Category: Bible (Page 184 of 424)

I hear a platitude about God and his relationship to us repeated regularly—God just wants me to be happy. But how does anyone know that’s what God wants for you or me? The Bible never uses such a phrase. This idea springs from our therapeutic culture that places us at the center of the universe—God exists to make me happy.

But what if God wants more for us than happiness? What if happiness (such an elusive feeling) is simply a by-product of something else? The Lord, speaking through Isaiah, clarified the attributes of people who draw his attention:

These are the ones I look on with favor; those are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

Happiness, if it comes at all, emerges from a heart in tune with the Lord. A heart close to the Lord remains modest, chastened, and shudders before God’s holiness. Furthermore, such a person finds themselves exposed when reading their Bible. The scriptures point them toward God and away from self. Knowing God and walking with him become the focus—not our happiness.

God just wants me to be happy expresses a shallow, childish view of the Christian faith. God holds so much more. Tremble at his word and see how much deeper the Lord may take you.

Isaiah 66 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Deleece Cook

Shame has gone out of fashion in parts of our culture. Internalizing too much shame is bad for anyone, but the fact that people parade around some of our cities without clothes seems to call for a touch of shame. No one needs to see that.

David prayed, knowing his potential to shame the good name of the Lord:

You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.

Like David, I pray that my words and actions as a follower of Jesus and a religious missionary worker do not bring shame to the gospel. I carry the potential, the folly in my heart, to turn people away from the good news of Jesus. We see it often, and the Lord hates such hypocrisy.

David’s prayer is a warning for all of us who profess a strong commitment to the Lord. I also need to pray, Heavenly Father, keep me from harming someone else’s relationship with you.

I heard Dr. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, ask the Lord to take him home before he did something to disgrace his Savior. David shares a similar sentiment, and it’s a sobering thought for me to wrestle with as well.

Psalm 69 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Goh Rhy Yan

The more time you spend in the Bible, the more you notice God’s concern for every person all over the world. Jesus emphasized this aspect of God’s heart as he commissioned his disciples after his death:

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

The theme emerges over and over in the book of Isaiah. The prophet shares God’s message to the nation of Israel, but underscores again and again this call to the nations.

I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other (Isaiah 45:5-6).

I will make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).

My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7).

The phrase from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting reflects the Lord’s heart that all the world will know him. And how do the good people on God’s heart hear this news? Through messangers like Isaiah, the disciples of Jesus, and you and me.

The news still spreads, and it’s appropriate of those of us who follow Jesus to open our mouths and spread it a little farther.

Isaiah 45, 49 & 56 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Nick Fewings

In many situations converts to the Christian faith face intense persecution. Leaving an old religion to follow Jesus brings questioning and scrutiny from those around the converted. Families break and relationships suffer. But Jesus calls all to follow him, and some start their journey on more difficult circumstances than others.

Paul commended the early converts in Corinth: You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people.

Stephanas and his household heard the good news of Jesus and followed him in the midst of Corinth, a wealthy port and major worship center of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and procreation. Temples to Aphrodite and other gods littered the city, yet in their midst the gospel took root.

Not only rooted, but the gospel flourished under the leadership of Stephanas. He and his fellow believers went all in, despite the opposition of friends and neighbors. To be a convert came with a cost. But the believers in Corinth bet all they had on Jesus.

Many choose to follow Jesus in the midst of a supportive church and an encouraging family. I praise God for such situations and pray for many more. But let’s pray for those in our world who follow the path of Stephanas and convert in the midst of oppositional cultures. May the Lord bless them and keep them and make them strong, and may we take heart in their courage.

1 Corinthians 16 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Amanda Jones