Tag: submission

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1 Samuel Devotionals

That you might reign in my life

Crown

But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you.

They have not rejected you; they have rejected me as their king. (1 Samuel 8:7)

I was wondering today how God felt when he said that.

Angry?

Perhaps.

But thinking about Jesus when Israel rejected his kingship, I think the better answer is sorrow.

Sorrow, not because his feelings are hurt.

But sorrow because he knows where our choice will lead. (Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 19:41-45)

I wonder: Do I understand just how much my King cares for me?

The Israelites didn’t and ultimately rejected his kingship.

I don’t want to be that way.

But again, I ask, “Do I truly understand how much my King cares about me?”

My good King, help me to understand just how long, and wide, and high, and deep is your love for me so that I may willingly and joyfully let you reign in my life…over everything.

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Joshua Devotionals

Casting crowns

Casting Crowns

When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”

“Neither,” he replied. “I have now come as commander of the Lord’s army.”

Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in homage and asked him, “What does my lord want to say to his servant?” (Joshua 5:13-14)

This chapter has so many awesome things in it.

I love the idea of the rolling away of our past. (9)

I was also thinking about how failing to trust and obey God will lead us to wandering around the desert instead of finding the life God desires for us. (6)

But for some reason, whenever I read this chapter, I always gravitate toward verses 13-14. This is now the fifth article I’m writing on it.

I love how the English translation of the Jewish Bible describes Joshua’s response to the commander of the Lord’s army.

Joshua threw himself face down to the ground and, prostrating himself, said to him, “What does my lord command his servant?” (14, Tanakh)

Here was Joshua, the leader of God’s people. But when the commander of the Lord’s army shows up (who many Bible scholars believe is actually Jesus), he throws himself down before him, and asks, “What do you want of me?”

It reminded me of the response of the 24 elders in Revelation 4.

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one seated on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before the one seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever.

They cast their crowns before the throne… (Revelation 4:9-10)

Just as the twenty-four elders cast their crowns before the throne of God, so did Joshua before his commander, submitting to God’s authority in his life.

And that was my response to Jesus today.

Jesus, I cast my crown before you. You are my King. I surrender reign over my life to you. What do you want me to do?

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Acts Devotionals

Submitting to our (good) Master

When they heard this, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. (Acts 4:24)

“Master.”

That’s not a word that’s often used of God in the New Testament. “Lord” is the more typical term the early Christians used.

The word translated “Master,” though, emphasizes more of God’s right and power to command.

That’s a truth that many people refuse to accept and fight against.

People fought against that in David’s time, they fought against it in Peter’s time, and they fight it in ours. (25-27)

But Peter and the rest of the Christians recognized God as their Master. And because of that, they willingly submitted to him. (19-20)

Why?

Because they recognized he’s a good God.

Interestingly enough, the word translated “Master” is where our English word “despot” comes from.”

But far from being a tyrannical leader, God is our loving Creator and Father. 

God, you are my Master. A good Master. A loving Master. And though this world seems to be going mad at times, I believe you are in control. And you desire my best.

You are worthy of my trust. You are worthy of my obedience.

So Master, I submit to you. I surrender all to you. I love you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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1 Kings Devotionals

Man of God?

I was reflecting on the phrase, “man of God” today.

Usually, in the Bible it’s used to describe a prophet. But David was called a “man of God” (Nehemiah 12:36) and so was Timothy (1 Timothy 6:11).

Interestingly, “man of God” is used of the messenger sent to Samson’s parents, and many Bible scholars believe that the messenger was actually Jesus (Judges 13:6).

But here in 1 Kings 13, God pointed out two things to me I’d never seen before.

First, the older prophet was never called a “man of God.” And looking at his actions, I think we can see why.

Second, the “man of God” in this chapter is the only one in the Bible of whom it’s said in the same breath, “who disobeyed the Lord’s command.”

And really, obedience is what marks a “man of God.” He is not his “own man.” He is “God’s man.”

A man of God lives under God’s lordship.

He trusts God, living by every word that come from God’s mouth, even the little details, something the “man of God” in this story failed to do.

A man of God is faithful with what God has entrusted to him, loving and serving the people God has put in his life.

That contrasts sharply with Jeroboam who refused to trust God and went his own way. (1 Kings 11:38; 12:26-30)

And that contrasts sharply with Rehoboam who tried to flex his power over his people. (1 Kings 12:13-14)

Now, technically speaking, the word, “man of God” could be translated “person of God.”

And all Christians, men and women, should be men and women of God, men and women living under God’s lordship, loving and serving those God has entrusted to them.

But throughout the Bible, “man of God” is always used of men: Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, and Timothy, among others.

So while I would challenge the women to be “women of God,” I challenge the men even more, “Be a man of God.”

Live under his lordship, in daily submission to him. And be faithful to what God has entrusted to you, loving and serving your wife, your children, and all others God has put into your life.

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1 Corinthians

Authority and submission

1 Corinthians

This is one of the most difficult passages in scripture to try to interpret and apply.

Many people have done so in different ways in relation to head coverings in the church.

Some have said it’s still necessary today, but most have not, saying that it was a cultural thing.

Honestly, I’m still trying to work out Paul’s meaning there, so until I come to a firm conclusion, I think I’ll leave that argument for another day. (Don’t hold your breath, though).

Whatever conclusion we come to head coverings, however, I think there is a definite principle we need to take from this passage, particularly concerning our relationships in marriage.

Paul teaches,

Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)

Here we see something very important. God has within his own nature the concept of authority and submission which is then reflected in our relationship with him, and in the relationships between husbands and wives.

Paul says here in the final part of the verse, “The head of Christ is God.”

What does he mean? I think it’s pretty clear when putting together the different verses of scripture.

According to 1 John 4:14,

The Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

And when Christ came into the world, he told the Father,

Here I am–it is written about me in the scroll– I have come to do your will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)

As he lived his life on earth as a man, he told the Jews,

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (John 6:38)

But lest we think Christ’s submission to the Father was just a temporary thing while he was on earth, Paul tells us concerning the last days and the eternal kingdom to come,

The end will come, when [Jesus] hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

For [Jesus] must reign until [the Father] has put all his enemies under his feet…

For [God the Father] “has put everything under [Jesus] feet.”

Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.

When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:24-25, 27-28)

In light of all these verses, I don’t think there is any doubt that Christ, though he is fully equal with God in nature, nevertheless submits himself to the Father, and will do so for all eternity with no disparagement to his nature for that submission.

Why do I go through all the trouble to make this point?

Because there are many who claim that for a woman to subject herself to a man’s authority, namely, a wife to her husband, is a disparagement to her humanity. That she is somehow to be considered lesser than man for doing so.

And as a result, they balk when Paul says, “the head of woman is man,” and try to explain it away.

But Paul clearly states here that there is an order to things.

The Son is subject to the authority of the Father. Man is subject to the authority of the Son. And woman is subject to man.

This does not mean that woman is not equal to man in her humanity. Paul goes out of his way to dismiss any such idea as he said,

In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. (1 Corinthians 11:11-12)

In other words, though there is a role of leadership that God has ordained men to take, nevertheless, men and women need and depend on each other.

And there is no room for men abusing their authority over women. Rather they are to honor and love them in every way, just as the Father honors and loves the Son in every way.

More, we are to remember that we are all subject to God because he is our Creator.

So I guess for you married women, the question to ask is, “Am I willing to submit to myself to my husband as the Son submits to the Father? Am I willing to follow my husband’s leading as he follows Christ’s leading in his life?”

For you married men, the question to ask is, “Am I honoring my wife as the Father honors the Son? And do I love my wife as Christ loves me and gave his life for me?”

If you’re a single woman who’s considering getting married, the question becomes, “Is my boyfriend/fiance subject to Christ? Can I trust him enough that I will submit to him as I submit to Christ?”

If not, you had best put off marrying him until you can say yes.

And if you’re a single man, the question to ask is, “Am I subject to Christ in my life? And how will my subjection to Christ play out in my role as husband when I get married? How will it lead me to treat my wife?”

If you can’t answer those questions in a right way, you too need to put off marriage until you can.

Who are you subject to?

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Romans

Doing what’s right…no matter who’s in charge

Romans

In this passage, Paul talks about the Christian’s relationship to government. And the basic principle that Paul gives is that we are to submit to those in authority.

Why? First and foremost, because ultimately, God is the one that put them there. And so if you rebel against those God has put in authority, you are actually rebelling against God.

Second, God has instituted the idea of authority for the benefit of society. Without authority, there would be total anarchy, and all of us would be living in fear. So Paul says,

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. (Romans 13:4)

For the most part, because of authority figures in society, we have peace and stability. And Paul tells us that as long as we do what’s right, we shouldn’t have any problems.

I think of Obadiah (not the prophet) in I Kings 18. He served in the palace of one of the most wicked kings in Israel’s history, King Ahab.

But he did such an exemplary job that Ahab put him in charge of running the day to day operations of the palace.

Yet, all the while, Obadiah feared God and did what was right.

Which brings up another point. Sometimes what is right is contrary to what those in authority has ordered or wants.

What do we do in those situations? Do what’s right.

So when Ahab’s wife Jezebel ordered that all the prophets of God be killed, Obadiah secretly sheltered 100 prophets from the king and queen, saving the prophets’ lives.

Daniel and his friends did the same, as seen in Daniel 1-3.

When they were ordered to do something contrary to the Word of God, they did what was right and followed God’s instructions instead.

So did Peter and the rest of the apostles when threatened by the Sanhedrin to be silent concerning Christ (Acts 4-5).

And in each case, God blessed and protected them. Why?

Because they did what was right. And in some cases, they even won the favor of those that initially were against them.

Paul says,

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. (Romans 13:3)

This is particularly true of the ultimate authority: God.

If we do what’s right, we have nothing to fear from him.

Rather, we will be commended by him. So if the desires of those in authority are against what God wishes, then we are to follow our ultimate Authority.

But even when we have to go against the wishes of those in authority here on earth, we are to respect them.

Paul says,

Give to everyone what you owe them…if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)

That was the example of Obadiah, of Daniel and his friends, and the apostles. And that’s how we are to act too.

Peter sums this all up by saying,

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

“Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (I Peter 3:13-16)

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Psalms

Placing ourselves in God’s hands

Psalms

When David wrote Psalm 31 is a matter of speculation, as are most of his psalms.

At a guess, it was written during his flight from Saul, and based on verse 21, perhaps after his flight from Keilah.  (1 Samuel 23)

This is purely speculative, however.

The things that strike me from this psalm is that in the midst of his pleas for help, David time and again affirms his complete trust in God.

He says,

Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth. (Psalm 31:5)

And again,

I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”  My times are in your hands.  (Psalm 31:14-15)

All of ourselves go through struggles in our lives.  And it’s so easy to place ourselves in our own hands.  To take the driver’s seat of our lives and try to control our situation ourselves.

But in life and in death, David fully committed himself to God.

He said, “My life is in your hands, Lord.  People are trying to kill me, but I know that as long as you want me here, they will not succeed.  I refuse to take control of my own life, even if it costs me my life.”

And you see on two occasions in I Samuel where David had the chance to take control of the situation, to kill Saul and put an end to his vendetta against David.  But David refused.

Jesus showed this same submission to his Father when he went to the cross.  Though not strictly a Messianic psalm, nevertheless, you see some glimpses of Christ in David’s experience.

Like David, he was a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. (Psalm 31:10)

Like David, he was despised.  (Psalm 31:11)

Like David, he was abandoned by those he called friends.  (Psalm 31:11-12)

Like David, people slandered him and plotted to kill him.  (13)

Like David, he cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me!”  (22)

But like David, Jesus refused to take things into his own hands.  He placed himself in his Father’s hands, and with his dying breath, quoted verse 5, saying, “Into your hands, I commit my spirit.”

And because of his submission, we have hope.

Hope that we will ultimately not be put to shame for trusting in him (17).

Hope in his goodness toward us (19).

And hope in our salvation (22-23).

So let us cry out as David did,

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.  (Psalm 31:24)

And let us put our full trust in him.

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Esther

Honoring those in authority

Esther

Having said what I did about Esther and Mordecai yesterday, some of you may think that I have little respect for them.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

While I’m not sure I can agree with all of their decisions, there is a lot to be said about their overall character.

I could say the same of many of the great characters in the Bible, including Abraham, David, and Paul, among many others.

And here we see some of the character of Mordecai.

He hears a plot against the king by two men who seemed to have a grudge against him.  He then warns Esther, who in turn warns the king, saving his life.

One wonders what Mordecai’s true feelings concerning Xerxes were.

He knew about Xerxes’ ill treatment of Vashti and of Xerxes’ attitude towards women in general.  (Just think about the number of women that passed through his bedroom doors during the contest alone).

Xerxes also certainly wasn’t a God-fearer, nor was he a peaceable man according to history.

And yet, Mordecai, regardless of his personal feelings, nevertheless respected the office of the king, something that the two would-be assassins definitely didn’t do.

So when he heard of the plot, he immediately took steps to prevent it.

We find out later that though he saved the king’s life, the king didn’t give him a second thought until much later.

Yet we see no hint of resentment or bitterness in his heart.  To him, he was only doing what was right, namely, honoring those in authority.

The apostle Peter wrote,

Show proper respect to everyone…fear God, honor the king.  (1 Peter 2:17)

Sometimes, we feel that the people in authority don’t deserve our respect.  We complain about the things our president does, or our boss does, or our parents do.

But here, God makes it clear that we are to honor them anyway.

Why?  Paul adds these words,

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God.  (Romans 13:1)

In other words, we honor those in authority out of our fear of God, and the fact that he is the one that ultimately put them in authority over us.

Are there people that God has placed over you that you struggle to submit to?

God doesn’t call you to submit out of your reverence for them necessarily, although it certainly helps if you can do so.  He calls you to submit out of your reverence for God.

Submission can be a difficult thing.

But let us submit ourselves to those in authority, and in so doing, show our reverence for God.