The Demand for Smooth Things

 "That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD; who say to the seers, 'Do not see,' and to the prophets, 'Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.'" Isaiah 30:9-10

Not only in Isaiah’s time, but throughout all ages, including now, those who love sin and refuse to listen to God's Word say the same thing. Today, too, people often reject the truth, preferring to hear comforting, smooth words—even lies. The Apostle Paul foresaw this for our time: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." (2 Timothy 4:3)

Those who love sin hate the light and avoid it, so their deeds are not exposed (John 3:20). They don’t want sermons that sober, warn, or rebuke; they resist messages that expose lies and teach truth. Instead, they want to hear that all is well, that one can reach heaven without holiness, that strictly following God’s Word is fanaticism or legalism, that details aren’t important, and that walking the narrow path, denying oneself, or separating from the world isn’t necessary. They prefer messages that say it's impossible not to sin or that following man-made doctrines is acceptable so long as they avoid being labeled as “sectarian” or facing persecution.

Such people reject scriptural truth because they prefer the praise of men over the praise of God (John 12:43). They cannot bear to be confronted with the truth in Scripture.

Those who preach falsehoods bring destruction upon themselves and lead their listeners into destruction as well. As Spurgeon said, such preachers do not feed the sheep; rather, they entertain the goats.

In contrast, those with sincere hearts long to hear truth that reproves and frees them from sin. They reject deception and, like the Bereans, examine everything they hear and read, comparing it with the Holy Scriptures and rejecting anything that does not align with the Bible. They examine themselves like David and ask the Lord to search their heart, to see if they are not on a wicked way (Psalm 139).

Many preach smooth things, and many listen eagerly. But those who proclaim the uncompromised Word of God are few, and their listeners are also few. These belong to the “little flock” Jesus spoke of, who have chosen the narrow gate and the narrow way.

Four hundred prophets told King Ahab what he wanted to hear, but only Micaiah, the true prophet, delivered the Word of God, which displeased the king. Ahab chose to listen to falsehoods that pleased him—and he perished as a result (1 Kings 22:1-37; 2 Chronicles 18:1-34).

Praise the Lord that, as in all ages, there are still preachers of truth who, despite the demand for smooth things, remain faithful to the Word of God.

From my diary,

October 31, 2024

Night and Day: The Faithful Vinedresser at Work

 "I, the LORD, keep it; I water it every moment. Lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day." Isaiah 27:3

The Lord’s vineyard has a Vinedresser, and that Vinedresser is its owner. God has not entrusted the care of His vineyard to anyone else. He personally tends to it, watering it not just from time to time, not merely each day, but every moment. He guards His vineyard continuously—both night and day.

God protects His people from sin, from false teachings, and from Satan’s attacks. Neither the roaring lion nor the little foxes can harm His vineyard. He nourishes His garden with the water of His Word. There is no room for anxiety, for the vineyard is watched over and watered around the clock, and the Guardian of the vineyard is Almighty.

From my diary,

October 30, 2024

Driven by Hunger: Seeking God with Earnestness

 

"The person who labors, labors for himself, for his hungry mouth drives him on." - Proverbs 16:26

Hunger stimulates effort and motivates a person to work. A person who becomes rich easily may not feel the need to work, while a poor person will make every effort to feed his family. The same concept applies to spiritual hunger. If you are hungry for the Word of God, you will diligently read  the Bible and pray. If you have a desire for holiness, you will put to death the works of the flesh and pray to advance in sanctification.

From my diary,

October 29, 2024

Called to the Good Fight: No Retreat, No Surrender

 

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
1 Timothy 6:12

This command to Timothy is given to all soldiers in God's army. All of God's children are enlisted in His army—not only spiritual adults but also spiritual infants. As soon as we are born again, we find ourselves in spiritual warfare, and we will remain on the battlefield for the rest of our lives. Soldiers of Christ do not take vacations, nor do they retire.

What Jesus foretold is unfolding before our eyes: we hear of wars and rumors of wars. Nations rise against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms. These wars are driven by evil motives, executed through evil methods, and bring forth evil outcomes—death and destruction.

In contrast, our war is a good one, for we battle against evil itself. We have a good motive: to spread the Word of God, by which people will be freed from the power of sin. Our method is good: we fight with the Word of God, wearing the armor of God, and through prayer. We wage war under the guidance of the Good Commander, Jesus, and the result of our war is good—eternal life.

Our enemy never rests, never sleeps, never pauses in his efforts to draw us away from God.

This is why I must remain vigilant, practicing the principles of this good fight. I must remember that there can be no truce, no peace treaty between the spirit and the flesh.
Our rest awaits us in heaven, but for now, we are called to the fight.

From my diary,

October 28, 2024

Ask, Seek, Knock: The Heart of Perseverance

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. — Luke 11:9

This verse reminds me again of the need for persistent, importunate prayer. Jesus wants us to pray persistently, to persevere without growing weary. True persistence in prayer arises when we recognize our deep need—when it becomes a matter of life and death, when everything depends on the answer to prayer, when a “no” is simply not an option. If we stop asking, perhaps we did not truly desire what we sought. If we cease seeking, maybe finding it wasn’t our priority. And if we stop knocking, it may be that entering was never our true intention.

Therefore, I will continue to knock on His door with confidence, assured that He is waiting for me, knowing that He will never say, “You came at an inconvenient time.”

From my diary,

October 27, 2024

 

Answered Prayers, Eternal Praise

So I will sing praise to Your name forever… Psalm 61:8

The psalmist prayed, received an answer to his prayer, and testified about it: “You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.” That’s why he wants to sing praises to the Lord. His prayer has reached heaven, so his praise must too. The Lord has heard his prayer, so He will also hear his song.

I, too, have many answered prayers, so like the psalmist, I will sing to the Lord forever.

From my diary,

October 26, 2024

The Snare of Thoughtless Speech

 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come through trouble. — Proverbs 12:13

It is not always others who set the snare; often, a person is ensnared by their own words. A person can be trapped by lies, thoughtless words, revealing someone else's secrets, words spoken in anger, gossip, or making promises without considering if they can keep them.

To avoid this trap, we must first have a pure heart, for the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart. We should speak thoughtfully, say only positive things about others—or remain silent—and refrain from speaking when angry. It’s important to always speak carefully, considering the consequences.

To prevent regretting my words and asking, "Why did I say that?" I should ask myself a question before speaking: "Why am I saying this?" If my motive for speaking is wrong, then I should remain silent.

From my diary,

October 25, 2024

Walking in the Light: A Shared Journey

 O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the LORD. – Isaiah 2:5

One who understands the importance of light not only walks in it but also invites other children of God to walk in the light of the Lord. He does not wish to walk in the Lord’s light alone but alongside God’s people.

The light is the Word of the Lord. Those who love His Word walk in the revelation of God’s truth and encourage others to do the same. It is safe to walk in the light; in the darkness, you may fall and fail to see the traps. Walking in the Lord’s light brings holiness, safety, and joy.

When you encourage others to do the right thing, you are also blessed. The prophet did not say, “Go, walk in the light of the Lord,” but instead, “Come, and let’s walk in the light of the Lord.” He walks alongside them, neither going alone nor sending them alone.

God’s children love to walk together in His light.

From my diary,

October 24, 2024

Teacher of His ways

“He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.” —Isaiah 2:3

Here is the teaching I need: to learn His ways.

Here is the Teacher I need: God Himself.

Here is the result I desire: to walk in His paths.

First, I will learn from Him, and then I will walk in His ways.

 

All Kinds of Prayer, All the Time

  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:18

For me, the most important subject of prayer is this: to become a true prayer warrior. If I learn to pray continually, I will learn to always overcome temptations, recognize and avoid the traps of the devil, actively serve God, examine myself and correct my mistakes, grow in holiness, understand God’s Word and apply it, make the right decisions, and think on the right topics according to Philippians 4:8.

If I desire the Lord's blessing in all areas of my life, I must pray with all kinds of prayers—both in public and in private, at appointed times and while doing other work, for myself and for God’s other children, with petitions and thanksgiving, whether out loud or in my mind.

This is an urgent subject of prayer because the devil has always hindered and will continue to hinder prayer. To be a warrior in Christ’s army, I must first be a prayer warrior.

From my diary,

October 23, 2024

The Danger Within: Recognizing the Real Threat

 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him?” – Mark 7:18

Jesus' rebuking question was directed at His disciples. While the Pharisees would not understand the meaning of His words, His disciples should have. They had walked with Jesus, learned from Him, seen His works—they should have known what true purity is. They had heard the Sermon on the Mount; they had heard that blessed are the pure in heart, that being angry with a brother without reason is equivalent to murder, and that looking with lust is equivalent to adultery. They had also heard that a good tree bears good fruit.

With all this knowledge, they should have recognized that evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, and all bad things come from within. Therefore, purity of heart should be sought above all. Unwashed hands are not as dangerous as an impure heart.

From my diary,

October 22, 2024

Unending Lovingkindness

 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart. Psalm 36:10

He who knows God and has tasted His lovingkindness desires that His lovingkindness never be interrupted, but remain continuous. It is a prayer that the Lord delights in answering, for lovingkindness is His very nature. When you ask for something that the Lord desires to give, you will surely receive it.

Lord, continue Your lovingkindness to me, so that my victories in spiritual warfare may continue, and the song of praise may remain ever-present in my heart.

From my diary,

October 21, 2024

True Holiness vs. Self-Righteousness: The Pitfall of Being 'Holier-Than-Thou’

“Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?” Ecclesiastes 7:16

When I first read this verse many years ago, I wondered if there could be such a thing as too much holiness and righteousness.

Undoubtedly, the Word of God does n’t tell us to be careless in matters of holiness or to tolerate sin in order to avoid being overly righteous. That is not what it means to be overly righteous. A person who hates all sin, loves holiness, and is set apart from the world is not overly righteous. The "overly righteous" is akin to the "holier-than-thou" believer—the Pharisee who despised the tax collector. The overly righteous are those who accused Jesus' disciples of eating with unwashed hands.

Overly righteous people create demands that God never gave, invent self-imposed prohibitions, rely on religious rituals, and take pride in their own righteousness. The overly righteous are like the people in 1 Timothy 4:3, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created. The overly righteous include hermits who think that by oppressing their bodies and deliberately choosing poverty, they will earn God's favor. An overly righteous person may neglect his responsibilities to focus solely on "spiritual" matters. He might be a pastor who forbids everyone from watching TV but allows his children to behave like the world, failing to discipline them with the Word of God or rebuke them for sin. An overly righteous woman may attend worship services three times a day but neglects her housework, her husband, and her children.

The overly righteous may be a Christian who criticizes others for reading a harmless, non-sinful book, yet is filled with pride and boasts of his own righteousness. He may consider singing with musical instruments to be worldly, yet finds no fault in constantly criticizing and accusing others. When he is rebuked, he calls it judgment, but when he condemns others for playing a musical instrument or reading poetry, he believes it to be a scriptural rebuke.

An overly righteous person might fast to the point of being too weak to fulfill their daily duties. They might even seek out persecution deliberately, hoping to appear as though they are suffering for the name of the Lord.

However, a person who sincerely prays for holiness, seeks holiness, sets their mind on heavenly things, and obeys the Word of God will never be overly righteous.

From my diary,

October 20, 2024

The Danger of Temptation: Fleeing from Sinful Situations

"Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?" - Proverbs 6:28

The answer to this rhetorical question is clear: no one can walk on hot coals without being burned. Walking on hot coals will definitely result in burns. Similarly, if we willingly place ourselves in situations that invite sin, we are likely to fall into it. Samson believed he could walk on the hot coals without getting burned, but because of Delilah, he lost his strength, his sight, and ultimately his life. David also thought he could walk on hot coals without harm. In contrast, Joseph fled from temptation; he didn’t merely avoid it but ran from it with all his might.

We must diligently avoid anything that could lead us into sin.

From my diary,

October 19, 2024

 

The beauty of God's works

 “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

The author of everything beautiful in my life is my Lord. Everything He does is beautiful and is accomplished in His appointed time. In the preceding verses, it is written that there is a time for everything. Let me not worry about not knowing the timing of many things, because I know that He makes everything beautiful in its time.

He makes everything beautiful in His time. This thought brings a sweet peace to my heart and helps me to wait, to be patient, and to be thankful.

From my diary,

October 18, 2024

The Simplicity of Sincere Prayer

 “But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’” Matthew 14:30

“Lord, save me!”—This is one of the shortest prayers in the Bible, just three words.

Notice whom Peter calls upon: Lord. And what he asks for: save me. Peter turns to the only one who can give him what he needs—salvation. No other words were needed. It wasn’t necessary to quote scriptures or use eloquent language.

Peter was sinking, and in his danger, that short prayer came naturally and spontaneously. Many words are not necessary in prayer. When a person senses the danger they are facing and has no hope or expectations from anywhere else, they pray sincerely without a thought of sounding eloquent.

The urgency and awareness of danger compel us to pray briefly and directly. When the enemy brings the temptation of sin, the person who desires holiness will be specific in their need and ask the Lord to deliver them from that particular sin.

I love Spurgeon's words on this subject: “A sense of need is a mighty teacher of brevity. If our prayers had less of the tail feathers of pride and more wing, they would be all the better.”

From my diary,

October 17, 2024

When We Pray for Others, God Moves

 “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10

Throughout the Holy Scriptures and in our own lives, we have seen many cases where a person prayed for deliverance, and the Lord answered their prayers. This case is remarkable because Job prayed for others and was delivered himself. The Lord turned Job’s captivity when he prayed for his friends, restoring what he had and giving him twice as much as before.

What a wonderful reminder this is of the importance of praying for others. There is no selfishness in such a prayer. When you forget yourself and think about others, God thinks about you.

From my diary,

October 16, 2024

One Day at a Time, with God

 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” - Matthew 6:34

I have read this verse countless times, and I have written meditations on it, but I still haven’t fully learned this important lesson: not to worry about tomorrow.

Every day has its responsibilities, its problems, its troubles. The Lord provides the necessary strength to carry them all, one day at a time. We cannot expect a supply for a month or a week. I must focus on my duties today, fight against today's temptations, and pray for today's concerns, rather than worrying about tomorrow.

God's children have a Provider. He is a faithful, rich, and wise Provider, full of care. What a joy it is that this Provider is not a stranger to us, but our Father.

From my diary,

October 15, 2024

Beloved of God: A Blessed Identity

 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7

We are among the addressees of Paul's letter. The letter is addressed to the beloved of God. The happy bearers of this title are saved by the grace of God, cleansed by the blood of Christ, sanctified by His Word, and renewed by His Spirit. They are free; they are free from sin.
They are safe; they dwell in the most secure hiding place, under the shadow of the Most High. They are a privileged people, for them is prepared that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and which has not entered into the heart of man. The Almighty, the Omniscient, the Most Holy thinks about them.
They are a people bought at a great price, and no one can snatch them from the hand of God. They are a forgiven people. God revealed to them what He had hidden from the wise and prudent. They have the peace that surpasses all understanding; they have the joy that endures. They have an inheritance reserved for them in heaven; they will receive the victor's crown, and they will live with Him forever.
Beloved of God...
Thank you, Lord, for this blessed title, for this privilege. 

From my diary,

October 14, 2024

Prayers of the Heart: Let and Let Not in Psalm 119:Let My Soul Live

"Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; and let Your judgments help me." — Psalm 119:175

The psalmist’s life has one purpose: to glorify God, and that is why he wants to live. He desires for all his words and deeds—his whole life—to bring glory to God, and that is why he asks for life.
Life is a gift from God, and that gift should be used to glorify Him. To bring glory to God, the psalmist knows he needs help, so he asks for God's judgments to guide him, enabling him to live a holy life and fulfill his purpose.
God's children seek a long life to serve and glorify Him—not to see their grandchildren get married, gain wealth, or achieve fame. The most blessed life is the one that brings glory to God, and the most wonderful occupation is to praise Him. For both, we need God's help.

Topical meditation 2024

October 13