February 20:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS ENDURANCE.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.--Acts 16:25

During particularly hard times in my life, God often blesses me with a song that becomes my companion through that specific trial.  When my father was diagnosed with cancer for the last time, I was blessed with the song "God Wants to Hear You Sing," * which I listened to over and over.  It highlights that God loves to hear our songs when everything is fine, but that we truly bless God's heart when He hears us sing His praises in the midst of sufferings, just as Paul and Silas did.

It is fascinating to understand the circumstances that Jesus went through in the Gospel of Luke, and the parallel experiences of His followers in the book of Acts.  Both Jesus and His followers were baptized by the Spirit for public ministry, performed many miracles, endured all kinds of trials and tribulations, and were persecuted and killed.  Jesus endured the kind of sufferings and death that none of His followers would ever taste, because He carried the penalty of our sins and transgressions.  Yet His disciples were given strength and patience from above to endure many trials.  Sometimes God removes the trial, other times He gives us perseverance and a song of praise in the midst of tribulation.  This was the case with Paul and Silas in Philippi.  The first convert in Europe, named Lydia, was baptized in this city.  When Paul exorcised a fortune-telling spirit from a slave girl, he and Sials were put in jail after being struck with many blows (Acts 16:23). For security and punishment purposes, they were placed in the inner prison and their feet were fastened in stocks (verse 24).  Yet God provided a way for them to witness about Jesus: they were singing and praising God in the middle of the night (verse 25).  Other prisoners were listening, as was probably the jailer himself.  When a great earthquake occurred, they had the opportunity to tell the jailer about salvation through Jesus, and he and his family were baptized.  If you are suffering today, ask God to give you a song of praise in the night.  Your test will become your testimony!  And God will use it for His salvific purposes!

My Response:_________________________________________________________
* "God Wants to Hear You Sing" by Greater Vision.

February 19:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS BLOOD.
"Say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' "--Mark 14:14

During a difficult season, I visited my valued mentor.  He took me back to Israel's history; and we read Exodus 14:13, 14: "But Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today....The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."  God's power to deliver His people was revealed through the Passover Lamb and the dividing of the sea.  My mentor reminded me to trust that the battle is the Lord's!

When Jesus was about to surrender His life to redeem the world, He planned to eat the last Passover meal with His disciples (Mark 14:12-16).  In a combination of practical arrangements and divine prescience, Jesus gave His disciples explicit instructions to find a guest room to eat the Passover together.  They were to follow a man with a pitcher of water (verse 13); an unusual sight, given that mostly women carried jars of water.  The owner of the house was simply to be told, "The Teacher says, 'Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?' " (verse 14).  The word "Passover" is mentioned four times in this short narrative.  Can you imagine Jesus' thoughts as they prepared for the meal that was a memorial of deliverance and redemption, instituted back in Exodus 12:21-27, which symbolized His own death?  The Israelites slayed the Passover lamb and applied the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts of the house, and the angel of destruction did not smite them, as they were thus covered.  They were delivered by the blood of the Lamb.  Later they encountered the Egyptians, while trapped by the sea, and once again they were reminded that the battle was the Lord's.  On their way to the Promised Land, they were reminded that God was the Provider of water and bread.  The battle was the Lord's!  Back in Jerusalem, as Jesus was eating the meal, He explained to His disciples that it represented His body and His blood.  Our Passover Lamb, Jesus, has been sacrificed! (1 Corinthians 5:7).  He has delivered us!  Now, will we trust Him to provide what we need as we journey to the Promised Land?

My Response:____________________________________________________________

February 18:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS EAGERNESS.
"Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?"--Luke 18:7


I've often seen parents defend and protect their children, and I am astounded at the way God placed this instinct in the animal kingdom.  I recently watched a clip of two videographers filming a little bear cub.  They must have been a bit too close because all of a sudden you can see the mother bear charging towards them and hitting the camera, responding to a perceived threat to her cub.  The videographers survived the attack, but I am sure that they will never underestimate the parental protective instinct found in nature.

The Bible often showcases God's eagerness to defend and avenge His children, faithfully protecting them.  Jesus told a parable about God's willingness and readiness to aid His chosen ones, and about not becoming discouraged and persisting in prayer with the expectation of God's prompt intervention on our behalf (Luke 18:1-8).  How vital it is to have a healthy view of God's eager disposition towards us!  The parable contains two main characters: a notoriously wicked judge, who has complete disregard for God and his fellowmen, and a destitute widow, who is in peril and in need of legal protection from an opponent.  The wicked judge does not help her at the beginning, but after a while gives in, and provides the legal protection she needs, because he is weary of her persistence, which she portrays in spite of the unrighteous character of the judge.  In a classic argument of lesser to greater (qal wahomer), Jesus concludes: if such a wicked and heartless judge finally gives justice to the persistent widow, how much more will God bring justice, avenging and vindicating His own, who cry out to Him day and night!  In other words: "Do you hear what the judge, corrupt as he is, is saying?  So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help?  Won't he stick up for them?  I assure you, he will.  He will not drag his feet." (Luke 18:6-8), The Message).  Trust God's eagerness to save, protect, and act on your behalf!  He will not fail you!

My Response:_____________________________________________________

February 17:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS FORTITUDE.
After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith.--Acts 14:21, 22

The Gospel of Jesus is the favorite topic of discussion at the Talbot family reunions.  My brother-in-law, Jorge, is a retired physician and an avid student of the Bible.  We often talk about the miraculous fortitude God provided for His gospel martyrs, such as John Huss, who sang while being burned at the stake.  Singing while flames are consuming the body is physically impossible, yet God honored the gospel on their lips, by providing miraculous strength.

Today's text portrays Paul strengthening and encouraging disciples in his missionary endeavors.  But what is remarkable is that two verses before, "Jews came from Antioch and Iconium...they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.  But...he got up and entered the city" (Acts 14:19, 20).  How could Paul be so uplifting and encouraging, and how could he continue preaching the gospel with gladness, just after being stoned and left for dead?  Paul himself tells of some of his trials; "Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked...in dangers from rivers...dangers from robbers...dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles..., dangers in the wilderness...dangers on the sea" (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).  And the list continues: hunger, thirst, cold, et cetera.  How could he experience these circumstances and yet go on preaching and encouraging others?  When we accept the good news that Jesus died in our place, God provides assurance for our eternal future, and He also miraculously provides all that is necessary for the present, including fortitude, mental and emotional strength to live a life for his glory, even in the midst of adversity and pain.  When Paul asked for his "thorn in the flesh" to be removed, the Lord told him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).  And the same answer is true for us.  God provides His grace for every aspect of our lives.  He truly provides for all our needs through Jesus.

My Response:_________________________________________________________

February 16:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS INVITATION.
"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."--Matthew 4:19

One of my most significant experiences in the Holy Land was a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.  It felt surreal to be on the same lake that Jesus and His disciples so often crossed.  And it was a treat to see fishermen at their trade, throwing the nets, just as it was done two thousand years ago.  It was absolutely amazing to watch!  Who would have thought that this daily task of catching fish would become a metaphor for evangelism?

Matthew narrates the call of the first four disciples as Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee, in fulfillment of the previously quoted Isaiah's prophecy (Matthew 4:15, 126).  Simon, who is identified as Peter, and his brother Andrew are casting a net, "For they were fishermen" (verse 18).  And Jesus extends to them what must have been a surprising invitation: "Follow Me" (verse 19).  It was a rabbinic custom to have pupils follow their master, learning from him.  But what is striking about Jesus' invitation is that He is the One initiating the relationship, not the other way around as was the habitual practice.  Moreover, Jesus takes their occupation as fishermen and uses it as a metaphor for their future endeavors; they will be fishers of human beings! (verse 19; see Matthew  13:47, 48).  I am so thankful that Jesus' call comes with the assurance that He will equip His disciples for the task: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19)).  He provides what is necessary to evangelize.  Going on from there, Jesus called James and John.  All four of them responded immediately and decisively.  They left everything (nets, boat, father; see verses 20, 22).  God calls each one of us, in the midst of our ordinary tasks, and invites us to follow Him and become fishers for His kingdom.  Most of us won't be asked to leave our occupations, but to rearrange our priorities.  Discipleship is a reversal of values in light of Jesus' redemptive mission.  May we share the amazing grace that we have found in Jesus, recognizing that He equips us for this call.  It's all His grace: the salvation, the call, and the equipping.  Be assured of His provision as you excitedly share the gospel!

My Response:_______________________________________________________

February 15:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS WILLINGNESS.
"How much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!"--Matthew 7:11

When I was growing up, my parents made many sacrifices for me, so that I could have a good education and everything I needed.  Many of us can relate to this because children become their parents' priority, even to the point of denying themselves essential things in order to provide for their children.  This begins from the moment the children are born and often continues even after the parents are gone, as many plan to provide an inheritance for their adult children.

Jesus used this closest of human relationships (between a parent and a child) to teach us about God's willingness to give us all the good things that we need.  "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).  This famous saying of Jesus contains three synonymous imperatives: ask, seek, and knock, followed by three assurances" "It will be given...you will find...it will be opened."  God, as the heavenly Father who is faithful and willing to provide for His children, had been introduced in the previous chapter (Matthew 6:25-34).  Now Jesus encourages His followers to an ongoing mindset of trust in God's ability to surpass even the goodwill of earthly parents towards their children.  Jesus uses a typical Jewish argument style called qal wahomer ("from lesser to greater"), showing that if the lesser is true, how much more is the greater true.  If earthly parents, being sinful, know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more is our heavenly Father willing to give us the good things we need (verse 11).  Jesus refers to the unthinkable scenario of a parent denying their child the typical Galilean meal (bread and fish) (verses 8, 9), and replacing it with something harmful (stone and snake).  If parents can't fathom that option, why should we mistrust the willingness of our Heavenly Father?  As we mentioned previously, (February 4), in Paul's words: "He who did not spare His own Son...how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).  Let's trust the willing heart of Him who gave Himself for us.

My Response:_________________________________________________________

February 14:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS BELOVED.
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."--Revelation 19:7

A few years ago, we celebrated my parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, and it was a most joyful occasion.  At the entrance of the hall where the festivities were taking place, there were various exhibits displayed, including wedding gifts and my mother's wedding dress.  In the photos of the wedding, my mother looks truly stunning, and my father has a sparkly in his eyes as they are leaving the church, as if saying, "She is all mine from this day forward!"

Can you imagine what we will feel when we finally meet our heavenly Bridegroom, who gave His life for us?  Can you imagine how eager Jesus is to take us home?  In order to fully savor the Scriptural metaphor of marriage relating to the final union of Jesus with His church, Dr. Ranko Stefanovic helps us understand a wedding in the first century: "The Hebrew wedding usually began with the betrothal at the house of the bride's father, where the groom paid the dowry.  The two were, afterwards, considered husband and wife.  The groom then returned to his father's house to prepare the place where he and his bride would live.  During that time the bride stayed at her father's home preparing herself for the wedding.  When both the place and the bride were ready, the bridegroom would return to take the bride to his father's house where the wedding ceremony was to take place (cf. Matthew 25:1-10)." *  Yet, unlike in regular weddings, in this final wedding, the Lamb who is the Bridegroom, does everything for the bride: He becomes the dowry, giving up His own life for her.  He washes the bride clean.  He provides the white dress.  He does everything!  The bride just loves Him back because He first loved her, and pledges allegiance to her Beloved.  Check out all that He has done to make sure the bride is ready: "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself us for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory" (Ephesians 5:25-27).  You are loved!  Jesus can't wait to take you home!

My Response:___________________________________________________________
* Ranko Stefanovic, Revelation of Jesus Christ, 2nd ed. (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2009), 553.

February 13:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS REMEDY.
"Seek first the kingdom  and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."--Matthew 6:33


A married couple was discussing their financial future and making plans, figuring out what they could afford.  Without their knowledge, their young child overheard their conversation.  A few hours later they noticed that their son had a worried look on his face and they inquired about it.  He went on to tell tham his understanding of their private conversation.  Consequently, he was very anxious and worried that they might not be able to provide for him.  They embraced him and assured him that there was nothing to fear, and that they would provide for his every need.  I wonder how often God has seen a worried look on my face?

Many of us are prone to anxiety.  Jesus addresses this topic in the Sermon on the Mount, making three imperatives, usually translated as "do not worry" (Matthew 6:25, 31, 34).  He explains the futility of worrying and offers a remedy for it.  He begins by addressing the anxiety about our basic, legitimate daily needs: food and clothing (verse 25).  He demonstrates how our Heavenly Father provides for His creation, by feeding the birds (verse 26) and clothing the flowers (verse 28).  Jesus also points out the uselessness of worrying: "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" (verse 27).  How true!  And still we do!  He continues with a contrast between believers and unbelievers: Gentiles worry about these basic needs, but His followers have a Heavenly Father who knows their needs.  He then offers a remedy for anxiety: seek God's kingdom as the ultimate priority and trust His faithfulness to provide for our needs.  "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (verse 33).  Simple, right?  Well, I need to be reminded many times a day of this simple, yet profound, cure for anxiety.  Finally, Jesus expands his "do not worry" imperative beyond basic needs--to fears about the future (verse 34).  Do not be anxious about tomorrow.  Stay in the present, in today.  God is in charge; God is in control; He knows what we need.  Relax.  God's faithfulness is the remedy for our anxiety.  Woo-hoo!

My Response:__________________________________________________________

February 12:  Trusting His Provision.

HIS BEAUTY.
"Observe how the lilies of the field grow....I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory  clothed himself like one of these."--Matthew 6:28, 29

My mother loved nature.  While driving, we might stop repeatedly just to marvel at a bird's nest or a flower that she had spotted on the roadside.  We usually vacationed in nature; she saw God's glory in the vibrancy and beauty of creation.  A few weeks before her passing, I was sitting on her bedside, and we talked about her memorial service--instead of her pictures, she wanted me to display her photos of birds she had taken, which we did.  She truly rejoiced in the beauty of nature, which declares God's love, care, and provision for His creatures.

When God created the world, He wanted His creatures to be surrounded by beauty: "The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.  Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food" (Genesis 2:8, 9).  Can you imagine God planting trees pleasing to the sight, so that His children would delight in the surrounding beauty?  I was amazed by this detail.  We do the same for our babies, surrounding them with color and beauty.  All the beauty in the world was created for our happiness and as a witness to His glory.  He designed the fragrance of fields, the splendor of flowers, and the songs of birds.  All for us!   "The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1).  All of nature speaks of God's passionate love for us.  From the beginning, He surrounded us with beauty, and when we rebelled against Him, He died to pay our ransom and to restore us to the beauty of Paradise.  Jesus exhorts us to observe the splendor of the flowers: not even Solomon, the wealthy king, dressed like them.  And He reasons with us: if God so clothes the flowers of the fields that only last a day or so, will He not take care of us, His beloved children?  Of course, He will!  God has done all that was needed for our eternal salvation and for our present sustenance.  Cast your fear and anxiety aside!  Enjoy His gift of beauty that tells of His constant provision for us.

My Response:_________________________________________________________

February 11:  Trusting His Provision

HIS SUPPLY.
"Give us this day our daily bread."--Matthew 6:11

Daily bread is a basic need, which is not met in some areas of the world at this time.  ADRA (The Adventist Development and Relief Agency) gives this staggering information on their website: "Hunger and malnutrition kill more people each year than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined.  Today, nearly one billion people in the world are hungry, and food is insecure."   Having enough daily food is still a major concern today, as it was in biblical times.

Hunger and thirst were the first obstacles that Israel faced after crossing the Red Sea.  Immediately after the Israelites sang the flamboyant song of redemption (Exodus 15:1-21), God revealed Himself to them as their Provider, healing the bitter waters at Marah (Exodus 15:22-27) and giving them bread from heaven, eventually called manna (Exodus 16:4, 5).  The manna would rain down from heaven daily, except on the Sabbath of the Lord (which was the reminder of God's provision for their spiritual as well as physical needs).  "The Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day' " (verse 4).  In the first century, most people depended on their daily wages for their daily bread, which was an important part of their diet, as exemplified by the miraculous feedings.  Physical bread was also a metaphor for spiritual nourishment, evident in Jesus' answer to the tempter, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3: "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4).  When teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus included the request for daily bread (Matthew 6:11).  We may ask God to supply our daily physical, emotional, and spiritual needs as well" "Give us this day our daily peace," "our daily trust," "our daily faith," "give us this day our daily joy."  God is eager to supply all our needs.  Most importantly, the manna also foreshadowed Jesus, who is the real Manna: "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven" (John 6:51).  Oh, Lord, give us a daily and abundant revelation of Jesus and His grace!


My Response:__________________________________________________