“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus’ words and teachings are foundational truth, and those building their lives on that truth will not fall when the storms of life rage. Those who reject or ignore Jesus’ words and teachings and do not build their lives on them will find their lives ruined and in shambles when life’s storms strike. Those who hear and heed Jesus’ words and repent of their sinful ways, looking to Jesus and His cross for mercy, will stand in God’s judgment; those who do not will be swept away in that judgment.
Grant that I hear and heed Your Word, O Lord, my Rock, and look to You and Your cross for pardon and forgiveness and to Your Word as my guide, that I may not fall in Your judgment but stand, clothed in Your righteousness. Amen.
“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!’” John 1:47
What did Jesus mean when He said of Nathanael that he was “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit”? In light of Psalm 32, Jesus was saying that Nathanael didn’t try to hide or cover up his sins. Rather, he acknowledged his sinfulness and shortcomings and trusted God to graciously forgive his sins for the sake of the Messiah and Savior who would “redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Psalm 130:7-8).
O gracious God, I am a guilty sinner deserving of Your anger and punishment. Pardon and forgive me, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
“Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2:10-12
The Holy Spirit speaks and admonishes the rulers and judges of this world to serve the LORD God and honor the Son lest His wrath suddenly ignite against them and consume them. Those who seek God’s salvation and refuge in the Son receive His blessing instead of His wrath.
O LORD God, grant that I fear Your righteous wrath and indignation and look to the Son for mercy, forgiveness, and eternal blessing. Amen.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
Many who claim to be Christians and followers of Jesus will be shocked on the last day when Jesus says to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matt. 7:23). Only those who do the will of God the Father – who repent of their sinful ways and look to Jesus and His cross in faith – will receive God’s pardon and forgiveness and a place in His eternal kingdom.
Forgive my sins, O God, and cleanse my heart for the sake of Christ Jesus and His innocent sufferings and death on the cross in my stead. Grant that I do Your will and walk in daily repentance and faith in Jesus, my Savior. In His name, I pray. Amen.
“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’” Psalm 2:7-9
God the Son speaks in these verses, revealing that He is and always will be the only-begotten Son of the Father. He reigns and will ultimately judge all the nations and peoples of the earth. He will bring down and utterly destroy those who oppose Him and His eternal kingdom.
Grant to me, O Lord Jesus, Son of God, a humble and penitent heart that I might not rebel against You but acknowledge my sins and look to You and Your cross for pardon and forgiveness. Amen.
