January 22: Mark 3:22-30

Key Verse: Mark 3:24
If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Devotion:
One of the things Jesus was very good at was remaining calm when under pressure from the teachers of the law or Scribes or Pharisees. Nothing they said could phase Jesus, just like nothing the demons He faced could say could phase Him either. I’m afraid I do get quite upset when people talk me down or say things against me: I may not show it at the time but my insides are turning over!

When the teachers of the law said Jesus was possessed by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, He calmly went into a discussion with them. If you have an enemy, then how can you enemy fight against you enemy to accomplish something for you? That just does not make any sense. Jesus used this argument against His accusers knowing full well that if your enemy is no longer fighting as one, they are divided and are falling apart already!

Just as you would probably not go up against someone whom you knew could beat you up. Jesus knew they were in the wrong and He was not going to allow them to gain and advantage or followers by saying what they wanted.

We know the truth comes out and Jesus was and always will stand for the truth. God wants us to continue standing for the truth too, keeping Jesus as our example and our guide. We have His words written down for us by the disciples and people at that time. All we need do is to believe in what Jesus said and He will continue to back us up with the truth.

Points to Ponder:
How often have you been persuaded by someone doing wrong?

How often have you believed Jesus instead of the people living lies?

January 21: Genesis 14:17-20

Key Verse: Genesis 14:20
And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Devotion:
When Abram returned from defeating the four kings who had dared to steal good and kidnap his relative Lot, Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High came out to celebrate the successful return. He blessed Abram with the name of the God Most High. Abram’s response was to give the priest a tenth of everything!

Abram knew it was God who was responsible for him getting to catch up with the kings and defeat them so he could return with all the goods and his relative Lot. When offered all the goods to keep, Abram rejected the offer saying he had already made a promise to God to not accept anything from the king of Sodom, only the food given to him.

When you make promises to God, how well do you keep those promises? Do you get swayed by the things offered you after things have gone your way? Do you accept all the praise and continue to demand praise? Or are you ready to humble yourself before God and allow God to get all of the praise for allowing things to go your way?

We must always remember God, the Creator of everything, the most Holy, the One who deserves all of the praise for everything He allows into our lives and for the guidance He continues to give us all the time. When we succeed because we listened to God, we must surely praise Him for the guidance, strength and stamina given to us in the first place!

Points to Ponder:
Do you always give praise where it is due?

Or do you accept praise for things done by others?

January 20: 2 Samuel 1:1-15

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 1:14
David asked him, ‘Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?’

Devotion:
The Lord had previously led Saul alone into a cave where David and his men were hiding. The Lord had said to David to do whatever he pleased with Saul; David could not harm him because he knew that Saul was chosen by God to lead Israel. Here we see what happened when David learned of the death of Saul and Jonathan; his first reaction was to mourn for them.

The next step was to confront the man who brought the news of Saul’s death to find out what had happened. When the Amalekite admitted he had killed Saul, David asked him what gave him the right to kill one of God’s anointed? David then called on one of the guards to lay hands on the Amalekite, and the man died!

David knew he had been chosen to be the next king, just as this Amalekite seemed to know as well, but he certainly was not going to be responsible for going against God’s wishes – for it was God who had send Samuel to anoint Saul to lead the people of Israel. Saul had done many things right and a few things wrong, but David knew it was up to God when Saul’s life would be taken – so not any human should have done this deed in his eyes.

When we come up against people we know have been chosen by God, we should not come up against them. If we see they have turned their backs on God we should remind them they are God’s chosen and leave it up to God to convict or judge them. We do not know how we will act if we are placed in their position, so we have no right to judge!

Points to Ponder:
How do you look at you priest or pastor?

Will you allow God to be the judge instead?