May 10, 2018
Dear friends,
In last week’s blog post, I quoted the late Richard DeHaan, whose father, Dr. Martin Ralph DeHaan, began a radio ministry in 1938, which later became known as “Radio Bible Class.” For more information about this, please visit: https://ourdailybread.ca/. A lot has changed in the past eighty years, but the importance of knowing Christ remains the same.
Last Sunday, the Children’s class that I taught at church looked at some of the kings of Israel identified in 1 Kings 16. It was sad to read that many kings “did evil in the eyes of the Lord.” This major character flaw prevailed to such an extent that the Lord was provoked to anger.
Many people think of Jesus as “meek and mild,” but the Word of God reveals that He was angry when He saw the moneychangers in the temple courts. After making a whip and overturning tables, Jesus told those who were selling doves to “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:16). Dr. David Jeremiah comments: “God approves of anger at sin (Ephesians 4:26) … Jesus acted as He did because of the moneychangers’ dishonesty and their disregard for the purpose of the temple – worship. Jesus would clear out the temple again, near the end of his public ministry (Luke 19:46).” The apostle John records that after watching Jesus clear the temple, the disciples remembered what is written in Psalm 69:9 – “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
In his book “Jesus the King,” Timothy Keller examines the incident that is recorded in Mark 9:19-29, revealing the contrast between the disciples’ approach to a demon-possessed boy and the attitude of the boy’s father. The disciples tried to exorcise the demon without praying, whereas the boy’s father admitted his weakness and turned to Christ for help. How we need to remember to turn our eyes upon Jesus!
Scripture for the weekend: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Thought for the weekend: “Perfect righteousness is impossible for us, and if you wait for that, you will never come into the presence of God. You must admit that you are not righteous, and that you need help. When you can say that, you are approaching God to worship” – Timothy Keller (from his book “Jesus the King”)
By His grace,
Steve