LEVITICUS AND SAME-SEX SEX: A REVIEW

LEVITICUS AND SAME-SEX SEX: A REVIEW

For more great blogs as this one go to Daniel’s blog site at:  www.Mannsword.blogspot.com

In “The Secret History of Leviticus,” Idan Dershowitz tries to make the case that Leviticus, the third book of the Hebrew Bible, didn’t originally include any prohibitions against homosexuality. Instead, these laws represent later editorial changes or additions to the text:

• Like many ancient texts, Leviticus was created gradually over a long period and includes the words of more than one writer. Many scholars believe that the section in which Leviticus 18 appears was added by a comparatively late editor, perhaps one who worked more than a century after the oldest material in the book was composed. An earlier edition of Leviticus, then, may have been silent on the matter of sex between men. (nytimes.com)

We would think that, in order to make such a claim, Dershowitz has produced earlier copies of Leviticus where the teachings against homosexuality weren’t included. However, no such copies exist.

How then does he make such an outrageous claim? He knows that such claims will be readily received in the present cultural climate seeking to justify homosexuality, especially biblically. (So far, scholars lack the courage to make such claims about the Qur’an.)

On what does Dershowitz base his claim? “Clues” in the only textual readings available:

• This editor’s decision to neutralize old laws by writing new glosses, instead of deleting the laws altogether, is serendipitous: He left behind just enough clues for his handiwork to be perceptible.

Were there subsequent editors? Contrary to Dershowitz, this claim rests only on popular conjecture.

Do other scholars, those who have translated Leviticus into English, recognize such “clues?” Evidently, not yet. Even liberalized contemporary translations seem to be unaware of such “clues.” Let’s start with the Contemporary English Version (British Edition) 2012:

• It is disgusting for a man to have sex with another man. Anyone who has sex with an animal is unclean. Don't make yourselves unclean by any of these disgusting practices of those nations that I am forcing out of the land for you. (Leviticus 18:22-24)

Same-sex relations are associated with bestiality. Some have tried to justify homosexuality by arguing that these prohibitions pertained only to Israel. However, this passage makes it clear that it pertained to ALL the nations.

Now, let’s take a look at the Good News Bible (Anglicized Version):

• “No man is to have sexual relations with another man; God hates that. No man or woman is to have sexual relations with an animal; that perversion makes you ritually unclean. Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these acts, for that is how the pagans made themselves unclean, those pagans who lived in the land before you and whom the LORD is driving out so that you can go in.” (Leviticus 18:22-24)

In short, I was unable to find one English translation that recognized Dershowitz’ “clues.”

Why does the New York Times honor such alleged “clues?” I have many clues!

HOPE IN GRIEF

Hope in Grief

Read: Luke 24:13–32
Bible in a Year: Psalms 49–50; Romans 1

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.—Luke 24:31

When I was nineteen, one of my close friends was killed in a car accident. In the following weeks and months, I walked each day in a tunnel of grief. The pain of losing someone so young and wonderful clouded my vision, and at times I even felt unaware of what was going on around me. I felt so blinded by pain and grief that I simply could not see God.

In Luke 24, two disciples, confused and brokenhearted after Jesus’s death, didn’t realize they were walking with their resurrected Teacher Himself, even as He explained from Scripture why the promised Savior had to die and rise again. Only when He took bread and broke it was it revealed that this was Jesus (vv. 30-31). Although the followers of Jesus had faced death in all its horror when Jesus died, through His resurrection from the dead God showed them how to hope again.

Like those disciples, we might feel weighed down with confusion or grief. But we can find hope and comfort in the reality that Jesus is alive and at work in the world—and in us. Although we still face heartache and pain, we can welcome Christ to walk with us in our tunnel of grief. As the Light of the world (John 8:12), He can bring rays of hope to brighten our fog. —Amy Boucher Pye

Lord God, thank You for being the light in the darkness. Bring hope when I’m sad and confused, and help me to see Your glory.

Though we grieve, we have hope in Jesus.

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BEES AND SNAKES

Bees and Snakes

Read: Matthew 7:7–11
Bible in a Year: Psalms 46–48; Acts 28

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!—Matthew 7:11

Some problems have Daddy’s name written all over them. For instance, my kids recently discovered bees had moved into a crack in our concrete front porch. So, armed with bug spray, I went out to do battle.

I got stung. Five times.

I don’t like being stung by insects. But better me than my kids or wife. Taking care of my family’s well-being is at the top of my job description after all. My children recognized a need, and they asked me to address it. They trusted me to protect them from something they feared.

In Matthew 7, Jesus teaches that we too should bring our needs to God (v. 7), trusting Him with our requests. To illustrate, Jesus gives a case study in character: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” (vv. 9-10). For loving parents, the answer is obvious. But Jesus answers anyway, challenging us not to lose faith in our Father’s generous goodness: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (v. 11).

I can’t imagine loving my kids more. But Jesus assures us that even the best earthly father’s love is eclipsed by God’s love for us. —Adam Holz

Father, thank You for loving us so much more than even the best father here ever could. Help us to do as Jesus said with everything that’s on our hearts; to ask, seek, and knock in our relationship with You.

We can rely on our Father for everything we need.

INSIGHT: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) focuses on the attitudes and actions that are to characterize “citizens” who live under God’s rule. Yet an even more intimate relationship comes into play in the sermon. A common thread that runs through the chapters is a “family focus” or, more specifically, a “Father focus.” In Matthew 5:9 Jesus declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (emphasis added). And when followers of Christ display heaven’s light by the way they live, the “Father in heaven” gets the credit (v. 16). Showing love for one’s enemies also demonstrates kinship with our heavenly Father (vv. 43-48).

Those who engage in holy habits (6:4, 6, 18), including prayer, do so with the knowledge that the primary audience is their Father in heaven. The King who rules over all is “our Father” and cares enough to hear our prayers for all our needs. Thus, we can confidently address Him, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (v. 9).

When you pray this week, reflect on the fact that you are praying to the One Scripture calls our heavenly Father. Arthur Jackson

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LAVISH EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE

Lavish Expressions of Love

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6–15
Bible in a Year: Psalms 43–45; Acts 27:27–44

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.—2 Corinthians 9:11

On our wedding anniversary, my husband, Alan, gives me a large bouquet of fresh flowers. When he lost his job during a corporate restructure, I didn’t expect this extravagant display of devotion to continue. But on our nineteenth anniversary, the color-splashed blossoms greeted me from their spot on our dining room table. Because he valued continuing this annual tradition, Alan saved some money each month to ensure he’d have enough for this personal show of affection.

My husband’s careful planning exhibited exuberant generosity, similar to what Paul encouraged when he addressed the Corinthian believers. The apostle complimented the church for their intentional and enthusiastic offerings (2 Corinthians 9:2, 5), reminding them that God delights in generous and cheerful givers (vv. 6-7). After all, no one gives more than our loving Provider, who’s always ready to supply all we need (vv. 8-10).

We can be generous in all kinds of giving, caring for one another because the Lord meets all of our material, emotional, and spiritual needs (v. 11). As we give, we can express our gratitude for all God has given us. We can even motivate others to praise the Lord and give from all God has given them (vv. 12-13). Openhanded giving, a lavish expression of love and gratitude, can demonstrate our confidence in God’s provision for all His people. —Xochitl Dixon

Lord, please help us trust Your abundant love and generosity, so we can give to others as You so faithfully give to us.

Generous giving displays courageous confidence in God’s loving and faithful provision.

INSIGHT: Paul reminds us that God provides for us so we can bless others (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). He quotes Psalm 112:9 to encourage generosity: “[The righteous] share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever” (nlt).

In what ways can you practice cheerful, generous giving this week? K. T. Sim

UNSELFISH SERVICE

Unselfish Service

Read: Isaiah 58:6–12
Bible in a Year: Psalms 40–42; Acts 27:1–26

If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness.—Isaiah 58:10

A small collection of people stood together, dwarfed by the size of the huge tree lying on the lawn. An elderly woman leaned on her cane and described watching the previous night’s windstorm as it blew down “our majestic old elm tree. Worst of all,” she continued, voice cracking with emotion, “it destroyed our lovely stone wall too. My husband built that wall when we were first married. He loved that wall. I loved that wall! Now it’s gone; just like him.”

Next morning, as she peeked out at the tree company workers cleaning up the downed tree; a big smile spread across her face. In between the branches she could just make out two adults and the boy who mowed her lawn carefully measuring and rebuilding her beloved stone wall!

The prophet Isaiah describes the kind of service God favors: acts that lift the hearts of those around us, like the wall repairers did for the elderly woman. This passage teaches that God values unselfish service to others over empty spiritual rituals. In fact, God exercises a two-way blessing on the selfless service of His children. First, God uses our willing acts of service to aid the oppressed and needy (Isaiah 58:7-10). Then God honors those engaged in such service by building or rebuilding our reputations as powerful positive forces in His kingdom (vv. 11-12). What service will you offer this day? —Randy Kilgore

Thank You, Father, for the acts of others You use to lift us up, and for calling us to do the same.

Selfless service to others brings honor to God.

INSIGHT: Am I my brother’s keeper? We might wonder something similar when we hear Isaiah urging his people to reach out to a world of hurting people. But another story is working in the background. God’s people were trying to avoid responsibility for the wrongs they were doing to their own flesh and blood (Isaiah 58:7).

Can you think of anything you are doing, or not doing, to those around you that is making their life difficult? Can you think of ways to unselfishly serve them? Mart DeHaan

PERFECT IMPERFECTIOIN

Perfect Imperfection

Read: Ephesians 3:8–19
Bible in a Year: Psalms 37–39; Acts 26

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.—Ephesians 3:16

A college professor of mine, picking up on my perfectionism-induced procrastination, gave me some wise advice. “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good,” he said, explaining that striving for perfect performance can prevent the risks necessary for growth. Accepting that my work would always be imperfect would give me the freedom to keep growing.

The apostle Paul explained an even more profound reason to let go of our own efforts to perfect ourselves: it can blind us to our need for Christ.

Paul had learned this the hard way. After years striving to perfectly obey God’s law, encountering Jesus changed everything (Galatians 1:11-16). Paul realized that if his own efforts were enough to be whole and right with God, “then there was no need for Christ to die” (2:21 nlt). Only by letting go of—dying to—self-reliance, could he experience Jesus living in him (v. 20). Only in his imperfection could he experience God’s perfect power.

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t resist sin (v. 17); but it does mean we should stop relying on our own strength to grow spiritually (v. 20).

In this lifetime, we will always be works in progress. But as our hearts humbly accept our constant need for the only perfect One, Jesus makes His home there (Ephesians 3:17). Rooted in Him, we are free to grow ever deeper in the love “too great” to ever “understand fully” (v. 19 nlt). —Monica Brands

Lord, so often we exchange the joy and freedom of life with You for the burden of relying on ourselves. Help us to humbly rely on You instead.

We are free to grow in Jesus’s love.

INSIGHT: Before his dramatic conversion to Christ, Paul relied on his observance of the law for right standing with God (Philippians 3:4-6). But we see in today’s passage that Paul’s focus has shifted from human effort to acknowledging the work of the Lord. Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus that God would strengthen them (v. 16) so that Christ may dwell in them (v. 17). Then they will be rooted in love (v. 17) and filled with the fullness of God (v. 19). These are things God does for the believer, not something we do.

Have you been tempted to rely on your own strength to please God? J.R. Hudberg

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SAY "MERCY"

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTION

SAY “MERCY!”

READ:  Philippians 4:1-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer…let

your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6

You may have played the game when you were a child.  You interlace your fingers with someone else’s and try to bend the other’s hands back until one or the other cries “Mercy!”  The winner is the one who gets the other person to surrender.

Sometimes we try to pay “Mercy” with God when we pray.  We have a request that we desperately want answered in a certain way, so we try to “bend His fingers back” and get Him to give in.  When it seems we aren’t winning, we try a little harder to convince Him by begging or bargaining.  We may even give up grudgingly and say, “Lord, You always win!  That’s not fair!”

God does want honesty of heart.  But occasionally in our honesty a demeaning spirit comes out.  Deep down we know that prayer is not meant to be a contest with God that we try to win.  In our wiser moments, we make our request know to our Lord, surrender them to Him, rely on His grace, and wait for His answers (Philippians 4:6-7).  Author Hannah Whitall Smith Said, “Be glad and eager to throw yourself unreservedly into His loving arms, and to hand over the reins of government to him.”

Instead of praying with grudging resignation, “Lord, You always win,” surrender to Him.  Say “Mercy!”                 AC

In Jesus’ names we voice our prayers-

The Bible tells us to;

But may we never use that name

To tell God what to do. -DJD

Prayer isn’t a time to give orders but to report for duty!

JESUS KNOWS WHY

Jesus Knows Why

Read: Mark 8:22–26
Bible in a Year: Psalms 35–36; Acts 25

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching.—Matthew 7:28

I have friends who’ve received partial healing but still struggle with painful aspects of their diseases. Other friends have been healed of an addiction but still struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing. And I wonder, Why doesn’t God heal them completely—once and for all?

In Mark 8:22-26, we read the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. Jesus first took the man away from the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and “put his hands on him.” The man said he now saw people who looked “like trees walking around.” Then Jesus touched the man’s eyes again, and this time he saw “everything clearly.”

In His ministry, Jesus’s words and actions often amazed and baffled the crowd and His followers (Matthew 7:28; Luke 8:10; 11:14) and even drove many of them away (John 6:60-66). No doubt this two-part miracle also caused confusion. Why not immediately heal this man?

We don’t know why. But Jesus knew what the man—and the disciples who viewed his healing—needed in that moment. And He knows what we need today to draw us closer in our relationship with Him. Though we won’t always understand, we can trust that God is working in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. And He will give us the strength, courage, and clarity we need to persevere in following Him. —Alyson Kieda

Dear Lord, thank You for knowing us so well and for providing what we need most. Give us eyes to see You and a heart to understand Your Word.

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus. —Robert Cull

INSIGHT: Although God is able to heal all diseases and injuries, it’s not always His will to do so. God empowered the apostle Paul to heal many (Acts 14:8-10; 19:12), yet he wrote to Timothy about Trophimus whom he left “sick in Miletus” (2 Timothy 4:20). Likewise, Paul advised Timothy to take medicinal wine for his stomach problem and frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). In this case, medicine was recommended instead of divine healing. Second Corinthians makes reference to Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (12:7), which many scholars believe was some type of physical ailment. Interestingly God didn’t remove it even after Paul’s repeated prayers for deliverance. The Lord’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9).

God has His own purposes for granting full healing, partial healing, or withholding healing altogether. In what situation do you need to trust in the sufficient grace of God? Dennis Fisher

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WHERE TO LOOK

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONS

WHERE TO LOOK

READ:  ROMANS 8:35-39

Let us run…,looking until Jesus.  Hebrews 12:1-2

Let’s see.  What is the crisis of the day?  It could be terrorism and its random threat.  Or the economy and the fear that we will run out of money before we run out of time.  Maybe it’s a personal crisis with no foreseeable solution-a tragedy or a failure too great to bear.

Before we fall under the weight of our accumulated fears, we would do well to look back to a twentieth -century woman who bore sadness, pain, and heartache with grace.

Corrie ten Boom lived through the hellish life of Nazi concentration camps-a place where hope was lost for most people.  She survived to tell her story of unfaltering faith and tight-fisted hope in God.

She saw the face of evil up close and personal.  She saw some of the most inhumane acts man can do to man.  And when she came out of it all, she said this:  “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.  If you look within, you’ll be depressed.  But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.”

Where are you looking?  Are you focusing on the world and its dangers?  Are you gazing at yourself, hoping to find your own answers?  Or are you looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith? (Hebrews 12:1-2).  In an uncertain world, we must keep looking to Him.       DB

When your world is falling apart,

trust Jesus to hold it together.

WATCHFUL CARE

Watchful Care

Read: Jeremiah 23:20–24
Bible in a Year: Psalms 33–34; Acts 24

“Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.—Jeremiah 23:24

Before he raced out the door to school, I asked my son if he had brushed his teeth. Asking again, I reminded him of the importance of telling the truth. Unmoved by my gentle admonishment, he half-jokingly informed me that what I really needed was a security camera in the bathroom. Then I could check for myself if he had brushed his teeth and he wouldn’t be tempted to lie.

While the presence of a security camera may help remind us to follow the rules, there are still places we can go unnoticed or ways we can avoid being seen. Although we may evade or trick a security camera, we fool ourselves if we think we are ever outside the gaze of God.

God asks, “Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” (Jeremiah 23:24). There is both an encouragement and a warning in His question.

The warning is that we cannot hide from God. We can’t outrun or fool Him. Everything we do is visible to Him.

The encouragement is that there is no place on earth or in the heavens where we are outside the watchful care of our heavenly Father. Even when we feel alone, God is with us. No matter where we go today, may the awareness of that truth encourage us to choose obedience to His Word and receive comfort—He watches over us. —Lisa Samra

Lord Jesus, thank You that there is nowhere I can go that is outside of Your loving gaze. Knowing You see me, help me to honor You with my words and actions.

We are never outside the watchful care of our heavenly Father.

INSIGHT: The rich theme of God’s constant care for us we see in today’s text is also seen in the psalms. David, threatened by powerful enemies, found great comfort and strength in knowing that God knew everything about him (Psalm 139:1-6). He marveled that the omniscient, omnipotent God was always present with him. Acknowledging there was no place where he was outside of God’s provision and protection, David affirmed: “I can never get away from your presence!” (v. 7 nlt). When we realize the all-powerful God—who knows all about us—is constantly with us, it will impact how we live (vv. 23-24). The writer of Hebrews says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (4:13). Therefore, let’s be quick to run to Him for refuge for “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Are you hemmed in by life’s trials and troubles? Refresh yourself with knowing that God knows and He cares. K. T. Sim

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LITTLE BY LITTLE

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONS

LITTLE BY LITTLE

READ:  EXODUS 23:20-33

Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have

increased, and you inherit the land.  Exodus 23:30

When I was a little girl, my mother gave me her prized “reader” to help me learn, just as it had helped her years earlier.  I loved one particular story, never dreaming how much it would affect me years later.

It was about a little boy with a small shovel.  He was trying to clear a pathway through deep, new-fallen snow in front of his house.  A man paused to observe the child’s enormous task.  “Little boy,” he inquired, “how can someone as small as you expect to finish a task as big as this?”  The boy looked up and replied confidently, “Little by little, that’s how!”  And he continued shoveling.

God awakened in me the seed of that story at a time when I was recovering from a breakdown.  I remember how my “adult” self taunted the weak “child” within me:  “How can someone as inadequate as you expect to surmount so great a mountain as this?”  That little boy’s reply became my reply:  “Little by little, that’s how!”  And I did overcome-by depending on God.  But it was one small victory after another.

The obstacles facing Israel as they considered claiming the land God had promised them must have seemed insurmountable.  But He didn’t ask them to do it all at once.

“Little by little” is the strategy for victory.                  JY

He does not lead me year by year,

Nor even day by day;

But step by step my path unfolds-

My Lord directs my way. -Ryberg

Trust God to move your mountain, but keep on climbing.

HOPE AWAY

Hope Anyway

Read: Psalm 34:15–18
Bible in a Year: Psalms 31–32; Acts 23:16–35

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.—Psalm 119:50

Among the hundreds of articles I’ve written for Our Daily Bread since 1988, a few stick in my mind. One such article is from the mid-1990s when I told of a time our three girls were away at camp or on mission trips, so six-year-old Steve and I had some guy time.

As we were enjoying an excursion to the airport, Steve turned to me and said, “It’s not as much fun without Melissa,” his eight-year-old sister and sidekick. Neither of us knew then how poignant those words would turn out to be. Life indeed has not been “as much fun” for the years since Mell died in a car accident as a teenager. The passage of time may dull the ache, but nothing takes the pain away completely. Time cannot heal that wound. But here’s something that can help: listening to, meditating on, and savoring the solace promised by the God of all comfort.

Listen: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail” (Lamentations 3:22).
Meditate: “In the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling” (Psalm 27:5).
Savor: “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (119:50).

Life can never be the same again when someone we love is gone. But God’s promises bring hope and comfort. —Dave Branon

Thank You, God, that You are near. You’re always by my side. I’m grateful for Your comfort in my pain and for Your peace.

God’s Word is the true source of comfort.

INSIGHT: When God, who is Spirit (John 4:24), is portrayed in Scripture as having human features it’s called anthropomorphism (from anthropos, “man” and morphe, “form”). Literally speaking, God does not have eyes, ears, a face, or arms (Psalm 34:15-16; Isaiah 59:1-2). These descriptions, however, help us better grasp who God is because we can see parallels in our human experience. They help us understand that the Lord carefully attends to those who belong to Him.

When Jesus came to Earth, figures of speech gave way to reality. The eternal Word who was God (John 1:1) became flesh and dwelt among us (v. 14). Jesus looked on the multitudes with compassion (Matthew 9:36), He made Himself available to those whose bodies were diseased and broken (Mark 1:29-34); and His body was wounded so our sins would be forgiven (1 Peter 2:24). Through both figure of speech in the Old Testament and the real-time ministry of Jesus in the New Testament we understand that the God of heaven cares deeply. And we have hope!

Ponder the truth that in Jesus the world experienced “God with us” (see Matthew 1:23). Arthur Jackson

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WELL-KNOWN

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONS

Well-Known

Read:  Psalm 139:1-12

The Lord knows those who are His.  2 Timothy 2:19

Arctic sea birds called guillemots live on rocky coastal cliffs, where thousands of them come together in small areas.  Because of the crowded conditions, the females lay their eggs side by side in a long row.  It’s incredible that a mother bird can identify the eggs that belong to her.  Studies show that even when one is moved some distance away, she finds it and carries it back to its original location.

Our heavenly Father is far more intimately acquainted with each of His children.  He is aware of every thought, emotion, and decision we make.  From morning till night He gives personal attention to our daily affairs.  Overwhelmed by this glorious reality, the psalmist exclaimed in amazement, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it? (Psalm 139:6).

Not only does this evoke our praise, but it should also bring great comfort to our hearts.  Jesus told His disciples that the Father knows when a single sparrow falls to the ground.  Because people are of so much greater value than the birds, God’s children can be assured of His constant care.

How wonderful it is to be such a well-loved, “well-known” person!   MD

With God, you’re never lost in a crowd.

SHELTER FROM THE STORM

Shelter from the Storm

Read: James 1:12–18
Bible in a Year: Psalms 29–30; Acts 23:1–15

But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter.—Psalm 73:28  nlt

When I lived in Oklahoma I had a friend who “chased” tornados. John tracked the storms carefully through radio contact with other chasers and local radar, trying to keep a safe distance while observing their destructive paths so he could report sudden changes to people in harm’s way.
One day a funnel cloud changed course so abruptly John found himself in grave danger. Fortunately, he found shelter and was spared.

John’s experience that afternoon makes me think of another destructive path: sin in our lives. The Bible tells us, “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14–15).

There’s a progression here. What may at first seem harmless can soon spin out of control and wreak havoc. But when temptation threatens, God offers us shelter from the gathering storm.

God’s Word tells us He would never tempt us, and we can blame our choices only on ourselves. But when we “are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that [we] can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). As we turn to Him and call on Him for help in the moment of temptation, Jesus gives us the strength we need to overcome.

Jesus is our shelter forever. —James Banks

Lord Jesus, You conquered sin and death forever through Your cross and empty tomb! Help me to live and thrive in the forgiveness only You can give.

Our Savior calms temptation’s storm.

INSIGHT: As this passage in James 1:12-18 clearly teaches, God does not tempt us. Yet in this life temptations are sure to come. In fact, God may permit temptation in order to strengthen our faith as well as our dependence on Him. It’s an immeasurable comfort to know that our heavenly Father will “provide a way out” of temptation, as promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13. But what do we do in those times when we’ve made a mess of things?

It’s always best to run to our Father the moment we’re faced with temptation. But we can turn to Him at any point, even—especially—if we are trying to run from Him. Our God is such a loving and gracious Father. We can always come to Him.

To keep from getting to a point of desperation, it might be wise to ask ourselves these questions: Where do my temptations typically come from? What things might I need to get rid of that cause me to be tempted? Do I have trusted accountability partners to help me in my faith journey? Tim Gustafson

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SING OF YOUR LOVE

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONS

SING OF YOUR LOVE

READ:  REVELATION 5:8-14

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.  Psalm 89:1

I was driving to work and listening to a local Christian radio station.  Amid the usual morning banter came the song “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever.”

I have no idea what came over me.  As soon as this uplifting praise song began, I felt tears running down my face.  There I was almost at work, and I could hardly see to drive because of a song.  What was going on?

I sat in my car after I arrived at my destination, trying to figure it out.  Then it struck me.  The song reminded me that while another day of normal activity was beginning here on earth, my daughter Melissa was fulfilling the ultimate hope of that song in heaven.  I pictured her brightly singing of God’s love-getting a head start on the rest of us in that forever song.  It was a bittersweet moment of understanding Melissa’s joy while being reminded again of our sadness in not having her with us.

Much of life is like that.  Joys and sorrows intermingle-making reminders of God’s glory so vital.  We need those glimpses of a promising praise-filled future in our Savior’s presence.  In the sadnesses of life, we need the anticipation of joy-the joy that comes from singing of God’s love and enjoying His presence forever.  DB

The saints of all ages in heaven sing praise

With voices and harps to the Ancient of Days;

No music on earth with that sound can compare,

Yet in that vast chorus our voices will share. -DJD

Those who know Christ now will sing His praises forever.

HOME SWEET HOME

Home Sweet Home

Read: John 14:1–14
Bible in a Year: Psalms 26–28; Acts 22

I am going there to prepare a place for you.—John 14:2

“Why do we have to leave our home and move?” my son asked. It’s difficult to explain what a home is, especially to a five-year-old. We were leaving a house, but not our home, in the sense that home is where our loved ones are. It’s the place where we long to return after a long trip or after a full day’s work.

When Jesus was in the upper room just hours before He died, He told His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1). The disciples were uncertain of their future because Jesus had predicted His death. But Jesus reassured them of His presence and reminded them they would see Him again. He told them, “My Father’s house has many rooms . . . . I am going there to prepare a place for you” (v. 2). He could have used other words to describe heaven. However, He chose words that describe not an uncomfortable or unfamiliar place but a place where Jesus, our loved One, would be.

C. S. Lewis wrote, “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” We can thank God for the “pleasant inns” in life, but let’s remember that our real home is in heaven where we “will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). —Keila Ochoa

Dear Lord, I thank You for heaven, my eternal home.

Read more about the life to come at discoveryseries.org/q1205.

We look forward to being with the Lord forever.

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A REASON FOR OPTIMISM

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONS

A Reason for Optimism

Read:  John 16:16-33

A merry heart does good, like medicine.  Proverbs 17:22

The Bible isn’t a psychology textbook, but it gives us the wisest counsel for experiencing happiness here and now.  Proverbs 17:22, for example, assures us that “a merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

That simple statement was recently corroborated by the extensive research of Dr. Daniel Mark, a heart specialist at Duke University.  The New York Times article that reported his findings carried this headline:  “Optimism Can Mean Life for Heart Patients and Pessimism Death.”  The article begins with these words:  “A healthy outlook helps heal the heart.”

But Dr. Nancy Frasure-Smith, a heart specialist who has studied the effect of depression, anxiety, and anger, admitted, “We don’t know how to change negative emotions”

Faith in God, however, can produce that change. People who look beyond their present difficulty and put their trust in God’s goodness cannot help but be joyful.

It’s significant that our Savior said on several occasions, “Be of good cheer” (Matthew 9:2, 22;  14:27; Acts 23:11).  Knowing that life is filled with many crises, He encourages us with this word of reassurance:  “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). VCG

All your anxiety, all your care

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;

Never a burden He cannot bear,

Never a friend like Jesus. -Joy

No matter what happens, you can find joy in the Lord.