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Present in the Storm

Read: Psalm 46 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Esther 1–2; Acts 5:1–21

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The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:7

Fire swept through the home of a family of six from our church. Although the father and son survived, the father was still hospitalized while his wife, mother, and two small children were laid to rest. Unfortunately, heartbreaking events like this continue to happen again and again. When they’re replayed, so is the age-old question: Why do bad things happen to good people? And it doesn’t surprise us that this old question doesn’t have new answers.

Yet the truth that the psalmist puts forth in Psalm 46 has also been replayed and rehearsed and embraced repeatedly. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (v. 1). The conditions described in verses 2–3 are catastrophic—earth and mountains moving and sea waters raging. We shudder when we imagine being in the midst of the stormy conditions poetically pictured here. But sometimes we do find ourselves there—in the swirling throes of a terminal illness, tossed about by a devastating financial crisis, stung and stunned by the deaths of loved ones.

It’s tempting to rationalize that the presence of trouble means the absence of God. But the truth of Scripture counters such notions. “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (vv. 7, 11). He is present when our circumstances are unbearable, and we find comfort in His character: He is good, loving, and trustworthy.

When did a challenge in life cause you to question if God was present? What helped to turn the situation around for you?

Father, help me to trust the truth of Your Word when it’s hard for me to sense Your care or presence.

INSIGHT

In Psalm 46, the psalmist writes of the security and stability that God provides in troubled times. Natural disasters (vv. 2–3) and armed conflicts (vv. 6–7) will always be present in this world. Earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, and military conflicts have all caused untold devastation and destruction. But no matter how dire the situation, those who make God their “refuge and strength” (v. 1) “will not fear” (v. 2). The basis for this confidence is declared in verse 7 and repeated in verse 11: “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Based on this psalm, reformer Martin Luther wrote one of his best-known hymns: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Like the psalmist living in an uncertain and insecure world, we are invited to “be still, and know that [He is] God” (v. 10). In confident trust, we echo Luther’s words, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.”

K. T. Sim

By |2019-06-18T12:20:00-04:00June 20th, 2019|
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In Our Weakness

Read: Romans 8:1–2, 10–17 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 12–13; Acts 4:23–37

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In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Romans 8:26

Although Anne Sheafe Miller died in 1999 at the age of 90, she nearly passed away in 1942 after developing septicemia following a miscarriage and all treatments proved to be unsuccessful. When a patient at the same hospital mentioned his connection to a scientist who’d been working on a new wonder drug, Anne’s doctor pressed the government to release a tiny amount for Anne. Within a day, her temperature was back to normal! Penicillin had saved Anne’s life.

Since the fall, all human beings have experienced a devastating spiritual condition brought about by sin (Romans 5:12). Only the death and resurrection of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit has made it possible for us to be healed (8:1–2). The Holy Spirit enables us to enjoy abundant life on earth and for eternity in the presence of God (vv. 3–10). “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (v. 11).

When your sinful nature threatens to drain the life out of you, look to the source of your salvation, Jesus, and be strengthened by the power of His Spirit (vv. 11–17). “The Spirit helps us in our weakness” and “intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (vv. 26–27).

In what area do you need to experience the life of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit? How can you be more aware of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son and the power of the Holy Spirit who enables me to enjoy real life in You.

INSIGHT

In the first-century Roman empire, Paul’s letter to the Romans was a bold and dangerous manifesto. He wrote to followers of Jesus living in the capital of the empire, confessing allegiance to Christ over Caesar (1:7). Announcing better news than the military victories of Rome, Paul explained how the resurrected Son of God had conquered death (chs. 1–5). For life that will never end, he offered access to a new identity in Christ (ch. 6); freedom from the failures of rule-based living (ch. 7), and a way of living forever in the Spirit and love of God (ch. 8).

Mart DeHaan

By |2019-06-17T15:29:14-04:00June 19th, 2019|
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Rescuing Villains

Read: Daniel 3:26–30 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 10–11; Acts 4:1–22

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Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! Daniel 3:28

The comic book hero is as popular as ever. In 2017 alone, six superhero movies accounted for more than $4 billion (US) in box office sales. But why are people so drawn to big action flicks?

Maybe it’s because, in part, such stories resemble God’s Big Story. There’s a hero, a villain, a people in need of rescue, and plenty of riveting action.

In this story, the biggest villain is Satan, the enemy of our souls. But there are lots of “little” villains as well. In the book of Daniel, for example, one is Nebuchadnezzar, the king of much of the known world, who decided to kill anyone who didn’t worship his giant statue (Daniel 3:1–6). When three courageous Jewish officials refused (vv. 12–18), God dramatically rescued them from a blazing furnace (vv. 24–27).

But in a surprising twist, we see this villain’s heart begin to change. In response to this spectacular event, Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego” (v. 28).

But then he threatened to kill anyone who defied God (v. 29), not yet understanding that God didn’t need his help. Nebuchadnezzar would learn more about God in chapter 4—but that’s another story.

What we see in Nebuchadnezzar isn’t just a villain, but someone on a spiritual journey. In God’s story of redemption, our hero, Jesus, reaches out to everyone needing rescue—including the villains among us.

Who do you know in need of God’s rescue? What can you do to help?

Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him. We can do the same.

INSIGHT

In Daniel 3, it’s interesting to note the contrasting proclamations about God’s power. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were about to be thrown into the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar didn’t believe their God could save them and said, “What god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” (v. 15). But the three men boldly declared the power of God and their commitment to Him, responding that “the God we serve is able to deliver us” (v. 17). Then when they exited the furnace and stood before the king and his officials unharmed—without “a hair of their heads singed” (v. 27)—it was Nebuchadnezzar who made the bold declaration about the power and glory of God: “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!” (v. 28).

J.R. Hudberg

By |2019-06-14T09:58:50-04:00June 18th, 2019|
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Stick-Figure Lesson

Read: 2 Corinthians 10:1–11 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 7–9; Acts 3

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What we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present. 2 Corinthians 10:11

A friend of mine—okay, it was my counselor—drew a stick figure on a sheet of paper. She labeled this the “private” self. Then she drew an outline around the figure, about a half-inch larger, and named it the “public” self. The difference between the two figures, between the private and public selves, represents the degree to which we have integrity.

I paused at her lesson and wondered, Am I the same person in public that I am in private? Do I have integrity?

Paul wrote letters to the church in Corinth, weaving love and discipline into his teachings to be like Jesus. As he neared the end of this letter (2 Corinthians), he addressed accusers who challenged his integrity by saying he was bold in his letters but weak in person (10:10). These critics used professional oratory to take money from their listeners. While Paul possessed academic prowess, he spoke simply and plainly. “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,” he had written in an earlier letter, “but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4). His later letter revealed his integrity: “Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present” (2 Corinthians 10:11).

Paul presented himself as the same person in public that he was in private. How about us?

In what ways are you integrating your private and public life? How might you honor God even more fully with complete integrity?

Dear God, help me to be myself first to You in private, that I might present myself with integrity as the same person in public.

INSIGHT

In 2 Corinthians 10:4 Paul writes, “The weapons [Christians] fight with are not the weapons of the world. . . . They have divine power to demolish strongholds” (the obstacles of sin and evil opposed to the truth of God). These spiritual weapons include truth, righteousness, faith, the Spirit, the Word of God, love, and the hope of salvation (Ephesians 6:11–17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8). We stand against evil through our relationship with the Son and the power of prayer and God’s Word.

Alyson Kieda

By |2019-06-14T10:00:46-04:00June 17th, 2019|
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The Savior Who Knows Us

Read: John 1:43–51 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 4–6; Acts 2:22–47

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“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. John 1:48

“Dad, what time is it?” my son asked from the back seat. “It’s 5:30.” I knew exactly what he’d say next. “No, it’s 5:28!” I watched his face light up. Gotcha! his beaming smile said. I felt delight too—the kind that comes from knowing your child the way only a parent can.

Like any attentive parent, I know my children. I know how they’ll respond when I wake them up. I know what they’ll want in their lunches. I know countless interests, desires, and preferences.

But for all that, I’ll never know them perfectly, inside and out, the way our Lord knows us.

We catch a glimpse of the kind of intimate knowledge Jesus has of His people in John 1. As Nathanael, who Philip had urged to meet Jesus, moved toward Him, Jesus pronounced, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” (v. 47). Startled, Nathanael responded, “How do you know me?” Somewhat mysteriously, Jesus replied that He’d seen him under the fig tree (v. 48).

We may not know why Jesus chose to share this particular detail, but it seems Nathaniel did! Overwhelmed, he responded, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God” (v. 49).

Jesus knows each of us like this: intimately, completely, and perfectly—the way we long to be known. And He accepts us completely—inviting us to be, not only His followers, but His beloved friends (John 15:15).

Jesus, Thank You for knowing me fully, inside and out, and for loving, forgiving, and accepting me just the way I am. Thank You for inviting me into the adventure of following You.

Jesus knows us the way we long to be known.

INSIGHT

The twelve apostles (disciples) are named in Matthew 10:2–4, Mark 3:16–19, and Luke 6:14–16 (known as the Synoptic Gospels because they are similar in content and order), but not in John’s gospel. Instead, John tells of how five of Jesus’s disciples (only four are named: Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael), first met Him (John 1:35–51). Because Nathanael is not listed as one of the twelve in the Synoptics, this has raised the question about his identity. Bible scholars say that Nathanael is the same person as Bartholomew. Two reasons are given. First, there’s no mention of Nathanael in the Synoptic Gospels and no mention of Bartholomew in John’s gospel. Second, since Philip and Bartholomew are always listed together, and Philip is listed with Nathanael in John 1:43–45, scholars conclude that Bartholomew and Nathanael are the same person.

K. T. Sim

By |2019-06-14T10:01:14-04:00June 16th, 2019|
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Words that Wound

Read: 1 Samuel 1:1–8 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 1–3; Acts 2:1–21

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The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

“Skinny bones, skinny bones,” the boy taunted. “Stick,” another chimed. In return, I could have chanted “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But even as a little girl, I knew the popular rhyme wasn’t true. Unkind, thoughtless words did hurt—sometimes badly, leaving wounds that went deeper and lasted much longer than a welt from a stone or stick.

Hannah certainly knew the sting of thoughtless words. Her husband, Elkanah, loved her, but she had no children, while his second wife, Peninnah, had many. In a culture where a woman’s worth was often based on having children, Peninnah made Hannah’s pain worse by continually “provoking her” for being childless. She kept it up until Hannah wept and couldn’t eat (1 Samuel 1:6–7).

And Elkanah probably meant well, but his thoughtless response, “Hannah, why are you weeping? . . . Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” (v. 8) was still hurtful.

Like Hannah, many of us have been left reeling in the wake of hurtful words. And some of us have likely reacted to our own wounds by lashing out and hurting others with our words. But all of us can run to our loving and compassionate God for strength and healing (Psalm 27:5, 12–14). He lovingly rejoices over us—speaking words of love and grace. 

When have you been hurt by unkind words? What helped you to heal? Who needs to hear your grace-filled words?

Loving Father, thank You for the healing and hope we find in You! Help us to bring our hurts to You—and always to be mindful of the words we say. Give us the wisdom and patience to think before speaking.

INSIGHT

The historical setting of 1 Samuel 1 is critical to understanding the events recorded in this book. As 1 Samuel opens, it’s the end of the time of the judges, but it’s not yet the time of kings. Bridging that gap will be Samuel, the son who would be born to Hannah after her season of prayer at the tabernacle in Shiloh (1:9–20). Samuel’s role in the transition from judges to kings will include the fact that he’s the last of the judges and the first of the prophets. As a prophet, he would be responsible for anointing Israel’s first two kings: Saul, the kind of king the people wanted (10:17–24); and David, a man after God’s own heart (13:14).

Bill Crowder

By |2019-06-14T10:01:53-04:00June 15th, 2019|
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Clear Communication

Read: Romans 8:18–27 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ezra 9–10; Acts 1

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The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26

While traveling in Asia, my iPad (containing my reading material and many work documents) suddenly died, a condition described as “the black screen of death.” Seeking help, I found a computer shop and encountered another problem—I don’t speak Chinese and the shop’s technician didn’t speak English. The solution? He pulled up a software program in which he typed in Chinese, but I could read it in English. The process reversed as I responded in English and he read in Chinese. The software allowed us to communicate clearly, even in different languages.

At times, I feel like I’m unable to communicate and express my heart when I pray to my heavenly Father—and I’m not alone. Many of us struggle sometimes with prayer. But the apostle Paul wrote, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26–27).

How amazing is the gift of the Holy Spirit! Better than any computer program, He clearly communicates my thoughts and desires in harmony with the Father’s purposes. The work of the Spirit makes prayer work!

What challenges have you experienced in your prayer life? How can you lean on the Holy Spirit as you seek to pray more passionately to God?

Father, I thank You for the gift of Your Spirit and the privilege of prayer. Help me to lean on Your Spirit in moments when I don’t know how to pray.

INSIGHT

In chapter 8 of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he uses the word groan or groaning three times (vv. 22–23, 26). However, each sigh comes with hope: All creation groans like a mother in labor (v. 22). With a taste (“firstfruit”) of Christ’s Spirit, we groan in anticipation of a better day (vv. 23–25; see also Galatians 5:22–23). And as we groan, the Spirit of God groans with us and for us (Romans 8:26–27)—understanding far better than we do that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (vv. 31–39).

Mart DeHaan

By |2019-06-14T10:02:39-04:00June 14th, 2019|
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Only a Gypsy Boy

Read: 1 Peter 2:4–10 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ezra 6–8; John 21

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You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. 1 Peter 2:9

“Oh, it’s only a gypsy boy,” someone whispered with disgust when Rodney Smith walked to the front of the chapel to receive Christ during a service in 1877. Nobody thought much of this teenager, the son of uneducated gypsy parents. Yet, Rodney didn’t listen to those voices. He was certain that God had a purpose for his life so he bought himself a Bible and an English dictionary and taught himself how to read and write. He once said, “The way to Jesus is not by Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, or the poets. It is . . . an old-fashioned hill called Calvary.” Against all odds, Rodney became an evangelist who God used to bring many to Jesus in the UK and US.

Peter too was just a simple man—untrained in the religious rabbinic schools (Acts 4:13), a fisherman from Galilee—when Jesus called him with two simple words: “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). Yet the same Peter, despite his upbringing and the failures he experienced along the way, later affirmed that those who follow Jesus are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9).

Through Jesus Christ all people—whatever their education, upbringing, gender, or ethnicity—can be a part of the family of God and be used by Him. Becoming God’s “special possession” is for all who believe in Jesus.

What does it mean for you to be part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, God’s special possession? How are you encouraged by the fact that God can use you for His honor?

God, I thank You that my identity is found in You.

INSIGHT

Peter’s writing in the New Testament demonstrated his familiarity with the Scriptures (what we know as our Old Testament). In 1 Peter 2 alone, Peter quotes or alludes to at least five different passages. In verse 6 the reference is to Isaiah 28:16, verse 7 is taken from Psalm 118:22, and verse 8 is from Isaiah 8:14. The choice words in verse 9, referring to believers in Jesus, were used in Exodus 19:5–6 to describe the nation of Israel: “Out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. . . . [Y]ou will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” And the writing of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:6, 9–10) was on his mind when Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:10, “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

Arthur Jackson

By |2019-06-14T10:03:38-04:00June 13th, 2019|
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Destroying the Shroud

Read: Isaiah 25:1–9 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ezra 3–5; John 20

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[God] will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples. Isaiah 25:7

A brutal car wreck devastated Mary Ann Franco. Though she survived, the injuries left her completely blind. “All I could see was blackness,” Franco explained. Twenty-one years later, she injured her back in a fall. After waking from surgery (which had nothing to do with her eyes), miraculously, her sight had returned! For the first time in more than two decades, Franco saw her daughter’s face. The neurosurgeon insisted there was no scientific explanation for her restored vision. The darkness that seemed so final gave way to beauty and light.

The Scriptures, as well as our experience, tell us that a shroud of ignorance and evil covers the world, blinding all of us to God’s love (Isaiah 25:7). Selfishness and greed, our self-sufficiency, our lust for power or image—all these compulsions obscure our vision, making us unable to clearly see the God who “in perfect faithfulness [has] done wonderful things” (v. 1).

One translation calls this blinding shroud a “cloud of gloom” (nlt). Left to ourselves, we experience only darkness, confusion, and despair. We often feel trapped—groping and stumbling, unable to see our way forward. Thankfully, Isaiah promises that God will ultimately “destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples” (v. 7).

God will not leave us hopeless. His radiant love removes whatever blinds us, surprising us with a beautiful vision of a good life and abundant grace.

Where do you sense the darkness in your world? How do you imagine Jesus destroys that place?

God, the gloom is everywhere these days. It’s so difficult to see Your truth and love. Will You help me? I’m hopeless without You.

INSIGHT

One of the realities of life in a broken world is that death, shame, and grief dominate our experience. Isaiah’s prophecy responds to these destructive concerns with the promise of 25:8—God “will swallow up death forever” and wipe away every tear. This promise is echoed in the Bible’s last book, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Bill Crowder

By |2019-06-14T10:04:26-04:00June 12th, 2019|
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God of All People

Read: Acts 2:1–12 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Ezra 1–2; John 19:23–42

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Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. Acts 2:5

Former Newsboys lead vocalist Peter Furler describes the performance of the band’s praise song “He Reigns.” The song paints a vivid picture of believers from every tribe and nation coming together to worship God in unity. Furler observed that whenever the Newsboys sang it he could sense the moving of the Holy Spirit in the gathering of believers.

Furler’s description of his experiences with “He Reigns” would likely have resonated with the crowds who converged on Jerusalem at Pentecost. When the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), things began to happen beyond anyone’s experience. As a result, Jews representing every nation came together in confusion, because each one heard their own language being spoken to make God’s wonders known (vv. 5–6, 11). Peter explained to the crowd that this was in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy in which God said, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people” (v. 17).

This all-inclusive display of God’s awesome power made the crowd receptive to Peter’s declaration of the gospel, leading to three thousand converts that day alone (v. 41). Following this spectacular kickoff, these new believers then returned to their corner of the world, taking the good news with them.

The good news still resounds today—God’s message of hope for all people. As we praise God together, His Spirit moves among us, bringing people of every nation together in wonderful unity. He reigns!

In what ways do you see God’s image in other people? How can you view people from every tribe and nation through the lens of Jesus?

Dear heavenly Father, help me to reflect Your heart for all of Your people.

INSIGHT

In the span of just eight weeks, the disciples had endured an emotional rollercoaster. Imagine experiencing the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem only to witness His arrest and crucifixion (Matthew 21–26; Mark 11–14; Luke 19–22; John 12–13). Then came His resurrection—irrefutable proof that He is the Messiah—followed by His departure from this earth. Given such turmoil, we might forgive the disciples for misunderstanding Christ’s instructions about establishing His kingdom. They expected a political solution to their problems—Israel’s liberation from Roman oppression and their rightful place in the world as God’s chosen people (Acts 1:6). But Jesus had something better in mind. He promised them, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth” (v. 8). Acts 2 shows how the Holy Spirit ignited that promise.

Tim Gustafson

By |2019-06-14T10:04:52-04:00June 11th, 2019|
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