Strengthening Ourselves in Christ

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Steve Husting

David was a master war strategist before and after he became king. In 1 Samuel 30 we see one of the reasons why. In this incident, we also learn how to discover and boost the God-given talent, ministry, or gift we possess. Let’s see behind the scenes of David’s greatness before he would be king. Perhaps this insight will help us as we enter a new year of spiritual challenges.

After three days David and his men of war had returned to their city and found it looted and their families carried off (vv. 1-3). What did David do? He prayed for wisdom and waited on the Lord until he received direction (vv. 6-8). 

That was his master strategy in a nutshell. That was the secret of his military success. Let the Lord lead. 

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Isaiah 9 Meditation: A Son is Given

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Steve Husting

Here is my chapter breakdown for Isaiah 9: 
1-3 From gloom to gladness 
4-5 Breaking the yoke, the rod of their oppressor 
6-7 A divine son is given, and his government of peace will increase 
8-21 God is angry with proud Israel 

The end of Isaiah 8 speaks of the prophet eagerly waiting for the Lord, who is hiding from Israel (8: 17). It speaks of the time Israel will experience “the gloom of anguish” and be “driven away into darkness” (8:22). In sin and error pining. 

Gloom continued for the next 400 years since the last of the Old Testament prophets spoke to the Jewish people. 400 years without prophetic utterance. God and Israel were not on speaking terms. In the meantime, the Old Testament canon was finalized and in print. 

Chapter 9 begins with a note of hope. A “great light” will shine in a dark land (9:2). What will the light do? The gloom will be replaced with rejoicing, and the darkness with light (v. 3). 

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Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Steve Husting

Some of the most enduring hymns contain a treasure-trove of scripture framing the whole. So it is with “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” It was written by Charles Wesley, with classical composer Felix Mendelssohn adding the tune. Charles, drawing from his rich reservoir of Bible knowledge, wrote this marvelous composite of scriptural truths concerning the birth of the Son of God. Who is He? What did it mean for the Son to become flesh? To what end did He come?

These truths are boldly sketched, dipped into the Word of God to paint the pages a colorful rendition of His advent. Let’s examine this hymn, then come and worship. 

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Make the Good News Known

Posted on December 11, 2021 by Steve Husting

In His last days on earth after His resurrection, Jesus’ final words included this commandment: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). 

In this statement, our Lord is revealing the scope of the good news. It’s not for the Jews alone, but everybody. All the world; all creation. No place is off limits. To the uttermost parts of the earth. 

He is telling us to continue the work He started. His mission included the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The gospel/good news is found in its immediacy—the kingdom is now, “at hand.” Today is the day of salvation. The King has already come. Kingdom blessings can be retrieved by faith, now. 

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Thanksgiving in Israel

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Steve Husting

God gave several yearly feasts for Israel to observe as a nation. All the biblical feasts center on remembering the work of God in the history of the Jews. Most of the feasts are celebrations and times of thanksgiving. (None of their holidays commemorate people like we do, such as remembering Noah building the ark or Moses at the burning bush.)

Their feasts can give us ideas of how we can give thanks to the Lord this month, or more often. Specifically, how does the Lord want us to remember Him? The yearly Feast of Passover gives us ideas on how we can remember God with a grateful heart this Thanksgiving. (Feast of Passover: Exodus 12:1-13, 21-25, 42). 

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Isaiah 8 Meditation: Signs and Wonders

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Steve Husting

This is my chapter breakdown for Isaiah 8:

1-8 Prophecy regarding Maher-shalal-hash-baz: Damascus and Samaria will fall by the Assyrian invasion soon
9-15 Fear the Lord, not what the people fear
16-18 Being a testimony to God
19-22 Look to God and live, not to spiritists and the dead

What do you fear? The coronavirus taking your life? Government conspiracies against you? The nation’s financial collapse (or your own)? The erosion of your freedoms?

Just before 722 B.C., the Jews in the divided kingdom feared danger because of the oncoming civil war, especially since northern Israel made an alliance with a foreign power, Rezin king of Aram, against southern Israel.

God’s instruction to His holy ones then are the same to us who hold fast to Him today. “do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread” (Isaiah 8:12 ESV). What then should we fear?

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America, America

Posted on October 23, 2021 by Steve Husting

Despite what you read in the media, it’s not about race: it’s not about White versus Black or any other people group. It’s about sin. Our national anthem prays: 

“America! America!/God shed His grace on thee,/And crown thy good with brotherhood/From sea to shining sea!” 

By God shedding His grace, His own power to change those who acknowledge Him, people grow to respect others in spite of racial heritage. He molds us after His own character, the one who “so loved the world” (John 3:16), and imbues us to “crown thy good with brotherhood.” 

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Meditation: Called to speak the things of God, Isaiah 6

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Steve Husting

God was looking for someone to bear witness of the Lord to a Jewish people who would “Keep on looking, but do not understand” (Isaiah 6:9). That person will speak and the hearers will not respond. How would you like such a job, knowing people will be upset over your words, or just uncaring? You would throw out all your maxims and formulas for “success;” they won’t work. God has set the course of Israel. Judgment is coming no matter what. 

You won’t be able to rely on your hearers’ feedback to find your identity. No “Like” votes will strengthen your heart. Other speakers will always enjoy more popularity than you will. 

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“Who are you to judge me?”

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Steve Husting

Have you ever heard words like these when you pointed out a problem you saw in someone? “You’re not supposed to judge me,” they told you. “The Bible says so.” 

Does it, though? What does the Bible say on this topic? Do believers have any guidelines on judging others? Yes. Let’s go over a few of them. 

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What More Could God Have Done?

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Steve Husting

Sometimes we can invest a lot of our time and attention on a person or group, only to see no good results come from it. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the Lord recounts the care He took to form a successful vineyard. But it resulted in bad grapes.

The Lord asked the Jews, “Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard” (5:3). With this rhetorical question, He invited them to review His covenant. If they would honor Him by keeping His commandments, not going after other gods, and dealing with sin through the sacrifices, then:

  • They’ll be blessed in the city and country.
  • Their offspring and their beasts’ offspring will be healthy.
  • Their enemies will run away from them.
  • He will make their barns overflow with food.
  • They will bless other nations and not be in debt to them.
  • It will be apparent that God is in their midst and favoring them. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14.)
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