Bible Reading: Genesis 3 | Matthew 3 | Psalm 3
Devotional for January 3, 2025
Reading: Genesis 3 | Matthew 3 | Psalm 3
Genesis 3
Genesis three is often considered the darkest chapter in the Bible. It is the narrative of the fall of mankind into sin and misery. Though God fashioned Adam and Eve and brought them into his presence, dwelling with him in the garden, they determined to rebel against the command of their Creator by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The chapter is not without hope, however. Embedded within the bad news is the good news of the Gospel. The entire chapter is a summary of the human condition. All mankind is born into sin, but the hope of the Gospel remains a free offer to them.
3:1
The narrative opens with an ominous statement: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.” Here we learn one aspect of our enemy: he is a deceptive being. He is the father of lies, and he proves it in his effort to deceive Eve and lead her in the wrong direction. There is a lesson for all of us in this simple observation: we must pay close attention to the efforts of the Evil One, or we will fall into temptation and sin. Jesus warns his disciples to “watch and pray lest you enter into temptation.” We are taught to pray, “Lead me not into temptation.” Temptation comes to us all, but we face no temptation that is not common to man. We must, therefore, recognize that our enemy is crafty and, as such, he will employ whatever means necessary to ruin us.
3:2-7
The exchange between Satan and Eve highlights this section of the narrative. What is important to note is how she is so deceived by Satan's efforts that she adds to the command of God. The command was not to eat the fruit of the tree. She adds a further prohibition not to touch it. Further, Satan convinces Eve that death will not occur if she disobeys. Yet, death did not, and it came immediately. Rebellion against God is death. It is spiritual death, and it leads to physical death.
3:8-21
Two items are of importance in this section. First is the illogical response when man sins against a holy God. Note that they attempted to hide from the omniscient, omnipresent God. Of course, that is impossible, but man does odd things when under the influence and deception of sin. Second, blame-shifting occurs. It is not personal responsibility but blame that takes center stage. Again, due to sin, we are prone to doing that whenever we sin. Instead of owning our sins, we look for excuses and shift the matter to lessen our guilt and somehow justify our behavior. Third, God graciously offers hope to them amid man’s misery and the effects of sin. That hope comes in 3:15, of which the rest of the Bible is a commentary. Through the seed of the woman, a redeemer would come to crush the serpent's head and eradicate the effects of the fall. Throughout the Old Testament, we see the woman's seed and the seed of the serpent. The first line will bring forth the Savior. The second line seeks to destroy him. Fourth, man is evicted from the comfortable presence of God. They are relocated to the East of the garden and made to labor and toil. It is not until the construction of the Tabernacle that we see God invite men back to his presence from East to West.
Applications:
1. The labors of the Evil One are constant. He never rests. God’s people must be aware of his schemes, watching and praying lest they enter into temptation and sin. Book Recommendation: Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices (Thomas Brooks).
2. Though we sin daily in thought, word, and deed, we are comforted that our God in heaven forgives sin. He did so in the garden by slaying an animal and clothing our first parents. Without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission of sin.
Matthew 3
Matthew 3 highlights John the Baptist's work as Christ's forerunner. His mission was to preach the kingdom of God and call people to repentance. He is the last of the Old Testament prophets and is described as the greatest of them all. He is the Elijah-type figure of the New Testament, proclaiming hope and forgiveness through Christ. The chapter also highlights the baptism of Jesus by John.
3:1-12
The mission of John the Baptist was to preach repentance and set the stage for Christ's formal ministry. This work angered many of the so-called theologians of his day, who were convinced that they were safe because of their ethnic roots. That, of course, was not the case. Those people had the truth, and they spoke it, but their hearts were far from God. Therefore, John preaches hope in Christ and doom to all who reject him.
3:13-17
The baptism of Jesus receives much discussion. What is important to note is how Jesus identifies with sinners. Of course, Jesus did not need to be baptized in the sense that we are baptized. Yet, Jesus stands in the place of sinners, baptized by a sinner, that he might be anointed beyond measure with the Holy Spirit and accomplish the work of redeeming his people.
Applications:
1. Repentance is a gift of God and one that should cause his people to rejoice. True faith in Christ is not mere words but actions. It is not a lineage but a heart turned from stone to flesh.
2. As Jesus identifies with sinners in his baptism, he also takes to himself sin for his people. He who knew no sin became sin for us.
Psalm 3
Psalm 3 is a lament and, as the heading indicates, was generated during a particularly trying time in the life of David. You can read of the events in 2 Samuel 15. In summary, David is persecuted by a member of his family, his son! As a result of Absalom’s animosity towards his father, he drives David out of his home and the holy city. However, this Psalm can be applied to circumstances in life when one feels the onslaught of enemies and opponents, whether they are family or not. The application is broad, but the solution is the same, as highlighted by David’s words.
The Psalm has five stanzas.
3:1-2
The opening stanza summarizes David's problem, though it leaves out details. It merely laments the issue before the Lord. If you want to read the entire narrative of events David is referencing, you will need to read 2 Sam. 15. That said, there are some important observations. First, note that he addresses his lament to the Lord, the God of heaven. A lament is functionally “holy complaining.” It is a pouring out of one’s soul to the Lord for distressing and difficult circumstances. Put differently, David is praying, and he directs his prayer of lament to his God. In the opening of his prayer, he acknowledges the difficulty and circumstances he faces. That is what we should do when faced with hardship and opposition. We must commit ourselves to pouring our souls out to the God of our salvation.
3:3-4
In this stanza, David seeks comfort for his weary soul and the emotions that he is feeling when he ascribes praise for God’s protection and care for him. He says, But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” First, David recognizes that opposition and attacks, even from family and friends, are part of this sin-wrecked world. He contrasts his present circumstance with the trust he has in his God. He describes him as a shield. The purpose of a shield is to ward off attacks from an enemy. It is designed to give cover and protection in battle. David, a military man, draws on his experience as a soldier. Second, David acknowledges that in his despair, God alone is the one who can encourage him. We do not ultimately put our trust in sinful men to help us. During times of great struggle, we must seek solace in the God of our salvation. Third, note that David was heard from heaven when he cried out. The reference to the “holy hill” is a reference to the place of God’s dwelling, the place where he rules and governs all his creatures. When you are struggling, you can cry out to your God with complete confidence that he will hear you.
3:5-6
In this stanza, we have the result of David’s prayer. After lamenting his circumstances and seeking refuge in the God of heaven, he finds peace. The order is essential. After he prayed and pleaded with God, peace came to him. This peace is expressed in two ways. First, simply because he could sleep. How often do we lose sleep because we do not have peace and distrust the God of our salvation? How often do the affairs of others, their evil actions and attacks, cause us to lose sleep? How often do we fret and worry instead of praying and pleading with our heavenly Father for relief? Second, David commits himself to the care of his heavenly Father. He says that he will not be afraid. Why? Because his God is a shield for him, his comfort, and his Savior.
3:7
In this stanza, David continues his prayer by asking for justice to fall on those who have harmed him. It is not ungodly to ask for God to act as a righteous judge on the wicked. In Rom. 12, Paul says we should leave the vengeance to God and not take it upon ourselves (Rom. 12:19). David counts on the justice of God. Sometimes, we see it in this life, but rest assured, those who act wickedly against the Lord’s people and church will answer for it one day.
3:8
The final stanza is climactic. It is an acknowledgment that the God of heaven will do what is right, that his salvation and rescue for his people belong entirely to him. We are not to seek to accomplish this on our own. We should pray and plead, trust and rest, and always remember that salvation from evil people comes at the hand of the Lord.
Applications:
1. During times of opposition or hardship, remember to pray, pleading for God’s grace and help. He may not deliver you immediately (or ever), but he will uphold you and protect you throughout. He is a defender of all those who love him.
2. Prayer should lead to peace. If you do not find it, do not stop praying until you do. The Puritans would often say, “Pray through the problem.” Keep praying. Persist in prayer. Do not stop until the Lord grants you peace.
3. Remember that vengeance is not your business. You are to love your enemies and pray for them. That can be difficult sometimes, but it is the Lord’s directive (Matt. 5:43-48).