15 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 12
• Jeremiah 42-43
• Ruth 4
• Psalm 13

Observations:

In Mark, we see Jesus answering the challenges of the pharisees and sadducees in the temple, teaching about the kingdom of God, and teaching his disciples about the meaning of genuine worship. In Jeremiah, we see the remnant of Judah asking Jeremiah to seek God and ask what they shall do, but disbelieve his response after ten days of fasting, that they should remain in Judah, under Babylonian rule instead of heading south towards Egypt. In Ruth, we see Boaz's faithfulness to Ruth and Naomi; he sought out the individual who had the first right to inherit Naomi's property and marry Ruth, thus perpetuating the name of her father-in-law, Elimelech. This man, however, did not want to jeopardise his own sons' inheritance, permitted Boaz, the next in line for the role, to fulfill that responsibility. In the psalm, we see the psalmist, asking God if He has forgotten him. He asks God for his consideration and speaks of how, in the past, he has relied on God's faithfulness.

In the last three passages, I can see aspects of God's faithfulness. In Jeremiah, we see his faithfulness to answer, giving what Israel should do and the punishment, should Israel disobey. In Ruth, we see the faithfulness of God through the actions of Boaz. In Psalms, we see the psalmist seeking God, reminding Him of His faithfulness.

In Mark, the situation is more complex. We open with the parable of the tenants, showing the unfaithfulness of those entrusted with the work of the owner. We then see those presumed to be spoken against seeking to trap him with contextually-charged questions, before one scribe comes and asks a question of pure motives and receives a direct answer and is commended. We close with the men and women bringing tithes - the rich are bringing bags of money and one poor woman drops in two coins - the equivalent of a penny - and is commended, for what she brought was of greater relative worth.

What is faithfulness? It is more than honest dealing or straight talking. It is more than mere reliability or trustworthiness. In some ways it is a combiation of all of those. Dictionary.com defines it as follows:

Faithfulness

adjective

1. Strict or thorough in the performance of duty

2. True to one's word, promises, vows, etc

3. Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; consistent

4. Reliable, trusted, or believed

5. Adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original; accurate

6. (obsolete) Full of faith; believing

This is how we are called to be. Faithful, as God is faithful.

Prayer:

Lord, grow me in your faithfulness. Allow me to emulate you in this character as I interact with others around me. Help me to adhere to my duties and my word. Teach me about true loyalty and reliability. Fill me with faith in you and enable me to cling to your truth more and more each day.

I pray again for my wife, that you would give her rest today. That this weekend would be reviving and refreshing. Be with me as I study. Allow me to recall what I have learned these last two weeks as I revise what I know and seek to polish my memory. And, Lord, I ask that you would deal with our car situation.

Amen

14 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 11
• Jeremiah 40-41
• Ruth 3
• Psalm 12

Observations:

• Mark 11:28-33

In the Mark passage, we see much of the preparation leading up to the cross. We see the borrowing of the donkey, cursing of the fig tree, clearing the temple courtyards, and admonishing the pharisees. In Jeremiah, we see a faction war among those left behind after the Babylonian exile. Certain individuals plotted against and executed the man the Babylonian king had appointed to rule over Judah, while another sought permission to protect him. In Ruth, we see Ruth stepping out in faith to gain the action of Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer. Two cultural matters I'm unsure of are the laying at a man's feet and the idea of a kinsman-redeemer. In Psalms, we see the psalmist decrying the evil of man.

I'l be honest here - my tired brain is having a hard time putting everything together. It's been a crazy-paced day, having woken up late and there being a test on Monday. What I see, though, is the prideful ambivalence of the Pharisees in Mark. They choose not to answer Christ's question because they are anticipating how He might trap them, so they claim to have no answer. I'm having a hard time syncing that with the issue of the governor in Jeremiah, the role of kinsman-redeemer in Ruth, and the cries against the evil men in Psalms.

Application:

I don't want to or need to be prideful as the pharisees were. They obfusticated their answers for the sake of their egos, even when it is apparent they had an inkling of their wrongness.

Prayer:

Lord, I ask that I would have the humility to be wrong. I apologise for my lateness today and that this late hour of sleep would be refreshing and that you would have me well-rested to study well in preparation for Monday's test. It's a lot of material.

Bless my wife in her weekend. Let her have time for relaxation and allow for me to give her quality time that shows her love.

Amen

13 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 10
• Jeremiah 39
• Ruth 2
• Psalm 11

Observations:

• Mark 10:6-10

In the Mark passage, we see Christ teaching about divorce and marriage, the interaction with the rich man wanting to know how to attain eternal life, and the nature of servant leadership. In Jeremiah, we see the Lord come through and fulfill his declarations against Jerusalem - it falls and Zedekiah, running away, is captured and blinded. What stands out is that Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian responsible for helping him in yesterday's passage, is given a promise from God of his survival when Jerusalem is fully sacked. In Ruth, we see the Lord's provision for Ruth and His reward for her faithfulness in bringing her to the field of distant family and having him look after and provide generously for her. The Psalm today speaks of the righteous and their testing by God and the wicked and their punishment.

So, I know the Mark passage I highlighted is talking specifically about divorce, but I want to extend that a little bit. "What God has brought together, let no man separate." There are many ways to separate a husband and wife, but they all start with temptation and sin. There is the temptation on the part of one to feel some kind of distance, or think, look, or act lustfully about another, That begins the split that can end in divorce. I write this as a caution to others after seeing the effect of a similar sin in my marriage after confessing it. I thank God for a godly wife who seeks God above me, who took a couple days to seek Him and give Him glory even where I did not. As in Jeremiah and Ruth, I see that as God's provision to me for seeking Him immediately and confessing to Him as well as confessing to her that same day. Even though I sinned, He made himself available when I came seeking forgiveness and change. In this, in part, I see how God tests and separates the righteous from the wicked - the righteous come in their sin, seeking forgiveness, that they may turn and strive to become more like Christ; the wicked do not seek forgiveness and, if they do, it is so that they may have a lighter conscience before turning back to their own sin.

Application:

I must not take my marriage lightly. This is both a holy and heavy covenant that I have made. I am called to lover her as Christ did the church. Never once did Christ stray, did he wish he hadn't been sent or wish he'd been sent to another. I need to be on guard against the temptation to act against my wife. This is something that requires effort on my part, but cannot be done completely on my own strength.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for the ways you have been undeservedly gracious to me. I tank you for my wife who seeks to honour you above me or herself. I thank you for your Holy Spirit, who serves to convict against sin and the forgiveness you give to cover my sin. I thank you for your strength and endurance, which allow me to fight beyond what I am able to in my own strength.

I ask that you would guard me today. Keep me vigilant against temptations that would lead me astray. Keep my thoughts clear - permit me not to think or look lustfully, but be present in my every thought that I would not sin against you or my wife. I am reminded of one of the prayers of St. Patrick:

"Christ be with me, Christ within me

Christ behind me, Christ before me

Christ beside me, Christ to win me

Christ to comfort and restore me

Christ beneath me, Christ above me

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger

Christ in the hearts of all who love me

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger"

I ask that you would cover me all around.

Amen

12 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 8:27-9:50
• Jeremiah 38
• Ruth 1
• Psalm 10

Observations:

In the Mark passage, we see Christ revealing much about himself - his godhood and imminent death and resurrection. In the midst of that, we see the transfiguration and afterwards, we see the casting out of a demon, the rebuking the disciples about who comes first, and a short teaching about sin and temptation. In Jeremiah, we see the king weakly giving in to the demands of the people against Jeremiah, then for Jeremiah before going and seeking counsel himself with the prophet over what he should do about the oncoming Babylonians. In Ruth, we have our introductions - Naomi, the widow, recently childless, and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, the faithful one, who stayed with her despite her protestations. In Psalm 10, we see the story of an evildoer and his intentions laid out with both a plea to God for justice and praise for the justice he will faithfully provide.

What stood out to me, of all of this, was the very end of the Mark passage, where Jesus begins talking about our response to sin - "If your eye causes you to sin, cast it out, for it is better the be in paradise with one eye, than burning with both" [paraphrase]. Should I literally cut my eye out? Not necessarily, but Christ is speaking drastically here for good reason. Our reaction to sin should be drastic. I say this as one recently under spiritual attack. Our perspective should be that Jesus is God, full in his glory. We should not be lukewarm, like king Zedekiah, given over to the whims about us, but faithful as Ruth, staying close to Christ, even though situations may become difficult.

Application:

I mean, I'll be straight here - NO ENTERTAINING OF SIN. I need to avoid sin like the plague. I must constantly be on guard against sin, not passively living, lest temptation catch me flat-footed and I bend without second thought. This will be difficult, as my first nature is to coast, to take life easy, but this is something that cannot be taken passively. If I believe that Jesus is who he says He is and that He is as serious about sin as He claims to be, then I need to take sin seriously.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to stand aware, on guard for sin. Teach me how to guard my heart, my eyes, my mind, my actions. Give me the strength and endurance to stand vigilant and to withstand temptation. I know that I cannot do this in my own strength - eventually, my strength will fail and, with it, my guard. What I know, however, is that your strength never fails. Supply me with your perfect strength, that I would be equipped against sin. Bolster my faith, grant me righteousness, gird me with your truth, and prepare me, that I may be ready, vigilant, protected by the salvation you have provided and armed with your word.

I pray for those around me, in class, in ministry, that you would protect them as well. Protect those serving you abroad and at home. 

Be with my wife today as she works - bless her and keep stress at bay. 

I thank you for your provision.

Amen

11 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 7:1-8:26
• Jeremiah 37
• Judges 21
• Psalm 9

Observations:

In the Mark passage, we see Christ talking about uncleanness and defilement, the pharisees' adherence to their law above God's and how it's not what goes into a body that defiles it, but what comes out. We also see Christ healing a Phoenician woman's daughter, feeding 4000, and denying the pharisees a sign/teaching the disciples. In Jeremiah, we see a new king who did not honour God and only inquired of him in times of stress. As such, Jeremiah prophesied Jerusalem's downfall and, when leaving the city, was arrested for deserting. In Judges, we see the other tribes of Israel coming to regret their rash actions and going to extreme lengths to supply the Benjaminites with women to be their wives, lest the tribe vanish, but done in such a manner that they not break their own vow. In the Psalm, we see David praising God for his justice, his sheltering of the righteousness, and his punishment of the wicked.

There's a rather abstract thread that I can see winding its way through these passages. What is true obedience? What is true righteousness? It is not our own external actions, the following of our own external laws, the keeping of our vows, regardless of how rashly they were made, but the contents of our hearts, the stuff of our character. As Christ was alluding to in Mark, true righteousness is not something put on externally, but something which begins on the inside and seeps out. This righteousness can only come from God, from the Holy Spirit which dwells within all who call on Christ as saviour and master. Only God is righteous, after all. Any of man's attempts to put on a sense of righteousness is just that - a sense, a shadow, for man is not perfect. As Paul writes in Romans, "There is no man who is righteous, not even one." Man cannot make himself righteous. All of man's attempts to do so are like whitewash on the outside of a tomb - everything looks good but the inside is filled with death. Such were the pharisees. Such were the men of Israel in their rash vow and exploiting of a loophole in their vow.

Application:

Let us come and praise God for his righteousness given to us, that we may take shelter under Him. I know I can become legalistic, I can rely on my own perceived goodness and become the equivalent f a whitewashed tomb. Instead, I must continually humble myself and turn to God for His righteousness to dwell within me, that true change may be effected and genuine righteousness be grown in me.

Prayer:

Lord, I praise you for your justice, which shields the righteous and punished the wicked. Lord, I also stand humble, knowing that it is only because of you and not by any work or action of mine that you count me as righteous. I ask that you would grow in me, that I would grow in righteousness from you. Keep me humble, that I would not grow proud in my actions and become as the pharisees or the Israelites during the time of the judges. Keep me from becoming a whitewashed tomb. 

I thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, that enabled me to come to you in the beginning and for the righteousness imputed to me on His account.

Amen

10 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 6
• Jeremiah 36
• Judges 20
• Psalm 8

Observations:

Verses that stand out

• Mark 6:31-32

In the Mark passage, we see the sending out of the disciples, the beheading of John the Baptist, and the feeding of the 5000. What's interesting to me is we also see Jesus' command to his disciples that they all find a "desolate" place to rest and recover. In Jeremiah, we see Baruch reading Jeremiah's scroll in the temple and before the elders, and the elders reading it before Jehoiakim as he cut pieces off and burned it. In Judges, we see the other 11 tribes of Israel rallying against Benjamin for the actions of the Benjaminites in the previous chapter. What's interesting is they sought the Lord 3 times, before each battle, losing the first two mightily before routing their foe mightily on the third. The Psalm is praising God for his majesty.

So, I'll be honest, I don't see a recurrent Idea or theme, as in the last two days, but a bunch of separate observations. I see the importance of rest in Mark, the importance of seeking God and following his instruction, even if at first it seems contrary, in Jeremiah and Judges, and a reminder to praise God in Psalms. As a medical student, I can definitely understand the first. As someone in ministry, the second is something I am sometimes slow to do - I tend to act first and pray later. As someone who leads worship and engages in worship daily (worship is more than the singing of songs, but a lifestyle of desiring to honour God with the entirety of one's being)

Application:

Well, I think the first and most important part is the rest - something which I am learning now to do better. So, its encouragement for me to take good time aside each morning and give it over to God and rest in him, seeking his direction, and following him, giving praise through my actions. In a sense, these passages are an abstract guide to my days.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for this time. I thank you for the rest that you set aside from the beginning in our weekly schedules. I ask that this time of rest before the business of today would refresh me and arm me for today. I ask for your guidance today. Help me to see the way I should go. Thank you for your Lordship and rulership over my life and over this world. 

Be with my wife today as she works; be with my classmates and professors. Guide and protect us as we go about the work given to us for today.

Be with the various missionaries serving overseas. Some are in need of your protection, others in need of a reminder of your grace and your calling. Give them heart against the weapons of Satan, that the would boldly go and spread your word to the nations.

Amen

9 August 2015

Scriptures:

• Mark 4:35-5:43
• Jeremiah 35
• Judges 19
• Psalm 7

Observations:

Key verses:

• Jeremiah 35:13-14

The Mark passage encompasses the storm on the sea of Galilee, the exorcism of a man of many demons into a herd of pigs, the healing of a woman with a blood disease, and the revival of a man's late daughter. In Jeremiah, we see the Lord bring forward an example of a family who has kept faithfully the directives of their ancestor and compare them to the rest of Judah, decrying their inability to follow the law He had given to them. In Judges, we see an account of the lawlessness during this period in Israel's history, that a man guesting in another's house would be demanded of for sexual favours to the point that he forced his concubine out into the street to face the mob. The psalm is one of pleading for God's protection from evil, asking his forgiveness, and rejoicing in His holiness and righteousness.

What stood out to me, largely, is the idea of belief and following versus sin and lawlessness. We see in Mark, Jesus' rebuke of the disciples for their unbelief and the healing of the bleeding woman for her faith. We see the commendation of the Recabites for their adherence to their ancestor, but the shaming of Judah for their disobedience of God. We see the lawlessness of the Benjaminites and the shame of the Levite, even into his misplaced indignation. We see David's plea for protection and his declaration of faith, a contrast to the Levite who sought to appease the mob at the expense of another, and his assurance of God's righteousness and the eventual comeuppance of the lawless.

Application:

I think, similar to yesterday, this is the reiteration of my dichotomy. I cannot serve two masters. It is either God or myself. even so, my head sees clearly what my heart willfully will not, that I must give up headship over my lie and back up what I say I believe, that I follow Christ. So, I must adhere instead to God over myself.

Prayer:

Lord, again, I see my failure. Thank you for your word and your mercy, which draws me to you. Give me a heart willing to do what my head sees is right. Give me a heart that desires you instead of myself. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for your name's sake, that my life would be an example to others of faith and dedication. I offer up my heart, clogged and dirty, though it is, that you may work on it. Renew me, Lord, that I would follow you willingly and excitedly for the rest of my life.

Amen