26th July 2025

Power Can Corrupt

Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself,

saying, “I will be king” . . .    

1 Kings 1:5 

Today's Bible Reading: 1 Kings 1:5, 32–37.

The word “corrupt” means, having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain. Sadly, today, there is much corruption in political power. Many politicians serve only themselves, rather than the people or the nation they are elected to serve. In history too, political power plays a tragic part. When King David was nearing death, his son Adonijah recruited David’s commander and a leading priest to make him king (1 Kings 1:5–8). But David had chosen Solomon as king (v 17). With the help of the prophet Nathan, the rebellion was put down (v 11–53). Despite his reprieve, Adonijah plotted a second time to steal the throne, and Solomon had to have him executed (2:13–25).

How human of us to want what is not rightfully ours! No matter how hard we pursue power, prestige, or possessions, it is never quite enough. We always want something more. How unlike the Lord Jesus, who “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross”! (Philippians 2:8).

Ironically, selfishly pursuing our own ambitions never brings us our truest, deepest longings. Leaving the outcome to God is the only path to true peace and lasting joy.

Prayer: Dear God, please help me fill the role You have given me and not to covet more. Help me trust You in everything. In Jesus name. Amen.

25th July 2025

Two Mites

They all put in out of their abundance,

but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.    

Mark 12:44 

Today's Bible Reading: Mark 12:41-44.

In Mark 12, we find the Lord Jesus sitting with His disciples in the temple near the treasury watching as people walk by and depositing their gifts for the temple. Some made a show of it, perhaps so others could see how much they had given. Just then, a poor woman came by and threw in two “mites.”

At that time, a mite was the least valuable coin in monitory circulation. Thus, the widow’s gift was very small, amounting to nothing in the eyes of most folks. But our Lord saw what others did not see. She had given “all that she had” (Mark 12:44). The widow was not trying to draw attention to herself. She was simply doing what she was able to do. And Jesus noticed!

We must not forget that our Lord sees all that we do, though it may seem very small. It may be nothing more than showing a cheerful countenance in difficult times or an unnoticed act of love and kindness to someone who happens to pass by. It may be a brief, silent prayer for a neighbour in need.

Jesus said, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. . . . But when you do a charitable deed, . . . may [it] be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matt. 6:1-4).

Prayer: Father in Heaven, may all my giving be sacrificial, from my heart, and full of love; secretive and never boastfully. In Jesus name. Amen.

24th July 2025

Whitewashed Tombs

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!    

Matthew 23:23 

Today's Bible Reading: Matthew 23:1-15.

As I study the life of the Lord Jesus, one fact consistently surprises me: the group that made Jesus angriest was one that He outwardly resembled. Jesus obeyed the Mosaic Law (Mark 9:11-12; 12:28-34). Yet He singled out the Pharisees for His strongest attacks. He called them serpents, a brood of vipers, fools, and hypocrites (Matt. 23:13-33).

What provoked such outbursts? The Pharisees devoted their lives to following God, gave away an exact tithe (v 23), obeyed every law in the Torah, and sent out missionaries to gain new converts (v 15). Against the relativists and secularists of the first century, they held firm to traditional values.

Yet the Lord's fierce denunciations of the Pharisees show how seriously He viewed the toxic threat of legalism. Its dangers are elusive, slippery, hard to pin down. I believe these dangers remain a great threat today.

Jesus condemned the emphasis on externals: “You cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence” (v 25). Expressions of love for God had become ways to impress others.

The proof of spiritual maturity is not how “pure” you are but your awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to God’s grace.

Prayer: Father, help me to avoid hypocrisy in my life. Help me to be faithful, true and loving. In Christ's name. Amen.