“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”
Habakkuk 2:20

In the verses previous to this, the subject has to do with the vanity of idolatry. “What profiteth the graven image…? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; … there is no breath at all in the midst of it” (Habakkuk 2:18, 19). Then we find these glorious words, “But the LORD is in his holy temple.” The living God is compared to the dead images and idols. Idols are lifeless, but God is living. Idols cannot speak, but God has made His Word known. Graven images exist in a single, helpless place, while the everlasting God is in all places at the same time.

Several sound conclusions can be derived from our Scripture. The first thing this verse teaches is the existence of God. God does not try to defend or persuade skeptics of His existence. God’s reality is naturally assumed, incredibly obvious, and simply declared. Our text says, “the LORD is.” The honest seeker and observer does not question that fact. The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1). God does not try to prove His existence, but only states it. This is foundational, but essential. Hebrews 11:6 says, “he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder…”. God is, and that fact is plainly declared and demonstrated in the world we live in.

Where does God especially manifest Himself? Does He actually reside anywhere? Our passage states that He is “in his holy temple.” God is everywhere, but He has chosen to particularly reside in specific places. His throne is in Heaven. He was with His people Israel in the Old Testament. He resides in New Testament Christians. And Jesus promised to be present in His true churches. The God of the Bible exists and has elected to make Himself known to His people.

Another thing about God that is taught in our reading is the respect that He is due. Habakkuk says, “let all the earth keep silence before him.” God deserves to be respected and feared. In another place it is said, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Worship should be mindful of and directed toward God. Worship is not to please men, but to honor the Lord. Too much entertainment and worldliness is mixed in the popular worship of our generation. “The LORD is in his holy temple.”

“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”
Luke 17:17

Life would never be the same for these ten lepers. As they met the Lord, they cried out that He might have mercy on them, and He healed them all. Interestingly enough, when it was discovered that they were made whole, only one returned to give the Savior thanks. The Bible records that with a loud voice this grateful man glorified God that he had been cleansed of this dreaded disease. In our Scripture, Jesus asked the simple question, “but where are the nine?”

How can this be explained? How can a person be healed of such a dreaded disease, and not be thankful? We cannot answer that question as far as the lepers go, but we must make certain that we deal with this tendency as far as our personal lives are concerned. There are no justifiable reasons for the behavior of these lepers, just as there are none for us. And yet, if we are to be honest, we see this same ungratefulness demonstrated in our world.

We know of many who profess to be Christians who show no evidence of genuine and consistent gratitude. The disease that they claim to have been cleansed of is many times worse than leprosy. They testify to have been cleansed of their sins through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus came from Heaven, lived a sinless life, and then bled and died at Calvary that their sins might be forgiven. These ungrateful souls were on their way to a devil’s hell to spend an eternity in torment. They received eternal life as a free gift, costing them nothing, but costing God everything. They boast of an eternal home in the splendors of Heaven all because of the mercy and grace of Almighty God. And yet, they find it impossible to be faithful and publicly worship God on a regular basis. They are not willing to serve God in any real capacity, and certainly refuse to give their money to God to finance the work of missions and gospel ministry.

WHERE ARE THE NINE? Where are these who have been touched by the tender hand of Jesus, never to be the same again? I do not know where they are, but I know where I
want to be. I intend to be named with that single leper who could not contain his gratitude. May we lift grateful voices in praise and thanks to His name and present our lives as living sacrifices to honor and serve Him forever.

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”
Philippians 2:19-21

The apostle Paul had a great fondness for the people at Philippi. As he was writing this epistle, he was concerned about their spiritual progress. He sent Timothy to visit them that he might report back to Paul. In our text, Paul gives a glowing commendation of the character of Timothy. Paul had no other students who were as similar in their thinking and spiritual concern as Timothy. Undoubtedly, the great apostle had many capable and committed disciples, but none on the level of Timothy.

One has to put himself in the place of Paul to appreciate what Timothy must have meant to him. Paul was the great missionary and church planter who took the Gospel to many unevangelized areas. In many cases, he may have been the first Christian they had seen and surely the first gospel preacher. He not only gave them the Word of God, but He also gave them an example of how true Christians conduct themselves. As these churches were formed, Paul established the believers on sound doctrine and gave no place to compromise or false teaching. He was jealous over them and guarded the influences that might mislead them.

As he sought to send representatives to check on the growing churches, he wanted to be certain that these preachers appropriately represented him, his message, and his Lord. Timothy was such a man. Notice the words Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: “For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church” (I Corinthians 4:17). Paul had every confidence that Timothy did not have a personal agenda. He had no concern that Timothy might try to inject his own opinions or philosophy into his teaching or behave in such a way as to offend the new believers.

Paul did not need a disciple who would confuse the churches by either his message or his manner. These kinds of students are hard to find. They were a rarity in Paul’s day, and they are few and far between in our day. May God cause their number to increase.

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.”
Psalm 36:7

The word “excellent” is used to describe God’s “lovingkindness.” It is indeed precious, or valuable. There is no other love with which to compare it. All mortal love falls woefully short. God loves us in spite of what we have done. His love is unfailing, undeserved, and unconditional. His love is everlasting. Even when our Father corrects us, it is an expression of His love. It could never be overestimated, this matter of His love.

It is important that the unsaved hear of God’s great love. His love for sinners is seen in the death of Jesus on the cross. The Father loved us so much that He gave His only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. The Savior loved us so much that He bled and died on the cross that we might be forgiven and redeemed. The Father still loves us when we stray, and He is like the father of the prodigal son who received his repentant child. He does not love us because we have earned it. He loves us because He loves us. It is the way He is.

There are many reasons it is imperative that we begin to grasp this great reality of God’s love. If people do not know that He loves them, they will not be likely to come to Him for salvation. If we are uncertain of His love, we will be reluctant to return to Him after we fail. If we are not confident in His love, we will be hesitant when we come to Him in prayer. God will never ridicule us or mistreat us. He loves us too much for that.

Our text tells us that BECAUSE HE LOVES US, “the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.” Knowing how much He loves us encourages us to trust
Him. How could we not trust a God whose love is so “excellent”? We have seen children who are not at all reluctant to leap into the arms of a waiting parent because
the child is so confident in the parent’s love. They are sure that their parents can be trusted to catch them and keep them from falling. God can be trusted even more so. He will not let us down. We know that we can put our complete trust in Him because we know how much He loves us. Like a hen who protects her brood and whose chicks can find shelter and protection underneath her wings, our loving heavenly Father protects us. Our confidence in Him is not based on our worthiness, but on His steadfast love.

“And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.”
Isaiah 7:2

The “house of David” is a reference to the royal family, or the leaders of Judah. Specifically, at this time, it would include king Ahaz, a successor of David. News came to Ahaz that “Syria is confederate with Ephraim.” Ephraim was one of the tribes of the northern kingdom, Israel, and the kingdom of Israel was sometimes called “Ephraim.” Syria was a powerful nation to the north of Israel. In order for Syria to attack Judah, they would have to go through or go around Israel. The report that came to Ahaz was most troubling. The king of Judah learned that “Syria is confederate with Ephraim.” Syria had entered into an alliance with Israel, the northern neighbors of Judah.

The news was devastating. Our text says of king Ahaz, “his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.” They were shaken by this revelation, and their hearts trembled as trees moved by the wind. The metaphor illustrates the effect this disconcerting information had on Judah, but it also describes the way negative news can be overwhelming to us. We too can be shaken by evil reports. We can overreact and allow fear to grip our hearts. Although the negative news may indeed be accurate, often that is not the case. How many times have we been saddened or worried about something we have been told or something we have imagined, only to find out later that the news was either untrue or at least greatly exaggerated?

Another factor to consider is the way our fears may affect others. The Scripture says that “his heart was moved, and the heart of his people.” It was first the king whose heart was fearful, and then the hearts of his people. When we overreact to bad news and allow ourselves to be overcome with terror, that fear can become contagious.

Before we allow this trembling to take control of our hearts, we ought to look to God for wisdom. The story of Ahaz and Syria took a decided turn after they became afraid. The Lord sent Isaiah to tell Ahaz, “fear not, neither be fainthearted”(7:4). Before we jump to conclusions and assume the worst, it would be wise for us to consult with God and allow Him to direct our hearts.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
Galatians 5:17

The struggle that God used Paul to describe is all too familiar to most of us. I have heard it referred to numerous times by sincere Christians, using language such as, “It is like there is a battle within me.” It is true. For the born-again follower of Jesus Christ, there is a spiritual battle that goes on inside of us. At times, it is more severe than others, but it will never completely subside this side of Heaven. The battle is between the Holy Spirit and our flesh. It is a battle between right and wrong, or good and evil. The flesh wants to rule our lives. The Holy Spirit also wants to control us. These two powers are real, and they are “contrary the one to the other.”

We never experienced such an internal conflict until we were saved. Before that time, there was no presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We were governed by the power and desires of the flesh. Sometimes these fleshly deeds may have been decent, moral, and respectable, but they were not truly spiritual. As unsaved men, we sought to satisfy the lusts of the flesh. We sought men’s approval and praise, defended our rights, and were satisfied to daily exalt our will as supreme.

But then, Jesus came. When He comes into our lives, He comes in to rule and reign as Sovereign Lord because that is who He is. At that point in time, we were introduced to a battlefield of a new kind. For one thing, new desires are born in us when we are converted to Christ. The true child of God wants to do what is right. He may not always succeed, but there is a new interest in holiness and obedience. Paul wrote, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man” (Romans 7:22). The new man delights in God and in His Word.

Paul goes on to say, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members”
(Romans 7:23). Do not be surprised or dismayed when you find yourself in such an inward conflict. It is familiar to every Christian. One may ask, “How then can this battle be won?” We cannot win over our flesh in the energy of the flesh. It is a spiritual battle. We must walk in the fullness of the Spirit and not give in to the lusts of the flesh.

“My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.”
Numbers 12:7

Numbers 12 begins with Miriam and Aaron raising their voices against Moses, criticizing and opposing the man of God. Of course, God heard it and acted immediately. God called for a meeting with the three parties involved, and He angrily rebuked Miriam and Aaron and defended Moses. In our text, the Lord referred to Moses as, “My servant.” Meditate for a moment on what might be implied in that simple phrase, “My servant.” God wanted Miriam and Aaron to know that Moses, though he would serve them in many ways, was first and foremost His servant. Like all of us, Moses would be pleased if his followers were content and agreed with his decisions. But above all, his responsibility would be to please the One who called him.

We need more leaders like Moses. We need leaders in our homes, churches, and communities whose primary ambition is to please the Lord. We are to be God pleasers, not people pleasers. We are His servants. The truth may not always be what people want to hear, but it is what we are to declare. Paul said, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts” (I Thessalonians 2:4). Too many men and women cower to the opinions of men instead of standing for principles and what is right.

Moses was God’s servant. We all should be able to say the same thing. We are God’s servants. Our purpose is to serve the One who loves us, suffered on the cross and died for us, and saved us by His marvelous grace. We are to live our lives as His servants. We want to do His bidding, waiting on His very commands, and joyfully fulfilling His desires. When God looks upon us, we want Him to think of us as, “My servant.”

Are you God’s servant? Are you seeking to serve Him daily? Would your family members consider you a servant of God? Our text says of Moses, “who is faithful in all
mine house.” As servants, we are called to be faithful. Our faithfulness is not just to a task or a position, but our faithfulness is primarily to our Master. We are servants who are to be faithful to Christ. As servants, we will one day be judged for our faithfulness. We want to hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

“And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.”
Acts 15:37, 38

Paul and Barnabas were about to embark on their next missionary journey. Barnabas was determined that John Mark would accompany them, but Paul strongly disagreed. This was a serious matter of concern because John Mark quit traveling with the group during the first missionary trip and returned to Jerusalem. Great harm is done when one of God’s servants quits. There is a difference between having a failure and making a mistake and quitting. We all fail from time to time, but we must trust God for the grace to continue in His will.

First of all, quitting is not good for us. When we cease to do what God has planned for us to do, it will not bring better things to our lives. God does not want us to continue to do His will for His sake alone. It is good for us to be in God’s will. It is a place of peace and fulfillment. It may be difficult, and perhaps even hazardous, for some. This may have been the case for John Mark. However, even with the hardships, it is better for us to be where God has commanded us to be.

Neither is quitting good for the work of God. The harvest is great, but the laborers are still greatly needed. When a soldier in God’s army quits, it hurts the work of God. When a laborer leaves the harvest, who will take his place? Others cannot possibly do their jobs and also the work of those who have abandoned their posts.

Additionally, it is not good for others when a servant of God chooses to quit. It hinders the testimony of Christ among the unsaved. How are they to interpret or understand it when a professing Christian decides it is not worth it to serve the Savior? This unfortunate betrayal among God’s saints gives the unbelievers more reason not to commit themselves to Christ. Quitting also has a negative effect among the ranks of the true followers of Jesus. It can cause discouragement and disappointment. Imagine the scene around the campfire when word got around that John Mark had defected. We have seen the same kind of reaction in churches when a leader quits. John Mark’s decision even caused conflict between Paul and Barnabas. Whatever happens, let’s not quit.

“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
Proverbs 13:10

This illuminating verse exposes the root cause of the majority of our conflicts. From where does strife and contention spring? What is the source of quarrelling and division? These unfortunate and damaging traits do not flow from meekness and humility, but rather from arrogance and pride. So many contentions in families, friendships, communities, and churches are generally owed to pride.

It is possible that the majority of disputes could usually be prevented or resolved if it were not for the presence of pride. Would it not be wonderful to eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, the contention in our lives? This is very possible if we are willing to pay the price, which is recognizing and repenting of the pride that creates it.

It is pride that causes us to insist on having our way. It is pride that keeps us from admitting our wrong and asking forgiveness. It is pride that refuses to forgive those who have hurt or disappointed us. It is pride that exalts personal agendas and ignores the needs of others. Pride is such a destructive force. It damages or destroys all that fail to treat it as the enemy that it is. Pride blinds us to our own stubbornness and ambition. Pride deceives us about our own selfishness and independence. Relationships are hurt and sometimes permanently broken because of the venomous presence of pride.

If we want to free our lives from contention, we must free our lives from pride. How common it is for us to blame all of our problems on things other than ourselves. Usually the last place we look for the solution to conflict is in the mirror. It is the fault of the other party, or the fault of unfortunate circumstances, or the fault of the society, but seldom is it our fault. Our pride hinders us from seeing our role in contentions.

Even the strife we can find in our own hearts and our relationship to God is sometimes born in our pride. Contention is not only conflict between us and other people. It can also be tension between us and God or inner strife, where we are not at peace with ourselves. Again, pride is at the root of these contentions. Our pride keeps us from surrendering to God and His wisdom, from being willing to say, “Not my will but thy will be done.” To avoid contention, we must humble ourselves and walk humbly with God.

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Deuteronomy 4:1, 2

How is it that God would give the Israelites the land of Canaan? Would they have the mightiest army, or the most sophisticated weaponry? Would God’s people develop a
strategy that would outmaneuver their enemies? Could the Israelites overpower the giants by having them statistically outnumbered? Actually, their victory would come
from none of these factors. Our text tells us that God would give them the land as a direct result of their strict obedience to the Word of God. They were to “hearken” and “do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land.”

THE WAY TO VICTORY for the nation of Israel was directly tied to their adherence to God’s commands. Herein was the secret to their spiritual power. Disobedience to God’s Word would spell defeat and failure to God’s chosen people. What about us? How are we to experience spiritual victories in our lives? We are also promised victory through obedience to God’s Word. It is not through our physical prowess or intellectual abilities that we win spiritual battles. We cannot defeat Satan’s attacks or overcome temptation by our natural will power.

The battle is the Lord’s, and He promises to help us as we walk in obedience to Him. Sin and compromise weaken us, whereas surrender and faithfulness bring God’s blessings. Our victory is found in trusting the Lord. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4). God encouraged Israel to hearken to His Words and follow His precepts that they might see victories in the Promise Land. They were not to “add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it.” Our potential is realized in submission and consistent obedience to God’s will. As we walk with Him and seek to follow His will in our daily lives and ministries, we can trust Him to give the victory.