The Joy of Glory

Today’s devotional is authored by Brad Brown

Daniel 4:34-37
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Reflection
In a short devotional like this, I think the temptation is to primarily focus on the words at the end of v.37: “those who walk in pride he is able to humble..” Boom. There is the application. Devotional done. Move over “Jesus Calling” there is a new Sheriff in town! 

…I digress….

While in this text and the book of Daniel there is certainly room to talk about the pride of humanity and the power of God to humble our misperception of power, I want us to step back and look at whats going on in this chapter as a whole.

The overall concern of the chapter is that God protects his people in spite of overwhelming odds. This is a story that is meant to give comfort and confidence in spit of their helplessness before a powerful king

The people of God are in Exile. It seems like Nebuchadnezzar controls their future. In this chapter the account of his dream and his madness reveal that God is calling the shots. It certainly doesn’t look like it but Nebuchadnezzar is a tool in the hands of God. He is victorious only when God gives the victory. He understands his dreams only when God interprets them through Daniel. Like the book of Exodus and Esther, the book of Daniel reveals that powerful kings are really powerless. 

Do you feel like things are out of control right now? Do you sense that the things you find your comfort in are a lot less secure than you thought? Imagine the people of God in exile under a foreign king….Yet even in exile we see that the daily circumstances and the future of Gods people are not controlled by worldly rulers but by Yahweh.

Yesterday on the Shades Midweek podcast we reflected on a Question and Answer from the Heidelberg Catechism. Why not take a moment now to read and reflect on its words? Take a moment to dwell on the reality that the Sovereign Lord who is over kings and kingdoms is also involved in the mundane details of your life. As it says “Indeed…All things must work together for my salvation…”

Q: What is your only comfort in life and death?

A. That I am not my own,

but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death,

to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.

He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,

and has set me free

from all the power of the devil.

He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together

for my salvation. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live

for him.

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.

Today’s devotional is authored by Brad Brown

Jeremiah 1:13-19 (click here to read the entire passage)
For behold, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, declares the Lord, and they shall come, and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls all around and against all the cities of Judah. And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. (Jeremiah 1:15-16)

Reflection
At the beginning of our passage for today God asks Jeremiah “What do you see?” Jeremiah says he sees a boiling pot, tilting away from the north. God then reveals to him that this vision means that disaster will be poured out over the land, like the hot water from the north. Not good…

As the book of Jeremiah will go on to make clear, that hot water from the north is Babylon. The picture of kings setting their thrones in Jerusalem’s gates is a metaphor for a foreign takeover of the city. Disaster is on its way. Why?

The text makes it clear: Idolatry. Idolatry is the primary means by which God’s chosen people betrayed their covenantal commitments, and it is a topic that is returned to often in the book of Jeremiah.

In the book of Exodus, Yahweh freed his son Israel from the thousands of Egyptian idols. Exodus 20:2-3 says, [2] “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. [3] “You shall have no other gods before me. (ESV)

Israel has been freed to serve Yahweh and yet its history shows a continual return to serve deadly idols. God will not have this…Israel’s exile is not a history lesson revealing the power of Babylon. Rather, it is a testimony to the worth of Yahweh and his great affection for his people. Their hearts were made for him alone and so is yours.

Peter Leithart in his little book on the Ten Commandments writes,

The Lord is our Judge, Savior and Lawgiver. He blesses and curses, bears our sins, speaks a trustworthy word. When we tremble before other judges or hope in other saviors, when we pile up our sins on anyone but Jesus, idols occupy our hearts and take control.

Do you fear the opinions of others? Are you paralyzed by worry about how your father or mother will evaluate you? You’ve set up an idol, a substitute judge—public opinion, a perfectionist father, a hypercritical mother. Have you ever thought: “If we only had a bit more money, our lives would be happy. If only I could get a better job or enjoy a flawlessly decorated home, life would be good.” You’re looking to a counterfeit savior—money success, velvety comforts.

When you’re cornered, do you lash out and blame others? Do you have so much trouble admitting your sins that you scapegoat your wife or husband, your parents or children? Or do you flagellate yourself for your failures or perceived failures? You’re an idolater, dumping sins on scapegoats or treating yourself as a gimcrack Jesus.

Lent is a season of repentance. A season where we once again stare at the idols we look at to be our judge and savior. We do this knowing that the last word for Gods people is not exile or idolatry…it’s Jesus. He is the true Son who lives in total devotion to the Father. He comes to do what we could not…destroy our idols. He comes so that our restless hearts may find their rest in him. Thanks be to God. Amen.

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.

Today’s devotional is authored by SVCC intern Allison Davis

Isaiah 63:7
I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,
the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has granted us,
and the great goodness to the house of Israel
that he has granted them according to his compassion,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

Reflection
According to Merriam-Webster, to “recount” means “to relate in detail” or “narrate.” I believe we’ve errored by taking the word and giving it the meaning of “remember.” The ESV’s header in my Bible over Isaiah 63:7 even reads: The Lord’s Mercy Remembered.

It is wonderful to remember God’s goodness and to remember it often. Holy Scripture often calls us to remember! We must not neglect, though, the practice of speaking, of “relating in detail” what God has done for us. The NIV renders this verse:

I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,
the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the Lord has done for us…

In our college women’s Bible study last semester, we often discussed how several Psalms tell readers to practice corporate thanksgiving—thanking God not just in your own heart, but speaking it aloud in the presence of others! Psalm 22:22 says,

I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you

Why should we share our praises with our brothers and sisters in Christ? (Besides the obvious reason that we are commanded to, of course.) For one, telling struggling brothers and sisters of how the Lord has blessed you reminds them of what kind of God he is—a good God! Your praises encourage those who are in need of hope. Has someone’s testimony of God’s faithfulness encouraged you before?

Secondly, praising God publicly glorifies Him!! Why should we keep such praise to ourselves?

I can hear Jonathan’s often repeated refrain in my head now—“when Christ is glorified, Paul’s joy is magnified.” When the church praises God together, we are filled with joy! Invite a friend into your joy by sharing with them what Christ has done for you.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to recount the steadfast love of the Lord today. Perhaps you are in a season where you do not feel as though you are seeing “great goodness.” Ask the Lord to show you how he is loving you and being faithful to you. Name all the things you are thankful for. Then, tell someone!

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.