The Voice of God at Sunset (Psalm 50:1)

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Who has not marveled at the beauty of a sunset? We stand motionless, awestruck, hushed by the flaming sky as the sun moves over the western horizon. Seeming to hesitate a moment, the glowing orb suddenly drops out of sight, leaving the sky ablaze with brilliant shades of pink, orange, and red. Somehow the frustrations of the days are put to silence by the majestic, yet soothing voice of God as we view a glorious sunset.

Because the sun’s rays are slowed down slightly and bent by the earth’s atmosphere, the sun appears to be oval-shaped rather than round. That, along with dust or smog in the air, explains the dazzling array of colors that give us so much visual pleasure at day’s end. And scientists tell us that a sunrise can be even more beautiful than most of us have seen. Writing in the Encyclopedia Science Supplement, astronomer John B. Irwin said, “When conditions are just right, the last diminishing bit of the yellow-orange sun suddenly changes into a brilliant emerald green. This green flash puts an exciting exclamation point to the end of the day.”

To Christians, every sunset is an exclamation point given to us by God the Creator to end the day. It’s as if the Lord were saying, “Set aside your worries. Rest from your labors. Forget about those disappointments. I am still here, taking care of My universe. I am in control. I have not changed. Look up beyond the sun to Me and be at peace.”

No wonder the psalmist spoke of the voice of God at sunset! – David C. Egner

The unwearied sun, from day to day,

Does his Creator’s power display,

And publishes to every land

The work of an Almighty hand. – Addison

In nature we can hear the voice of God.

• May 31, 1985, Our Daily Bread

Those Difficult Decisions (1 Samuel 23:2, 4)

Every day we make many decisions with no more effort than it takes to breathe. But those big ones – such as the choice of a mate or our life’s work – give us trouble. Two extremes must be avoided: acting on desire alone, and letting time and circumstances decide for us. Fear of making a wrong choice can so paralyze us that the decision is made for us. We are like the supposedly experienced paratrooper who was asked how many jumps he had to his credit. “Twenty-five,” was his reply, but then he added sheepishly, “Really only one. The other twenty-four I had to be pushed.”

Here are some guidelines to keep us from being “pushed” by people, events, or the passing of time. First, start with prayer. Talk openly with the Father about the issue. Second, list the options and write out the pros and cons of each one. Third, ask these tough questions based on biblical principles: 1. What does God’s Word have to say about it? (Psalm 119:105). 2. What will it cost? (Luke 14:28-30). 3. How will it affect me and others? (1 Corinthians 6:12; 8:9). 4. Will it help or hinder the fulfillment of other objectives? (Luke 11:42). 5. Will I have to compromise any convictions? (James 1:22-25). 6. What do spiritually mature people think about it? (Proverbs 15:22).

If you don’t have peace and you cannot delay the decision, ask God to block it if is wrong. Then go forward in the confidence of Philippians 2:13. Those difficult decisions are never too difficult for Him. – Dennis J. De Haan

He leadeth me! Oh, blessed thought!

On, words with heavenly comfort fraught!

Whate’er I do, where’er I be,

Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. – Gilmore

That which does not begin with God will end in failure.

• May 30, 1987, Our Daily Bread

A Lawyer’s Liquor Problem (Proverbs 20:1)

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Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, “I’ve often wanted to ask you a question, but I’ve been afraid to do so.” “What do you want to know?” asked the lawyer. The man replied, “I’ve wondered why you’re not a Christian.” The man hung his head. “I know enough about the Bible to realize that it says no drunkard can enter the kingdom of God; and you know my weakness!” “You’re avoiding my question,” continued the believer. “Well, truthfully, I can’t recall anyone ever explaining how to become a Christian.” Picking up a Bible, the client read some passages showing that all are under condemnation, but Christ came to save the lost by dying on the cross for their sins. “By receiving Him as your Substitute and Redeemer,” he said, “you can be forgiven. If you’re willing to receive Jesus, let’s pray together.” The lawyer agreed, and when it was his turn he exclaimed, “O Jesus, I am a slave to drink. One of Yor servants has shown me how to be saved. O God, forgive my sins and help me overcome the power of this terrible habit of my life.” Right there he was converted. The lawyer was C. I. Scofield, who later edited the reference Bible that bears his name.

If you have been deceived by sin and enslaved by alcohol, turn to Jesus for salvation. He will give you new life and the power to conquer your liquor problem. – Henry G. Bosch

Would you in all things triumph,

Win God’s eternal praise?

Then trust in Christ the Savior

And serve Him all your days. – Anon.

Salvation produces a change within that unfetters the chains of sin.

• May 29, 1987, Our Daily Bread

The First 50 Pages (Psalm 119:105

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In his book Know Why You Believe, Paul Little made this observation: “It is interesting to note that many . . . widely quoted books are read by title only. Three that come to mind are the Bible, Origin of Species, and Das Kapital. People, speaking with confidence, will claim a certain book as the authority for their viewpoint. But when you pin them down, you find that they have really only read the first few pages.”

Paul Little mentioned this in connection with conversations he had with college students who said they believe in evolution. When he would ask them for evidence, they would often smile knowingly and mention paleontology, anatomy, embryology, and other branches of science. Then Little would ask them if they had read any books that presented the evidence they just mentioned. They would often say, “Yes, sir,” and invariably they would mention Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species. “Have you read this book?” he would ask. “Well, not all of it,” would come the reply. “How much?” he would ask. And usually the answer would be, “The first 50 pages.” By saying that, they would discredit their own argument.

But wait a minute. There’s a lesson here for Christians as well. When our beliefs or practice are challenged, how often do we say, “Because the Bible says so”? That’s an excellent answer – but have we really read and studied it for ourselves? Let’s not be guilty of having read only “the first 50 pages” of God’s Word. – David C. Egner

We say we love the Word of God,

We say we know it’s true,

We quote a passage here and there,

But we never read it through. – Phillips

When you study the Scriptures “hit or miss,” you’re like to miss more than you hit.

• May 28, 1986, Our Daily Bread

How to Handle Sorrow (Matthew 14:14)

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Psychologists tell us that when we lose a loved one, we normally go through these five stages of grief:

1. Denial
2. Anger turned outward
3. Anger turned inward
4. Genuine grieving (weeping)
5. Resolution

The process can be long or short, healthful or unhealthful, through meaningful work that benefits others.

Many years ago a back-country woman in Florida received news that her son had been killed in the war. Shortly thereafter, she was seen hoeing in her garden. “It just ain’t fittin’,” chided a neighbor. “Friend,” said Effie Mae, “I know you mean well, but Jim rejoiced to see green things growin’ because it meant that his Maw and the young ‘uns would be eatin’. This is his hoe, and when I’m hoein’, I can almost feel his big, strong hands under mine and hear his voice sayin’, ‘That’s good, Maw, that’s good.’ Workin’ is the only headstone I can give him.”

That was Jesus’ way. Upon learning of John the Baptist’s death, He got alone (Matthew 14:13), but not for long. He was moved with compassion for the multitude. Even though grieving, He healed the sick and fed the five thousand.

Your heart may be broken today. Life may seem empty and its purpose gone. Don’t give up. Hope lies hidden in the Master’s example. Take up our duties. Let your tender heart awaken to compassion. Do what is most difficult  – refuse the luxury of self-pity and do something to lift the burdens of others. That’s how Jesus handled sorrow. – D.J. De Haan

There is a destiny that makes us brothers;

None goes his way alone;

All that we send into the lives of others

Comes back into our own. – Markham

To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own. – Lincoln

• May 27, 1985, Our Daily Bread

Dusty Leaves (Psalm 32:5)

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The rubber plant I bought for my wife Dorothy added a touch of life to our home. Its broad, luxuriant leaves seemed to spread out with a welcoming gesture. But one morning I noticed that its foliage was dropping as if in a state of dejection. I didn’t say anything to my wife, but I wondered what happened.  When I came home for lunch that noon, the plant was completely transformed. It looked as hearty as it did the day we got it from the store. A healthy color had returned to its leaves, and they were extended outward once again. When I asked Dorothy about it, she told me of reading a household hint on how to keep plants looking fresh and alive. It stated that dust accumulating on their leaves can actually prevent the light from getting to them. So it’s necessary to wipe them off regularly. She had done this and the result was amazing.

As we live in this world, tiny “particles” of sin can easily build up in our lives. Resentments, sharp words, impure thoughts, or selfish attitudes all take their toll on our spiritual vitality. Unless they are confessed at once, they begin to form a layer of “dust” that prevents us from experiencing the light of God’s grace in our hearts. Those around us will sense that something is wrong.

If the accumulation of unconfessed sin has gathered on your soul, do as David did – confess it to the Lord. Wipe off the “dusty leaves” of your life and enjoy once again the glorious sunshine of God’s love. – Dennis J. De Haan

Before the cross of Him who died,

Behold, I prostrate fall;

Let every sin be brought to Him

And Christ be all in all. – Bridges

Confession of sin is the soil in which God’s forgiveness flourishes.

• May 26, 1988, Our Daily Bread

Weak Saints (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

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An elderly man with poor eyesight often found it difficult to read the small print in the hymnbooks at church. One Sunday the congregation was singing a song that contained the line, “Judge not the Lord by the feeble sense.” This man misread the word sense and sang, “Judge not the Lord by feeble saints.”

Seriously, isn’t it true that Christ and the salvation He offers are sometimes rejected by unbelievers because they see inconsistency in the lives of Christians? This failure may be due to disobedience or to weakness in the life of struggling believers.

The strong in faith are instructed to assist the spiritual babes and those who have not shown themselves to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. We are not to criticize them, but rather we are to encourage and instruct them. In today’s Scripture text, Paul emphasized this truth. ”Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Yes, we must strengthen and help one another that all may grow in grace. And in Galatians 6:1 he said, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

As Christians, we must develop a stronger faith in God through prayer and Bible study. Then we will be able to help other saints who are still “feeble.” – Henry G. Bosch

Oh, help us live for others, Lord,

And strengthen “feeble knees.”

Lest we should bring reproach on You

By our infirmities! – Anon

If we’re not as spiritual as we could be, we’re not as spiritual as we should be.

• May 25, 1988, Our Daily Bread

Out of the Depths (Psalm 130:7)

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Sometimes the more we do to get ourselves out of a hole we’ve dug, the deeper we get in. That’s the way it was for a man I recently heard about.

After becoming a believer in Jesus Christ, he decided to get help for some family difficulties he had before his conversion. But when it became known that there had been child abuse, the counselor was required to report the incidents to the authorities. That led to an investigation, which resulted in his being taken out of his home. To add to his difficulties, he lost his job. But the man’s newfound faith was genuine, and he continued to hope in God.

This sounds a little like the desperate situation of the writer of Psalm 130. For whatever reason, he took was in a deep hole – a hole as deep as the ocean depths. The good thing about his despair was that he knew where to turn. He said, in effect, “Lord, do something! Get me out!” (v. 2). And he expressed his awe that God was a forgiving God (vv. 3-4). But best of all, he realized that his only hope was in the Lord, and he held firmly to that confidence (vv. 5-7).

Do you feel that your situation is going from bad to worse? That you are in the depths? Cry out to God. Accept His forgiveness. Hope in Him, “for with the Lord there is mercy.” – J. David Branon

Dear Father, we would trust Thee now,

And when the trials press,

We’ll cling to Thee yet more and more

And wait for Thee to bless. – Adams

Jesus can lift you from the depths of despair.

• May 24, 1991, Our Daily Bread

A Truthful Tongue (Proverbs 26:28)

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Some time ago there appeared in the religion section of the Grand Rapids Press an article about Louis Paul Lehman, interim pastor of Calvary Church in Grand Rapids. Making reference to it in a sermon, Pastor Lehman said that after the story had been printed, a copy was sent to him along with the questionnaire asking if the facts about him were accurately and fairly reported. Impressed by the paper’s concern for integrity in reporting, Pastor Lehman used the incident to make a practical application. He raised these probing questions: “When we talk about other people in their absence, would we be willing to give them a written transcript of our comments? Would doing so affect the content of our conversation? Would it make us think twice before we spoke?”

Those newspaper people are to be commended. They not only extended a courtesy, but they also demonstrated a desire to be factual. How much more should Christians show consideration when making reference to their brothers and sisters in Christ! Such an attitude would eliminate a lot of “juicy stories,” and spare many a reputation. People speaking carelessly or passing along distorted facts about others have brought grievous consequences to many believers and churches.

Let’s think before we speak. Is what we’re saying true? Is it kind? Would we be willing to offer a written transcript? Asking ourselves these questions would transform many lying tongues into truthful tongues. – Richard W. De Haan

Oh, pray that heaven may seal your lips

Ere unwise words are spoken;

For heaven cannot recall one word

When you that seal have broken. – Anon

Be careful what you say, for you speak for all eternity.

• May 23, 1987, Our Daily Bread

It’s Inevitable (2 Peter 3:11)

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy is going to fall. Scientists travel yearly to measure the building’s slow descent. They report that the 179-foot tower moves about one-twentieth of an inch a year, and is now 17 feet out of plumb. They further estimate that by the year 2007 the 810-year-old tower will have leaned too far and will collapse onto the nearby ristorante, where scientists now gather to discuss their findings. Quite significantly, the world “pisa” means “marshy land,” which gives some clue as to why the tower began to lean even before it was completed.

It’s evident that some things like the Leaning Tower of Pisa are destined to collapse. But what about the Golden Gate Bridge, the World Trade Center Towers, the Rock of Gibraltar, and the Rocky Mountains? Like that Tower, they too are resting on “soft foundations.” They too will fall one day – and at a time already determined in the calendar of God.

Does this fact make a difference in our lives? Maybe it’s not a pressing issue because we think we’ll pass from this earthly scene long before that great judgment day even comes. Well, that’s not how Peter responded. The inevitable collapse of all things caused him to think about the eternal society built on righteousness and truth, a society that would continue on, even after Gibraltar is gone. It motivated him to build his life on Christ, the only foundation that will never crumble.

Look again at his words in today’s text. – Martin R. De Haan II

Have you thought of where you’re going

When this earthly life is past?

Will the seed that you are sowing

Bring a harvest that will last? – Jacobson

Our main business in this world is to secure an interest in the next.

• May 22, 1984, Our Daily Bread