Category: Daily Devotions

“This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.” (Hebrews 9:9) Illustrations are used all the time in teaching and in ­speeches and sermons. Illustrations can help us understand a certain topic or point. The writer of Hebrews…

“Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.” (Luke 14:23-24) Our Lord is determined to throw a party — a party that will last forever. He paid for the…

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2) The Lord is your rock. When I think of a rock, I think of something sturdy, strong, and stable. Thus, you are on…

“They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.” (Hebrews 8:5) If you walk along a city street on a bright, sunny day, you will come across shadows. The shadows won’t really affect your walk. For example, you can walk through the shadow of a light pole because…

“He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (Hebrews 7:27) In the Old Testament God made a covenant with his people. That covenant included a system of sacrifices that pointed to the forgiveness of sins. But those sacrifices could not fully take away sin because, as Hebrews states later, “it is…

“When Jesus said to them, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” (John 18:6) When Judas, the band of soldiers, and officials sent by the priests and the Pharisees said that they were looking for Jesus, Jesus replied, “I am he.” Perhaps this was merely an admission that He is Jesus,…

“Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.” (Exodus 27:8) The altar in the tabernacle was a place where sacrifices were offered in worship to God. And He had definite ideas about how it was to be built: “Make the altar out of…

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12) In a 1985 newspaper essay, Anne Wells wrote: “My brother-in-law opened my sister’s bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package. It was an exquisite silk handmade slip; the price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still…

“For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10) One Friday morning an eager young Stanford University student stood before Louis Janin, a well-known mining engineer. He was seeking employment. Janin informed him, “All I need right now is a stenographer.” The young man said eagerly, “Fine, I’ll…