March 2 – All Things Engaged Forever

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ” – Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

The author of Hebrews drew this promise from God’s words in Deuteronomy 31:6 or Joshua 1:5. Charles Spurgeon, preached to thousands in England in the 19th Century. He wrote something similar to this*. “Have courage to believe, for God has said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you.' In this promise, God gives to his faith believers everything. It is the LORD who is I AM promising us. Then no attribute of God can cease to be engaged for us. Is He mighty? He will show himself strong on the behalf of them that trust him. Is He love? Then with lovingkindness God will have mercy upon us. Whatever attributes may compose the character of God, every one of them to its fullest extent will be engaged on our side. We can trust that there is nothing we can want, there is nothing we can ask for, there is nothing we can need in time or in eternity, there is nothing living, nothing dying, there is nothing in this world, nothing in the next world, there is nothing now, nothing at the resurrection-morning, nothing in heaven which is not included in this promise—'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'”

*C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896).

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September 9 – Rich In Delight

“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” Isaiah 55:2 (ESV)

Our selected verse today poses questions for us to consider.  The last part of this verse makes it clear that it is not about food that we eat to keep our bodies alive. It is about spiritual food which makes our faith strong and our souls happy.  Just as our physical self has needs that must be met for us to stay healthy and strong, so it is with our spiritual self.  Our spiritual self was dead and for those who have accepted Jesus Christ our spirit is alive only because of the new life we have in Jesus.  We are therefore, reminded here that we have spiritual needs which only our God can satisfy.  God invites us here and in many other places in the Bible to look to Him and to allow Him to satisfy our spiritual hunger and thirst.  He wants us to spend time reading His Word trusting His promises and then obeying what He teaches us.

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August 12

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2 (NIV)

God wants His people to live lives that satisfy, truly fulfilled lives. And He knows that true satisfaction is spiritual satisfaction. He wants our soul to be delighted, our spiritual needs to be fulfilled. And He explains how this comes about. He says, “Listen, listen to me” How do we do that? God has spoken and His Word is recorded for us. If we want to live fulfilled lives and have our spiritual needs met, let us pay attention to what God says in His Word. Let's listen to Him.