For our meditations this month, we will briefly look at Biblical words and concepts that begin with the letter “C.
September 1
Read II Peter 1:1-12
CALLING—Simply put, this is the act of one who calls. But it can also mean a vocation or a summons, and the Bible usually refers to it in this manner. We often speak of a minister’s high calling to preach the gospel and this is very true indeed. However, we all have a calling; not only to choose our life’s vocation very carefully and prayerfully but as we read in II Thess. 1:11 -12a, “We pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling…that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you and ye in him.” May this be the focus of our lives today and every day.
September 2
Read Hebrews 2:9-12
CAPTAIN—This word immediately makes us think of an army or a company of soldiers, trained and fit for battle. If each soldier in this army was allowed to do as he pleased on the battlefield, chaos would result, and the enemy would soon overcome this disorganized group. That’s why a leader is necessary, one who is in authority to train and discipline his troops, give them the proper weapons and devise the necessary strategy to be victorious. So it is with the Church of God. That’s why we are called the Church militant. We must fight against the devil, the world and our own flesh who assault us daily. Without a captain, this battle would be lost. But we have a captain, the risen Christ, the King of His Church and the Captain of His hosts. He provides us with the necessary armor (cf. Eph. 6:13-17) and the offensive weapon, the word of God. Even though the enemy fights to destroy the Church, the victory is assured through Him that loved us even unto the end.
September 3
Read Psalm 55:16-23
CARE—We probably have heard it said about someone, “he (or she) doesn’t have a care in the world.” Well, it may appear that way on the outside, but I believe everyone has their own cares and concerns. And these cause worry and anxiety, sometimes even to the point where it’s difficult to function properly. Many are legitimate to be sure. Sometimes, as Scripture tells us in Luke 8:14, people “are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” These kinds of cares ought not to be said of us. On the contrary, we must strive to “be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 6:8b) And if we are burdened with cares that cause us sorrow and concern, listen to God’s Word in I Peter 5:6 & 7, “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
September 4
Read Psalm 35:1-9
CAUSE—I find it interesting In the English language how one word can be used in so many different ways. Such a word is “cause.” The Bible also uses it in various forms, such as reason or plea or case. By our words and actions we can cause happiness or sadness, joy or grief. You children, did you cause your parents or siblings anger or happiness today because of what you said or did? Young people, do you cause your parents sorrow because of wrong attitudes and conduct, or do you cause them joy because they see you walking in the fear of the Lord? Parents, do you plead the cause of yourselves and your children before the Throne of Grace? May all of us make this our daily prayer: “Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” Psalm 143:8
September 5
Read I Corinthians 13
CHARITY—This is one of the most beautiful words in Scripture. As you most likely know, it means love or kindness. Does this virtue characterize you and I in our dealings with others? None of us, according to our old nature can claim this virtue. The Bible tells us in Titus 3:3, “For we ourselves also were sometimes…living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” That’s not a very pretty picture. But God, by His regenerating Spirit makes us alive in Christ, and imparts to us the fruit of the Spirit, namely love, joy, peace, longsuffering and kindness. This is not given to the ungodly, for in Proverbs 12:10b we read: “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” How much more pleasant our lives and relationships would be if all of us practiced charity in word and deed. Pray for, and practice this great gift of God.
September 6
Read I Cor. 15:51-58
CHANGE—We are creatures of change, aren’t we? We live in a world that changes continually. Rulers come and go; buildings are torn down and replaced with new; technology changes so fast that in the field of computers and electronics, items are almost obsolete before they can get to the showroom. Many changes are for the better, of course, but others are not. The ungodly make changes to serve their own evil purposes such as we read in Roman 1:25, “who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” What a terrible indictment! But what a contrast to all this is the comforting and reassuring Word of God which tells us in Mai. 3:6: “For I am the Lord. I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Because God and His Word never change, we may have the assurance that our salvation is sure and that we shall be blessed partakers of the final change when our Savior shall change our vile body like unto His most glorious body.
September 7
Read Romans 8:31-39
CHARGE—What do you think of when you hear this word? A rushing attack, perhaps, by an armed troop, or maybe purchasing goods by means of a credit card? Both meanings are valid but the Bible usually speaks of a charge as a command or responsibility. To cite a few instances, the Levites were to keep the charge of the tabernacle; Joshua was charged by God to lead the Israelites into Canaan. When Jesus performed healing miracles on persons he often charged them to tell no man. Paul charged Timothy to war a good warfare, to act without partiality, to keep the commandments and to preach the Word. These charges apply to the Church of all ages, and therefore to us also. But the most comforting aspect of this word is found in Psalm 91:11, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways.” What a blessed assurance this is for us!
September 8
Read Psalm 118:14-21
CHASTEN—Why is it that none of us like to be reproved or rebuked? It is distasteful to our flesh and wounds our sinful pride. Yet it is so necessary that we be chastened, because we are such sinners. We only have a small beginning of that new obedience in our hearts. In Heb. 12:6 we read: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.” And in verse 11, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Therefore we see that chastening is for our good, for our salvation and we can pray that God will chasten us, not in His anger, but according to His mercy. And just a word to our children— if you are punished by your parents for some wrongdoing, remember that it’s because they love you and seek your salvation. In fact, God says to us in Prov. 13:24: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Let us be thankful then to God that He doesn’t leave us in our sins, but corrects and chastens us so that we may be fit for His Kingdom.
September 9
Read Luke 14:7-11
CHIEF—To be a chief really appeals to most of us, doesn’t it? To be chief means that that person is the boss, that he or she is important and is the highest in authority, and accordingly when that word is used as an adjective (meaning to describe something) it means the highest and most important. Remember the strife among Jesus’ disciples over which of them should be the greatest? Jesus tells them, “he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” Luke 22:26. Paul the great and gifted apostle was one of the chief of the Pharisees, he was the chief speaker on his missionary journeys, but do you know what he confessed in I Tim 1:15? “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” May this also be our prayer based on the finished work of Christ who is the chief cornerstone.
September 10
Read Deuteronomy 6:3-9
CHILDREN—As I ponder this word, wondering what to say, I am taken back in my mind to my own childhood with its fears, foolishness, joys and wrongdoings. Then I echo David the psalmist who prays: “Remember not the sins of my youth.” But I also thankfully remember Godly parents who lovingly and constantly brought me up in the fear of the Lord. What great responsibility it is for parents to instruct their children as covenant seed. And what a glorious promise is given in Prov. 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Jesus Himself took little children in His arms and said, “for of such is the kingdom of God”, meaning that we must humble ourselves and be guileless as little children in order to be fit for the kingdom of heaven. We thank God for our children. We thank God for His covenant promises that He will gather His church through our children and our children’s children even unto the end of time.
September 11
Read Psalm 25:8-12
CHOOSE—This is an activity that we perform every day. We choose which clothes we wear, what food we eat, with whom will we be friends, what books we read and on and on we make choices. God made us rational creatures, able to think, will, and choose. Because of Adam’s fall into sin, our natures became corrupt and so we choose sin and the lie rather than God. But God in His mercy from all eternity chose us in Christ through the way of sin and grace, implanting that new life of Christ in our hearts, so that then we can choose to serve Him. There is a passage in Deut. 7:7 & 8a that touches my heart: “The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you….” That’s the answer—we love Him because He first loved us. Praise His name!
September 12
Read Eph. 4:11-13
CHURCH—Hundreds of volumes could be and have been written about the Church. An exhaustive study of the Church and all that pertains to it would be very profitable, but in these few lines we will limit ourselves to one small aspect of it. It is likened to a body made up of many members—each with their own gifts, personalities and talents. Do you ever think that your place in this body is unimportant? Then listen to Romans 12:18: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him.” And in verse 26: “and whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it, or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” So you see how important your own special place is in the congregation. Use your gifts, whatever they may be, to encourage and help your fellow members. Never neglect to gather with this body of believers as they worship, for Christ Himself speaks to them through the minister and bestows His grace upon them.
September 13
Read Isaiah 64:6-9
CLAY—To many of us, clay is just a hard piece of ground that gets sticky and miry when wet. That may be true but it’s really quite a versatile substance, and the Bible speaks of this interesting material frequently. The Israelites in Egypt made bricks of clay and straw. In many lands even up to the present time, clay is used to make all sorts of vases, bowls, cups and plates. This is done on a revolving wheel and the person who forms these objects is called a potter. In the Bible, God is often called the potter and people the clay. A beautiful description of election and reprobation is found in Romans 9 where God (the potter) has the perfect right to make some vessels unto honor (elect) and others to dishonor (reprobate). Our present bodies, according to Job 33:6 and Gen. 2:7 are made from this substance. When we die, our bodies will revert back to clay and dust, but God promises us that when Jesus returns He will change our vile bodies to conform to His glorious body fit for eternal life. What a blessed hope that is!
September 14
Read Revelation 7:9-12
CLOTHED—To be clothed is to be covered. We would be very uncomfortable to be seen by everyone if we were unclothed. This is really due to sin. Before Adam and Eve fell into sin, they were both naked and not ashamed, but as soon as they sinned, they were ashamed and tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. God in His mercy clothed them with coats of skin, which meant the death or sacrifice of an animal. This was a symbol or type of Christ’s perfect sacrifice Who covered us with His blood and thereby exchanged our filthy garments, stained by sin, with His pure white garments of salvation. The world glories in their shame and boasts in their nudity. But let us as God’s people not imitate them. Rather, as Scripture says, we should adorn ourselves in modest apparel with sobriety, being clothed with humility, looking forward to that eternal day when we will be clothed in white linen made white by the blood of the Lamb.
September 15
Read Psalm 36:5-7
CLOUD—It is fascinating and pleasant to gaze into a blue sky dotted with clouds and let our imaginations run free. But it can be a bit frightening to see a huge black cloud looming overhead signaling a violent storm. Already in Genesis we read that God set His bow in the cloud for a token of a covenant. A cloud led the Israelites through the desert, and when Jesus ascended into heaven, a cloud received Him out of the disciples’ sight. The earth could not bring forth food if there were no clouds because that is what gives us the necessary rain. In the great day of Christ’s return He will come in the clouds with great power and glory. Listen to a beautiful reference to clouds in Is. 44:22: “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me: for I have redeemed thee.” Think about this as you look up in the sky today.
September 16
Read Psalm 19:7-11
COMMANDMENT—What do you think of when you hear this word? Some would say that it’s simply an order or a mandate issued by someone n authority. And that is true, of course. But most of us associate this word with the ten commandments given by God in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. We also believe that these commandments are so important that they are read every Sunday morning in our church worship services. Even though by the perfect work of Christ, we are not under the law, but under grace, we must never trample the law of God under our feet. The law is a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ. It teaches us how sinful we are. It makes us flee to Christ for forgiveness. And it instills in us a desire to walk in newness of life. Listen carefully to each commandment as you hear it read, and prayerfully sing: “0, how love I Thy law: it is my meditation all the day.”
September 17
Read Psalm 122
CITY—Do you know who is recorded in the Bible as building the first city? It was wicked Cain, the first son of Adam and Eve. The next time we read of a city was at the time of the tower of Babel. This also was a wicked attempt to establish a great empire in defiance of God. But certainly not all cities had such an evil connotation as these. We read of the cities of refuge where persons could flee for safety. The angels at Jesus’ birth said: “for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior.” Jerusalem, that great city, mentioned in no less than 34 books of the Bible, had a colorful history, was the center of Israel’s religious worship and is a type of that heavenly city, the new Jerusalem which cometh down from heaven. May we, as Abraham, look for that “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb. 11:10
September 18
Read Matthew 11:25-30
COME—It is interesting and profitable to search the Scriptures and find jut in how many aspects the word “come” is used. Here are just a few examples: COME—“Let thy mercies come also unto me, 0 Lord” Ps. 119:41a. COME DOWN—“Zaccheus, make haste, and come down.” Luke 19:5. COME AGAIN—“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again.” John 14:31. COME FORTH—“When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10. COME NEAR—“Let my cry come near before thee, oh Lord.” Ps. 119:169. COME NOW—“Come now and let us reason together saith the Lord.” Is. 1:18. COME OUT— “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord.” II Cor. 6:17. We could cite many hundred more examples, but this will suffice to show the meaningful beauty of this simple word. May we, by that new life within us, eagerly look forward to the day when we hear our Savior say “Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” Matt. 25:34.
September 19
Read II Corinthians 1:3-5
COMFORT—Many times throughout our lives we need comfort. Little babies require much of it. Toddlers who are prone to falls need it. Teenagers, with various sort of “growing up” problems need comfort and understanding. And since everyone needs comfort, this of course includes the grown ups. Giving comfort can take many forms, but a hug, a kind word, a pat on the back, sympathetic listening, a shoulder to cry upon, and fitting words from Scripture with prayer can comprise much comfort and solace to the hurt and sorrowing. The first question and answer of our beloved Heidelberg Catechism reads: “What is thy only comfort in life and death? That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.” God grant that we may truly confess that with all our hearts.
September 20
Read Psalm 31:1-5
COMMIT—Today’s word “commit” is not used very often in our everyday conversation. But it is found many times in the Bible, and means to do, or to give in trust or charge. The prophet Jeremiah lamenting over the Jews for their many sins describes many of them and exclaims “they weary themselves to commit iniquity.” Jer. 9:5. And on an opposite note, we read in I John 3:9, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin.” I believe this means that because those who have God’s Spirit in their heart do not delight in sin. They confess their sins and God beholds them in Christ as if they had never committed any sin. What a merciful and forgiving God we have! The other meaning of this word, to give in charge, is beautifully stated in Psalm 37:5, “Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Don’t trust in your own strength, but always have this prayer on your lips: “Lord what would’st Thou have me do?”
September 21
Read Psalm 119:57-64
COMPANION—Most of us are gregarious creatures. Oh you may ask, what does that mean? It simply means we are fond of company, that we are social persons. I realize that there are a few loners in society, but they are the exception. A companion is a friend, one with whom we associate, and, yes, my next question is, ‘Who are your friends?’ Do they influence you rightly or wrongly? Do they give evidence of being God-fearing? Listen to what the Bible tells us in Prov. 13:20 “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” And in Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” So be a wise and Godly companion to others, and seek the same kind of friends for yourself.
September 22
Read Psalm 78:35-39
COMPASSION—This word is closely related to comfort or consolation, but has a deeper feeling of pity and sympathy. By nature, we are not compassionate, but rather we are proud and seek our own ends. Only by grace can we practice this virtue. God is the very essence of compassion for we read in Lam. 3:22 & 23: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Time and again when Jesus healed the sick, Scripture tells us that He was moved with compassion. The apostle Peter enjoins us in his epistle to “be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, humble minded.” I Peter 3:8. That’s quite an order, isn’t it? Shall you and I start to practice it today?
September 23
Read Romans 10:8-11
CONFESS—Will you partake in this activity today? The answer should be a resounding “yes.” You see, to confess means to acknowledge, to own or to admit. Every day we must confess not only our sins against a holy and just God, which is of utmost importance, but we read in James 5:16a, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another.” And not only that, but our whole life must serve as our confession, as an acknowledgment that we are the children of God. What a privilege to publicly make confession of faith in the church, saying that we love God and will live for Him. And the reward? It is of grace, for Jesus said, “whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 10:32.
September 24
Read I John 5:14-15
CONFIDENCE—Without confidence we probably wouldn’t dare to get out of bed each morning. Confidence means to believe in the trustworthiness or reliability of a person or thing. We trust that our car will take us to work or on a trip. We board planes in the confidence that they are airworthy. We order food in a restaurant in the confidence that we will enjoy it and that it won’t poison us. Many more examples could be given, but they really fall short of true confidence which is wholehearted trust in the Lord. We read in Prov. 14:26, “In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” Put your trust in Him and not in the princes of this world and your earthly pilgrimage will, by His grace, take you to that heavenly Canaan.
September 25
Read Isaiah 35:1-6
CONFIRM—This word “confirm” means to strengthen or to make certain or sure. When I was in business and some company’s purchasing agent called in an order by telephone, we would respond by saying thanks and asking them to confirm it in writing. So also in Scripture this word is used in the same sense. Just before His ascension into heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel. “And they went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20. Will your actions and words today, tomorrow, and every day, confirm the fact that you, both with soul and body, belong to Christ?
September 26
Read Psalm 26:8-12
CONGREGATION—In Hebrews chapter 10 the Lord tells His people to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting the assembling of themselves together, but encouraging one another. This assembling or meeting together is done in the congregation. God is pleased to have His people gather together, not only to mutually edify each other, but to have them hear His word. In Jer. 10:1 we read: “Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, 0 house of Israel.” And in Psalm 40:9 “I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, 0 Lord, thou knowest.” So we not only have a solemn duty and obligation to meet in congregational worship, but it is a most blessed privilege, because God is pleased to save His people in this manner.
September 27
Read I Peter 3:13-16
CONSCIENCE—Have you ever had a guilty conscience? I’m afraid that all of us would have to answer yes to that question. Our conscience is that faculty within us which decides upon the moral quality of our actions and motives, and since we constantly sin against the most high God, our conscience tells us that we did wrong. The unbeliever also has a conscience for Romans 2:15 tells us that their conscience bears witness against them. The difference is that God works repentance in the hearts of His people so that they cry out for forgiveness, whereas the ungodly are described as having their conscience seared with a hot iron. If you are tempted to do something that is pleasurable but your conscience tells you that it is a sinful pleasure, then you had better listen to your conscience, and pray to God for grace to walk in a new and holy life.
September 28
Read Hebrews 13:1-5
CONTENT—Are you satisfied with your lot in life? Or do you wish you were someone else, or that you were rich, or that you were better looking, or that you had different parents or different talents? Let me tell you something. God, in His wisdom determined every aspect of your life, from your appearance, your parents, your place in society, your gifts, to the exact time you would be born. If we all look at ourselves with spiritual eyes in that light, then we will be content and happy, and say with the apostle Paul in Phil. 4:11, “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
September 29
Read I Peter 1:13-16
CONVERSATION—When we hear this word, we immediately associate it with an interchange of spoken words. We converse with one another, we talk together. This is something we engage in every day. In regard to this, God’s Word tells us in Col. 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” The word “conversation”, in the Bible (KJV), however, means our conduct, our behavior, our walk of life. As God’s people, we are to live holy lives, as salt of the earth, as lights of the world. We are called to walk antithetically over against the world with all its wickedness, lust, greed and pleasure madness. In II Cor. 6:17, we read: “Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
September 30
Read Psalm 27:11-14
COURAGE—What is courage? The dictionary defines it as “the quality of mind that enables one to encounter difficulties and changes with firmness or without fear.” How many of us really possess it? There are many examples of courage in Scripture. Moses said to the spies as they entered Canaan, “Be ye of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land.” Moses said to Joshua in the sight of all Israel: “Be strong and of a good courage”, and the Lord Himself spoke similar words to Joshua before a hostile Canaan. We need courage each day to fight the battle against the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh. Where will we find that courage? David in Psalm 31:1 writes: “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: deliver me in thy righteousness.” He ends this Psalm in verse. 31: “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart’, all ye that hope in the Lord.”