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Both Old Testament and New Testament prophets spoke of a day when God’s wrath would be revealed. Past generations have sometimes erred by focusing exclusively on God’s wrath and neglecting God’s great love and mercy. This present generation may be guilty of doing the opposite – proclaiming God’s love, but being reticent to talk about the Day of Judgment.

Zephaniah, a prophet in Israel, didn’t hold anything back in his description of the day of God’s wrath. It is terrifying. Yet there is also hope in his message, because he understood that he was living in the time before God’s judgment.

“Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation,
before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff,
before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you,
before the day of the LORD’s wrath comes upon you” (Zephaniah 2:1, 2).

We too, live before the day of wrath. Therefore everyone who is living has an opportunity to respond. We don’t need to live in fear of the day of wrath; rather, as we acknowledge its reality, we are spurred into action.

“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger” (Zephaniah 2:3).

Holy God, I know that You alone are righteous and one day You will judge people for sin. So, I seek You; I humbly ask for the righteousness of Jesus to wash away my sins.  Amen.

Questions: How can we acknowledge the day of God’s judgment without being overcome by fear? What do you need to do before the day of the Lord’s wrath?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Sometimes things happen that force us to face weaknesses in ourselves that in fact the Lord desires to massage His love into.  Initially however, we don’t always see it that way and figuring that out can be messy and take time. God’s okay with that.

Do you sometimes get mad at God? Yourself? Others?

Facing my brother’s and Dad’s death’s in 2006, only six and a half weeks apart, plunged me into the deepest anguish, grief and anger I have experienced. I felt shame as the journey uncovered crusty parts of my soul exposing contempt for God, myself and it felt like every other human being on the planet.  This lurked behind an image management that appeared most honorable, sincere and dutiful by intention. As the truth of pain and loss hit me deep in my core, I struggled, but God’s requirements to be open and honest propelled me forward and upward.

How does one confront the unfriendly parts of one’s soul?

Does one see reality of one’s darkness as it really is? Or does one minimize, distort or spiritualize it?  Honesty requires a refusal to lie, steal or mislead in any way. It often begins by recognizing and admitting we may have been deceived.

Why must we recognize our sin and confess it as truth?  Because
dishonesty, or living in denial, is actually an attempt to dethrone God! It represents self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiency constructs a world according to our own desire. By engaging in it we shut out God and others. That is idolatry.

Through courage, humility and brokenness we can pursue honesty about our true condition and find peace, hope and love. The Lord says:

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in
truth” (Psalm 148:18).

Our loving God invites us to meet Him at the intersection of experience and honesty. We find resolve there. My Dad and brother know that in full. You and i continue in our discovery. God’s love is sincere in action, character and utterance. He transforms us into the same. His truth can satisfy any soul, whatever the condition, if we believe and receive.

Father God, I thank You that You pursue my soul and draw me on in facing truth and finding You in it. Help me as I confront the unfriendly parts of my own soul. Meet me and pour Your peace and hope and love into me afresh as I pursue honesty in the inner part of my heart. Thank you Lord, for Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Questions: What is forcing you to face truth? Do you resist or do you welcome the Lord’s presence in every corner of your life? Do you see reality as it really is? Or do you minimize, distort or spiritualize it?

About the Author Karen Braun

Daily audio podcast: Hear today’s daily devotional, Meet You at the Intersection of Experience and Honesty, read aloud today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Has someone you love died? Then you know the feelings death detonates in your body: anger, self-pity, depression, confusion, grief, anguish.

Scripture tells of Jesus’ close friend, Lazarus, who was sick. Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, quickly sent word. “Come, Lord, and save him!” But incredibly, Jesus didn’t come. Lazarus died. The sisters entombed Lazarus and sank into grief and confusion. Where was the Lord? Jesus could’ve saved their brother! Weren’t they his closest friends? Four days later Jesus finally showed up! Martha, beside herself with grief, accused, “Jesus, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” John 11:1-43

Jesus quietly answered, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this” (John 11:25-26)? I don’t think Martha had a clue what He meant. Would you?

They walked to the tomb and Jesus commanded the stone sealing the entry be rolled away. Then, stunning everyone, he commanded, “Lazarus, come out!” Instantly Lazarus stood before him! Alive! Jesus ordered the grave clothes removed and mayhem followed as incredulous onlookers gawked and shouted, pushing and shoving to get a better look. Did anyone pinch Lazarus to see if this miracle was real? I would’ve.

Jesus’ name is The Resurrection and The Life. His dying is mankind’s only hope, then and now.

Resurrection in Greek means anastasis: literally a resurrection from the dead; a standing up again. Can we wrap our minds around that? Jesus promises to stand us on our feet again. Not just when we die but when we fail or sin. Faith in Him opens the door for this miracle of new life, eternal life.

Lazarus is Jesus’ ‘show and tell’ of His power to stand men up again. Jesus later demonstrated His power over His own death by rising on the third day after crucifixion. He has the authority and power to lay down his life and stand up again alive. John 10:18 He is resurrection. He is life. No other god has that power.

Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe Him. “For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:9).

Jesus wakened Lazarus from death so Jesus would get glory, people would see His glory and believe, and so Lazarus would live again.

Do you know this astonishing God who raises dead folks? Who lifts us into abundant newness of life now no matter our trials and heartaches and promises a tomorrow seated next to Him in Heaven?

Ask Him if He’s real. Test Him and see if He answers. But watch out, Jesus will call your name, remove your grave clothes and stand you on your feet. Forever.

Father of Life, resurrect me from my grave and unwrap me to newness of life. I believe, help my unbelief. Thank you, amen.

Questions: Do you know this Jesus who is ”The Resurrection and The Life”? If you know Him, what difference has He made in your life?

About the Author  Petey Prater

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, The Cross: Why we Believe, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30am EST.

I can hear the words being sung, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”!  I love the lights and sounds and more importantly, the meaning of Christmas.  Emmanuel, God with us!  Why, then, can Christmas sometimes be the most stressful time of the year?

Recently, I spoke to a group of women on what God has to say about stress.  I began by reminding the women about God’s heart.  He loves you and nothing can separate you from His love.  He knows you and your circumstances.  Psalm 139 explains that nothing about you or your life is a mystery.  He knows about stress.  Jesus experienced anguish in the garden of Gethsemane. He bled as He prayed considering what He was about to endure. The Lord sees things differently than you.  His thoughts and ways are higher.  He wants you to learn to trust Him.  Your faith is more precious to Him than gold.  God’s character is unchanging regardless of what life brings.  His promises do not change.  He is for you and not against you and He will never leave nor forsake you.

All of the above is truth but we have to let God help us with stress.  In my own life, my failure to pray, believe and trust Him do not prove that He is unable, only that I have been unwilling.

Paul learned some secrets in his life.  He knew stress.  He was beaten, shipwrecked, in danger, even in chains.  He wrote Philippians from prison.

His advice:
•    Know Jesus (Phil 3:7-11).  To Paul knowing Jesus was worth being beaten and flogged, risking the loss of his life, troubles, and hardships. Paul would say, “cultivate your relationship with Him”.  The more you know Him, the more you will trust Him.

•    Forget what is behind (Phil 3:12-14) Paul did not dwell on the past nor his mistakes but when he fell down he got back up again like running a race for a prize.

•    Rejoice in the Lord (Phil 4:4-5) Not happiness in the circumstances but joy in Him in spite of the circumstances.

•    He is near, don’t be anxious but pray (Phil 4:5-7) Bring everything to Him.  Lay it in His hands, at His feet, for Him to care for.  Thank Him, expect Him to answer.

•    Guard your thoughts (Phil 4:8-9) Think about what your thinking about.  Your thoughts are stressing you.

•    The Secret of being content (Phil 4:12,13). He gives strength.  He enables.  He gives the power.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Lord, please help me to learn the secret of being content.  Please help me to know You, to forget what is behind, to rejoice in You despite my circumstances.  Please remind me that You are near and help me to pray continually.  Please give me the ability to guard my thoughts.  In the midst of the stress this Christmas, teach me the secret of being content.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: If someone took God at His word, what could their reaction to stress be or life look like? Based on what God has to say about stress, what step(s) could you begin today that would help you to cope better with stress?

About this Author Donna Mitchell

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Releasing Your Regrets, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog