Daily Devotion

 

When we read this chapter, we are reminded again of the Jewish definition of preaching---Charaz, which means stringing pearls. This is a collection of pearls strung together without the close connection which modern preaching demands. But in it, there are certain dominant ideas.

 

(1st) it tells us of the forbidden sin, which is hypocrisy. In its origin the word hypocrite meant"someone who answers"; and "hypocrisy" originally meant answering. First, the words were used of the ordinary flow of questions and answers in any talk or dialogue; then they began to be connected with question and answer in a play. Then it went to acting a part. The hypocrite is never genuine; he is always play acting. The basis of hypocrisy is insincerity.

 

(2^nd) it tells of the correct attitude to life, which is an attitude of fearlessness. There are two reasons for fearlessness.   (a) Man's power over man is strictly limited to this life.   A person can destroy another person's life but not his soul.In the war of 1914-1918,"PUNCH" had a famous cartoon in which it showed the German Emperor saying to King Albert of Belgium, "So now you have lost everything;" back came Albert's answer, "But not my soul!" On the other hand, God's power is such that it can blot out a person's soul. It is, therefore, only reasonable to fear God rather than to fear men. It was said of John Knox, as his body was being lowered into the grave, "Here lies one who feared God so much that he never feared the face of man." (b) God's care is the most detailed of all. To God, we are never lost in the crowd. The very hairs on our head are numbered. It has been computed that a blonde person has 145,000 hairs; a dark-haired person, 120,000 and a person with red hair, 90,000. None of us need to fear, for each of us, can say, "God cares for me."

 

(3^rd) it tells us of the unforgivable sin, which is the sin against the Holy Spirit. Both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus spoke about this sin immediately after the scribes and Pharisees attributed His cures to the prince of devils instead of to God. These men could look at the very grace and power of God and call it the work of the devil. To understand this, we must remember that Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, and the Jews did not understand that in the full Christian sense. We can lose that ability to recognize God by repeatedly refusing God's word, by repeatedly taking our own way, shutting our eyes and closing our ears to Him. That is what happened to the scribes and Pharisees. They had so blinded and deafened themselves to God that when He came they called Him the devil.Why is that the unforgivable sin? Because in such a state repentance is impossible. If a person does not even realize he is sinning, if goodness no longer makes an appeal, repentance is impossible.   God has not shut him out.

 

(4^th) it tells us of the rewarded loyalty.The reward of loyalty is no material thing. It is in Heaven Jesus will say of us, "This was my man. Well done!"  

 

(5^th) it tells us of the help of the Holy Spirit.In the fourth Gospel, the special title of the Holy Spirit is the "Paraclete" which means someone who stands by to help.   In the day of trouble, there will be no need to fear, for the Holy Spirit of God stands by to help.

 

Life Application: I can't imagine life without the Holy Spirit. He is my guide, my everything. I love the time that we are together because He refreshes my soul.

Praise/Prayer: Dear Father, how thankful I am for Your love and Your giving us the Holy Spirit. This song reminds me of how faithful You are: "Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove, stay right here with us, filling us with Your love; And for these blessings, we lift out hearts in praise". Thank you, Holy Spirit, and thank You, my Father. Amen!