Dean Allen's Daily Devotional

-May 1, 2023-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised on up high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, and His word was on my tongue.”

(2 Samuel 23:1-2).

In 2 Samuel 23:1-7 we have David’s last words to the people of Israel. He knew that he was old and soon his reign would end, his life would end. He could have been like most politicians today and recount his military victories, his power, influence, and success, but he didn’t do that. Instead he choose to give glory to the Lord. He humbly describes himself as the son of Jesse, the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel.” Others considered him great, even the Lord, but he didn’t see himself as great. He was a humble king and man of God.

David knew his roots from being a shepherd boy, to a mighty warrior, to being the king of Israel. He was never boastful or proud. He wasn’t perfect, none of us are, but he confessed his sin in contriteness and repentance. He loved the Lord and put Him first in his life. Acts 13:22 says, “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony to and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’” This was David’s legacy and something we should desire and strive for. It is a high standard to be a man or woman after God’s own heart and to do all His will.

David said in 2 Samuel 23:3, “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” He acknowledged that God raised him up, strengthened him, protected him, and gave countless victories. This is also true of us today: we can’t do anything without the Lord. David ruled over Judah for seven years and overall over all Israel for forty years.

Let us ask ourselves, what last words would we share? Would it be all about us or would it be all about the Lord and His work in our lives and the blessings He gave us? Tomorrow we will consider David’s last words to his son Solomon before passing the torch to him. Let us leave a legacy and impact for Christ in our households, classrooms, workplaces, neighborhoods, and churches.

Have a blessed day building your legacy for Christ. Stay safe and healthy.

Not knowing when our last words will be, but living for Jesus and being an example for others to see,

Dean

-April 30, 2023-

Good morning, happy Lord’s Day,

“…And He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

(Isaiah 53:12).

Jesus the Son of God was born to die on the cross for our sins and the sins of the world. He was the perfect God-Man. He was sinless, blameless, innocent, holy, and undefiled. Because He was God, He was the only one qualified to be the perfect sacrifice as the Lamb of God. He bore our sin, our guilt, and our shame. In fact, it says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

All of this didn’t justify the way the Jews and Romans treated Him as a common criminal. Our text says, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Even Pilate, the Roman governor, responded to those who demanded that He be crucified, saying, “Why, what evil has He done” (Matthew 27:23)? Even the second thief on the cross replied to the first one in Matthew 27:40-41, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”

They treated Jesus like a common criminal at His arrest, His trial, and His crucifixion. In fact, they treated Him worse with their savagery and reviling, and mockery. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy in the OT to a tee. The details of His death are spelled out with amazing detail in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. There are also prophecies in other psalms and other books in the OT.

We thank God that Jesus was willing to be numbered with the transgressors. He didn’t resist, fight back, or called down legions of angels to save Him and destroy those who crucified Him. By His death and resurrection He saved us. He took our sins and gave us His righteousness.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day remembering and worshiping Him. Stay safe and healthy.

There is no condemnation for us because Jesus was condemned on our behalf,

Dean

-April 29, 2023-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.”

(Job 19:25-26).

The little word know is an extremely valuable and important one. It simply means to, “be aware through observation, inquiry, or information.” When you know something it gives you great confidence. The opposite is also true: when you don’t know something, it leads to uncertainty, fear, or anxiety. The expression, “Knowledge is power is attributed to Francis Bacon from his Meditationes Sacrae way back in 1557. It was true then and it is true now.

For the Christian the knowledge of God, His Word, salvation, eternal life, and of heaven gives us great encouragement. The news media is based on the presumption that people want to know. God knows us better than we know ourselves. He understands how vital it is for us to know. Job, struck by so many trials got very discouraged, but he never lost hope in the Lord. He looked beyond this world to his future glory with the Lord. Job and his three friends debated over the issue of why the godly suffer. In the end, the Lord, the Lord had the last word. His friends were wrong, he was right, but even his knowledge was limited. God was over all. God is omniscient. He knows everything.

None of us know everything like God does, but we thank Him for what He has revealed to us in His Word. We learn through seeing, hearing, observing, and experiencing. This is why older believers offer us so much wonderful knowledge and wisdom that they have learned from walking with the Lord for many years. Knowledge of the truth is made to share it with others. We don’t go around giving unwanted or undesired advice, but when someone asks, we share with them.

In Scripture there are two very crucial things that we know: that we have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ and that God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I love the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 1:12, “For this I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” That Day when we go to be with the Lord is coming. Let us keep our minds occupied on Christ, not on the things of this world. One can know many things that are mere trivia, but when we know the Lord and His Word it is never mere trivia.

Let us hold onto the knowledge we have and know more. May our knowledge be put into practice. We will be better prepared when trials come. We can hold onto the Lord our Rock through the storms of life. Have a blessed, safe and healthy day.

Knowing, growing, and believing,

Dean

-April 28, 2023-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.”

(Acts 11:23 NASB).

Barnabas was a great man of God who served with Paul. His real name was Joses. The early Christians called him Barnabas, meaning, “son of encouragement. He preached the gospel, planted churches, and taught the saints. We need more men like him today. He exhorted the new believers and the older ones alike to remain true to the Lord. They needed it then, and we need it just as much today.

To be a good encourager in the church takes commitment, dedication, understanding of the Word, and a love for people. Sometimes we call it tough love when we speak directly and frankly. There are so many who are afraid to offend a person, especially when the truth hurts. The goal for every believer is spiritual maturity and to be like Christ. None of us are perfect. We all need spiritual mentors that we can be accountable to.

Barnabas was so happy with the progress of the believers in Antioch were the disciples were first called Christians. He was burdened that they would remain true to the Lord. What does it mean to be true to the Lord? It simply means to walk with the Lord, obey the Word of God, pray, be in fellowship with the saints, and do His will. We need to stand on our convictions without contradictions. Sin is everywhere around us, and the world is filled with temptations. We must remain true to the Lord.

It is not enough to start well in the Christian life, we must continue to run well and finish the race strong. God wants us to be faithful in all we do, all through our days on earth. When we have an opportunity to witness and share our faith we should take it. Let’s make it a goal to be a blessing to someone today whether they are saved or unsaved.

Have a blessed day and weekend. May we remain true to the Lord, His church, His kingdom, and use what He has given us as good stewards. Stay safe and healthy.

Being true to the Lord Jesus,

Dean

-April 27, 2023-

“Then the king said, ‘And where is your master’s son?’ And Ziba said to the king, ‘Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ So the king said to Ziba, ‘Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.’”

(2 Samuel 16:3-4).

Slander is a terrible sin and a crime. The word is defined as, “The utterance of false charges or misrepresentation which defame and damage another’s reputation.” This is exactly what Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth did to him. David and Mephibosheth were unaware of his dastardly plot. Slander begins in the dark shadows of the soul and then is sprung on the innocent, unsuspecting person who is usually not present at the time.

David had left Jerusalem and the throne when Absalom led a coup and took over the throne. When he left, his loyal servants followed him into exile. Ziba came to David and brought food and drink for him and all his men. It seemed that he was so generous and supportive of David, but he had a bad motive; God knows our motives.

If this is all Ziba did, it would have been a blessing. Instead, he slandered Mephibosheth. When David asked where he was, he said, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’” He knew David detested disloyalty. David then bequeathed all that belonged to Mephibosheth to Ziba. His plot fell into place. Meanwhile poor Mephibosheth never knew what hit him.

Fortunately down the line after David was restored to his throne in Jerusalem, Mephibosheth was able to give his side of the story. He said of Ziba, “And he has slandered your servant to the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.” David then told him that he and Ziba would divide the land. Mephibosheth said, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.” God defends us when we are slandered, and brings the truth to the light.

Many people in the Bible were slandered such as David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Paul, and of course Jesus Himself. In fact, Paul was slandered many, many times. It can happen to any of us at any time. The devil is behind all the slander of God’s people. The Lord will smite those who slander His children. We are not to seek vengeance against the slanderers, pray, tell the truth, and leave in God’s hands.

May the Lord protect our reputation and testimony for Him. Have a blessed day in the arms of Jesus. Stay safe and healthy.

Integrity is shown over time and it is sublime,

Dean