Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for July 14

WHEN THE ARK AND THE ALTAR WERE APART

From: July 14, 2025

“And he left Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar” (1 Chronicles 16:39–40 ESV).

For over a century, from the days of Eli until Solomon’s temple, the Ark of the Covenant and the tabernacle with its altar were separated. After the Ark was captured by the Philistines and later returned, it remained in Kiriath-Jearim (1 Sam. 7:2–3), while the tabernacle that Moses built was apparently moved from Shiloh to Nob (1 Sam. 21:1), and later from Nob to Gibeon. When David became king, he brought the Ark from Kiriath-Jearim to Jerusalem with great rejoicing (2 Sam. 6), placing it in a tent he had prepared. Yet Scripture is silent on why he left the tabernacle and its altar in Gibeon. What we do know is that David ensured Zadok and the priests continued the sacrificial system faithfully at Gibeon (1 Chron. 16:39–40). However, because the Ark was absent from the tabernacle, the high priest could not fully keep the Day of Atonement as prescribed in the Law. Worship during this time was incomplete and divided between Jerusalem and Gibeon.

This period of separation might be considered a foreshadowing of Christ, who perfectly united both the Ark and the Altar. For Jesus is our true Ark—God dwelling among us (John 1:14)—and the perfect sacrifice for sin. He entered the greater and more perfect tent, not made with hands, and offered His own blood, securing eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12). Through Christ, the veil has been torn (Matt. 27:51), and we have boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by His blood (Heb. 10:19–22). He not only brings us near to God, He dwells within us by His Spirit (Rom. 8:11). These truths invites us to draw near with confidence and full assurance of faith, knowing that Jesus is our all in all.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus. Help us to worship You in spirit and truth, drawing near to You through Christ our perfect Mediator. May our lives bring praise and glory to You in all things as we abide in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

GOD’S KINDNESS LEADS TO REPENTANCE

From: July 14, 2024

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 ESV).

Don’t presume upon the riches of God’s kindness, thinking you will not appear before God’s judgment seat in the end. Don’t let the apparent way that He seems to let those who continue in sin prosper, and His patience towards evildoers in this world, lull you into doubting His existence. Or worse, despising Him as unjust because He does not judge sin immediately.

For it is His goodness that should soften your heart and bring you to repentance, changing your mind on self-rule and surrendering your will to His. And it is His forbearance and patience that should cause your heart to tremble because He is storing up His wrath for the Day of judgment.

For God is loving and good, but He is also holy and just. Repent therefore, and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, that you might be forgiven and accepted on that Day.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your kindness towards us. For even while we were sinners, Christ died for us and redeemed us. We repent of sin and yield our lives to You. Sanctify us and strengthen us to live as Your image-bearers in this world. In Jesus’ name, amen.

TEACHERS, DOES YOUR WALK MATCH YOUR TALK?

From: July 14, 2023

“Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself?” (Romans 2:21 NLT).

Paul warned those who taught the Word of God about the hypocrisy of applying it to others without first applying it to themselves. For just knowing God’s Word does not make one just. For it is the “doers of the law that will be justified” (Rom. 2:13). Therefore, teachers must be humble and not quick to judge, knowing that they too are sinners apart from God’s grace in Christ Jesus. For only Christ has kept the whole law without sin.

Teachers must also be aware that they will be held to a higher account because of their many words. As the apostle James wrote, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1). Therefore, teachers must not only watch their walk, but be careful that their talk is always founded upon God’s Word and not man’s opinion.

Finally, a teacher of God’s Word must always remain teachable. For they are under the authority of the Word and not the other way around. For the Word is like a “mirror” (James 1:23), showing where repentance is needed.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as followers of Your Son, we are sent to teach the gospel to the world. As such, we are all teachers of the gospel. Strengthen us to both walk and talk the gospel, so that others see the holy consistency of it, empowered not by us, but by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?'” (1 Chronicles 17:16 NLT).

From: July 14, 2022

WHO ARE WE O LORD THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT US THIS FAR?

When David told the prophet Nathan of his desire to build a house for the Lord, the word of the Lord came to Nathan during the night saying that He was instead going to build a house for David. The Lord spoke of a Son that would be born to David’s line that would build His house and establish an eternal kingdom. In other words, the Messiah, the Christ, would be born to David’s house.

David’s response is revealing. “Who am I?” Indeed. Who are we that God would give us this Christ, so that we might be built into His house?

As the Spirit inspired the apostle Peter to write, “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

Do you ever sit down and think to yourself, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought us this far?”

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Jesus, our Living Cornerstone. And thank You for building each of us as living stones into Your Church. May our worship be acceptable unto You on this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“You then, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself?” (Romans 2:21 HCSB).

From: July 14, 2021

DOES YOUR WALK MATCH YOUR TALK?

Paul warned those who taught the Word of God about the hypocrisy of applying it to others without first applying it to themselves. For just knowing God’s Word does not make one just. For it is the “doers of the law that will be justified” (Rom. 2:13). Therefore, teachers must be humble and not quick to judge, knowing that they too are sinners apart from God’s grace in Christ Jesus. For only Christ has kept the whole law without sin.

Teachers must also be aware that they will be held to a higher account because of their many words. As the apostle James wrote, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1). Therefore, teachers must not only watch their walk, but be careful that their talk is always founded upon God’s Word and not man’s opinion.

Finally, a teacher of God’s Word must always remain teachable. For they are under the authority of the Word and not the other way around. For the Word is like a “mirror” (James 1:23), showing where repentance is needed.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as followers of Your Son, we are sent to teach the gospel to the world. As such, we are all teachers of the gospel. Strengthen us to both walk and talk the gospel, so that others see the holy consistency of it, empowered not by us, but by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?” (Romans 2:21 NKJV).

From: July 14, 2020

DOES YOUR WALK MATCH YOUR TALK?

Paul warned those who taught the Word of God about the hypocrisy of applying it to others without first applying it to themselves. For just knowing God’s Word does not make one just. For it is the “doers of the law that will be justified” (Rom. 2:13). Therefore, teachers must be humble and not quick to judge, knowing that they too are sinners apart from God’s grace in Christ Jesus.

Teachers must also be aware that they will be held to a higher account because of their many words. As the apostle James wrote, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1). Therefore, teachers must not only watch their walk, but be careful that their talk is always founded upon God’s Word and not man’s opinion.

Finally, a teacher of God’s Word must always remain teachable. For they are under the authority of the Word and not the other way around. For the Word is like a “mirror” (James 1:23), showing where repentance is needed.

PRAYER: Dear Father, as followers of Your Son, we are sent to teach the gospel to the world. As such, we are all teachers of the gospel. Strengthen us to both walk and talk the gospel, so that others see the holy consistency of it, empowered not by us, but by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

‘Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?'” (1 Chronicles 17:16 NLT).

From: July 14, 2019

WHO ARE WE O LORD THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT US THIS FAR?

When David told the prophet Nathan of his desire to build a house for the Lord, the word of the Lord came to Nathan during the night saying that He was instead going to build a house for David. The Lord spoke of a Son that would be born to David’s line that would build His house and establish an eternal kingdom. In other words, the Messiah, the Christ, would be born to David’s house. David’s response is revealing. “Who am I?” Indeed. Who are we that God would give us this Christ, so that we might be built into His house?

As the Spirit inspired the apostle Peter to write, “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

PRAYER: Lord, thank You for Jesus, our Living Cornerstone. And thank You for building each of us as living stones into Your Church. May our worship be acceptable unto You on this Lord’s Day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right” (Romans 2:15 NLT).

From: July 14, 2018

CONSCIENCE AND THE CREATOR’S LAW

In chapter one of Romans, Paul made the case that humanity is without excuse because God’s character has been revealed in God’s creation. In this second chapter, Paul builds on that case by showing that knowledge of God’s law is written in the human conscience. Both of these revelations of God, found in creation and conscience, bear witness of God’s eternal existence and righteousness, so that God is justified in His judgments concerning humanity.

In addition to God’s general revelation through creation and conscience, He has given us the special revelation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, through which all who believe might be saved and all who reject are condemned already.

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 NKJV).

From: July 14, 2017

Don’t let the richness of God’s goodness, the apparent way that He seems to let those who continue in sin still prosper, and His patience towards evildoers in this world, lull you into doubting His existence. Or worse, despising Him as unjust because He does not judge sin immediately. For it is His goodness that should soften your heart and bring you to repentance, changing your mind on self-rule and surrendering your will to His. And it is His forbearance and patience that should cause your heart to tremble because He is storing up His wrath for the Day of judgment. For God is loving and good, but He is also holy and just. Repent therefore, and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, that you might be forgiven and be accepted on that Day.

‘Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?'” (1 Chronicles 17:16 ESV)

From: July 14, 2016

When David told the prophet Nathan of his desire to build a house for the Lord, the Word of the Lord came to Nathan during the night saying that He was instead going to build a house for David. The Word of the Lord spoke of a Son that would be born to David’s line that would build His house and establish an eternal kingdom. In other words, the Messiah, the Christ would be born to David’s house. David’s response is revealing. “Who am I?” Indeed. Who are we that God would give us this Christ, so that we might be built into His house?