If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 58:13-14)

The Sabbath was given to Israel as a day of rest, and to remind them of how God made the heavens and the earth in six days, but rested on the seventh day.  The Lord stated:  "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)  How wise of God to provide a special time for bodily rest and spiritual reflection.

Unfortunately, the Jews, in various ways abused the Sabbath law.   The more worldly Jews kept its observance to a minimum.   As long as they were keeping its ceremonies, they felt justified in pursuing secular occupations and peddling merchandise.  (Nehemiah 13:15,16)  On the other hand the legalists criticized Jesus for even healing on the Sabbath.  (Mark 3:1-6)

In our text, God is pleading with Israel to approach the Sabbath with the right attitude.   God is exhorting them to turn from their own pleasures and find delight and satisfaction in its observance.   While Christians are not commanded to keep the Sabbath, there are still important lessons that we may apply to our service to God. 

They were to treat the Sabbath with reverence and respect.   The Sabbath law was given to them by God, and it was wrong and disrespectful for them to observe it according to their own pleasures.   Do you think God is pleased when churches direct the worship service to please the carnal man rather than God?  Certainly not! 

They were to find delight in the Sabbath law.   “Do not seek your own pleasure but find delight in doing the Lord’s will”.  Rejoicing in God's work should be an oasis in the wilderness of life - a foretaste of heaven, a real satisfaction to the soul. 

God is pleased when our work and worship is focused on him.  We must rejoice in work than that is not ours but God's.

By George Slover

"There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)

Much of Jesus’ ministry was near the sea of Galilee.  Luke tells us that Jesus was near the city of Bethsaida on the east side of the sea.  A great multitude followed Jesus because of the signs he performed.

Thus, Jesus tested Philip: "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5)  Philip answered Him, "Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little." (John 6:7) Then, Andrew adds, "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?" (John 6:9)  Does Andrew see some potential here or is he thinking the situation is hopeless?   

The Barley loaves were not large commercial loaves of bread.  They would be just enough to make a fish “sandwich”.  The fishes were salted and dried and used for relish.   It was common food for a common little boy.  The food may have been for his lunch.  However, Jesus does something spectacular with this small amount.

How many times have we contemplated our own inadequacy?  Who are we among so many?  The world seems so intimidating, and we are so small.  What can we do? 

There are many tools God places at our disposal to contribute to our spiritual success.  The most useful one is a book that seems so common and ordinary. That book is the Bible. Its message has radically changed lives for more than 2000 years.   

This great faith building book is at your disposal right now.  The same message that influenced an Ethiopian, a Jewish zealot, and a jailer can also give you joy and hope.  Study it, practice, preach it,  and you will be blessed!

By George Slover

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)

There are times when a church or an individual is in need of spiritual renewal. The Jews of this era busied themselves with rebuilding the Temple, restoring the law, and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.   There is a good comparison of the activities of the Jews with rebuilding spiritual lives in our time.

Chapter 9 records a public confession of Israel. This confession was accompanied by a covenant with God.  Israel's history of departure demonstrated their propensity to wickedness.   They had lost their right to the land because of their sin.  Hopefully, this covenant would safeguard against future departures.   Their resolve: we will not neglect the house of our God. (Nehemiah 10:39)

A temple has tremendous significance in Bible parlance.  Solomon’s temple, Zerubbabel’s temple, and Herod’s temple represented the presence of God among the people.  The New Testament takes the word to a deeper spiritual meaning.  Those redeemed by Christ are a “holy temple in the Lord”. (Ephesians 2:21)  Their body is “the temple of the Holy Spirit”. (I Corinthians 6:19)  Because they are God’s house, they enjoy the great blessing of His presence.  

Just like Israel, Christians are tempted with worldliness and unbelief.  Thus, they are in need of a revival.  Our times of renewal must include the resolve to give diligence to caring for our spiritual house.  We must separate ourselves from the world’s entanglements, and fill the house with activities of heaven.

How are the walls of your spiritual life?  Bring your offerings to the storeroom,  join in with the singers of Israel, and do not neglect the house of our God.  (Nehemiah 10:39)

By George Slover


 

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness;They do not know what makes them stumble.” (Proverbs 4:18,19)

A contrast is drawn in these verses between the way of the just and the way of the wicked. The way of the just is a beautiful picture of likening light to the light at dawn that grows in intensity. The way of the wicked is like groping in darkness.

The image given here is of the sun making its first appearance on the horizon, but increasing in its intensity as it rises. Light is used as an image of moral goodness. Divine traits such as purity, integrity, righteousness, and love would describe those individuals who possess the character of light. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)

The gradual rising of the sun is an illustration of the moral progress of those walk in the light . The light just grows brighter and brighter. Such an individual begins with many imperfections, however with every victory over sin they move closer to the light of  perfection.

The way of sin is dark in its origin, course, and end.  The path of sin is chosen because of ignorance and deception. It’s allurement incites one to miss read, and misunderstand it’s end. Sin promises pleasure which at first it delivers, but it’s end is tragic. Sin distorts the vision, confuses the perception, and ultimately leads to folly.

A pursuit of this dark course leads to greater darkness. The seared conscience blinds one from the way of truth.  One’s corrupt conduct may plunge them into multiplied transgressions. Before long, the seared conscience and corrupt lifestyle leads to total desertion of God.

Thus, we have the perfect contrast – the path of the just which is connected to light, and the path of the wicked which is connected to darkness. Following this contrast we find these words. “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.” (Proverbs 4:20-22)

By George Slover

To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43)

Here we have the climax and conclusion of Peter’s sermon. The good news rings loud and clear:  “forgiveness of sin is offered to both Jew and Gentile believers.” In a well-organized fashion, Peter has led his audience to his grand conclusion. 

First, God is willing to forgive the sinner. What are God’s sweetest words to man?  They are: “I forgive you!”  Everyone has broken God’s law, (Romans 3:23) and thus broken his heart. The good news is God forgives! 

Second, God is no respecter of persons. (vs. 34)  What a surprise God has in store!  These Jews thought God's grace was reserved only for them. To the contrary! Salvation is offered to whoever believes! 

Third, this great blessing is offered in the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12) Here Peter has summarized the ministry of Jesus in previous verses. (vs.22-24) He was put to death, but God raised him from the dead! 

Fourth, the condition of salvation is faith. (John 3:16) God has always justified a man on the condition of obedient faith. (James 2:17–24)   Their faith was manifested when they fulfilled God’s command and were baptized. (vs.47,48)

Finally, the assurance of this wonderful blessing is the testimony of witnesses. Peter and the apostles testified that they ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.  In addition to these witnesses, the Old Testament prophets also foretold of him. (Acts 3:24)  They spoke of the universality of the Gospel, and the condition of salvation through obedience to Christ.  

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) Have you, dear reader, obeyed the Lord?

By George Slover