Category: Matthew Devotionals 2

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Matthew Devotionals 2

God is good?

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. (Matthew 7:11)

God is good.

I believe that with all my heart.

I have seen God’s goodness in my own life.

That said, I don’t always understand his goodness.

I suppose a lot of that is my sheer ignorance.

I ask for something thinking it’s bread or a fish, and I can’t understand why God wouldn’t give it to me. But what I don’t know is that I’m really asking for a stone or a snake.

But there are other things I don’t understand.

Why God allows evil in this world. Yes, I know there will be judgment one day, and I take comfort in that. But it’s still hard to see all the evil that goes seemingly unpunished.

Or why God seems to discipline some people harshly, but show such patience, mercy, and grace to others.

Or why God seems to pursue some people so strongly despite their sin and rebellion, but chooses to bring judgment on others.

And so I suppose I can understand why people question God’s goodness at times. Why they might think he sometimes seems arbitrary in his judgments and actions.

At the same time, there is so much we don’t know. There is so much that we are ignorant of.

So ultimately, whether we believe God is good or not is a matter of faith.

Are we willing to set aside our questions?

Are we willing to trust?

I think of Job who chose to trust despite all his suffering.

I think of Daniel who was exiled to Babylon despite his faithfulness. He too chose to believe God is good.

I think of Zechariah the priest, who instead of getting bitter at the discipline he faced for his temporary lack of faith, looked forward in hope to the birth of his son John.

These were the poor in spirit.

These were those who mourned.

These were those who were humble before God.

And they all learned, “God is good.”

So have I.

So despite my questions, I choose to trust.

How about you?

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Refocusing on God’s bigger picture

Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

It’s so easy for me in my prayers to think about the small picture.

What are my needs?

What am I worried about?

What is God trying to do in my life?

But as I thought on verse 5, it occurred to me that I also need to remember that there is a bigger picture God is working on.

As I pray, it’s important for me to align my thoughts to his.

To align my priorities with his.

That’s why it’s so important to daily pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

It’s not simply a prayer.

It’s purposely refocusing my heart and mind on God’s bigger picture.

Yes, the smaller picture–my worries, my concerns–is important to God too. And that’s pretty awesome to ponder: that the God of this universe would care about me.

But I want to care about what God cares about.

I want to join myself with his will, his priorities, his plans.

How about you? Where is your focus as you pray?

Father, so often, I focus on the smaller picture: myself. But help me to keep in mind your bigger picture. To remember your priorities. And to join myself with your will, your plans.

So today, I pray with your Son,

Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Your Word is life

[Jesus] answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

O Lord, that I might hear your Word.

There is hope in your Word. Without your Word, there is no hope in this broken world.

There is joy in your Word. Without your Word, I’ll find no joy.

There is peace in your Word. Without your Word, I will be devoid of peace.

There is life in your Word. Without your Word, I have no life.

So Lord, in this broken, messed up world, I choose to feed on your Word.

Let me feed each day, not just on some of the words you say, picking and choosing what I like, but on every word that comes from your mouth.

For your Word is my life.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Wayback Wednesday: Because of the cross

(This is a slightly revised version of an article I did a few years back.)

According to Matthew, when Jesus was baptized,

The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him.

And a voice from heaven said: ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.’ (Matthew 3:16-17)

Three years later, Jesus underwent a different kind of baptism: the cross. (Luke 12:50, Mark 10:38)

At his second baptism, though, heaven was shut to him, with all of God’s wrath being poured out on him, not for his own sins, but for ours.

But three days later, Jesus rose from the grave, declared once again to be the Son of God in power, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Romans 1:4)

The result?

Heaven has opened up to us.

The Holy Spirit has descended upon us like a dove, and now when the Father looks at us, he says, “This is my beloved child with whom I am well-pleased.”

We no longer need to fear punishment from an angry God.

We can draw near to a Father who deeply loves us.

So let us draw near!

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Matthew Devotionals 2

A man of God

I was thinking about Joseph today.

He was no prophet.

No king.

He held no special office.

He was just an ordinary carpenter.

But he was a man of God.

It’s clear he loved and feared God.

Whatever God told him, he did without question. Wherever God led, he followed.

And he clearly loved his family, always protecting them, looking out for their best.

That’s a man of God.

That’s the kind of man I strive to be.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Immanuel

She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

…See, the virgin will become pregnant
and give birth to a son,
and they will name him Immanuel,

which is translated “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:21, 23)

“God with us.”

I was thinking this morning how amazing those words are.

Though Abraham failed many times, God never abandoned him. He was God with Abraham.

Though Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth were all outsiders to Israel, two of them with checkered histories, God brought them all in and accepted them. He was God with Tamar, God with Rahab, God with Ruth.

Though David murdered a man and stole his wife, God didn’t cast him aside. Rather, he confronted David, and when he repented, God forgave him. He was God with David.

Though the Israelites turned their backs on God and were exiled to Babylon, even then, God didn’t abandon them. He brought them back. He was God with Israel.

And ultimately, in his faithfulness, he sent Jesus to save his people from their sin.

Amazingly, that includes us.

He is God with us.

He calls us his own.

Despite our sins.

Despite our past.

Despite our failures.

He doesn’t distance himself from us.

He is God with us.

How awesome is that!

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Matthew Devotionals 2

As we look upon our King

All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:18-20)

“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”

I was thinking on those words this morning. What was Jesus saying?

“I am the King.”

And because he is, we are to obey him in everything and teach others to do the same.

But how do we see this King?

As a King that abuses his power? A King to be fearful of?

I find it interesting that after the women left the tomb, they were filled with joy, but also with fear. Fearful of what, I’m not sure.

But then Jesus appeared, and what was the first thing he told them?

“Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 28:10)

And after he left, their fear was gone and all that remained was pure joy.

Because this King, while worthy of all our honor and obedience, is also a good King. And he loves us greatly.

I happened to read Psalm 47 this morning, and it so captured what our attitude should be as we look upon our King. Is it yours?

Clap your hands, all you peoples;
shout to God with a jubilant cry.

For the Lord, the Most High, is awe-inspiring,
a great King over the whole earth. (Psalm 47:1-2)

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Your blood on me

All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25)

Jesus, your blood is on me, my responsibility. It is because of my sin that you died.

But Jesus, your blood is on me, sprinkling me clean of a guilty conscience. (Hebrews 9:19-22; 10:19-22)

Because of the cross, the temple curtain that separated me from the Father is torn in two. Now I have free access to him. I can draw near to him–and you–without fear.

Thank you, Jesus, that your blood is on me.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Because he took the cup

Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42)

I was thinking of the meaning of Passover as I read Jesus’ prayer this morning.

When God judged Egypt, his wrath “passed over” the Israelites.

But Jesus recognized that the cup of God’s judgment and wrath could not simply pass over him as it did the Israelites.

Why not?

He was innocent. He never sinned. Why couldn’t it pass over him?

Because if it had, we would have all had to drink it instead. We are sinners, deserving of God’s judgment and wrath.

The whole reason God’s judgment and wrath passes over us is that Jesus drank them in undiluted on the cross.

That’s an amazing thing to ponder.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Throwback Thursday: Loving our brothers and sisters

One of tests of a true follower of Jesus is this: do we love our brothers and sisters?

If we don’t, there is something wrong.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

What really matters

As Jesus left and was going out of the temple, his disciples came up and called his attention to its buildings.

He replied to them, “Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:1-2)

I was thinking this morning about how proud the Jews were of their temple, of how beautiful it was.

And yet it would be torn down for one important reason: they had rejected their Lord. (Matthew 23:29-39)

It made me think: What foundation are my “accomplishments” built on? The things I am proud of, are they built on the foundation of Christ? That he is my Lord? Is he the one I love and am trying to please?

Jesus, let all I do be built on this foundation: You are Lord. My life is yours and I love you. Let me be that faithful servant, every day doing what you’ve told me to do.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

His

Whose image and inscription is this?” he asked them.

“Caesar’s,” they said to him.

Then he said to them, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:20-21)

It occurred to me as I read Jesus’ words that he asks the same question of us whenever we look at ourselves in the mirror.

“Whose image is this? Whose name is inscribed on you?”

The answer? God’s.

When he created us, he imprinted his image on us and inscribed on our hearts, “Holy to the Lord.”

In short, we are his.

As the Psalmist put it,

He made us, and we are his… (Psalm 100:3)

And so we are to give to God what is God’s. All our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30)

And we are to give him the fruit he desires: justice, mercy, faithfulness. (Matthew 23:23)

I was reflecting today on how often I fail in doing those things. Like the Pharisees and scribes, I often say but don’t do.

I don’t want to be that way.

God has imprinted his image on me, inscribing his wonderful name on my heart.

Leaning completely on his grace, I want to live up to that.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Joyfully following? Or seeking what “I deserve”?

He said to them, ‘You also go into my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’

So off they went. (Matthew 20:4)

I was wondering today: Did the landowner say the same thing to the first workers he hired? Did they reject that offer and insist on getting paid “what they deserved”?

Peter seemed to have that mindset. (Matthew 19:27)

So did James and John. (Matthew 20:21)

But the two blind men tasted Jesus’ goodness and joyfully followed him, never thinking to ask for “what they deserved.” (Matthew 20:35)

Many “landowners” would have cheated their workers with the kind of “deal” the landowner made with the latter workers he hired. (Matthew 20:4-7)

But this landowner was generous and good. (Actually, the word translated “generous” in verse 15 is usually translated “good.”)

So the question I’m asking myself today is this: What kind of God do I think I’m serving?

Do I truly believe he is generous and will give far more than I could ask or imagine?

And having tasted of his goodness, will I joyfully follow him as the healed blind men did?

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Heart of a child

He told them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of the hardness of your hearts, but it was not like that from the beginning. (Matthew 19:8)

Father, let me never make decisions merely based on “what is permitted.”

Especially when because of the hardness of my heart, I’m rejecting what you say is best.

Help me to have the heart of a child—a soft heart, a trusting heart—not asking “What is permitted,” but “What does my good, good Father desire?”

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Our gentle King

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified.

Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 17:5-7)

I was thinking about how terrified Peter must have been when he heard the Father’s voice, especially since he had been arguing with Jesus not long before. (Matthew 16:22)

And the Father made it clear: “This is my Son. He’s highly favored in my sight. Don’t argue with him. Listen.”

Even so, Jesus came to them afterward with such gentleness.

Lord Jesus, you are holy and awesome, worthy of my obedience. And yet, you are so gentle with me. Thank you. I love and delight in you. And I will listen to what you say.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Flashback Friday: Little faith, great faith

May Jesus say of us, “How great is your faith!”

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Nullifying your Word?

In this way, you have nullified the word of God because of your tradition. (Matthew 15:6)

Jesus, you are my Lord.

May I never nullify your Word in my life for anything or anyone.

Not for sin.

Not for my feelings, desires, or pursuits.

Not for any human traditions or ideologies, cultural, religious, or political.

May I never seek to transform your words.

Rather, let your words transform me.

For again, you are my Lord. And you are good.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

When we don’t understand God’s word

When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. (Matthew 13:19)

His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us… (Matthew 13:36)

When we see something in God’s word that we don’t understand, what do we do?

Do we simply say, “I don’t understand,” and never give it another thought, allowing Satan to easily snatch it away so that it never bears fruit in our lives?

Or are we like Jesus’ disciples, caring enough to humbly ask, “Explain to us…”?

Lord, give me the heart of a disciple, seeking understanding, bearing fruit.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

More than watching our words

Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit…

For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. (Matthew 12:33-34)

One thing I try to be conscious of is the words that come out of my mouth. I want to be careful about what I say.

But it struck me today that more than being careful about my words, I need to really search my heart. Is my heart spiritually healthy?

If my heart is spiritually healthy, my words will be healthy and life-giving.

But if there are rotten things in my heart, rotten things will come out.

And so I’m praying today, “Lord, search my heart. You know it well. Root out any rotten things lingering there.”

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Responding to our Shepherd’s call

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

That is our good Shepherd’s call to us.

When, like John the Baptist, we’re spiritually weary.

When we’re feeling discouraged because God seems far or he isn’t doing what we had expected.

When we’re feeling overburdened by our trials.

By chance, the psalm I was meditating on before I opened to Matthew 11 was Psalm 143. And it seems to me to be the perfect response to our Shepherd’s call.

May it be your response as well.

Let me experience
your faithful love in the morning,
for I trust in you.

Reveal to me the way I should go
because I appeal to you.

Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
I come to you for protection.

Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God.

May your gracious Spirit
lead me on level ground. (Psalm 143:8-10)

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Embracing the new

Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” (John 9:14)

I was thinking about John’s disciples this morning. Why were they still John’s disciples?

John was in prison. His ministry was done.

On the other hand, Jesus, the one John pointed to had started his ministry. Yet they still clung to John and his ways, rather than following after Jesus and his ways.

God was doing something new. (Matthew 3:11)

But John’s disciples weren’t ready for it. Like the old cloth and wineskins, they were too inflexible to handle something new.

Some wouldn’t be ready until years after Jesus died and was resurrected. (Acts 19:1-7)

I don’t want to be that way. But I do see that tendency in me. I like the old. I like what’s comfortable. I don’t quickly embrace the new.

Would Jesus admonish me as he did John’s disciples?

Jesus, let me have a soft heart to the new things you’re doing.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Say the word

For I too am a man under authority… (Matthew 8:9)

Jesus, the centurion recognized your authority.

The disciples recognized your authority but were still learning just how far that authority extends. (Matthew 8:27)

The demons and the people of the Gadarenes, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with your authority. (Matthew 8:29, 34)

But you are a good King. I welcome your authority in my life.

So say the word…

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Do I treat your words as pearls?

Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

As I was reading those words this morning, I was thinking of James’ words in his letter.

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

It made me think. When I seek God’s leading and wisdom, do I always see his words as good and perfect gifts? As words that give life? (James 1:17-18)

Or do I sometimes treat them as stones or snakes? (Matthew 7:9-10)

Do I believe my Father is good and his words are pearls to be treasured and obeyed?

Or do I ever trample them like a pig? (Matthew 7:6)

I don’t want to be double-minded, asking God for wisdom, and then questioning the goodness of his words. (James 1:6-7)

Even if I don’t always understand the “whys” of what he tells me, I want to trust my good King and obey him.

My good King, help me to trust you in everything, building my life on your life-giving words.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

King of my heart

But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. (Matthew 5:34-35)

“The great King.”

For some reason, those words resonated with me this morning.

Jesus is the great King.

But do I treat him as such, moment to moment, day to day?

Or do I ever treat him lightly?

Do I ever try to find ways around what he’s telling me, as the Pharisees and teachers of the law did when it came to things like marriage, being truthful, loving people, among other things?

Lately, God has been pointing out to me that I’ve been spending too much time on my hobbies.

I haven’t been totally ignoring him, but I haven’t exactly been completely obeying him either.

It’s a “small” thing.

But Jesus is a great King. And I don’t want to treat him lightly.

How about you?

Lord Jesus, be King of my heart, in everything.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

That I might be light

The people who live in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those living in the land of the shadow of death,
a light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16)

Jesus, you are the light of the world. But you’ve called me to be light to this world too.

This world is ruled by fear and anger right now. I can understand their fear and anger.

But I can’t be light if I’m ruled by fear and anger like they are. So let the first thing that people see in me not be fear or anger, but joy.

Joy in knowing that the King has come.

Joy that his Kingdom has started.

And joy that I am now part of that kingdom.

Help me to live like a child of the Kingdom. Living by every word that comes from your mouth. Trusting you completely. And serving you joyfully, fishing for others that they may know your joy too.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

More than repentance

I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I…

He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11)

I was thinking on those words this morning.

God, of course, wants our repentance.

But he doesn’t want us to stop there. He desires to do something more in us.

He desires to purge us with his refining fire and fill us with the power and presence of his Spirit. (Malachi 3:2-3; Acts 1:8)

This world is so broken.

And there are still broken parts in me.

But cracked vessel that I am, I believe God can and will use me to touch this broken world.

That’s what I’m praying for today.

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Memory Monday: Receiving our King

Is Jesus truly your King?

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Matthew Devotionals 2

Submitted

When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. (Matthew 1:24)

This morning, I was thinking on Joseph’s response to the Lord’s command．

No questions. No objections. No hesitation.

Instead, a fully submitted heart.

It reminded me of what David told Solomon. “Be strong. Be a man. Do what the Lord tells you.” (1 Kings 2:2-3)

In other words, a true man submits fully to his Lord.

Joseph was such a man.

I want to be such a man too.