May/June 2014

THE NAMES OF GOD

ALSO: TOWARD A NEW CREATION

Friends:

In 1811, the emperor Napoleon

commanded that all his subjects in the
lowlands of Europe be registered with
their nearest town government. This
meant that millions of people who did
not have a family name had to choose
one that would be permanent. Suddenly
many millers, bakers, and coopers (and
their children) became Miller, Baker, and
Cooper. Sons (and daughters) of John, Will, and Andrew became
Johnson, Wilson, and Anderson. These names endure, but do
they tell us anything about the people that bear them today?
Does your name describe you?

In May, Back to God Ministries International Director Kurt Selles

leads us in a study of the biblical names of God. At first, we might
think that what we call God is not much different from what we
call our neighbors, but these are meaty descriptions of who God
is and what he is like. God reveals his character to us in these
meaningful names, so be prepared to dig in to God’s personality!

Then, in June, with Art Schoonveld we review God’s unfolding

story in history. Beginning at creation, we explore what God
does and how we respond. Then we lean forward through the
story of God and his people toward history’s climax: a new
creation in God’s presence!

May you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s Word!

—Steven Koster
 Today
May/June 2014

refresh, refocus, renew

TODAY (USPS 185-140),

Volume 64, Number 3,
published bimonthly by
ReFrame Media, a division
of Back to God Ministries
International, at 6555 West
College Drive, Palos Heights, IL
60463. Periodicals postage paid
at Palos Heights, Illinois, and at
additional mailing offices.
“The Names of God”
Postmaster: Send address
Kurt Selles changes to Today, 6555 W.
College Dr., Palos Heights, IL
60463.
Copyright © 2014, Back to
God Ministries International.
Printed in U.S.A.
Unless otherwise noted,
Scripture quotations in this
publication are from The
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV®. Copyright
“Toward a New Creation” © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011
by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by
Arthur J. Schoonveld permission. All rights reserved
worldwide.
Cover photo by iStockphoto.
Managing Editor: Eleanor Lamsma
Executive Editor: Steven Koster
this month
The Names of God
Kurt Selles

In the Bible, God reveals his character and personality in remarkable

ways through many different names. We learn these names in the
assurance and deliverance God provides to Abraham, Hagar, Moses,
Gideon, and others among his covenant people Israel. We learn even
more through Jesus, God’s Son, who helps us grow to understand God
more as the heavenly Father who cares for each one of us. Again and
again in the life of his people God stoops down to meet them and
to reveal more about himself and his love, especially in their times
of deepest need. My prayer is that through focusing on God’s names
this month you will be comforted and assured, growing to know him
better than ever before.

Rev. Kurt Selles is the director of Back to God Ministries International,

the ministry that brings you these Today devotions. He is a graduate of
Calvin College and Seminary and received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt
University in Nashville, Tennessee. Before joining Back to God Ministries,
Kurt served as the director of the Global Center at Beeson Divinity School
in Birmingham, Alabama, where he also taught missions. For 19 years
prior to that, he served as a missionary in Taiwan and China. Kurt and
his wife, Vicki, have three children.
Matthew 6:9-13 THURSDAY, MAY 1

WHAT’S IN A NAME?
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hal-
lowed be your name . . . .’” —Matthew 6:9

In Shakespeare’s play Romeo and his personality and character

Juliet, Juliet asks, “What’s in a through his actions and his
name? . . . That which we call a names. This month, as we look
rose by any other name would at God’s names in the Old and
smell as sweet.” New Testaments, we learn who
he is by reflecting on the mean-
She’s certainly right. The per-
ing of his names.
son we love is far more valu-
able than his or her name. Still, Learning God’s names chal-
names are important. Names lenges us to take him seriously
today don’t reveal much in all areas of our lives so that,
about us, but names in Bible as Jesus taught us, we can pray,
times often did. For example, “Our Father in heaven, hal-
Adam’s name comes from the lowed be your name, your
Hebrew noun adamah, mean- kingdom come, your will be
ing “ground” or “earth.” People done on earth as it in heaven.”
are truly earthlings. Throughout
the Bible, names tend to reveal
something about the person
they name. Father in heaven, thank
you for graciously reveal-
If the names of the people in ing yourself in the Bible
the Bible reveal something im- and in our lives. Help us
portant, how much more do to say with our mouths
the names of God, the main and our lives, “Hallowed
actor in all of Scripture! God be your name.” For Jesus’
has graciously stooped to re-
sake, Amen.
veal himself to us. He reveals
Genesis 1:1-31 FRIDAY, MAY 2

EL OR ELOHIM: “THE ONE TRUE GOD”

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
 —Genesis 1:1

The most common name for one true God. No wonder the
God in the Hebrew Bible is very first verse of the Bible
El, meaning “God.” Derived reads, “In the beginning God
from a Semitic language, the [Elohim] created the heavens
root meaning of El is “might, and the earth.” No one knows
strength, power.” This name for the reason for the plural form
God occurs widely throughout here, but the early church
the Bible. ­fathers suggest it points to the
Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy
Sometimes the word el refers to
Spirit—one God in three per-
the pagan gods of nations sur-
sons.
rounding Israel. When it refers
to the one true God, however, El or Elohim, “the one true God,”
the word is always capitalized, declares that our world belongs
meaning “God of gods.” More to him. We do well to honor
often (about 2,600 times in the him in all that we do and say.
Old Testament), the name El How will you do that today?
occurs in plural form as Elohim.
This form, sometimes called the
“plural of majesty,” emphasizes
that the God of Israel is “the God, thank you for your
one true God of the universe.” marvelous creation! Thank
you for your amazing
The names El and Elohim set the grace! Help us to honor
God of Israel in stark contrast you as the one true God
with the false gods of other na- in all that we do and say.
tions, proclaiming them coun- Amen.
terfeit and stating that he is the
Genesis 14:17-20 SATURDAY, MAY 3

EL ELYON: “THE MOST HIGH GOD”

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and
earth.” —Genesis 14:18

El, the Hebrew name for God, ing about Melchizedek, except
occurs in the Old Testament that “he was priest of God Most
in many compound forms High [El Elyon].” With this offer­
to reveal important qualities ing Melchizedek bestows on
of God’s character. One of Abram a blessing from “God
these combines El with Elyon, Most High, Creator of heaven
a Hebrew word meaning “go and earth.”
up” or “ascend.” So the name El
How does Abram respond?
Elyon reveals God as “The Most
He acknowledges the blessing
High God.”
of the Creator God by giving
The name El Elyon isn’t used Melchizedek a tenth of all his
­often, but it occurs three times possessions. But Abram’s offer-
in our reading for today. In ing isn’t to Melchizedek; it is to
Genesis 14 we read about El Elyon, “the Most High God.”
bat­
tles taking place between
How will you honor and sacri-
several kings in the Valley of
fice to the Most High God in
Siddim, near the Dead Sea. In
your life today?
these skirmishes, Lot, Abram’s
nephew, is taken captive. After
Abram rescues Lot, he meets O God Most High, please
up with the defeated kings in forgive us for often shunt-
another valley near Jerusalem. ing you aside. Help us, like
Abram, to worship you
Then Melchizedek, the king as Creator and Protector.
of Salem (Jerusalem), brings Move us to give our lives as
Abram an offering of bread and an offering to you. Amen.
wine. We know almost noth-
Genesis 16 SUNDAY, MAY 4

EL ROI: “THE GOD WHO SEES”

[Hagar] gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are
the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One
who sees me.” —Genesis 16:13

Today’s story centers on the not desperate, they can certain-

painful triangle of relationships ly be difficult at times, and we
between Abram, Sarai, and can feel as if we have no hope.
Sarai’s slave Hagar. The story But even in times of hopeless-
contains weakness, jealousy, ness, we can be assured: El Roi,
com­ petition, contempt, scorn, “the God who sees,” is watching
rejection, meanness, and other over us, seeing us, and provid-
emotional violence. When the ing for us in our darkest hour
situation becomes unbearable, of need.
Hagar runs away. But now she
In our bleakest moments we
is in a desperate situation: preg-
too feel all alone. But El Roi,
nant and alone in the desert.
“the God who sees,” has never
But there’s grace and mercy in lost sight of us and promises to
this raw story too. The name care for us. What greater assur-
for God in this text draws from ance can we find?
the Hebrew word roi, which
has to do with “looking,” “ap-
pearance,” “seeing,” and “sight.”
Alone and utterly forsaken in
the desert—in her darkest mo-
ment—Hagar realizes that El Dear God, you see and
Roi, “the God who sees,” has care for us in all of our
never lost sight of her. squabbles, struggles, and
needs. Help us to know
Don’t we all find ourselves at
this through Jesus, our
times in desperate situations?
Lord and Savior. Amen.
Even if our circumstances are
Genesis 17:1-8 MONDAY, MAY 5

EL SHADDAI: “GOD ALMIGHTY”

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to
him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and
be blameless.” —Genesis 17:1

The origins of the Hebrew word continue to read the story of the
shaddai are unknown, but most Bible, we see that from Abram
scholars believe this word means comes Isaac, then Jacob, then the
“almighty” or “most powerful.” people of Israel, then Jesus the
Together with El it gives us the Savior, and from Abraham’s spir-
compound name El Shaddai, itual descendants through Jesus
“God Almighty.” comes the church (Romans 4-5),
which today spans the globe and
The name El Shaddai first oc-
includes every tribe and tongue.
curs in Genesis 17, where God
Truly, nothing is impossible for El
promises to provide Abram
Shaddai!
a son and to make him into a
great nation (see also Genesis Knowing God Almighty, what
12:1-3; 15:1-6). Here God big changes can we expect in
also changes Abram’s name to our lives? Nothing is impossible
Abraham, saying, “I have made with God!
you a father of many nations”—
as surely as if it were already ac-
complished.
Imagine how Abram felt when
he heard this promise! Later in God Almighty, thank you
the story, Abram even “laughed for revealing yourself to
to himself” about it (17:17). us with your power and
might. Help us to expect
The message of this story is sim- big things when we live for
ple: Nothing is impossible for El you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Shaddai, “God Almighty.” As we
Psalm 31:1-5 TUESDAY, MAY 6

EL EMET: “THE FAITHFUL GOD OF TRUTH”

Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful
God. —Psalm 31:5

Everyone needs to depend on Amid all of life’s uncertainties

and trust other people. Many and disappointments, and es-
people in our lives are trustwor- pecially when people let you
thy, but we’ve all been let down down, are you still able to con-
at one time or another. Maybe fess that God is your rock and
you trusted someone or some fortress? If you can do that, you
product with your health, only to can also take the next step with
be disappointed. Or maybe you the psalmist and say, “Into your
trusted a financial advisor or bro- hands I commit my spirit; de­liver
ker with your money, and you me, Lord, my faithful God.”
lost everything. Sometimes even
We cannot always be faithful
close friends or family members
and true to God, but El Emet,
let us down in harsh and incon-
“the Faithful God of Truth,” will
siderate ways. People and things
always be faithful and true to us.
eventually let us down.
The name of God in today’s
reading—El Emet—contrasts
sharp­ly with the unreliability
of people and things. Emet, the
Hebrew word for “trueness” and O Faithful God of Truth,
“faithfulness” calls to mind God’s help us to proclaim you as
trustworthiness and dependabil- our rock and our fortress.
ity. The psalmist conveys God’s Help us to take refuge
steadfastness using rock-hard in you and lean on your
imagery: “You are my rock and ever­lasting arms. We ask
my fortress.” this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Isaiah 45:11-13, 18-25 WEDNESDAY, MAY 7

EL TSADDIK: “THE RIGHTEOUS GOD”

“Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past?
Was it not I, the Lord?” —Isaiah 45:21

Has someone ever made a ­ n­other, even bolder promise

A
claim that you just knew they shows up in the Old Testament
couldn’t or wouldn’t keep? You as well—and it includes us.
wanted to believe, but deep The Lord promises to send his
down you knew that what they anointed one, the Messiah, the
promised wouldn’t happen. “righteous Branch” of Israel,
and he is called “The Lord Our
God’s claims, however, are com-
Righteous Savior” (Jeremiah
pletely reliable. We see this in
23:5-6). In Jesus Christ, who
Isaiah 45, where God promises
de­livers us from sin and takes
to “raise up” Cyrus, the Persian
the punishment we deserve,
king, to return the exiled peo-
we see God’s words and deeds
ple of Israel to Jerusalem. In
completely line up.
today’s verses we find the com-
pound name El Tsaddik, “the Others may let you down, but
Righteous God,” which high- El Tsaddik, “the Righteous God,”
lights God’s justice, lawfulness, provides justice and always
and righteousness. El Tsaddik keeps his promises.
promises to return his people
to their homeland to show that
he keeps his word and to show O God, the Righteous
the nations of the world that he One, your words and
is God—“and there is no other.” deeds are trustworthy and
true. Help us by the power
Keeping his promise, God uses of your Spirit to live by
Cyrus to return the Jews to their every word that comes
­
land, and they begin to rebuild
from your mouth. Amen.
Jerusalem, the city of God.
Isaiah 9:1-7 THURSDAY, MAY 8

EL GIBBOR: “THE MIGHTY GOD”

He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6

In this brief but awe-inspiring away from describing our God

verse we find four names for that way? Not if that’s how he
God that apply to the promised reveals himself.
Savior, the Messiah, whom we
Both physical and spiritual bat-
know today is Jesus Christ. Let’s
tles have raged across human
look today at the second name
history, with conflicts touch-
in this list, El Gibbor, which
ing everyone who has ever
means “Mighty God.”
lived. And the name El Gibbor,
The Hebrew word gibbor, mean- “Mighty God,” points to the
ing “strong, mighty,” describes day when all of God’s enemies,
heroes like Nimrod, “a mighty physical and spiritual, will be
warrior . . . a mighty hunter be- vanquished and all of creation
fore the Lord” (Genesis 10:8-9), will bow at the feet of Jesus, the
and the “mighty warriors” of “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
King David of Israel (2 Samuel God, Everlasting Father, Prince
23:8). It’s a word depicting brav- of Peace.” Can you think of any
ery, courage, and action. All greater comfort and confidence
these are qualities of gibbor in as we engage in the battles of
the compound name El Gibbor, our daily lives?
“the Mighty God.”
Mighty God, we trust you
In our war-torn world, we often for peace in our lives and
shrink away from military lan- our world, and we long for
guage to describe God today. the day when all your ene­
But here God reveals himself
mies will be defeated. In
in words that portray him as a
Jesus’ name, Amen.
great warrior. Should we shy
Genesis 21:22-34 FRIDAY, MAY 9

EL OLAM: “THE EVERLASTING GOD”

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he
called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.
 —Genesis 21:33

Abimelek, a local ruler, wanted lier. As a re­minder that “the

to make a treaty with Abraham Everlasting God” keeps his
because, as he said, “God is promises, Abraham planted a
with you in everything you do.” tamarisk tree, an evergreen, at
Abimelek played it safe and Beersheba.
became an ally of Abraham
The treaty that followed at
rather than an enemy. At first
Beersheba gives us an example
glance, this may seem a mi-
of why Abraham and Sarah are
nor incident in Abraham’s life,
praised in Hebrews 11. They
but at Beersheba we see that
stepped out in faith to obey El
Abraham calls on the Lord as
Olam, “the Everlasting God,”
El Olam, “the Everlasting God”
who keeps his promises.
or “Eternal God.”
God has eternity in view for
The Hebrew word olam means
you. What can you do today to
“for a long time, always, for­
demonstrate your trust in the
ever.” El Olam thus reveals God
Everlasting God?
as “the Everlasting God,” with-
out beginning or end.
Why would Abraham use the
name El Olam here? Note O God, you are the same
that before encountering yesterday, today, and for-
Abimelek, Sarah had given ever. Help us to trust you
birth to Isaac, the son God in the big and small events
had promised. Abraham saw of our lives. In Jesus’ name,
that God was faithful to his Amen.
promises from many years ear-
Exodus 33:12-23 SATURDAY, MAY 10

EL HAKKAVOD: “THE GOD OF GLORY”

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thun-
ders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. —Psalm 29:3

At Mount Horeb (Sinai), Moses Now, Moses wasn’t satisfied to

had a breathtaking encounter see God’s glory in nature; he
with God. There he met El wanted to see God’s face. But
Hakkavod, “the God of Glory.” because of the weight of God’s
Moses asked God to remain glory, his utter uniqueness,
with his people Israel. When perfect holiness, and complete
God promised to do so, Moses, transcendence, no one could
seeking further reassurance, see God’s face and live. Even
boldly asked, “Now show me so, God allowed Moses to see
your glory.” his glory after he passed by.
The Hebrew word kavod origi- Moses caught a glimpse of
nally meant “heavy, weighty,” God’s glory at Sinai, but today
as in reference to armor used we can see God’s glory in Jesus
in battle. Over time the word Christ (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
became linked with wealth, Amazing!
­honor, dignity, and power, and
How will God’s glory revealed in
it eventually came to mean
Christ transform your life today?
“glory.” All these attributes
How can you reflect God’s sig-
com­bine to describe God as El
nificance to those around you?
Hakkavod, “the God of Glory.”
Eyes of faith see El Hakkavod in God of Glory, we worship
creation. El Hakkavod, “the God you in all your splendor
of glory,” as revealed in Psalm and majesty. We see your
29, “thunders over the mighty glory today in the face of
waters.” our Lord Jesus. Amen.
Isaiah 5:1-17 SUNDAY, MAY 11

EL HAKKADOSH: “THE HOLY GOD”

The Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy
God will be proved holy by his righteous acts. —Isaiah 5:16

In today’s reading from Isaiah, is not merely a useful dis­penser

we discover that although of wishes and desires but is
God planted a vineyard with holy in and of himself. Because
“the choicest vines,” the vine- he is holy, God expects, even
yard “yielded only bad fruit.” demands, that his people Israel
Through Isaiah, God speaks be holy too.
bitterly here about the spiritual So El Hakkadosh, “the Holy
decline of Israel and the conse- God,” became outraged when
quences of rejecting him. his “beloved vineyard,” his chil-
Why does God get so upset dren Israel, produced only sour
about Israel’s disobedience? He grapes. They had become cor-
is angry because of who he is: rupt and unrighteous.
El Hakkadosh, “the Holy God.” In and through Jesus Christ,
This name for God comes who is the true vine (John
from the Hebrew word kadosh, 15:1), we too are set apart for
meaning “one of a kind, utterly the Holy God. May we, by the
unique, set apart, holy.” Isaiah power of his Holy Spirit, pro-
uses this name at least 30 times duce good fruit for him!
throughout his book.
Showing himself as El Hakka­ Holy God, you are perfect
dosh, God reveals himself to in holiness and righteous!
Israel as completely upright or Yet you have given your
righteous. He walks a straight Son to make sinners holy.
path. His exalted moral charac- Help us to live holy lives
ter sets him apart from the gods that produce the fruit of
of the surrounding nations. He righteousness. Amen.
Exodus 3:1-15 MONDAY, MAY 12

YAHWEH: “I AM WHO I AM”

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to
the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” —Exodus 3:14

Moses’ encounter at the burn- God tells Moses to tell the

ing bush is a pivotal moment Israelites in Egypt that Yahweh,
in the Bible. Standing on holy “I am,” has sent him. What does
ground in the presence of God, this name mean? Some point
Moses hears God’s deep con- to God’s self-existence, not be-
cern about the suffering of his ing dependent on anything else.
people in Egypt. The moment Others highlight God’s immuta-
also marks the beginning of bility, that he is the same yester-
Moses’ call to lead the people day, today, and forever.
of Israel. Most important, Moses
While these qualities reveal
learns the name by which God
some­thing about the name “I
wants to be known and wor-
am,” they overlook the context
shiped by his people—Yahweh:
of the story. At the burning
“I am who I am.”
bush, Yahweh reveals his name
Written with only the conso- “I am” as a declaration: “I will
nants YHWH, this name was the be with you.” Yahweh, the cov-
most sacred name of God to the enant God, keeps his promise
Israelites. Because they avoided to never leave or forsake us.
saying this holy name, its exact
pronunciation has been lost.
Eventually the word for “Lord”
was always spoken instead of Yahweh, we praise you
the proper name, so wherever for your faithfulness to all
YHWH occurs, our English Bibles your people, including us.
today use the word “Lord” Help us to live faithfully
(printed with small capital letters). for you. In Jesus, Amen.
Genesis 15:1-6 TUESDAY, MAY 13

ADONAI: “LORD, MASTER, OWNER”

Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I re-
main childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of
Damascus?” —Genesis 15:2

Calling Abram to leave his his “Sovereign,” and although

homeland, God promised he doesn’t understand God’s
to make him a great nation plan, Abram shows that he
(Genesis 12:1-2). Awhile lat- trusts Adonai will keep his
er, God promised to make promise to make him a great
Abram’s offspring “like the dust nation.
of the earth,” so many that they
Just a bit later, when God
could not be counted (13:16).
promises to make his offspring
But now years had passed, and
as numerous as the stars of the
Abram still had no offspring.
heavens, we read that Abram
After Abraham met Melchize­ believes. Seeing Abram’s whole-
dek at Salem (see Genesis hearted trust, God credits it “to
14), God appeared to Abram him as righteousness.”
in a vision. This time, before
If you know God is King of the
God made a promise, Abram
universe, do you truly trust him
raised the point that he needed
with your life? What can you
offspring to be a great nation.
do today to show faith in your
He doesn’t do this in a cheeky
Sovereign Lord?
way. He addresses God with ut-
most respect as Adonai Yahweh,
“Sovereign Lord.” Sovereign Lord, so often
we fail to understand your
Here the Bible combines ways. Help us to bow be-
Yahweh with the Hebrew fore you and to trust you
Adonai, from the noun adon, completely, our Lord and
meaning “Lord, master, o
­ wner.” Master. Amen.
Abram recognizes that God is
Genesis 22:1-14 WEDNESDAY, MAY 14

YAHWEH YIREH: “THE LORD WILL PROVIDE”

So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this
day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
 —Genesis 22:14

The scene on Mount Moriah Out of gratitude for God’s inter-

is one of the most dramatic in vention and provision, Abraham
the Old Testament. There God names the place Yahweh Yireh,
tells Abraham to sacrifice his “the Lord will provide.” The
son, Isaac, the link between Hebrew word yireh can mean
Abra­ham and God’s promise to either “to see” or “to provide.”
make him into a great nation. And for us, as for Abraham,
both seeing and providing are
Why make such a demand?
what God does. When we were
Abraham’s neighbors expected
dead in our sins, God saw and
their gods to demand human
provided for us. He provided
sacrifice. God uses that expec-
Jesus, his only Son, to die in our
tation to test Abraham’s faith, to
place, paying for our sin.
see his obedience in action.
Live today with the knowledge
Against all doubt, Abraham
and comfort that Yahweh Yireh
obeys, believing that somehow
sees and provides for your every
God will provide. In agony,
need, and let your faith in him
Abraham readies the altar and
flow into obedience.
raises the knife to plunge it into
Isaac’s chest. Suddenly, calling Lord God, you see our
from heaven, the angel of the need and provide. You
Lord says to Abraham, “Do have provided the Savior
not lay a hand on the boy. . . . we need: Jesus Christ, our
Now I know that you fear God, Lord. Help us to trust in
because you have not withheld
you and to live in obedi-
from me your son.”
ence to you. Amen.
Exodus 15:22-27 THURSDAY, MAY 15

YAHWEH RAPHA: “THE LORD WHO HEALS”

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who
forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
 —Psalm 103:2-3

In the desert at Marah, we have he expects them to be holy, as

another story of God’s provision he is holy. Indeed, a few chap-
and testing. With empty water ters later at Sinai, he lays out a
sacks, standing before a pool of code for holy living.
bitter water, the people of Israel
In the New Testament we dis-
begin to grumble. Although
cover an irony about Yahweh
they complain bitterly against
Rapha. There we learn that “the
Moses, they are really com-
Lord who heals” suffers to heal
plaining against God.
us and to forgive our sins. In the
Their grumbling seems very words of Isaiah 53:5, “He was
shortsighted. Only a few days pierced for our transgressions,
earlier God had parted the he was crushed for our iniqui-
Red Sea and saved them from ties.” These words refer to Jesus,
Pharaoh’s army! (See Exodus the Son of God. “By his wounds
14-15.) But again, as we see we are healed.”
in this story, God delivers his
May you have peace today,
people, making the water fit to
knowing that all your sins have
drink.
been forgiven.
At Marah, the Israelites learn
that God is Yahweh Rapha, “the O God, you are the one
Lord who heals.” This name who heals. Through your
comes from the Hebrew word Son, Jesus, we have been
raphe, meaning “to heal, to healed and forgiven. Help
make healthy.” The people also us to live fully with this as-
learn that God expects his peo- surance. Amen.
ple to trust him in all things, and
Exodus 17:8-16 FRIDAY, MAY 16

YAHWEH NISSI: “THE LORD IS MY BANNER”

Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.
 —Exodus 17:15

The Israelites’ victory over the ner or a flag to a pole as a f­ocal

Amalekites has long captured point and a rallying sign for
the imaginations of children. their troops engaged in battle.
While Moses held up his arms, For Moses and the Israelites,
the Israelites were winning, but their first battle on the way to
when Moses’s arms drooped, the promised land showed that
the Amalekites overpowered God was their banner. He called
Israel. Finally, with Aaron and his people to rally to him. The
Hur supporting Moses’ arms, Lord went before his people,
the Israelites triumphed over protecting them and triumph-
the Amalekites. ing over their enemies.
Many adults find this story In the very real spiritual battles
puzzling, even troubling. After we fight every day, including
Amalek is defeated, God tells the command to love our ene­
Moses to record the event, be- mies, let’s remember Yahweh
cause, he says, “I will complete- Nissi, “the Lord is our ban-
ly blot out the name of Amalek ner.” And his banner over us,
from under heaven.” No easy through Jesus Christ, is love.
answers come to mind to ex-
plain this sober ending. O God, your banner over
us is love. Help us to keep
After the battle, Moses builds our focus on you in our
an altar, calling it Yahweh Nissi, daily spiritual battles. Help
“The Lord is my Banner.” The us to do this as instru-
Hebrew word nissi comes from
ments of your peace. In
nis, meaning “banner.” Ancient
Jesus’ name, Amen.
armies often attached a ban-
Judges 6:11-24 SATURDAY, MAY 17

YAHWEH SHALOM: “THE LORD IS PEACE”

Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is
Peace. —Judges 6:24

Today’s reading takes place in die.” Shalom, the Hebrew word

a strange setting. People usu- for “peace,” refers to “complete-
ally threshed grain in the open, ness, soundness, flourishing,
where the wind could blow well-being.” Gideon needs this
away chaff from the grain being assurance not because he fears
tossed up in the air. But Gideon the Midianites, but because he
worked under the cover of a has seen the angel of the Lord
winepress. Gideon and all his face to face.
people feared the Midianites,
Throughout Scripture, fear is
who often came to raid their
the normal reaction to see-
land and ruin their crops.
ing God’s messengers. Sinners
Hiding in the winepress, Gideon cannot endure God’s holiness.
meets a visitor, “the angel of the Yet, if we have come to know
Lord [Yahweh],” who ironically Jesus, we too have seen the
assures him, “The Lord is with face of God (see John 14:6-7).
you, mighty warrior.” Instead of reacting with fear
and terror, though, we can say,
This encounter initiates Gideon’s
“Yahweh Shalom, ‘The Lord is
call to be God’s deliverer of his
our peace.’” May you rest in the
people from the Midianites. At
Lord’s peace today and always.
the end of this story, Gideon
builds an altar, calling it Yahweh
Shalom, “The Lord is peace.” God of Peace, in your Son
Gideon uses this name for we have seen your glory.
God in response to a word of Help us to serve as you call
assurance: “Peace! Do not be us to, knowing that you
afraid. You are not going to are our peace. Amen.
Exodus 31:12-17 SUNDAY, MAY 18

YAHWEH MEKODDISHKEM:
“THE LORD WHO SANCTIFIES YOU”
“You must observe my Sabbaths . . . . so you may know that I am
the Lord, who makes you holy.” —Exodus 31:13
There’s little agreement to- fied, prepared, dedicated, hal-
day about how to observe the lowed, made holy.”
Lord’s Day. Some Christians
Just as observing the Sabbath
keep a tight rein on Sunday ob-
was important for the Israelites,
servance, while others view it
observing the Lord’s Day is im-
more lightly. With such diverse
portant for us. It’s a reminder of
views, what should we make
God’s lordship over all things
of the Sabbath-day commands
and every day, and it shows that
given to the people of Israel?
we belong to him.
Any attempt to answer should
However the Holy Spirit con-
focus on the meaning of the
victs you to keep the Lord’s
Sabbath. The Sabbath was a
Day, remember that Yahweh
sign to the Israelites that God is
Mekoddishkem is “the Lord who
the Creator. Resting from their
sanctifies you.” Then you will
labor was (and still is) a way of
live accordingly every day of
saying, “God reigns.” Further,
the week.
keeping the Sabbath was a sign
that God’s people were striving
to be holy, like their God.
In Exodus 31 we learn that Holy God, Creator and
Yahweh Mekoddishkem, “the Sustainer of all things, you
Lord who sanctifies you,” have set us apart for your-
had made his people holy. self. Help us to strive to
Mekoddishkem comes from the be holy and live for you.
Hebrew word qadash, meaning Through Jesus, Amen.
“set apart, consecrated, sancti-
1 Samuel 17:45-50 MONDAY, MAY 19

YAHWEH SABAOTH: “THE LORD OF HOSTS”

David said . . . “You come against me with sword and spear and
javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty,
the God of the armies of Israel. . . .” —1 Samuel 17:45

David’s triumph over Goliath is or “hosts.” The name Yahweh

one of the best-known stories Sabaoth declares God’s reign
of the Bible. An agile lad with over heaven and earth and over
a few smooth stones defeats a all armies, earthly and spiritual.
giant, armored warrior decked
David, understanding the real
out with heavy weapons. It’s a
conflict, declares that “the bat-
story of contrasts and ironies:
tle is the Lord’s.” And through
tall versus short, strength ver-
him, Yahweh Sabaoth, “the Lord
sus weakness, arrogance versus
of Hosts,” defeats the mighty
humility, glorious victory versus
Philistine and his gods.
humiliating defeat. We savor
the triumph of the underdog. A hymn of the church sings,
“Lord Sabaoth his name, from
But this impressive story isn’t
age to age the same”—and we
mainly about David and Goli­
can rely on his strength in our
ath. The core conflict is between
daily battles.
the false gods of the Philistines
and the God of Israel, Yahweh
Sabaoth, “the Lord of Hosts” or
“the Lord Almighty.”
Lord of Hosts, help us to
Yahweh Sabaoth is one of the rely on your strength to
most widely used names for wage the battles we face
God in the Old Testament, oc- each day against our own
curring nearly 300 times. The trials and temptations. We
name Sabaoth comes from the
ask this in Jesus’ precious
Hebrew word for “that which
name. Amen.
goes forth” and for “armies”
Ezekiel 34:25-31 TUESDAY, MAY 20

YAHWEH RA’AH:
“THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD”
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
 —Psalm 23:1

The Lord told Ezekiel to proph- covenant people as a flock and

esy against the “shepherds of as individual, precious sheep.
Israel” (Ezekiel 34:2). The reli-
The closing verses of Ezekiel
gious leaders of Israel had been
34 make clear the magnificent
seeking their own advantage
ways in which Yahweh Ra’ah
rather than taking care of the
promises to care for his sheep.
people of Israel, their flock.
He doesn’t disappoint. And in
God lashed out against this
the New Testament, Jesus pro-
­corruption.
claims himself to be Yahweh
Sheep and shepherds are com­ Ra’ah, saying, “I am the good
mon metaphors in the Old shepherd” (John 10:14).
Testament. God is often men-
The Lord is your good shepherd.
tioned as the shepherd of his
Lean on him, for he protects and
people Israel. Only once, though,
provides and cares for you.
do we find the name Yahweh
Ra’ah, meaning “The Lord is my
shepherd” (Psalm 23:1).
The Hebrew word ra’ah, mean-
ing “shepherd,” describes one
who tends, leads, feeds, and
protects his flock of sheep. As a Good Shepherd, you pro-
shepherd cares for his flock, so vide for our needs, guide,
Yahweh Ra’ah cares for his peo- and protect us. Help us to
ple, providing for all their needs take comfort in your care
and guiding and protecting
today and always. Amen.
them. Yahweh Ra’ah cares for his
Jeremiah 33:14-18 WEDNESDAY, MAY 21

YAHWEH TSIDKENU:
“THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS”
“Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it
will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.”
 —Jeremiah 33:16

Do you ever find the book of “straight,” or “righteousness.” It

Jeremiah difficult to read? It occurs more than a thousand
has many bleak passages about times in the Old Testament,
judgment and exile for God’s translated variously as “right,”
people, who relentlessly dis- “righteous,” “righteousness,”
regarded their covenant Lord. “just,” “justify,” and “declared
The people were constantly innocent.” It appears here as
un­faith­ful to their faithful God, Yahweh Tsidkenu, “The Lord
Yahweh. Today’s reading is set Our Righteousness,” or “The
within that dreary context, but Lord Our Righteous Savior.” In
the content of the chapter is this prophecy of restoration, we
anything but depressing. catch a glimpse of “a righteous
Branch . . . from David’s line,”
Though confined in the court
the one through whom we are
of the king’s guard (see 32:2;
justified, declared innocent,
33:1), Jeremiah proclaims a
made right with God.
bright future for the people of
Judah. God promises healing Knowing that Jesus is your righ-
and health, forgiveness of sins, teousness, live righteously to-
and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. day and always.
The city will be restored for all
nations to see, and it will be Righteous God, thank you
called Yahweh Tsidkenu, “The for making us righteous
Lord Our Righteousness.” through Jesus. Help us to
Tsidkenu stems from the Hebrew live righteously for you.
word tsedek, meaning “stiff,” Amen.
Revelation 1:4-8 THURSDAY, MAY 22

HO THEOS: “GOD”
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is,
and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
 —Revelation 1:8

Rabbinic Jews reject the claim believed that Yahweh was the
that Yahweh, the God of the same God in both Testaments.
Old Testament, is the Christian “Alpha and Omega” and
God. But although God reveals “Almighty” echo God’s names
himself in far fewer names in and attributes revealed in the
the New Testament, he still Old Testament. Even more sig-
claims to be Yahweh, the God nificant, John’s words “who is,
who revealed himself to Israel. and who was, and who is to
come” provide another way of
The main name for God in the
describing Yahweh, “I am who I
New Testament is Ho Theos,
am” (Exodus 3:14).
from the Greek noun for
“god.” This name occurs more The same God who revealed
than 1,000 times in the New himself to Moses at the burning
Testament. Theos can mean bush is the God proclaimed in
“god” or “goddess,” so it was the New Testament. As “I am”
also used as a general name for promised to be with his people
false deities. To avoid confus- of old, he promises to be with
ing God with the many Greek us today.
gods, the Jewish writers of the
New Testament called him Ho
Theos, “the God,” stressing that O God, you are the same
he alone is the true God. yesterday, today, and for-
ever! Help us to live by
Is Ho Theos of the New Testament this eternal truth, by your
the same as Yahweh of the Old grace, and for your glory.
Testament? The apostle John,
Amen.
who wrote Revela­ tion, clearly
Revelation 15:1-4 FRIDAY, MAY 23

HO BASILEUS TON ETHNON:

“KING OF THE NATIONS”
“Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.”
 —Revelation 15:3
In a vision of heaven, John sees jected God’s claim as Ruler over
the victorious saints standing heaven and earth. When God’s
before a glassy sea. With harps glory and righteousness are
in their hands, they sing the completely revealed, all nations
song of Moses and the Lamb. and peoples of the earth will
They offer highest praise to the come and bow down before his
“Lord God Almighty,” to Ho throne and worship him.
Basileus to-n Ethnon, “King of the
Does history often seem out
Nations.”
of control, lurching toward de-
The name Ho Basileus to-n struction? Don’t fear or lose
Ethnon highlights God as basi- hope. Ho Basileus to-n Ethnon,
leus, meaning “leader of the “King of the Nations,” will pre-
people, prince, commander, vail. We have this assurance
lord of the land, king.” He isn’t in Jesus’ victory over sin and
the petty ruler of a minor state, death. Live and serve today in
but the King of all of the eth- that confidence and hope.
nos, “nations, tribes, and people
groups” across time and space.
O King of the Nations,
This scene by the sea of crystal we bow before you and
is a climax moment in salvation
look to the time when all
history. Ho Basileus to-n Ethnon,
people will do the same.
“King of the Nations,” triumphs
over and destroys his enemies.
Until that day, help us to
Throughout history the people trust and joyfully serve
of the earth have obstinately re- you. Amen.
Romans 10:5-13 SATURDAY, MAY 24

KYRIOS: “LORD”
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
 —Romans 10:13

The most common name for radically new way, declaring that
God in the entire Bible is the Jesus also is Lord. In Romans 10,
Greek word kyrios, which for example, Paul uses kyrios in
means “Lord.” Combining its a discussion about Jesus, quoting
use in the Old Testament (when Joel 2:32, which states, “Everyone
translated from Hebrew to who calls on the name of Yahweh
Greek) and the New Testament will be saved.” Paul uses kyrios in
(written in Greek), the word this passage to refer to both Jesus
kyrios for “Lord” appears more and Yahweh as Lord, declaring
than 6,000 times! that both are the one true God.
In this example we see the cen-
The word kyrios originally
tral teaching of the Bible, built on
meant “power” or “might,” but
this foundational truth: Jesus is
over time it came to mean
Lord!
“lord” or “master.” When the
Old Testament was translated Bow to him today and worship
from Hebrew to Greek, it used him! Jesus is your Lord and
kyrios for “Lord” wherever the your God!
words YHWH or Adonai oc-
curred in the Hebrew text. Lord God, we worship
you with wonder for your
The Jewish writers of the New mysterious and majestic
Testament, who were likely plan of salvation. In our
raised reading Scripture in both amazement and awe, help
Hebrew and Greek, similarly us to trust you and to call
used kyrios whenever they re- on your precious name.
ferred to Yahweh and Adonai.
Amen.
Further, they used kyrios in a
Luke 2:22-32 SUNDAY, MAY 25

DESPOTES: “MASTER”
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss
your servant in peace.” —Luke 2:29

When Joseph and Mary come In relationships, the counterpart

to the temple in Jerusalem to of despotes, “Sovereign Lord”
present Jesus to be consecrated, or “Master,” is doulos, mean-
they meet Simeon, a “righteous ing “servant,” “bondservant,”
and devout” man. Simeon has or even “slave.” The servant
been waiting a long time to see Simeon, entrusted by Despotes,
the promised Messiah, and now the “Sovereign Lord,” watched
he knows that the “consolation and waited for the com-
of Israel” has come. Taking the ing Messiah, to announce his
baby Jesus in his arms, Simeon ­arrival. Laying eyes on the child
praises God, addressing him as Jesus, he knew he now saw the
Despotes, “Sovereign Lord.” Lord’s salvation.
The name Despotes occurs only a What has the Sovereign Lord
few times in the New Testament, entrusted you to do? Are you
both as a name for God and yielding to his authority and
a name for Jesus. Despotes, carry­ing out that calling to the
“Sovereign Lord,” comes from a best of your ability?
Greek word meaning “one who
has unlimited power or authority
based on supreme ownership.”
Our negative-sounding English Sovereign Lord, you call
word “despot” originates from each of us to serve you.
this term, but the Greek word Prompt us with your Spirit
merely stresses the undisputed, to serve you devoutly and
absolute power of the master. As righteously in all we do to-
a name for God, it stresses that day. Amen.
all of creation belongs to him.
2 Timothy 1:1-2 MONDAY, MAY 26

THEOU PATROS: “GOD THE FATHER”

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God . . . . To Timothy,
my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and
Christ Jesus our Lord. —2 Timothy 1:1-2
In the letter-writing format of also in doxologies, thanksgiv-
his day, Paul typically identified ings, prayers, and exhortations.
himself before greeting the re- This name describes God’s place
cipient of his message. In addi- as the first person of the Trinity
tion, Paul almost always used a (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
greeting like this: “Grace, mercy and God’s role as creator and
and peace from God the Father sustainer of the universe and as
and Christ Jesus our Lord.” owner of his kingdom unfolding
in history. No wonder Paul so of-
“Father” is one of God’s most
ten included Theou Patros, “God
important names in the New
the Father,” in his greetings.
Testament. In the Old Testa­
ment, God as “Father” occurs God the Father greets you to-
sparingly and only as a meta- day and every day with his
phor for God’s relationship to grace, mercy, and peace. What
his people. In the Greek New better opening could we ask for
Testament, writers used Theou each new day?
Patros, “God the Father” as
one of God’s most prominent
names. Patros, drawing from
terms that refer to “nourishing,
protecting, upholding,” means Father God, we worship
“father,” “generator,” or “male you as creator and sus-
ancestor.” tainer of all things. Thank
Paul, like other New Testament you for stooping to bless
writers, uses this name, Theou us with your grace, mercy,
Patros, not only in greetings but and peace. Amen.
John 5:16-23 TUESDAY, MAY 27

PATROS MOU: “MY FATHER”

“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am
working.” —John 5:17

God as “Father” is a prominent The Jewish religious leaders

theme in the New Testament. understood clearly. They real-
In John’s gospel alone, the name ized that in saying Patros mou,
“Father” appears more than a “my Father,” Jesus claimed to
hundred times. Out of that num- be equal with God. In response,
ber, Jesus calls God Patros mou, they were outraged and plotted
“my Father,” almost thirty times. to kill him.
Just its number of occurrences Because Jesus could rightly ad-
makes “my Father” an impor- dress God as Patros mou, “my
tant name for God. But this is Father,” we have the right to
also a distinct name that only be called children of that same
Jesus could use because of his Father—adopted children, but
unique relationship with God children nonetheless. (See John
the Father. This refers not to the 1:12-13; Rom. 8:14-17.)
usual way of human generation
Keep in mind today that Jesus’
but to the fact that Jesus was
Father is your loving Father too.
“begotten, not made,” as we
confess in the Nicene Creed.
In claiming God as Patros mou, Our Father in heaven,
Jesus states his oneness with his through Jesus, your Son,
Father: that he loves his Father, we belong to you. By your
honors his Father, obeys his Spirit’s power, help us to
Father, does his Father’s will, live as Jesus lived in rela-
speaks his Father’s words, and tion to you, in thanksgiv-
carries out his Father’s mission.
ing and holiness. Amen.
Mark 14:32-36; Romans 8:8-17 WEDNESDAY, MAY 28

ABBA HO PATER: “ABBA, FATHER”

The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” —Romans 8:15

Jesus spoke the everyday lan- God “Daddy.” But everyone

guage of his people: Aramaic. from little children to adults
So instead of saying “Pater” (in in Jesus’ day used Abba for
Greek) for “Father,” Jesus would “Father.” Still, following Jesus’
say “Abba” (in Aramaic). example, we can say “Abba,
Father” to express intimacy
In Mark 14:36 we find both
with God. For Jesus and for
the Aramaic and the Greek for
us, “Abba, Father” is prayer lan-
“Father” as Jesus prayed, “Abba
guage. In prayer we enter God’s
ho Pater” (literally, “Abba, the
presence, submitting to his will,
Father”), at Gethsemane. There
knowing that he cares for us
he agonized over the suffering
and knows us intimately. And,
he would face for our sins, and
like Jesus, we can also say, “Not
he asked his “Abba, Father” to
what I will, but what you will.”
take that responsibility from
him. In this way Mark portrays Let Jesus’ will to obey “Abba,
Jesus’ agony as well as his inti- Father” fill your heart as you
macy with God the Father. face the challenges of this day.
The apostle Paul uses the words
Abba ho Pater also—in Romans
8 and Galatians 4. In our read-
ing for today, he uses it to state Abba, Father, we enter
that because we are adopted as your presence because
God’s children, we must live as through Jesus you have
God’s children. made us your children.
Some people mistakenly say Help us to seek your will
that Abba suggests we can call today and always. Amen.
Romans 1:1-7 THURSDAY, MAY 29

THEOS HEMON PATER: “GOD OUR FATHER”

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord
Jesus Christ. —Romans 1:7

At the beginning of the book “transcends all understanding”

of Romans, we find Paul’s usual (Philippians 4:7). A wonderful
identification of himself along greeting, indeed!
with his greeting to all his read-
Another use of hemon Pater oc-
ers. In this greeting, Paul refers
curs when Jesus teaches us to
to God as Theos hemon Pater,
pray, “Our Father in heaven”
“God our Father.”
(Matt. 6:9) in the Lord’s Prayer.
Hemon Pater, “our Father,” oc-
In yet another passage we learn
curs in different ways in the
that Jesus also intercedes for
New Testament. Throughout
us in prayer (Romans 8:34).
the gospels, we hear this phrase
We confess this when we say
on the lips of Jewish religious
Jesus is “seated at the right hand
leaders. When they use the
of God the Father Almighty”
phrase, it refers to an ancestor,
(Apostles’ Creed). On this
such as Abraham or David. In
Ascen­sion Day, when you pray,
Romans, Paul also uses “our
“Our Father,” take comfort and
­father” to refer to Abraham.
assurance in knowing that Jesus
In the greetings of his letters, intercedes on your behalf.
though, Paul specifies that
­hemon Pater, “our Father,” refers Our Father in heaven,
to God. The greeting is from the thank you that in Jesus
God who made the heavens Christ we have an inter-
and the earth, who poured out cessor at your right hand.
his grace on us through his Son, Thank you for the assur-
Jesus. Through Jesus, we also re- ance that you hear and
ceive our Father’s peace, which answer our prayers. Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 FRIDAY, MAY 30

HO PATER TON OIKTIRMOS:

“THE FATHER OF MERCIES”
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. . . .
 —2 Corinthians 1:3
In this densely packed prayer, cies,” who comforts us in our
Paul praises God as the God afflictions.
and Father of Jesus Christ and
What kind of Father is this who
as Ho Pater to-n Oiktirmos, “the
allows his children to suffer?
Father of mercies.” The Greek
We suffer because of sin and its
word oiktirmos, expressing
effects in this world. But Paul
“com­ passion, pity, mercy,” lit-
reminds us that in our suffering
erally means “to have a stom-
Ho Pater to-n Oiktirmos comforts
ach ache for the object of one’s
us through Jesus Christ, who,
compassion.”
after all, suffered and died for
Surprisingly, even though Paul us, paying the debt of our sin.
and his coworkers suffered in
Are you suffering? Take comfort
their work to spread the good
and courage that “the Father of
news of Jesus, Paul didn’t com-
Mercies” cares for you. And be-
plain or ask God to remove
cause he cares for you, you can
their suffering. Instead, he ac-
care for others.
knowledged God’s compassion
in the midst of their suffering.
Actually, Paul didn’t see suf- Father of Mercies, help us
fering as apart from God’s will, to see your goodness in
but somehow as a part of God’s joy and sorrow, well-being
will for himself and his fellow and suffering, and to know
laborers. Most remarkably, Paul your comfort and share
described God as Ho Pater to-n it with others. In Jesus,
Oiktirmos, “the Father of mer- Amen.
1 Peter 5:1-11 SATURDAY, MAY 31

CAST ALL YOUR CARES ON HIM

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
 —1 Peter 5:7

As we have seen this month, knees, worshiping his majesty

God reveals himself in a re- and his holiness. Learning God’s
markable number of names. names should also give us great
These names hint at many dif- comfort and assurance.
ferent aspects of God’s char-
Focusing on just the details,
acter that are important for
though, could distract us from
under­standing God.
how God reveals himself to the
We learn God’s names in the people in the Bible and to us. We
assurance and deliverance he learn who God is through his in-
provides to Abraham, to Hagar, teractions with real people, like
to Moses, to Gideon, to many you and me. God reveals him-
others, and to all his people self most clearly in times when
together in the Old and New his people stand in need of his
Testaments. The Creator God presence and his intervention.
of the universe, supreme over
Be assured most of all that you
all he has made, doesn’t remain
can cast all your cares on God
aloof. He stoops down again
each day. Your heavenly Father
and again to meet his people,
cares for you.
especially in their darkest times
and in their deepest need. And,
in the process, he reveals him- Our Father, thank you
self in the names he gives. for revealing your many
names that show your
Practically speaking, what grace and glory. Help us to
should we do with the names honor your name in all we
of God? Learning the names do and say. Amen.
of God should drive us to our
this month
Toward a New Creation
Arthur J. Schoonveld

This month’s devotions will take us from the first verse in the Bible,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis
1:1), all the way to God’s promise in Revelation 21:5: “I am making
everything new!”
We’ll take a look at the goodness of God’s creation, the consequences
of our sin, how you and I are faced with the reality of death every day,
and what God did to pick up the pieces of a ruined creation. We’ll
also see how God wants to use us in building his kingdom here on
earth. Then we’ll look at Christ’s second coming, the final judgment,
and the restoration of all things. In spite of what we may experience
today, through it all our Lord is moving history toward a new creation!

Art Schoonveld is a retired pastor, having served churches in California,

Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for
the Christian Reformed Church in North America and has served as an
interim pastor. He and his wife, Anita, have four married children and
eleven grandchildren.
Genesis 1:1-25 SUNDAY, JUNE 1

IN THE BEGINNING
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. . . . And
God saw that it was good. —Genesis 1:1, 25

Last summer our family had the Sadly, God’s beautiful creation
privilege of spending four days has been tainted by our sin.
in the Bahamas. On the last day In many parts of our world it’s
of our vacation, while sitting on clear that people have polluted
a small island lined with palm the land and harmed all kinds
trees, enjoying a cloudless sky of plant and animal life. But no
above us and the blue water human carelessness, no natural
of the ocean in front of us, I disaster, no scientific break-
was reminded of the beauty of through or theory will ever be
God’s creation and of the words able to contradict the truth of
of today’s text: “In the begin- Genesis 1:1, which tells us in
ning God created the heavens plain language that it was God
and the earth.” himself who created the heav-
ens and the earth.
But we shouldn’t need a trip to
the Bahamas to remind us that Wherever you find yourself this
all creation comes from God’s summer, remember that this is
hand. As you travel, or sit in God’s creation, and be a­ ssured
your backyard, or enjoy a beau- that he is moving history ­toward
tiful park this summer, take the a new creation.
time to remember that this is
God’s creation, entrusted to our
care and given for our enjoy-
ment. Then recall the words of Father in heaven, help us
Psalm 19:1: “The heavens de- to praise you for your mar-
clare the glory of God.” velous creation. In Jesus’
name, Amen.
Genesis 1:26-31 MONDAY, JUNE 2

MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE

God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so
that they may rule. . . .” . . . God saw all that he had made, and it
was very good. —Genesis 1:26, 31

Sometime today take a few mo- little. Maybe you are in a stage
ments to look at yourself in a of life in which you feel use-
mirror. less. Perhaps you are confined
to your bed, unable to do the
When you do, don’t look for
things you want to do. If so, you
wrinkles or gray hairs or for
need to know that you are spe-
things you don’t like about
cial no matter what—because
yourself. Try to ignore whatever
you bear God’s image.
blemishes you see, and, while
looking at yourself, say out loud, Because we are made in God’s
“I am made in God’s image.” image, he cares about each one
of us. Isaiah 49:16 says that we
We were made to look like
are engraved on the palms of
God—not physically, but with
God’s hands. He wants to use
the ability to love, to choose,
each one of us in his goal of re-
and to communicate. Psalm
newing his creation.
8:5 tells us we were made “a
little lower than the angels and
crowned . . . with glory and
honor.” Psalm 139:14 adds that
we are “fearfully and wonder-
fully made” by God himself.
Perhaps it’s difficult for some Lord our God, thank you
of us to believe we are spe- for the honor of bearing
cial. Maybe other people have your image. Please use
made you feel that you are each one of us to honor
insignificant and worth very you. Amen.
Genesis 3:1-7 TUESDAY, JUNE 3

PARADISE LOST
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good . . . she
took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was
with her, and he ate it. —Genesis 3:6

Several years ago Time maga- and death. It explains abuse

zine featured a cover story and addic­tions. It tells us that
about the book of Genesis. sin and disobedience caused all
The writer commented that that is wrong with this world.
the book of Genesis is far more
Sin brought shame and fear
than a controversial document
and selfishness. Sin brought
about creation v. evolution. The
about death. And only God can
book of Genesis, he said, “is
pick up the pieces of his ruined
about us and our origins.”
creation and make things new
The author had it right. The through the death and resurrec-
book of Genesis is all about us tion of his Son, the Lord Jesus.
and our origins. It tells us who Read through Genesis 3, and
we are and what God intended then turn to John 3:16 to see
us to be. It is about God, who how God goes about restoring
created a perfect universe, only his creation: “God so loved the
to see it plunged into ruin by the world that he gave . . . .”
disobedience of our first parents.
Genesis 3 gives the answer to
the question “What happened
to God’s beautiful creation?
What happened to us who were
made in God’s i­mage?” Lord, our God, thank you
for refusing to let us go
The chapter explains why bad and for sending your Son
things happen to good people. to restore all things. In
It explains tragedies, natural your name, Amen.
disasters, disease, depravity,
­
Romans 8:18-25 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4

DID GOD LOSE CONTROL?

The creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice,
but by the will of the one who subjected it. . . . —Romans 8:20

In William Faulkner’s play why does he allow bad things

Requiem for a Nun, one of the to happen?
main characters says that after
There is no easy answer to
God created everything, he lost
these questions. God gives no
control. Things got out of hand,
explanation. The only way to
and there was nothing God
make sense of what is happen-
could do about it.
ing all around us is to have an
Sometimes it seems like that open Bible handy as we read,
is true. On a typical day, news hear, or view the news. Make
headlines could report chaos in sure that when you check up
Cairo; civil war in Syria, with on the news, you also read the
thousands killed and a million last part of Romans 8 and Isaiah
children in refugee camps; hun- 40. There you will find that
ger, poverty, and persecution even today the Lord is in con-
in many countries; flash floods trol of all that’s happening and
in Europe; and typhoons in the will work out his purposes for
South Pacific. The list is endless. us and the world he has made.
There is no doubt that God’s
beautiful creation is groaning, Father in heaven, we of-
and God’s creatures are groan- ten wonder about every-
ing because of what is hap- thing that is happening in
pening everywhere. It raises all our world today. Help us
kinds of questions: Has God to trust that you are in
lost control? Does God know complete control. In Jesus’
and care? And if he does care,
name, Amen.
John 3:16-21 THURSDAY, JUNE 5

HOW GOD PICKS UP THE PIECES

“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
 —John 3:16

Some years ago while I was by believing in him we can

reading Genesis 3 (about Adam ­enter that kingdom.
and Eve’s fall into sin) at a wor-
Years ago a religious magazine
ship service, a little girl whis-
printed a cartoon of two people
pered to her mother, “Mom,
talking to each other, with one
can’t Adam and Eve go to
person saying, “Talk, talk, talk.
heaven now?” She understood
That’s all religion ever is—just a
that something very serious had
lot of talk.” On the next page
happened, and she wondered if
were drawings of a newborn
anything or anyone could undo
baby, a cross, and an open
the damage done on that day.
grave. Underneath the drawing
She asked the right question: was the question “You call that
Could anyone pick up the talk?”
­pieces of a ruined creation? Or
The creator of the universe
are we faced with the dilem-
refused to let go, and John 3
ma of an old nursery rhyme:
shows how he went about re-
“Humpty Dumpty sat on a
storing his creation.
wall;/ Humpty Dumpty had a
great fall./ All the king’s horses
and all the king’s men/ couldn’t
put Humpty together again.” Heavenly Father, thank
you for your love that re-
What no one else could do, fuses to let go. Lord Jesus,
God did by sending his Son, the thank you for loving us
Lord Jesus. Through his death enough to come to save
and resurrection Jesus ushered us. Amen.
in the kingdom of heaven, and
Philippians 2:5-11 FRIDAY, JUNE 6

UNDERCOVER CEO
Christ Jesus . . . being in very nature God . . . made himself noth-
ing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human
likeness. —Philippians 2:5-7

In a message on the book of But this same Lord, ignored

Revelation, a preacher noted by millions, will someday
that the Lord Jesus came to come again. And on that day,
earth as the undercover CEO of as Philippians 2 puts it, “ev-
the universe, much like a man- ery knee” will bow “and every
ager who appears in a worker’s tongue acknowledge that Jesus
clothes on the television show Christ is Lord.” Tongues that re-
“Undercover Boss.” According fused to confess his name and
to Philippians 2, the King of knees that refused to bow will
kings and Lord of lords, who have no choice but to acknowl-
is God himself, “made himself edge that Jesus is Lord of lords
nothing”: “Christ Jesus . . . being and King of kings.
in very nature God,” became a
Let’s pray for that day to come
human being.
soon.
This explains why, in the words
of John 1:10-11, “the world did
not recognize him” and “his
own did not receive him.” It ex-
plains why during Jesus’ minis-
try on earth hundreds of people Thank you, Lord Jesus, for
walked right past him. It also making yourself nothing
explains why millions of people in order to save us. Please
today refuse to believe in him. hasten the day when every
The CEO of the universe took knee will bow and every
on the nature of a servant and tongue confess that you
became one of us. are Lord of all. Amen.
Matthew 11:1-6 SATURDAY, JUNE 7

CAN WE BE SURE WHO JESUS IS?

John . . . sent his disciples to ask [Jesus], “Are you the one who is to
come, or should we expect someone else?” —Matthew 11:2-3

John the Baptist had trusted clear: “The blind receive sight,
that Jesus of Nazareth was the the lame walk, those who have
Christ of God. He had said it leprosy are cleansed, the deaf
more than once: “Repent, for hear, the dead are raised, and
the kingdom of heaven has the good news is proclaimed
come near” (Matthew 3:2). He to the poor.” These were clear
had pointed to his Lord by say- signs that the kingdom of
ing, “Look, the Lamb of God, heaven had come, and they
­
who takes away the sin of the pointed toward the day when
world!” (John 1:29). And on the that kingdom will come in all its
day he had baptized the Lord, fullness.
he had heard the voice of God
In case you are not sure about
saying to Jesus, “You are my
who Jesus is, turn to the gospels
Son, whom I love; with you I
and be convinced that Jesus is
am well-pleased” (Mark 1:11).
the Christ, the resurrected Son
But now John was in prison. of the living God.
King Herod seemed to have
more power than King Jesus.
Father in heaven, give us
The Lamb of God had done
nothing to protect him from the grace to believe that
Herod’s clutches. And John be- Jesus has come and has
gan to wonder, “Is Jesus really ushered in the kingdom,
who he says he is?” So John and help us to look for-
sent his disciples to ask Jesus. ward to the day when
your kingdom will fully
Jesus answered by saying that come. Amen.
the signs of his lordship were
1 Corinthians 13:1-7 PENTECOST SUNDAY, JUNE 8

LOVE NEVER FAILS!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is
not proud. . . . Love never fails. —1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Some years ago while planning Perhaps you are confined to

a memorial service, I asked the your bed or your wheelchair.
family members to tell me what Perhaps life’s demands keep
they remembered about their you from taking part in minis-
mother. Without hesitation they try opportunities. Perhaps you
all agreed that she had shown lack the resources to share with
“unconditional love” through- ­others who are in need.
out her life. She never planted
Paul answers those questions.
a church or preached a sermon.
We can be God’s instruments
She could not donate large
by displaying the love described
sums of money to charities. She
in 1 Corinthians 13. Ask the
was never acknowledged for
Holy Spirit to pour God’s love
doing a special service project
into your heart so that you can
or mission work.
show his love to the people
And yet she participated in around you. And when you
God’s kingdom-building by do, others will see a glimpse of
showing the love described in God’s kingdom here on earth.
1 Corinthians 13. That kind
of love, says Paul, is what real­ Spirit of God, fill us with
ly matters—because it is God’s your love so that we can
love supplied by the Holy Spirit, share it with the people
whose coming we celebrate to- around us. Make each
day on Pentecost (see Acts 2). of us a partner in build-
ing your kingdom here
Perhaps you wonder how you
on earth. For Jesus’ sake,
could possibly be part of God’s
Amen.
building program here on earth.
1 Corinthians 15:12-28 MONDAY, JUNE 9

THE BULLY ON THE BLOCK

People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
 —Hebrews 9:27

In his book Six Hours One The answer is actually quite

Friday, Max Lucado refers simple: death is a fact of life
to death as “the bully on the that all of us must face some-
block.” The apostle Paul calls day. Death is no respecter of
death “the last enemy to be de- age or gender or season. We
stroyed.” Author Joseph Bayly, are born, live our lives, and die
a father who lost three young in the context of eternity. Each
children, says that death is “the of us has an appointment with
last thing we talk about.” death that we cannot cancel.
Of course! Who wants to talk But in spite of all that, Paul
about death when you’re en- ­urges us to live life to the fullest,
joying life? Who wants to think because Christ overcame death
about something so morbid when he rose from the dead.
when you’re all set to live for Death is not the end. That’s the
many years to come? And who reason we can enter into any
wants to be reminded that day, any week, any season with
death could come at any time? confidence.
Maybe you feel like the young
man who, after I had preached
about death, said to me, “I don’t
come to church to hear about Lord, our God, keep us
death. I come to church to be from being overcome with
uplifted.” Perhaps you feel that fear, and help us face the
way too and wonder why you future with confidence be-
should read about death on a cause of Jesus’ death and
beautiful summer day when resurrection. Amen.
there’s so much in life to enjoy!
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5 TUESDAY, JUNE 10

BUT WHY?
We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have
a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by hu-
man hands. —2 Corinthians 5:1

In one of our church’s confes- Physical death (and someday

sions the question is asked, our own resurrection) has be-
“Since Christ has died for us, come God’s way of setting us
why do we still have to die?” free from all the limitations of
Christians have been asking life here on earth. Adam and
this for centuries. If the Lord Eve were banished from the
Jesus has overcome death, why Garden of Eden so that they
do we still have to face it? The would not eat from the tree of
same confession answers: “Our life and “live forever” (Genesis
death does not pay the debt of 3:22-23). God protected them
our sins. Rather, it puts an end from forever living here with all
to our sinning and is our en- the suffering caused by sin.
trance into eternal life.”
The troubles we face in this
Simply put, death for the world, especially hardships we
Christian is a stepping stone into may encounter for sharing the
eternal life. The apostle Paul good news of Christ, will be far
gives a similar answer when he outweighed by the eternal glory
writes, “Though outwardly we of being remade and living with
are wasting away, yet inwardly God forever.
we are being renewed.” And
“we know that if the earthly
tent we live in is destroyed, we Father in heaven, thank
have a building from God, an you for the eternal prom-
eternal house in heaven.” Our ise to set us free from all
last enemy becomes God’s way the effects of sin here on
of taking us to live with him. earth. In Jesus, Amen.
Jeremiah 29:10-14 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11

IS THAT ALL THERE IS?

When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he
fell asleep. —Acts 13:36

Many years ago a popular song “What is God’s plan for my life?
asked the question, “Is that all How can I serve his purpose for
there is?” Is life no more than be- my generation? How can I use
ing born, living a few years here my gifts and talents to build his
on earth only to face death? kingdom?”
More recently, in a book titled
If you are in the thick of life,
Why Am I Here?, a Dutch theolo-
busy with your job and family,
gian said he was sure that life on
ask yourself, “Is what I am do-
earth had no purpose and was
ing today what God wants me
no more than a random affair.
to do? Am I glorifying God?”
Thank God that life on earth
And if you are retired, ask God
is not a random affair and that
to show you how he wants to
each life serves a purpose!
use you to serve his purpose in
Thank God he has a plan for
your retirement.
each one of us. Read Jeremiah
29:10-14, and be assured that God’s purpose for our lives is to
God has a plan and purpose for glorify him, taking part in build-
you. In the words of our text, ing his kingdom here on earth.
we are to serve God’s purpose
in our time.
We must discern and discover Father in heaven, show us
God’s plan for us by seeking the plan and purpose you
him with all our heart. have for us. Use us to build
If you just graduated from high your kingdom. In Jesus’
school or college, ask yourself, name, Amen.
Luke 17:20-25 THURSDAY, JUNE 12

GOD’S KINGDOM IN OUR MIDST

“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be
observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because
the kingdom of God is in your midst.”  —Luke 17:20-21

Responding to a question about Years ago a theologian named

the kingdom of God, Jesus gave Abraham Kuyper pointed out
a rather startling answer. He that every square inch of the
told his listeners that the king- universe belongs to our Lord.
dom of God was “in [their] And you and I are called to
midst,” meaning that it was make a difference for Christ in
present because Jesus himself this world, his world.
was there among them. Today,
Perhaps you wonder how you
because Christ is present in us
could possibly make a differ-
through the Holy Spirit, we can
ence for Christ. Perhaps you
bring the presence of God’s
feel that because of who you
kingdom wherever we are.
are and because of your cir-
If you are a teacher in a class- cumstances, your influence is
room, your presence means small and insignificant. If so,
that God’s kingdom is there. remember what Jesus said to
Wherever you may be vaca- his disciples, that the kingdom
tioning this summer, you are of God is like a mustard seed:
bringing a part of that kingdom. small, but with tremendous po-
Whether you spend your days tential (Luke 13:18-19). May
driving a truck, working in an his kingdom come!
office, or providing health care
Lord Jesus, help us to re-
in a hospital, the kingdom of
God goes with you. If you are alize that you are with us
confined to a bed, God’s king- wherever we go, and use
dom is present there. us wherever we may find
ourselves. Amen.
Luke 12:13-21 FRIDAY, JUNE 13

THE RICH FOOL

“[The rich man said,] ‘I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain
laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
But God said to him, ‘You fool!’” —Luke 12:19-20

A fool! That’s what God calls the one who allowed him to be
the person in today’s parable. successful. God called the man
a fool because he had stored up
That may seem a strange way to
things only for himself. Instead
describe someone who would
of recognizing God’s blessing
have been the envy of many
and working to build God’s
people in the community. The
kingdom, he had been building
man had worked hard, putting
his own.
in long hours, and it had paid
off. He was set to enjoy the fruit Many people are like the rich
of his labors. He was going to fool, willing to sacrifice almost
“take life easy” and “eat, drink anything to get ahead, trusting
and be merry.” in money and status for their
security and leaving God out
When you work hard all your
of the picture. Take a few mo-
life and you have built a suc-
ments today and ask yourself,
cessful business or career, along
“Would God call me a fool?”
with some good investments,
haven’t you earned the right to
take life easy and enjoy your
retirement? That’s how the rich
man reasoned with himself.
The Bible makes clear that God Lord our God, help us to
does not begrudge his people take a look at our lives,
the rewards of a life well lived. and give us the grace to be
He does not call the man a fool rich toward you. For Jesus’
because he was rich. God was sake, Amen.
Luke 16:19-31 SATURDAY, JUNE 14

SHARING FROM OUR ABUNDANCE

“Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you re-
ceived your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but
now he is comforted here and you are in agony.’”—Luke 16:25

Some years ago, after spending Compared to millions of peo-

a few days in Haiti and walk- ple living in underdeveloped
ing through areas of extreme countries, we are rich!
poverty, I read the parable of
The question for us is “What are
the rich man and Lazarus. Then
we doing for the poor?” Do we
a scary thought came to me:
share with them from the abun-
Could I and many other people
dance we have received from
in Western nations be living
God? As coworkers of Christ,
like the rich man in the par-
do we realize that Jesus calls
able? Am I living in the greatest
us to feed the hungry, clothe
of luxuries, while people like
the naked, and give water to
Lazarus are lying at my door-
the thirsty? He even says that
step in great need, but I am do-
whatever we do for people
ing nothing to help?
like these, we do for him (see
Perhaps we are not ultra-rich, Matthew 25:31-46). In this way
but in North America and God gives us many opportuni-
other wealthy lands most of ties to help build his kingdom.
us have much more than our
basic needs supplied. In spite
of a sliding economy, many
of us have more than enough: Lord, teach us to share
nice homes with lots of conve- with and help people who
niences, plenty to eat, enough are in need. If our hearts
water to keep our lawns green, need changing, please
vehicles to get us around, and change us, for Jesus’ sake.
a wardrobe for every season. Amen.
Matthew 25:31-46 SUNDAY, JUNE 15

LIVING LIFE FOR THOSE WHO ARE LEAST

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters
of mine, you did for me.” —Matthew 25:40

A news story last year highlighted of their time to volunteer,

an 18-year-old college student to share, and to make them-
who was killed while crossing a selves available to people who
road. According to the story, she need help. One couple logged
had lived her short life reaching 75,000 miles in their vehicle
out to many who are often con- while working for a church or-
sidered “least” in our society. At ganization. Many other retirees,
a school prom, she danced with no longer able to get around,
someone who had been stand- reach out by praying for under-
ing alone because he was “differ- privileged people or by sending
ent.” On some of her vacations cards and gifts to those who
she was actively involved in an need them.
overseas orphanage.
This is the calling of people
Volunteering at a community who know the kingdom of
program, I had the opportuni- God is within them: to use the
ty to observe high school and gifts we have in order to serve
college-age young adults who everyone as we would serve
spent part of their summer va- Christ himself.
cation mentoring young adults
with special needs. It was a Lord Jesus, forgive us for
treat to see them reach out to the times we have walked
people who are often consid- past people whom we
ered “least.” They were putting have judged to be “least.”
Jesus’ words into practice. Thank you for those who
have stopped to help.
I know too about many retir-
Amen.
ees who give hours and hours
Judges 6:1-14 MONDAY, JUNE 16

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN?

The angel . . . said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us,
why has all this happened to us?” —Judges 6:12-13
How would you answer this Are people right when they
question: “If you had the op­ say that with so much suffering
por­ tunity, what would you there cannot possibly be a lov-
like to ask God?” Maybe you’d ing, caring God? Did the wife
say, “I’d want to ask why God of Job have it right when she
­allows so much suffering.” advised him to “curse God and
die” (Job 2:9)?
Gideon asked the same ques-
tion thousands of years ago. There is no easy answer to the
Why do some people face one problem of pain. We may never
tragedy after another, while understand, but we do know
others enjoy all kinds of bless- that God gave his Son to save
ings? Why do some nations en- us from our sin and all its de-
joy peace and prosperity, while structive effects in this world
others face poverty, persecu- (including suffering). We know
tion, and even genocide? How that God himself suffered in
can a God who loves this world our place. We can be assured
enough to send his Son allow that he cares more about us
holocaust and hunger, death than we will ever know.
and destruction? How can a
God who cares so much about
his creation allow human hands Father in heaven, we pray
to destroy his beautiful world? for your grace and mercy
In the words of a Jewish rabbi, for all who suffer. Please
“Why do bad things happen to give them the assurance
good people?” that you are with them. In
Jesus’ name, Amen.
John 11:1-7, 17-25 TUESDAY, JUNE 17

IF JESUS HAD BEEN THERE

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother
would not have died.” —John 11:21

When I was 12 years old, my So many things in life are dif-

24-year-old brother was killed ficult to understand. Sometimes
in Indonesia. The Sunday after we wonder if God really was
we were told about his death, there when someone we loved
our pastor preached a message was taken from us. Sometimes
about Jesus raising a widow’s it seems as if, in the words of
son while she was on her way C.S. Lewis, “God has double-
to bury him. I don’t remember bolted the door to heaven.”
anything about the sermon, but
Make no mistake: God is where
I do remember wondering why
we are. Even when we cannot
Jesus could not have been there
see him or find our way to him,
on the way to my brother’s
he is still there. The Lord Jesus
grave to raise him from death.
promised his constant presence
In my own way I was repeating when he said, “I am with you
what Martha said to Jesus: “Lord always, to the very end of the
. . . if you had been [there], my age” (Matthew 28:20). Nothing
brother would not have died.” can separate us from the love
She did not understand. She of God!
had sent word to Jesus that her
brother was sick, but instead of
coming right away, the Lord
waited two days. Martha was Open our eyes, Lord; we
convinced that Lazarus would want to see you. Please
not have died if Jesus had been send us a sign of your pres-
there. ence in our lives. Because
of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 23 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18

SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE AFRAID OF DEATH?

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me. —Psalm 23:4

During a mission trip to India, people who are dying don’t

flying from Madras to Mumbai, dare to talk about the person’s
our plane was caught in a death. A young nurse who
severe thunderstorm. Before
­ was dying sensed that fear in
we realized what was happen- some people who came to see
ing, luggage and food dishes her. She wrote, “Why are you
were flying through our cabin. afraid? I know you’re insecure,
I was convinced that this would you don’t know what to say,
be the end of my life, and I be- you don’t know what to do.
gan to realize that I was afraid Just don’t run away. All I need
of death. is someone to hold my hand.”
When I got back home, I told Don’t be afraid to admit your
a colleague that I had been fear. Don’t be afraid to talk
afraid to die. He told me that about it. Take your fear to the
Christians had no reason to be Lord, and remember the words
afraid of death. While that is of Psalm 23, that the Lord, our
true, I think most of us fear it great Shepherd, is with you.
anyway. Throughout my min-
istry I have found that many
people are afraid to face that
last enemy called death. And Father in heaven, be close
some ask quite frankly, “Will to those who are afraid.
God ­accept me when I die?” Reach out to them, reas-
sure them, and help us
Some people are afraid to to do the same. For Jesus’
­admit their fear of death. And
sake, Amen.
often those who visit with
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 THURSDAY, JUNE 19

DEATH DOES NOT HAVE THE LAST WORD

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” . . . “Where, O death,
is your sting?” —1 Corinthians 15:54-55

In a class of teenagers I asked messages, “When we die, we go

the question: “What happens on living on a different plane.”
when we die?” One student We simply change locations.
wrote, “I believe that death is
We can be assured of this be-
not really the end of life. Our
cause of Jesus’ resurrection.
soul lives on even after we die.
As Paul says in his great ex-
The Bible tells me that when
planation of the resurrection,
I die I will go and be with my
“If Christ has not been raised,
best friend, Jesus Christ, and
our preaching is useless and
live with him for eternity.”
so is your faith” (1 Corinthians
She had it right: Death is not the 15:14). Without Christ’s resur-
end; it is the beginning of eter- rection we have no future. But
nal life. That’s what Jesus said Christ has been raised from the
when standing at the grave of dead, and our future is assured.
his friend Lazarus: “I am the res- “Death has been swallowed up
urrection and the life. The one in victory.” And that victory in-
who believes in me will live, cludes our own resurrection in
even though they die; and who- the new heavens and earth. We
ever lives by believing in me too shall be raised as Christ has
will never die” (John 11:25-26). been raised! Hallelujah!
The apostle Paul summarizes
this way: “Death has been swal- Lord Jesus, thank you for
lowed up in victory.” your victory over death
and for assuring us that
Life on earth is not a one-way
death does not have the
journey to the cemetery. As a
last word. Amen.
radio minister said in one of his
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 FRIDAY, JUNE 20

HOW CAN WE PROVIDE COMFORT?

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . who
comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any
trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
 —2 Corinthians 1:3-4
At the beginning of my work That little girl understood the
in ministry, while I was on my secret of what it meant to bring
way to visit a family whose son comfort. In his book Lament
had been killed in Vietnam, for a Son, author Nicholas
the question going through my Wolterstorff, whose son died in
mind was “What am I going a mountain climbing accident,
to say?” What could I possibly says, “To comfort me, you have
say to parents who had just to come close. Come sit beside
received the most devastating me on my mourning bench.”
news imaginable?
There will be times when you
Since that time I have learned will sit by the side of a grieving
that often the less we say, the friend. Ask God to help you
better. In one of his books to come close and become his
Charles Swindoll tells a story instrument in bringing his com-
about a six-year-old girl whose fort.
neighborhood playmate had
died. One day she went to visit
her friend’s mom. When she
came back, she told her mother
where she had been. When her Lord God, we often feel
mother asked her what she had helpless and inadequate
said, she answered, “I did not when people need com-
say anything. I just sat on her fort. Teach us how to give
lap and cried a little.” comfort in your name.
Amen.
Matthew 24:36-41 SATURDAY, JUNE 21

BEFORE JESUS COMES AGAIN

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the
Son of Man.” —Matthew 24:37

At one point during his ministry, “People will be lovers of them-

the Lord Jesus asked, “When selves, lovers of money, boast-
the Son of Man comes, will he ful, proud, abusive . . . having a
find faith on the earth?” (Luke form of godliness but denying
18:8). It’s an important ques- its power.” False religions, self-
tion. When Jesus comes again, ishness, and a thirst for material
will people still believe? More things will rule the day.
and more people seem to be
I recently heard a pastor men-
turning their backs on God and
tion three tools that Satan uses
the church. A European “theo-
today to draw people away
logian” calls faith in a personal
from God: government, reli-
God sheer foolishness. He also
gion, and materialism. He called
“knows” that the resurrection
the church to fight today’s in-
never happened and that there
difference with prayer and by
is no life after death. Millions
spreading God’s Word. We need
of people are buying in to that
to ask ourselves, “What are we
kind of thinking.
doing to bring God’s Word to
Today’s reading mentions an in- those who do not care?”
difference to the gospel before
Jesus comes again. It will be “as
it was in the days of Noah,” says
Jesus, with people going about Father in heaven, use each
their everyday lives without any one of us to bring the
regard for God. good news to those who
In 2 Timothy 3:2-5 the apostle need to hear it. For Jesus’
Paul writes that in the last days, sake, Amen.
Matthew 24:42-44 SUNDAY, JUNE 22

WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN

“Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord
will come. . . . The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do
not expect him.” —Matthew 24:42-44

Several years ago, during the That teenager’s comment raises

war in the Persian Gulf, a bill- a question for us all: “Do we
board along a major highway want the Lord Jesus to come
read, “Be ready! Jesus is coming back soon? Would we think it
soon!” Many Christians were awesome if he came back to-
absolutely convinced that Jesus day, June 22, 2014? Are we
was about to come back. Time praying for his return?”
magazine wrote at that time
Regardless of whether we pray
that millions of Americans were
for Jesus’ coming or we expect
preoccupied with the end of
him to come soon, one thing is
the world.
sure: he will return. The Bible
One day while I was driving leaves no doubt that someday
past that billboard, a teenager the Lord Jesus will come back
riding with me said, “Wouldn’t on the clouds of heaven. And
that be awesome if Jesus came when he does, all who believe
back today?” That comment in him will live with him forever
took me by surprise, coming and ever. Let’s pray for that day!
from a teenager. When I was
in high school, I wasn’t so sure
that I wanted Jesus to come
back right away. I wanted to
live life, get out of school, and Lord Jesus, please come
get married—and Jesus’ second back soon to bring about
coming would have put an end the new heavens and the
to all that. new earth. Come quickly,
Lord Jesus. Amen.
2 Peter 3:1-9 MONDAY, JUNE 23

SOON AND VERY SOON?

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise . . . . Instead he is
patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to
come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:9

“Soon and very soon, we are and ask, “Why doesn’t Jesus
going to see the King.” We come to end it?” We read about
sang that song not long ago at poverty and hunger and depri-
a worship service. The way the vation, and we think, “When
people sang it left no doubt that will it end?” We hear about nat-
they really believed it. ural disasters and tragedies, and
we wonder why Jesus does not
But how soon? Nearly two
end it all by coming back.
thousand years have passed
since Jesus told his disciples that The answer Peter gives is that
he was going to come back. For Jesus has not forgotten about
two thousand years God’s peo- his promise to return. He is “not
ple have been asking, “Lord, slow in keeping his promise.”
when will you return?” But he Instead, he is patient! And to-
has not returned. day God wants his church to
call people back to him.
Already in the first century
some believers doubted Jesus’
return. They had believed the
promise of his coming, but
times were hard and persecu-
tion was severe. Scoffers were Lord, help us to keep on
asking, “Where is this ‘coming’ praying for your return,
he promised?” They had no an- and while you wait, please
swer. use us to call people to re-
Sometimes we might wonder pentance. For your name’s
too. We hear about persecution sake, Amen.
Matthew 17:1-13 TUESDAY, JUNE 24

WILL WE BE RECOGNIZED IN HEAVEN?

There appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
 —Matthew 17:3

In a book about going to heaven The Bible, I believe, does tell us

and then returning to life here that we will know each other.
on earth, the author tells about Randy Alcorn in his book
being transported to and from Heaven cites several Bible pas-
heaven after having surgery in a sages that would indicate that.
hospital. According to the book, In Job 19:26-27, Job says, “In
during his short stay in heaven my flesh I will see God; I myself
he recognized some of the peo- will see him with my own eyes.”
ple he had known earlier in life. In today’s Bible passage about
Books like 90 Minutes in Heaven the transfiguration of Jesus, we
and others tell similar stories meet both Moses and Elijah,
about recognizing people who who appear in person with the
had died earlier. same identity as before.
Will we really recognize each We have every reason to be-
other in the next life? Will we lieve that we will know each
have our own identity, and will other.
family members actually know
us? People disagree. In a con-
versation with some of my sib-
lings I was told that it was simply
impossible for us to recognize Lord, our God, thank you
each other. How could those for assuring us that some-
who left us years ago when we day we will see you in
were so much younger possibly your glory and be joined
know and recognize us? with those who have gone
before us. Amen.
John 5:28-30 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25

DO NOT BE AMAZED!
“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are
in their graves will hear his voice and come out.”
 —John 5:28-29

Do not be amazed! That’s what rise from the dead, and even
Jesus says to his disciples as he the sea and every other place
announces one of the most where people have been buried
amazing things that will hap- will give up the dead that are
pen. He tells them not to be in them.
amazed when someday every
Of course we stand in awe at
person who has died will come
that thought. Of course it is be-
back to life with a new body.
yond our human comprehen-
The apostle John adds more
sion. The Lord Jesus wants us
amazing details when he says
to marvel at what will happen
in the book of Revelation, “The
someday. But he also wants us
sea gave up the dead that were
to accept it by faith. His resur-
in it, and death and Hades gave
rection is our guarantee. That’s
up the dead that were in them”
how we know. Read and reread
(Revelation 20:13).
1 Corinthians 15 and be as-
How could we not be amazed? sured that he who raised Jesus
Whenever I have stood in a from the dead will also raise us
cemetery conducting a gravesite when he comes again.
service, the thought has come
to me: “What an amazing day
it will be when all these graves
are opened and every person
will come to life!” It is beyond Lord Jesus, we marvel, and
our comprehension that some- we stand amazed. Give us
day, at the sound of the trum- the faith to believe. In your
pet, those who have died will name, Amen.
Zechariah 3:1-4 THURSDAY, JUNE 26

THE FINAL JUDGMENT

We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
 —2 Corinthians 5:10

When Jesus comes again, you him. There is nothing Joshua

and I will find ourselves stand- can say to defend himself.
ing before the judgment seat of
The Lord, however, rebukes
God to give an account of how
Satan and says, “Is not this man
we have lived (Romans 14:12).
a burning stick snatched from
And all of us deserve a “guilty”
the fire?” Then the Lord gives
verdict, because, as Paul puts it,
Joshua clean garments and says,
“All have sinned and fall short
“I have taken away your sin.”
of the glory of God” (Romans
3:23). None of us would stand The only way you and I can
a chance of being acquitted, ex- escape God’s judgment is to
cept for one thing: We have an have the Lord Jesus take our sin
advocate, someone who speaks upon himself and speak up in
to the Father in our defense— our defense. The only thing we
“Jesus Christ, the Righteous must do is believe in him, be-
One” (1 John 2:1). cause “whoever believes in him
is not condemned” (John 3:18).
Zechariah gives us a glimpse
The Lord Jesus wants to be
behind the scenes to show us
our defense, and he’s our only
what happens when we stand
hope. Believe it!
before God’s judgment seat.
The high priest, Joshua, is stand-
ing before the Lord, dressed in
filthy clothes, a symbol of the Lord Jesus, thank you for
sinfulness of even the most re- speaking up in our defense
ligious human being. Satan is so that we may have eter-
also standing there to accuse nal life. Amen.
Revelation 7:9-12 FRIDAY, JUNE 27

THE GREAT MULTITUDE

Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from
every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the
­
throne and before the Lamb. —Revelation 7:9
At an outdoor worship service Perhaps your church needs to
last summer we had a small ask itself some questions: Do
foretaste of the apostle John’s we go out of our way to invite
vision described in Revelation. people from different back-
He saw “a great multitude that grounds? Do we accommodate
no one could count,” people people who seem different
from every tribe, nation, and from us? Do we use different
language. The service we at- languages in worship, if only
tended had people from dif- to remind ourselves we are a
ferent cultures and countries church of all nations? Do we
participating and speaking in go to our local missions and
different languages. We were invite the residents to join us
reminded that this is God’s goal at our church? And when they
for his church today, to be per- come, do we make them feel
fected when he comes again. at home?
The church on earth today is Is your church a small portrait of
meant to include all kinds of the multitude in Revelation 7?
people. In the parable of the
great banquet (Luke 14:15-24),
the master tells his servants to Lord our God, forgive us
go out and “bring in the poor, for not going out of our
the crippled, the blind and the way to invite people who
lame.” The Lord calls his church may seem different from
to welcome “all who believe” us. Help us to be willing to
(Romans 3:22). welcome all who need to
meet you. Amen.
Isaiah 65:17-25 SATURDAY, JUNE 28

PARADISE REGAINED
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former
things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
 —Isaiah 65:17

In today’s verses the Lord gives As a married couple, my wife

us a descriptive preview of and I have lived in seven dif-
what life on the new earth will ferent homes. Each time we
be like when Jesus comes again. moved out, someone else
moved in. At every place we
Isaiah’s picture of what is in store
lived I planted trees, only to
for us will come as a complete
leave them behind for some-
surprise to some. The American
one else to enjoy. On the new
writer Mark Twain, who did not
earth we’ll build houses and live
believe in life after death, cari-
in them. We’ll plant trees and
catured the life to come as one
enjoy them when they are full
of the most boring things imag-
grown. And animal lovers can
inable. According to Isaiah 65,
take heart: every animal God
he and others who think that
made will live there in peace.
way could not be more wrong.
Most important, we will live in
The new heavens and new earth the presence of and in commu-
will be filled with joy. Instead of nion with God in a way we can
being boring, it will be a delight. barely imagine. Paradise lost
None of the ugliness of sin will will be paradise regained!
be remembered. Never again
will there be the sound of cry-
ing. People will go on living and
be able to “enjoy the work of Lord, thank you for giving
their hands.” They “will be a us a glimpse of things to
people blessed by the Lord.” come. Please come soon.
Amen.
Revelation 21:1-5 SUNDAY, JUNE 29

NO MORE CRYING THERE

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things
has passed away. —Revelation 21:4

A few years ago my wife and disability that keeps us from do-
I were standing in a small-town ing what we want to do.
cemetery in the Netherlands,
Whatever causes us to cry, in
looking at the gravestone of
the words of an old song, the
my parents. Below their names
day will come when there will
is the text “And God will wipe
be “no more . . . crying or pain.”
every tear from their eyes.”
The day will come when pain
There had been much to cry and death and mourning will be
about. Hardships during World gone. Someday, perhaps sooner
War II, with three sons in hid- than we think, God himself will
ing from the Germans, and a wipe every tear from our eyes.
daughter in a German concen- Someday the new Jerusalem
tration camp. Soon after the will come down from heaven,
war my dad became a widower heaven and earth will become
for the second time, and three one, and God himself will live
years later a son was killed. with his people. And on that
day he will make all things new!
There is a lot to cry about dur-
ing a lifetime. Sooner or later
every family and individual
will shed tears for one reason
or another. It may be the loss
of someone we love, the onset Lord our God, please
of a lingering disease, the limi- come soon to make all
tations that come with getting things new. Because of
older, or a lifelong challenge or
Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 103:1-12 MONDAY, JUNE 30

TEN THOUSAND REASONS

Praise the Lord, my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy
name. —Psalm 103:1

Psalm 103 is a song of praise til he comes again. And we’ve

to God for all the benefits and received a preview of what lies
blessings he gives us every day. ahead when all creation will be
The psalmist describes many restored and God himself will
reasons for praising God. The make all things new.
God we serve forgives our sins.
As the song “Ten Thousand
He promises to heal all our dis-
Reasons” puts it, “For all your
eases when he returns. He has
goodness I will keep on sing-
redeemed us, crowns us with
ing/ Ten thousand reasons for
love and compassion, and as-
my heart to find.”
sures us that his love is “from
everlasting to everlasting” for What are some reasons you can
“those who fear him,” who give think of to praise the one true
God all the honor that is due God, the Lord of heaven and
him. earth? In what ways has God
worked in your life and in the
As New Testament Christians
lives of people you know? Make
we can add to the reasons we
sure you take the time to praise
have to praise our God. This
the Lord today and every day!
month we’ve met the risen
Savior. We’ve been able to hear
him speak to us in Scripture,
and we’ve been reassured that Lord our God, fill us with
death has been swallowed up your praises now and for-
in victory. We’ve seen how evermore. We praise your
God wants to use us here on holy name, and we thank
earth to build his kingdom un- you. In Jesus, Amen.
 1946358

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