Abundant Grace

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

All Our Boasting Should Be in God

“Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it?” Isaiah 10:15

This particular verse was directed by God toward the nation of Assyria. Their king kept boasting about how he had conquered all the nations around him and he gloried in his invincibility. God had been reminding the king, in the previous few verses, that he, the king, had actually done nothing at all. God had been at work and the king should not boast.

How about us? Do we ever hear ourselves saying, “Look how much I have done?” Do we sometimes even add to that, “Look how much I have done for God?” If we are God’s children we should be ever mindful that God is at work in us and that God is not overwhelmed by what we have done. It is by His power and grace that we can do anything at all. Unlike the king of Assyria, we need to be ever mindful of what God is doing and live in praise and recognition of that.

Dear Father, Let us remember that all we do that is good is Christ working in us. Amen.

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Monday, November 9, 2015

Christians in an Evil World

“Woe to those who enact evil statutes and those who constantly record unjust decisions.” Isaiah 10:1

Are you troubled by the persistent evil that comes out of our government and courts? This is nothing new. The history of mankind has been consistent on devising evil, promoting evil, and protecting evil. This evil has been within the community of God’s people, priests and false prophets, and in the world around God’s people. We too often react with amazement that such things can happen. Obviously we need to be in God’s word more often to see this as no surprise.

So how do we respond? In John 21 Jesus told Peter, “What is that to you? You follow Me.” That is our response. We follow Christ and not be dragged down to follow the world. God has declared woe on the world and its leaders. What is that to us? We must continue to follow Christ. That one assignment is our job, our calling, our greatest joy. God will take care of the rest.

Dear Father, Let us not grow fainthearted in the midst of great evil. Amen.

Friday, November 6, 2015

God Always Keeps His Word

“For the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:7

How can we be sure that God will bring peace? How can we be sure that we can find a wonderful counselor in Christ? How can we be sure that Jesus is who He said He is? We can be sure because God has promised it in His word. If we reject the truth of who God is, or that there is even any God, we cannot know anything. We will be lost and forlorn all our life long seeking something that can satisfy and not finding it. Hebrews says, “He who comes to God must believe that He is.” (11:6)

Without faith we cannot know Him or all the joy, hope, peace, and comfort that He gives. But if we do believe Him then we will find that He is always true and that what He promises He will give. For the unbeliever there can never be any certainty in their own life, but God will still do what He says even if they don’t believe it. That is the certainty of God – He will perform His word.

Dear Father, Increase our faith. Amen.

The Friday Benediction

Until Monday, my friends, may the good God envelop you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of faith, “I believe in the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the saints”, and may you be enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that confession this weekend. Amen

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Peace in His Time

“His name shall be called ‘Prince of Peace’.” Isaiah 9:6

Across the street from the United Nations there is a large wall containing this verse, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) What they need to add to that wall is the verse “Unto us a Child is born, a Son is given, and His name shall be called, ‘Prince of Peace’.” Without the second verse the first verse is impossible. Think of how many millions of people have been killed in war since the founding of the United Nations. Look at how many conflicts rage today.

There is only one peace giver and that is Jesus Christ. He gives peace of heart and soul to those who believe in Him. He also promises to give peace to the earth when He reigns as King. He alone can overcome all the hatred of men, their jealousies and presumptions. He alone can bring peace for He is indeed the one and only, “Prince of Peace”.

Dear Father, Thank You for the peace that comes through Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Christ - The Everlasting God

“His name shall be called ‘Everlasting Father’.” Isaiah 9:6

Men live and then men die. We have a beginning and we will all have an end. Our end is not just dust but an eternity somewhere – either heaven or hell. Jesus, however, had no beginning because He was in the beginning. He also offers the only means to having a positive ending. He can do this because He is everlasting. As the psalmist puts it, “From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” (Psalm 90:2) Or as the author of Hebrews puts it, “Without father, without mother, having neither beginning of days nor end of life.” (Heb. 7:3) And as the psalmist says, “Thou art a priest forever”. (Psalm 110:4)

Jesus adds to this description of Himself when He says in John 10:30, “I and My Father are One.” Jesus left no doubt that He was the everlasting Father in that passage and the Jews sought to kill Him because of His declaration. The Virgin born child is the Everlasting Father come in the flesh to reveal the Father to all men.

Dear Father, Thank You for giving us Your eternal Son that we might have eternal life in Him. Amen.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Almighty God Among Us

“His name shall be called ‘Almighty God’.” Isaiah 9:6

This Son who is given to us, this child who is born of the Virgin; who is He? He is Almighty God! The great declaration of Scripture is that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word WAS God.” (John 1:1) This Child who was born of the Virgin, this Son given to us, He made all things – Jn. 1:2. He could control all things – Matt. 6:23-27. He could raise the dead – Jn. 11:43-44. He could perform astounding miracles – Jn. 6:1-13. He knew the hearts of men and their thoughts – Mark 2:7-8.

Here is Jeremiah’s commentary on God, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.” (Jer. 32:17) Jesus gave continual evidence that this verse was true of Him. Without a doubt Jesus’ life and ministry declared that this Virgin born Child is “Almighty God”.

Dear Father, Thank You for dwelling with us in the Person of Your Son. Amen.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Wonderful Counselor

“His name shall be called ‘Wonderful Counselor’.” Isaiah 9:6

What purpose does a counselor serve? Many people think that counselors are there to give advice. That may be partly true, but that is not always their main intent. Counselors are there to listen. Counselors are there to provide a safe place, a trusted and confidential place to pour out our sorrows. They can also give advice. Jesus is a good listener. He also gives perfect advice. He is safe and confidential. What more could we want from a Wonderful Counselor?

Has Jesus experienced all the pain of mankind? Yes! Can He understand all our fears, sorrows, and insecurities? Yes! Can He offer words of comfort that will soothe the soul? Yes! Can He keep our secrets in the safety of His loving heart? Yes! Can He give advice that is always perfect? Yes! Can all those things be true of any other man? NO! We may find many good, kind, caring, and confidential counselors, but we can never find one like our Savior. Praise God for giving us the Wonderful Counselor!

Dear Father, Thank You for giving us the One who cares and understands the best. Amen.