Read: Luke 10:25-37

The parable of Jesus often referred to as “The Good Samaritan” has become a favorite of many for obvious reasons.  In Luke 10 when Jesus answers the question “Who is my neighbor?” he tells the story of a man who stopped to help someone in need.  After a Priest and a Jew walked by on the other side and offered no help, here comes a Samaritan man who helps the needy man and even pays for his ongoing care.  The point Jesus was making with this parable is that those who show mercy to others, despite inconvenience, cultural perceptions, and political disagreements are those who truly love their neighbors.

This is a parable we need to be reminded of today in the divisive world we live in.  This Samaritan man looked past the differences and saw someone in need.  He didn’t ask about his religion, political party, race, or family background.  He saw him hurting and in need, he took pity on him, and helped.  He bandaged his wounds and took him to a place that he could be cared for.  When he left he paid two days wages for his ongoing care.

Jen Wilson from Compassion International says, “Our neighbor isn’t just the person next door.  Our neighbor is the person God has placed in front of us.  And no matter how different, how inconvenient or how unexpected, we’re asked to love our neighbor well.”  In parables like this we realize that Jesus lived and taught a counter-culture type of life when he walked this earth.  He is asking us as his followers to do the same.

This counter-culture life means we remember what the Bible says.  Love is patient, love is kind, it is not proud, it does not dishonor others, it keeps no record of wrongs, and it always protects.  Perhaps Janie B. Cheaney said said it best when she said, “God put it this way: “Love your neighbor” – not your cause, your pet peeve, or your tribe.  This is where we can all do better, and we must.”  Amen!  Let’s be watchful for those in need as we walk the road of life.

Make it Personal:  Who is God placing in front of you right now that is in need of help?  Can you look past all of the things that might keep you from helping that person and be a good Samaritan to them?  Let’s love all of our neighbors!

Read: Psalm 121

Where does your help come from?  When things are tough, when life throws you a curve, when the storm is raging, where do you turn to find help, peace, and calm?  In Psalm 121 the Psalmist proclaims or asks, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?”  He then answers his own question by stating, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”  He turns to the Lord; how about us?

In his book “Shelter in God: Your refuge in times of trouble” Pastor David Jeremiah makes a good point about these verses and many others in scripture.  Not only do we look to the Lord for help, but when we do we are looking to the one who is the creator of all that is.  Where does our help come from?  It comes from the one who is “The Maker of heaven and earth.”

This phrase or proclamation is used in other Psalms as well as in Colossians 1:16 in the New Testament. (Ps. 115:15; Ps. 134:3; Ps. 146:5-6; Col. 1:16-17)  It is a reminder for us that no other option in this world holds the promise of help like the Lord our God.  Self-help books, YouTube videos, Google searches, and even helpful advice from a friend will always fall short of the help that comes from the creator of the universe.

David Jeremiah writes this, “The power of this statement is wrapped up in the idea that since God is the Creator of all things, and since all things are His handiwork, His power is not to be questioned.  The Creator has made everything we can see or touch or imagine; when we cast our hopes on Him, we’re not only coming to a God who cares, but a God who can.”

Make it Personal:  What do you need help with right now?  Go to the Lord in prayer and make it known to God.  Jesus already knows, but he wants us to ask for his help and welcome him into our situation.  There is no better source to turn to than the Maker of heaven and earth.

Read: Job 40-42

Where do you get your news about the things that are happening in our community, country, and world?  I hope you get them from a variety of sources so that you have a well-rounded view.  More importantly, I hope that you are getting some of your news from a Christian world-view perspective.  I have found a great resource on Facebook and YouTube called World Watch News.  This is a short 3 minute summary of the news that will be expanded to 10 minutes in August.  It is put out by World Magazine (another great source of news from a Christian world-view perspective) and is a very well done presentation.  Check it out.

At the end of each World Watch News report Brian Basham says, “Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!”  I love that perspective because sometimes when we watch the news we forget about the sovereignty of our Lord.  No one, no event, and no news item in this world can thwart the purpose of the Lord.  While sin, violence, and divisive attitudes seem to rule over our news, the Lord continues to rule over our world as a whole.  God’s purposes cannot be changed or altered by those whom God has created.

The book of Job gives us a great glimpse of this.  The back and forth conversations between Job and God come to a final result in the last three chapters when the Lord reminds him that the Lord is over all.  In the second verse of chapter 42 Job acknowledges this and says, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”  The news in our world can often lead us to think differently than that.  Be sure to judge your news and your sources from the perspective that God is still Lord of all and his purposes will always remain true.  This is good news for a world that is in need of some good news these days.

Make it Personal:  What news sources are you watching, reading, or believing?  Be careful to give yourself a well-rounded view of things and be sure to include a Christian world-view in that mix.  I would highly recommend you check out World Magazine (In print and online), World Watch News (Facebook & YouTube), and other valuable God-centered resources.  Whatever the news, the purpose of the Lord will stand!