Monthly Archives: July 2013

Jeremiah 5, Matthew 16

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In Jeremiah 5, Israel are condemned for their unfaithfulness. They refused to repent, no-one could be found who “does justice and seeks truth”.  They had been “utterly treacherous” to God, believing that there would be no repercussions. Through Jeremiah, God warns the Israelites that He would bring a nation from afar to destroy them and take them captive.  Yet God still promises “I will not make a full end of you.”  He offers them hope, another chance to repent, a recurring theme throughout Jeremiah.

Hundreds of years later, Jesus berates the Pharisees and Sadducees for being unfaithful, warning his disciples to be wary of their teaching.  By contrast, Jesus’ teaching offered hope and a sure foundation, along with a difficult life, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me… the son of man… will repay each person according to what he has done.”

1 Samuel 26-27, Matthew 14

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David demonstrates great courage, sneaking into the camp of Saul by night, and taking Saul’s spear and water. Yet he refuses to listen to the advice of Abishai and kill Saul, leaving the judgement of Saul to God.  David shows mercy in letting Saul live, and in trying to help Saul realise the error of his ways, even though he continues to fear for his life.

We also read of Jesus’ compassion, teaching and feeding the multitudes, healing them, before going up a mountain to pray.  Yet even while praying, he doesn’t neglect his disciples, noticing their distress and walking on the water to their boat to help them.  When they reach the shore, Jesus is again presented with numerous sick people to heal. We get the impression that Jesus is constantly kept busy with the needs of others, even at the expense of time alone with his father.

Contrast between  this period in David’s life, when he trusted in his strength for survival, and the time Jesus spends with God to help him through his ministry. Shows the importance of relying on God, of prayer, and of serving the needs of others.

Jeremiah 1, Matthew 12

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God sends Jeremiah to “go to all that I sahll send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak”. Despite God’s assurances, Jeremiah is afraid.  God’s encouragement for Jeremiah to stand out and speak God’s word applies for us as well, “They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you“.

Jesus reinforces this message. “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”  We’ve been called to be children of God, to be part of the same family as Jesus, and along with that comes the responsibility to do the will of God.  We’ve been warned that this will be difficult, but we also have encouragement from God who has “bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”  Our God is mighty to save, and will be with us to deliver us.

1 Samuel 23, Isaiah 66, Matthew 11

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1 Samuel 23 is a classic example of David’s faith in God. Rather than giving in to the fears of the 600 men with him, David trusts in God, seeking God’s advice, following it and encouraging those around him.  While we don’t have the Ephod that David used to communicate with God, we do have God’s word and prayer. Like David, we need to rely on God’s word and our relationship with Him to survive our daily battles, although they’re not typically as life threatening as the battles David faced.

God’s word reveals in passages like Isaiah 66 the way in which we should live – humble and contrite in spirit, trembling at God’s word.  Heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His footstool, He created all the things we can see, so we can have confidence in His power to save.

So let’s take Jesus’ advice, learn from him, place our burdens on him, and find rest in the confidence we have in God’s plan of salvation.

Isaiah 65, Matthew 10

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Isaiah writes God’s words, “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name“.  This is us! We are the ones who are not called by God’s name, yet He was ready to have a relationship with us.

Jesus warned his disciples about the persecution that would come, and how they would need to witness before governors, kings and Gentiles. As followers of Jesus, we too should be witnesses of our faith to those around us. Jesus reminds us we have nothing to be afraid of, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven“.

1 Samuel 20, Isaiah 64

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Today we read the emotional story of Jonathan & David’s farewell.  We read of the faith of Jonathan, choosing God’s anointed over his own family, of the love of God they both shared. This was a difficult time in David’s life, running and hiding from Saul, in fear of his life, yet his faith in God remained strong.

Isaiah describes our relationship with God, “O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” God is shaping us to be vessels “for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”  Shaping clay into a vessel is a difficult process, with the clay naturally resisting the hand of the potter. So it is with our life, needing the hand of God constantly shaping our life into a vessel that He can use.

Matthew 7

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Jesus describes the importance of introspective examination. It’s much easier to see faults in others than faults in our own life, but it is critical that we look intently at our natural face in the mirror, and not deceive ourselves by forgetting what our reflection really looks like.

Jesus also continues with the theme of seeking for the kingdom of God.  “Seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  Producing good fruit, providing for the needs of others, and not seeking our own glory are all part of seeking the kingdom of God.

Let’s be like that wise man who built his house on a sure foundation, and demonstrate in our lives the principles Jesus taught.

1 Samuel 17, Isaiah 61, Matthew 6

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In 1 Samuel 17 we first read of the faith of David, some insight into why he was chosen by God to be king. David’s faith was real and living, enabled him to vigorously defend God’s chosen people against “this uncircumcised Philistine.”  David realised that God “saves not with sword and spear”, but with faith demonstrated in one’s life.

It is living faith in God that “brings good news to the poor…liberty to the captives…comfort to all who mourn…garment of praise instead of a faint spirit”.  Isaiah goes on to say “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

Jesus continues his sermon on the mount with practical advice for living a Godly life. Prayer is a vital aspect, as is correct perspective. We have no need to be anxious, knowing that God cares for us just as he does the birds of the air. Let us “lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven”, looking after the needs of others and maintaining a close relationship with God.

1 Samuel 15, Isaiah 59, Matthew 3-4

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Today we read of Saul continuing in his efforts to please the people of Israel, rather than following God’s instructions delivered through Samuel. Saul is again rebuked, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

God is more interested in the effort we put into serving Him, than the times which we fail. God’s “hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah’s message to Israel condemned them for “denying the Lord, and turning back from following our God.”  Hiding from God is not the answer when we fall down.

God’s “own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.” God has reached out to offer us salvation through His beloved Son.  Let’s follow Jesus’ advice when he said “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.“

Isaiah 58

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In Isaiah we read of the importance of serving God in the right way, with the right attitude and motives. The fasts that Israel were keeping as per the Law were done for the wrong reasons, to seek their own pleasure, to quarrel and to fight. The Sabbath was to do God’s pleasure, not their own.

Instead Isaiah reminds Israel of the need to humble oneself, to share bread with the hungry, house the homeless, and cover those without clothes.  The Sabbath was a day to be honoured, for “not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly”.

This message for Israel is a good reminder for our lives, of the importance of both helping others, and of serving God with the correct attitude. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”