Category Archives: Bible

Exodus 31, 1 Corinthians 1-2

— by on

God emphasised to Moses the importance of Israel keeping the Sabbath, “a sign between me and you throughout your generations… as a covenant forever“. It was a day “of solemn rest, holy to the Lord“, a day every week to remind the Israelites that they were God’s own treasured people.

Although we don’t keep the Sabbath today, we do observe a covenant made between us and God.  We’ve been called to be saints through “the grace of God… into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord“. We’ve made a covenant with God that we will endeavour to reflect His character in our lives, and in so doing be part of God’s nation.  This is a covenant that has promise of eternal life, just as the Sabbath represented the completeness of God’s creation.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest“

Mark 10, Psalm 78

— by on

The disciples of Jesus asked him about the seeming impossibility of being saved. Jesus replied “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God“.

Despite the “glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done“, Israel remained “a stubborn and rebellious generation…not faithful to God“.  God did the impossible for Israel: parted the red sea, provided water in the wilderness, rained manna and quails on Israel… and still Israel sinned.  Yet God “being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them“.

By ourselves, we can do nothing to earn salvation. Like the Israelites we rely on God’s compassion. The example of blind Bartimaeus helps us recognise our need for mercy, and that our faith can make us whole. Although not as dramatic as being healed of blindness, our sins can be forgiven through Christ.  Let us aim to be like Bartimaeus, who immediately followed Christ, putting his faith into action.

Psalm 77

— by on

Psalm 77 commences with an expression of doubt and uncertainty, “I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted…I am so troubled that I cannot speak“. We all feel this way at some point in our lives.

The advice provided is to meditate on God, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord… I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples“. The God we worship “works wonders“; the waters are afraid of God, the earth trembles and shakes.

With His arm, God redeemed His people. Surely such a God as this would not “forget to be gracious” or “shut up His compassion“. We can take comfort and strength in these ideas.

Psalm 68

— by on

Psalm 68 is a song written to encourage God’s people, reminding them of God’s daily care for them during their journey through the wilderness.  God marched before His people through the wilderness, scattering their enemies, providing for the fatherless and widow. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation“.

This song also looks to a future time, when “kingdoms of the earth… sing praises to the Lord“,  those who delight in war are scattered, God’s majesty is seen over Israel, and God’s power is seen in the skies.  “Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death“.   We can look forward to this time, knowing that it until it arrives, God will daily care for us.

Psalm 66

— by on

Psalm 66 is an inspirational Psalm that reminds us God’s care for us, and the joy we can have as a result of that. “Shout for joy to God, all the earth;  sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.“

The Psalmist writes “Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man“. God is so high above us, yet He wants to be involved in our lives. He who parted the red sea for Israel, “has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip… truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer“. God has undeniably demonstrated His care for Israel in the past as they escaped Egypt, and will continue to care for both natural and spiritual Israel.  He hears our prayers, and and our praise.

The Psalmist concludes “Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me.” Let us be encouraged and strengthened by the knowledge of God’s active involvement in our lives.

Romans 9, Psalm 57

— by on

In Romans 9, Paul explains God’s mercy, and the hope we have been offered. God said to Moses “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Mercy and compassion are two gifts God provides to “whomever he wills“. What an amazing and humbling idea then, when God through Hosea writes “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people’… they will be called ‘sons of the living God’.“

God has called us to be “children of the promise“, counted as His children. Not because of anything we did, but because God chose to do so. Let us follow David’s example, and “give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.“

Psalm 51, Romans 5-6

— by on

Having written Psalm 51 after the visit of Nathan the prophet, David would have keenly felt the effect of sin and the relief of God’s mercy. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin… create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”  David is incredibly thankful for God’s mercy, and now seeks to re-establish his relationship with God with a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Romans 5-6 also deal with sin and God’s mercy. Through Christ we have “obtained access by faith into the grace in which we stand“.  We can rejoice that Christ died for us, even while we were sinners, giving us a chance to “walk in newness of life“.

Let us follow the advice of Paul and the example of David, every day a new chance to be slaves of righteousness, leading to sanctification and in the end, eternal life.

 

Genesis 39-40, Psalm 44

— by on

Genesis 39-40 records Joseph’s continued faith and reliance on God, even in the distant foreign country of Egypt. Four times we read the phrase “the Lord was with Joseph“. He was successful in all that he did, and Potiphar’s household was blessed because of the presence of Joseph.  When faced with temptation, his thoughts were focused on God.

Similarly, God was with his people Israel. The psalmist writes “for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them…you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us”. God’s support was not unconditional though, when they turned from Him they suffered at the hands of the surrounding nations.

Let us aim to be like Joseph, to ensure people around us can see our relationship with God, as Potiphar could see Joseph’s relationship with God, remaining faithful despite the difficulties of life.

 

Psalms 41-43

— by on

Psalm 41 describes God’s care, “in the day of trouble the Lord delivers himl the Lord protects him and keeps him alive“. Even during this time of difficulty with Absalom, with David’s enemies waiting for him to die, whispering about him, his close friend betraying him, David relies on God. “I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me”.

David continues these thoughts in Psalms 42-43.  Four times he refers to his soul being “cast down“, as he paints a picture of inner turmoil. “I say to God, my rock: why have you forgotten me?” and then later “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God“. Again, “you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me?” followed by “I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy“.

We can be encouraged when we consider a faithful man like David struggling with daily life, with great trials and inner conflicts. Yet we know that David “found favour in the sight of God”, as can we, if we also war against the influence of sin in our lives.

Psalms 39-40

— by on

Psalms 39-40 are a great pair of Psalms in which David intimates his thoughts and feelings during his time of distress. He feels insignificant before God, “my lifetime is as nothing before you…man goes about as a shadow“, yet does not find God unapproachable, “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears“.

David finds comfort and security in his relationship with God. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” He finds comfort and mercy, “O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me“, and ensures others know also, “I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation…I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness“.

Let us be like David, seeking God, rejoicing and being glad in His support through the trials of life, knowing that God takes thought for our every need.