“This Is What You Get”
Job 12: 20, 24: “He deprives the trusted ones of speech, and takes away the discernment of the elders. He deprives of intelligence the chiefs of the earth’s people, and makes them wander in a pathless waste.” If you know anyone who doesn’t believe the Bible, show them these verses, and they will change their mind. They are the undeniable explanation for what is going on in the world today. This is what the saying, “God gives people the leaders they deserve” is talking about.
Tuesday, September 1: “Sweet Peace”
Acts 12: 6: “And on the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.” How many people sleep the night before their execution? Not many, I’d bet, especially if they are wrapped in chains rather than a blanket. But even though St. Peter’s fellow apostle had just been martyred, he still had the peace that faith brings to us: faith to live (deliverance by the angel) and faith to die (a destiny all face, sooner or later).
Wednesday, September 2: “Big Day”
John 8: 56: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Have you ever seen a Christmas card that features Abraham rejoicing? Can’t he be included with the angels and the shepherds? But the day Jesus is talking about here is probably the day He left Heaven and became incarnate: the Annunciation (March 25), not the Nativity (December 25). And they don’t make Annunciation cards. (Why not?)
Thursday, September 3: “Truly Qualified”
Psalm 37: 30, 31: “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” Here’s how to avoid the fate Job talked about on Monday. If unrighteous deprives one of true intelligence, righteousness brings forth true wisdom and justice; while hiding God’s word in one’s heart provides non-slip soles for his shoes. These are the leaders to seek, regardless of party affiliation, family connections, show business background, or singing ability!
Friday, September 4: “Blind as a Pharisee”
John 9: 41: “Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, “We see,” your sin remains.’” You are only responsible for what you know. Jesus repeatedly told the Pharisees Who He was and performed signs in their midst, yet they proclaimed their superior sight showed them He was a false prophet. This blindness kept sheep such as the blind man’s parents out of the sheepfold (vv. 18-23), and led Jesus to teach about good and bad shepherds in response (John 10).
Saturday, September 5: “God’s Work”
Acts 13: 41: “Behold, you scoffers, and marvel, and perish; for I am accomplishing a work in your days, a work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.” Is this still true, even today? For sure, “My Father is working even now” (John 5: 17), through any and every situation. St. Paul’s quote from Habakkuk applies as much in greatly despised 2020 as it did in years of abundance and tranquility. So don’t scoff, believe!
