​In Bible times, a shepherd would take his sheep from pasture to pasture, making sure they were well fed and protected. At night, especially out in the wilderness, the shepherd would build a pen by piling up stones, leaving only one opening. After all the sheep were inside the enclosure, the shepherd would lay down across the opening, keeping his sheep safe. He was literally "the door."

The phrase "go in and out" was an Hebrew expression that referred to the activities of everyday life. When Solomon asked God for wisdom, he said that he did "not know how to go out or come in" (1 Kings 3:7). Today's verse tells us that Jesus is "the door." He is the Good Shepherd, the Way to Salvation, and He also guides us, for we (like Solomon) need daily direction.

Each day we must follow our Shepherd's leading: first, we must "GO IN" to God's presence, a place of protection and comfort. This is where we get our strength for the day. But we are not to live in the sheepfold. There are pastures where God wants us to labor, and there are souls who need to hear and see the Gospel lived through our lives. Just as a literal shepherd led his sheep to the best pastures, Jesus will lead us where we need to be today. Then, when our day is done, He wants to bring us back to the enclosure, to a place of rest and closeness with the Lord. I have found the best way to start AND end each day is by "GOING IN" and spending time with the Shepherd. The "GOING OUT" is much easier after that!

​This verse was the answer given to Moses and Aaron when they told Pharaoh that the God of Israel had said, "Let my people go." Why did Pharaoh say, "I know NOT the Lord"? Was he being stubborn, or did he truly not know who Jehovah, the God of Israel, was? This very God, whom Pharaoh said he did not know, had saved the Egyptian nation from starvation through the wisdom of Joseph. However, Exodus 1:8 tells us that this Pharaoh "knew not Joseph." How sad that such a life-preserving event in that nation's history was not remembered!

I wonder if America is not more like this Pharaoh than we would like to admit. The time from Joseph to Moses could be compared to the time from the pilgrims coming to America to now. Why did they come? How important was God to our nation's founders? People today say that America was not founded on Christian principles; they say that we are not a "Christian nation." Yet, our founders believed that we are created in the image of God, and they included these beliefs in documents such as the Declaration of Independence.

As a nation, how soon we have forgotten the people who (in times of great persecution) came to America and created a "nation under God." History is seeming to repeat itself, with people today saying: "Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice? I know not the Lord." What an opportunity for the people of God to let our lights shine in a time of such great spiritual darkness!    

​Simon and others had been "washing their nets." These fishermen used cast nets to catch fish. It was important that all the weeds, sticks, dead fish, and other trash be carefully picked out of the nets. Otherwise, the debris would prevent the net from opening and catching fish. Also, a net not properly cleaned would stink up the boat and attract rats, which would gnaw on the ropes and create holes. If not kept clean, the cord (used as a drawstring) would rot. Another problem with a dirty net is that it would be easier for the fish to see and to avoid.

"Washing their nets" was not a quick process, but required carefully going over each piece by hand, removing debris, scrubbing, and repairing any holes. After all this work, Jesus told Simon to "let down your nets." Because the Sea of Galilee was very clear water, daytime was not a good time to fish. I can only imagine the thoughts that might have gone through Simon's mind: "Our nets are finally clean and repaired. If we couldn't catch any fish all night, we certainly aren't going to catch any now. And then, we'll have to clean our nets again!"

How many times does our Lord ask us to do something, and we think it is a waste of time? Perhaps we think: "Lord, I've tried and I've tried, but nothing seems to happen. It doesn't make sense for me to try anymore." We are tired and discouraged, and then Jesus says, "Launch out into the deep," when all we want to do is just QUIT! But Jesus knows something we don't, the answer is just ahead of us. When we take Him at His Word, we (like Peter) can be "astonished" at what God can do!

​One of the more challenging aspects of raising small children is when you tell them not to do something, and they do it anyway. As parents we often say, "Are you listening to me?" The Amplified Version of this verse says that the people of Israel "did not listen to the voice of the Lord." They heard what God said, but they refused to take heed and obey. I can almost imagine God, similar to a frustrated parent of toddlers, saying, "Are you listening to me?"

It is easy to read of the complaining, wayward Israelites and think, "What was wrong with them?" They continually got into trouble because they did not "hearken" to what God told them to do. Yet, are we not more like those Israelites than we would like to admit? When God impresses on us something to lay aside, do we procrastinate or find reasons for why we do not need to? When God asks us to do something, do we "murmur" (complain) in our homes about how hard it is or how it does not make sense? 

Jeremiah described this as failing to "incline their ear." To incline one's ear brings to mind leaning in as close as possible to the person speaking so you do not miss a word they are saying. When we fail to "hearken," when we fail to lean in close to the Lord to hear what He is saying, Jeremiah warns that we will go "backward, and not forward" (Jeremiah 7:24).

Help us, Lord, to be more attentive to what You're saying to us, to lean in closer so as not to miss a word, and to give heed to those words of life.

Make me more like You, Jesus,
​Make me more like You
Give me a heart that's filled with love
And make me more like You.
—   ​   Author Unknown

It was customary at sheep-shearing time to have great feasts and repay others who had helped protect the sheep from enemy raids. It was not unusual that David expected compensation after he and his men had protected Nabal's sheep and servants from the Philistines. When  Nabal  "railed" (yelled in contempt) at David's servants, David became furious! Great harm would have been done, but  Nabal's wife Abigail interceded with "a soft answer," turning away David's wrath.
 
How many times have we been done wrong, and we think, "I'm going to give them a piece of my mind"? Our first response is to justify ourselves. It is so hard to NOT fight back. How often has such an "answer" only added fuel to the fire, prolonging the conflict?
 
Today's verse shows the importance of "a soft answer," a timely, gentle response that defuses a difficult situation. How is that possible? The Book of Proverbs is full of wisdom, teaching us how to develop a disciplined life. Our words come out of the "abundance of the heart" (Luke 6:45). What we think about has a way of coming out in our words.
 
Do we give ones the benefit of the doubt? Do we seek first to understand, to listen instead of thinking of what we are going to say next? Martin Luther gave this good advice: "Take his words and actions in the kindest way possible." Another piece of good advice: "Get into the habit of taking a deep breath before responding." In that moment, ask for God's help to see the person and not their actions and for Him to give you "a soft answer."

The city of Jerusalem was "besieged" by Babylon's army, and Jeremiah was in prison. Things looked hopeless! Jeremiah's prophecies had warned of this coming destruction.

Yet, right in the middle of all this, we read that Jeremiah bought some property. Why? The Chaldeans were going to overthrow the city, burn it down, and take the people into captivity. It seems like Jeremiah should have saved his money.

But God promised in today's verse to bring His people "safely" back to Jerusalem. Jeremiah's purchase shows his belief in that promise.

It is one thing to SAY we believe God's promises, but do we put ACTIONS to our words? In the midst of a severe drought, Charles Finney grabbed his umbrella, went to church, and prayed for rain. During that church service, his prayer was answered! What a good reminder to step out in faith. God will take care of His people!

​Herod Antipas seemed to have it all: ruler of Galilee and Perea, great wealth, married to King Aretas' daughter, and achieved many impressive accomplishments. However, he fell in love with his brother Philip's wife, Herodias and divorced his first wife to marry her. No doubt, this change in status was also attractive to Herodias, as Philip was not a ruler over any province.

John the Baptist warned Herod, saying, "It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife" (Mark 6:18). But Herod would not listen. Consider the results of Herod's decision to marry Herodias:

• King Aretas declared war and defeated Herod. Herod was only saved when Rome intervened.
• Herodias tricked Herod into beheading John the Baptist.
• When Agrippa (Herodias' brother) was made king (a title Herod Antipas was never given), Herodias was jealous. She persuaded her husband to ask the emperor to also be given the title "king." Although Herod was reluctant, he did what his wife demanded, but this backfired with the emperor giving Herod's money and territory to Agrippa. Herod was then banished to Gaul, where he lived in exile until his death.

"The way of transgressors" indeed "is hard." God was faithful to warn Herod through John, but Herod did not take heed. How differently his life might have turned out if he had listened. This is a sobering example of "the way" of one who was a transgressor. It serves as a warning to us as we travel this road of life. God will be faithful, placing warning signs on our path. Oh, the importance of heeding His warnings!

How many times do we get frustrated and discouraged when things are not working out? Perhaps, it seems like our prayers are not being answered and our problems and decisions are still as big as ever. We often wonder what is taking God so long. Does He not care? When will He answer?

Solomon wrote, "God is in heaven." When He looks at our situation, He sees the whole picture. Solomon also wrote that we are "upon the earth." This reminds me of the story of a child who was watching his mother while she was working on a piece of embroidery. To the child, it looked like a mess, just a bunch of tangled threads; but that was because he was looking at the underside. When his mother turned it over and showed him the top, he saw a beautiful picture!

In our humanity, we want to "fix" our problems ourselves, but there are times when our words (and our actions) need to "be few." If you have ever done needlework, like embroidery, you might have found that you made mistakes and had to redo parts of the picture. However, God does not make mistakes. The "underside" of what He is doing might look confusing and even a bit messy. However, although we cannot see it yet, God is creating a beautiful plan for our lives. 

This verse is a good reminder to put our trust in what God is doing. He does all things well!

The Greek races in Bible times included 200 yards, 400 yards, 3 miles, armor, and torch races. Some runners were best for short distances, and others had a build suited for the races where they  carried 50-70 pounds of armor. No doubt, this is what the author of Hebrews was thinking of when he wrote this verse.

In those races, the Judge of the Games determined the course. Likewise, God chooses our "race," for He knows which path is best for us. Our individual "race" is already planned out. The troubles (obstacles), location, and length of the course is chosen by God.

Often, we are tempted to look at the race "set" before others, thinking, "They have it much easier than I do," or "They have more talents and abilities," or "They aren't weighed down with armor (problems) like I am." There is an old saying: "Stay in your lane." Believing that a change in "lanes" (family, wealth, talents, circumstances) will  help you in your race is a great distraction! 

When Jesus told Peter his "race" would include hardship and death, Peter asked, "What shall [John] do?" (John 21:21). Jesus said, "What is that to thee? follow thou me." In other words, "Peter, stay in your lane. Run your own race with patience and endurance."

Comparison living is dangerous. It will steal our joy and take our eyes off the goal and onto the race of others. How important that we do not become distracted by desiring a lane that God did not appoint for us! With God's help, let us "press on to the goal" (Philippians 3:14) and stay in our lane.

Thomas was an lonely, old man, and when he died it seemed as if no one would attend his funeral. Author Herbert Gee tells how he decided to go, so that at least one person would accompany the old man on his final journey. Gee was right—no one else came. But at the cemetery, there was a soldier who saluted Thomas' grave.

The soldier told the author that Thomas had been his Sunday school teacher when he was a "wild lad." He explained that he had been a "sore trial" to Thomas. He said, "Thomas never knew what he did for me, but I owe everything I am or ever will be to old Thomas." That soldier was a brigadier officer.

All our life we are to be sowing the good seed (the Word). We are to sow it "in the morning" (in our younger years) and keep sowing it "in the evening" (in our later years). It might seem like the seed is not taking root (that people are not being affected), but we, like Thomas, cannot truly know the good it is doing!

Isaiah 32:20 tells us to "sow beside all waters." How many "wild lads" do we pass over, thinking they are not interested, that they will never accept Christ? How many people are a "sore trial" to us, so we tend to avoid them? How many "soldiers in the making" are in need of our sharing the seed through acts of love and kindness?

During the Middle Ages, there was a king who had trouble falling asleep. Every night his storyteller would tell stories to help the king sleep. The storyteller became exhausted, needing sleep himself. So, one night he came up with the story of a farmer transporting 2,000 sheep over a river, two at a time. The counting of the sheep lulled the king to sleep. Thus, the old saying, "Counting the sheep until I sleep."

God designed our bodies to need prolonged periods of sleep. Teens need 8-10 hours, and adults need at least 7 hours every night. Studies show that sleep deprivation can make ones at a greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, weight gain, and poor mental health. Writers of the ancient world understood the importance of sleep, saying that sleep is "the most grateful of known gifts."

While some nights a lack of sufficient sleep cannot be helped, how many times have we stayed up a little longer to check social media, read a book, text friends, or watch a movie? We are depriving ourselves of a good night's rest—a gift of God. The next day, we often find ourselves more apt to oversleep, weary, and having brain fog. But worst of all, it is harder to hear God's Spirit talking to us when we are tired. 

God "giveth his beloved sleep," a time to refresh our weary body, recharge, and be strengthened for whatever tomorrow brings. Today's verse is a good reminder that sleep is a gift from God. What are we doing with it?

​On June 28, 1914, Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. Years later, telegrams between the leaders of Russia and Germany (Nicholas and Wilhelm) revealed how they tried to avoid involving their countries in a conflict. However, the German chancellor did not agree with Kaiser Wilhelm's plans for a peaceful resolution. He instructed the ambassador in St. Petersburg to tell the Russian foreign minister, "A European war could scarcely be prevented."

Soon after Nicholas sent a telegram to Wilhelm, saying: "Thanks for your telegram conciliatory and friendly. Whereas official message presented today by your ambassador conveyed a different tone. Beg you to explain." But the damage was done, and on August 1, war was declared.

Paul described the Christian as an "ambassador," working "in Christ's stead" to reconcile the lost to God. As ambassadors, we are to make known to others the plan of salvation (God's terms for peace). We are not to change those "terms" or get instructions from another source. Consider the confusion of a lost soul when God's ambassadors bring the wrong message. Is there anything in our words or actions that could cause ones to say: "The message presented by your ambassador conveyed a different tone. Please explain."

It is vitally important that we, as "ambassadors for Christ," frequently talk to the One we are representing. We bear His name and His message. How much conflict might be avoided if His "ambassadors" would talk to Him each day!

The town of Thebez had a strong tower. When Abimelech and his men overthrew this city, the people fled to the tower and shut themselves up inside. When Abimelech tried to burn down the door, a woman on the tower’s roof dropped a millstone on his head. Abimelech died, and his men departed. The high, strong tower provided a place a safety and defense.

In Bible times, towers (often called watch towers) were carefully placed in places of danger. Some were built into a city’s wall, and others were in isolated areas. Watchmen would stand in these elevated towers, sounding an alarm of approaching danger, giving the people time to run to the tower and be safe.

In this verse, "the name of the Lord" is compared with "a strong tower." God told Moses His name was "I am that I am." The name of the Lord is Creator, Provider, Savior, Deliverer, Counselor, the Good Shepherd, and so much more. Whatever we need is found in His name.

All that God is asking of us is that we come to Him, this "strong tower." The verse says, "runneth into it." Do not procrastinate, but come quickly. Lay aside anything that is preventing you from running to Him. Just as ancient people would not have carried things that would have hindered them from running to the strong tower quickly, so we must lay aside every weight.

Regardless of what "danger" we are facing today, Joel 2:32 promises that "everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." He is ALL we need!