Truth For Life Program
Alistair Begg Devotional
C. H. Spurgeon Devotional
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Audio PlayerWhat could a highly respected, devoutly religious spiritual forefather possibly have in common with a woman of ill repute? Whether you identify more with one or the other, hear a challenging and encouraging message on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg.
From the Sermon
The Humble Servant
Andrew Martinez was one of the greatest caddies in the history of golf, caddying for greats like Johnny Miller, John Cook, and Tom Lehman. He was also a talented athlete in his own right. Part of what made him extraordinary as a caddie was his devotion to his boss, which started as soon as he stepped into the caddie shack and put on the white overalls. In his role, he lost himself. He was still Martinez, but the name on his back read differently; he existed solely to serve someone else, despite his own giftedness and capabilities.
The night before He died, in what is one of the most memorable scenes from His earthly life, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. One of the reasons He did so was to model humble service, for the work of foot-washing was the role of a slave, not of a king. We can all benefit from following His example: the Creator washed the feet of His creatures and, in so doing, He served both His feuding disciples and His betrayer, Judas. Such an action was above and beyond the typical hospitality this ritual entailed.
Jesus’ actions were an example for us to follow (“you also ought”), but they were not merely an example—and if all we latch on to in this account is the call to copy Jesus’ humble behavior, we risk getting lost in moralism and missing Christ’s full and glorious intention. As He washed His disciples’ feet, Jesus knew what the immediate future held. He was acutely aware that a time of great sorrow—His coming crucifixion—was imminent. His action showed that the future is always in the Father’s loving hands. The cleansing of His followers’ feet symbolized the future cleansing of their souls—a cleansing not by the water in His bowl but by His blood on the cross. In His humility, the Son of God offers to wash us clean of the stain of our sin, and we must meet His humility with ours by accepting our desperate need and asking to be so washed.
Only once we appreciate how we have been served by our Savior will we serve others in the same way. Peter, who at the time was confused by what Jesus was doing (John 13:6-8), would one day grasp his Lord’s message. Years later, he would encourage his fellow believers to “humble yourselves … under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6). He knew that Christ’s example was meant to do far more than modify our behavior; it was meant to humble us and then to assure us of our forgiveness.
In what way are you called to wash the feet of others today? How can you sacrifice your own time or comforts to serve those around you in ways that can be motivated only by humble love? And most importantly, how can you serve others in ways that point them to the greatest act of service—the cleansing that Christ’s blood, shed on the cross, provides?
How is God calling me to think differently?
How is God reordering my heart’s affections — what I love?
What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?
Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
1Now nbefore othe Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that phis hour had come qto depart out of this world to the Father, rhaving loved shis own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2During supper, when tthe devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3Jesus, knowing uthat the Father had given all things into his hands, and that vhe had come from God and wwas going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, xtied it around his waist. 5Then he ypoured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7zJesus answered him, “What I am doing ayou do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8bPeter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, c“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, dexcept for his feet,1 but is completely clean. And eyou2 are clean, fbut not every one of you.” 11gFor he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12When he had washed their feet and hput on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, i“Do you understand what I have done to you? 13jYou call me kTeacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, lyou also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, mthat you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, na servant3 is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, oblessed are you if you do them.
Devotional material is taken from the Truth For Life daily devotionals by Alistair Begg, published by The Good Book Company, thegoodbook.com. Used by Truth For Life with permission. Copyright © 2021, 2022, The Good Book Company.
Near the Throne
Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments.
These representatives of the saints in heaven are said to be “around the throne.” In the passage in Solomon's Song where he sings of the King sitting at his table, some render it “a round table.” From this, some expositors—I think, without straining the text—have said, “There is an equality among the saints.” That idea is conveyed by the equal nearness of the twenty-four elders.
The condition of glorified spirits in heaven is that of nearness to Christ, clear vision of His glory, constant access to His court, and familiar fellowship with His person. There is no difference in this respect between one saint and another, but all the people of God—apostles, martyrs, ministers, or private and obscure Christians—will all be seated near the throne, where they shall have a perfect view of their exalted Lord and be satisfied with His love. They will all be near Christ, all satisfied with His love, all eating and drinking at the same table with Him, all equally loved as His favorites and friends even if not all equally rewarded as His servants.
Believers on earth should imitate the saints in heaven in their nearness to Christ. We should be like the elders in heaven, sitting around the throne. Christ should be the object of our thoughts and the center of our lives. How can we endure to live at such a distance from Him? Lord Jesus, draw us nearer to Yourself. Say to us, “Abide in Me, and I in you”; and let us sing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
O lift me higher, nearer Thee,
And as I rise more pure and fit,
O let my soul's humility
Make me lie lower at Thy feet;
Less trusting self, the more I prove
The blessed comfort of Thy love.
Devotional material is taken from Morning and Evening, written by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright © 2003, Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org. Used by Truth For Life with written permission.
Daily Bible Reading for September 9
Abner Joins David
1There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
2vAnd sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of wAhinoam of Jezreel; 3and his second, Chileab, of wAbigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah xthe daughter of Talmai king of yGeshur; 4and the fourth, zAdonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.
6While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. 7Now Saul had a concubine whose name was aRizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, b“Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?” 8Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I ca dog's head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman. 9dGod do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David ewhat the Lord has sworn to him, 10to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, ffrom Dan to Beersheba.” 11And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.
12And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf,1 saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.” 13And he said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, gyou shall not see my face unless you first bring hMichal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face.” 14Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, ifor whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” 15And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. 16But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to jBahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned.
17And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you. 18Now then bring it about, kfor the Lord has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’” 19Abner also spoke to lBenjamin. And then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin thought good to do.
20When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21And Abner said to David, “I will arise and go and mwill gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may nreign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.
22Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace.” 24Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone? 25You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know oyour going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”
Joab Murders Abner
26When Joab came out from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. 27And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, pand there he struck him qin the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. 28Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the Lord for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29rMay it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father's house, and may the house of Joab never be without sone who has a discharge or who is tleprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” 30So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because uhe had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.
David Mourns Abner
31Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, v“Tear your clothes and wput on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier. 32They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. 33And the king xlamented for Abner, saying,
y“Should Abner die zas a fool dies?
34Your hands were not bound;
your feet were not fettered;
as one falls before the wicked
you have fallen.”
And all the people wept again over him. 35Then all the people came ato persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, b“God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else ctill the sun goes down!” 36And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. 37So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's will to put to death Abner the son of Ner. 38And the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39And I was gentle today, though anointed king. dThese men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. eThe Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”
Prophecy and Tongues
1sPursue love, and tearnestly desire the uspiritual gifts, especially that you may vprophesy. 2For wone who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but xeven more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6Now, brothers,1 if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some yrevelation or knowledge or prophecy or zteaching? 7If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8And aif the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be bspeaking into the air. 10There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be ca foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
13Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; dI will sing praise with my spirit, but I will esing with my mind also. 16Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider2 say f“Amen” to gyour thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brothers, hdo not be children in your thinking. iBe infants in evil, but in your thinking be jmature. 21kIn the Law it is written, l“By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign3 not for unbelievers but for believers. 23If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, mwill they not say that you are out of your minds? 24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25nthe secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, ofalling on his face, he will worship God and pdeclare that God is really among you.
Orderly Worship
26What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has qa hymn, ra lesson, ra revelation, sa tongue, or tan interpretation. uLet all things be done for building up. 27If any speak in sa tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others vweigh what is said. 30If a revelation is made to another sitting there, wlet the first be silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33For God is not a God of xconfusion but of peace.
As in yall the churches of the saints, 34zthe women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but ashould be in submission, as bthe Law also says. 35If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37cIf anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39So, my brothers, dearnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40eBut all things should be done decently and fin order.
Judah's Captivity Symbolized
1The word of the Lord came to me: 2j“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of ka rebellious house, lwho have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are ka rebellious house. 3As for you, son of man, prepare for yourself man exile's baggage, and go into exile by day nin their sight. You shall go like an exile from your place to another place nin their sight. oPerhaps they will understand, though1 they are a rebellious house. 4You shall bring out your baggage by day in their sight, as baggage for exile, and you shall go out yourself pat evening in their sight, as those do who must go into exile. 5In their sight qdig through the wall, and bring your baggage out through it. 6In their sight you shall lift the baggage upon your shoulder and carry it out at dusk. You shall cover your face that you may not see the land, for I have made you ra sign for the house of Israel.”
7sAnd I did as I was commanded. tI brought out my baggage by day, as baggage for exile, and in the evening I dug through the wall with my own hands. I brought out my baggage at dusk, carrying it on my shoulder in their sight.
8In the morning the word of the Lord came to me: 9u“Son of man, has not the house of Israel, vthe rebellious house, said to you, w‘What are you doing?’ 10Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: This oracle concerns2 xthe prince in Jerusalem and all the house of Israel who are in it.’3 11Say, y‘I am a sign for you: zas I have done, so shall it be done to them. They shall go into exile, into captivity.’ 12aAnd the prince who is among them shall lift his baggage upon his shoulder at dusk, and shall go out. bThey shall dig through the wall to bring him out through it. cHe shall cover his face, that he may not see the land with his eyes. 13dAnd I will spread my net over him, and he shall be taken in my snare. And eI will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, eyet he shall not see it, and he shall die there. 14fAnd I will scatter toward every wind all who are around him, his helpers and all his troops, gand I will unsheathe the sword after them. 15hAnd they shall know that I am the Lord, when I disperse them among the nations and scatter them among the countries. 16iBut I will let a few of them escape from the sword, from famine and pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the nations where they go, jand may know that I am the Lord.”
17And the word of the Lord came to me: 18k“Son of man, leat your bread with quaking, and drink water with trembling and with anxiety. 19And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord God concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: mThey shall eat their bread with anxiety, mand drink water in dismay. In this way nher land will be stripped of all it contains, oon account of the violence of all those who dwell in it. 20pAnd the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
21And the word of the Lord came to me: 22“Son of man, qwhat is this proverb that you4 have about the land of Israel, saying, r‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? 23Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, sThe days are near, and the fulfillment5 of every vision. 24tFor there shall be no more any ufalse vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. 25For I am the Lord; I will speak vthe word that I will speak, and it will be performed. wIt will no longer be delayed, but in your days, xO rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.”
26And the word of the Lord came to me: 27“Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, y‘The vision that he sees is zfor many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: wNone of my words will be delayed any longer, vbut the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when vNathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
according to your steadfast love;
according to your xabundant mercy
yblot out my transgressions.
2zWash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and acleanse me from my sin!
3bFor I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4cAgainst you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil din your sight,
eso that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5Behold, fI was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, you delight in truth in gthe inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7Purge me hwith hyssop, and I shall be clean;
zwash me, and I shall be iwhiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness;
jlet the bones kthat you have broken rejoice.
9lHide your face from my sins,
and yblot out all my iniquities.
10mCreate in me a nclean heart, O God,
and orenew a right2 spirit within me.
11pCast me not away from your presence,
and take not qyour Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will rreturn to you.
14Deliver me from sbloodguiltiness, O God,
O tGod of my salvation,
and umy tongue will sing aloud of your vrighteousness.
15O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16wFor you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are xa broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18yDo good to Zion in your good pleasure;
zbuild up the walls of Jerusalem;
19then will you delight in aright sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and bwhole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
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