October 2022 - Page 2 of 4 - Our Daily Bread Ministries Canada

Choosing Compassion

Read: Obadiah 1:8–15 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 62–64; 1 Timothy 1

You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune. Obadiah 1:12

A five-minute montage of snow-related mishaps was the central piece to one episode of a TV show. Home videos of people skiing off rooftops, crashing into objects while tubing, and slipping on ice brought laughter and applause from the studio audience and people watching at home. The laughter seemed to be loudest when it appeared that the people who wiped out deserved it because of their own foolish behavior.

Funny home videos aren’t a bad thing, but they can reveal something about ourselves: we can be prone to laugh at or take advantage of the hardships of others. One such story is recorded in Obadiah about two rival nations, Israel and Edom. When God saw fit to punish Israel for their sin, Edom rejoiced. They took advantage of the Israelites, looted their cities, thwarted their escape, and supported their enemies (Obadiah 1:13–14). A word of warning came through the prophet Obadiah to Edom: “You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune,” for “the day of the Lord is near for all nations” (vv. 12, 15).

When we see the challenges or suffering of others, even if it seems they’ve brought it upon themselves, we must choose compassion over pride. We’re not in a position to judge others. Only God can do that. The kingdom of this world belongs to Him (v. 21)—He alone holds the power of justice and mercy.

How do you react to the hardships others face? What does a loving, merciful response look like?

Merciful God, forgive me for my feelings of self-righteousness. Thank You for Your justice and mercy.

INSIGHT

The nation of Edom descended from Jacob’s brother Esau, who “despised” his rights as firstborn son of Isaac (Genesis 25:34). Even so, God told the Israelites, “Do not despise an Edomite, for the Edomites are related to you” (Deuteronomy 23:7). But Edom had a history of incivility toward Israel. During the exodus from Egypt, the Edomites denied the Israelites the right to pass peacefully through their land. And in the terrible story recorded in 1 Samuel, it was “Doeg the Edomite” who killed eighty-five of God’s priests when they assisted David during his flight from King Saul (1 Samuel 22:18–19). Their antagonistic and murderous treatment of the people of Israel had a long history.

By Karen Pimpo|2022-10-21T02:33:02-04:00October 21st, 2022|

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God in the Details

Read: Exodus 2:1–10 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 59–61; 2 Thessalonians 3

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She saw the basket among the reeds and . . . she opened it and saw the baby. Exodus 2:5–6

It had been an awful week for Kevin and Kimberley. Kevin’s seizures had suddenly worsened, and he’d been hospitalized. Amid the pandemic, their four young children—siblings adopted from foster care—were taking cabin fever to a new extreme. On top of that, Kimberley couldn’t scrounge up a decent meal from the fridge. Oddly, at that moment, she craved carrots.

An hour later, there was a knock at the door. There stood their friends Amanda and Andy with an entire meal she’d prepared for the family. Including carrots.

They say the devil is in the details? No. An amazing story in the history of the Jewish people shows God is in the details. Pharaoh had commanded, “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile” (Exodus 1:22). That genocidal development turned on a remarkable detail. Moses’ mother did indeed “throw” her baby into the Nile, albeit with a strategy. And from the Nile, Pharaoh’s own daughter would rescue the baby whom God used to rescue His people. She would even pay Moses’ mother to nurse him! (2:9).

One day from this fledgling Jewish nation would come a promised baby boy. His story would abound with amazing details and divine ironies. Most importantly, Jesus would provide an exodus out of our slavery to sin.

Even—especially—in the dark times, God is in the details. As Kimberley will tell you, “God brought me carrots!”

What stories can you tell where you’ve seen God in the details? How did that help strengthen your faith?

Thank You, Father, that You show up in the little things as well as the big things.

INSIGHT

Names are important in the Bible, and Moses’ name is no exception. When Pharaoh’s daughter named him, it honored both his Hebrew origin and his soon-to-be Egyptian upbringing. In Egyptian, Moses may relate to the word for “son.” Yet Moses also sounds like the Hebrew word translated “to draw out,” which the author of Exodus connected to Moses coming out of the water (Exodus 2:10). Even more intriguing, however, is that Moses’ name doesn’t mean “drawn out,” but “the one who draws out.” The name Pharaoh’s daughter gave the little infant looked forward to the redemptive work God would accomplish through him when he was fully grown.

By Tim Gustafson|2022-10-20T02:33:03-04:00October 20th, 2022|

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Reasons to Rejoice

Read: Psalm 64 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 56–58; 2 Thessalonians 2

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The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him! Psalm 64:10

When Ms. Glenda walked into the church commons area, her infectious joy filled the room. She had just recovered from a difficult medical procedure. As she approached me for our usual after-church greeting, I thanked God for all the times over the years that she’s wept with me, gently corrected me, and offered encouragement. She’s even asked for forgiveness when she’s thought she’s hurt my feelings. Whatever the situation, she always invites me to share my struggles honestly and reminds me that we have many reasons to praise God.

Mama Glenda, as she lets me call her, wrapped me in a gentle hug. “Hi, Baby,” she said. We enjoyed a short conversation and prayed together. Then she left—humming and singing as always, looking for someone else to bless.

In Psalm 64, David boldly approached God with his complaints and concerns (v. 1). He voiced his frustrations about the wickedness he saw around him (vv. 2–6). He didn’t lose confidence in God’s power or the reliability of His promises (vv. 7–9). He knew that one day, “The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!” (v. 10).

As we wait for Jesus’ return, we’ll face tough times. But we’ll always have reasons to rejoice in every day God has made.

What reasons has God given you to rejoice today? How can you encourage someone who may feel discouraged?

Almighty God, thank You for giving me so many reasons to rejoice as I celebrate who You are, what You’ve done, and all You’ve promised to do.

INSIGHT

David had many ruthless enemies who conspired against him and threatened his life. He wrote Psalms 52–64 to describe his fears and sufferings and his trust in God to deal with his enemies and protect him and keep him safe. Psalm 64 is the last of these testimonies. In this psalm, David wrote of the harm and the hurt he faced when his enemies spoke falsehood and evil against him (vv. 1–6). Believing God would come to his rescue, he spoke of God vindicating him and punishing these evildoers (vv. 7–9). David turned to God as his refuge and safe place (v. 10). In the New Testament, Paul advocated a similar response regarding our enemies: “Never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19 nlt).

By Xochitl Dixon|2022-10-19T02:33:12-04:00October 19th, 2022|

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Beyond Words

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 53–55; 2 Thessalonians 1

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This man . . . heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 2 Corinthians 12:3–4

Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) was one of the church’s most celebrated defenders of the faith. Yet just three months before his death, something caused him to leave unfinished his Summa Theologica, the massive legacy of his life’s work. While reflecting on the broken body and shed blood of his Savior, Aquinas claimed to see a vision that left him without words. He said, “I can write no more. I have seen things that make my writings seem like straw.”

Before Aquinas, Paul too had a vision. In 2 Corinthians, he described the experience: “[I]—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things” (12:3–4).

Paul and Aquinas left us to reflect on an ocean of goodness that neither words nor reason can express. The implications of what Aquinas saw left him without hope of finishing his work in a way that would do justice to a God who sent His Son to be crucified for us. By contrast, Paul continued to write, but he did so in the awareness of what he couldn’t express or finish in his own strength.

In all the troubles Paul encountered in service to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:16–33; 12:8–9), he could look back and see, in his weakness, a grace and goodness beyond words and wonder.

What problem have you had that seemed like a curse? How have you seen God show Himself good to you in ways you can’t describe?

Father in heaven, please give me the courage today to look for an inexpressible sense of Your presence and strength in my weakness.

INSIGHT

In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul continued his reluctant “boasting” he began in the previous chapter to counteract the claims of the “super apostles,” false teachers who were misleading the Corinthians by preaching “a Jesus other than the Jesus [Paul] preached” (11:4). In chapter 12, he tells of a time years earlier when he’d been “caught up to the third heaven” (v. 2), or paradise, the place of God’s throne. According to ancient Jewish belief, there were three heavens. The first heaven was the earth’s atmosphere (winds and clouds) and the second consisted of the sun, moon, and stars.

By Mart DeHaan|2022-10-18T02:33:19-04:00October 18th, 2022|

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God Spoke

Read: Genesis 1:1–4 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 50–52; 1 Thessalonians 5

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God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3

In 1876, inventor Alexander Graham Bell spoke the very first words on a telephone. He called his assistant, Thomas Watson, saying, “Watson, come here. I want to see you.” Crackly and indistinct, but intelligible, Watson heard what Bell had said. The first words spoken by Bell over a phone line proved that a new day for human communication had dawned.

Establishing the dawn of the first day into the “formless and empty” earth (Genesis 1:2), God spoke His first words recorded in Scripture: “Let there be light” (v. 3). These words were filled with creative power. He spoke, and what He declared came into existence (Psalm 33:6, 9). God said, “let there be light” and so it was. His words produced immediate victory as darkness and chaos gave way to the brilliance of light and order. Light was God’s answer to the dominance of darkness. And when He had created the light, He saw that it “was good” (Genesis 1:4).

God’s first words continue to be powerful in the lives of believers in Jesus. With the dawning of each new day, it’s as if God is restating His spoken words in our lives. When darkness—literally and metaphorically—gives way to the brilliance of His light, may we praise Him and acknowledge that He’s called out to us and truly sees us.

When dawn breaks through the darkness, how will you celebrate God’s love and faithfulness? How has God’s light opened your eyes to see Him?

Creator of Light, I praise You for dispelling the darkness of this world—opening my eyes to You and Your presence in my life.

INSIGHT

Genesis means “origin.” Jewish scholars used this Greek title in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament. The Hebrew title Bereshith is taken from the first word in the Hebrew text: “In the beginning (bereshith)” (Genesis 1:1). Bereshith simply means “beginnings” or “what is first.” Genesis, the book of many “firsts,” tells of the primeval history of the world in general (chs. 1–11) and the patriarchal history of the people of Israel in particular (chs. 12–50). While not in any agreement concerning the specific dates for the primeval history, scholars suggest that Abraham (ch. 12) moved to Canaan some two thousand years before Christ. Genesis is God’s account of the beginnings of the universe, the human race, and sin. It provides the background for His plan to save humanity through one family (3:15), the descendants of Abraham (12:1–2).

By Marvin Williams|2022-10-17T02:33:03-04:00October 17th, 2022|

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The Indwelling Christ

Read: John 14:15–24 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 47–49; 1 Thessalonians 4

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On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:20

English preacher F. B. Meyer (1847–1929) used the example of an egg to illustrate what he called “the deep philosophy of the indwelling Christ.” He noted how the fertilized yolk is a little “life germ” that grows more and more each day until the chick is formed in the shell. So too will Jesus come to live with us through His Holy Spirit, changing us. Meyer said, “From now on Christ is going to grow and increase and absorb into Himself everything else, and be formed in you.”

He apologized for stating the truths of Jesus imperfectly, knowing that his words couldn’t fully convey the wonderful reality of Christ dwelling in believers through the Holy Spirit. But he urged his listeners to share with others, however imperfectly, what Jesus meant when He said, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:20). Jesus said these words on the night of His last supper with His friends. He wanted them to know that He and His Father would come and make their home with those who obey Him (v. 23). This is possible because through the Spirit Jesus dwells in those who believe in Him, changing them from the inside out.

No matter how you picture it, we have Christ living inside us, guiding us and helping us to grow to be more like Him.

What difference does it make to you that Jesus dwells within you? How do you see His presence in others?

Dear Jesus, You’re God and man. Thank You for giving of Yourself so sacrificially, that I might be called a child of God.

INSIGHT

Jesus promised that “another advocate” (John 14:16), the “Spirit of truth” (v. 17), would be with His disciples after He was no longer physically present (v. 28). The word advocate (Greek paraklētos), used only by John, is a word with legal connotations, a bit like a defense lawyer or counselor. Jesus’ words suggest that He was an advocate and teacher to His disciples while on earth. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the Spirit would continue this work (vv. 25–26). First John 2:1 points to an inseparable relationship between Jesus and the Spirit as advocates for believers in Jesus. Here, we’re told “we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”

By Amy Boucher Pye|2022-10-16T02:33:17-04:00October 16th, 2022|

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Signs of Life

Read: Jeremiah 29:4–14 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 45–46; 1 Thessalonians 3

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I will come to you and fulfill my good promise. Jeremiah 29:10

When my daughter received a pair of pet crabs as a gift, she filled a glass tank with sand so the creatures could climb and dig. She supplied water, protein, and vegetable scraps for their dining pleasure. They seemed happy, so it was shocking when they disappeared one day. We searched everywhere. Finally, we learned they were likely under the sand, and would be there for about two months as they shed their exoskeletons.

Two months passed, and then another month, and I had begun to worry that they’d died. The longer we waited, the more impatient I became. Then, finally, we saw signs of life, and the crabs emerged from the sand.

I wonder if Israel doubted that God’s prophecy for them would be fulfilled when they lived as exiles in Babylon. Did they feel despair? Did they worry they’d be there forever? Through Jeremiah, God had said, “I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to [Jerusalem]” (Jeremiah 29:10). Sure enough, seventy years later, God caused the Persian king Cyrus to allow the Jews to return and rebuild their temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1–4).

In seasons of waiting when it seems like nothing is happening, God hasn’t forgotten us. As the Holy Spirit helps us to develop patience, we can know that He’s the Hope-Giver, the Promise-Keeper, and the One who controls the future.

How does understanding God’s character help you when you’re waiting? What’s the relationship between doubt and faith?

Dear God, help me to have faith in You as I wait. Show me how to handle doubt and display faith instead.

INSIGHT

Sometimes the prophet Jeremiah is called the “weeping prophet” because of the way he grieved over the people being taken captive by Babylon. In Jeremiah 13:17, we read: “If you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the Lord’s flock will be taken captive.” It’s just one expression of the prophet’s many tears shed for his people (see also 9:1, 18; 14:17; 31:16). Lamentations 2:11 also describes Jeremiah’s tears as he observed the fall of Jerusalem.

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt|2022-10-15T02:33:11-04:00October 15th, 2022|

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Baby Boy

Read: Deuteronomy 10:14–22 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 43–44; 1 Thessalonians 2

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[God] defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you. Deuteronomy 10:18

For more than a year, his legal name was “Baby Boy.” Discovered by a security guard who heard his cries, Baby Boy had been abandoned—hours old and wrapped only in a bag—in a hospital parking lot.

Soon after his discovery, Social Services called the people who would one day become his forever family. The couple took him in and called him Grayson (not his real name). Finally, the adoption was complete, and Grayson’s name became official. Today you can meet a delightful child who mispronounces his r’s as he earnestly engages you in conversation. You’d never guess he’d once been found abandoned in a bag.

Late in his life, Moses reviewed God’s character and what He’d done for the people of Israel. “The Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them,” Moses told them (Deuteronomy 10:15). This love had a broad scope. “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing,” Moses said (v. 18). “He is the one you praise; he is your God” (v. 21).

Whether it’s through adoption or simply through love and service, we’re all called to reflect God’s love. That loving couple became the hands and feet God used to extend His love to someone who might have gone unnoticed and unclaimed. We can serve as His hands and feet too.

How have you sensed God extending His love to you in ways large and small? What small thing might you do today to reflect that love?

Heavenly Father, have mercy on the fatherless. Help me to be Your hands and feet today.

INSIGHT

Today’s passage (Deuteronomy 10:14–22) is written in a more elevated style from the rest of the book; it contains more descriptive language and uses rhetorical devices—such as repetition of ideas in different forms—to allow the hearer to absorb the content. This suggests that Moses’ speech is reaching a climax. Old Testament scholar Daniel Block says that Moses “is about to declare the moral and spiritual implications of the privilege of covenant relationship that he has been preaching to this point of the second address.” The moral requirement is adherence to the law of God. Moses reiterates this three times with three different admonitions: keep the commands (vv. 12–13), circumcise your heart (v. 16), and fear and serve God (v. 20). Each of these calls to submit to and serve God is followed by an attribution of praise (see vv. 14, 17, 21).

By Tim Gustafson|2022-10-14T16:06:22-04:00October 14th, 2022|

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Will You Still Love Me?

Read: Romans 5:6–11 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 41–42; 1 Thessalonians 1

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While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Ten-year-old Lyn-Lyn had finally been adopted, but she was afraid. In the orphanage where she’d grown up, she was punished over the slightest mistake. Lyn-Lyn asked her adoptive mom, who was a friend of mine: “Mommy, do you love me?” When my friend replied yes, Lyn-Lyn asked, “If I make a mistake, will you still love me?”

Although unspoken, some of us might ask that same question when we feel we’ve disappointed God: “Will You still love me?” We know that as long as we live in this world, we’ll fail and sin at times. And we wonder, Do my mistakes affect God’s love for me?

John 3:16 assures us of God’s love. He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on our behalf so that if we believe in Him, we’ll receive eternal life. But what if we fail Him even after we place our trust in Him? That’s when we need to remember that “Christ died for us” even when we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). If He could love us at our worst, how can we doubt His love today when we’re His children?

When we sin, our Father lovingly corrects and disciplines us. That’s not rejection (8:1); that’s love (Hebrews 12:6). Let’s live as God’s beloved children, resting in the blessed assurance that His love for us is steadfast and everlasting.

How does understanding God’s love for you strengthen you to obey Him? How does it impact your view of sin?

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast and unchanging love.

INSIGHT

In Romans 5, the apostle Paul sets up one of the most beautiful pictures of Jesus’ work on the cross. Shortly after saying that God proved His love for humanity through Christ’s death, Paul turns his attention to our death. Death, he says, became a plague over all humanity because the first Adam chose rebellion over obedience. As a result, every human dies. But Jesus—the last Adam—chose obedience to the Father. As a result, He opened the path through death to eternal life for everyone who will believe in Him.

We were God’s enemies when He sent Jesus. We were doomed to die because of Adam’s and our own rebellion. But God didn’t give up on us. Instead, He showed us love through Jesus. And His faithfulness broke both the power of sin and death, leading us back to life.

By Karen Huang|2022-10-13T02:33:02-04:00October 13th, 2022|

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Life Expectancy

Read: Psalm 90:1–14 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 39–40; Colossians 4

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A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by. Psalm 90:4

In 1990, French researchers had a computer problem: a data error when processing the age of Jeanne Calment. She was 115 years old, an age outside the parameters of the software program. The programmers had assumed no one could possibly live that long! In fact, Jeanne lived until the age of 122.

The psalmist writes, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures” (Psalm 90:10). This is a figurative way of saying that whatever age we live to, even to the age of Jeanne Calment, our lives on earth are indeed limited. Our lifetimes are in the sovereign hands of a loving God (v. 5). In the spiritual realm, however, we’re reminded of what “God time” really is: “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by” (v. 4).

And in the person of Jesus Christ “life expectancy” has been given a whole new meaning: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36). “Has” is in the present tense: right now, in our current physical moment of trouble and tears, our future is blessed, and our lifespan is limitless.

In this we rejoice and with the psalmist pray, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14).

What worries do you have about your life and its limits? How are you comforted by the presence of Jesus?

Loving God, sometimes this life is hard, but—even so—I sing for joy in Your provision for me. Satisfy me today with Your unfailing love.

INSIGHT

Moses’ authorship of Psalm 90, based on the superscription, makes it the oldest of the psalms whose authorship we know. In addition to this psalm, Moses is ascribed authorship of the first five books of the Bible—the Pentateuch or Torah—making him the most prolific Old Testament writer. Some scholars believe that the background to the writing of this psalm may have been Israel’s failure at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13–14), where they rejected the land of promise despite Joshua and Caleb’s glowing account of the magnificent new homeland God had promised them. That rejection resulted in the forty years of wilderness wanderings the Israelites endured.

By kenneth petersen|2022-10-12T02:33:18-04:00October 12th, 2022|

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Choosing Compassion

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God in the Details

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Reasons to Rejoice

INSIGHT

Beyond Words

INSIGHT

God Spoke

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The Indwelling Christ

INSIGHT

Signs of Life

INSIGHT

Baby Boy

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Will You Still Love Me?

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Life Expectancy

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