EFM Devotional
No Road Rage in the Road of Life
August 2010
A recent news item recounted how an unhappy lady used her child’s dirty diaper to take vengeance on another driver during an episode of road rage. Road rage may be a new pattern of behavior in human history but only because automobiles are still relatively new in human history. Anger combined with a vengeful spirit is not new. However, our Lord has assured us that He will take care of everything and all the wrongs will eventually be righted.
We are assailed with news from the world around us that tells how the Judeo-Christian tradition is being assaulted and torn down. Persecution is taking new forms and faithful Christians are ostracized in the academic world and in the work-place. In light of these happenings we may be tempted to harbor ill will in our hearts or to lash out when possible. But we do not have to yield to temptation. We have our Lord’s promise to His chosen people – the Israelites – and in a broader sense to all those who follow Him, that He will rectify everything in the end.
He tells us, “I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly…. Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee:” (Zephaniah 3:18-19). What an Old Testament promise from a God that never changes! He tells us in the New Testament, “For true and righteous are his judgements: for he hath judged…..and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.” (Revelation 19:2). Further on He wrote, “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9)
We do not have time for road rage -either literal or figurative. We are on our way to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Put on your wedding smile and ignore the dirty diapers the world throws at you.
By Donald G. Smith Jr., M.D.
Soak Up the Son
July 2010
The longest day of the year – June 21st – has passed and the days start early and end late. We have more daylight now than any other part of the year. The sun is our source of light and not only is it more direct; it shines much longer each day.
Jesus told us that “The light of the body is the eye: If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22) Other translators have said the eye is the “lamp” of the body. (NIV) John Wesley compared the eye to the will or the “intention” of man. In his sermon number twenty eight, section 2, he wrote, “What the eye is to the body, the intention is to the soul. As the one guides all the motions of the body, so does the other those of the soul.”
How wonderful it is to see the sun shining brightly. It lifts our spirits and invites us to experience the outdoors. Likewise if our spiritual eye is looking at the Son we will be full of light and we will want to experience His presence. The Son can shine in our lives just like the sun shines on the earth. However, to receive his light we must look to him both physically and spiritually. We must keep our eyes off people and the world and rather look to the Son.
When the sun outside beckons on these long summer days, get your Bible, find an easy chair outside in the sun, and soak up the Son!
By Donald G. Smith Jr., M.D.
We Will Win
June 2010
Modern warfare has changed the location of strongholds and forts. In Bible times they were located on high ground with a good view and often had surrounding cliffs that were difficult to climb. The development of air power sent military strongholds into the ground and now we hear reports of the military using “bunker busting” bombs that can penetrate through concrete and earth. However, the concept of a military stronghold has not changed – just the location. For some countries the stronghold may be formed by technological wizardry that creates a virtual shield with intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The book of Obadiah is focused on the military stronghold of the Edomites. They were in a mountainous stronghold that seemed impenetrable and impregnable. Their strength had become their pride and Obadiah writes, “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock,…..though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.” (Obadiah 1:3,4)
God has not changed. He will still bring down the wicked after a time. All around us it seems the wicked are developing greater strongholds. The press and modern communications are under the control of the godless to a great extent. The educational system is controlled by anti-god forces. Politicians are more brazen in their support of anti-Biblical points of view. The voices of Christians are marginalized in a world that no longer values religious freedom and has disdain for Christian values.
Take heart oh weary pilgrim. God will break down the strongholds of the wicked in his own time. Obadiah wrote in verse 17, “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” God will break down the strongholds of the wicked and preserve the righteous. He has not changed.
By Donald G. Smith Jr., M.D.
Spiritual Boo-boos
May 2010
Did you ever have a “boo-boo?” You know what a boo-boo is. It is a minor injury sustained by a child. We rarely call broken legs or concussions boo-boos. But those little scratches and bruises we suffered as children sure felt like broken bones and major lacerations – at least for a couple of minutes. With tears streaming down our faces we ran to Mommy for a band-aid and a kiss. The older children and teenagers might have laughed at our misery. Secure in their great well of wisdom and knowledge they scoffed at the need to run to Mommy.
Have you ever had a spiritual boo-boo? It might have been a minor statement that someone said about you. It might have been a prayer that seemed unanswered. You may have wished – even as an adult – that there was a spiritual Mommy you could run to. We know we have a Father in heaven. But sometimes we wish we had a “Mommy” type figure.
There is good news for our spiritual boo-boos. In the month of May – the month of Mother’s Day – there is a spiritual corollary to Mother. Jesus told us, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” (John 14:16). You can run to the Comforter with the smallest boo-boo and He will not laugh or scoff. Just like a mother, the Comforter will encircle you with arms of love and provide understanding. You were never scared to run to Mommy with a boo-boo. Do not be scared to run to the Comforter. God does not leave His children comfortless.
By Donald G. Smith Jr., M.D.
