February 14

Exodus 37:1-38:31, Matthew 28:1-20, Psalm 34:11-22, Proverbs 9:9-10 



Pray: Did you get all the details? You may not remember the exact amounts of gold, silver, and wood that were used, but in those details we find something very important…a plan. It wasn’t hurried, it wasn’t thrown together, it didn’t just happen. A specific design and plan moved from thought to action, from imagined to reality. Please pray and ask the Lord to help you see His plan for your life. Then, take that plan and put it into action by working toward it, daily. Here’s a hint: a big part of God's plan for you is in today’s reading from Matthew 28:19-20.

Read: “They were frightened but also filled with great joy…” Matthew 28:8. Can one be absolutely terrified while also simultaneously being overcome with joy? It was so for the women who had met the angel at Jesus’ empty tomb. It was there that they received their assignment: “Go...and tell…”(v7). An assignment so great it came from a messenger of the Lord. Is it possible to be terrified and joyful at the same time? It might be wiser to approach the answer by observing that, perhaps, when we fully hear from the Lord and we rush to live into His calling, that is the only way it happens…terrifying because it’s such an enormous, eternal task; joyful because the Lord even considered us for His work. The women ran from the empty tomb, doing exactly as God asked. What will be said of you and me?

Edify: It seems almost rhetorical to ask, “Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?” (Psalm 34:12) Only the fool would wish to have a life cut short and filled with want. But, there is no rhetoric here. There is only a prescription. “If you want the long and prosperous life,” the psalmist says, “then do these things….” (paraphrase) He’s teaching us. In verses 13 and 14, we are told, “Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” It seems simple enough, yet it is rarely carried out by many good Christian men and women. We speak evil when we post without worrying whom we will hurt. We turn toward evil by watching movies and shows glorifying promiscuity and violence. We want peace, but few…very few…work for it. “Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?” Well, at least now you know how…

Practice: We label it “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20). It inspires and encourages men and women from all over the world and in all times of history to do the work of evangelism. And well it should! Somehow, along the way, we have shifted this all-important commission to apply only to those who travel abroad or have the title “Evangelist” somewhere around their name. God forgive us! This commission is to all who are disciples of Jesus…all Christians. Notice it begins with the word “go.” For some, that means go across the world and plant churches in remote villages. For others, it means moving their family to a village in South America. For still others, it means go across the street and have a cup of coffee with my neighbor whom I’ve not yet met. What does Jesus mean when He tells you, “Go”?