August 22 (Jeremiah 21, 22, 34, 32, 33)
Right off the bat ... I find our order of the reading interesting. Now on to more meater things ...
King Zedekiah decides that it's time to seek the Lord - that's because the Babylonians are about to blow them away. After years of evil living and evil leading, this King turns to God and what he finds out is startling: God isn't interested. The Lord says even I will be fighting against you in this battle!
Here's the key for me as I read this: too often we wait to call on God until we are desperate. We do everything on our own strength until we see nothing but doom around us and then we call on God to act ... enough of that! We should cling to the Lord EVERYDAY for EVERYTHING and then His love and protection will be with us. We should never expect that we can live our normal selfish and Godless lives until the news is bad and then turn to God ... He may not be found.
Now, the beauty of God is seen that He does provide a way out for His people ... surrender. They must throw themselves at the mercy of the Babylonians if they want to live. THIS IS PROFOUND! If we are serious about seeking the Lord; if we are genuine in our desire to recieve His rescue; if we are truthful about calling on His name to save the day ... then we must SURRENDER. We must humble ourselves. We must get our eyes off of our possessions and our life and put our attention on HIM.
I'm going to preach on this passage some day ... this is good stuff.
The commentator in this Bible uses a word that we don't often use in the Nazarene Church to describe what is going on for Israel ... "penitence." I think of the Catholic faith when I hear this word but I think it's quite acurate for this period of time. Israel will go through a period of discipline and mourning for their evil ways (their sin - their lack of dependence on God) and then God will restore them. I wonder if this practice would be good for us today ... a designated time of grieving our sins, and then a wonderful celebration of restoration. Now that would be a parrr-tay!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
August 21 (Ezekiel 24)
Another short reading ... thank you Lord! What a deep and meaningful reading it is. If it hasn't been a trying time for Ezekiel already, now he is to become a "living example" of the people. The Lord will take the life of his wife and give him specific directions on how to respond. This symbolizes how God is going to take away the sanctuary in Jeruselm (the one thing the people still revear).
God is really cutting his people down to the bone. In many ways, I wonder if I would still be able to have a faith in a God who took me to the end of the rope like this. Especially for Ezekiel, a man who has sploken the Word of God, and the result was the loss of his wife ... he remained perfectly faithful (from what I can tell at this point) throughout the process. Do I have that faith and strength?
Another short reading ... thank you Lord! What a deep and meaningful reading it is. If it hasn't been a trying time for Ezekiel already, now he is to become a "living example" of the people. The Lord will take the life of his wife and give him specific directions on how to respond. This symbolizes how God is going to take away the sanctuary in Jeruselm (the one thing the people still revear).
God is really cutting his people down to the bone. In many ways, I wonder if I would still be able to have a faith in a God who took me to the end of the rope like this. Especially for Ezekiel, a man who has sploken the Word of God, and the result was the loss of his wife ... he remained perfectly faithful (from what I can tell at this point) throughout the process. Do I have that faith and strength?
August 20 (Ezekiel 23)
A strange story is a part of this reading ... The Lord tells more of the rebellion through the story of two daughters who were prostitutes. One daughter represented Symaria, the other daughter represented Jerusalem. I guess this is just another way to for the Lord to state his claim to why His people must suffer the consequences of His judgement.
It seems obvious to me by now ...
A strange story is a part of this reading ... The Lord tells more of the rebellion through the story of two daughters who were prostitutes. One daughter represented Symaria, the other daughter represented Jerusalem. I guess this is just another way to for the Lord to state his claim to why His people must suffer the consequences of His judgement.
It seems obvious to me by now ...
August 19 (Ezekiel 19 - 22)
This reading is really quite depressing. It's just more lament toward the actions of Israel. Makes me wonder when they will wake up. Then we see the Elders of Israel approach Ezekiel and the Lord tells him to tell the Elders, "it's too late for you ... I won't listen until I bring you back to Jeruselm."
As my study of "covenant" continues, I see tons of that type of language written throughout these passages, as well.
"I raise my hand to you."
"I strike my hands together"
"The Sabbaths were a sign between us"
"I will bring you into the bond of the covenant"
Wierd question: in Ez.21 the King of Babylon will do several things to figure out what decision to make in the fork in the road set before him. One of the ways is to "examine the liver." Seriously! How would you do that?? Strange.
I found this profound: among the many things that the priest were doing to defile the Lord, one of the things was teaching that "there was no difference between what is clean and what is unclean." I find this profound in the age that we live in. Today's postmodern society and "emergent ministry" models seem to be bringing what is holy and what is "permissible" together. I believe that we (as pastors) must stand on what is righteous and what is holy. We need to encourage and challenge our people to live as close to righteous living as they can!!
This reading is really quite depressing. It's just more lament toward the actions of Israel. Makes me wonder when they will wake up. Then we see the Elders of Israel approach Ezekiel and the Lord tells him to tell the Elders, "it's too late for you ... I won't listen until I bring you back to Jeruselm."
As my study of "covenant" continues, I see tons of that type of language written throughout these passages, as well.
"I raise my hand to you."
"I strike my hands together"
"The Sabbaths were a sign between us"
"I will bring you into the bond of the covenant"
Wierd question: in Ez.21 the King of Babylon will do several things to figure out what decision to make in the fork in the road set before him. One of the ways is to "examine the liver." Seriously! How would you do that?? Strange.
I found this profound: among the many things that the priest were doing to defile the Lord, one of the things was teaching that "there was no difference between what is clean and what is unclean." I find this profound in the age that we live in. Today's postmodern society and "emergent ministry" models seem to be bringing what is holy and what is "permissible" together. I believe that we (as pastors) must stand on what is righteous and what is holy. We need to encourage and challenge our people to live as close to righteous living as they can!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Today's reading (Aug. 18) starts in Ezekiel 15
This reading is quite interesting. The Lord is reminding us that we were nothing before He found us, called us, cleaned us up and gave us every good gift. "I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you ... and you became mine." That is powerful love talk there.
But then ... "But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute." God's people didn't continue to rely on their God ... they began to rely on themselves. On what they could touch. On what they could see. On what gave them pleasure. Can we not learn from this lesson in our culture today?? Help us Lord not repeat the sins of the past!
What is the result of this behavior? God is going to turn the tables on them. All those that they thought were friends (aka "lovers" in the text) will turn on them, ransack their homes, and destroy all that they know. I'm amazed again that God uses those 'outside' the faith to bring judgement on His people. Just shows that God is really in control of all things!
On a side note, I'm studying about "covenant" right now for a class I'm teaching on Wednesday nights. Covenant language is all over this reading! "Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you." They covenant that the Lord made with Abraham is still in effect for his children even today. Covenants could not be broken ... they were for a lifetime. "Then I will make atonement for you for all you have done." The beauty of this is that part of the covenant process is the pronouncement of the blessings and curses. Curses would be the consequences of your actions if you don't live up to your end of the covenant. Well here, the Lord says, I'll make atonement for you ... that is opposite of the way we Westerners woudl think ... if you blow it, then you need to make it right! God says ... since you've blown it, I'll make it right ..." That's crazy talk ... but that's the kind of love God has for his children.
The reading today ends with a sprint on repentence ... it's really great stuff!! The interesting part of it all is that God announces that he is no longer judging a nation (all it's people) but rather looking at the heart of the individual. "The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him." This is new material for the prophet to consider.
I found this interesting in terms of "eternal security":
"But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered." Sound unjust? What if we reverse this ... "But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed as turns away from them, he will surely live."
"I will judge you , each one according to his ways ... repent! and get a new heart and new spirit. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone ... Repent and live!"
This reading is quite interesting. The Lord is reminding us that we were nothing before He found us, called us, cleaned us up and gave us every good gift. "I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you ... and you became mine." That is powerful love talk there.
But then ... "But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute." God's people didn't continue to rely on their God ... they began to rely on themselves. On what they could touch. On what they could see. On what gave them pleasure. Can we not learn from this lesson in our culture today?? Help us Lord not repeat the sins of the past!
What is the result of this behavior? God is going to turn the tables on them. All those that they thought were friends (aka "lovers" in the text) will turn on them, ransack their homes, and destroy all that they know. I'm amazed again that God uses those 'outside' the faith to bring judgement on His people. Just shows that God is really in control of all things!
On a side note, I'm studying about "covenant" right now for a class I'm teaching on Wednesday nights. Covenant language is all over this reading! "Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you." They covenant that the Lord made with Abraham is still in effect for his children even today. Covenants could not be broken ... they were for a lifetime. "Then I will make atonement for you for all you have done." The beauty of this is that part of the covenant process is the pronouncement of the blessings and curses. Curses would be the consequences of your actions if you don't live up to your end of the covenant. Well here, the Lord says, I'll make atonement for you ... that is opposite of the way we Westerners woudl think ... if you blow it, then you need to make it right! God says ... since you've blown it, I'll make it right ..." That's crazy talk ... but that's the kind of love God has for his children.
The reading today ends with a sprint on repentence ... it's really great stuff!! The interesting part of it all is that God announces that he is no longer judging a nation (all it's people) but rather looking at the heart of the individual. "The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him." This is new material for the prophet to consider.
I found this interesting in terms of "eternal security":
"But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered." Sound unjust? What if we reverse this ... "But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed as turns away from them, he will surely live."
"I will judge you , each one according to his ways ... repent! and get a new heart and new spirit. For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone ... Repent and live!"
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Aug 15 ... (Ezekiel 1)
This helped me greatly: "What Jeremiah is to the people of Judah in Jerusalem, the prophet Ezekiel is to the captives in Babylonian exile." That was great perspective for me to understand the timing in which his words are coming to the original hearers of them.
As a pastor, these words were interesting: "The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn." OUCH! "You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you." This is tough stuff for me. Honestly, I don't want to pastor obstinate and stubborn people! I don't want to speak and have those words bounce of my audience like a bouncy ball. I want hungry people to listen to the words of God. I want people are ready to do the crazy things to share their love and commitment to Christ. I want people who are willing to be thought of as nuts for HIS NAME SAKE. Lord, don't make me be Jeremiah or Ezekiel ... please!!!
I think the warning here, too, is that these words are echoed by Christ himself. Ezekiel is told "listen to what I say and then tell the people what you've heard." In the same way, Christ proclaimed, "I do nothing on my own but only what the Father tells me." How dependent are we on hearing from God? How obedient are we to Him when we sense Him speaking to us? Do we act only when God says to? Or do we act when it seems right according to human logic? This is penetrating stuff for me these days.
August 16: Ezekiel 8-11
This is a strange scene from Ezekiel's minstry. These chapters describe a vision that Ezekiel was given about detestible things taking place in Jerusalem at the time (even though he was personally in Babylon). He is lifted to see these things (like the Scrooge) and the Lord is deeply grieved.
As the reading ends, the Lord reminds Ezekiel about the bigger picture. In the midst of death and judgement, God is doing a new thing: "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God."
August 17: Ezekiel 12-14
As I'm reading this section of scripture, I am overwhelmed by God's desire to bring his people back to him. His punishment has one purpose "Then you will know that I am God." He wants to "recapture the hearts of his people" and allow them to see him again as their God, their provider, their protector, and their friend. He's accomplishing this through judgement.
"... for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the sovereign Lord." In all things, in all circumstances, God is working!
This helped me greatly: "What Jeremiah is to the people of Judah in Jerusalem, the prophet Ezekiel is to the captives in Babylonian exile." That was great perspective for me to understand the timing in which his words are coming to the original hearers of them.
As a pastor, these words were interesting: "The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn." OUCH! "You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you." This is tough stuff for me. Honestly, I don't want to pastor obstinate and stubborn people! I don't want to speak and have those words bounce of my audience like a bouncy ball. I want hungry people to listen to the words of God. I want people are ready to do the crazy things to share their love and commitment to Christ. I want people who are willing to be thought of as nuts for HIS NAME SAKE. Lord, don't make me be Jeremiah or Ezekiel ... please!!!
I think the warning here, too, is that these words are echoed by Christ himself. Ezekiel is told "listen to what I say and then tell the people what you've heard." In the same way, Christ proclaimed, "I do nothing on my own but only what the Father tells me." How dependent are we on hearing from God? How obedient are we to Him when we sense Him speaking to us? Do we act only when God says to? Or do we act when it seems right according to human logic? This is penetrating stuff for me these days.
August 16: Ezekiel 8-11
This is a strange scene from Ezekiel's minstry. These chapters describe a vision that Ezekiel was given about detestible things taking place in Jerusalem at the time (even though he was personally in Babylon). He is lifted to see these things (like the Scrooge) and the Lord is deeply grieved.
As the reading ends, the Lord reminds Ezekiel about the bigger picture. In the midst of death and judgement, God is doing a new thing: "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God."
August 17: Ezekiel 12-14
As I'm reading this section of scripture, I am overwhelmed by God's desire to bring his people back to him. His punishment has one purpose "Then you will know that I am God." He wants to "recapture the hearts of his people" and allow them to see him again as their God, their provider, their protector, and their friend. He's accomplishing this through judgement.
"... for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the sovereign Lord." In all things, in all circumstances, God is working!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Todays reading: Aug. 12 ... Jer. 23
This reading reminds me just how important it is as a pastor today to be humble and before the Lord at all times. As leaders in the church, we MUSt hear from God and follow His lead - often I feel like that step can be lost over following logic. This is one thing I appreciate about High Pointe ... a real sense of dependence from our Pastor from the Lord.
I think this reading speaks clearly that we can't be "soft" about sin with our flocks, either. "THey strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness" ... "But if they stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds." The key phrase in these verses stands out to me as "to turn" ... we need to hear the Word of God, see our sin, and turn from it. Stop being passive about it. Leave it. The result will be more of God through faithfull dependence on His presence.
Aug 13: Jer. 51:59, Jer.50
This reading is all about the pending destruction of Babylonia and the exiles returning back to Jerusalem (or where ever they came from). I'm wondering if it has been 70 years already .. I can't remember reading the valient stories of Daniel, Shad, Mesh, and Abend ... have we done that?
In the midst of all this talk of destruction, we read:
"Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name." I like that verse!
Aug. 14 (finish Jer. 50, then 51)
This is the longest reading yet ... and it's all about God's pending judgement on Babylon. I guess the Lord is a long-winded preacher, too! Glancing ahead, I see that the destruction of Babylon is still some time off ... even though our recent readings make it seem very soon.
This reading reminds me just how important it is as a pastor today to be humble and before the Lord at all times. As leaders in the church, we MUSt hear from God and follow His lead - often I feel like that step can be lost over following logic. This is one thing I appreciate about High Pointe ... a real sense of dependence from our Pastor from the Lord.
I think this reading speaks clearly that we can't be "soft" about sin with our flocks, either. "THey strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness" ... "But if they stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds." The key phrase in these verses stands out to me as "to turn" ... we need to hear the Word of God, see our sin, and turn from it. Stop being passive about it. Leave it. The result will be more of God through faithfull dependence on His presence.
Aug 13: Jer. 51:59, Jer.50
This reading is all about the pending destruction of Babylonia and the exiles returning back to Jerusalem (or where ever they came from). I'm wondering if it has been 70 years already .. I can't remember reading the valient stories of Daniel, Shad, Mesh, and Abend ... have we done that?
In the midst of all this talk of destruction, we read:
"Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name." I like that verse!
Aug. 14 (finish Jer. 50, then 51)
This is the longest reading yet ... and it's all about God's pending judgement on Babylon. I guess the Lord is a long-winded preacher, too! Glancing ahead, I see that the destruction of Babylon is still some time off ... even though our recent readings make it seem very soon.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Today's reading: Aug. 9 (2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 48) ...
This verse stands out to me ... "Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive." I wonder, what do you trust in? Good works? Bank accounts? Most of us would say that we are "good people" and in that God should back off on his judgement of us ... many of us too probably feel like their need for God isn't really strong since they can "take care of themselves" according to their investments and savings.
I think the news to ponder here is that we can see all of that kind of security taken from us with no justice provided. Wealth is a paper thin layer of security (one that I don't have). True security - the kind we should put our trust in - comes from the Lord on High! I need to trust the Lord more with my ...
... children
... marriage
... occupation
... daily provisions
... my relationships
There are several pages detailing the wrath that the Lord is going to bring on Moab as a nation. I can't help but see some striking parallels betweeen how He describes Moab to America (that's just for me - I'm not saying this is a curse against America ...). Then, at the end of this amazing amount of wrath and pain, the Lord declares ... "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come." Strange ... why restore a nation like this? The answer ... is because our God is a God of 2nd chances ... 3rd chances ... 300th chances ... isn't our God Amazing!!??!! This nation deserved nothing, but after God get's their attention ... He's going to give them another chance to get it right. I love that about our God!
August 10 ... (2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, 2 Chronicals 36)
It's interesting that during the largest deportation of Jerusalem, that the Babylonians took the fighting men, the artists, craftsman and such ... but they were happy to leave the poor behind. THere's nothing profound about it in my mind other than it was worth mentioning in the writers perspective of this process. As humans, it seems to be unilateral thing to devalue the poor as not needed ... even when taking prisoners of war to another land ...
The final King of Judah is established ... and God isn't done reaching out to this rebellious land. "The Lord ... sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets ..."
Do we have messengers today? We have pastors like ants but I'm wondering if God is using a particular group (a small group) of people to be His divine messengers to our nation? If He did, are we listening? Are we open to the harsh words that a messenger of the Lord might bring us? Would we turn from our wicked ways? Would we stop defiling our homes with porn, inappropriate TV, irreligious music, foul mouths, abuse on our children, and the such? (I'm not laying a list of my own defilements here ... don't panic ... I'm just saying as a nation these are things I think that some issues that are getting swept under the rug and not discussed and dealth with).
Would we change? Who do we love more ... God? Self?
August 11 ... (Jeremiah 24, 29, 27, 28)
One of the greatest passages of scripture occurs in the reading today (Jeremiah 29:11) but I love reading this in context. So much pain has just occurred - so much judgement - I would imagine tons of confusion rests on the people of Judah ... and then the Lord comes to them while in exile and encourages their heart, lifts them up, gives them hope ...
"When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."
That's good stuff!!
This verse stands out to me ... "Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive." I wonder, what do you trust in? Good works? Bank accounts? Most of us would say that we are "good people" and in that God should back off on his judgement of us ... many of us too probably feel like their need for God isn't really strong since they can "take care of themselves" according to their investments and savings.
I think the news to ponder here is that we can see all of that kind of security taken from us with no justice provided. Wealth is a paper thin layer of security (one that I don't have). True security - the kind we should put our trust in - comes from the Lord on High! I need to trust the Lord more with my ...
... children
... marriage
... occupation
... daily provisions
... my relationships
There are several pages detailing the wrath that the Lord is going to bring on Moab as a nation. I can't help but see some striking parallels betweeen how He describes Moab to America (that's just for me - I'm not saying this is a curse against America ...). Then, at the end of this amazing amount of wrath and pain, the Lord declares ... "Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab in days to come." Strange ... why restore a nation like this? The answer ... is because our God is a God of 2nd chances ... 3rd chances ... 300th chances ... isn't our God Amazing!!??!! This nation deserved nothing, but after God get's their attention ... He's going to give them another chance to get it right. I love that about our God!
August 10 ... (2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, 2 Chronicals 36)
It's interesting that during the largest deportation of Jerusalem, that the Babylonians took the fighting men, the artists, craftsman and such ... but they were happy to leave the poor behind. THere's nothing profound about it in my mind other than it was worth mentioning in the writers perspective of this process. As humans, it seems to be unilateral thing to devalue the poor as not needed ... even when taking prisoners of war to another land ...
The final King of Judah is established ... and God isn't done reaching out to this rebellious land. "The Lord ... sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets ..."
Do we have messengers today? We have pastors like ants but I'm wondering if God is using a particular group (a small group) of people to be His divine messengers to our nation? If He did, are we listening? Are we open to the harsh words that a messenger of the Lord might bring us? Would we turn from our wicked ways? Would we stop defiling our homes with porn, inappropriate TV, irreligious music, foul mouths, abuse on our children, and the such? (I'm not laying a list of my own defilements here ... don't panic ... I'm just saying as a nation these are things I think that some issues that are getting swept under the rug and not discussed and dealth with).
Would we change? Who do we love more ... God? Self?
August 11 ... (Jeremiah 24, 29, 27, 28)
One of the greatest passages of scripture occurs in the reading today (Jeremiah 29:11) but I love reading this in context. So much pain has just occurred - so much judgement - I would imagine tons of confusion rests on the people of Judah ... and then the Lord comes to them while in exile and encourages their heart, lifts them up, gives them hope ...
"When 70 years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity."
That's good stuff!!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Two days in a row! I'm back!
Today's reading begins on Aug. 7: Jerermiah 36 ...
I'm struck right away that God is giving Judah another chance to repent here. The language lately had been "you are about to get crushed, I can no longer hold off on my punishment for you ... blah blah ..." and now God tells Jeremiah, "I'm going to tell them my plan and maybe that will scare them into repentance." The King didn't respond well to the words that God gave Jeremiah ... so the nation went without repentence.
Today's principle for me ... the leadership dictates the heart of the nation. As we near election day in America, let's be aware of which candidate we choose, not by party, but by morality and humbleness and God's leading.
Aug. 8: Daniel 1
This is a great story of God providing for his faithful children. I'm struck by a thought I've never had before. I've always known that Daniel, Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego were faithful men - honoring God's statutes and such .. but here's the earth shattering news for my day ... why didn't they stand up to their own king the way they do to King Nebuchadnezzar? Judah was a seriously messed up place ... wickedness was everywhere ... where were these dudes then?
Life principle: Many times it's easier to stand up to opposition when it's from an obvious evil source than it is when it's your own family. This needs to be rejected and understand that true love is found in the TRUTH. The entire exile could have been stopped had these 4 boys stood up to the King of Judah and said follow God or else!!
In the story of Daniel interpretting the King's dream, I see:
1) A call to prayer: Daniel tells his friends "plead for mercy from the God of heaven".
2) A testimony of God's Power: Daniel didn't claim to know the dream or possess the power to do so. He clearly told this pagan King that "there is a God in heaven who reveal mysteries" and then he did it. God get's the glory! Not Daniel.
Today's reading begins on Aug. 7: Jerermiah 36 ...
I'm struck right away that God is giving Judah another chance to repent here. The language lately had been "you are about to get crushed, I can no longer hold off on my punishment for you ... blah blah ..." and now God tells Jeremiah, "I'm going to tell them my plan and maybe that will scare them into repentance." The King didn't respond well to the words that God gave Jeremiah ... so the nation went without repentence.
Today's principle for me ... the leadership dictates the heart of the nation. As we near election day in America, let's be aware of which candidate we choose, not by party, but by morality and humbleness and God's leading.
Aug. 8: Daniel 1
This is a great story of God providing for his faithful children. I'm struck by a thought I've never had before. I've always known that Daniel, Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego were faithful men - honoring God's statutes and such .. but here's the earth shattering news for my day ... why didn't they stand up to their own king the way they do to King Nebuchadnezzar? Judah was a seriously messed up place ... wickedness was everywhere ... where were these dudes then?
Life principle: Many times it's easier to stand up to opposition when it's from an obvious evil source than it is when it's your own family. This needs to be rejected and understand that true love is found in the TRUTH. The entire exile could have been stopped had these 4 boys stood up to the King of Judah and said follow God or else!!
In the story of Daniel interpretting the King's dream, I see:
1) A call to prayer: Daniel tells his friends "plead for mercy from the God of heaven".
2) A testimony of God's Power: Daniel didn't claim to know the dream or possess the power to do so. He clearly told this pagan King that "there is a God in heaven who reveal mysteries" and then he did it. God get's the glory! Not Daniel.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Here you go Linda!
I'm home sick today so I figure I have my computer and I'm reading the Chronological Bible ... why not post?
I started today on Aug 4 reading ... Jeremiah 46:1
I've been struck by the job that Jeremiah was given. As a prophet, he has been speaking to a wall the entire time. No one is listening, no one is turning from their wickedness, and this phrase stands out "...and there is terror on every side." His burden was large.
As sure as the pending distruction is for Judah, God doesn't leave them without hope. Jer. 46:27 "I will surely save you out of a distant place ... I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished." God can't turn his back on our evil actions. And that's true for us today. We should be aware of the fact that God hates sin and we can't live in a way that ignores the sin in our life. Jeremiah was telling people that they needed to repent - when that didn't happen, then God said it's time to punish you (but only for justice sake).
Alright ... Aug 5 reading jumps to Habakkuk. This is why I really like the Chronological Reading ... the perspective I'm gaining in the timeline of Judah and Israel is great. The prophet Habakkuk asks a timely question: "how can a righteous and holy God use a wicked nation like Babylonia to bring punishment against God's own people, rebellious and sinful though they may be?" Honestly, the answer isn't clear, but I think this all shows that God is control of ALL things. We can debate forever if God controls evil (like hurricanes, sunami's, etc) but it appears that God has influence over even those who do not call on His name.
Here are a couple of phrases I underlined in this reading :
... in speaking about the Babalonians, God says this "... whose own strength is their god." Warning, our human strengt and influence means nothing!!
... in showing the difference between the righteous and those who are just "puffed up", God says, "... the righteous will live by His faith."
... this made me think of our current financial situation (in the world)
"Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life."
Hababbuk's prayer in chapter 3 is sweet at the end ...
"... though the fig tree does not bud
... though the olive crop fails
... though there are no sheep in the pen
... yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
My final thought from this mornings readings is one of slight confusion. God several times says "my servant Nebuchadnezzar" then "I'm raising the Babylonians" and such ... if God is involved in their uprising, I'm entrigued why God says he will punish them "for their guilt" (Jer. 25.12-ish). Don't get me wrong, these were some nasty people and they were ruthless to everyone around them ... but in some ways, so was Israel. Just thinking ...
I'm home sick today so I figure I have my computer and I'm reading the Chronological Bible ... why not post?
I started today on Aug 4 reading ... Jeremiah 46:1
I've been struck by the job that Jeremiah was given. As a prophet, he has been speaking to a wall the entire time. No one is listening, no one is turning from their wickedness, and this phrase stands out "...and there is terror on every side." His burden was large.
As sure as the pending distruction is for Judah, God doesn't leave them without hope. Jer. 46:27 "I will surely save you out of a distant place ... I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished." God can't turn his back on our evil actions. And that's true for us today. We should be aware of the fact that God hates sin and we can't live in a way that ignores the sin in our life. Jeremiah was telling people that they needed to repent - when that didn't happen, then God said it's time to punish you (but only for justice sake).
Alright ... Aug 5 reading jumps to Habakkuk. This is why I really like the Chronological Reading ... the perspective I'm gaining in the timeline of Judah and Israel is great. The prophet Habakkuk asks a timely question: "how can a righteous and holy God use a wicked nation like Babylonia to bring punishment against God's own people, rebellious and sinful though they may be?" Honestly, the answer isn't clear, but I think this all shows that God is control of ALL things. We can debate forever if God controls evil (like hurricanes, sunami's, etc) but it appears that God has influence over even those who do not call on His name.
Here are a couple of phrases I underlined in this reading :
... in speaking about the Babalonians, God says this "... whose own strength is their god." Warning, our human strengt and influence means nothing!!
... in showing the difference between the righteous and those who are just "puffed up", God says, "... the righteous will live by His faith."
... this made me think of our current financial situation (in the world)
"Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin! You have plotted the ruin of many peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life."
Hababbuk's prayer in chapter 3 is sweet at the end ...
"... though the fig tree does not bud
... though the olive crop fails
... though there are no sheep in the pen
... yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
My final thought from this mornings readings is one of slight confusion. God several times says "my servant Nebuchadnezzar" then "I'm raising the Babylonians" and such ... if God is involved in their uprising, I'm entrigued why God says he will punish them "for their guilt" (Jer. 25.12-ish). Don't get me wrong, these were some nasty people and they were ruthless to everyone around them ... but in some ways, so was Israel. Just thinking ...
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