It’s a fresh new day with new possibilities, new opportunities, and miracles to be experienced! But before we rush forward, we may need first to be reminded again of what He’s already told us that remains unfinished. Most of what is important, God has already spoken. So today, it would be very wise to revisit them. Think about it this way: If we aren’t obedient to what we already know, why should He reveal things to us that we don’t yet know? Read on …
Today's Reading:
Philippians 1,2,3,4
Scripture
“Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard to you.” (Philippians 3:1)
Observation
Redundancy. Repeating. Re-runs. Boring. We want something new with a unique sound, a fresh ring, and an unexpected twist. Show me. Impress me. Tickle my ears. But here, Paul is so bold as to say that he’s going to repeat a few things — the same things that will be said again. Then he reports, “And it’s no trouble for me to repeat what I have already said!” That’s nice, but it’s old stuff! But then, he lets down the hammer — “it’s a safeguard for you.” Paul’s main goal was not to titillate our ears. It was to solidify our faith.
Application
It’s a new twist or style because that’s what sells. Nike found that out. You can’t sell the last year’s fashion or even last season’s style. They must have hundreds of tennis shoes … all tennis shoes but slightly different styles. Why? Because it sells!
Growing up with that mentality, we are drawn, like fish to lures, to things new and shiny … a new jacket with just one extra button. If we’re not careful, we will develop a stylized Christianity, a vogue, trendy way to be blessed by God, one that sells, fashionable, contemporary, and cool...at least for this month.
But in the midst of the dizziness, I can hear Paul saying, “To write the same things again is no trouble for me — and it is a safeguard for you.” It’s easy for us as Christians to fall into the trap of… “I heard that illustration before.” “He preached that message last year!” But we must remember: “Second-hand gold is as valuable as new."
“Rejoice in the Lord.”
Simple. Timeless. Unchanging. Repeatable.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to enjoy every moment of today … to thank You for all You are. Would you please help me review and rehearse the timeless truths of Your Word? And as the old hymn goes: “Sing them to me over again to me, the wonderful words of life!”
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