumcision and old Jewish myths, which they did for money.

We have these types of false teachers today. There are the obvious money grabbing preachers on TV, but there are also the more subtle usurpers to biblical Christianity, who would see the church come under bondage to some kind of legalistic system and some even advocating that circumcision is still required as part of the covenant.

This is why every believer must be a part of a biblical church with biblical leadership, who can rebuke false teaching which may arise in and around the congregation, and keep the people on the well worn path of the sound faith.

Empty professions

They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. Titus 1:16 (ESV)

Our profession means nothing without repentance and lives lived in accordance with that which we profess.

We can decree and declare all day long, but if our lives are not obedient to the word of God then our profession of faith and declarations in prayer, are worth nothing.

As Paul says if we are hypocrites (like the false teachers he is talking about), then we are detestable and unfit for any good work. We must live honest, humble lives in line with our profession as disciples of Jesus Christ, serving one another in the fear and love of God.

Psalm 94:1–23

Discipline is a blessing

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, Psalm 94:12 (ESV)

This is in line with the theme of discipline and repentance that we see in our reading today. We should thank God that He loves us enough to discipline and teach us.

God knows!

and they say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.” Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? Psalm 94:7–9 (ESV)

This summarises today’s dual themes of God’s omniscience and His judgement and discipline. Nothing we do can be hidden from God, He know everything and judges or disciplines accordingly.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Titus 1

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 4:1–6:11, Titus 1:5–9, Ps 92:1–93:5

Today’s theme: Total devotion

Today we learn that God has called us to total devotion and abandonment to Himself and His purposes. We learn crucial lessons for our devotion to God from Solomon, in getting the Temple built. These are; getting the job done, sparing no expense and glorifying God. As we devote ourselves to the Lord, we can enjoy His manifest presence as we hold fast to the faith handed down to us.

2 Chronicles 4:1–6:11

Three lessons from Solomon

So Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of God: the golden altar, the tables for the bread of the Presence, the lampstands and their lamps of pure gold to burn before the inner sanctuary, as prescribed; the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of purest gold; the snuffers, basins, dishes for incense, and fire pans, of pure gold, and the sockets of the temple, for the inner doors to the Most Holy Place and for the doors of the nave of the temple were of gold. 2 Chronicles 4:19–22, ESV)

This summary of all Solomon accomplished in furnishing the temple, teaches us three lessons: 1. Get the job done, 2. Spare no expense. 3. God is glorified.

1. Solomon set his heart and mind to getting this job done, no matter what came, this job would get over the finish line. We are called to this way of living as Christians. Jesus told us that when we put our hands to the plough, we should not look back, instead we need to get our heads down and get to work.
2. Solomon invested the treasures of the kingdom and valued the work, or rather the one he was working for, so highly, that countless amounts of precious metal, fabrics and premium wood was used in the building of the temple. We learn from this that we should faithfully, in faith, honour God with our substance.
3. The tabernacle and now the house of God, reflect things about who God is. When we see the majesty of Solomon’s temple with gold covering so much, we see the glory and majesty of God, the true King.

As believers, our works will be judged. We should seek for our works to come out as gold, as Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 3:12–13 “Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.”

Total devotion

And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 2 Chronicles 5:6 (ESV)

Solomon and the people gave themselves in total abandonment to the Lord, they gave the Lord everything. Jesus calls us to this total devotion, when He calls us to forsake all and follow Him.

Jesus declares in Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”

Jesus said in Luke 9:23 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Jesus calls us to give all, in Luke 14:26–33 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. … So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

God’s manifest presence

and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, 2 Chronicles 5:13 (ESV)

This is wonderful, in response to the praises of the people, God blesses them with His manifest presence. We must not forget that today, we can invoke the Lord’s presence by just praising and worshiping Him. We see God’s presence so often when we engage in corporate worship.

Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4:23–24 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

God’s choice

but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ 2 Chronicles 6:6 (ESV)

Despite the exaltation of man’s choice, the fact is that God chooses too. God is not an impersonal force, no, God is the very essence of personhood, He consciously makes choices at periods in time, for His own honour, glory and pleasure.

No matter what man says, God has chosen Jerusalem and the line of David. God sticks with His choice forever, we see this in the fact that Jesus came from David’s line and in the final book of the bible, we see the new Jerusalem. John declared in Revelation 21:2 “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

This should encourage us because God has chosen us too.

Titus 1:5–9

Elders, the best of men

if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. Titus 1:6 (ESV)

Our egalitarian society is not comfortable with this message but it is God reflecting His order and truth in the church, just as He does in the home, where the man is the head and lovingly leads the whole family through service.

Men can only be elders according to this clear direction of scripture, not just any man, but the best of men. They should have their homes in good order with just one wife and children who are obedient to them.

We should pray for the body of Christ, that strong men will be raised up as elders, to help God’s church flourish and we should give God thanks for the good elders we have.

Hold firm to the faith

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:9 (ESV)

One of the key areas for Elders is that they hold to and defend the faith that was handed down to us, Elders should be able to instruct and teach in the word of God. Elders should be men of the word, with the authority to rebuke those who try to lead the people astray.

Although this is a qualification for an Elder, we can learn from it that we too should hold to what we have been taught in the faith. From this we should be able to encourage, teach and remind each other of the truth of the gospel and defend the faith against those who come against it.

Psalm 92:1–93:5

God’s great works

How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: Psalm 92:5–6 (ESV)

When we consider the works of God in creation, the normal, expected, intelligent response is to breakout in praise, awe, worship and adoration.

Look at God’s great works in creation and the work of redemption on the cross, these great works show us God’s glory and our response should be to praise Him for the great works He has done.

Atheism, Naturalism and Darwinian Evolution are stupid and foolish – this psalm says the stupid and foolish men cannot see the works of God so they do not give him the praise He deserves, instead they come up with their own ideas and worship those ideas instead.

Psalm 14:1 and 53:1 reminds us that the fool says there is no God.

King forever

but you, O LORD, are on high forever. Psalm 92:8 (ESV)

God does not change, He will always be king. 1 Timothy 1:17 declares “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

God’s trustworthy decrees

Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore. Psalm 93:5 (ESV)

As God’s decrees are trustworthy, when He decrees a thing, it comes to pass.

Hebrews 6:17–18 declares “So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.”

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Titus 1

Today’s reading: 2 Chron 1:1–3:17, Titus 1:1–4, Ps 91:1–16

Today’s theme: Pray for wisdom

Today we learn a simple but crucial lesson, that we must ask God for wisdom for everything in our lives. We desperately need God’s wisdom every day. We also learn that God is omnipresent and that it is He who establishes the great works we seek to do for Him, our great God, the one who chose us and desires that we grow up in Christ.

2 Chronicles 1:1–3:17

Pray for wisdom

Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” 2 Chronicles 1:10 (ESV)

We learn a good lesson from King Solomon about one of the key things we should be asking God for in prayer – wisdom. We need wisdom to govern our own lives, for our family life, ministry and work.

We need to be humble like Solomon, admit we do not have wisdom and therefore ask God to grant it to us. We read in James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

The wisdom that God gives is better than the wisdom of the world. In James 3:13–17  we read “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

Great works for our great God

The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. 2 Chronicles 2:5 (ESV)

Our God is great  so when we do something for God’s glory, we should not do it in a half hearted way, or be slap dash and messy. We should seek to give God our very best and to do great works for Him.

We should have an attitude to do things for God with excellence. We should also  be willing to do big things for God in faith, because God is great and whatever we do for Him should bring Him great glory.

Jesus taught us that those that have much, more will be given to them in context to faithful working for the Lord, in His kingdom, in Matthew 25:28–29 “So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

God alone is omnipresent

But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? 2 Chronicles 2:6 (ESV)

This is one of the things we understand about God; God is not just located in one place, He is everywhere at the same time, His being is unlike any other. God alone is omnipresent. God is in all places at all times.

God created time and space when He created the universe, so God is not bound by time or space. He is the transcendent creator, He inhabits eternity and is both outside and inside time and space.

This understanding should help us to live for Him because there is no place that any of us can hide from God.

Established by God’s strength

He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the south, the other on the north; that on the south he called Jachin, and that on the north Boaz. 2 Chronicles 3:17 (ESV)

Jachin means “he establishes” and Boaz means “in him is strength”. The symbolic meaning of these two names is significant. They speak of the temple not being merely the work of a man but something established by God’s strength. Whatever we do for the Lord should be established by God’s strength not ours.

Titus 1:1–4

Chosen to grow

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, Titus 1:1 (ESV)

Paul is a servant and Apostle, not for the world but specifically for God’s elect and his mission is to build them up in their faith and knowledge of the truth, as well as teaching them to live holy lives.

We should be encouraged that once we are saved, God does not leave us to ourselves, we are His elect, chosen before the world began, we are precious to Him. God gives us leaders like our own Pastors, to ensure we grow to God’s glory and our joy.

Chosen before the world began

in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began Titus 1:2 (ESV)

This helps us to understand the plan of the ages. God planned before He created the world, that He would save the elect and give them the gift of eternal life.

Our salvation was not an afterthought or a knee jerk reaction, God planned for our salvation before the world began. This should fill us with awe and worship.

The importance of the preached word

and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; Titus 1:3 (ESV)

The preaching of God’s word is so important, it is through the preaching of God’s word that we grow in knowledge of the truth and through which God’s plans and mysteries are made known. We should eagerly sit under the preaching of God’s word every week at church.

The Trinity

To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Titus 1:4 (ESV)

Further evidence that God the Father and Jesus Christ are equal. In the previous verse, Paul mentions God our Saviour and now he says Christ Jesus our Saviour. This is not modalism (God in various modes as Father, as Son and as Spirit, but not a trinity), as the oneness pentecostals teach, because they are referred to distinctly as two separate persons. This is the biblical teaching that God is a trinity, one God in three distinct persons.

Psalm 91:1–16

God our refuge

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1–2 (ESV)

God is our refuge. Jesus calls us to abide in Him in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”

 God is faithful

He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4 (ESV)

We can have complete confidence in God’s faithfulness to Himself and the words He has spoken.

Ministering Angels

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11 (ESV)

We can trust that God’s angels are God’s servants who minster on our behalf, as we read in Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?”

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Titus 1

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 28:1–29:2, 2 Tim 4:9–22, Ps 90:1–17

Today’s theme: God’s purposes in election

In today’s reading we begin to explore two foundational truths. First and foremost we look at the self existent nature of God (Aesity). It is this self existing, all powerful God who sovereignly elects, this is the other big lesson today. God elects to save us with particular purposes in mind, these include glorifying Him, to use our minds for Him, work for Him and receive eternal rewards from Him, all underpinned by His own sovereign guarantee.

1 Chronicles 28:1–29:2

God’s purpose in sovereign election

Yet the LORD God of Israel chose me from all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s house, and among my father’s sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 1 Chronicles 28:4 (ESV)

David recognises a key truth revealed in God’s word, namely God’s purpose in sovereign election. God elected Israel as a people and David as king, not because of any good they had done, but to bring God pleasure and for God’s glory.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:4–6 “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

In a day when man’s own power and choice is exalted, the teaching of God’s sovereign election seems alien, but it is clearly taught in God’s word and is the way that our God has chosen to work out His purposes and to save us His people, as our King.

Chosen to glorify God

Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:8 (ESV)

Alongside God’s election, we are called to make our calling and election sure by obeying God’s commands. David charges the people to seek out and observe God’s commands, to secure the land for themselves and as a heritage for their Children.

Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

We should not be complacent because God has chosen us, there are rewards in this life and in heaven to be gained, and we need to work towards those rewards. We were not chosen to simply live in ease and to seek our own glory, no, we were chosen to bring glory to God.

We should live with our inheritance in mind. Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Chosen to think

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9 (ESV)

When we follow the Lord, we do not leave our brains at the door! God created our minds and wants us to serve Him with it. We should seek Him in His word as we study and read. Alongside a mind geared towards actively seeking God, we should have hearts which are wholly dedicated to the Lord, passionately and joyfully serving Him with all our heart, soul and mind, as the greatest commandment teaches us.

Jesus tell us in Matthew 22:37 “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Chosen to work

Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.  1 Chronicles 28:20 (ESV)

As mentioned in verse 10, we should be bold and courageous as we seek to serve the Lord, He has chosen us for this purpose and is living in us and working through us.

We should feel encouraged to be finishers, not to give up but to get the job done because God is with us.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

2 Timothy 4:9–22

Ultimate security

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18 (ESV)

This is very encouraging, but must be taken in context. Paul is not excluding any evil that might be done to him, rather the power of evil to bring about his final destruction.

This is why Paul mentions the heavenly kingdom because this verse is not about having a life free from difficulty and suffering, but is actually about the ultimate security and assurance that we have in Jesus.

Another contextual clue is all the evil that Paul mentioned enduring in the verses before. Paul is encouraged by God standing with him, that God will bring him through to the heavenly kingdom, despite the schemes of men and the devil.

Psalm 90:1–17

The Aseity of God

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2 (ESV)

This verse declares the Aseity (self existing) of God. Aseity is not a word we use in everyday conversation, but is the best word to describe the attribute of God which speaks of God’s eternal self existence. God’s revealed name Yahweh (I Am That I Am), holds this attribute as central to God’s being.

God is the only one who has Aseity.

The following quotes on God’s Aseity are good to mediate on:

“Aseity is that divine attribute in virtue of which God exists by Himself, in Himself, and through Himself. In English it is generally called “self-existence…Here the enormous difference between Divine Being and created being again becomes manifest. God is being, the creature has being….Both Holy Scripture and Tradition teach that aseity is an attribute proper to God, and to God alone”  – taken from God: His Knowability, Essence, and Attributes, A Dogmatic Treatise.

Man is made from dust

You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” Psalm 90:3 (ESV)

God created man from the dust of the ground, not from monkeys. This should humble us, we are not self existing like God. Evolution is absurd.

Use time wisely

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (ESV)

God is self existent, man is not. In light of this we need to number our days. This means we need to use our time and energy wisely because our lives are short and finite, even 80 years is not a long period of time so we need to be like Moses (the writer of this Psalm) and ask God to teach us to use our lives well so that we receive a reward and inheritance.

God can establish our work

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! Psalm 90:17 (ESV)

Only God who is self existent, can allow our work to be established. We are just dust and finite, God can make our work out last us.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Timothy 4

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 26:1–27:34, 2 Tim 4:1–8, Ps 89:23–52

Today’s theme: Teaching matters

Today we learn that teaching is central to life and matters a great deal. We also learn about the importance of God’s presence and our call to serve the Lord and evangelise.

1 Chronicles 26:1–27:34

Blessing in God’s presence

Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peullethai the eighth, for God blessed him. 1 Chronicles 26:5 (ESV)

We remember Obed-edom from a few chapters back. When the Ark was returned it was left at his home and God’s presence, through the Ark, brought great blessing to his life.

The Chronicler wants the people to remember the special significance of this man who had the tangible presence of God in his life. He was blessed and his being blessed by God making him a faithful and eager servant of God.

It is of note that he had 8 sons which is a number associated with new beginnings and would just speak of the abundance of God’s blessing in his life. This would be a great encouragement for those coming out of exile.

We learn from this that God wants to bless us too as we live in His presence and serve like Obed-edom. God’s presence is so important in our lives, as we live in the presence of God and He lives in us, we will be fruitful. It is a promise because He is the very source of life.

Jesus said in John 15:4–5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself….”

Equipped for service

All these were of the sons of Obed-edom with their sons and brothers, able men qualified for the service; sixty-two of Obed-edom. 1 Chronicles 26:8 (ESV)

Again we see the fruitfulness of Obed-edom’s life. From his children and grandchildren came these men of great ability, able and qualified for service. As we read yesterday it is the precious word of God as found in the words of the bible that equips us for service in God’s kingdom 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

On duty 24 hours a day

The third commander, for the third month, was Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada the chief priest; in his division were 24,000. This is the Benaiah who was a mighty man of the thirty and in command of the thirty; Ammizabad his son was in charge of his division. 1 Chronicles 27:5–6 (ESV)

Benaiah stands out for special mention again. He was the third of 12 commanders each over 24,000 men. Benaiah is remembered for his courageous and loyal service for the king, he serves as an example for us.

Again it is of note that each of the commanders, one for each month of the year were each over 24,000 men. Every time we see the number 24 we should see God’s order and the 24 hours of the day.

As soldiers in God’s army we are called to be on duty 24 hours a day and to have the order of God in our lives as mentioned yesterday.

2 Timothy 4:1–8

Teaching matters!

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (ESV)

Teaching matters! We are all students and in ways we are all also teachers. We need to be careful, in a general sense, with the things we take in and give out. However that is not the type of teaching being spoken about here.

In the passage, Paul is talking about explicit Christian teaching or doctrine. Our faith is not a mystical, make it up as you go along faith, it is one that is established in the truth of God and has teaching at the heart of it’s life.

Jesus came and was a teacher, and Jesus calls us all to teach in the great commission, in particular our leaders teach us God’s word and ways.

Today many do not want to sit under sound teaching, instead they gather around teachers who tell them what they want to hear, preachers who only say things like ‘God has a great plan for you’. Being “seeker friendly” is wrong.

We must be people who love faithful bible teaching and have an appetite for God’s word and truth. We should prize the faithful exposition of God’s word.

Called to evangelise

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV)

Although these instructions are for a church leader we are all called to evangelise in line with the great commission

Keep the faith

Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

This is a great encouragement and hope which should spur us on to fight the good fight, finish the race and above all keep the faith like Paul.

We will receive a crown, a reward from our king, the righteous judge for faithful service. God doesn’t have to reward us but He chooses to out of the abundance of His love for us.

God is the very source of life. Abiding in Him and serving Him can only lead to fruitfulness in this life and in eternity. Faith in God’s future grace should fill us with joy and encouragement today. Our labour is not in vain, there is a crown waiting for us. Glory be to God, He didn’t have to do it but He did.

Psalm 89:23–52

God keeps covenant

but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Psalm 89:33–34 (ESV)

We can thank God today for His steadfast, firm love for us and the fact that He has bound Himself to us in covenant, the new covenant in Jesus, He will not forsake it. We can trust in His faithfulness to His own words.

This is why teaching is important as we read earlier because God is faithful to His word. We should abide in His love and we will see the fruitfulness He promised.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Timothy 4

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 24:1–25:31, 2 Tim 3:10–17, Ps 89:1–22

Today’s theme: Inspired, inerrant and infallible

Today one of the most important passages regarding the bible itself is in our reading. It is one of the most important scriptures to me personally and I’m sure to many. God’s word is the objective truth of God which He inspired to be written for our benefit and His glory and which He has preserved as  inerrant and infallible until this day. This is why we trust the books found in the Bible as the actual word of God.

1 Chronicles 24:1–25:31

God’s order in our lives

the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 1 Chronicles 24:18 (ESV)

There are quite specifically 24 divisions of the descendants of Aaron the high priest.

Each division would have their turn to serve in the ministry of the temple each year (with the lunar calendar consisting of only 48 weeks each group would serve twice yearly for a week each time).

This points forward to the 24 elders we see in Revelation 4:4. 24 like 12 speaks of God’s government and order.

We find application in two ways. The first is that we serve a God of order and planning, not mess and spontaneous diversions. We must order our lives according to God’s word and His ways in line with His Spirit.

One way to order our lives is to be faithful in waking each morning at a certain time for prayer and study and even going to bed by a certain time. This sense of order and planning should filter across into every area of our lives.

The other application is that we are not part time servants for the Lord, we serve Him 24 hours a day. See 1 Peter 3:15.

Prophesy through praise

Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. 1 Chronicles 25:2 (ESV)

When we read about prophecy in the new testament and its use in everyday life and the church community, we are not speaking about prophecy to be taken on the level of the Cannon of Scripture which is closed.

Prophecy is now the bold declaration of the word and truth of God often done in praise and worship. Colossians 3:16.

Just like these priests were set up by the King to prophesy with guitars, harps and cymbals in thanksgiving and praise, so we should see our times of praise both private and corporate as a time of prophesying the truth and glory of God as expressed in His revealed word. Ephesians 5:19.

Like Asaph we should prophesy under the direction of our King Jesus. It is worth noting that Paul encourages us all to prophesy, he doesn’t mean we should all tell the future, he means we should all boldly declare the truth of God’s word and in faith proclaim that which God lays on our hearts in accordance with His word by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:5, 26.

2 Timothy 3:10–17

Inspired, inerrant and infallible

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

This is one of the most comforting and important scriptures to me personally. It strikes at the very core of our faith. It is this that gives us the firm ground to stand upon when we say the bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible word of God.

The cannon is closed, this means the time of inspiration and writing of the bible is completed and we have God’s complete revealed word in the bible.

When we say the bible is infallible we mean it is not misleading and so safeguards God’s revealed truth. It is the safe and reliable rule and guide in all matters.

When we say the bible is inerrant we mean it is free from all falsehood or mistakes (translation errors withstanding) so is entirely true and trustworthy in all its assertions.

Some today claim that they have new revelations, new prophecies that are on the level of or above scripture. Infamous claimants include Mohammed (Islam) , Joseph Smith (Mormons), Mary Baker Eddy (Scientology), Charles Taze Russell (Jehovahs Witnesses) and Ellen G White (7th Day Adventists).

Psalm 89:1–22

Ruler of the earth

The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. Psalm 89:11 (ESV)

There is no one like our God, He is sovereign and rules not just over heaven but also over the earth.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Timothy 3

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 23:1–32, 2 Tim 3:1–9, Ps 88:1–18

Today’s theme: Created to work

We were created to work. Today we are encouraged in this and reminded that all sin leads to death, that God’s kingdom is here now and is not yet here fully and at the same time and most importantly, the simple reality that we actually know the truth.

1 Chronicles 23:1–32

Created to work

These were the sons of Levi by their fathers’ houses, the heads of fathers’ houses as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 23:24 (ESV)

We are a royal priesthood and have been saved for a purpose. We are not saved to sit by and watch the body of Christ working while we do nothing. No, we are called to work in God’s kingdom.

Work has sometimes been understood as a curse but God is always working as Jesus mentions in John 5:17 “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”

From the moment man was created, work was part of God’s mandate. Genesis 2:15 states “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.”

Paul admonishes us to keep ourselves clean so God can use us in 2 Timothy 2:21 “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. “

Peter also reminds us In 1 Peter 2:5-9 that we as “… living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 3:1–9

All sin leads to death

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 2 Timothy 3:2–4 (ESV)

Paul’s vice list which he aims at the false teachers and those that follow their errant teaching and evil ways begins with them loving themselves. One of the last sins listed is worldly hedonism (loving pleasure in an evil way), all the other sins mentioned between these two are to do with self exaltation or pulling others down in some way.

Paul was making a point that this sort of hedonistic (pleasure seeking), nihilistic (nothing has worth and self destructiveness) and narcissism (self worship), although competing philosophies of life, each will work destruction in the lives of those who do not believe the truth.

False teaching can bring false confidence to the lives of those who believe that sin has no consequence, or that the flesh means nothing (Gnosticism), or that we have no obligation to live in holiness (Antinomianism which is the opposite extreme of legalism).

If we in lazy surrender give ourselves over to live like this, we deny the power of God to keep us.

Now and Not Yet

having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:5 (ESV)

There are some who claim to be Christians who quite consciously live in selfish and sinful ways because of their agreement with some false teaching. Examples of these are the material driven “prosperity gospel” or “easy believism” which says once someone is saved it does not matter what they do after that they will still go to heaven. These beliefs are simply wrong and Paul tells us not to even engage with but to avoid the advocates of this sort of living and corrupted belief.

A belief that keeps us from this sort of error as seen in Paul’s day where they said the resurrection was in the past and they were already fully living in the kingdom of God so sin meant nothing, is our belief in the “Now and Not Yet” of God’s kingdom.

The kingdom is here now in some ways and it is not yet here in other ways. This is why we still have to struggle with sin until the Lords return, when He will bring the kingdom into full effect in the earth as He takes His place on David’s throne in Jerusalem to judge the nations.

We know the truth

always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7 (ESV)

This should not be our testimony. Unlike the post modern view in western society, we do believe that truth is knowable and we have the objective guide of God’s word so that our learning is not futile. Our faith is not fluffy and mystical, we have solid, firm beliefs which have been made clear in scripture and throughout church history. Yes we can boldly claim to KNOW the truth.

Psalm 88:1–18

Cry to the Lord

O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you. Psalm 88:1 (ESV)

All the man centred philosophies of this world want us to take our eyes off the Lord, We should turn our hearts to Him and cry out to the God who saved us.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Timothy 3

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 21:1–22:19, 2 Tim 2:14–26, Ps 86:1–87:7

Today’s theme: Please God, not man

There are multiple lessons today all centred around the theme of ‘Pleasing God rather than man’. If we live to please God we will be merciful, excellent, Christlike in leadership, handle God’s word well, correct with gentleness and run from lust which will all serve to make our calling and election sure.

1 Chronicles 21:1–22:19

The opposer and accuser

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1 (ESV)

Satan (the one who opposes God and accuses His people), is a real being. He is not like God so he is NOT all knowing, all powerful or all present, the Devil is a fallen Angel, he can only be in one place at a time doing one thing at a time. Often we see him involved in high profile cases like Job’s trial, Jesus’ temptation and here he tempts David with the aim of destroying God’s people.

We need to be aware that Satan and his vast network of fellow demons are at work in the world today. Often in this same context, moving leaders to sin which brings destruction to the people.

Paul is aware of this invisible war and reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Please God, not men

But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab. 1 Chronicles 21:6 (ESV)

Joab was so often a good leader and this was one of his better moments where he refused to fulfil the Kings demand by skipping two of the tribes. We can learn from his example that we ought to fear God rather than man. See Mark 8:33 and Galatians 1:10 where Paul states “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Be merciful

Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” 1 Chronicles 21:13 (ESV)

God’s discipline is not vindictive or cruel but is tempered by His mercy. We must learn from this when we are in authority and need to deal out discipline to our children for example or a subordinate at work. Jesus clearly instructs us in Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Also see Jude 22-23.

Christlike leadership

And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.” 1 Chronicles 21:17 (ESV)

David is Christ like in his leadership, offering himself for the people. This is the heart of true intercession. A good leader will sacrifice himself for the people he leads. Jesus taught us that true leadership is servanthood and true greatness requires sacrifice.

Jesus declares in Mark 9:35 “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 9:19 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”

The Apostle John reminds us in 1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

The value of cost

But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 1 Chronicles 21:24 (ESV)

There is a cost in our walk, cost brings value and will cause us to treasure what is bought. Jesus teaches us to count the cost in Luke 14:28-33 “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?…So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

The benefits of discipleship far outweigh the cost!

Answered by fire

And David built there an altar to the LORD and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the LORD, and the LORD answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 1 Chronicles 21:26 (ESV)

David was a man of prayer like Elijah who God also answered by fire from heaven. James reminds us in James 5:17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.”

Be excellent

For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death. 1 Chronicles 22:5 (ESV)

We should have the same spirit of excellence with all we do for God, for the rise and spread of His fame throughout the earth

Arise and work

gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The LORD be with you!” 1 Chronicles 22:16 (ESV)

This same call goes out to God’s people today, we should arise and work, because God is with us. As Jesus reminds us in John 9:4 “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

2 Timothy 2:14–26

Handle God’s word correctly

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

This is why bible reading, bible study and submission to good bible teaching is so important. The word of God needs to be divided correctly, when taken out of context it is at best not helpful and at worst rank heresy.

We are all called to be God’s approved workers rightly handling God’s precious word. We should not get into endless debates which are a distraction and waste of time.

Make your own election sure

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV)

This scripture helps us deal with the mystery of election. God knows those who are His so we should not waste our time trying to figure that out. Instead, we should focus on departing from evil in our own lives. It is our sanctification that concerns us not the secret will of God in election. We make our calling and election sure (to us) by living as God commands.

Run away from lust

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)

There must be a conscious running away from lust and sin and a running toward purity, faith and love. We should see God’s commands not as a tightrope to walk between righteousness and sin but a starting line to run from, towards God. We should not teeter on the edge of darkness but rather run away from it lest we slip.

Correct with gentleness

correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)

We must remember this when we need to correct those opposing the truth.

Psalm 86:1–87:7

God our teacher

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (ESV)

God is our great teacher, we agree with this prayer today that our hearts will be single, devoted to Him and not double minded.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Timothy 2

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 18:1–20:8, 2 Tim 2:1–13, Ps 85:1–13

Today’s theme: Called to Generosity

Today we are taught a lot about our calling. One way of summing up our calling is that we are called to be generous with our riches, time, resources, energy and abilities. We all have a part to play so act out the miracle of your new life in Christ today.

1 Chronicles 18:1–20:8

Be generous and faithful

These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he had carried off from all the nations, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. 1 Chronicles 18:11 (ESV)

David shows us a great example of how we should be with all the Lord has given us. David was so generous and faithful to the Lord that he did not just make himself rich with the spoils of war but instead laid them up to be used by his son Solomon in the building of the temple.

Jesus commends this type of attitude in us as believers with both our physical and spiritual resources being dedicated to the Lord’s service. We see this in His parable about the coins (talents) in Matthew 25:14-30.

Play your part in God’s government

So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people. 1 Chronicles 18:14 (ESV)

David was more than just a military commander. This small section shows us that David reorganised the government of Israel at the highest levels with capable administrators helping to establish an efficient kingdom state.

Joab, who by the way is David’s Nephew who we see proves his military ability in the next chapter, was made head of the armed forces.  Meanwhile, courageous and loyal Beniah was made the head of the elite bodyguard detail (like the secret service).

In the body of Christ, Jesus like king David has organised His kingdom giving each member it’s role to perform for the good of the whole. We need to know what our office is and function within that calling.

1 Corinthians 12:18 tells us “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.”

Romans 12:4-8 teaches us “…so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us….”

Use your strength for God

Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 1 Chronicles 19:13 (ESV)

Joab’s military leadership really shines through in this passage. This is the type of strategising we see in military geniuses like Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Julius Caesar or Attila the Hun. Joab shows his heart for the Lord in this call to rally his troops as they enter battle.

Like Joab said, let us use our strength for the body of Christ and the kingdom of God. Paul knew this and so worked harder than all the other Apostles in 1 Corinthians 15:10. Paul also reminds us in 1 Timothy 4:10 that we are called to toil and strive for God’s kingdom.

Beware complacency, laziness or compromise

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 1 Chronicles 20:1 (ESV)

Here we start to see the slow burn of complacency and compromise with David. It was the time of the year when kings go to battle, but instead David stayed home and sent Joab his military ace. They got the victory but this behaviour set the precedent for the fall David would have with Bathsheba.

We must not be caught out by complacency, laziness or compromise. As in David’s case we may not see the result of the rot straightaway but it will soon become apparent. We must be sober, on our guard and not give the enemy an inch in our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 reminds us not to sleep but to stay awake and be alert. We must not get drunk on our own pleasure and comfort, we must stay sober.

Peter in his call to holiness proclaims in 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

At war every hour

And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 1 Chronicles 20:6 (ESV)

This giant with his 24 digits can be seen symbolically for the giant enemies we face each hour of the day. We should identify the giants that come to torment us and like David and his men, kill every last one of them. Jesus told us to take up our cross daily and follow him in Luke 9:23.

2 Timothy 2:1–13

Called to teach

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

This is the first of four analogies (Teacher, Soldier, Athlete and Farmer). Paul uses these to speak of the Christian life and ministry. Each points in some way to the need for whole hearted devotion in spite of difficulty.

As a teacher Paul encourages Timothy to pass on what he has learned from him (Paul) to faithful men who could also teach others. We see 4 generations here, Paul, Timothy, Faithful Men and Others.

Although the context tells us this is in regards to the continuation and spread of the ministry. Each of us is called to pass on what we have learned to the upcoming generations. We must grow and be mature as Christians so we can pass down what was passed down to us. We don’t need to make up something new, our faith is not novel. It is our duty to pass down the historically orthodox Christian faith to each generation.

Called to fight

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 2 Timothy 2:4 (ESV)

The second analogy for the Christian life is life as a soldier. As soldiers we endure harsh conditions, we are disciplined and willing to lay our lives on the line for our King. We obey commands, we show discipline, we fight, we defend, we protect, we have lives dedicated to duty.

We must not be short sighted, only concerned with life now. We must see the greater vision of the army and our commanding officer and seek to please Christ in faith.

Called to run and work

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:5–6 (ESV)

The next two analogies are of an Athlete and a Farmer.

Athletes need to be very disciplined, they need to watch what they eat and be disciplined in exercise and training. We need to be careful about what we eat spiritually and we need to constantly exercise our spiritual senses.

Athletes also have a drive to win, to gain the prize, to finish the race well. We can apply all of this to our walk with the Lord, we should run to win.

Farmers need to work hard. They get up earlier than everyone else, they need to show patience and perseverance in all seasons as they work ploughing the fields, planting the seeds and tending the crops. We are called to perseverance for our own lives but also as we work to see fruit in others.

The word of God is not bound

for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 2 Timothy 2:9 (ESV)

Nothing can stop the word of God! Even though Paul was in chains the word of God cannot be put in chains. This is why God allowed His word to be recorded in written form, this ensures the message goes where men cannot go and can be passed from person to person.

Thank God we have the unstoppable word of God. We should seek to see the word spread to every corner of the earth so that God’s elect may obtain the salvation that is in Jesus.

Psalm 85:1–13

The cross

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Psalm 85:10 (ESV)

This is seen in full on the cross where Jesus was sacrificed in our place, making peace between us and God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Timothy 2