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Not Separate From His Love

Not Separate From His Love by Kirk Hunt

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:35 NKJV

Paul survived savage beatings, death warrants, and unjust imprisonments. He knew he would face similar difficulties until his last moments on Nero’s chopping block. Yet he boldly speaks his absolute confidence in God. No one can come between God’s people and the love of Jesus Christ. No matter what injustice you face, no one can separate you from our Savior who loves and cares for you.

I will confess, that in the middle of the trials and difficulties, I wonder. Like Job, I must have confidence in my life before God, and complete faith in His grace and mercy. I may be the least of His children, but He loves me most of all.

Today, millions of men and women, boys and girls, suffer in difficulties beyond their control and power. They are still God’s children, no matter what you do or say. You can whip and abuse those who God loves, but that does not change God’s heart about them.

They may not look like you. They may not sound like you. They may not confess Christ. God loves them just the same.

Whatever is happening in your life today, God loves you. Remember that in the middle of your trials and difficulties. Let that knowledge color how you respond to others.

Think: “God’s love for me and His children is unstoppable.”

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember Your love for me, and others, at all times.”

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Strength, Courage and Salvation

Strength, Courage and Salvation by Kirk Hunt

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.

Psalm 27:1-2 NKJV

Godly men and women have enemies and foes, just like everyone else. What is different is that we live in the grace and protection of our all-powerful God. God is our strength. Always.

Can God’s people be battered and bruised? Perhaps. Can God’s people be beaten and defeated? Not until after they beat and defeat God. But we must operate in God’s strength, not our own.

King David, experienced and understood unjust treatment and persecution. Yet, here in this Psalm, he sang in victory about the light and salvation of God. Whether hiding in a cave or living in a palace, David understood that God was greater than his enemies.

David fought battles. More than once, his life was at risk. Still, his courage came from the source of his strength. He found grace and protection in all-powerful God.

Whatever you face today, consider where you find strength. No matter how battered and bruised you feel, you are not beaten. Not if you operate in the strength, light, and salvation of God. Find your courage in His strength.

Think: “God is my strength and salvation, therefore I can have courage.”

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember my courage comes from Your strength.”

Not Forsaken

Not Forsaken by Kirk Hunt

I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.

He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

Psalm 37:25-26 NKJV

Quill, scratching on parchment, David remembered his long, eventful life. “The righteous are not forsaken. Ever.” I wonder if some of the ink was smudged by teardrops.

Do not confuse hard times with being forsaken. God’s people face difficult circumstances, just like everyone else. The difference is that we know that God Himself guards us, and our folk.

David, hunted like an animal by his own father-in-law: not forsaken. David, betrayed by his own son and fleeing for his life: not forsaken. David, offering an atoning sacrifice because of his own sin: not forsaken.

You may cry hot tears, or bleed profusely, or go desperately hungry, but you remain a son or daughter of God. And in all of that, you are not forsaken. God guards you and yours. Stay faithful to our God who has already proven His faithfulness to you.

David lived to appoint his son, Solomon, to the throne with peace and prosperity. Messiah, Jesus Christ, is a king in David’s dynasty. David was never forsaken.

Son and daughter of God, your children and grandchildren will live in the peace and prosperity God gives you. Others will live better and longer because of your generosity and kindness. And all of it because you are not forsaken. Ever.

Think: “No matter how it looks, I am not forsaken.”

Pray: “Lord, help me to remember I am never forsaken by You.”

Work For Good

Work For Good by Kirk Hunt

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 NKJV

It is hard, from the middle of the chaos and confusion, to remember that God is working it out for good. Remember that “good” is not always “what I want or think.” God is always faithful to His Word, and to His fretful son (or daughter).

Events and circumstances happen to God’s people. Some, without doubt, hurt. Yet, God makes it work together for good. For mortal men and women, that can be hard to see, and harder to remember.

Sometimes we have to look past something. The legal decree is not the last word. The broken relationship is not the final chapter. The closed casket is not the end of the story. Tears, too often, are an ingredient of triumph.

No one wants to hurt, but aches and pains are part of the journey. Your heartache and soul cry are real and seen by God God’s love for you, and faithfulness in everything, is promised. No one (reputable) said we would understand on this side of eternity.

Are you fulfilling His purpose in your life? Are you pursuing your calling in His kingdom? Then it will be good. Keep working and trust how He works it out.

Think: “If it has not worked out, this is not the end.”

Pray: “Lord, help my faith and trust that You will make it good.”

He Turned And Struck

He Turned And Struck by Kirk Hunt

Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.” But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. And the king said to Doeg, “You turn and kill the priests!” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod.

1 Samuel 22:17-18 NKJV
Please also read 1 Samuel 22:1-23

Even if King Saul’s order to kill the priests was lawful, it was clearly immoral. Traditional sources identify Abner and Amasa, loyal captains of King Saul, as the men who refused to kill the priests. Doeg proved himself a despicable henchman when he “turned and struck the priests.”

King Saul, God’s anointed king of Israel, gave an immoral order based on his anger and frustration. Men and women are responsible for the decisions they make as a leader of God’s people. A good leader would have re-thought his orders when loyal men (or women) refused to carry them out.

Any thug or brute can carry out a malicious order. An honorable and righteous soul is most loyal when they protect a leader from all dangers. And sometimes, a leader’s greatest danger is themselves.

Scripture does not record what happened to Doeg. Saul, who gave the order, died a miserable death, surrounded by enemies. A good leader wants good followers. Men and women who are so loyal, they will protect a leader from themselves.

Think: Even if the order is lawful, it may not be moral. Should I carry it out?

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister correctly, despite my orders.”

Captain Over Them

Captain Over Them by Kirk Hunt

David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 NKJV
Please also read 1 Samuel 22:1-23

Unjustly accused, and a death warrant issued in his name, David hid in the cave of Adullam. First, his extended family joined him. Then the losers of Israel came. David became a captain or leader to those shunned and despised by everyone else.

With the elite forces of King Saul looking for him, David gained responsibility for the lowest people in Israel. Some would call those same folk liabilities. Deadbeats, troublemakers, and whiners from across Israel came to David for help and support. Instead of a handout, David gave them courage, valor, skill, and expertise.

Perhaps you think your Adullam experience is the end of you. God is instead setting you up for future success. Those sniveling losers need to be transformed into elite champions. And their captain is a king (or queen) in training.

You will have to stay the course. You will train, educate, encourage and discipline men and women everyone else jettisoned. They do not look like much now, but they will be champions after you become God’s captain over them.

Think: God is setting you up as a future king (or queen) by making you a captain now.

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister Your way, in Your Name, here and now.”

Do Likewise

Do Likewise by Kirk Hunt

“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:36-37 NKJV
Read also Luke 10:25-37

You would think it was complicated. Jesus commands us to show mercy to those who have suffered misfortune. “Do likewise” is not tricky or complex.

Still, too many who call themselves Christians, refuse to follow a straightforward instruction from our Lord and Savior. The unhoused are forced to make their homes in the streets. Refugees are refused protection or due process. Millions suffer hunger and thirst across the world, and right here at home.

Facing a violent street gang is not the only way to “fall among thieves”. An unjust or merciless eviction inflicts a world of loss and suffering. Ask a victim of flood or fire if they feel beaten and robbed.

Jesus wants you to spend your time, talent and treasure helping your neighbor. Take your plenty and bind up someone else’s wounds. Spend your time to save the life of a helpless victim. Use your influence and reputation to benefit those who have fallen in hurt and harm.

“Go and do likewise” is not hard to understand. Your neighbors are waiting. You are not still sitting on your couch are you?

Think: Am I following Jesus’ commandment to minister to others?

Pray: “Lord, help me to love You enough to minister in Your Name.”

And You Will Live

And You Will Live by Kirk Hunt

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

Luke 10:27-28 NKJV
Read also Luke :10:25-37

Jesus, our Lord and Savior told us to love our neighbors, and live. If you squint, really hard, there is the implication that if you do not, you will die. Certainly, if you do not love your neighbor, you are not being obedient to Jesus.

The parable of the Good Samaritan has been covered, in volume and depth, by better teachers and scholars than myself. Why then do so many Christians act like Jesus never commanded us to love our neighbors? What motivates them other than willful disobedience?

Could it be that they really do not want to live? Do they love their current comfort and wealth more than God’s eternal approval and blessing? Do they follow a false god or false messiah rather than Jesus?

Verse 29 states that the lawyer wanted to “justify himself.” Did his own recitation of Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 convict him? Was his conscience squirming under Jesus’ commands? We can never know for sure, but I doubt my guesses are far from the mark.

Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors. Obedience to Christ gives life. Love your neighbors and live.

Think: Am I following Jesus’ commandment to love and live?

Pray: “Lord, help me to love You enough to follow Your commandments and live.”

Love One Another

Love One Another by Kirk Hunt

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:34 NKJV

Jesus commanded us to love each other. He also commanded that we look at His acts as examples. Just do what Jesus did.

Perhaps you think that love is just an emotion. You should know that love is an act. It is something you choose, then spend blood or sweat or tears to make happen.

At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus wept. He then called a cold corpse back to warm life. Love overcomes death.

The Pharisees threw the adulterous woman at His feet and demanded blood and judgment. Jesus silently revealed the shame or error of the accusers, then forgave her. Love overcomes sin.

The Romans scourged Him, then nailed Him to a cross. And His blood gave us salvation. An act of love returned us to fellowship with God.

Love cannot stand at the side and watch. Love jumps into the middle of the storm and does something about the situation. Love gives, at great cost. Love takes the hurt and loss and gives blessing and benefit.

Love is not just a warm, fuzzy feeling. Real love demands that we expend time or talent or treasure for others. Often for those who scorn you for the benefit they receive. Just like Jesus did.

Think: Do I follow Jesus’ commandment to love?

Pray: “Lord, help me to love You enough to follow Your commandments.”

Where Is Your Pleasure?

Where Is Your Pleasure? by Kirk Hunt

And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NKJV

Too often, the truth hurts me. I may flinch, but I refuse to turn away. I have to work hard for it, but I always seek to find pleasure and joy in God’s truth. His truth always brings life and increase for His sons and daughters.

You can always take pleasure in the lies. They are, after all, easier to hear. Unfortunately, the lies always lead to death, loss, and condemnation.

Ask a drug addict. Ask anyone deep in debt. It was fun at first, but the pain and hurt outweigh the temporary pleasures.

The preacher said, “God will only save you from your enemies, not your friends.” God can separate you from an addiction, but you have to want to be clean and stay sober. God can separate you from the lies, but you have to want His truth.

If you want His truth, all you have to do is ask. You may have to work hard to find joy and enjoyment in God’s truth. When you are living in His grace and blessing, it will be worth it.

Think: Do I love God’s truth? Do I find pleasure in His truth or the lie?

Pray: “Lord, help me to love and take pleasure in Your truth.”