Monthly Archives: June 2013

1 Samuel 9, Isaiah 53, Revelation 15-16

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Today we read of the personal cost involved in Jesus’ sacrifice. Despised and rejected by men, pierced and crushed, oppressed and afflicted, no majesty or beauty apparent in his form, chastised in order to bring us peace.  Yet as a result many are accounted righteous.

Jesus “bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” Such a contrast from the king that Israel chose, fruitlessly searching for his father’s donkeys. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the first-fruits of those who have “conquered the beast and its image”.

Jesus led the way, it’s up to us now to follow his example, so that we too can sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty… your righteous acts have been revealed”.

 

1 Samuel 7-8, Isaiah 52

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Israel desired a king to be like the nations around them, to go out before them and fight their battles, and God tells Samuel to obey their request.

By contrast, in Isaiah we see the inspirational word picture of the future, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’“.  Rather than a time of war, it is a time of peace. Rather than a king ruling, it is God that reigns.

This future is certain. God will comfort His people. He will redeem Jerusalem. The whole earth will see the salvation of our God. We can be part of that future, provided we endure the difficulties of life today, realising that God is always by our side, “The Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

 

1 Samuel 5-6, Isaiah 51

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Today we read of how protective God was of the ark of God, when it was captured by the Philistines. Dagon was dismembered, the Philistines broke out in tumors, and a plague of mice, so that the Philistines wanted to return the ark to Israel.

God went to all that trouble to get a symbol of His glory returned, so imagine what He will do to protect someone who reflects His glory. “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law…my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations“. God reminds us that He has called His people, “I am the Lord your God…. establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people’“.

“The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away“.

Isaiah 50, Revelation 10-11

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Isaiah 50 is one of the “servant prophecies” that refers to Jesus. It describes Jesus’ constant communication with God, submission to those that tortured him, trust in God, and reliance on God’s protection.  It provides an insight into the difficulty of Jesus’ life, as he endured so that we could have hope of salvation.

By contrast, Revelation 11 gives us a glimpse of the future kingdom, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever”. This is part of our hope, our motivation, for taking up our cross and following Jesus, looking for that city whose builder and maker is God.

 

Isaiah 49, Revelation 7-9

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Isaiah was told “the Lord, who is faithful…has chosen you.”  We too have been chosen by God, predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s son.  God constantly helped His people Israel, even when they turned their back on Him. Through Isaiah, God promised them “I will not forget you…I am the Lord your Saviour, and your redeemer, the mighty one of Jacob.“

In Revelation we read of those who have responded to God’s calling, who have accepted God’s help. “They are before the throne of God…shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore…God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” We have the chance to be part of the “great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, crying out with a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”.

Let’s keep this vision of the future in our minds as we commence another week of battling against sin, and “stand firm in the faith“

1 Samuel 2

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Today we read one of Hannah’s prayers. Faithful woman, who turned to God in times of distress and thankfulness. She rejoices in God’s salvation, in His care of the poor and lowly. It’s clear that Hannah’s faithfulness had a long lasting effect on Samuel, one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament.

Hannah’s prayerfulness is one of the qualities Paul commends. “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Isaiah 45

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God created light and darkness, heaven and earth, clouds and rain. Yet He is also taking the time to shape us, from blobs of clay into something useful. There is none like God, who created the earth to be inhabited, who has given us a way to form a relationship with Him. God describes Himself as a righteous God and a Saviour. He makes us the offer, “turn to me and be saved”.

The culture of today highly values knowing important people, knowing intimate details of their life as though that somehow makes us more special. But we have knowledge and a relationship with the most powerful being ever to exist, who gave His son that we might have  hope.

Ruth 1-2, Jude

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Today we start the story of Ruth, a brilliant example of faith and love for God. Despite all the tragedy in Ruth’s life, she turns her back on Moab and returns to Bethlehem with Naomi.  In Bethlehem she had nothing except her mother-in-law and her faith in God, yet she was willing to trust and rely on God for her continued existence.

Jude’s epistle appeals to us to “contend for the faith”, to “build yourselves up in the most holy faith…keep yourselves in the love of God.” Ruth’s life really reflects this in her decision to leave her former life behind and pursue God, and so our life should also reflect our faith.

Jude also reminds us that our God is powerful and loving, “able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy”

Isaiah 42, 1 John 5

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“Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you”. This passage might apply to Jesus, but I think it applies just as much to us. We serve an amazing God, so far beyond our understanding that He could create everything around us. This same God has also called us, you and me, to be righteous. Not only that, but He has stretched out His hand, to guide us and keep us on our journey.

We have been offered life and hope. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.” We can have confidence in this hope, provided we demonstrate our love for God by keeping His commandments.

1 John 3-4

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Today we are reminded about the qualities of true love, demonstrated by Jesus in that “he laid down his life for us”. We are called children of God, comanded to “believe in the name of [God’s] son Jesus Christ and love one another”.

“Let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”