Devotions From the Pen of Dr. W. A. Dillard by W.A. Dillard - HTML preview

WORDS SIMPLY FAIL US

How many times have al of God’s marvelous people approached the throne of grace in prayer, wishing they were better equipped in both the excellence of language, and a more perfect understanding of just how to best present their petitions? Yet, despite one’s infirmity in language, the prayer is made, and made to be acceptable to the Father who hears and answers. How can that be?

Each of us, no matter the level of education, is hampered somewhat by linguistic infirmity.

But there is no such infirmity in this or anything else with God. So He Who looks on the heart reads (hears) in perfect language unknown to us. Consider that this is exactly what is revealed in Romans 8:26, “ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” How marvelous it is that our Heavenly Father, receives our petitions in divine perfection despite our limitations. Let me illustrate.

A number of years ago, my wife and I were in San Jose, Costa Rica. I was to speak at the seminary there. We enjoyed the continuing fellowship with Gene Ray and Barbara Ward. One evening, the four of us were shopping at a center. The Wards had brief business to attend, so Laura and I decided to do a little window shopping. She decided that she wanted a coca cola.

We went into a store, and I stood back to allow Laura this experience alone. The clerk understood

“coca cola” and readily produced one. Laura dug out all the Costa Rican currency she had which was several pieces to allow the clerk to take what was necessary in payment. It was then that she found herself broke and the clerk asking for something more which she did not understand.

After a few non-productive exchanges the clerk (who was asking for a deposit on the bottle) produced a medium sized, new plastic bag. The coke was poured into it and a straw placed in it, and the bag was handed to astonished Laura. Of course I broke up laughing as did she and the Wards as we walked out of the store.

The illustration may be crude, but here was a case of profound linguistic infirmity. Still, based on the required payment being made for the contents of the bottle, Laura got her coca cola anyway.

Perhaps none of us pray the perfect prayer outside of repeating the model prayer Jesus gave to us, but there is another power in play. It is the power of the Spirit of the Living God Who knows in minute detail the heart of the petitioner, and presents its content to the Heavenly Father in totally acceptable form. Thus, we are admonished in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

In simple words, of scripture “. . . Ye have not, because ye ask not.” James 4:2 . Linguistic infirmity does not block petitions of the heart!

FOR THOUGHT: How many times have your most sincere and urgent prayers gone up to God without your having uttered a word verbally?

Have you ever used your perceived inability to properly express a prayer to keep you from praying? Why?

What do you think would increase your confidence in your prayers being heard and answered?

WORLD WAR II SUGAR!

The Bible Promise is so clearly set forth in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shal be measured to you again.”

Attention is drawn to the action: “give, and it shal be given unto you.” Also attention is drawn to the source: “shal men give into your bosom.” Here is how it happened once upon a time.

During World War II, sugar, among other things was rationed. Folks in the country found it difficult to have enough for household use plus for canning purposes. Now it happened that my family lived in the country, near the backside of Fort Chaffee. Tanks of the 4th Armored Division and other vehicles were common around our house, and soldiers bivouacked so close we could see them, and particularly so when they had chow time.

We were poor as were most in those days, but we had lots of milk from old Jersey. Mom would say to us kids, “Take these two gallons of cold milk to those soldiers.” They were grateful for the gift, so grateful they pointed out a tree and told us to dig there after they left. We did, and there all wrapped up was a large sack of sugar. They could not give it to us, nor did they dare return it for fear of getting less next time. So, our family was blessed with something we needed in exchange for something we had plenty of, but was a blessing to some great young men who probably died on foreign soil.

So, what is the point? One may, in self pity, lament his lack, but it is better to focus on his surplus. There are others who have need of what one has, or knows, and how many desperately need the joy of a born-again, knowledgeable Christian! To busy oneself in ministry to the needs of others is the path to a fulfilled life, all the material things that are necessary, and the reward of heavenly commendation! Got milk? Need sugar? Give, and it shall be given to you! Do you want the undying devotion of a true friend? Share Jesus and His love with your acquaintances and enemies. Even in secular employment one must give of his skill and labor before receiving the reward of it. Seek out ways to beneficially serve others, and you will reap good measure!

FOR THOUGHT: Have you noticed that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive?

Have you also noticed that everyone loves the person who is doing things to help others?

Where does this good measure spoken of come from? Is it not from men?

List a couple of things you purposefully did recently to be helpful to others.

WRITE A BOOK!

“Brother Dil ard, will you please put all this stuff you are writing about in a book?” The question has been repeatedly asked over the years. The answer is “Probably not!” It seems there is something innate in a lot of us to write what we have learned in a book for posterity. At the same time, there are many of us who want a book of someone’s writings to take up space on a bookshelf until we die, and someone else has the pleasure of tossing it.

The wisest offspring of Adam, Solomon, said, “. . . of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Ecc. 12:12. To be sure, bookstores and libraries suffer no shortage of books on practically every conceivable topic, from most every conceivable viewpoint. Still, it is the thrill of some to discover a book that coincides with their thinking or challenges them into novel arenas. Let me illustrate.

I was flying in a small plane with two fellow ministers listening to their conversation. One was excitedly proclaiming the joyful benefits he had gotten from some off-the-wall author. The other expressed his deep desire to obtain the book under discussion. Seeing an opportunity, I declared the discovery of a book that was so rich and deep that it never ceased to thrill and amaze me each time I reviewed it. Both of them turned in excitement toward me, and asking

“What is this book you are talking about, we want it, too.” I replied that it was the book of Romans by the apostle Paul! Their faces fell in disappointment. I thought for a moment they might throw me out of the airplane. But such is the nature of the flesh; always ready to hear someone who may not be dry behind the ears, but has a gift of linguistic expression instead of understanding of the eternal Word.

Some say the Bible is just too hard to understand. Well, poor ole God! He is smart enough to create the universe and all therein, but not smart enough to write a book that His created subjects can understand. Hummm!

Therein lies the problem. If we cannot understand the communication of our Creator, then something has interfered with our mechanism. That something is sin! Repented from, one may be blessed with understanding and never ending blessings that flow as a river of life from that blessed book!

Truth is there are no shortcuts to spiritual growth, understanding and blessings. It is all in the book of books so well preserved and made available to us. If God wrote a book, and hardly no one reads it, but is content to let it collect dust on a bookshelf, then what are the prospects for usability of any book this poor writer should put together? So, aside from three theses in seminary, and three small booklets, and maybe a thousand short articles, no books are planned, but God’s book remains the number one recommended reading for eternal benefit!

FOR THOUGHT: Why do you suppose some people get excited more easily over what someone unknown may write than over what the Creator of the universe has written?

Do you think there is a reason that many Bible truths are hidden from unspiritual minds?

Since a relationship with God is strictly personal, do you think each person will be answerable to him alone, or will Dr. Whizbang stand up for him in judgment?

WWJD OR WDJD???

What a difference the change of one little alphabetic letter can make when one knows the message those letters carry. The change of one of them can signal a complete reversal of viewpoint that depicts radically altered behavior. Think about this for a moment with me.

WWJD is a set of letters that stands for the phrase: “What Would Jesus Do?” It has become popular among nominal Christians who prefer to act on their own thoughts about Jesus, and what his actions and decisions would be in a given situation. Does this sound good? Well, it deserves detailed thought. For example: Communion is a church ordinance. Those outside the church want to take it with your church or you are visiting another church, and you want to participate in the ordinance with them. Is it correct to do so? Well, WWJD. What would Jesus do? He is kind and not in the denial mode, so “yes” it must be O.K. Another example is someone wants to join your church, but states they cannot be baptized. Might the church receive that person as a member without baptism? Well, WWJD. Surely He would not turn anyone away, so, “yes,” that wil be O.K. Examples could continue. Such examples are decisions made without consulting the Bible in detail. It puts man in God’s chair. Men are not big enough to sit in His chair! Accordingly, there is a much better phrase to call to mind.

WDJD: What Did Jesus Do? I Peter 2:21 tell us, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”

There is a Bible term for proceeding in spiritual affairs without obedience to the actual teachings of the Word. The term is “iniquity,” and those practicing it wil certainly meet it again in judgment. Sadly enough, there appears to be a strong mindset among nominal Christians to just do what people want if it is not totally, morally corrupt. God is replaced with humanism. The Holy Word is negated by the superior thoughts of religious, but sinful men. Placating the whims of men has become more important than obedience to the King of kings. The attitude prevails that anything negative must be replaced with positive things. Clear teaching of the Word reveals that a truly rude awakening awaits the practitioners of WWJD. Amid the tears and gnashing of teeth they will realize the eternal loss of their error of substituting their thinking for the clear teaching of Holy Writ. Ask me not WWJD, rather ask WDJD!

FOR THOUGHT: How often do you witness human reasoning substituting Bible teachings in order to facilitate modern desires of nominal Christians?

Is the Bible truly archaic or may it be relied upon as a modern day rule of faith and practice?

Will Jesus bend His eternal Word to accommodate judgment of otherwise well-meaning folks?

YE ARE THE "WHAT?" OF THE WORLD???

Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hil cannot be hid.”

Matthew 5:14. Matthew 5:1-2 makes it clear that this statement is made to His disciples rather than to the multitudes from whom he had retreated. Think with me about what this means!

The idea of this statement being made to a group instead of an individual is reinforced by the comparison to a city set on a hill. Moreover, here is something beautiful about the King James Version of the Bible. Some folks don’t like the archaic English, but the translation is distinctly true to the original Greek by distinguishing singular from plural and nominative from objective case in the second person. “Ye” is singular, and “you” is plural, the first nominative and the other objective in grammatical case. So what we have here is Jesus referring to a plural group as singular, “ye,” in the nominative form. Hence, it is understood that this reference is to His church which this group of saved, baptized disciples were. So, it is His church, the pillar and ground of the truth; the fullness of Him that filleth all in all that is the light of the world, and as a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.

The individuals that make up the church are addressed in the following two verses. Men do not light a candle and put it under a bushel, but in the candlestick that the benefit of light may be realized. The candlestick is presented in the Bible as a type or symbol of the church.

Furthermore, such lighted candles are to let their light shine before men. This accomplishes two things: men will behold (be influenced) by that light, and it will glorify the Heavenly Father. The terminology in verse 16 is “Let your light so shine before men…” Here the second person “your”

is plural indicating a direct address to everyone numbered in the group or church. “Light and darkness,” indicating opposite states are also used to indicate knowledge as opposed to ignorance, and righteousness as opposed to evil. These latter things are what Jesus referenced.

Make no mistake about it. Men become aware quickly of one who is faithful to the Lord’s church, and who lives in accord with the teachings of Christ Jesus. They also note quickly those who “say but fail to do,” and categorize them as hypocrites. Such fails to dispel the darkness, and to glorify the Heavenly Father.

The Psalmist David declared, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so….” Psalm 107:2.

Redeemed folks should be happy folks. Redeemed folks should jump at every chance to glorify God by relating what He has done for them in providing eternal salvation, and an acceptable avenue of service. If they do this, they will be letting their light shine! Every true Christian should be such a light in this sin-darkened world.

FOR THOUGHT: Do you see how Jesus’ teachings here do not admit going to church, but being the church? Either one is or is not an intricate part of the church 24/7!

Name at least five things a church member may do to let his light shine before men.

If the church is the light of the world, how bright is that light shining?