Category Archives: Bible

1 Chronicles 17, Galatians 3-4

— by on

David’s attitude in 1 Chron 17 is an amazing example for us. He wants to do everything possible to honour his God, and recognised the disparity between his house and the temporary dwelling of the ark of the covenant. Even though God denied David the opportunity to build the temple, David still threw himself into the preparation for the building, so that Solomon could build it as soon as possible.

We also read of David approaching God in overwhelming thankfulness, despite his desire to build God a temple being denied. David’s desire was that God’s “name will be established and magnified forever”, regardless of personal involvement. This should be our attitude too. Often events in life do not turn out the way we envisage, yet we have to trust that God is doing what is best for us, and helping us to glorify Him in the most effective way, even if that means us working behind the scenes to prepare for the more prominent efforts of others.

David mentions in his prayer that God had redeemed Israel, choosing them to be His people for ever. We’ve been offered the chance to be part of that people. Let us live by faith, just as David and Paul did, knowing that God is in control and has called us to be His heirs.

Galatians 1-2

— by on

Paul describes Jesus Christ as the one “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age”.  This deliverance is freely offered to us, the gospel message revealed to Paul directly from Jesus Christ.

There is a logical response to this offer of deliverance. Paul encourages us to “live to God”, as he did. “The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Let us similarly live a life seeking approval from God, allowing Christ to live in us.

Luke 24

— by on

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” This is the good news that we have been given, and that we’ve been told to share with everyone around us. The ultimate proof of God’s love, “loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for [Jesus] to be held by it.”

“The Lord is risen indeed!” Let us remember these incredible words, working daily to be more like “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”.

Ezekiel 20, Luke 17

— by on

The elders of Israel come to Ezekiel, to enquire of God through him. But God says He would not be inquired of by the elders. They had rejected God time and time again, and God lists 6 times that the nation rebelled against Him.  This seems like an overly negative response, but it’s important to realise how constant Israel was in their rejection, and yet God still offers hope. “You shall know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your fathers”.

This section of Ezekiel should inspire us to reflect on our own lives, to “look intently at our natural face in a mirror”, and do something about what we see. Our God is merciful, but He requires action from us, to seek Him out and develop His character.

Jesus demonstrates God’s mercy in healing the 10 lepers, who pleaded “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us”. They were healed on their way to the priests, following Jesus’ instructions. Let us similarly seek God’s mercy, and let it affect our lives.

Ezekiel 19, Luke 16

— by on

Ezekiel takes up a lamentation for the children of Israel, even before they were taken into captivity. They had been given all they needed to serve God, like strong a vine with ready access to water. Despite great men of faith like Moses and David, Israel eventually rejected God and so they would be shortly removed from the perfect vineyard to the wilderness.

A similar idea is expressed by Jesus in Luke 16, “no servant can serve two masters…you cannot serve God and money.” We’ve been called to serve God with our whole existence, to be “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season”. Let’s seek the true riches God has offered, to be like the vine planted by water, freely soaking up the water of life available in God’s word.

Luke 13-14

— by on

“I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it…I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them…I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come”. It’s easy to make excuses for not putting God first. Our lives today are so busy. We’ve been invited to the marriage supper, an invitation that requires appropriate preparation in our lives now.

In Luke 13-14 there are a number of warnings about being preoccupied with this life.  The Pharisees wanted to limit the work of Jesus to six days a week. We can do the same, limiting God in our lives to just Sundays and Wednesday nights. The kingdom of God needs to be like a grain of mustard seed or like leaven, with its tiny beginning, yet growing to fill our lives, effecting an irreversible change.  Let’s take up our cross, renounce all that this life offers, and follow the only one that is able to give us life, Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 16, Luke 12

— by on

In Ezekiel 16, God describes in graphic detail the care that He had provided to Israel, and the way she betrayed that care, seeking the attention of others outside the covenant she had made with God. The metaphors of marriage and prostitution are used to describe the intensity of the relationship and betrayal.  This chapter is as much a warning for us as it was for Israel, to be sure we’re not actively betraying our covenant made with God at baptism.

Yet after all this, God still provides hope. “I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth…I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord…when I atone for you for all that you have done.”  Our God is both loving and jealous. He will forgive our sins if we  turn to Him and seek after Him.

Jesus said, “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”. Let’s focus on gaining heavenly treasure, dedicating our lives to God, turning again to Him when we fail.

Luke 11

— by on

In Luke 11, Jesus describes our God. Like a natural father with his children, so our heavenly Father has provided for all our needs. He is not far away or lazy; if we seek Him then He will respond. He is a God that will hear our prayer.

We are encouraged to have our whole body full of light, just as Jesus is the light of the world, to focus on the understanding and application of Godly principles, rather than the outward show of pedanticism demonstrated by the Pharisees.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it”.  Let us be active in our keeping of the word of God, shining our light, forgiving others and longing for God’s kingdom to arrive now.

Luke 10

— by on

Jesus said to his disciples, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”  This is a blessing for which Jesus thanked God, “I think you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children”, and it is a blessing that we have also. We need to have the attitude of little children, trusting in our Father to help and guide us, growing to be like Him.

Like children, we should love our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.  It’s a love that is reflected in the way we treat our neighbour, a love that the Samaritan demonstrated in his actions towards the people around him.  Let’s respond to the blessing God has given us in revealing His purpose, by the way we treat those around us.

 

Luke 8

— by on

Jesus’ words in Luke 8 reminds us of the gift and subsequent responsibility we have. Like the disciples, we have an understanding of “the secrets of the kingdom of God”, but that brings with it the need to be like the good soil, to really hear God’s word and act on it. “Hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

We have the chance to be Jesus family if we are among those “who hear the word of God and do it”. This is not a passive thing. Legion was instructed “return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” God has done so much for us, and in return we too should share the great hope we’ve been given with those around us.