Daily devotional

April 20 - The vital hinge

“Deliver my soul from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog! Save me from the mouth of the lion! You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!” - Psalm 22:20-21  Scripture reading: Hebrews 9:11-14 To say my soul is to emphasize the uniqueness of this life. It is a one off, an unrepeatable, once only event. And it’s laid out in this prayer to the Lord to be saved from the sword, the dogs and the lions and the wild oxen. What a contrast – the life of this man, compared with these evil men and animals. Will He be yet another one killed by the hatred and brutality of mankind? Is what He came to do going to be wasted on the altar of greed and perversity? No way! This One is the Way, the Truth, and the Life – to use the words of John 14:6. And verse 21 ends exactly on this note, doesn’t it? True, it begins with a plea. There, for the fifth time, he cries out for rescue! But he ends up thanking the Lord. The Hebrew literally says, You have answered me! This helps to make this the vital hinge of the psalm. Here it turns from the oppression of darkness to the dispersal of joy. And that ties in with the fulfilment of these words in the New Testament. As Hebrews 5:7 says, In the days of the flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence Christ’s sacrifice was acceptable – that’s why He arose. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for the perfect sacrifice of His Son and thus His fulfilling the Father’s will. Pray that we will live the resurrected life in all we do. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 19 - Faith cries

“But you, O LORD, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!” - Psalm 22:19  Scripture reading: Psalm 22:9-18 This is where the text changes around. Verse 19 begins the way verses 3 and 9 began. While they said, Yet, and this said, But, it has the same meaning – it’s the same Hebrew word. This is a word which is a conjunction. It means, in spite of that, or, however. Now in the third and final time this word appears in Psalm 22 it is all coming to a climax. The severe afflictions of the verses 12 to 18 bring out here a series of urgent cries. And it’s clear who He’s crying to. It’s the God of the covenant – YAHWEH. This is about the special relationship God has with His people. And there’s another word David uses for the Lord here. O you my help, he calls Him. In the depth of his utter weakness, he confesses God as the idea of strength. He declares the Lord is everything he is not! That’s faith. That’s believing when I am weak, He is strong. In the words of John Calvin, As his miseries had reached the utmost height, and as he saw not even a single ray of hope to encourage him to expect deliverance, it is a wonderful instance of the power of faith, that he not only endured his afflictions patiently, but that from the abyss of despair he arose to call upon God. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that He is always there, even when we are so much in despair. Pray for His guidance and strength to sustain you through it all. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 18 - Who won what?

“...they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” - Psalm 22:18 Scripture reading: John 19:23-27 Our text contains the words directly quoted in John 19:24. You could not get words more directly fulfilling than what those Roman soldiers did, in their custom as executioners, claiming the possessions of the executed one. And in this case it was even more accurate, since, as the only thing of value was his tunic, and its value lay in being kept whole; they gambled for it using a type of ancient dice. The description about the death of this man is a specific one, since dividing up the possessions of the executed happens after the executioner’s work is done. The spoils of war come after the battle is won. But who has won what? If we think the devil has finally got his way, there is a huge disappointment coming for him and those who are his. Well might they think that they got their wicked way, but the light of day will soon show the foolishness that it is. This is all because Christ arose victorious over sin and death and the devil. In the words of a well-known hymn we sing together at this time, Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes, He arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever with his saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! Suggestions for prayer Praise God that His promises come true – which greater promise is there than His Son’s ultimate victory? Rejoice, for this is the day the Lord makes all His promises come true. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 17 - Seeing ourselves

“I can count all my bones – they stare and gloat over me…” - Psalm 22:17 Scripture reading: Isaiah 52:13-15 Someone able to count all his bones is invariably a person who is malnourished. But despite what He has been through you cannot say that our Lord would be in such a condition. There would have been a good amount of flesh and muscle tissue on Him. So how are these words foretelling us about why He would be described this way? Well, think about Christ on the cross. Look at His writhing in agony – it is the most extreme pain. And with His body being stretched out by that pain you can see all his bones. The people staring and gloating recalls the description in verses 6 to 8, but here it specifically relates to His physical suffering, and to the ghoulishness in watching someone die so cruelly. We would think that seeing someone die like this would have pulled at their heart-strings. There should have been a sense of compassion. But not here! This is the culmination of a campaign against Him, and so they delight at what they think is their victory. This is the moment that brings out the worst in human nature. But what’s especially tragic is that this is actually what our human nature is like. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that His Son died so that our nature is completely turned around. Pray that the old man is being put off while the new man is being put on – that which is created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph.4:24). Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 16 - Pierced

“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet…” - Psalm 22:16  Scripture reading: John 20:24-29 And still there is more, for if we thought that the description so far was quite graphic it becomes even more detailed now. In fact, the next three verses – the verses 16 to 18 – put the case beyond doubt altogether! Verse 16 draws again the imagery of the prey being trapped. This time it’s dogs surrounding Him. And there is no worse animal for this scene. When they are in a pack, they are evil. Any sheep in their way is a dead sheep. And that death will be the most torturous and protracted death. The words picturing hands and feet are vivid about this, because it’s the hands and the feet which are possible defences to ward off attack and to run away from attack. But here they are being pinned back Yet how prophetic isn’t this description when we know it is about Christ? Execution such as this was unknown in David’s time, and still it is clear what kind of death this will be. The gospels confirm this. Jesus inviting Thomas to put his finger in the nail hole is but one example. While we will not see the Lord’s pierced hands and feet this side of glory, may we yet be those blessed to have believed. Good Friday will become good for us because the only man truly good was God’s Son who sacrificed Himself for us. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the awe of the Roman Centurion viewing Christ’s death will be ours today. Plead that His death continues to make many more spiritually alive. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 15 - A suffering all of its own

“...my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.” - Psalm 22:15  Scripture reading: John 19:28-30 In verse 15, the suffering is illustrated even more vividly. For when your strength is dried up like a potsherd you are describing a drying process within the kiln. It is a drying process which leaves absolutely no moisture in that clay whatsoever! Perhaps you have been in a hospital awaiting surgery. Do you remember when you couldn’t have a drink before you went in? How much didn’t you long for just a drop of water then? That is a suffering all of its own. And this suffering Servant experiences it in its worst extremity. No wonder that He next says, and my tongue sticks to my jaw. Cruel as all this is, it is yet happening with the power God Himself has given the enemy. When He says next, you lay me in the dust of death, it is God to whom He’s referring. And look where He has been laid. In the dust of the earth! How much isn’t God’s Son humiliated on our behalf? Because there can be no doubt that nothing in David’s life remotely fits this description. Here he is having a vision about something far beyond what he has ever experienced – or ever will. It is so very prophetic. Suggestions for prayer Praise God for His great mercy in sending His only begotten Son for us. Confess those times you have not acknowledged this gift in word and in deed. Thank the Lord for His Word and Spirit opening our minds and hearts to this. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 14 - The only way we could die

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast...” - Psalm 22:14  Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:10-12 The dreadful state of the Servant cast into the midst of infuriated wild animals continues here. He is all alone, and nailed upon the cross. Verse 13 has confirmed this with the description of a ravening and roaring lion. Amos 3:4 tells us this roaring is what lions do when they’ve caught their prey. Then verse 14 graphically tells us what they do. The Servant’s body which is being poured out like water shows all the liquid being sapped from His body. This is the liquid which, as water and blood, is vital for survival. In the same verse we read Him tell that “all my bones are out of joint”. This means they are being stretched out in a forcible and anguishing way. And in the same verse still, there is the heart being like wax. This speaks of His burning pain, the inflammation of His wounds, and the pressure of blood on the head and the heart. These three actions are a clear description of but one type of execution – that of crucifixion. This can only be about being nailed to a cross. Suggestions for prayer Thank Jesus for His sacrifice for us. Thank Him that he took it on willingly, exactly for us. And pray that we will follow His example in making our lives sacrifices because of what He has done. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 13 - Walking right in

“Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouth at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.” - Psalm 22:12-13 Scripture reading: Matthew 21:1-11 The Triumphal Entry marks the beginning of Passion Week. This is the period where Christ’s sufferings come to a head and result in His being severely physically and psychologically punished, followed by the most cruel and cursed death upon a cross. You would not have thought of such an end when reading the account of His journey into Jerusalem, however. The future for Jesus could not have looked brighter. The Messianic expectation on the part of the Jerusalem population, inflated greatly by Jewish pilgrims from all over the known world, together with the crowd coming in with the Lord, proclaimed Him, shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” But the bullies were waiting for Him. Throughout His ministry the Pharisees and Sadducees and even Herodians had been plotting against Him. And Jesus walks right into it… Or does He? For how could He ever honestly be deceived? He who knows all things, and He who fulfils all that was prophesied of old that He would do. Even down to the type and age of the animal transporting Him – an animal no other conquering king would want to be seen upon. But let’s reflect also upon the fulfilment of our text’s prophesy. The enemy is opening his mouth wide to devour Him. And, in the words of 1 Peter 5:8, he is like a roaring lion, seeking to devour especially Him. Suggestions for prayer Lay before the Lord all His own who are worshipping Him today, and are so looking forward to remembering again His doing and dying for us. Ask Him to help us resist the evil one. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 12 - Facing the bullies

“Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me...” - Psalm 22:12 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:18-25 It is all coming a lot closer now for the suffering Servant. In fact, the enemy is already all around Him. And there’s a definite ‘pack’ mentality about them. You see, they are circling Him. Verse 12 uses the imagery of bulls. And they’re strong bulls – the bulls of Bashan. Bashan, now that’s an arrogant place! Amos 4:1 describes the people there as being quite full of themselves, because they certainly had no room for anyone else. Why would they? Their land was fertile, their crops and cattle made them rich, as Deuteronomy 32:14 testifies. And didn’t they let you know it! From their position of power they move to oppress the weak. Here are the bullies of that time – the bullies who find each other and in joining together become a mob. So, while previously the psalm has pictured, in verses 1 and 2, the suffering Servant being left alone by God, and in verse 6 to 8 undergoing intense psychological scorn, now it becomes physical. In the words of Charles Spurgeon: The mighty ones in the crowd are here marked by the tearful eye of their victim. The priests, elders, scribes, Pharisees, rulers, and captains bellowed around the cross like wild cattle, fed in the fat and solitary pastures of Bashan, full of strength and fury; they stamped and foamed around the innocent One, and longed to gore Him to death with their cruelties. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the gift of His Son who bore it all for us. Ask for a Christ-like spirit to face the bullies of today as they try to have their way. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 11 - There is always prayer

“Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help.” - Psalm 22:11  Scripture reading: Luke 22:39-46 What we hear in verse 11, with the cry to God that trouble is near and there’s no one to help, is a man in prayer. In fact, verse 11 is the loudest cry for help thus far in this psalm. Here the words are very direct for the first time. You see, we were not made to be on our own. It is when we are so alone that we particularly realize this. However, you are never actually really alone. The Lord is always with you. He never lets you down. But we let him down. We accept that Jesus had to tread the winepress alone. Yet, how much it would have hurt Him that all His disciples had deserted Him. Mark 14:50 says that they all fled. Christ had laid it all in His Father’s hands, however. He confessed in verse 10 that he was completely dependent upon Him. In God’s time He knows He will be delivered. Let’s do the same. Let’s look to Him when trouble is near and seemingly there is no one there. But let’s also do this when it seems as if you do have everything you need here! Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord that you will turn to him in prayer – real prayer. Not the quickly muttered and recited formulae, but with heartfelt and genuine words. And let’s pray for this in bad times – and good! Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 10 - True trust

“On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.” - Psalm 22:10 Scripture reading: Matthew 6:25-34 Verse 10 parallels verse 9. It is a common literary device in the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in the Psalms and Proverbs. The theme of the safe-keeping of the Lord God is replicated to bring it home to us. You cannot help but note this when reading the two verses. And how much doesn’t verse 10 wrap up the theme here with saying, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God? The Psalmist knows in whose hands he is in. Despite all that he finds himself against, he trusts in God. Bishop Hooper of Gloucester showed this same spirit. When Queen Mary, the strong Roman Catholic monarch, came to the throne after young Edward VI died, he did not flee. After being imprisoned for his faith (in September 1553), he wrote, All men and women have this life and this world appointed unto them for their winter and season of storms. The summer draweth near, and then shall we be fresh, orient, sweet, amiable, pleasant, acceptable, immortal, and blessed, forever and ever; and no man shall take it from us. We must therefore, in the meantime, learn out of this verse to say unto God, whether it be winter or summer, pleasure or pain, liberty or imprisonment, life or death, ‘Truly God is loving unto Israel, even unto such as be of a clean heart.’ Is this same spirit in you, too? Are you confessing that God is good to you and yours? Then you’re a true disciple following in the footsteps of the Master. You are truly trusting. Suggestions for prayer Pray for the spirit of the Messiah in this verse to be in you. Ask God to see more clearly His way in what can be very bleak and dismal days. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 9 - Yet!

“Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.” - Psalm 22:9  Scripture reading: Psalm 139:1-16 Yet! This is the conjunction which completely turns the text around as verse 9 begins. But how is this so? What has changed things here? There is nothing that has changed, though. He is still cut off and universally scorned. However, here something stronger comes through all this. Something similar to what verse 3 introduced. For there he responds by looking higher whereas, here in our text he looks deeper. Having set his mind on God’s glory and fame in verses 3 to 5, David now focuses on God’s personal, life-long care of him. This is about the Father’s compassionate love. Here Charles Spurgeon notes: Our birth was our weakest and most perilous period of existence; if we were then secured by Omnipotent tenderness, surely we have no reason to suspect that divine goodness will fail us now? He who was our God when we left our mother, will be with us when we return to mother earth, and will keep us from perishing in the belly of hell. Exactly when you think this man would be full of doubt, he looks a different way. Instead of looking at those around him, he looks within. He realizes how he got to where he currently is. Imagine: If you and I know God’s care for us how much more wouldn’t the Saviour realize His Father’s love for Him in all circumstances? Suggestions for Prayer Thank God the Father for His love for us – His chosen and precious children – and, especially, His love for His Son. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 8 - Words do hurt

“All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”” - Psalm 22:7-8 Scripture reading: Matthew 4:1-11 Christ will be disdained in the most despicable way. Matthew 27 showed that through five different derisions, he suffered. All the people were unanimous in their mocking laughter – priests and people, Jews and Gentiles, soldiers and civilians – and all at the moment he was completely helpless and about to die. Perhaps you’re familiar with that childhood retort: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” But they do, don’t they? How many times don’t abusive messages on a cell phone, taunting on the playground, or nasty remarks on social media, become factors in teenagers committing suicide? So, what could hurt the true man of God more than his God being scorned before him? Moreover, that’s what unbelievers do, because they argue from the erroneous idea that God is here to do just what they want him to do. Have they seen nothing? Don’t they realize we could never treat God as just a button we push? Well, yes, they do. But now they’re trying to push our buttons. They do the devil’s deed. Indeed, wasn’t it Satan who tempted Jesus in Matthew 4 this way – three times? And in Matthew 27:40 his henchmen cry out to the Lord, “Come down from the cross!” Let’s answer them the right way. Let’s say with our Lord, “It is written.” Suggestions for prayer Pray for God’s wisdom and power to stand up against Satan. And pray for the correct words to say to unbelievers who are trying to push our buttons. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 7 - This pains because be belongs

“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.” - Psalm 22:6  Scripture reading: Luke 23:13-25 We come here to another extreme punishment which Christ alone went through. We know it could not apply to David, because here the sufferer moves from being completely isolated to being totally hated. It is not now about what God doesn’t do, because He has hidden His mercy, but what man does to God. It is vividly clear with the way verse 6 begins, for what could more graphically describe someone so badly treated by others than the word “worm”? A worm – the weakest of creatures is an animal as low as you could get, the one who is so often crushed, and is definitely helpless, powerless and unnoticed. This organism shows what you mean when you say, “I’ve never felt so low!” And when a worm is crushed, what can it do? This is some comedown for the One who is the great “I AM”, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, the King over all kings. Here He is the lowest of the low! By adding that He is “not a man”, it really brings it home what Jesus will be suffering. Even the common acts of humanity are denied Him. For us, He will be absolutely hated – completely cut off from the society of men. Isaiah 49:7 declares He would be despised and abhorred by the nation, and in Isaiah 52:14, He’s described as being marred beyond human likeness. Suggestions for prayer Confess your part in alienating the Messiah, cutting him off from mankind. Thank Him that He went this far for us. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 6 - Where the past comes in

“In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.” - Psalm 22:4-5  Scripture reading: Hebrews 1:1-4 Notice how many times the word “trust” appears in the text. Three times! And then notice how this word is used. It is tied in with being saved. In verse 4 the result of trusting is being delivered. So trust and deliverance are juxtaposed as cause and effect. Trusting looks to being saved. Then in verse 5 it has a different sense. There trusting and being rescued, or being “not put to shame”, are in a reciprocal relationship; they go together. It’s this second sense which further confirms how Messianic this psalm is. With Christ being man and God, His human side was thoroughly Israelite, while the God of Israel is also the God of salvation. So He pleads upon the promises He Himself has given to His people. They are the promises which, throughout the Church’s history, Christ has kept. And so our text tells us we must plead this way with God. We remind the Lord of the love He’s shown to His own in the past. We beg Him to remain constant. Let’s also have this very much upon our hearts as we worship together today. We aren’t isolated pockets of people, but are part of the greatest movement throughout the ages. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for this day He gives us – the Lord’s Day. Praise Him that we are part of those heading to eternity with Him. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 5 - He looks up

“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” - Psalm 22:3  Scripture reading: Revelation 4:1-11 Verse 3 shows this sufferer’s changed perspective. Now he doesn’t plead for mercy to God. Instead, he acknowledges who God is! There is no desperate cry here. The alienation is set aside. Naturally you would think he would appeal to the compassion of God. Isn’t that what we see elsewhere in the psalms and throughout Scripture? Psalm 103:13-14 is but one example amongst many. Yet, it’s the highest ground of all that David reaches for here – the holiness of God. This is his next prayerful appeal. Can he do this, though? Doesn’t the theme of God as “holy” really bring out the biggest difference there could be between himself and God? Does it? Look again. For in the same line as “holy” there is also the name “Israel”. He who is the holy God is also the God who made a covenant with His chosen people. It would be impossible for an Israelite to think of God’s holiness without also considering that covenant relationship. In Leviticus 19:1 the Lord tells His people through Moses, “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” And how much isn’t this vividly shown with the picture from heaven in our reading? I mean, how else would you know God thus? And how else would you even think to live this way? Suggestions for prayer Confess those times you have thought and said and did what was against what you should be in Christ. Praise the Lord that he forgives you and renews you. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 4 - A type of grief

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.” - Psalm 22:1-2  Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:1-3 The image of the child pleading for his parent continues here in verse 2. And not the nagging speech of a naughty child either! For here is a child who is quite lost. In the words of Derek Kidner, It is not a lapse of faith, nor a broken relationship, but a cry of disorientation as God’s familiar, protective presence is withdrawn. This is a pleading from the heart. We can equate what’s pictured here in verses 1 and 2 with a type of grief. There is tremendous sadness, a loss reaching to the very depths of his soul. However, this is no grief of the world. Indeed, this is not a sorrow without hope. In fact, after this world would have given up any thought of rescue ages ago, this man is still looking up. Right when it couldn’t get any deeper, he actually reaches for the highest rock of all! That’s faith. Moreover, in no one else is it more perfectly shown than in God’s Son – the Messiah Himself? David could only ever be a mere shadow of the substance. Suggestions for prayer Pray, confessing that it was your sin that meant God’s Son had to undergo this worst of all grief. Thank our dear Saviour that he did all this looking up perfectly to the Father. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 3 - Why?

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.” - Psalm 22:1-2  Scripture reading: Matthew 27:45-54 The word “why” is so compelling here. For here is no sigh of impatience and despair but instead it is a cry of alienation and yearning. The person saying this – the sufferer – feels himself utterly rejected by God. This is not the “why” of a sinful questioning of one whose heart rebels against this humbling, but rather the cry of the lost child who cannot understand why his father has left him. And he so desperately longs to see his father’s face again. He has lost God’s loving presence and thus he is undergoing divine wrath. Nevertheless, he’s not letting go! He calls out twice “My God” – three times when you add verse 2. He doesn’t think for a moment, ‘This is it’, for right behind the dark cloud he knows there’s the sunshine of God’s love. We realize that the imagery of “day” and “night” in verse 2 alludes to the literal day and night Jesus faced on the cross. This is what we read in Matthew 27:45, just before Jesus uttered the words of verse 1. While his situation is dark, the light couldn’t be brighter. Suggestions for prayer Thank God this being separated from His love is only what His Son could bear – and He did! Pray that we will trust in God, especially in our darkest moments. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 2 - The psalm of the cross

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Psalm 22:1a Scripture reading: Psalm 22:1-8 These are words we all know. And we especially know them because they became the words our Lord and Saviour cried out when he hung upon the cursed cross as the ultimate sacrifice for all of our sins. We may well wonder how David’s experience could come anywhere near to being what Christ suffered for us. But here we must understand the hint of the substance that was to come in Christ and which so much drenches the Hebrew Scriptures. And how much don’t we see this the further on we read through this psalm? It is as Peter says in Acts 2:30-31, that, as a prophet, David saw what was ahead and so spoke of the Christ. Charles Spurgeon in his inimitable way says of this psalm, It is the photograph of our Lord’s saddest hours, the record of his dying words, the sadness of his last tears, the memorial of his expiring joys. David and his afflictions may be here in a very modified sense, but, as the star is concealed by the light of the sun, he who sees Jesus will neither see nor care to see David. Before us we have a description both of the darkness and of the glory of the cross, the sufferings of Christ and the glory which shall follow. Oh for the grace to draw near and see this great sight! Suggestions for prayer Pray for the grace to draw near and see this great sight; pray that many would come to see He who is the Light. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

April 1 - Introduction to the prophecies of the Messiah

The Old Testament is full of prophecies regarding the coming Messiah – the greater Son of David. Isaiah has often been called ‘The Gospel According to Isaiah’ as it is so detailed in describing the birth, ministry, suffering, death and victory of God’s Son – the Servant King. In the New Testament we see many references from the Psalms, to God’s promise working itself out in His coming to live amongst us. Psalm 22 stands out amongst these songs as particularly foretelling what Jesus Christ would experience in His suffering and death. Hence, journeying through its verses will provide much encouraging reflection in this time of Lent, as we look forward to remembering the passion of Christ and His victory over sin and death and the devil. It is no surprise that Psalm 22 has become known as ‘The Psalm of the Cross.’ May you not only be humbled in seeing what He suffered for you but also appreciate the great comfort this good news brings to a world so full of bad news. Reading the whole Psalm Psalm 22:1-31 - To the choirmaster: according to the doe of the dawn. A Psalm of David Scripture reading: 1 Chronicles 23:1-6 An elder was once reproached following a worship service where he had read a psalm. The man admonishing him was quite clear: “You didn’t read the whole psalm!” He replied he was sure he had read all the verses in the psalm. Then the man said, “But you didn’t read the title of the psalm. You know that’s a part of the psalm also, don’t you?” He was right. The titles given at the beginning of many of the psalms are a part of what was originally written. In the Hebrew Scriptures these titles count as the first verse of those psalms. You will find an extra verse in many psalms, because their numbering begins with the title. It is the title that can give us an insight into the subject of that psalm. But let’s also note it tells us how it’s sung. It is to be sung by a choir. In preparing the way for temple worship taking over from what God’s people had had in tabernacle worship, David set aside specific families within the Levitical priesthood to be singers. These are words especially for them as they led that ancient worship. Next it is given a tune to sing by – according to the doe of the dawn. These singers knew the tunes, and now they had the words to sing to that tune! Finally, consider King David himself – used by the Lord to reinvigorate His people’s worship of Himself through the institution of Temple worship. How inspired wasn’t he as the Lord wrote these words through him? Suggestions for prayer Praise God for faithful congregations joyfully singing God’s Word. Pray that where there is no wholehearted looking to the Lord, His Spirit will bring it about through His Word. Rev. Sjirk Bajema currently serves the RCNZ Oamaru, in Oamaru, New Zealand. Over the past thirty-eight years Rev. Bajema has been privileged to minister with four congregations in Australia and New Zealand. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 31 - The Father of lights who does not change

“…the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” - James 1:17 Scripture reading: Psalm 100:1-5 James calls God, the Father of lights. He created the sun and the moon and the stars, and put them all in their places, so that they would shine on us. In a very real way, we can say, when we see the glory of the sunshine and we feel its warmth, and we see how it brings the world to life, when we stand in awe of the beauty of the stars in the heavens, we’re seeing and feeling the goodness of God. In our perception, those heavenly lights seem to change. We say that the sun comes up and the sun goes down. The moon and stars shine in the night sky, but they disappear in the daytime. Sometimes clouds hide the sun and the moon; in an eclipse, the sun’s light is darkened in the middle of the day. But the truth is that those heavenly lights are always shining, whether we can see them or not. James says that’s how it is with God. Sometimes you see the light of God’s goodness so clearly. But when you lose a loved one, or feel alone, or trouble hangs like a dark shadow over your life, you don’t feel the warmth of His love. But God is the Father of lights. Just like the sun and the moon and the stars still shine behind the clouds, on the other side of the world, the goodness of God always shines on us, without variation or shadow due to change. Suggestions for prayer Confess to the Lord that sometimes you have a hard time seeing His goodness and ask Him to help you believe that His love for you is unchanging. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 30 - We have thought on your steadfast love

“Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.” - Psalm 48:12-14  Scripture reading: Psalm 78:1-8 “Walk about Zion, go around her.” The psalmist asks that when you look at the church of Jesus Christ, do you see the glory and the strength of Zion? “Number her towers, consider well (or set your hearts on) her ramparts, go through her citadels.” Pay careful attention to where he goes with this. He’s not leading us on a tour of the literal city of Jerusalem, to show us how thick the walls are and how high the ramparts are. He points to the real defence, the real strength of Zion: “that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever.” This is the miracle of worship, of the ministry of Jesus Christ through His church: God is here, in His Word and Spirit, to save us, to sanctify us, to lead us in the way of salvation. We want our children and grandchildren to know God, to serve Him and worship Him. The Holy Spirit says this is how you lead the next generations in the way of faith: let them see the delight in your eyes, and hear the awe in your voice when you worship God. Testify to them in your homes about His goodness and grace and wisdom. Point to God and tell them, “Look at our God, children! Trust in Him, worship Him, serve Him.” Stay close to Him, because “He is our guide forever!” He will lead you in the way of life. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to lead your children and grandchildren, by your words and by your example, to trust, worship and obey Him. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 29 - God is good

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” - James 1:17 Scripture reading: Psalm 73:1-28 James literally says in verse 16, stop being deceived, my beloved brothers. In other words, these suffering Christians had already begun to doubt God’s goodness and wisdom. Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “Feed your faith, and your doubts will starve.” That’s good advice. The way to feed your faith is to take a long, hard look at God, as He shows Himself to you in the creation, in His Word, in Jesus Christ. James is saying in verse 17, Let’s look at God. Let’s think about who He is and how He deals with us. We believe that God is good. That’s at the very heart of everything that we believe about Him. But God’s goodness is greater and deeper than we imagine. It’s not as simple as, God is good, so He would never let His children suffer. God’s goodness includes loving discipline. Solomon says in Proverbs 3:11-12, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, or be weary of His reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Hebrews 12:8 adds, “If you are left without discipline, then you are illegitimate children, and not sons.” God’s record shows that His goodness is beyond all doubt. James tells us not to let our suffering raise doubts about His goodness. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to recognize and to trust in His goodness, so that you can submit to His discipline, knowing that He disciplines you because He loves you. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 28 - Lured and enticed to our death

“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” - James 1:15 Scripture reading: 1 John 2:15-25 James uses fishing as a way to teach us how temptation works. A fisherman uses a sharp hook with a barbed point to catch fish and once a fish is on the hook, it can’t get loose. But fishermen don’t just put a bare hook in the water and hope a fish will come along and swallow it. They put something on the hook that the fish like in order to attract the fish, and to hide the deadly hook. Then the fish come along, and eagerly swallow the very thing that’s going to kill them. James says sin is like the fisherman’s hook: it’s an instrument of death. Paul says in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death. Sin brings about brokenness and sorrow in our relationships, and makes us feel ashamed and guilty. Those are not the accidental byproducts of temptation and sin. It’s what our spiritual enemies intend. When Satan tempted Eve to disobey God, he deceived her, and his intention was that she would die. He is a liar and a murderer. Our enemies disguise the deadly hook with things that promise to give us what we want: power, pleasure, freedom or wealth. Those are “the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (I Peter 2:11) designed to get us to swallow the very thing that will lead to our death. Your spiritual enemies are liars and murderers; they use your own desires to lure you to your death. Suggestions for prayer Confess to the Lord that sin is often attractive to you; ask Him to help you see its true nature and turn away from it with all your heart. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 27 - Be watchful

“Desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” - James 1:15  Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11 James talks about desire and temptation as if they were a man and a woman. Temptation comes along, it meets your desire and when they get together, desire conceives a child, called sin. This is where our selfish and hateful words and actions come from. When God warned Cain in Genesis 4:7, He spoke about sin as if it were a predator: “If you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you (or, for you).” Again and again, when it comes to dealing with temptation and sin, Jesus and His apostles repeatedly warn us to be watchful (e.g. Matthew 26:41, I Corinthians 16:13, Galatians 6:1, I Peter 5:8). That means that God gives us the responsibility for the choices we make. When your desire meets temptation and you give in, your desire conceives sin. What you do is what you chose to do. No one else, not even the devil, can “make you” sin. For all his power and his influence, he can’t make you do anything. It’s true, as we also confess in Lord’s Day 52, that “in ourselves we are so weak that we cannot stand even for a moment.” But God doesn’t leave us to face temptation on our own: “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (I Corinthians 10:13). Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to recognize that sin seeks to destroy you and to turn to Him in times of temptation so that you may remain faithful. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 26 - Tempted in our suffering

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” - James 1:14  Scripture reading: Hebrews 4:14-5:10 Usually, when we think about temptation, we think of the temptation to do immoral things, to commit sexual sin, to steal something we want, or to cheat on a test or on our taxes. But we also face temptations when we suffer, when God doesn’t give us what we want. It’s not wrong to want our sick child to be healed, or to want our broken marriage or friendship to be restored, or to want relief from the heavy burdens that we carry. Many of the psalms are prayers for that kind of relief. But when those normal and good desires become demands, our desires are luring and enticing us, and leading us into sin. The temptation that we face when we’re suffering is discontentment, which is really unbelief. We then won’t accept God’s sovereignty in our lives, and that He really is allowed to do whatever He wants with us. It’s not enough for us that God promises that all things work together for good for those who love Him and that He will glorify Himself in our struggles. When you are tempted by discontentment, remember that you have a High Priest who stands at the right hand of God, to pray for you, a High Priest “who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16). Suggestions for prayer Thank God for the gracious ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ on your behalf, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you believe that He has been tempted in every way as you have been, so that He can sympathize with your weaknesses. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 25 - Lured and enticed by our own desires

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” - James 1:14 Scripture reading: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Lord’s Day 52 of the Heidelberg Catechism teaches us that we have three sworn spiritual enemies – the devil, the world and our own flesh – and that they never stop attacking us. James doesn’t say anything here about the devil, or the world. He focuses on the attacks that we experience from within ourselves, from our own flesh. He says that’s where temptation comes from: “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.” It’s critical for us to believe what James tells us, that our own desires are at work to lead us to destruction. Whenever you meet trials, and you find yourself thinking that you have good reason to be angry at God or to pull away from the church, to close your Bible and to give up on prayer because you’re so disappointed by what God is allowing to happen to you, remember: that’s exactly what your enemy wants you to do, because it serves his purpose. Our natural reaction to disappointments and setbacks is anger, stress and fear. We just want our problems to go away and our lives to go the way we thought they would. James says that reaction is natural, but dangerous: your own flesh will use your desires to rob you of your contentment and your faith in God’s promises. “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Suggestions for prayer Acknowledge to God the sinful desires that live in your heart, and ask Him to recognize what your spiritual enemies are up to when they attack you. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 24 - Temptations make us exercise our faith

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one.” - James 1:13 Scripture reading: I Corinthians 10:1-22 When we meet trials, we have lots of questions. For a believer, the hardest questions are about God and why God would want us to go through hard times. We know that God is involved. We know that our struggles don’t come to us by chance, but from His hand. But James says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one.” Our trials bring us both tests and temptations. God tests our faith, but He doesn’t send the temptations. God is good and holy. God can’t be tempted by evil, and He never tempts anyone. He has promised and He has confirmed in Christ that He seeks your salvation. God works to bring us to spiritual maturity. The pressure to turn away from Him, the inclination to give up on Him, certainly doesn’t come from God. He would never lead you into sin. But He does allow you to be tempted. Martin Luther said, “My temptations have been my masters of divinity.” It sounds strange until you hear his explanation: “Where faith is not continually kept in motion and exercised, it weakens and decreases, so that it must indeed vanish; and yet we do not see nor feel this weakness ourselves, except in times of need and temptation, when unbelief rages too strongly; and yet for that very reason, faith must have temptations in which it may battle and grow.” Suggestions for prayer Thank God that He would never tempt you to sin and ask Him to help you to exercise your faith when you are being tempted. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 23 - We have thought on your steadfast love

“We have thought on Your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Your temple.” - Psalm 48:9 Scripture reading: Psalm 103:1-8 The writer of Psalm 48 says that the survival of the church depends on what she hears, and what she thinks about in worship, worship that will ensure that the church will survive and flourish in faithfulness. It has to be all about God, as we know Him in Christ. He says, “We have thought on Your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Your temple.” When we talk about God, there are lots of things that we can speak and sing about. God is holy and sovereign, almighty and perfectly wise. But this is the heartbeat and the great theme of the gospel. And it’s not that we say, God is holy, but He also loves us; God is sovereign, but He loves us. In worship, we marvel and rejoice that God has chosen to reveal His holiness and sovereignty, wisdom and power in this remarkable, amazing way: by loving us with His steadfast, covenant, saving love. Paul says in Ephesians 3 that this is why God sent Jesus Christ to die, and gather Jews and Gentiles to build them into a dwelling place for Him: it is so that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Today, when you listen to God’s Word, sing your songs of praise and bring your gifts, think of His steadfast love. He will be pleased, and you will be built up in faith. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you by His Spirit to dwell on His steadfast love, that you may worship Him today in true thankfulness and joy. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 22 - Trials and temptations

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”” - James 1:13a Scripture reading: Ephesians 6:10-20 James said that God uses trials to test and purify our faith. But what about when people seem to lose their faith because of hard things that happen to them? How do we explain that? In our minds, trials and temptations are very different: trials purify your faith; temptations make you question God’s promises. Trials bring you close to God; temptations turn you away from Him. Trials and temptations have opposite aims and opposite effects. But in Greek, James uses the same word for both trials and temptations. That tells us something that we need to realize about suffering and prosperity too. In both of these experiences and in both of these circumstances, we’re facing both trials and temptations. In the same events, God is testing our faith, to make us put all of our trust in Jesus Christ, and we’re being tempted; an effort is being made to undermine our confidence in Jesus Christ. In other words, there’s a spiritual battle going on in our lives, which is played out in every experience and every circumstance. As Western Christians, we don’t always understand that, and that leaves us vulnerable. Peter alerts us to the danger: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). Don’t underestimate the viciousness or deceitfulness of your spiritual enemies, but don’t overestimate their power either: James promises that if you “resist the devil … he will flee from you” (James 4:7b). Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to remember the spiritual battle that is always going on in your life and to give you strength to resist the devil. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 21 - Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth

“Like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” - James 1:10b-11 Scripture reading: Matthew 6:19-34 Wealth can be very deceptive. Because in this world, money is the measure of success and importance, and the key to security. Money is a key that opens many doors. And it can make you forget that you’re mortal. You’re going to die one day. We all tend to forget that, especially when we’re wealthy. Because everything seems to be within our reach, and so much seems to be under our control. But that’s an illusion. Jesus warns us in Luke 12, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” James says, “You will pass away like a flower of the grass. The sun rises with its scorching heat, and withers the grass. Its flower falls, and its beauty perishes.” Everything that is alive today will one day be dead. It’s going to happen to us, too. How it will happen to each one of us, we don’t know. But it will, maybe because of sickness or old age or an accident. But, like a flower of the grass, even the rich man, who seemed so powerful and secure, will fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Jesus encourages us not to lay up treasures on earth, but to, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20). Suggestions for prayer Confess to the Lord that your heart is naturally inclined to put your trust in wealth and possessions, and ask Him to help you lay up treasures in heaven. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 20 - We live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord

“Let the … rich (boast) in his humiliation” - James 1:10a Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-20 We need food and a lot more besides that, to live. But when the Heidelberg Catechism is explaining why Christ taught us to ask God for our daily bread, it doesn’t say that it’s about physical survival, or even about having strength to do our work. Answer 125 says that Jesus taught us to ask God for our daily bread so that we learn to confess that He is the only fountain of all good. When God gives us material gifts, His purpose is to teach us to trust Him and to be thankful. In Deuteronomy 8, Moses explained to Israel why the LORD had let them hunger and then fed them with miraculous manna in the wilderness. He says, He was “testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna … that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 8:2b-3). Moses says the LORD used food and drink to discipline you the way a father disciplines his son. Discipline here means to train, to instruct, and this is God’s greatest purpose in giving us wealth: to teach us that we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. If we don’t learn that critical lesson, God’s good gifts can’t do us any good. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to learn the lesson that He wants to teach you in the material gifts He gives you, that you would learn that you live by every word that comes from His mouth. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 19 - Thankfulness in poverty and in riches

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation.” - James 1:9-10a  Scripture reading: Proverbs 30:1-9 By nature, when we’re poor, we tend to feel jealous of the rich. Jealousy is one of the most spiritually destructive things with which we have to struggle. By nature, when we’re rich, we tend to feel proud. We worked hard; we made the smart choices, and those poor people would be rich too, if they worked as hard or were as smart as we are. Pride is also one of the most spiritually destructive things with which we have to struggle. But the fact that those differences exist isn’t somehow wrong or sinful in itself. In His providence, God allows these kinds of differences; He even creates them. He says in Isaiah 45, “I bring prosperity and I create disaster.” So the differences in our circumstances are not the problem. The problem is that our flesh wants to take advantage of what God is doing or not doing in our lives to stir up feelings of jealousy and discontent, or to make us feel proud, to harden our hearts to the needs and the struggles of our brothers and sisters. If God hasn’t given you the things He’s given others, you have no reason to be jealous of anyone: you are God’s heirs, fellow heirs with Christ. And if God has given you things He hasn’t given to others, you have no reason to boast as if you earned them: they are God’s gifts to you. Rich or poor, we have every reason to be thankful and to be humble. Suggestions for prayer Confess to the Lord that you struggle with jealousy when others seem to have a better life than you do, and with pride when you compare yourself with those who haven’t received what you have, and ask Him to help you to be thankful and humbled because of His goodness towards you. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 18 - Lowly believers boast in their exaltation

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation.” - James 1:9  Scripture reading: Philippians 4:4-13 Some people suggest the lowly people James talks about are believers and the rich are unbelievers. That would have been very hard for his readers to understand and to accept: that God would let His people suffer and let their enemies prosper. But it doesn’t seem very likely that James would tell rich unbelievers to boast about their humiliation. He’s probably talking about differences that existed among the believers. Remember that some of these church members were refugees from Jerusalem, who may have come there with little more than the clothes on their backs, while other members had their homes, their jobs and their businesses. So there would have been poor members and rich members in the same congregation. That’s actually how things usually are. God deals differently with each one of us. Some are wealthy and others are not. Some are healthy and others experience a lot of sickness. Some people seem to have an easy time of things, and other people seem to have a lot of trouble of one kind or another. That presents a challenge to our contentment, to our joy and even to our faith. We naturally struggle with feelings of jealousy and discontent. But James urges us to see things from a different perspective: to remember that God also uses this trial to test our faith, leading us to spiritual maturity, and instead of becoming bitter, to rejoice in the high position we have, as the beloved children of God. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you learn the secret of being content in any and every circumstance, trusting that you can do all things through Him. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 17 - Faith is single-minded in its desire for Christ

“The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” - James 1:6b-8 Scripture reading: James 1:5-8 When James says let him ask in faith, he means, let him ask for what faith expects from Jesus Christ. Faith wants more from Jesus Christ than just having our problems solved. We want salvation; we want to be changed, to be transformed. This is what it means to ask “in faith, with no doubt.” We have to be single-minded in our desire to have all of Christ and nothing else. We’re allowed to ask God to take away our suffering. Jesus Himself asked His Father to let the cup of suffering pass from Him -- but only if it was His Father’s will. What He wanted above all else was that His Father would do whatever He needed to do to accomplish His purpose. “He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” If we say, “I want Christ, but what I want most of all is for You to solve my problems and make my life go the way I want it to,” we shouldn’t imagine that we will receive anything from the Lord. But when you ask in faith, when all your desire is to have all of Christ and His salvation, you may be sure of this: God gives generously to all, without reproach. God will give you the wisdom that you need to count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you by His Holy Spirit, so that you want Christ and His salvation more than you want your problems to be solved. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 16 - The city of God is beautiful

“… the city of our God, which God will establish forever.” - Psalm 48:8  Scripture reading: Psalm 48:4-8; Matthew 16:13-20 We don’t know the exact historical background of Psalm 48, but it might have been written after the LORD destroyed the Assyrian army and delivered Jerusalem (see Isaiah 36-37). But the point is that “God has made Himself known as a fortress” in Jerusalem, and establishes His city forever because it was the seat of His kingdom and the place where the ministry of salvation took place in the temple. That’s why He sent His angel to put 185,000 Assyrian soldiers to death. The Assyrians’ hatred for Jerusalem was provoked by the spiritual revival under King Hezekiah. The hatred of God’s enemies is provoked when the church proclaims the gospel, and sinners find life in the kingdom of God. The events of Isaiah 37 have been replayed again and again throughout history. But Jesus has promised in Matthew 16, “I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” And Jesus has been faithful: the church still stands and the gospel of Jesus Christ is still being proclaimed. God promised that the church is established forever, and “as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God.” Give thanks to Jesus Christ that He has seen to it that you can gather with His congregation today to hear the message of salvation and to rejoice that you “are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19-22). Suggestions for prayer Thank God that Jesus Christ continues to gather, defend and preserve His congregation, and that He has given you the indescribable privilege of belonging to His people. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 15 - Ask with no doubting

“Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” - James 1:6 Scripture reading: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Some people claim that James is saying that we can ask God for anything, and as long as we believe that He can do it, and that He will do it, God will give it to us. If you’re sick and you ask God to heal you, and your faith is strong enough, then He will heal you. God doesn’t want you to suffer, and He’s so great that He can heal us; He can solve any problem that we might have. If you ask God for help and then you say, “Your will be done,” that just means that your faith isn’t strong enough. Those people assume that when you’re sick, or you’re struggling in some other way, the best thing that God could do for you would be to make you better and solve all your problems. But God can use our suffering to purify our faith (James 1:3-4), so that “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (II Corinthians 4:18). In 1 Peter 1, the apostle says that God can use our suffering to help us to find all of our comfort in belonging to Jesus Christ. He can use our suffering to sanctify us; He can use our suffering to humble us so that we repent of our sin and look for salvation in Christ alone. We couldn’t ask for more than that. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to make your requests in faith, with a single-minded desire for His saving purpose to be accomplished in your life. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 14 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… - James 1:5a  Scripture reading: Psalm 111:1-10 Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” The fear of the LORD is, knowing and confessing the truth about the LORD, and applying it to your life and your experiences. Psalm 111 talks about how God’s children love to read and hear and sing about what God has done. That’s how you get to know God’s faithfulness and perfect wisdom, steadfast love and absolute goodness. That’s how God is magnified; His greatness fills the whole scope of our vision. And that changes our experience. Because then we know when we have an accident, or we get that hard diagnosis, and even when someone sins against us, we don’t have to be anxious or worried about what the future’s going to be like. Because God has promised us in His Word and confirmed it in Christ that all things work together for our salvation. The burden of guilt and fear is lifted from our shoulders: “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?” (Romans 8:33-34a). This is the struggle of faith, to take what God has promised us, shown us in Christ to our situation and to our experiences, to set what we know about God over our questions. Ask God, by His Spirit, to teach you the fear of the LORD, because the fear of the LORD – knowing and confessing the truth about the LORD – is the beginning of wisdom. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you take what you know about Him, and about His purpose in your life, and apply that to the hard questions and situations that you struggle with. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 13 - We know God from his word and in Christ

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith… - James 1:5-6a Scripture reading: John 14:1-11 One of the hardest things for us to accept is the sovereignty of God over our lives. We confess it, especially when we talk about how God saves sinners. But when it comes to the way God directs the path of our lives, we’re not always ready to acknowledge and submit ourselves to His freedom to do whatever He pleases, and whatever He decides we need. But this belongs to the wisdom we need to count it all joy when we meet various trials. He’s God and we’re not. He’s not going to answer all our questions, or justify what He does in our lives. That’s hard for us, but the truth is that we don’t need to know why God is doing this to us and not to someone else. We don’t need to know what God is going to do in the future, or what the future is going to be like in order to be content. This is because we know God. The Bible is the record that shows us who He is and how He works, and what He’s like. Jesus says, “If you know Me, you know My Father. If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen My Father” (John 14:7,9). It’s clear from God’s Word and in Jesus Christ that He loves us, and He’s committed to our salvation. Focusing on what God has revealed to us in Jesus Christ will give us the wisdom we need to count it all joy when we meet various trials. Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord that you can be sure that you know Him as He is, because He has shown Himself to you in Jesus Christ. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 12 - Asking God in faith

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith…” - James 1:5-6a Scripture reading: Isaiah 40:27-31 When we’re going through trials, we want to know, “Why? Why me and not them?” We think about sins we’ve committed and we start to wonder, “Is that why God is letting this happen to me – is He punishing me for what I did?” There are all kinds of hardships that we face as believers. Sometimes the future looks very dark, and there’s no reason to think that things are ever going to get better. It’s intimidating to realize that this is how your life is going to go, and there’s nothing you can do to change it. We want God to explain why bad things happen to us and not someone else. We want God to tell us what He’s going to do in our lives tomorrow, and how everything’s going to turn out. We want Him to promise us that He’s going to make our problems go away. But He doesn’t do that. We feel like there are things that we need to know, in order to have any kind of peace. We feel like we can’t find comfort or joy in Jesus Christ unless God answers our questions, and guarantees that our problems are going to go away. But faith believes what God promises us in His Word. In order for the testing of our faith to produce steadfastness, we have to stop insisting that we need to know what God doesn’t tell us, and focus instead on what He has told us. Suggestions for prayer Confess that it’s hard for you to trust Him when you don’t understand what He’s doing in your life, or in the lives of people you love, and ask Him to help you believe His promises. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 11 - Ask God for wisdom

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” - James 1:5  Scripture reading: Ephesians 1:15-23 It’s one thing for James to tell us to count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds, but it doesn’t seem very realistic, does it? There are things that happen to people that cast dark shadows over their whole lives and their relationships. Some people have to endure awful sicknesses and pain; some live with the torment of mental illness. Others suffer because of war, or bitter conflict in their marriages or families. The pain of abuse, or injustice or betrayal, is just too great. We’d like to put some of those really hard situations in front of James and say to him, “Tell me how that person, in that situation, could ever count it all joy to be where they are, to go through what they have to go through?” It seems to us that some things that people have to go through are just too hard. James wouldn’t be surprised that we have questions about what he said. He knows that when we try to understand, and accept what’s happening to us on the basis of what we see, we’ll never be able to find any joy in our trials. When he tells us to ask God for wisdom, he isn’t promising that God will explain why you have to suffer as you do. He’s promising that God will give you the wisdom you need to trust Him on the basis of His promises, and of His track record of faithfulness and wisdom. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you the wisdom which is born of faith, so that you can endure whatever trials He sends you. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 10 - Do you need wisdom?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.” - James 1:5a Scripture reading: James 1:5-8 It might seem as if James has changed subjects all of a sudden. He was talking about trials and without explanation, he started talking about asking for wisdom. But when James says that we’re supposed to count it all joy whenever we meet trials of various kinds, we have to admit that we’re not sure that’s realistic. It seems to us that there are certain things that happen to people that make joy impossible. The pain of the abuse or injustice or betrayal they’ve experienced is just too great. That’s why James starts talking about wisdom here. Because if we’re going to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, so that the testing of our faith produces patience, we need wisdom. That means, we need to know and confess the truth about our trials. We need to understand them the right way, so that we deal with them the right way. That’s the wisdom that James is talking about. And that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). To put it very simply, when we meet trials, we need to remember who God is. That’s what it means to live by faith. It means that we consciously live our lives coram Deo, before the face of God. This is the wisdom that we need to ask God to give us: the wisdom of living our lives in the light of God’s Word, God’s promises, God’s character and God’s purposes. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you live in the awareness that you live before His face, to fear Him and walk in the light of His Word. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com. ...

Daily devotional

March 9 - The city of God is beautiful

“Within her citadels God has made Himself known as a fortress.” - Psalm 48:3 Scripture reading: Psalm 48:1-3 We confess (in Article 29 of the Belgic Confession) that if you want to be sure that you are in a church where Christ is present and at work, there are three things that you have to look for. First, you have to look for the pure preaching of the gospel. Is the gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins preached in Jesus’ Name? Second, you have to look for the pure administration of the sacraments because the sacraments preach the gospel in pictures, in signs and symbols; and faithfulness in the administration of the sacraments means faithfulness is communicating the gospel. Finally, you have to look for the faithful exercise of church discipline in punishing sin because when the kingdom of God is proclaimed, we are called to repent of our sin, and lead a godly life. If the gospel is faithfully proclaimed, you know that Christ is living and working in the ministry of the church, and you will be saved through that ministry. This isn’t just about what it says in our confession. When you see those three “marks”, you know that you’ll be safe. You can be sure that you’ll find the salvation message there. Thank God for the faithful, saving ministry of Jesus Christ that you receive, as you hear the gospel, as you receive the sacraments, and as you live under the sanctifying work of Christ in your church. That ministry is what makes your congregation beautiful and glorious. Suggestions for prayer Thank God that you may hear the faithful proclamation of the gospel, and live under the saving ministry of Christ. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 8 - Who wants to be perfect

“…that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” - James 1:4 Scripture reading: Colossians 1:24-29 I don’t know how much we really think about becoming perfect. I don’t know how important it is for us, that our faith would become mature, perfect. But maybe that’s why we tend to respond to the bad things that happen to us in the same way that an unbeliever would. Maybe that’s why we have a hard time really believing that God uses bad things to produce something good, and why we find ourselves becoming discouraged and angry and bitter because of the things that have happened to us. Because growing in our faith isn’t as important to us as having the life we want,or as having things go the way we thought they would, the way we had planned. It's okay, in fact, it’s right and good to cry out to the Lord in our suffering, and God in His Word encourages us to ask Him for relief. Faith prays. Faith means looking to God for all that we need. That’s Jesus’ point in the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8). But becoming bitter and angry with the Lord is a symptom of immaturity. It means that we can only be happy if the Lord gives us what we want. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to set your heart on His goal in your salvation: to become mature, and perfect in Christ. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 7 - The full effect of steadfastness is perfection

“Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” - James 1:4  Scripture reading: Romans 5:1-11 The school down the road from us once had a sign out front that said, ”Aim for success, not perfection.” We understand what they mean: no one’s perfect. We know that we won’t be perfect until Christ comes again. But maybe we know that so well that when we hear James say,” Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing,” we think we shouldn’t take that literally. But that is God’s goal for us. We think that being saved means I'm going to heaven when I die. This is what He promises us, and this is where He’s leading us, to perfection. This is what Paul says in Ephesians 4:13: “Christ has given His gifts to the church, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and become a perfect man” (NKJV). And in Colossians 1:28: “We proclaim Christ, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect in Christ” (NKJV). God’s purpose in our salvation is to make us perfect and that should be what we want too, that we would become mature adults, full grown in our faith. It’s critical for us to remember God’s purpose and to make it our desire too, that He would use our trials to make us perfect in Christ. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to remember that His purpose in our salvation is to make us perfect in Christ. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 6 - Steadfastness in faith

“… you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” - James 1:3  Scripture reading: I Peter 1:3-9 God the Father promises in our baptism that He will provide us with all good and avert all evil, or turn it to our profit. God doesn’t promise to avert all evil, period. He promises to avert all evil, or turn it to our profit. That’s what He’s doing when we suffer. He’s turning the evil to our profit. When we face our trials in faith, God strengthens our faith. What does that mean practically speaking? It means that our focus on Christ, and what God gives us in Him becomes sharper. It means that our hope and our joy in Jesus Christ grow deeper and stronger. Our desire to have everything that Christ has for us becomes more intense. Knowing that God the Father is involved in our daily lives, and working for our salvation in all things becomes more real to us. It becomes more and more part of how we look at our lives, and think about what happens to us. We discover that in hard times, His Word comes more alive for us, and that our worship is more genuine, more sincere and more encouraging. What else do we want from God? There is no better thing that He could do for us, or give us. There is no more that we could possibly want from Him. In our trials, God gives us what we pray for more than anything else: our faith grows, our trust and our joy in the Lord become deep and strong. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to want what He wants: that your faith will grow and that you will find all your comfort in belonging to Jesus Christ. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 5 - The good thing God is doing for you when you suffer

“… the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” - James 1:3  Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-20 James says you know at least one good thing that God is doing when you face trials. He’s testing your faith. Sometimes when we have tests at school, it feels like the teacher wants us to fail. But when God tests our faith, that’s not His purpose. He’s proving your faith. James says that means exposing weaknesses, so that your faith can be purified and strengthened. We’re grafted into Jesus Christ by faith; that’s how we share in His life and in all His blessings. God wants our faith to be pure and strong, so that we take in everything that Christ has for us. But our faith is like gold. Gold has to be put through the fire to get rid of impurities. That’s why we should count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds – because we know that God uses our trials to purify our faith. That doesn’t mean that we should pray that God will send trials into our lives. But, when they come, when we struggle and suffer, we have to believe God’s promise that He is at work in our trials. And the surprising thing is that when we hold onto His promises, even though life may be hard, we discover that our faith is growing. Even if we have questions that God doesn’t answer, still we feel the comfort of knowing that we belong to Christ in life and in death more deeply and truly than when all is going smoothly. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you understand, and accept that your faith has to be tested by trials in order to be purified. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 4 - Be on your guard against bitterness

“Count it all joy … when you meet various trials.” - James 1:2  Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:3-17 James promises us that God is working to purify our faith when we undergo trials. But our sworn enemies, the devil, the world and our own flesh are also eager to do their work when we suffer. They whisper words of doubt in our ears about God: What kind of Father can He be, to let His child go through this? Why do you have to suffer, and not those other people? They’re no better than you; in fact, they’re probably worse. But they seem to have it pretty easy. God’s not being fair. That’s often our first reaction when things go wrong: We get angry; we think God should justify what He’s doing to us. We wonder if God really loves us and if God is really looking after us. All we can see, all we can think about, is what should have happened and what shouldn’t have happened, and how we think our life is supposed to go. We feel like we can’t trust Him because He’s not giving us what we want, and He won’t tell us why He’s making us suffer. But that only makes us feel bitter. And bitterness stunts our growth and makes joy impossible. Then we don’t see God anymore as He shows Himself to us in Christ and throughout His Word. When you meet trials of various kinds, meditate on the gospel. Ask the Spirit to help you rejoice that God uses the testing of your faith to produce steadfastness. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to forgive your anger or bitterness in times of trial and to strengthen your faith, so that you can rejoice at all times, even in suffering. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 3 - God is at work for your good in all things

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” - James 1:2-3 Scripture reading: Romans 8:18-30 James says that as believers, we know what’s really going on when we meet trials of various kinds, because we know that God uses trials to test our faith. When you confess that your trials have come to test your faith, you’re confessing that God is in control, that He directs every moment and every part of your life. You’re saying, “I know, I believe, that nothing just happens to happen in this world, or in my life.” We talk about accidents. We say, “This happened by accident,” or “I had an accident at work.” But when you think about what happened in the light of what God promises you in His Word, you know that there’s really no such thing as an accident. If you really believe that the Almighty Creator who still upholds and governs all things according to His eternal counsel is your Father for the sake of Jesus Christ, that makes all the difference in the way you think about your trials. Because you know that it is your Father in heaven who is bringing you through that hardship. And He does that for a reason, for a good reason. Paul says, “We know that in all things, God works for good for those who love Him” (Romans 8:28:a). Now the question is, Are those just words for you? Is that really what you think, what you confess about your problems? Then you can count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to truly trust His goodness and wisdom when He brings various trials into your life. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 2 - The city of God is beautiful

“His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth.” - Psalm 48:1b  Scripture reading: Psalm 48:1-3 In Psalm 46:4, it says, “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.” But the writer wasn’t talking about a literal river; He was talking about God. He’s saying, God Himself is the source of Jerusalem’s life; Jerusalem survives and flourishes because God lives there and pours out His blessings on His people. We find the same sort of thing in the opening verses of Psalm 48. Jerusalem wasn’t especially beautiful in terms of physical beauty, or architecture. Jerusalem wasn’t built on the highest mountain, nor was it admired by “all the earth”. The beauty and significance of Jerusalem for Israel and all the earth was not based on what anyone could see, on geographical facts, architectural excellence or political importance. You can only recognize the beauty and the glory of Zion when you see it by faith, when you know that God lives there and what God does there. “Within her citadels, God has made Himself known as a fortress.” (Psalm 48:3) God’s presence and saving work made Jerusalem beautiful and glorious. You can’t see the beauty and the glory of the congregation with which you gather today, or see the beauty and glory of her worship, unless you see with the eyes of faith. But by faith, you will see that God’s presence and God’s saving work make His people beautiful and glorious. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you to recognize the beauty and the glory of His saving presence in the church to which you belong and with which you worship today. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

March 1 - Introduction to James

The meditations for this month are based on James 1:1-18. James calls the people to whom he wrote, the twelve tribes of the dispersion. They were most likely Jewish Christians who had been driven from Jerusalem in the persecution that we read about in Acts 8 and Acts 11, and are now scattered in and around Palestine. They were suffering persecution from Gentiles and from Jews. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the very first thing that James wants to talk to these people about is suffering. And he doesn’t waste any time getting to it. He knew what their life was like because he experienced the very same things. It seems pretty certain that this James, who was one of the brothers of the Lord Jesus, was murdered for his faith. He lived in Jerusalem, and that was one of the most dangerous places in the world for a Jewish Christian. So we can understand why suffering is the very first thing that he talks about in this letter, but we may not understand how he can say to them, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2) That seems like a very strange thing to say to people who are suffering. Would you ever read these words or even think about reading them to someone when you visit in the hospital? We’ll understand what James means, and why he speaks this way as we work our way through this passage verse by verse. A strange thing to say to people who are suffering “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” - James 1:2  Scripture reading: James 1:2-4 James calls the people to whom he wrote, the twelve tribes of the dispersion. They were almost certainly Jewish believers who had been driven from their homes and families in Jerusalem by the persecution that we read about in Acts 8 and Acts 11, and were living as refugees throughout the region. They were hated by Gentiles because they were Jews and hated by Jews because they were Christians. So we can understand why the first thing James wants to talk to them about is their suffering. What’s harder to understand is what he says to them: “Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds.” Not just, “Try to find something to be thankful for in spite of your suffering.” But, “Count it all joy when you suffer.” We do our best to avoid any kind of hardship and if they come, we do whatever we can to fix things up again, because everyone knows that suffering and joy are complete opposites. They’re mutually exclusive. Suffering means no joy and joy means no suffering. But James is speaking the language of faith. He says, There’s something you know, as believers, something that God has told you, that makes all the difference in the way you think about your trials, and what happens to you when you’re suffering: you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. That’s the key to understanding what James is saying: knowing how God uses our trials to produce steadfastness. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to help you endure trials, trusting that He uses your trials to produce steadfastness. Rev. Dick Wynia graduated from the Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986, and was ordained to the ministry in 1987. He has served four congregations, in Aylmer ON, Calgary AB, Wyoming ON and in Beamsville ON. After almost 37 years in active ministry, he recently became a minister emeritus. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 28 - The aftermath (II)

“Mordecai…sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.” - Esther 10:3  Scripture reading: Esther 10:1-3 While Mordecai was proclaiming peace to God’s people near and far, Christ has accomplished a greater peace, which is proclaimed through His church near and far, to Jew and Gentile: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of them that bring good news, who proclaim peace, who say to Zion, ‘Behold, your God’”! (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15). The world needs to hear the good news of Christ’s peace, so that whosoever believes in the Son might not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). The gospel continues to be proclaimed to the visible church of Jesus Christ as well, calling people to faith and repentance, and to live transformed lives in Christ. Rejoicing for the great turnabouts in Esther’s time was appropriate, but they pointed to the greatest of turnabouts that God accomplished in Jesus Christ – changed lives as new creatures in Christ. As new creations in Christ, we look forward to the new heavens and the new earth – a time of full Sabbath rest for the people of God in Christ. If you know that great and restful turnabout in your life, you have reason today to be at peace, to rejoice in the Lord, and to praise Him with a rest-filled worship. If you do not know that restful reversal, then now is the time to turn around, to repent, and believe the call of Christ who says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanks that the Lord has provided the kind of peace that only Christ can provide you – peace with God and the peace of God. Pray that more people may be blessed to respond to the gospel of peace, both in the world and in the visible church of Christ. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 27 - The aftermath (I)

“And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?” - Esther 10:2 Scripture reading: Esther 10:1-3 Mordecai’s greatness is stressed here in the context of Ahasuerus’ greatness, both of which could be verified in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia (6:1; 10:2). This verification of the episodes of Esther and Mordecai remind us as Christians of two important truths about God’s Word: Redemptive history is not comprised of myths, sagas, and made-up stories (2 Peter 1:16). False religion is riddled with myths, deceptive fabrications, and outright lies (Matthew 28:11-15). Scripture’s history, on the other hand, speaks of reality – the Medes and Persians were real people; Jerusalem and other biblical cities were real towns, and some continue to exist to this day. Biblical episodes were legitimately chronicled, researched and witnessed (Luke 1:1-4; 2 Peter 1:16-21). The Biblical message proclaims no fairy tales, but God’s truth. God never does anything in a corner, so to speak; even in a case like the book of Esther, where His Name is never mentioned. God’s acts are done publicly as He takes on the most formidable of foes and defeats them for the sake of His cause in Christ. Whether it is His opponents at Babel, Pharaoh of Exodus, the kings of the earth counselling against Him and His Christ, or whether it is disease or death, God displays His power for the world to see so that, along with the testimony of all creation, no one has an excuse to disbelieve His grace, greatness, and goodness (Romans 1:20). Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanks that the Lord has revealed to you the truth of God’s Word unto salvation in Christ. Pray that the Spirit of God would work mightily in the lives of many to find their lives on the truth of God’s Word. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 26 - The restful reversal celebrated (II)

“The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.” - Esther 9:32 Scripture reading: Esther 9:16-32 Mordecai, as we saw yesterday, is a proclaimer of peace to both far and near (9;30; 10:3), reminding us of Isaiah 57:19 and the far-and-near peace that the LORD proclaims, and reminding us of Christ in Ephesians 2:17, who proclaims peace to those who are far away and near. Such peace won by the Lord is always worth celebrating. In these days, the ascended Lord is the great gift-giver to God’s people: “When ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8). As the Bread of Life, who provides eternal satisfaction and peace, He calls us to a better celebratory feast of rest today. Every Lord’s Day we celebrate Christ's rest to us as we worship God. Every Lord’s Day, we give of our gifts out of gratitude for Christ’s grace to us. Whenever we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we anticipate the fuller rest that awaits God’s people – the wedding feast of the Lamb and the communion with the Lord that we will one day celebrate eternally. If the people in Esther’s time had reason for joy as they celebrated annually the rest that the Lord provided, how much more are we not privileged to celebrate weekly the rest that the Lord has given to us. Every time the covenant God in Jesus Christ calls us to His worship and to His communion feast, we remember the rest that is ours and the rest that is to come. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanks for the privilege of worship. Pray that the Lord will help you and others to take joy in the call to worship every Lord’s Day. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 25 - The restful reversal celebrated (I)

“The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.” - Esther 9:32 Scripture reading: Esther 9:16-32 This passage reminds us much of Isaiah 57:19ff. “‘Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will heal him.’ But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. ‘There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’" A rest-filled festival marks the day when rest was given to the people in this last month of the calendar. Mordecai proclaims this peace to both far and near (9:30; 10:3). God’s people are to remember the peace won for them. At a time when no plunder was taken, gifts would now be given. A holiday of rest makes sense for a people who have been given rest from their labour. Generosity is appropriate for a people who, even though they take no plunder, have been given so much. Again, great reversal! This feast is supposed to take place because something transforming has taken place: this is to be done on the days on which the Jews received relief from their enemies, and in the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness. Jesus Christ, according to Ephesians 2:17, proclaims peace to those who are far away and to those who are near. We will hear more tomorrow as to why that is important for us to know, but for now may we find ourselves as Christian believers taking joy in the everlasting peace that Christ has won for us. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanks for the transforming work of Christ to bring rest to our souls. Pray with thanks that God has established peace between Him and you through Christ, and peace between you and others who share that grace of God with us in Christ. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 24 - The restful reversal described (II)

“…on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.” - Esther 9:1  Scripture reading: Esther 9:1-19 Three times we read that no plunder was taken in this warfare. That is opposite of what the ancestor of Esther and Mordecai, King Saul, did with the enemy Agag in 1 Samuel 15. He was supposed to destroy the plunder, but he took some. Saul failed to see the holy battle he waged in the name of the Lord. Mordecai’s people took no plunder, for it belonged to God. God’s rest was sufficient for the people of God. King Saul and his sons knew about hanging, but now it is the sons of Haman of Agag who are hanged, no longer tormenting God’s people. Restful joy had already been given in principle in Chapter 8, but more unfinished business needed to be addressed to know the fullness of rest. In our day, when we come to faith in Jesus Christ, the rest that we receive from Him exceeds the rest in this chapter. Christ says to us, “Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and lowly of heart and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus Christ as the true Prince of Peace, fulfills the rest found in Esther 9. We are to confess that Christ bore God’s forsaking, so that God would never forsake us. What peace to hear God say to us in Christ, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanks that God is with you always in Jesus Christ. Pray that you may be sensitive to that presence with a peaceful and obedient heart. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 23 - The restful reversal described (I)

“…on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.” - Esther 9:1  Scripture reading: Esther 9:1-19 A grand reversal happens. According to Haman’s edict, God’s people were not to know the rest of Ahasuerus (3:8), but instead of being destroyed, they came to know the rest from their enemies. In contrast to that rest, fear prevails with the opponents. No one could stand against the Jews; fear of them had fallen on them all. On the one side, God’s people have rest; on the other side, fear prevails. No peace for the enemies of God’s covenant people; their world is overturned. After The Flood, God in His covenant with Noah, spoke of the peace that His people would know as the creation would fear them (Genesis 9:2). When Israel left Egypt, fear had fallen upon the Egyptians as they sent the Israelites out from them (Exodus 12:33). Various leaders of God’s people, from Moses to Jehoshaphat, were viewed as those whom the nations dreaded (Deuteronomy 2:25; 11:25; Joshua 2:9; 1 Chronicles 14.17; 1 Chronicles 17:10). God, in His providence, was bringing about a peace like the Exodus-rest from those who would seek to destroy them. Here we have a new Moses in Mordecai, opponent to a new Pharaoh in Haman, the enemy of the Jews. By God’s providence, Mordecai would bring rest to God’s people who were threatened with extinction. They were kept for the sake of God’s promises that were ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who gives the true rest for our souls, and rest to us on this Lord’s Day so that we might worship Him well. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanks that the Lord Jesus provides you the peace that only He can give you in this world, even though in this world we face trouble. Pray that more people may find their peace in Christ, so that they can be delivered from the chaos of unbelief. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 22 - The second edict

“…the king allowed the Jews who were in every city to gather and defend their lives…” - Esther 8:11  Scripture reading: Esther 8:7-17 Haman’s edict caused the Jews trauma (3:18; 4:3); the new edict reversed that (8:15, 16). If Jews were attacked, the Jews could defend themselves. Holy war was permitted. People are offended by Old Testament holy war, yet it was God’s act against sin. It preserved His holy covenant purposes until Christ’s coming. Since The Fall, humanity has been under the edict of holy war, except God issued a counter-edict to deliver His people from destruction. If Haman’s edict stood, God’s promise to deliver a people from humanity through Abraham would break. Salvation can only come by the satisfaction of God’s wrath against evil. Old Testament holy war was necessary so that God’s promises against evil and for His people could be kept in Christ. Holy war is not an option today because Christ has come as the Great Holy Warrior, bearing God’s wrath for His people, and defeating evil completely on the cross. Holy war in the Old Testament only typified Christ’s holy war. Therefore, vengeance is illegitimate for us. We cannot add to the completed vengeance of Christ (John 12:31,32). 1 Peter teaches that, as Christians, our spiritual battle is within – sinful desires which war against our souls (2:11). Thankfully, Jesus Christ is our escape from the holy wrath of God, enabling us also to fight the good fight of faith, knowing vengeance is the Lord’s. Pray that the sword of the Spirit will cut to the heart of many to join the holy nation of God, the church of Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Lord will help you stand up for Christ without working against Him through vengeance. Pray that the word of God will work mightily in the hearts of many so they can know a turning point in their lives that makes an eternal difference. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 21 - The second request of Esther

“…let an order be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman the Agagite…which he wrote to destroy the Jews….” - Esther 8:5  Scripture reading: Esther 8:1-6 Unfinished business awaits in Esther 8, for Haman’s edict remains in force, though Haman has been executed. God promised from The Fall to bring a Saviour, but the fulfillment of that salvation was not immediate. In the New Testament age, Christ has been raised to royal glory, but His Kingdom’s consummation awaits. As Christians, we know God has justified us with Christ’s blood. Yet we also know that we are works in progress; God is working a good work in us unto the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6). Here, actions took place that needed to be done. Yet, more needs to be done. Esther’s first request was more exalted, but in her second request, she stoops. She differs from Haman, as one pleading for her people, while Haman pleaded only for himself. Because of Esther’s intercession, injustice is averted. Christ, of course, humiliates himself, becoming man, leaving His royal position in heaven to take a humble place for His own on earth. He does not merely stoop, but is humbled to the point of crucifixion for those who deserved nothing but God’s eternal wrath. Because of Christ, God does not treat us as our sins deserve. It is tempting to believe that God does not treat us well. We forget that God did not spare His Son and that He promises to give believers all things along with His Son (Romans 8:32). It is why we can say that nothing in all creation separates us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39). Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving for the biblical promise of God’s inseparable love for you in Christ. Pray that the Lord will help you endure the trying times of life as you remember your Great Intercessor who pleads your cause in heaven. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 20 - The plea of Haman

“Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king.” - Esther 7:7  Scripture reading: Esther 7:7-10 What irony for Haman! Earlier he gave the honour that he had expected to Mordecai. Now he bears the shame he had reserved for Mordecai. In triplicate, shame comes to Haman. First, the king declares shame. Haman had been angry because Mordecai would not “fall down” in honour before him (3:2). Now “Haman is “falling down” before the daughter of Mordecai (7:8). Ahasuerus perceives Haman defiling the royal marital relationship. Second, Ahasuerus’ servant covers Haman’s face. Haman covered his own face earlier (6:12), but now another does it. Such covering expressed shame for shameful behaviour (Psalm 44:15; 69:7). Third, shame consummates with Haman’s hanging. “Cursed is anyone who is hanged on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). The mighty has fallen! The king’s wrath is satisfied, like with Vashti, as Haman resembles the enemies of Ahasuerus that Mordecai uncovered in chapter 2. Haman, the enemy of Christ’s cause is defeated. Providence is leading to the saving of God’s people, but it also leads to the demise of Christ’s enemies. Haman had almost everything that a person could desire. But Haman was deceived. He fought against God and His cause, and he lost; such fighting is a fool’s errand. Yet we all deserve wrath – not merely that of a temporal king, but that of God – eternally. Only Christ can take that wrath away, so “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:10). Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving if you cherish Christ for taking God's wrath away from you. Pray that more people will come to understand the futility of opposing the cause of Christ and instead see the blessedness of taking refuge in Him. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 19 - The plea of Esther

“Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request.”” - Esther 7:3  Scripture reading: Esther 6:14-7:6 Esther pleads for mercy and justice for herself and her people – ultimately for Christ’s cause. Haman seeks destruction; Esther seeks redemption. Esther is revealed as Jewish, but Haman is uncovered as the enemy of God’s people – wicked Haman of Agag. Esther serves royally in Ahasuerus’ kingdom and over God’s people. As a descendant of Kish, the father of King Saul, Esther serves better than her ancestor Saul did with Haman’s ancestor Agag. Agag wanted to destroy Christ's cause and God’s promises, and so Agag was to be annihilated, but Saul disobeyed, and his kingdom was then passed to David (1 Samuel 15). Seeking to destroy the plans of God is as old as redemption’s history. Evil promised man greatness, only to deceive him. God’s plans can never be scuttled, however, even at evil’s pinnacle with Christ’s crucifixion (Psalm 2). Evil still tempts us to believe that we are better off with evil instead of obedience. Evil teaches us that redemption is hopeless, and that fighting against evil is pointless. It is worth the fight, however, thanks to Christ – better than Saul, David, and Esther. Esther pleads her cause for a temporal preservation, but Christ pleads an eternal preservation as the Righteous Redeemer and Advocate. At Judgment Day, in mercy and justice, God will vindicate His people, and death, sin, and Satan will be no more. Our hope is not based on the evil that we see, but on the goodness and faithfulness of our covenant God in Jesus Christ that is promised to Christians. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that the hope of evil’s ultimate demise has already been determined at the cross of Christ. Pray with praise that God permits you to see that the fight of faith is a good one to undertake each day. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 18 - The exalted one is humbled

“If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of the Jewish people, you will not overcome him but will surely fall before him.” - Esther 6:11  Scripture reading: Esther 6:1-13 Jews were once mourning (4:3), and Haman rejoiced. Not anymore. The last has become first and the first last. Suddenly, nothing is working for Haman. His very wife and friends now realize that Haman will lose, for he is literally working against, “the Seed of the Jews” (v. 13). Pilate’s wife said, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream (Matthew 27:19). Gamaliel said in Acts 5:38-39, “Keep away from these men…for if this plan…is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" The gates of hell will not prevail against Christ. You do not win by opposing Christ. Many in the world have seemed to be winners – in power, pleasure, prosperity, and popularity. Yet, we will never know victory unless Christ, the true Seed of Abraham, is our only comfort in life and in death. Do not envy lives that leave Christ out; such exalted will be humbled. Mary said, “He scatters the proud in the thoughts of their hearts, he brings down the mighty from their thrones, and the rich he has sent away” (Luke 1:53). God promised Abraham, “…him who dishonours you, I will curse…” (Genesis 12:3). God will curse those content to dishonour the Seed of Abraham. We see it in Haman, and in all those who find their honour in themselves and not in Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that you can take comfort in belonging to Christ, even when the world is taking comfort in merely temporary gains and greatness. Pray that the Lord will continue to help you walk humbly before your God as you serve Him every day in Christ. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 17 - The humbled one is exalted (II)

“Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.” - Esther 6:9  Scripture reading: Esther 6:1-13 Haman tasted the bitterness of proclaiming honour to the one deserving it. Yet, we have the honour of confessing with the tongue, and bowing with the knee to the Lordship and salvation of Jesus Christ with a joyful heart – anticipating a day when, willingly or unwillingly, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord. With Mordecai, an oversight has been corrected. With Christ, the exaltation of which He is worthy, is His to know now at God’s right hand. In Him we also can experience a turning moment – no longer under the shame of our sin, but robed in Christ’s righteousness unto salvation. We are no longer children of wrath, but children of God. When we have known such a turning point, we can also look forward to others – to a sanctified and glorified life as those who already know a justified life. We not only know salvation today, but also that any suffering that we must yet undergo will all be righted one day. Compared to the glories that await, these trying times pale. For God exalts His own in His time; such an exaltation awaits the people of God. For the sake of the Seed of the Jews, Jesus Christ, God will be exalted; however, for the sake of God’s covenant, He also leads His people to glory. I hope it is with that faith, hope, and love that you can rejoice in such turning points for yourself in Christ. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving if you have known God’s turning of your life through a profession of Christ. Pray that each day you may show forth what it means to have your life turned to serve your Saviour. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 16 - The humbled one is exalted (I)

“And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for ?” The king’s young men…said, “Nothing has been done for him.”” - Esther 6:3  Scripture reading: Esther 6:1-13 Mordecai’s contrast here in chapter 6 is threefold. First, he receives a reward when initially, no reward had been given to him for saving the king. Second, the Mordecai of chapter 6 with royal robes and honour are in stark contrast to the Mordecai of chapter 4 with sackcloth and ashes. Third, we have the contrast between what Haman wanted to do to Mordecai on the gallows, and what Haman was commanded to do with Mordecai by the king. A triple turning of events for Mordecai! The humbled is exalted. This is the man that the king delights to honour! Mordecai could not have imagined this. Esther knew nothing of it. Haman could not have dreamed it. Call it poetic justice, but God is at work. Years later others would taunt the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: “He trusts in God. Let him deliver him, if he delights in him” (Psalm 22:8; Matthew 27:43). Society and self, crave the satisfaction of “getting what they have coming to them.” Think about Christ: He did not get what He had coming to Him right away. He who deserved all honour was well-pleasing to His Father, was humbled to the cross, naked before men for the glory of God and His peoples’ redemption. First, humiliation and suffering, then His glory. This is the Man that the Great King delights to honour! How Christ deserves our honour and praise this Lord’s Day! Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving for the privilege of worshiping the Lord on this Lord’s Day. Pray for the Christ-like perspective to see that God will work all things out for you in due time, so that the peace of God may be yours to know each day. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 15 - The correction of an oversight

“And the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for ?” The king’s young men…said, “Nothing has been done for him.”” - Esther 6:3 Scripture reading: Esther 6:1-13 The book of Esther is full of feasts – ten! We are in the middle of them – and in the middle of the book, which carries a turning point. Turning points are often extraordinary. However, the turning point in our passage is ordinary; Ahasuerus cannot sleep! Sleepless nights are common, but God uses this one to turn destruction into deliverance. The sleepless king reads royal chronicles, and finds out that Mordecai rescued him, but was never honoured; that would not do. These events are not miraculous, but God makes extraordinary out of ordinary. God uses everything to serve His purposes in Christ. God weaves the events of history so that in the fullness of time He sends forth His Son, who dies for the ungodly at the right time. God uses the world’s rulers to bring Christ to the cross for the deliverance of His people. God saved through an extraordinary person, but did it with a Christ who obediently stayed on the cross, not by miraculously coming off it. Obedience can seem ordinary, but extraordinary things happen by God through ordinary obedience! How did you come to faith? It probably was not by some Damascus-Road experience, but by ordinary circumstances. You heard the gospel through parents, or a sermon, or from another Christian. Think about your children, or your vocation. Ordinary experiences! But what makes them extraordinary is how God uses those ordinary events as extraordinary turning points in your life, so you can serve God well. God uses the ordinary for extraordinary purposes. A blessed way to look at life! Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving for the ways that God has turned your life around in Christ – whether by ordinary or extraordinary means. Pray that the Lord will help you to serve Him well in ordinary ways of life, for to serve the Saviour is an extraordinary calling! Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 14 - Haman’s plan to destroy

““…tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon .” This idea pleased Haman and he had the gallows made.” - Esther 5:14  Scripture reading: Esther 5:9-14 Haman enjoys temporary exaltation, but lacks complete satisfaction while Mordecai lives. His anti-Joseph ego shows in temporarily refraining from killing Mordecai. “Refrain” (5:10) is only used seven times in the Old Testament – twice with Joseph, who “refrains” before his brothers (43:31) and then cannot “refrain” anymore (45:1). At Pharaoh’s feast, the baker’s head is hung on a tree (Genesis 40:19). Zereth thinks Mordecai deserves this treatment too. Like other wives of biblical villains (Jezebel, Herodias and Pilate’s wife), Zereth offers her husband advice: “Hang Mordecai on a tree,” (literally). While Esther’s plans lead to a feast and blessing, Zeresh’s plans lead to a cursed tree. Long ago, the spirit of anti-Christ sought to curse Christ by hanging Him on a tree undeservedly: “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). Such plans worked into God’s gracious plans: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles….” (Galatians 3:13,14). Our culture still believes that life without Christ brings satisfaction. Scripture tells us that we should not be surprised if the world hates us when we profess Christ. Yet, true life is only known by those who know Christ as their Deliverer from sin. Trap-setters against Christ and Christians fall into their own traps. The counsel that is worthy of following, then, is not what leads to death, but that which leads to life in Christ. The Victorious Deliverer alone is worth following. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving if you can say that Christ redeemed you from the curse of the law. Pray that the Lord will help us see the true satisfaction and life that only Christ can provide as we trust and follow Him. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 13 - Esther’s plan to save (II)

“…let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.” - Esther 5:8  Scripture reading: Esther 5:1-8 Sinful man’s decree in chapter 1 was that women were to listen to their husbands regardless. With Esther and Zereth both, men are heeding their wives’ word! God’s sovereignty over the plans of people is at work here. God uses the weak and the lowly in the world’s eyes to shame the self-proclaimed strong and mighty. Christ and His crucifixion are the ultimate example of this. As products of grace in Christ, God uses us in His mighty service. Good news! We may think ourselves small – as may others – but when we serve the saving King, we have a grand calling! Esther’s plan includes another feast; she is portrayed as a feast planner. Esther is in the position of delivering her people from death, so preparing feasts as one delivering one’s people from death, makes biblical sense. Haman thinks it is a great idea; he looks forward to it. We, of course, have a greater deliverer who is preparing a greater feast for His people. Every time that we partake of the communion supper, we are anticipating the great wedding feast of the Lamb, the eternal blessing of communion, not with earthly kings, but with the King of kings, who even now has promised His everlasting presence. Haman looked forward to a temporary banquet, but in Christ we anticipate an everlasting banquet because our communion with God in Christ never ends. If Haman had reason for joy, we have even more reason when we profess Christ as our great deliverer. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that Christ has provided us everlasting communion with Him. Pray that more people will come to appreciate what it means to know the inseparable love of God in Christ Jesus. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 12 - Esther’s plan to save (I)

“And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.” - Esther 5:2  Scripture reading: Esther 5:1-8 The two plans in Esther 5 have similarities. Both are devised by the wife of the powerful – Esther of Ahasuerus and Zereth of Haman. Both are to be carried out “the next day.” Yet their goals have a life-and-death difference; one gets realized, and one will not. Esther’s appearance contrasts Mordecai’s in chapter 4. In chapter 1, Queen Vasthi refused to stand in royal splendour before the calling king. Esther risks her life as one not royally called, but comes in royal splendour. Her exalted appearance before the king is fitting, but risk of death looms largely. Yet, Esther does not die. The sceptre is extended to her on this third day after fasting begins. Instead, she is first among God’s people to be delivered from death in the book of Esther. Risking her life by identifying with God’s people, Esther’s life-saving moment foreshadows encouragement to us, for her life is first of many to be saved. Esther risked her life, but Christ gave His life for God’s people and His covenant promises. Esther’s life is spared after three days; Christ’s is resurrected after three days – having clothed Himself in righteous robes to remove our humiliation, so we might be clothed in His saving robes. Esther was a first-fruits of deliverance from death, but the first-fruits of Christ’s resurrection grant us new life for eternity, and new life to serve Christ for today. Christ’s salvation is better, which is why He deserves our profession, our praise, and our practice of His Word daily. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that Christ gives us the hope of resurrection as the first-fruits of the resurrection. Pray that the Lord will help you daily to live the new life worthy of the gospel as a believer in Christ Jesus. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 11 - The response of Esther

“I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:16  Scripture reading: Esther 4:15-17 For the first time, Esther explicitly identifies herself with God’s people. Only she could get an audience with the king and make the saving difference, doing it by identifying with God’s people. She was between a rock and a hard place, just like Jacob was long ago in Genesis 43:14 when he gave Benjamin to his sons to be brought to the second in command before Pharaoh, Joseph. If he did not send Benjamin, the last of his sons, the people would perish. If he did send Benjamin, would Benjamin ever come back? “If I am bereaved, then I am bereaved,” says Jacob. Now this daughter of Benjamin would come before the second in command of the king, and the king, knowing her dilemma. Yet, who else would be able to come before the king and save his people but this daughter of Benjamin? No one! Likewise, our Christ was the only one who could come before the throne of grace and save us. Unlike Esther, He had to die in order to save His people so that they would not perish eternally. He did so as one who identified with His people, as one called the King of the Jews. Jesus is the One that we needed; He still identifies with us today as the true man and the true Israel, not ashamed to call us His brothers. In reflection of Christ, we need to find ourselves identified, not with the world, but with Christ and His people. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that Christ is not ashamed to call you His brother (or sister). Pray that the Lord will help you even more to live in the spirit that says, “It is no longer I but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 10 - The challenge to Esther

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” - Esther 4:14  Scripture reading: Esther 4:5-14 Esther feared for her life when Mordecai urged her to speak to the king. Queen Vashti refused to come into the king’s presence when called. Now Esther is afraid to come into the king’s presence, having not been called. But Mordecai persists. Identify with God’s people! Judgment comes to those who will not identify with the people of God. Your name will otherwise perish. Only Esther has two names in the book of Esther; this ties her back to Joseph, but also identifies her with two ways of life – the earthly kingdom and heavenly kingdom. Which will take priority now? Mordecai sees the bigger picture. He knows that deliverance will be provided, but he also ponders that Esther may have been placed in her position for such a time as this. Amid sacrifice, judgement may be averted; salvation versus annihilation may occur. Esther’s situation reminds us of Jesus Christ. If He had not taken up the cup of judgment in the fullness of time, all would have been lost for humanity and for creation. But because Jesus Christ took up the challenge that was given to Him, His name did not perish. He received the name that is above every name for being obedient unto death. In Jesus Christ, it is always the time for us to serve our God; such is our challenge every day, to see that we are where we are, not by chance, but by the Fatherly hand of God to serve Him. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that in the fullness of time God’s Son was obedient unto death to save you. Pray that the Lord will use you where He has placed you now to serve Him well. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 9 - The approach to Esther

“When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes…” - Esther 4:1 Scripture reading: Esther 4:1-11 Our passage begins with Mordecai, whom we have seen as a Joseph figure and therefore a type of Jesus Christ. He is found in humiliation a far cry from the Joseph of Genesis 41:42, clothed in fine linen. Mordecai is in this humbled state – because of the judgment of the king to destroy God’s covenant people. Esther, however, is ignorant about what is happening, just like people are ignorant that Esther is a Jew. She proposes a solution for Mordecai. She brings him clothes. Mordecai informs Esther that now is not the time for exaltation; it is time for humiliation. Mordecai knew the times; Esther did not. A humble approach to God was the timely response to those who saw judgement coming. Today – as always – impending judgment from the Lord is promised to an impenitent spirit. A perverse view of sin, self and God moves people to live in pride and impenitence. If we follow Scripture, we know the times and then we live in humility, rejoicing in the humble Christ who lived to redeem us, glorifying Him, the Father, and the Spirit with worship. We humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt us in due time (1 Peter 5:5). For Mordecai and Christ, a time of exaltation was coming, but humility comes before glory, which is why we are called to take up our cross and follow our Saviour. Part of the way that we do that is to worship the Lord each Lord’s Day. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving if you can say by grace that God has helped you to understand the times in which you live. Pray that the Lord will continue to help you live humbly before Him, including the times when you hear the call to worship Him. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 8 - The plot against the Jews

“So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.” - Esther 3:6  Scripture reading: Esther 3:1-15 Haman is an anti-Joseph figure in Esther 3. Haman advises the king to destroy the Jews; the king approves, takes off his ring, and gives it to Haman as a symbol of Haman’s power, second in command (verse 10). In Genesis 41:42, Pharaoh gives his ring of power to Joseph as second in command. Mordecai and Haman’s contrast is set; Mordecai is the Joseph figure and Haman is the anti-Joseph figure. Mordecai is poised to save God’s people, while Haman appears ready to destroy God’s people. Mordecai is not jealous of Haman; he simply refuses to bow to an anti-Christ, while every other knee bows. Haman uses chance to determine destruction’s date, proclaiming it on the 13th of Nisan, the first month of the year – Passover Eve (Exodus 12:18). Chance seems to have triumphed over God’s promises! What Haman did not realize is that while the lot is cast in the lap, its every decision is from the Lord (Proverbs 16:33). God’s people are not delivered to chance; God works all things for their good by His providence in Christ. Haman offers silver to annihilate God’s promises – to assure that every knee would bow to him. Haman differs from Jesus Christ, who offers neither silver nor gold, but His precious blood – not to annihilate God’s promise, but to fulfill it. Haman proclaims death to the world, but the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims life to the world – to all who bend the knee and confess with the mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that God does not hand us over to the whims of fate. Pray that the Lord will bring more people to a saving knowledge of Christ – a bend of the knee and a confession of the mouth. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 7 - The plot against the king

“Bigthan and Teresh…became angry and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. And this came to the knowledge of Mordecai…” - Esther 2:21-22 Scripture reading: Esther 2:19-23 Here is a parallel to the Joseph story in Genesis 40, which deals with the cupbearer and the baker. Like Joseph, Mordecai is left temporarily unrewarded. In fact, if we keep reading, the enemy of the Jews, Haman, is the promoted one. Because Mordecai points to Joseph, he also points to Christ. When justice is not immediately served, it bothers us – for Joseph and Mordecai, but also for Christ. What if God would have sent twelve legions of angels immediately to deliver Jesus at His arrest? (Matthew 26:53). What if Jesus would have shown Himself to be God’s Son by coming off the cross right away as people taunted Him to do? (Matthew 27:40). We sometimes wonder about God’s timing, but that is because we are not God. A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day to Him. We want help and justice now. We want our dreams to come true now. Immediate gratification! This passage reminds us that God’s timing is not only sovereign, but also good for His glory and for His people. In the fullness of time God brought forth His Son. At just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. At just the right time Christ is exalted. At just the right time Christ will return on the clouds of glory and vindicate His people. He will lift us up in due time as we cast our cares upon Him and humble ourselves in Christ under God’s mighty hand. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that God’s timing is never too early and never too late. Pray that the Lord would supply you the grace to exercise the patience that is needed when our sense of timing is not in sync with God’s good timing for us in Christ. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 6 - The appealing candidate

“Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her.” - Esther 2:15  Scripture reading: Esther 2:5-18 In our passage, peace replaces unrest, a better bride fills the previous queen’s spot, a nobody becomes somebody, one humbled has been exalted, and the feast of Esther has begun. By God’s providence, the last has become first so God can save His people in Christ as a type of the salvation that Christ would one day accomplish. The greater purpose is the cause of Christ. This whole situation pictures Christ, foreshadowing His life. Because of the decree of a great king in Rome, Jesus Christ is born of humble beginnings in a manger. Because of the decree of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, Christ is crucified on the cross of shame. Yet by these political decrees, God brings glory to Christ; the last would become first; all authority is the Lord’s. If we know Christ through faith, we know that God has brought us high from humble beginnings through His Christ. We were dead in our trespasses and sin, unworthy to sit at His table of fellowship, but because of Christ, God sets a table before our enemies. He has anointed our head with oil, and our cups overflow as we fellowship with God through Christ, our great and good Shepherd-King. Every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded that we have been brought from being slaves to sonship in Christ Jesus. We who were last have now become first. Now glory awaits those who are in Christ! We have rest for our souls! Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that Christ’s humility to exaltation has provided you the greatest turn of events anyone can know – slavery from sin, to a place at Christ’s table. Pray that the Lord will help you even more to live with a gracious spirit that remembers how God has transformed your life in Christ. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 5 - The advice that pleased the king

““And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so.” - Esther 2:4  Scripture reading: Esther 2:1-4 Joseph of Genesis is reflected often in the episodes of Esther and Mordecai – including this passage. Both Joseph, the young man of Genesis 41, and the young men here in Esther 2 have their advice accepted by their respective kings. Joseph’s advice was godly and served God’s saving providence. These young men’s advice was not godly, but it too served God’s saving providence. King Ahasuerus is viewed as owning everything, doing what he wants with both men and women – herding them from their homes, and sterilizing men to serve his purposes. The advice that Ahasuerus receives as he seeks a better queen than Vashti is not admirable; it is simple superficiality. Character means nothing – only beauty. Joseph was attractive to Potiphar’s wife because of his looks (Genesis 39:6); such – would also be the case with Esther and the king (Esther 2:7). Ahasuerus looks all-powerful, but he searches for a better bride superficially and tyrannically. Belonging to Christ and His kingdom is not tyrannical at all; His Lordship frees us from tyranny. The care of God the Father, the pardon by Christ the Son, and the regenerating work of God’s Spirit reveals to us a King who treasures us as His possession. Oh, to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge! Much better to belong to a bridegroom-king such as Christ! It is better than belonging to Ahasuerus, to ourselves, or to anything else. Suggestions for prayer Pray with thanksgiving that Christ has dominion over land and sea, but also pray with thanksgiving that in His Lordship He possesses you as that which He treasures. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 4 - The powerless edict

“He sent letters to all the royal provinces…that every man be master in his own household…” - Esther 1:22 Scripture reading: Esther 1:13-22 A royal conference is called to fix a problem that was not the fault of a woman in the first place, but of a man who did not manage his household well. The conference is comprised of worldly disciples, who are led by the abuse of alcoholic spirits instead of the Holy Spirit. In the process, they promote chaos instead of order by an oppressive law: “Husbands are gods to their wives, like Ahasuerus is a god to his bride and everything else. Every woman must always listen to her husband.” Willing wives of love are not wanted; compelled wives are. What chaos! What a contrast to the kingdom of Christ, whose gospel not only saves believing husbands and wives, but fills their households with sacrificial love and willing service, thanks to the sacrificial love of Christ. True men do not base their roles as husbands on a self-perceived absolute power, but rather on their Saviour who gave His life up for His bride, the church. Laws need not be passed, therefore, compelling women to submit to their husbands; they will do so willingly when they have Christ-like husbands who are willing to sacrifice for their wives and to please them. Such loving sacrifice is true power at work – not the power of the tyrant, but the power of someone touched by Christ’s love. Christ’s love is reflected in the home of a husband who heeds the call to lead in righteousness, devotion and love, not by compulsion and selfishness. Suggestions for prayer Thank God for Christ’s sacrificial love. Pray that Christ’s sacrificial love might be evident even more by Christian husbands, and by all of us who are called to be followers of Christ. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 3 - God’s providence prevails over the shame

“Let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she.” - Esther 1:19  Scripture reading: Esther 1:13-22 As we reflect on this shameful summons by Ahasuerus, we also learn how God in His providence uses this shame for His glory. While drunken cohorts declare worldly wisdom about a better one than Vashti, God is preparing a better one to come “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). God’s name is never mentioned in Esther; nevertheless, His good plans for His glory and His people in Christ are evident – even amid foolishness. Others plot evil, yet God’s goodness prevails. This is not the only time, of course, that God uses shameful times for His glory. The greatest example was when the kings of the earth plotted against God and His Christ at the cross (Psalm 2), and yet the One in heaven laughs as He works these devices to His praise. In the shame of the cross, God triumphs over sinful humanity’s plans. As we await the day when sin will be no more, we can rest assured that God is still working His superior plans for His glory, and for the good of His own in Christ despite the evils of humanity. God’s providence was at work in the days of Esther for the sake of His covenant promises in the Christ to come, and His providence continues to be at work in our days for the sake of His covenant promises fulfilled in the coming of the Christ – the Lord Jesus Himself. What good news for all those who trust in this Saviour-King! Suggestions for Prayer Pray that the Lord will help you keep a proper perspective on the world around you, knowing that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. Pray with thanksgiving that this is our Father’s world in Christ. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 2 - A shameful summons

“…the heart of the king was merry with wine…” - Esther 1:10 Scripture reading: Esther 1:10-12 The drunken king of worldly power summons his bride to his banquet table to shame her. Shame on any husband who shames his wife! Yet this is the shameful picture of the husband-king, who holds sway over the world, but does not even know how to manage his own household with love and respect. Vashti’s non-conformity is a right reaction to this shameful abuse and speaks to the limit of Ahasuerus’ power. He had no authority to shame her, for he was under God’s law. His summons pointed to his recklessness, and how the state’s authority – or any authority – goes only so far, particularly when it comes to marriage matters. His is the abuse of power and of God’s order. The kingdom of man differs from the kingdom of God and His Christ, who calls His bride to Himself with all authority – not to shame her in recklessness, but to cover her shame with His saving righteousness. Vashti rightly refused the banquet call. However, we are wrong to refuse to come to Christ’s banquet. He calls us out of our shame to commune with Him forever. Every Lord’s Day we get a foretaste of that communion as we are lifted in worship into heavenly places, where Christ dwells at His Father’s right hand. Refusing the call to worship is to our shame, even as refusing Christ leaves us in our sinful shame. May the call to worship in the presence of our great Husband-King be our delight today. Suggestions for prayer Petition the Heavenly Father that you might find joy each Lord’s Day to worship in the presence of your great Saviour-King. Give thanks to God for providing Christ so that your shameful sin might be covered by His righteousness. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

February 1 - Introduction to the book of Esther

The book of Esther is well-known as the book in Scripture where the name of God is never mentioned, but where the providential hand of the covenant God is explicitly at work for the sake of His covenant promises to His people, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Sermons on God’s providence have served to edify God’s people in Christ over the years—to know that while the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. The book of Esther does not disappoint us when it comes to providing that sort of providential consolation. At the same time, Esther challenges people who think they can scuttle the plans of God for His people in Christ, to heed the call to “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry” (Psalm 2:12), since those who seek to take counsel against God and His Christ take on such counsel in vain. The episodes of Esther remind us of the exploits and times of Joseph in Genesis. As they do, they will also remind us of Christ, who came in humility to deliver His people so that in Him they might find the rest of Christ, that the feast of Purim at the end of the book typifies. May this be a month of devotions that consoles you greatly as we focus on God’s saving and providential ways in Christ Jesus! Superficial splendour “…he showed…the splendour and pomp of his greatness for many days…” - Esther 1:4  Scripture reading: Esther 1:1-9 The Book of Esther opens with King Ahasuerus, who treasured his earthly power and wealth. These are trivial in comparison to the glorious riches and kingdom of God in Christ Jesus. It is easy to envy such worldly prowess. When we do, we follow Ahasuerus – we value the trivial. King Ahasuerus was big outwardly, but small inwardly. He was rich toward things, but not toward God. His kingdom was superficial, based on the temporary, not on the everlasting kingdom of Christ. Proper prioritizing is always challenging. We can value friends, family, work, or play more than God’s worship. In our society, community, gender, colour, and nationality come before Christ and His church. Pursuits and passions can be so misplaced; then we wonder why life becomes so chaotic. What our treasure should be is the kingdom of Christ – the pearl of great price. Nothing is more precious than to know that Christ’s blood was shed for our sin, and that we belong to Him in life and in death. While we might envy the world and what it owns, it is the world that should envy us, when we belong to Christ. We are to take joy in being part of the kingdom that never fades, and to produce fruits in the vine of Christ – fruit that will last for the King of kings who reigns forever. Suggestions for prayer Petition the Lord that He may help you daily to keep your Christian priorities straight and that more and more people may come to cherish what it means to belong to Jesus Christ in life and in death. Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 31 - Meeting the LORD

“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Scripture reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:2-18 Today is the last day of the first month of the New Year. God has seen us safely though to this point in time. Before the month ends, it is good to reflect upon the fact that all earthly days shall end because the Lord Jesus will most certainly return. We do not know the time set by God the Father. Anyone who says he does is a liar. Our sure hope, however, is that the day shall come when we will meet the Lord. Think of that! You are going to meet the Lord Jesus. You will see the Son of God face to face. He will surely come as Judge of the living and the dead. Will He also come as your Saviour? The thought of meeting the Lord- does it fill your heart with fear or does it give you amazing comfort? There is an eternity of difference. Our calling, yours and mine, is to be ready and eager to meet the Lord, for by faith we know Him to be our Saviour. When we have the gift of true faith, and share it, we can encourage one another. So, Christian, be encouraged and comforted by this wonderful promise of God, which gives us hope and consolation. Remember: you shall surely meet the Lord. Are you ready? Those who are, can face future days serenely, because we await our Saviour, Whose return will bring us a joy that human words cannot describe. Suggestions for prayer May the prayer of your heart be: Return to us quickly, Lord Jesus. Ask God to make ready your heart and soul for the glorious return of Jesus. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 30 - The great commission

““Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” - Matthew 28:19-20 Scripture reading: Matthew 28:1-20 Jesus' command is to go and make disciples, to baptize and to teach. It is the Great Commission. Who can do this? Who is equal to this task? We are. We can. Why? Because we have Jesus' promise, “I am with you always.” In His power and with the guidance of His Spirit, we can fulfill our duty. To make disciples? It is the Spirit who changes hearts and lives, and creates disciples. Yet, He has chosen to do this through His people. There are countless examples of this. Christian parents, by word and with the Spirit's blessing, can make disciples of their children. Those called to ministry and missions can make disciples of those who hear the Gospel message from them, as the Spirit gives guidance. In the power of Christ, you, right where you are, can make disciples through your witness of Jesus. To baptize? It is Christ who gathers His church. It is not human hands that build the Kingdom, but God using such hands. By your prayers for and support of the church, you can participate in this endeavour, and by God's grace, men and women, boys and girls, can be added to the church and receive the sign and seal of His covenant, baptism. To teach? Jesus commands that all be taught. The church has its duty here, to teach through preaching, catechism instruction and Bible studies. Christian parents, by faithfully having family devotions, can do their duty too. Christian day schools are also an important means through which this command of Christ is obeyed. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to witness by word and deed, so that others may be gathered into the Kingdom. Pray for the ministries of the church and Christian schools too. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 29 - The life giving Lord

“And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” - 1 Corinthians 15:45  Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 Our inheritance from the first Adam is deeply flawed. Yes, we are living beings. We are descended from Adam and Eve. From them, we receive our human flesh and blood. We also receive a rational mind and an immortal soul. Our first father, Adam, the head of the human race by nature, can only give us a body, mind and soul, which though alive are corrupted by sin; and sin brings death. Jesus Christ came into this world. In His one Person are two natures: human and divine. He, God's Son, is the last Adam, Who came to re-found and re-establish in His people a new human race. He did this by His divine power, and He shares this with His people because He shares a human nature with us. Through His ministry, our Saviour became for us a life-giving spirit. By nature, we follow the first Adam. Sin and worldliness is the natural result. Sadly, multitudes simply accept this inheritance of nature and seek nothing more than to live out their earthly lives and at last die in the pattern of sin. Our calling, yours and mine, is to be a true child of the last Adam. We are to be disciples of Jesus Christ. In all the days of the year ahead, seek by faith to be such a disciple. Find in Jesus your covenant head, Who reforms and reshapes your nature to be conformed to the image of God. Suggestions for prayer Pray for grace to be found as one who inherits life from the last Adam. Ask God to continually work within your heart so that you will be conformed to His image. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 28 - Unpopular judgement

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all her towns all the doom that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their necks that they might not hear My words.” - Jeremiah 19:15  Scripture reading: Jeremiah 19:14,15 Today, any mention of God's judgment is intensely unpopular. This is true not just with worldly people and skeptics, but it is also remarkably unpopular with people who consider themselves to be religious. If you read all of Jeremiah 19, you will discover that was also true of many in the days of God's prophet, Jeremiah. What feeling does our text for today stir within your heart? Have you been so stiff-necked, so wilful, so caught up in yourself, that you no longer really listen to God's Word? Then you do well to fear, because the judgment of God will certainly fall upon sinners who do not repent and turn to Jesus for pardon. Our text makes it clear that the judgment of God is not just going to come on murderers, thieves, adulterers, and others guilty of obvious, public sins. It will also fall upon those who just played at being religious, but who in reality were stiff-necked and who, in their inmost heart, would not listen to God's Word. This message of judgment is unpopular. Unrepentant sinners don't want to hear it. Hypocrites don't want to hear it. It is, however, a basic teaching of God's Word, and popular or not, the message of our text is true. God judges people in this life and in the life to come. May you and I be ready for God's scrutiny. May we be found as those who listen to God's Word, and thus be found as those who live by faith, and practice that faith in humble obedience. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to work in your heart so that you be found a careful listener of God's Word, and one who puts that Word into practice in your life. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 27 - Life in Christ

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” - Matthew 10:39 Scripture reading: Matthew 10:34-42 As the New Year unfolds, we will be making choices every day. Many are minor; some are major. One of the most important choices we make is: how will I live? Will I live for myself? Will I live just to get the things of this world? If that is all you are looking for, you may get what you desire, but Jesus says that you will lose your life. Strong words, indeed. Jesus calls His disciples to a life of sacrifice. There is no mistaking Jesus' words. If we are unwilling to give our lives in service to the Lord and His kingdom, then Jesus declares that we are not really following Him. That sacrifice, however, is not a source of pain and sorrow, as worldly people might view it, rather it is the choice that leads to life! Only Jesus can secure your eternal destiny. When you give your life a sacrifice for Him, it is evidence that you are, indeed, His disciple. He promises that you will find life eternal in Him. What is that promise worth to you? The Lord tells you: choose life. Dare to sacrifice the things of earth to gain, by God's grace, the joy of heaven. In the days ahead, ask yourself, “What have I lost for Christ's sake. What sacrifice have I made?” By the power of God's Spirit at work within you, choose to sacrifice your most treasured possession, your worldly relationships, anything for the sake of Jesus, your Saviour and King and your loving service to Him. Suggestions for prayer Pray for wisdom to make the right choices each day of the life God gives you. Seek the guidance you need to know what must be sacrificed in your heart and life in obedience to the words of Jesus in our text. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 26 - Celebrating life eternal

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” - Colossians 3:16 Scripture reading: Colossians 3:1-7 Our Scripture reading today praises the risen and ascended Lord Jesus Christ, now seated at the Father's right hand. This is not just something that we can read and vaguely think about, but, as the chapter clearly teaches, this causes a reaction in the hearts and lives of all those who follow Jesus in faith. Has it caused a reaction in you? A true follower of Jesus wants to praise and worship the Saviour and grow in His grace. That does not happen by accident. Rather, it is something we strive for and this is good to reflect upon today, the Lord's Day, the day of resurrection. This is the day when Christians gather to worship with praise, singing and listening to Biblical teaching as God's Word is read and proclaimed in the midst of His gathered people. You, Christian, are called to set your mind on things above, to live a renewed life, and to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another. That is why your presence at worship is so important. Do not fall for the false teaching, so popular today, which says that worship is optional. That is not at all so. Hearing God's Word proclaimed allows the Word to dwell within your heart, to motivate you, instruct you, correct you, challenge you and comfort you. Do not deprive yourself of that blessing by neglecting to come to worship whenever the doors of God's House are open. Be a faithful worshipper! Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to work within your heart and soul that you will be one who worships in spirit and in truth this Lord's Day. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 25 - The victory

Psalm 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. Scripture reading: Psalm 16:1-11 Tomorrow, the Lord's Day, comes with a call to worship in God's House. Christians worship a living Lord. In the Father's plan for the salvation of His chosen people, His Son would have to suffer and die. This Jesus did. In our text, though, David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, prophesied that death was not the ultimate destiny of Christ, nor of those who are His disciples. Christ could say in confidence to the Father: You will not leave my soul in Sheol. Christ rose from the dead. No decay, no corruption could touch the Holy One of God. By faith, we who share in the righteousness of Christ can also be confident. Although in earthly life we must endure trials and sorrows, although our physical bodies are weak, and at last we die, yet we know that in Christ we are delivered. We have the consolation that, as disciples of Jesus, we, like our Master, will not experience eternal corruption, but we will inherit eternal life and rise at the Last Day glorified and new. May this wonderful promise motivate you to serve the Lord faithfully. May the great consolation that you, if you are a believer, have in Christ Jesus, motivate you to love, serve and worship the Lord. That is the Victory we have in Christ. Those who experience it find that their hearts are filled with a desire to praise and worship the living Lord. May you go up to God's House to worship tomorrow in that spirit of Victory in Jesus Christ, the living Saviour! Suggestions for prayer Thank the Lord for His promise of eternal life. Pray for God to work within you and to give you the spirit of Victory in Jesus. Praise Him and prepare to worship Him tomorrow in church. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 24 - Looking for life

“And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” - 1 Corinthians 15:49  Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-50 Last year saw massive migration movements of people around the world. No doubt this will be true in 2025 also. People are looking for safety, for economic opportunities, for a better life for themselves and their families. In their search many are willing to run great risks. What are you searching for this New Year? Christians seek to “bear the image of the heavenly man.” By nature we share in the image of Adam, the man of dust. We share his sinful nature. The glorious message of the Gospel, however, is that those made spiritually alive by the Spirit will, by grace through faith, share in the image of Christ Jesus, the heavenly Man. As the New Year unfolds, what sort of life are you looking for? Whose image do you seek to bear? Christ Jesus is the fountain of life, the risen Saviour. Let us seek to bear His likeness. In your life, hatred, anger, selfishness (characteristics of the man of dust) must be replaced by faith, hope and love, which are the blessed virtues of the heavenly Man. In the days ahead, seek to bear the image of the heavenly Man. Replace self-will with dependence on the Word of God, the Lord's revealed will. Replace time wasted on self with true devotion to the Lord and an active life in His church. Replace arguments and ill-will at home with the joy and peace of Christian family life. Seek to determine in practical ways in your own life how you can bear the image of the heavenly Man. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to touch your heart and life now so that you will look to Him for the power to live a life that reflects the image of Christ Jesus: whole, complete, satisfying, joyful and new. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 23 - The path of glory

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” - Romans 6:8  Scripture reading: Romans 6:1-11 Each of us, you too, have chosen a path on which to walk through 2025, as our life unfolds. Which choice have you made? It will make all the difference. There are many paths in this world, although all, except one, are on the wide highway that leads to destruction. Popular paths are that of selfishness, hatred, of spiritual carelessness, false religion and so many more. There is, however, only one path to the glory of living with Christ in eternity. This one path is the only route worth following, because God Himself has laid the course, and the destination of this one path is the Heavenly City. It is the path of true faith. Are you on it? Those who are, have been united by faith with Christ Jesus, our Saviour through which we share in the saving power of His atoning sacrifice. He gave His life a ransom for ours. By faith we die with Christ, and, says our text, if that is so, then we are united with Him by the bonds of love and faith. As this year carries us into the future, let us every day in every situation remember to stay on that one path, to follow the Word of God, which leads us in truth. Stay in close union with Christ through all of life's trials. Those on the path of dying with Christ and living in the power of His resurrection, will share forever in the joy of the Lord. We will live with Jesus forever, as our text promises us. Suggestions for prayer Pray for wisdom and perseverance to find and stay on that one sure path that leads to life. Thank God for the saving power of Christ's death on the cross and find your pardon there. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 22 - How are you feeling?

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” - 1 Peter 4:1 Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:1-11 May God grant that you start this new year healthy and happy! Not everyone does, however. That is certainly true physically, and it is also true spiritually. As believers we often can think, “I wish I were a better person! I need to be more like Jesus!” We know how far we are from living a full, holy Christian life. This discourages some. It is a sad thing when a sincere person, who wants closer fellowship with Jesus, just can't seem to find it. Often such folks turn to this or that popular book or magazine. They travel from church to church endlessly seeking. They are always disappointed because they are no better off in the end than they were at the start. Let us not give in to that disappointment and emptiness. The answer is in our text: Christ suffered for us. He bore our sins. He endured suffering in order to give us, as a free gift of grace, salvation, righteousness and eternal life. Arm yourself by believing this, and then accept what suffering you are called to endure in this life. We must take up the cross of denying ourselves, of abandoning our stubbornness and of humbly accepting the leading of God's Word and Spirit. If we are willing to suffer now, then the power of sin, says our text, will be broken in our lives. We will enjoy a closer, dearer fellowship with God. We will learn to be more patient and loving with one another. Be a living sacrifice for the Lord! Suggestions for prayer Seek God's grace to bear whatever burden of physical or spiritual pain that you are dealing with right now. Ask for grace to see that our earthly sufferings point us to Christ, whose suffering won us salvation. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 21 - Children of the Lord

“My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever.” - Psalm 89:34-36 Scripture reading: Psalm 89:19-37 Inspired by the Spirit, David knew that by nature our children, like we ourselves, are sinners. There are sad circumstances in which children turn their backs on their Christian upbringing and instruction. When that happens, God disciplines such covenant breakers now and in eternity. Thankfully, however, this does not overshadow the fact that God is faithful to those who with humble trust in Jesus keep covenant with Him. In his own family David experienced this. Some of his sons openly rebelled with disastrous consequences. David also experienced, however, the joy of seeing covenant keepers, like Solomon in his family, living in accordance with God's wonderful promise. As this new year begins, perhaps you must deal with similar circumstances in your family. May God give you strength! Do not, though, become fixated on the negative. As you look around and see family, friends and fellow Christians walking in fellowship with the Lord and His church, give glory to God for His covenant promise. We have an amazing assurance that those who are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb will endure in God's grace forever. Look to the Lord Jesus in prayer. Ask Him to restore the wandering ones and give Him heartfelt thanks for those around you who love and serve Him. Praise God for His promise of covenant faithfulness. Suggestions for prayer Intercede devotedly for those whom you know are wandering and have broken covenant with the Lord that they might be restored. Give thanks for family, friends and fellow Christians who are keeping covenant with the Lord. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 20 - Jesus’ sheep

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalm 23:6 Scripture reading: Psalm 23:1-6 The opening of a new year often makes us think of the passing of time. When we follow Jesus, then our passage through the unfolding years should be marked indelibly with His goodness and mercy. Jesus' disciples should leave behind them a trail marked by that goodness and mercy. Is that true of you? There are those (far too many) who leave behind them a trail of hurt, anger and distress. Their harsh words, thoughtless actions, stubbornness and selfishness leave behind them an aching mark upon everyone with whom they come in contact. No real Christian can live like that. Can you? Do you? If you are a sheep of the Good Shepherd, then goodness and mercy will follow you. You will live as a blessing to all around you. Your words and actions will convince all those near you (family, friends, fellow church members) that the goodness and mercy of the Lord fills you. Is that the reality of your life? Those who truly are a sheep of the Good Shepherd then live with a blessed hope: to dwell in the house of the Lord forever! Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus. Those who are His, belong to Him forever. Now, and all the days of your life, and on into the future serve the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, as He leads and guides you, so that goodness and mercy will follow you. And rejoice to have a place in His house forever. Suggestions for prayer Pray for wisdom and strength to live a truly Christian life, so that goodness and mercy will follow you. Ask for pardon for all those times when that has been missing from your life. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 19 - Jesus, our priest

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” - Isaiah 53:5,6  Scripture reading: Isaiah 53:1-6 On this third Lord's Day of the New Year, we are called to worship the Almighty in His house of prayer in the midst of His people. What do we need there? We need a listening ear to hear God's Word, we need to focus our attention on the prayers offered, we need to sing God's praise (even if our voice is just a joyful noise), and we need to give our thank offerings. One thing we do not need, however, is a human priest. We true Christians have but one priest; He is Jesus, the divine Son of God, our great High Priest of the New Covenant. As Isaiah prophesied, he gave Himself in His perfect sacrifice, once offered on Calvary's cross. There He bore the weight of our sins by providing a totally worthy sacrifice. May your time at worship this day clearly remind you that we stand represented by Jesus, the Christ of God, our only High Priest. We need no further sacrifice for sin, for Jesus paid it all. Let us thank God this day and every day that His love toward us, His people, is so great that He sent His Son to be our priest, the one to represent us, to stand in our place and to die that we might live. In faith and with heartfelt prayer, offer to God this day in worship your full trust in His saving grace and in the all sufficient merits of Christ. He alone is our priest and sacrifice together in His One Person. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Lord to open the spiritual eyes of those who think they need a human priest to intercede for them. Pray that the Lord will direct you to find all that you need in His Son, our great and only High Priest. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 18 - The only Saviour

“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces.” - Galatians 4:8,9  Scripture reading: Galatians 4:1-11 Toleration and compromise are hailed by many, perhaps most today, as the greatest virtues of all. All around us we see adherents of false religions. Some are fanatical, but many and surely the vast majority of those who hold no fixed religious beliefs, believe that all religions lead people to heaven, or at least to peace with a “god.” We Christians know, however, that there can be no compromise here. Either Jesus is the complete Saviour, or He is no Saviour at all. Where do you take your stand? In Galatia, at the time of the Apostle Paul, the Gentiles there were, and had been for ages, slaves to idols, who by nature are not gods. Now some were Christians, praise God! They faced a temptation, though, to fall into the thinking of, “Well, I can have Jesus and maybe still keep some trust in my old gods.” Here in our text the Apostle tells them this is impossible. It is impossible today too. As you prepare for worship tomorrow, search your heart carefully. We all face temptations, in one way or another, to put our faith and trust in someone or something other than Christ Jesus. Those who fall into this trap live in spiritual bondage, slaves to their own human ideas of religion, namely, false religion in all its aspects. Let there be no compromise! As a Christian recognize Jesus alone as your complete Saviour. Put your trust in Him, His Word and His power alone, which saves us. Suggestions for Prayer Pray for the Spirit's work to prepare your heart for worship tomorrow, the Lord's Day. Seek His help to root out all false religion, all vain hopes, and ask Him to guide you to faith without compromise in Jesus, the only Saviour. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 17 - A King’s worth

“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.” - Isaiah 9:7 Scripture reading: Isaiah 9:1-7 In 2025, the king business is not what it used to be. The wars and revolutions of the 20th and 21st centuries have greatly depressed the market for kings. Oh there are some left, and it's a well paying job with lots of perks for those who have it, but nowadays, the few kings that are left are mostly just figureheads, symbolic heads of state. There is one king, however, who today rules in might and splendour. One king is powerful and mighty, and He establishes justice and rules with judgment. This is, of course, King Jesus. We Christians celebrate the fact that Jesus is our King, the Son of David, born to reign in us forever. When He establishes His Kingdom in a human heart- in your heart- He removes sin and gives the gift of grace. King Jesus brings His people matchless blessings. Your calling and mine as Christians is to be sure, as the days of this new year go by, that Jesus is ruling our hearts and that by His divine grace we share in His righteousness. Let us exercise our faith, then, to welcome Jesus' rule as King of our hearts and lives. He is the ruler of our lives, and we rejoice to be His subjects, as part of His eternal Kingdom. Those who truly belong to the Lord serve a living King, the Lord Jesus Christ. May He rule in your heart and life, unchallenged and supreme. Suggestions for prayer Seek the powerful working of the Holy Spirit to submit gladly and faithfully to the rule of Christ in your heart and life. Ask the Lord to work in true churches around the world to keep themselves in full submission to Him. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 16 - Nobody is perfect

“For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.” - Psalm 51:5 Scripture reading: Psalm 51:1-9 One of the most common excuses you will hear this year and which will fall from your lips too is: Nobody is Perfect. People constantly use this as an excuse for misdeeds, foul words and lack of concern for others. While it is certainly true that no one is perfect, this is not an excuse, rather it is an accusation. All people are sinners who have offended God and are in peril of punishment. As Christian people, enlightened by God's Word, we know that by nature sin affects and infects our whole being. No human excuse will be accepted. No surface remedy will cure the curse of sin. There is no person in this world, no created being in Heaven, no thought we can think, no deed we can do, that can remove the stain of sin. When we know this truth, we know our desperate need of our Saviour. Only Jesus can save! When at some point in this new year you hear the expression “Nobody is Perfect” remember how true that is. Remember it is not an excuse, but it is an accusation. By nature we are sinners in deeds, in actions and in words. People who are not perfect are worthy only of God's justice, of His punishment in this life and in the next. It is vital then, to have Jesus as your Saviour, because He alone is able to atone for all your sins, By God's grace, find in Jesus the One you need, because the truth is: you are not perfect, but He is! Suggestions for prayer Pray that the Spirit will enlighten you to recognize clearly that you are not perfect and that you need Jesus to be your Saviour. Pray for those around you (family, friends, co-workers, neighbours) who do not yet know their need for the Lord's salvation. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 15 - The Lordship of Christ

“Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son.” - Psalm 2:11-12 Scripture reading: Psalm 2:1-12 Today it is popular to speak of Jesus' love, of His example, of His concern for the suffering and needy. In orthodox, evangelical circles it is popular to speak of Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation. All these aspects of Jesus' ministry are good and we can back them up with Scripture. One aspect, however, is often missing in many hearts and in many churches: the Lordship of Jesus Christ. True Christians know Jesus by faith as Saviour and Lord. We owe Him our allegiance. We accept His rule over us. We confess that Jesus is our King. His Lordship requires our reverence, which is a rare commodity today. We submit to Him not just in outward deeds of service, but also in our hearts as we humble ourselves before Him. Our text for today, like so many other portions of Scripture, emphasizes the Lordship of Christ. That is a fact, but what difference does it make in your heart and life? What difference does it make in your home? What difference does it make in your relationship with God and others around you? If it makes no difference, if there is no heartfelt love for the Lord, no willing obedience, then you are not serving the Lord. Your allegiance must be to this world, and as the Psalm reveals, that is fatal. As 2025 unfolds, the Lord is seeking useful servants, people alive in faith, and disciples who are steady, dependable, and obedient. May that be a description of you, as you live out your faith in service and obedience. Suggestions for prayer Humbly pray that God will provide opportunities for service in His Kingdom, in your home, wherever are, so that you will show your wholehearted acceptance of Christ's lordship in your heart and life. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 14 - Power over fear

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” - Luke 12:32  Scripture reading: Luke 12:22-34 So many in the world today begin this New Year with fear in their hearts. This life and the things of this world are all they care about and all they have. Consequently, they're afraid that their life might be ended by violence or that some criminal might steal their possessions. They worry and complain constantly. It's no way to live. To His little flock, His chosen ones, Jesus says: Do not be afraid. We can be sure that Jesus is not asking us to do the impossible. It can be done; we can live without fear. We can be delivered from the burden of worry. Those who know, by faith, that the Father has given them the kingdom know this deliverance. We can experience it when we turn to Jesus, Who was anointed to be our prophet, priest and king. The prophetic guidance of Jesus, revealed in Scripture, frees us from worry about our purpose and path in life. The priestly sacrifice of Jesus frees us from the fear of judgment and condemnation. The kingly rule of Christ encourages us as we feel His power defending us and His wisdom preserving us. As believers we rejoice to live in confidence, in hope and in trust. It is the good pleasure of the Father to give us these blessings through the blessed work of Christ, His Son. In your hour of struggle, in your moment of temptation, do not be enslaved by worry, for our Saviour says to us: Do not be afraid, little flock. Suggestions for Prayer Seek the Lord's blessing of a confident faith that overcomes the dark clouds of worry. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 13 - Refusing Christ, refusing life

“…yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” - John 5:40  Scripture reading: John 5:30-40 If you have reached this point in our Nearer to God devotional booklet, then you have some good spiritual habits. Others must think of you as a genuinely religious person, and that's commendable. Our text, however, makes it clear that there are some dangers in the path of those who are religious. It warns that you can appear outwardly religious, go to church, live a moral life, read the Bible and this devotional booklet, and yet miss the mark and fail to obtain eternal life by refusing to come to Christ Jesus in faith. To know the Scriptures, but not the Christ of the Scriptures is fatal. To be outwardly religious, but inwardly without faith, is to be walking the path to destruction. If we harden our hearts, give in to doubts, and seek after the pleasures of the world, the light of the Gospel will not shine in our souls. It is not enough to merely search the Scriptures. We must search them with the proper end in view and with a prayer for the Spirit's work to apply the truth to our hearts. As this year unfolds, read and study the Scriptures with a believing heart. Come in faith to a sure knowledge of the truth. To have eternal life we must come to the risen Christ, revealed in the Scriptures. We must make sure that our religion, our spiritual commitment, is more than a habit. Dear reader, search the Scriptures this year. Do so to know the Christ revealed there, and, knowing Him, have eternal life. Suggestions for prayer Ask the Holy Spirit to guide, direct, and enlighten you as you search the Scriptures day by day. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 12 - Jesus saves

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12 Scripture reading: Acts 4:1-12 Today is the Lord's Day, a time for Christians to gather for worship. We do so, motivated by faith in our Saviour, Jesus Christ. If an unbelieving neighbour or coworker notices this and would ask you, “What is the basic belief that you have which makes you a Christian?” How would you answer? If you would answer, my basic belief is: “Jesus saves!” you would have given a right and true answer. The fact that Jesus Saves, and our faith in the truth of that statement, is what separates Christians from unbelievers. The dividing line between the Christian and the unbeliever, between salvation and condemnation, is the one basic belief of which our text speaks. It is vital for our Christian lives that we share spiritual life in a church that proclaims this basic, Biblical teaching. If you are a member of such a church, be thankful, and do all in your power to build up the communion of the saints there. Those who are saved and those who would be saved must turn in humble faith to Jesus, acknowledge Him as their Saviour and Lord, and share in worshipping Him in His church. God in His grace has provided a place, a shelter from life's storms, where our faith can be strengthened by the means of grace. That place is His church. Be sure that this Lord's Day you attend worship, so that your faith in Jesus will be built up. Let all who truly worship this day find in their salvation by trust in Jesus. Suggestions for prayer Ask that God will bless all those who worship this Lord's Day with strengthened faith in Jesus, the only Saviour. Pray for spiritual renewal in the hearts of those who neglect the means of grace. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....

Daily devotional

January 11 - Powerful trust

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” - Psalm 20:7  Scripture reading: Psalm 20:1-9 We Christians are blessed to have the most powerful trust of all: a wholehearted faith in Jesus Christ, the only Saviour. When we trust Jesus to deliver us, we escape the vicious circle of disappointment that worldly people experience as one by one their earthly trusts are betrayed. Those who trust in Jesus are never disappointed, rather they gain a wonderful confidence and peace. Those who trust in earthly schemes, weapons, human reasoning, secular politicians, biased professors and other academics are sure to have their trust betrayed just like those in David's day, who trusted in chariots and horses. Sadly, those who will not put their trust in God, will trust anyone or anything that catches their fancy, no matter how fatally flawed. As a child of God, wisely avoid that trap and put your trust in the Lord alone. In Jesus we find all things necessary for our salvation in this world and in the world to come. Those who put their trust in Jesus find that they share in the most powerful trust of all, because the Lord will never disappoint us. Jesus alone is faithful and able to protect us, to surround us with divine care, to lift us up in sorrow and earthly trials, and to bestow forgiveness and eternal life. In the days ahead, put your trust in God, not in human plans or promises. The more you trust Jesus, the greater will be your spiritual strength, your peace of heart, your experience of pardon, and your joy in the Lord's salvation! Suggestions for prayer Pray for wisdom to turn away from all worldly powers to which the evil one seeks to direct you. Pray that the Holy Spirit will direct you to trust in Jesus alone. Rev. Gregg V. Martin was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1977. In his years of service, he pastored a total of five congregations in three Canadian provinces. He also served for more than seven years in Latin America as a missionary providing leadership training in Reformed mission churches. He is presently retired and living in Toronto. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....