Morning, November 29 Go To Evening Reading
"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people … Thou shalt rebuke thy neighbor and not suffer sin upon him."
—Leviticus 19:16, 17
Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison, for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report is true or false, we are, by this precept of God's Word, forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord's people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it a shame to help the devil to dishonor the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glories in pulling down their brethren as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah's wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. In one of these dark days, we may need forbearance and silence from our brethren; let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule and our personal bond—Speak evil of no man.
The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin and prescribes how to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, and Christlike and will be helpful under God's blessing. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then we must lay the more significant stress upon our conscience and keep ourselves to work, lest by suffering sin upon our friend, we become partakers of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in his notice given to Peter, the prayer with which he preceded it, and the gentle way in which he bore with Peter's boastful denial that he needed such a caution.
Spurgeon, C. H. Morning and Evening: Daily Readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896. Print.
November 29: Revitalization: Moving Beyond the Catch Word
2 Kings 22:1–23:27; Ephesians 5:1–33; Proverbs 9:1–12
Ideally, spiritual renewal wouldn't be necessary—we would continually grow closer to God. But that's not the case. There are ups and downs in our walk with Yahweh. We experience times of intimacy and times of distance. We lose focus, energy, or the desire to obey. These highs and lows could be the result of our fallen world or our taking God for granted, but whatever the reason, we need renewal. Spiritual revitalization is essential. We can always grow closer to God.
During his reign, King Josiah launches a reformation—a revitalization of the way God's people think and act. He even changes the people's understanding of God Himself. After finding a scroll (likely of Deuteronomy), Josiah tears his clothes in remorse and repentance and instructs the priests to inquire of Yahweh on behalf of the people (2 Kgs 22:8–13). Yahweh is aware of their misdeeds. Then Josiah immediately does what needs to be done: He reforms the land (2 Kgs 23:1–20).
Josiah makes the difficult choice to do what God requires. He ignites God's work among His people again. He restores obedience. The result is challenging and exhausting—it means changing how people live.
If we faced an opportunity like this, would we have the strength and dedication to take it? Would we be willing to change what must be changed? Would we be willing to proclaim the word of Yahweh to people who are not ready to hear it—who may resist the change? Would we carry out Yahweh's work despite its unpopularity? These are issues we face every day.
The time of hypothetical speculation must end, and the time of igniting authentic renewal and real reform must begin. It starts with us, and it doesn't end until all the lives around us are renewed, changed, and transformed.
In what area is God asking you to lead change?
John D. Barry
Barry, John D., and Rebecca Kruyswijk. Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan. Print. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012.
November 29
The absoluteness of Jesus Christ
He shall glorify Me. John 16:14.
The pietistic movements of today have none of the harsh reality of the New Testament; nothing about them needs the death of Jesus Christ; all that is required is a pious atmosphere, prayer, and devotion. This experience is neither supernatural nor miraculous; it did not cost God's passion. God, it is not dyed in the blood of the Lamb, not stamped with the hallmark of the Holy Ghost. It has not that mark on it which makes men say, as they look with awe and wonder—' That is the work of God Almighty.' That and nothing else is what the New Testament talks about.
The type of Christian experience in the New Testament is personal, passionate devotion to the Person of Jesus Christ. Every other type of Christian experience is detached from the Person of Jesus. There is no regeneration, no being born again into the Kingdom in which Christ lives, but only the idea that He is our Pattern. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is Saviour long before He is Pattern. Today He is being despatched as the Figurehead of a religion, a mere Example. He is that, but He is infinitely more; He is salvation itself. He is the Gospel of God.
Jesus said—"When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, … He shall glorify Me." When I commit myself to the revelation made in the New Testament, I receive from God the gift of the Holy Spirit, who interprets what Jesus Christ did and does in me subjectively what Jesus Christ did for me objectively.
Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year. Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986. Print.
November 29
With God, all things are possible
Mark 10:27
Unbelief says, "How can such and such things be?" It is full of shows, but faith has one great answer to the ten thousand hows: God!
C. H. M.
Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour. Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.
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