One Year Book of Devotions for Men Part 1

One Year Book of Devotions for Men D. Stuart Briscoe.

Introduction.

This morning I asked my six-year-old grandson, aStephen, why do you think we should learn to read?a He thought for a moment and replied, aBecause if you learn to read, it helps you to be smart and know words.a Stephen, having been born in a country with a very high literacy rate, has an enormous advantage in this regard over those who have been born into circ.u.mstances where literacy is not available.

Mark Twain once said, aHe who does not read good books has no advantage over he who cannot read them.a In saying this, he pointed to a sad situation in many Western countries: People have learned to read but lack the time, interest, or discipline to avail themselves of the opportunity to read and to be smart and learn words.

I am particularly concerned about people who do not read the Scriptures on a regular basis. The Scriptures were written and preserved for us in order that we might abe smarta about the things of G.o.d and alearn wordsa about life and death, eternity and time, this world and the world to come, who G.o.d is and what he has done, what he plans to do and where we fit in his plans. These are things that we cannot learn anywhere else. It is my conviction that the Bible was given to us in our own language in order that we should read it and learn from it all the things G.o.d wants us to know and which we desperately need to know. But he who does not read it has no advantage over he who cannot read.

There are different ways of reading the Bible. Some do it as a purely academic exercise, others for no other reason than to try to prove or disprove its authenticity. But my concern is that we read it with a view to benefiting from it in our daily lives. We call this reading the Scriptures devotionally. It is reading with an inquiring mind and a thirsty spirit, longing to know G.o.d better and to live more in keeping with his principles. When the Bible is read in this fas.h.i.+on, it becomes a source of joy and delight, of encouragement and direction, of correction and instruction.

This book is designed to encourage daily, devotional Bible reading. It was written with the busy man in mind, hence the relatively short readings. It was designed for the modern man, hence the contemporary applications of the ancient Scriptures. And it was produced with the fervent hope and prayer that in reading it, modern men will be encouraged and challenged to become smart about the things of G.o.d and learn words which will enable them to express their appreciation to G.o.d for all his mercies and to articulate to others what they have discovered of G.o.d that has transformed their lives.

May it never be said of us that we had the ability to read, we had the most priceless book available for reading, but we lived our lives without becoming biblically literate.

Stuart Briscoe

December 2000

January 1

TO READ: Psalm 50

What G.o.d Wants

What I want instead is your true thanks to G.o.d; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.

Psalm 50:14-15

A lot of men have problems relating to their wives. When they discover there is a problem they hadnat been aware of and then try to find out what it is, they might be told, aYou should know what the problem is! The fact that you donat know is part of the problem!a Often the wifeas complaint is that her husband does not give her enough attention. She longs for him to relate to her. She is not unappreciative of the things hegives her and the work he does for her. But even more she wants him.

G.o.d had a similar complaint about his people, Israel. His people were active in religious observance, meticulously offering animal sacrifices. G.o.d said, aI have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly bring to my altara (Ps. 50:8). But he was not looking for the bulls and goats from their barns and pens. He had no need of anything from them at all. In fact, even if he did have a need (which he didnat!), he certainly would not have told them, because his resources were greater than any need. More than their gifts, he wanted them! G.o.das people had forgotten to relate to him, and he wanted them back.

G.o.d wanted his people to thank him (Ps. 50:14). He wanted to be thanked because saying athank youa is evidence of a healthy relations.h.i.+p with him. Those who recognize who G.o.d is in their lives and know how much they depend on him to intervene in their experiences are people who know that all they are and have come from him. As they recognize this imperative connection with G.o.d, they overflow with grat.i.tude.

G.o.d also wanted his people to fulfill their promises (Ps. 50:14b). It was G.o.d who took the initiative and told the people of Israel that he would be their faithful G.o.d. In response, they a.s.sured him that they would be his faithful people. The closest of relations.h.i.+ps was born, but the people tended to forgeta"the vows lay unfulfilled, the promises were ignored, and the relations.h.i.+p deteriorated. But G.o.d longed to have his people back again.

G.o.d also wanted his people to trust him (Ps. 50:15). Imagine G.o.das pain when his children get themselves into trouble and then turn away from him to find help in other people and things. He wants them to turn to him and ask him for his help. He is more than ready to give it.

What G.o.d wants is no mysterya"he wants thankful, trusting, faithful children. He wants people who will keep their promises to him and live in active relations.h.i.+p with him. He wants people he can delight in and who delight in him. He wants us.

January 2

TO READ: Isaiah 1:1-20

Why Invite Trouble?

Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick.

Isaiah 1:5

Tom Sawyeras cousin, Sid, ahad no adventurous, troublesome ways.a1 He went quietly about his business, did his ch.o.r.es, and caused no ripples. Tom, however, was different. He had a nose for trouble. Occasionally, very occasionally, he astumbled into obedient conduct,a much to the delight of his long-suffering Aunt Polly. But even then things were not always as they appeared.

It is impossible to imagine a book called The Adventures of Sid Sawyer. Who would want to read about a good kid who never got into trouble, never rocked a boat, never finagled his way out of a fix? We prefer the escapades and sc.r.a.pes of an adventurous rascal. But as appealing as these characters are, their mischievousness can be disruptive.

Why do some people seek out trouble and home in on it like a heat-seeking missile? Perhaps itas the thrill of matching wits with authority. Maybe itas an indication of a restlessness of spirit that seeks a satisfaction not found in legitimate activities.

In the days of Isaiah the prophet, G.o.d asked his chosen people, aWhy do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel for ever?a (Isa. 1:5). The peopleas rebellion and unacceptable behavior were inviting G.o.das punishment. In fact, the Lord was so disgusted by their behavior that he even told them that the donkey and ox recognize and appreciate their master, but his peopleas behavior didnat even reach the standard of those servile animals!

G.o.d is the one who defines acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and he is the one who metes out the appropriate punishment when his laws are contravened. If we doubt the reality of judgment by G.o.d, or if we question whether a man should concern himself with the eternal consequences of his actions, a brief reading of G.o.das dealings with Israel will show the facts. G.o.d displays his righteousness by dealing rightly with his people. That includes ensuring that they live with the consequences of their actions.

But the question remains. Why do people continue to invite punishment? Why do we persist in rebelling against G.o.d? The answer is found in Isaiahas statement. We invite punishment when we take from G.o.d all he provides but do not aappreciate his care.a We invite trouble when, after years of instruction, we astill do not understand.a We continue to rebel when, prompted by our wicked hearts, we willfully turn aaway from the Lord.a We behave like G.o.das ancient people when we cut ourselves off afrom his helpa (Isa. 1:3-4).

People who persist in rebelling and inviting G.o.das punishment are asking for trouble. And thereas nothing appealing about that!

January 3

TO READ: Isaiah 1:21-31

Watered Down Wine

Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine.

Isaiah 1:22

Jesus of Nazareth unveiled his miraculous powers at a wedding where, to the intense discomfiture of the wedding hosts, the consumption of wine had far exceeded the supply. So the wine ran out, which was going to be a matter of great social consternation. Then Jesus stepped forward and, to his disciplesa amazement, he turned water into wine (see John 2:1-11). Jesus transformed the ordinary and mundane into something extraordinary and delightful. He saved the day.

The people of ancient Jerusalem, centuries earlier, had done the opposite. They had turned their wine into water: aOnce like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down winea (Isa. 1:22). Morally and spiritually the people of Jerusalem were no longer what they used to be. In their heyday they were known for being afaithful,a they were athe home of justice and righteousnessaa"they were aonce like pure silvera (1:21-22). But slag had polluted their silver, and water had seeped into their wine. They had become morally impure and spiritually corrupt.

It probably did not happen all at once. It was not as if the inhabitants of Jerusalem had woken up one morning and decided to become unfaithful, unjust, and unrighteous. In all probability there had been a slow erosion of standards, a growing carelessness about details, and a gradual blurring of distinctives. Murderers were not dealt with summarily, thieves attained social standing, bribery was excused, and caring for the needy ran a poor second to paying attention to the greedy (1:22-23). It started at the top and worked its way down, until the whole culture was polluted and diluted.

G.o.d was outraged. He took decisive action and announced that he would deal with the corruption personally. G.o.das purpose was to restore his peopleas purity: aI will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove all your impurities. Afterward I will give you good judges and wise counselors like the ones you used to have. Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justice and the Faithful Citya (1:25-26). These promises, of course, would be fulfilled only when the Messianic kingdom was finally established.

What G.o.d promised long ago to do for the city of Jerusalem he promises today to do for the individual. When G.o.d sees silver turning to slag and wine to water through the erosion of standards, spiritual carelessness, and poor moral discipline, he speaks out. He promises to deal firmly in order to cleanse and then restore. His discipline is not vindictive; it is restorative. His judgment is not sp.a.w.ned through anger; it is born from love. His intention is to redeem the repentant (1:27)a"those who turn away from sin and turn to G.o.d with new trust. For those people, G.o.d will de-slag the silver and re-wine the water. But the unrepentant never experience it. Their silver remains slag, and their wine turns to water.

January 4

TO READ: Isaiah 2:6-22

The Help of Humans

Stop putting your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. How can they be of help to anyone?

Isaiah 2:22

Amidst all the euphoria of the new millennium, some advertisers did get a little carried away. One credit card company, for instance, announced that we would soon have a cure for all illnesses, live to be 200 but look like 30, and spend our vacations on Mars. All paid for with credit, courtesy of the credit card company.

Clearly the developments of the last century have been stupendous, and the possibilities for further development are superb. Human ingenuity is impressive. But why live to be 200 if Iam miserable being 50? And what good is looking like 30 if I feel like garbage? And whatas so exciting about a vacation on Mars if thereas nothing to do but look at red rocks and Iam not sure that Iall have a job and a family when I get back? All this needs to be addressed. Fortunately, G.o.d did address ita"many years ago!

Pride is a perennial human problem. The more we achieve, the more self-sufficient we become. The more ingenuity we display, the more arrogant we become. G.o.d is not impressed, because he knows that everything comes from him and without him we are nothing, can do nothing, and will achieve nothing. But we donat believe it, so sometimes G.o.d has to take strong measures to get our attention and drive the lesson home.

This is what he did through Isaiah the prophet. Isaiah promised, aThe arrogance of all people will be brought low. Their pride will lie in the dust. The Lord alone will be exalteda (Isa. 2:17). Of course, Isaiah was speaking primarily to his contemporaries. What he was predicting came true when G.o.das people were humbled in defeat and led into exile (see 2 Kings 25:1-21).

On a broader scale, though, the lesson applies to aall people.a And what precisely is the lesson? That ahumans are as frail as breatha (Isa. 2:22). Accordingly, people should astop putting [their] trust in mere humans . . . how can they be of help to anyone?a Human help is severely limited and unreliable. So, ultimately, we need to swallow our pride and rely on G.o.d. Then we will receive his help. He will be of help to everyone who trusts in him!

If your ambition is to live till youare 200 and look like 30, your credit card may be able to help. But if your goal is to live forever and be like Jesus, it will be no help at all!

January 5

TO READ: Isaiah 3:25a"4:6

A Few Good Men

In the future, Israela"the branch of the LORDa"will be lush and beautiful, and the fruit of the land will be the pride of its people.

Isaiah 4:2

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the guns finally fell silent in Europe. World War I was mercifully over. Ten million soldiers had been slaughtered, most of them bachelors or young married men. Young officers had suffered disproportionately high casualties. They were called athe lost generation.a Then the battle to cope with the future began. This was particularly difficult for young women. The alost generationa had been their husbands, fiancs, and boyfriendsa"and the wives, fiances, and girlfriends knew that their alife chance of a partner had disappeared with their loved ones in the mud of the trenches.a2 A similar tragedy had happened before. When Isaiah foretold Jerusalemas collapse, which occurred in 586 B.C., he wrote, aThe men of the city will die in battle. . . . Few men will be left alivea (Isaiah 3:25a"4:1). And the result? aSeven women will fight over them and say, aLet us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us be called by your name, so we wonat be mocked as old maidsaa (4:1). The scene of humiliation and desperation is hard to imagine!

Anyone traveling to Europe today can see that the continent has recovered. Men, women, and children are there in abundance. But it took time! It took time for Jerusalem, too. The prophet said the city would recover. In fact, Isaiah spoke in glowing terms of the future even before the tragedy happened: aBut in the future, Israela"the branch of the Lorda"will be lush and beautiful, and the fruit of the land will be the pride of its peoplea (4:2). Isaiah, with a prophetas vision, was looking down through the centuries to the Messiaha"to the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

The survivors of the tragedy in Jerusalem were called to be a aholy peoplea whose amoral filtha had been washed away (4:5). It was not just a matter of survival and then a return to life as usual. Their devastating experience had served a purpose, opening up new vistas of hope and blessing. The promise was that their once-devastated city would receive ashelter from daytime heat and a hiding place from storms and raina (4:6).

Lifeas devastating traumas can bring about ultimate blessing. The traumas allow G.o.d to deal with our sin, cleanse us from iniquity, call us to commitment, deepen our faith, strengthen our moral principles, and set us apart for holy living. When these things happen, blessing follows. It doesnat happen overnight, any more than a lost generation is immediately replaced. It takes time. But by G.o.das grace, it does happen.

January 6

TO READ: Isaiah 5:8-25

The Unholy City

The grave is licking its chops in antic.i.p.ation of Jerusalem, this delicious morsel. Her great and lowly will be swallowed up, with all her drunken crowds. . . . But the LORD Almighty is exalted by his justice. The holiness of G.o.d is displayed by his righteousness.