Schedules are important. In this society we are very conscious
of daily schedules. We buy “day runners” to help us arrange our day, that
we might better use our time and get everything that is important to us
accomplished each day. This is not new. God’s people have been
encouraged to use their time wisely and to do certain things”daily”.
The Psalmist David was cognizant of this and faithful to keep
his daily schedule. “So I will sing praise unto thy name
forever, that I may daily perform my vows”. (Psa.61:8) “Be merciful
unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily” (Psa.86:3). And again,
“Mine eye wasteth away by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily
upon thee, I have stretched out my hands daily” (Psa. 88:9).
David realized that time passes fast. “The days of our years
are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore
years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off
and we fly away. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psa. 90:10, 12)
Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father, saying “Give
us this day our daily bread” (Matt.6:11. Prayer is so very important daily
because Satan is at work every day. Satan used Delilah to break down
Samson. “And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her
words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death. That
he told her all his heart........ “(Judges 16:16,17b). King
David spoke of his enemies who oppressed him, “As with a sword in my bones,
mine enemies reproach me: while they say daily unto me, where is thy god?”
(Psa.42:10)
Our enemy, the great deceiver, the one who never gives up realizes
how important it is to be constant in any endeavor, especially tempting
God’s created who are fleshly, carnal and weak without the power of God.
The weeping prophet Jeremiah said,” I am in derision daily, everyone
mocketh me. The word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me daily”
(Jere.20:7, 8). This constant daily deriding caused Jeremiah to determine
never to speak any more in God’s name. But because God’s word was burning
in his heart he could not contain. Praise God for His powerful word!
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
and come and take up his cross daily, and follow me”. (Jn.9:23) Under the
old covenant the priests stood daily and offered up sacrifices. (Heb.9:27;
10:11). We today are under a new law, the law of Christ. We are to,
“present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which
is our spiritual service”. (Rom. 12:1) This is taking up our cross daily.
The early church continued daily with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread from house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness
of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And
the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts
2:46, 47) This meeting together daily was important because it caused them
to be fervent in spirit. They were encouraged by one another.
God Knew this would be the result. It is no surprise when we read
on further that the church grew. “And so were the
churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts
16:5).
The Apostles were commissioned by Jesus to teach the gospel.
They were not disobedient to the heavenly command. Luke records, “And daily
in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach
Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42) Would to God that we could be as diligent. We
are given this command, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among
many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach
others also. Thou therefore suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier
of Jesus Christ.” (11 Tim.2:2)
Kind and faithful reader, Jesus shed his blood for the lost.
Are we going to shirk our duty and not inform them of this wonderful blessing?
(Give us love for the lost dear Lord, give us courage to tell the old old
story, that Jesus’ blood washes away sin. The gift of salvation is free!
Help us to do this daily.)
Not only were the early Christians together daily but we find,
“ that those in Berea were more noble in that they searched the scriptures
daily to see if what they were being taught was so.” (Acts17:11)
The word of God is very powerful and when we continue in it daily, it will
have an effect on our heart. It is living and active and able to
correct us if we are willing to let it do its work (Heb. 4:12)
If we want a relationship with God we must be willing to take
time daily to be with Him in study, in prayer, meditation and service.
If I want to know Him, and the power of His resurrection, I will also have
to partake of the fellowship of His suffering and be made conformable to
His death. I will have to be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness,
but that which is through the faith of Christ. (Phil.3:9, 10) This will
be a daily thing.
The Apostle Paul was consumed with living for Jesus. He said.
“I die daily”. His life was on the line for God and his brethren.
In another place he said, “For me to live is Christ”. He cared nothing
about his life. The weight of caring for the churches “cometh upon me daily”,
he said (11Cor.11:28). This is a good example for us to follow.
If we all cared for the each other as Paul cared for his brethren, we would
all be stronger in the faith. There would be less backsliders and
God would be glorified. This caring for one another should not be an occasional
thing but a daily habit.
As the Apostle was continually commending, encouraging, exhorting
and rebuking his brethren, so should we. The Hebrew writer said it like
this, “Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily,
while it is called today: lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness
of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of
our confidence steadfast unto the end.” (Heb.3:12-14)
As the Apostle Paul said, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be
ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch
as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor.15:58)
Kind and gentle reader let us do this daily. Let us observe these things
and encourage each other to do the same.
Look up, for He is coming again!!
