Category Archives: Bible Gleanings

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Priority of Prayer | Bible Gleanings – July 15-16, 2023

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It makes burdens heavier. It makes temptations insurmountable. It makes tribulations unbearable. It makes obedience impossible. What is it? Prayerlessness.

Without prayer, believers are without peace, power, patience, and potential. This is because God has ordained prayer as the instrument through which His children can obtain all of these blessings. Prayer is the conduit through which the believer receives the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:6-7). Prayer is the channel through which the Christian obtains temptation-overcoming power (Matt. 26:41). Prayer is the vehicle that God uses to grant patience and perseverance to His people in times of pain (James 1:4-8). And prayer is the pipeline that gives God’s children the Spirit-enabled desire and ability to obey His commands (Gal. 5:16; Eph. 6:18).

If we do not remain on our knees in the posture of prayer, we forfeit all of those blessings, just like Peter did. The reason he denied Christ three times was because of prayerlessness. While Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He admonished Peter twice to pray so that he would not fall into temptation (Luke 22:39-46). Satan wanted to sift him like wheat, and Peter needed to pray for perseverance to withstand his attacks (Luke 22:31-34). But, there is no such prayer recorded in the Gospels. Instead, what is recorded is his serious sin of denying Christ thrice (Luke 22:54-62).

Peter evidently realized that persistent prayer is a priority since he wrote about it three times in his First Epistle (1 Peter 3:7, 12; 4:7). The prophet Samuel understood the seriousness of prayerlessness, too. That’s why he declared to the Israelites, “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23a, KJV). Additionally, prayerlessness is not only a sin, it is also a death sentence for any believer. That is why the reformer Martin Luther once observed, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”

Therefore, believers must “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Christians should pray at all times in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18). God’s children should constantly cry out to the Father who knows their needs (Matt. 6:5-13). All those redeemed by Christ ought to confidently and continuously approach the throne of grace by kneeling in prayer before the Lord (Heb. 4:16). In spite of its age, the classic hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus still rings true: 

“What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer!” (Joseph Medlicott Scriven, 1819—1886)

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Little Sins | Bible Gleanings – July 8-9, 2023

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New York City has recently installed sophisticated traffic cameras equipped with sound detectors capable of measuring excessive decibels rumbling from motorcycle exhausts and souped-up sports cars. According to the Associated Press, more than seventy drivers have already been ticketed for such “excessive noise.” Now, hit the brakes for a moment: doesn’t it seem like something so insignificant would fly under the radar? After all, it’s only noise, and reckless or drunk driving are certainly more serious crimes. Excessive noise may seem like a “little sin,” but it is illegal in the eyes of NYC law, and there are now both watching eyes and listening ears everywhere to catch lawbreakers.

There are also transgressions of God’s law that we may deem as “little sins” that God overlooks, ignores, or excuses. We tend to think that sins such as white lies, stretching the truth, and gluttony fly under God’s radar. But, according to the Scripture, even “little” sins are big to God, and all of them deserve eternal death (Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 6:23). We typically see sin like we would see skyscrapers from ground level—some of them tower in the clouds, while others are fairly small by contrast. But God sees sin as satellites see skyscrapers from space: they all seem to be the same size. And thus, all wickedness is worthy of woeful wrath from God’s vantage point (Isa. 13:11).

Moreover, His eyes are always watching and His ears are always listening. And He doesn’t need traffic cameras to observe us at all times—He can see what man is doing even with His eyes closed: “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man” (Psalm 11:4). We cannot escape His penetrating sight or His constant omnipresence—He sees everything and He is everywhere (Rev. 19:12; Ezek. 1:19-21). That’s why the writer of Hebrews said, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13).

Furthermore, God rigorously records every sin in His perfect ledger of divine justice, from the smallest white lie to the most heinous homicide. And when His record books are opened on the day of judgment, the guilty will answer for them—even for the “little” sins (Rev. 20:12). As Charles H. Spurgeon preached,

“An eternity of woe is prepared for what men call “little sins.” It is not alone the murderer, the drunkard, the whoremonger, that shall be sent to hell. The wicked, it is true, shall be sent there, but the “little sinner” with all the nations that forget God shall have his portion there also. Tremble, therefore, on account of little sins.”

And there is only one way to have your record cleared and to be forgiven of your “big” or “little” sins: through salvation in Jesus Christ. Only He can erase and eradicate your record of sin debt, and He does so when you turn to Him in repentance and faith (Col. 2:14). “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). 

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

A Quittin’ Meeting | Bible Gleanings – July 1-2, 2023

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During the old days of tent revivals and camp meetings, a certain preacher held revivals which he called “Quittin’ Meetings,” where people would come forward to openly repent of their sin, committing to quit various vices once and for all. Those in attendance readily renounced their evils and resolved to repudiate the ravaging sins in their lives. “I’m quittin’ smokin’ and a-drinkin’ right here and now,” one proclaimed. “I’m quittin’ swearin’ and gossip-tellin’ and I mean it!” exclaimed another. And one particular woman came forward at the end of the service, and when asked what she was quitting, she replied, “I ain’t been doing anything, and I am gonna quit that too!”

And that is what happens when you are truly converted by Jesus. When you come to Christ, you have a “quittin’ meeting” where you repent of your old sinful ways, and you have a “startin’ meeting,” where you start to live a new life of obedience. You kick your sins to the curb, and take up your cross to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). You renounce the wicked works of darkness to live a life marked by good works (Rom. 13:12; James 2:14-26). You shed the filthy garments of your former ways and dress in the new attire of virtuous Christian living (Col. 3:5-14). The “old you” is buried in the grave of repentance, and you become a new person, enabled by Christ’s resurrection-power to walk in “newness of life” (Romans 6:4). 

Paul described it like this:

“So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God” (Rom. 6:11-13, NLT).

And this quittin’ and startin’ meeting is not something we do once at our conversion. It must be a continual practice. That is why the Scripture says, “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [and be] renewed in the spirit of your minds, [and] put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:22-24). Have you had a “quittin’ meeting” with Jesus? And, if you have, what is He calling you to quit and start?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Soul Strength | Bible Gleanings – June 24-25, 2023

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The soul needs strength. The inner self is a battery that must be constantly recharged. The spirit within you is a lamp that requires electricity. The soul is an engine that only operates when it is fully fueled. The Bible calls this “strength,” and it is needed in ample supply to perform several crucial tasks: 

(1) You need strength to stand your ground against the devil. Paul commanded, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11). As a Christian, you are engaged daily in hand-to-hand combat with Satan and the powers of darkness. And defeat is sure for any believer who tries to deflect Satan’s fiery arrows with the shield of their own strength (cf. Jer. 17:5-9). Therefore, strengthen yourself in the might of the Almighty.

(2) You need strength to fulfill your mission. Joshua of old faced an impossible task: conquering the land of Canaan with an undersized army of Israelites. Because of this, the Lord repeatedly urged him to be strong: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Of course, plundering the land of Canaan is not the Christian’s task today; instead, the mission we have been given is plundering the house of Satan with the gospel sword to liberate captives (Matt. 12:28-29; cf. 28:16-20). And this great task of making disciples requires the strength of the only God who can save sinners.

(3) You need strength to bear the weight of adversity. The gargantuan weights of trials and tribulations will crush you if you are not resting on the right arm of God’s strength. The burdens they impose are too heavy for your shoulders to bear—so cast them on the Lord’s shoulders (Psalm 55:22). Seek strength in your suffering from the One who suffered the unbearable on your behalf. Paul realized that the Lord’s strength is sufficient, and that is why he confessed, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

How does the Lord strengthen you for these things? First, the Lord strengthens you through prayer, filling your heart with strength as you fill heaven with your fervent petitions (cf. Psalm 105:4; Eph. 3:16-17). Second, He strengthens you by His word, providing the nourishment your soul needs to be strong (cf. Psalm 119:103; 1 Peter 2:1; Heb. 5:12). Third, He strengthens you through ongoing fellowship with and encouragement from His people, just as Jonathan fortified David’s grip on the Lord (1 Sam. 23:16). “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chron. 16:11).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Almost Home | Bible Gleanings – June 17-18, 2023

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On lengthy road trips, I often groan and grumble about the rigors of long travel, and my wife will always reassure me, saying, “Just a little while longer—we are almost home.” And it never fails to cheer me up, no matter how far away we are from home. Because of that reminder, I keep my foot on the gas, my eyes on the road, and the guiding map on my GPS. And all the way, I am encouraged in my heart because I know the road won’t go on forever. Indeed, home will be just around the corner.

All who are redeemed by faith in Christ are headed home, too. We are destined for our Father’s heavenly house. As Jesus assured, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (John 14:2). The Bible even says that we are headed for a place not built with human hands: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1). In fact, one day we will “be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). 

But right now, we aren’t at home. We are sojourners traveling up the rough and rocky road of our Christian pilgrimage—and it is not easy. We often grow tired and exhausted on the road of righteousness (Gal. 6:9). We sometimes have to wait when we wish we were moving forward, much like being stuck in traffic (Psalm 27:14). But we need only to remember the biblical truth that we are almost home.

We cannot be certain of how close we are, of course. But we can be certain that we are closer to our heavenly home-going with every passing hour. Every evening sunset brings us closer to the day when the Son will shine brightly upon us (Malachi 4:2 Rev. 22:5). Every night of sleep brings us closer to the day when we shall rest from our labors (Rev. 14:13). We may be years or only seconds away from entering our eternal home, but no matter what, we are almost there.

And thus, we need to keep our eyes on the highway of holiness and our heads held high in faith, allowing the guiding map of holy Scripture to direct us to our heavenly home. And all the while, we may sing the words of William Hunter’s hymn, I Feel Like Traveling On:

“My heav’nly home is bright and fair,

I feel like traveling on.

Nor pain, nor death can enter there,

I feel like traveling on.

Yes, I feel like traveling on,

I feel like traveling on;

My heav’nly home is bright and fair,

I feel like traveling on.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Refuge in the Lord | Bible Gleanings – June 10-11, 2023

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The youth was haplessly meandering around for something to do when he met a group of unpleasant adolescents kicking stones near the border of the province. When they caught sight of him, they began calling him names and taunting, “Who are you, foreigner? Scram, you dull-headed minikin, before we make you!” The youngster had done nothing more than wander too far, but the unfriendly youths decided to teach him a lesson. They beat him with sticks, bruised him with stones, and battered him with scraps that lay nearby. The boy then ran away, crying loudly, “I am going to tell my father!” 

“What is he going to do?” said the unruly gang, as they cackled and chuckled. “He must have been a real fopdoodle to run all the way home to his father!” Moments later, the gang of troublemakers heard the thumping of approaching hooves and looked up to see a towering figure riding toward them. When he halted before them, they were intimidated by his golden sash, purple robe, and crown of jewels. He bellowed angrily, “Now, which one of you has been messing with my son?” The gang then quickly abandoned their rocks, fled for their life, and never bothered the youth again because they had made a mockery of the king’s son.

It’s not such a bad thing to flee from a fight when you are under the protection of a king! David understood this when he wrote: “In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain?”” (Psalm 11:1, KJV). David’s enemies mocked him because he trusted in the Lord and fled to His comforting presence, as a bird flies to a mountain for refuge. But that’s hardly a taunt—a mountain is the safest sanctuary for a little bird! Indeed, the Lord is a mountainous shelter for all of His people who seek salvation, security, and sanctuary.

Thus, you can find refuge from angry attackers in the arms of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1). You will obtain solace from stressful suffering in the God who is a shelter from storms (Psalm 57:1). When you run for refuge to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, you will receive protection from the roaring lion, the devil, (Rev. 5:5; 1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7). If you are a child of the King by faith in Christ, the best place to run from troubles and the troublesome is to your Father (Psalm 149:2). Therefore, dear saint, take refuge in the Lord and resound the words of Psalm 18:2, which says, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Poor Rich and the Rich Poor | Bible Gleanings | June 3-4, 2023

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The two men decided to settle in a swampy suburb in the smooth sod which skirted a stunning sierra. And the soil in their section of the state was often saturated because of the streams of rain which ran down the sides of the nearby mountains. But neither man could think of an eligible excuse to emigrate, so they nestled in. One of the men toiled for years building a mansion at the base of the mountain, while the other fellow kept to himself in a shabby shack. And the seemingly wealthy mansion-builder often scoffed with disdain at the man who was apparently poor; he lived in a rotting cottage, while the rich man would soon be living in a palace-like home with every convenience and luxury one could ever dream of.

And one dismal day, a devastating downpour deluged them both, demolishing both the mansion and the cottage. After the storm subsided, the rich man was humbled by the instant robbery of his wealth and mansion, and murmured to the poor man, “It’s too bad for both of us, eh? We are both homeless now.” The poor man then cried out, “Not so! For while you have been building a mansion in this cursed place, I spent all my money hiring builders to prepare me a mansion in a yonder country where the weather is always fair.” And the “poor” man bid him farewell, leaving the “rich” man in the heap of his own ruins. 

This story is far more than a fable—it is a fact. According to the Scripture, a storm of judgment is coming that will sweep away all earthly riches, exposing once and for all who is truly rich and truly poor. The Bible says, “For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits” (James 1:11). In light of this, the truly rich person is one who is “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). Rich indeed is he who lays up treasure in heaven, and who is wealthy in wisdom, faith, love, hope, and faithfulness (Luke 12:21; Matt. 6:19-21).

On the other hand, the truly poor person spends all of their lives living in luxury, not caring at all about the “immeasurable riches” of God’s grace (Eph. 2:7). Poor indeed is he whose wallet is full, but whose soul is empty of salvation! Thus, you may be rich in this life and poor before God if you spend all of your wealth in this cursed place. However, you may be poor in this life but rich before God if you have faith in Christ and live faithfully, sending all of your “wealth” ahead to heaven’s better country (Heb. 11:16). Sometimes, the rich are poor and the poor are rich. Which are you?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

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Crown Him | Bible Gleanings – May 27-28, 2023

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Behind John stood a roaring Lion, while in front of him stood a butchered Lamb with a bloody white coat. This is what he said while he was “in the Spirit” (Rev. 1:10), receiving the Revelation of Jesus Christ: “And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth” (Rev. 5:5-6). How can Jesus be both a sovereign Lion and a slaughtered Lamb? How can Christ be both the Lord and lowly?

Because He earned the right to be the triumphal Lion by first becoming a humble Lamb. This is the great paradox of Christ: He was brought low in humiliation in order to be raised to the highest position of supremacy in the universe. He is exalted because He became a lowly man. He is seated on a throne because He was nailed to a cross. He became the Lord of life by submitting to the curse of death.

That is why Paul said, “[Jesus], though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:6-11).

Interestingly, one of John’s final glimpses of Jesus in Revelation is of a Lamb ruling and reigning. He described one scene like this, “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (Rev. 7:17). The slaughtered Lamb rules as the sovereign Lord. And He forgives all of those who bow to Him in repentance and faith: “Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). It is no wonder Matthew Bridges (1800-1894) penned these words in the Christ-exalting hymn, Crown Him with Many Crowns:

“Crown him with many crowns,

the Lamb upon his throne.

Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns

all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing

of him who died for thee,

and hail him as thy matchless king

through all eternity.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Sleeping Savior | Bible Gleanings – May 20-21, 2023

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How on earth did He sleep through it? While a furious sea storm threatened the structure of Jesus’ boat, He was in the stern, snoozing on a sailor’s pillow. As Mark said, “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion” (Mark 4:37-38a). How was He fast asleep in an uncomfortable position during a raging tempest and while His disciples raced around frantically (cf. Mark 4:38b)?

Because Jesus was a man, and He was incredibly exhausted. The Scripture is clear that Jesus was God (John 1:1; Col. 2:9), but He was also a man just like the rest of us, “yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15b). The Gospels tell us that Jesus became hungry (Matthew 4:2; 21:18), thirsty (John 4:7; 19:28), physically weak (Luke 23:26), and tired (John 4:6). He was so human that He even died (Acts 2:29). Because of this, Jesus knows what it is like to be you—He was you.

This is what the writer of Hebrews meant when he said,

“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested” (Heb. 2:14-18, NLT). 

Simultaneously, Jesus is also fully God, with all authority in heaven and on earth, including authority to calm raging storms. As Mark also said, “And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39). He was overcome with exhaustion, but He overcame the raging storm by the power of His word. Jesus was “man enough” to sleep and “God enough” to rule creation. That is why the poet Amy Carmichael said, 

“Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow,

Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea,

What matter beating wind and tossing billow,

If only we are in the boat with Thee?”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

In the Wilderness | Bible Gleanings – May 13-14, 2023

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He was fatigued, famished, and seemingly forsaken. The Lord Jesus was fasting in the wilderness for forty days all by Himself, and the devil thought He was in a prime position for temptation. As Matthew said, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread”” (Matt. 4:1-3).

Satan wanted Jesus to think that the Father had abandoned him. He was essentially saying, “Look at You, all by Yourself and starving. Do You not think the Father would feed You if He truly loved You? You’d better put some of that heavenly power to use and turn stones to bread because it doesn’t look like God is coming to Your aid.” But contrary to appearance, Jesus was not wandering the desert by Himself. The Father provided Jesus with divine reinforcements during Satan’s temptations: “The angels were ministering to him” (Mark 1:13b). Satan was wrong: Jesus had heaven on His side because he was heaven’s Son.

Jesus was not left to battle temptation alone, and neither are you. The honey of God’s sustaining grace is always available in the wilderness. The wilderness of this world may whet your appetite for sin, but God has planted the nourishing flowers of goodness in His word, in the place of prayer, and among His people so that you may eat your fill of His love. The Lord’s power will minister to you like an angel from above. That is why Paul assured, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).

Moreover, even time spent in the wilderness is not meaningless. No temptation proceeds from God, but every temptation can be used by God for good. Remember, God purposed to send Jesus into the wilderness: “The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness” (Mark 1:12). What could possibly be God’s purpose in allowing you to be tempted? Pastor and author Warren Wiersbe articulated it well: “Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us, but God can use these difficult experiences to put the best into us. Temptation is Satan’s weapon to defeat us, but it can become God’s tool to build us.” 

Dear believer, when you find yourself in the wilderness of temptation, seek God’s way of escape and admit your need for His sustaining grace. Pray the words of I Need Thee Every Hour, a hymn written by Robert Lowry (1826-1899), which says:

“I need Thee ev’ry hour,

Stay Thou nearby;

Temptations lose their pow’r

When Thou art nigh.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;

Ev’ry hour I need Thee;

Oh, bless me now, my Savior,

I come to Thee.”

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word: