Matthew 5:42-48:
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. [43] Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [44] But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [45] That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? [47] And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? [48] Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
[ Notes for Matthew 5:30 ]
[5:29-30] When Jesus said to get rid of your hand or your eye, he was speaking figuratively. He didn’t mean literally to gouge out your eye, because even a blind person can lust. But if that were the only choice, it would be better to go into heaven with one eye or hand than to go to hell with two. We sometimes tolerate sins in our lives that, left unchecked, could eventually destroy us. Experiencing the pain of removal (getting rid of a bad habit or something we treasure, for instance) is better than allowing the sin to bring judgment and condemnation. Examine your life for anything that causes you to sin, and take every necessary action to remove it.
Psalm 62:3-7:
How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. [4] They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. [5] My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. [6] He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. [7] In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
[ Notes for Psalm 62:5 ]
[62:3-7] The David expressed his feelings to God and then reaffirmed his faith. Prayer can release our tension in times of emotional stress. Trusting God to be our rock, salvation, and fortress (62:2) will change our entire outlook on life. No longer must we be held captive by resentment toward others when they hurt us. When we are resting in God’s strength, nothing can shake us.
Psalm 20:5-9:
We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. [6] Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. [7] Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. [8] They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. [9] Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.
[ Notes for Psalm 20:7 ]
[20:6-8] As long as there have been armies and weapons, nations have boasted of their power, but such power does not last. Throughout history, empires and kingdoms have risen to great power only to vanish in the dust. David, however, knew that the true might of his nation was not in weaponry but in worship—not in firepower but in God’s power. Because God alone can preserve a nation or an individual, be sure your confidence is in God, who gives eternal victory. Don’t let rumors of war, stories of mass killings, or the threat of ballistic missiles threaten your faith. Instead, let these fears drive you to the source of your faith: the God who loves you and promises ultimate victory over evil.
Isaiah 46:10-13:
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: [11] Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. [12] Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: [13] I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
[ Notes for Isaiah 46:3 ]
[46:1-4] Cyrus would carry out God’s judgment against Babylon. Bel was the chief deity of the Babylonians; Nebo was the god of science and learning. These “gods,” however, needed animals and people to carry them around and could not even save themselves from being taken into captivity. They had no power at all. In contrast to gods that needed to be hauled around by people, our God created us and cares for us. His love is so enduring that he will care for us throughout our lifetimes, through death, and forever after.
Psalm 116:9-14:
I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. [10] I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: [11] I said in my haste, All men are liars. [12] What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? [13] I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. [14] I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
[ Notes for Psalm 116 ]
[116:1-2] God loves to respond to us, so you can always reach him. He bends down and listens to your voice. He gets on your level and looks in your eyes. Even though he has millions of children, he can focus on you totally. This writer’s love for the Lord had grown because he had experienced answers to his prayers. Take time to recall the many times God has answered your prayers. If you are discouraged, remember that God is near, listening carefully to every prayer and answering each one in his timing to give you his best.
Philippians 4:4-9:
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. [5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. [9] Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
[ Notes for Philippians 4:19 ]
[4:19] We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we actually need on earth he will always supply, even if, like Paul, it is the courage to face death. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort and pain. We may not get all that we want. But by trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him.
2 Chronicles 15:5-8:
And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. [6] And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. [7] Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. [8] And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
[ Notes for 2 Chronicles 15:15 ]
[15:14-15] Many people find it difficult to commit themselves to anything. They are tentative, indecisive, and afraid of responsibility. Asa and his people were different—they had clearly declared themselves for God. Their oath of allegiance was punctuated with shouts and trumpet blasts! This decisive and wholehearted commitment pleased God and resulted in peace for the nation. If you want peace, examine yourself to see where you might lack total commitment to God. Peace comes as a by-product of giving your life wholeheartedly to God.
Joshua 1:7-11:
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. [8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. [9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. [10] Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, [11] Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
[ Notes for Joshua 1:13 ]
[1:12-15] During the previous year, the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh had asked Moses if they could settle just east of the Promised Land.
The area offered excellent pastureland for their large flocks. Moses agreed to give them the land on one condition—that they help their fellow tribes enter and conquer the Promised Land. Only after the land had been conquered could they return to their homes. Now the time had come for these three tribes to live up to their end of the agreement. When others have helped us achieve our goals, we should also try to help them achieve theirs. Stop and think about the goals you have achieved and any successes you are enjoying. Who helped you along the way? Have you done all you can to help them as they have helped you?