1 October 2015

Scriptures:

• Luke 22:47-23:25
• Ezekiel 22
• 2 Samuel 21
• Psalm 61

Observations:

•  Ezekiel 22:30

In Luke, we have a couple of occurrences. First, is Peter's denial of Christ. Second, is the sham of a trial at the high priest's house. Third is the set of trials, one at Pilate's house, the other at Herod's, in which both rulers found Christ innocent and unworthy of death. Fourth is the crowd badgering Pilate to release Barabbas, an instigator and rebel, and to crucify Jesus.

In Ezekiel, we see God listing the sins of Jerusalem and explaining his judgment, before expounding on what his judgment would be. I found it interesting, though, how God said that if there were even just one righteous man who could stand before him, then the judgment would be forestalled, but there is none (v30).

In 2 Samuel, we see David tiring reaching old age. First he is entreating with the Lord to bring restoration to Israel and the first part of that, he was told, was to restore peace with the Gibeonites, whom Saul had broken oath with. Second, we see him growing weary with war and his men standing up for him, lest he fall.

The psalm today is one of David praising God and asking that he might remain in his presence.

Application:

Really, what stood out to me is the role of a righteous man. Not that I'm claiming to be righteous, but, through Christ, I am counted as such. We see throughout scripture the effect of righteous individuals in gaining God's ear and forestalling judgment and destruction. So, for me, I need to really live out the righteousness of Christ that is given to me and make a difference in the world around me.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to grow in righteousness. Thank you for this break before classes which I could use to spend time with you. Help me to minister to my wife, classmates, and the youth group as though they are being ministered to by you. Help me to act as you would act, speak as you would speak, and love as you would love.

Teach me more of your ways and bring me to overcome my sins, that I may glorify you more greatly in my less-sinfulness.

Amen

30 September 2015

Scriptures:

• Luke 22:1-46
• Ezekiel 21
• 2 Samuel 20
• Psalm 60

Observations:

In Luke, we have the last supper, as Jesus is preparing his disciples for what is to come, though at this point, they don't quite understand yet.

In Ezekiel, we have a pronouncement of destruction upon Jerusalem and the directions for how Ezekiel was to pronounce said destruction. (Ezekiel was definitely one of those prophets whom God told to do some weird, extreme things)

In 2 Samuel, we see some more of the political wranglings that wracked the second half of David's rule. We also see the example given by a wise woman who forestalled Joab, seeking to preserve her city, and delivered his foe out to him instead.

The psalm today is praising and entreating God for his help in battle.

Application:

Prayer:

God, all of these passages were just a blur. I really need you right now. I need you to adjust my heart - the bitterness and resentment that is there. Allow me to come to a better state, to be able to communicate my issues instead of leaving them to ferment inside me and sour. I also ask that you would do the same for my wife. We both need a lot of work. We're under a load of stress and we really need you to perfuse more deeply into our lives.

I'm tired. I'm stressed. I feel entitled right now to relax in ways I want to. I feel like I'm pouring out tons of myself with no chance to refill. Meet me where I am and renew me, Lord.

Amen

28 September 2015

Scriptures:

• Luke 19:47-20:44
• Ezekiel 19
• 2 Samuel 17:24-18:23
• Psalm 58

Observations:

In the Luke passage, we begin to see the opposition of the pharisees, priests, and teachers of the law to Jesus and Jesus' responses to their attempts to trip him up in matters of scripture or law.

The Ezekiel passage talks about the kingdom of Judah as it was, compared to how it is now, a shadow of its former self, taken captive by the nations around it.

In 2 Samuel, we see the outcome of Absalom's attempt at a coup - his death (despite the direct command by David to not kill him)

In the psalm, we see David praising God for his righteousness and justice.

Application:

I think, if I were to draw a theme across all of these passages, it would fall into this general idea: The progression of a Christian from seeking God's heart to man-made standards of religion, motivated by a personal desire for status and position. Essentially, that's what happened with the Jews, with the formation of the pharisees and sadducees, to the point that they were aware of who Jesus was saying he was and the scripture to back it up, but refused to believe it because he did not act according to their ideals and standards they had set today. Absalom rebelled against David because he did not get the treatment and recognition he thought he deserved. Israel turned away from God because it thought it knew better than God what to do and how to live.

And God is a God of justice and righteousness - only his way is acceptable and permissible.

So, where do we stand, then? Am I acting and perceiving in a system of self-made strictures or am I following God as laid out in the Bible, in a manner stemming from a genuine faith and relationship with God? One is dead and the other is filled with life.

Now, don't mistake me - theology is good and valid, adding to the understanding of who God is. It's kind of like asking your wife's friends what she might like for a gift - they have added insight you may have missed. So, don't discount the theology for a fluffy, emotionally-driven faith which may be prone to burn out, but don't discount, either, the emotional, relational connection for an empty structure. Both are necessary aspects.

Prayer:

God, allow me to come deeper with you. Help me to understand better emotionally and mentally, to build those connections, that I may come to a greater relationship with you.

Help me, also, to implement those in my day-to-day relationships with my wife, classmates, and other peers.

Keep me from drifting into a space of code-driven legalism or of mindless emotion, but instead bring me to a coherent whole within you.

Amen