27 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 26
• Genesis 25:1-18
• 1 Chronicles 29:22-30
• Luke 18:1-30

Observations:

In the psalm, we see David asking the Lord for vindication, proclaiming to God how he has searched and endeavoured after him, avoiding the wicked and concerning himself with what is righteous.

In Genesis, we see the remarriage of Abraham, the death and burial of Abraham (next to Sarah, attended by Isaac & Ishmael), and the descendants of the sons of Abraham's second wife and those of Ishmael.

In 1 Chronicles, we see Solomon's coronation & David's death.

In the first parable in Luke, we see Jesus telling his followers to be persistent in their petitions to God. In the second, we see Jesus demonstrating the importance of humility before God. Following that, we see how Christ viewed children and the nature that faith should have. Last, we see Christ demanding not only obedience to God, but complete sacrifice of self, noting that it is not by the accumulation of wealth or deeds one gains access to heaven, but through God alone

Application:

Honestly, I don't see a great deal that applies to the circumstance I'm in other than to pray consistently

26 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 25
• Genesis 24
• 1 Chronicles 29:1-22
• Luke 17:11-37

Observations:

In the psalm, we see David seeking God's presence. He is entrusting himself to God, putting himself under the Lord's grace and teaching. Here, we see a calm, spiritual maturity that longs for the presence of God, as we can see in vv 16-18

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins."

 Okay, so David is very expressive in his tone, but the tone I get as I read this psalm is one of wise spiritual maturity that yearns for God, not quite as some distant salvation, but as a companion and teacher who has stepped away for a moment.

In Genesis, we see the finding of Rebekah, Isaac's wife. Abraham desired that Isaac not marry one of the local Canaanites, but someone from his home. So, his servant went to Abraham's home town, whereupon he prayed, asking for a specific sign to indicate Isaac's wife. God obliged and Isaac was found a wife.

In 1 Chronicles, we see David announcing what he has stored up for use in building the temple, calling for a freewill offering from many of the citizens. We also see him praying over the building of the temple, asking for God's blessing, and offering sacrifices to God numbering in the thousands.

In Luke, we see first, the healing of ten lepers, of whom only one, a Samaritan, came back to thank Jesus.
Second, we see Jesus teaching on the coming of the kingdom of God. In response to the pharisees' question, Jesus says that it sill come in a way not discernible to the eye, because the Kingdom of God is in their midst (Presumably speaking of himself). To his disciples, he elaborated on this point further, telling them to disregard those who might point to the coming of God at a particular time or place. He also says that, instead, people will be about their normal, everyday business when, suddenly, as with Noah's flood or Sodom's destruction, the Kingdom of God will come.

Application:

The kingdom of god could come at any time. Therefore, I need to be busy with the work given to me. That being said, I also want to grow in spiritual maturity, having the perspective and demeanour of David in his deep relationship with God.

25 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 24
• Genesis 23
• 1 Chronicles 28
• Luke 16:1-17:10

Observations:

In the psalm today, we see three things. First, we have an acknowledgement of God's ownership of the earth by virtue of his being its creator. Second, we see man's interaction with God. Third, we have an urging to the gates [of Jerusalem?] to look and see God, the King of Glory, and let him in.

In Genesis, we see Abraham burying his wife, Sarah. In greater detail, we see the account of his discussion with the Hittites, whose land he was passing through, attempting to find a suitable tomb for his wife. I found the Hittites' response to be very curious: "You are a prince of God among us". It reminds me somewhat of Abimelech's words regarding Abraham. It seems that, as Abraham grew closer to God, the people around him began to see God reflected in him.

In 1 Chronicles, it appears as though we have David's passing of the baton to Solomon. First, we have his exhortation to all of his servants and staff, the officials, and the military to honour God and follow his commandments, that they may pass the land on to their children. Second, we have David speaking directly to Solomon. The first thing David tells his son is to seek God and the second is his plan and groundwork for the temple, detailed even to the weight of gold to be used in the temple affects.

In Luke, I am having a somewhat difficult time understanding this first parable, the one of the dishonest manager. I understand his firing for embezzlement. I understand his reasonings for cutting his master's debtor's dues. In some ways, I understand the master's commendation for his shrewd dealing. I even understand Christ's excerpt at the end of this passage. I just don't see how they all tie together, especially when you incorporate Jesus' response to the pharisees.

Following this, there is a short blurb on divorce and adultery before moving on to the next parable, the rich man and Lazarus. In this second parable, Jesus connects our conduct with our resultant eternities, showing the importance of loving our neighbours. He also speaks about the separation and finality of heaven and hell. What's interesting to me is the rich man's pleading to send a message to his brothers, which is refused on the grounds that if they would not repent because of Moses and the prophets, why would they repent because of someone rising from the dead.

Last, we have some of Jesus' comments on temptation, faith, and the role of a servant.

Applications:

24 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 23
• Genesis 22
• 1 Chronicles 27
• Luke 15

Observation:

In the psalm, we see David offering praise to God. In the first stanza, he praises God for his guardianship, leading him to what is good and right. In the second stanza, he praises God for his security and comfort. In the last stanza, he praises God for his provision.

In Genesis, we have the classic story of Abraham offering Isaac as an offering to God. Now, yes, we know that God explicitly commanded the Israelites to stay away from child sacrifice as it was detestable to him. So, what's the whole point here? The point was for Abraham to show that he valued God greater than he valued the gift of his son. Remember yesterday's passage on how our love for God should make it look like we hate our families in comparison? That is what's going on here. Now, just before Abraham actually kills his son, God sends an angel to stop him, commending Abraham for his faith, and providing a ram as a proper sacrifice.

In 1 Chronicles, we see the division of leaders for what I presume is the standing army of Israel. Each month, there is a leader and 24 000 men appointed to this position. In the counting of tribes and tribe leaders, we have a note mentioning David's census and the wrath of God that came about therefrom, mentioning how the census was left unfinished. We also see the appointing of the stewards of David's property and assets and the naming of those in roles with close access to David and his family.

In Luke, we see God's attitude towards the lost. 

The first parable he gives, in response to the pharisees scoffing at his dining with sinners (for the pharisees dined primarily with the righteous and well-regarded), is a simple question: who among them, if their flock of 100 were to lose 1 sheep, would not leave the safe 99, go search for the lost one, and, upon returning with the lost one, celebrate with his friend over the lost sheep returned to the flock? 

The second parable involves a woman who loses one of her 10 silver coins. What does she do? She turns the house upside-down diligently searching for the coin, rejoicing with her friends when it is found. The third parable takes this idea somewhat further. 

In this last parable, we see a young man insult his father by demanding his inheritance early. That same young man disrespects his inheritance by squandering it on the high life in a foreign country and, when his funds run out, he finds a job performing the lowest of work - feeding pigs. during this time, he decides to return to his father, asking forgiveness, and seeking to be counted as one of his father's hired servants. When he arrives home, we see his father forsake all dignity and run to him, meeting him in the road, restoring him to sonhood, and throwing a party for his return. We also see the man's other son, the obedient son who did not ask for his inheritance early and who had remained with the father the entire time. We see his bitterness at the father's celebration and his father's rebuke.

What's the whole point of these three parables? Jesus was using them to illustrate to the pharisees and scribes why he spent more time dining with the sinners than he did with the righteous. God rejoices more over one lost individual coming to salvation than over one, ten, 99 righteous individuals who never strayed. God's heart is for the redemption of the lost. So, why would Jesus not go and spend time with the sinners. After all, they are the ones needing him.

Application:

23 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 22
• Genesis 21:22-34
• 1 Chronicles 26
• Luke 14

Observations:

In the psalm, David is pleading with God to be heard and to be delivered. He is recounting his situation and how he feels everything is against him. Also, note that he is recounting the faithfulness of God to his people and to him in the past.

In Genesis, we see Abraham's treaty with Abimelech (I swear I keep overlapping passages by accident). Abimelech comes to Abraham where he is currently residing and entreats with him for fair dealings, testifying to Abraham's faith in God. Abraham responded with a counter-issue, that some of Abimelech's servants had robbed him of his well. So, the two made right by each other and sealed their treaty with seven of Abraham's ewes, freely offered.

In 1 Chronicles, we see the division of the gatekeepers, with their assignments by lot to the north or south entrances/walls. We also see the division of the treasurers and overseers/judges.

In Luke, again, we see Jesus confronting the pharisees about working on the Sabbath. This time, a man with an illness has walked in and, before healing the man, Jesus asks the pharisees and teachers whether it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath, healing the man in the face of their mute answers, then asking them whether they would even engage in work in the face of an emergency. 

Next, Jesus teaches on humility, advising his followers not to take for themselves the positions of greatest honour, but to take the positions of least honour, for it is better to be asked to move to a seat of higher honour than one of lower honour. 

Following this, Jesus gives advice on inviting others to a banquet, that is, to not invite those from whom you can expect a return invitation, but to invite those unable to repay you. From this statement, Jesus gives the parable of the great banquet, in which every one of a man's invited guests declined last minute with excuses. In response, the man sent his servant to invite the beggars, crippled, and all others whom he could find so that his house would be filled, for none of those who had scorned the invitation would have a place at the table. 

After this, Jesus is speaking to his followers about the cost of following him: 

1. We need to be so devoted to him that, by comparison, we hate our families, friends, and selves
2. We need to be prepared to die any death, even the most ignominious death
3. We need to renounce all we have (all ties, assets, pride, etc.)

As Jesus said, it is important that we bear these in consideration, because just as a builder weighs his budget before construction and a king measures his forces' strength before going to war, so we as Christians must weight the cost of following him before we blithely state our allegiance.

Last, Jesus talks about the very nature of his followers. He compares them to salt. He then makes an absurd statement, "If salt loses its saltiness..." How can salt become unsalty? I'm not going to delve into the whole sea salt having impurities thing. I'm looking at the very nature of salt as compared to Christians. If salt isn't salty, then is really isn't good to be used for salt anymore, so, it's just used for roads. Similarly, if a Christian isn't Christlike, then how is he any good to be used as a Christian? Of course, you can't have unsalty salt (chemically speaking), just like you can't have an un-Christlike Christian. Either you are a Christian and Christ is manifesting himself in you, or you aren't and you're only fooling yourself and those around you.

Application:

Yesterday, I talked about faith and its effects on the believer, changing his very nature and permeating him with Christ's nature and purpose. 

Today, we see the cost of following Christ and, honestly, it follows from yesterday. If we are permeated with Christ's nature and purpose, our connections and assets, our pride, our sins, none of that matters. If we are permeated with Christ's nature and purpose, we have security in our eternity and are invested in Christ's mission above all else -as Paul put it "To live is Christ and to die is gain." If we are permeated with Christ's nature and purpose, there is no room for any other connection, save as an outpouring of what God has given. Does this mean to actually deprive your spouse and children? No. What it means is that your family should know and clearly see that they play a very second fiddle to your devotion to God (and hopefully they too have such a relationship with God).

If we are permeated with Christ, then we cannot be anything other than salty. So, let's stop hiding our saltiness and impact the world around us - our workplaces, our classes, our churches, our streets.

22 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 21
• Genesis 21:1-21
• 1 Chronicles 25
• Luke 13:10-35

Observations:

In the first stanza of the psalm, we see David praising God for the blessings and aid he has given to him as king. In the second, David is praising God for the punishment of his (the Lord's) enemies.

In Genesis, we see the intended fruit of God's promise - Isaac is born. Following that, we see strife again between Sarah and Hagar to the point where Sarah is urging Abraham to cast Hagar and Ishmael out again. God speaks to Abraham, reassuring him that they would be okay and that, though Isaac is the intended child, he will make a great nation of Ishmael as well, because he is Abraham's son. In the wilderness, then, Hagar finds herself running out of water, lamenting the impending death of her son, when an angel from God reminds her of God's promise and shows her a well. Ishmael grew up to be a strong man, good with a bow we're told, and that he was married to an Egyptian woman. Lastly, we see Abraham's reputation and merciful dealing in his treaty with Abimelech regarding the well at Beersheba.

The 1 Chronicles passage continues the detailing of the Levites, specifically the musicians. We see the prescriptions of who is performing what roles as well as an annotation of lot-taking (thought I do not know what the lot-taking was for). Matthew Henry interprets the lot-taking as the organisation of shifts - who is on duty when.

In Luke, we see a handful of situations. First, Jesus heals a woman with a disfigurement or disability (it looks like some kind of anatomic dysfunction of the spine). The healing itself is rather commonplace for Christ, but it sparked an outrage from a number of the religious leaders, because it happened to be the Sabbath, an argument which Jesus met by showing the leaders their own hypocrisy. Second, Jesus makes two comparisons to the kingdom of heaven. First of the two, he compares it to a mustard seed, which, though small, grows into a large plant, big enough to serve as home for birds. In a similar way, the knowledge and faith in God is a small seed planted within us, but, when cared for and allowed to grow, it expands and branches out, impacting all areas of a person's life and extending shelter/affecting others. Second of the two, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to yeast - a small, single-celled organism whose presence changes the entire nature and flavour of dough and its resultant bread. Next, Jesus responds to a follower's question on the number of saved souls by comparing the kingdom of God to a narrow door - not all will manage to come in - and one that will be open only for a finite time, leaving all others removed from the presence of God, in punishment. This segment has imagery very similar to Matthew 25:31-46, except where the evidence of salvation in Matthew is having served God, the evidence in Luke is having entered through the narrow door, which many seek and few find. Fourth, we see Jesus speaking a lament for Jerusalem over the role it would play during his next and final visit and its lack of willingness to come to God, preferring to remain in its slavish obedience to the Law.

Application:

Do not underestimate faith.

For the first time, I have a better understanding of Jesus' two parables on the kingdom of God. 

I also understand the blindness of the world. The narrow door is not an indication of Christ's meanness, but of man's blindness.

Let Christ's seed, the kingdom of God grow in you, permeating throughout your being, that every thought, every action, every word, every aspect of your body, heart, mind, and soul is infiltrated and held captive by Christ, because we are to be Christ - Christian means little Christ and we are often described as the hands and feet of Christ. Our role is to guide others towards that narrow door, to bring light to their darkness and sight to their blindness.

That is why the church spread under persecution. That is why the pharisees did not understand. Christ demands a surrender of self and an urgency of purpose that defies all man-made stricture and human reason.

21 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 19
• Genesis 19
• 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19
• Luke 12:13-48

Observations:

In the psalm, we have four stanzas, each with a different theme. The first is praise, showing how all of creation sings praise to God. The second is scripture, praising the word of the Lord in how they guide man in what is right and wise. The third is contrition, wherein David asks God to show him his faults and asks God to cleanse him. The last is commitment, as David, in my understanding, commits himself to the worship of God, entreating that his worship would always be pleasing to God.

Well, there is a whole lot going on in the Genesis passage: Lot's delivery from Sodom, Lot's wife turning to salt, and Lot's daughters taking advantage of him. What stood out to me is Lot's reticence to leave Sodom. I understand, that was his home, but it says something about the strength of his faith compared to Abraham's. We also see it in his sons-in-law's derision of Lot's warning to leave the city, his wife's turning back, and his daughters' incestuous actions. If he sought after God more and had a deeper relationship with God, would his sons-in-law have reacted differently (or even been different people)? Would his wife and daughters have acted differently? I would say so. His faith set the tone for the way he and his family settled and interacted in Sodom. The difference here, between Lot and Abraham, is that Lot put himself and his comfort first, then God. Abraham put God first (usually) and his comfort second. Now, I'm not saying be legalistic, doing thousands of good things for God, becoming an ascetic and selling all your possessions, etc. I'm saying seek God first, not ourselves.

Okay, so in 1 Chronicles, this is following God's punishment on Israel for David's sin of pride in taking a census. At the place where the angel stopped in Jerusalem, a threshing floor, David was commanded to build an altar. So, he bought, full price, the threshing floor and built an altar on it, sacrificing to God for forgiveness and peace. At that spot, David commissioned the temple to be built, though God had previously told him that it would be Solomon to do so, since David's hands were so stained with blood. So, David did all the leg work in acquiring the resources and workmen for Solomon to use.

So, in Luke, we have three passages that are often read separately, but, when read together, make for an amazing synergy. First, we have the parable of the rich fool, in which Jesus is admonishing us not to stockpile assets and riches on earth instead of investing in God, for we will all be called up and our earthy possessions will serve us no greater purpose. Second we have the encouragement to not be anxious, which is begun with a "therefore", indicating it flows from the first passage. Because we are to invest our efforts in God instead of earthly assets, we are encouraged to not be anxious about having enough to eat or be clothed, but to have faith that God, whom we are invested in, will care for our needs, closing with a reminder that where are treasures are is where our hearts are. Last, we have the call to readiness. If we are then invested in and committed to Christ, should we not also be preparing ourselves to move at his command? Should we not be busy doing his work so that when we are called up, we are not caught unawares, engaged in worldly vices, but prepared and engaging in the work we have been given.

Application:

The application I see is two-fold.

Part I

In what ways do I serve my own comfort?

Where do I reluctantly follow God's direction?

Part II

How am I investing in Earth instead of God?

What do I need to rid myself of so that I may lean upon God?

What is the work God has given me to do?

19 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 18
• Genesis 18:16-33
• 1 Chronicles 21:1-17
• Luke 11:37-12:12

Observations:

In the psalm, we see David giving praise to God for being his rock and shelter. We see David describing how the Lord goes out to war on his behalf, giving description of his earth-shattering power. David also makes note of why God would act on his behalf - David has sought to remain clean and pure, seeking after God. From God, then, David gains his strength, speaking of how the Lord has equipped him to face his enemies.

In the Genesis passage, I find Abraham's attitude very curious. We see God "debating" within himself over whether to let Abraham know what he was going to do next, to deal with Sodom. After telling Abraham, though, Abraham, knowing the city's reputation, begins to haggle for the city's survival, whittling God down to sparing the city if there are so much as 10 righteous people living there. Yes, we know that Abraham's nephew, Lot, lived in Sodom, but Abraham's humility and self-effacement in haggling with God is interesting. You can see Abraham's gratitude that the Lord would consider his offer. You can also see Abraham's not wanting to presume, recognising his existence in the face of God, but still wanting to press for further clemency on behalf of the city.

In 1 Chronicles, we see the beginnings of kingly pride infecting David, affecting his rule. David called for a census, desiring to know the size of his kingdom. Surprisingly, Joab, his general, who was not particularly known for his godliness, had reservations, pleading David not to tempt God's wrath. David continued and, sure enough, God delivered David a choice of punishments, ultimately delivering a pestilence across the nation, stopping partway through Jerusalem. 70 000 men had died because of David's folly (and that number doesn't include women or children). The Lord stopped the pestilence early because of David's sincere contrition.

In Luke, we first see Jesus dining with some pharisees and teachers of the Law. Not very long after being there, one of the pharisees questions Jesus about a traditional behaviour of cleanliness that Jesus didn't do. Jesus makes a point about this, leveling against the pharisees in general about how they pursue external cleanliness and recognition of man instead of working for the recognition of God, which leads to internal cleanliness. Similarly, at a protestation from a teacher of the Law, Jesus lays at their feet their guilt for the burdensome additional laws which have been made over the last few centuries to keep the everyday Jew from trespassing the ten commandments, but which served more to ensnare and enslave them.

From these statements, Jesus then turns to his followers, who had been gathering and admonishes them to hold on to a few thoughts:

• Do not pursue the influence of the pharisees
• That is, do not seek to emulate them in the hopes of gaining what they purport to possess.
• Do not fear your peers or authorities; instead, fear God.
• Seek first, then the ways in which God says to live, holding to that standard first.
• Do not compromise on your faith in Christ when pressured or questioned by your peers or authorities .

Application:

I think the Luke passage is the linchpin here. Let us start from the three points of Luke - not pursuing the influence and lifestyle of the world, not fearing the world's authorities, but God, and not compromising on our faith in any situation.

From there, we can see David's folly: he pursued the lifestyle and prestige of the world. Let us also see David's salvation: he feared God.

Also, we can see David's psalm. In his solid faith in God, he had no fear of other powers, because he knew what God could and would do.

Lastly, in Genesis, we can see the fruit of a life of growing closer to God, towards the no compromise threshold, in Abraham as he petitioned God on behalf of his nephew. 

18 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 17
• Genesis 18:1-15
• 1 Chronicles 18-20
• Luke 11:1-36

Observations:

In the psalm, we see David pleading with the Lord to shelter him and to fight on his behalf. We see him showing his heart and actions to God, as evidence that he is worthy of God's favour. We also see David's heart. He doesn't want God's protection for this particular instance. In verse 8, we see "Keep me as the apple of your eye." David is seeking intimacy with God and seeks to remain in intimacy with God.

In Genesis, we have the final promise to Abraham and Sarah that they will have a child, to which Sarah scoffs, because she is well past menopause. What's also interesting and very much worth noting is the urgency of Abraham's hospitality for the servants of the Lord, urging them into the shade, offering and making them food and drink. It brings to mind the passage in Matthew 25:35, "For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me." We never know when we might be entertaining messengers of God, so let us always be available and graciously hospitable. That being said, we should be doing so anyways, because of the love of God that dwells within us.

In 1 Chronicles, we have an account of a number of military and political events occurring through David's reign. In ch 18, we see his war victories and spoils as well as his administration. In ch 19, we see a new Ammonite king, the son of one who had been kindly towards David in his youth, spit at David's offer of consolation and friendship, bringing the Syrians to war against Israel. Israel routed them both and Syria became a vassal state. In ch 20, we see the capture of Rabbah from the Ammonites as well as the deeds in single combat of some of David's men. Clearly this period of David's rule was one blessed by God, as evidenced by his successes.

In the first segment of the Luke passage, we see the people gathered asking Jesus how to pray. In reply, he gives them two pieces of instruction. First, he gives them a skeleton prayer. Second, he tells them to pray boldly, asking for whatever they seek, because God loves us like a perfect father and desires to bless us with what we need. In the second segment, Jesus deals with accusations that he is in league with the devil to be able to cast out demons, giving the crowd two if-then statements on if he worked by the power of Satan and if he worked by the power of God. Third, Jesus talks about an unclean spirit that has been cast out, returning to find its old home clean and well-kept, and inviting more to dwell with it. To me, I understand this as attempting to remove our sin on our own. We might hold out for a time and get ourselves straightened up, but that sin comes back and with a vengeance, bringing us to new lows. Unless, of course, there is a different spirit residing in its place - the spirit of God. Jesus then continues, closing out this particular collection of verses with a woe to the crowds, lamenting their lack of faith, wanting to see greater miracles before they believed, and with an illustration on faith-filled living.

Application:

Well, from Chronicles, we can definitely see the effect of God's hand in physical affairs. In the psalm, we see David's example in his desire to never be removed from God's favour. In Genesis, we see how God will answer his promises, albeit in unlikely ways sometimes, and how we should be ready to serve God and others, with our very best and consideration for their well-being. Lastly, in Luke, we see we are to be bold in prayer, recognising that Jesus' power is of God, meaning that the kingdom of God is truly near, recognising that it is only through him that we are cleansed from our sins, and that we are to be bold in our faith, reflecting Christ, shining his light like a lamp on a stand, being aware of ourselves, checking that the light we reflect is indeed of Christ and not self.

That's still very wordy.

God answers his promises and has clear power. Recognising that it is Jesus who cleanses us and allows us to come into the presence of God, let us cleave to God and desire never to leave, petitioning him boldly for his favour and blessing, and allowing him to change us from the inside, that we would reflect in growing faith the character of God.

So, cling to God faster than a man does his wife, for God is sufficient, able, and willing to meet every one of our needs.

16 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 15
• Genesis 16
• 1 Chronicles 16:4-43
• Luke 9:51-10:24

Observations:

In the psalm, David is laying out a list of characteristics of a godly man, of one who is able to dwell in the presence of God

• Someone blameless in righteousness
• Someone of integrity & truth
• Someone who neither slanders nor harms his neighbour
• Someone who respects and uplifts his peers instead of scorning them
• Someone who despises evil
• Someone who supports others who follow God
• Someone who speaks the truth of matters and does not vacillate to suit his wants
• Someone who gives freely, not for personal gain
• Someone who will not be swayed by gain in favour of the guilty

David then wraps up his psalm, saying that he who does these things will never be moved.

Looking at that list, the only thing I can say is that I definitely do not deserve to be in the presence of God and yet, in his love and mercy, knowing we could not come to him, he came to us with an offer of absolution so that we could dwell in his presence, should we accept.

In Genesis, we see Abram and Sarai taking God's promise of a child into their own hands, stepping outside of God's will. What is interesting to me is that, although Sarai was the one to suggest it, when Hagar had conceived and begun acting contemptuously towards Sarai, she laid the burden of the consequences at Abram's feet. Another thing that's interesting, though, is God's faithfulness. You see, God promised that Abram's descendants would be numerous and, while the child in Hagar's womb was not the descendant line that god was intending, Ishmael was still of Abram's seed. So, we see God showing mercy to Hagar while she is in the wilderness, promising that the descendants of her child would be numerous and great (and the Ishmaelites have indeed been numerous and great, even up to this modern age. They were a nomadic peoples, divided also into 12 tribes, spreading from northern Sinai to the western borders of Babylon, north into the border between modern-day Saudi Arabia and Jordan, many of them referenced by Greek and Assyrian historians. There is some indication that they may have been traders as well and also some indication that certain Ishmaelite tribes may have been the forefathers of modern Arabs).

In 1 Chronicles, we see the celebration following the Ark of the Covenant being brought into Jerusalem. Most notably, we see David's psalm of praise to God, exhorting the people to seek after God, recalling his covenants, remembering his protections, declaring his greatness and the false nature of idols, encouraging the people to follow the example of nature in praising God, and lastly encouraging the people to turn to God for their salvation.

In Luke, we have a number of incidents along the way to Jerusalem, as Jesus is making his way there for the last time. The first is the refusal of a Samaritan city to host him and his followers, because he was headed towards Jerusalem. What is interesting is that a couple of the disciples, understanding the power of God, but not his purpose, asked if they should call down fire on the town to which Jesus rebuked them. The second is Jesus outlining the cost of following him, sounding almost like he is trying to dissuade people from following him, which is understandable, since many would seek to follow him for the prestige of following a rabbi, not understanding that what Jesus taught often ran counter to conventional wisdom. The third is the sending and return of seventy-two of Jesus' followers. We see his emphasis on taking nothing with them and living at the mercy of whomever they come across. When they return, we see his exhortation to not rejoice in the power given to them over evil, but that their names are written down in heaven. The fourth is Jesus' woe towards the unrepentant Jewish cities, because they have received prior knowledge of God and still do not acknowledge Christ. The fifth and last is Jesus' rejoicing in the Father's will for how God has revealed himself.

Application:

Okay, so these are scattered passages with different foci. In the psalm, we see God's perfect standard. In Genesis, we see God's faithfulness and holding to his word. In 1 Chronicles, we see an exhortation to praise God. In Luke, we see Jesus trying to teach his followers the whole point of his ministry and purpose.

I myself, I see encouragement to praise God for how he has come to me, giving me the opportunity to dwell in his presence, though the sending and sacrifice of Jesus. I see encouragement to praise God for his faithfulness, to trust in him because of the accounts of his past faithfulness. Lastly, I see that there are still many things about God and his purpose that I still do not understand and need to grow in wisdom and understanding of.

14 January 2016

Scriptures:

• Psalm 13
• Genesis 14
• 1 Chronicles 14
• Luke 8:22-56

Observations:

In the psalm, David is bringing a request to God. He wishes to know when God will hear him again, when he will have joy again, and when he will no longer be oppressed. He tempers his plea, asking that the Lord would give him life and keep him alive so that his foes may not rejoice over his fall. In the first two stanzas, David is bringing these mournful requests, but in the last stanza, we see his tone change. He instead turns and says that he has trusted in God's love and that the Lord has dealt bountifully with him.

In the light of such trustworthy benevolence, David is able to say that his struggles and fears pale in comparison, knowing that God will hear him and come to his aid because God has been faithful in such action in the past.

In Genesis, the first thing we see is Lot's capture during a war between many Mesopotamian city-states as well as Abram's covert ops rescue of him and his possessions, while routing the invading forces. The second thing is the blessing of Melchizedek, king of Salem upon Abram. Lastly, we see Abram refusing the king of Sodom's offer of reward, mentioning a covenant he had made with God to not take any spoil from his efforts.

In 1 Chronicles, we see two distinct things. First, we see David's accumulation of power and recognition through marriage treaties. Second, we see the present state of David's relationship with God. In two different instances, David sought the Lord's direction in dealing with invading Philistines, was given an answer, and followed the directions explicitly. In this passage, we have an indication of the spiritual health of David. At this time, he still had a strong relationship with God and was seeking him humbly, though it is clear he had also begun enjoying the privileges of power, dipping his toes into what would eventually contribute to future strife.

In Luke, we see a number of encounters displaying his power. First, in calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee, he demonstrates his control over creation. Second, in casting the demons known as Legion out of the man in the graveyard, we see his power over demons. Third, in the healing of the woman with the bleeding affliction, we see his power over illness. We also see that his power is inherent, exuding from him such that someone who acted out of faith, in desperation, received healing. Fourth, in the healing of Jairus' daughter, we see his power over death.

Application:

God is powerful. God is faithful. 

He is able to deal with our sins and fears, our worries and consolation. He is trustworthy and reliable, able to be counted upon in times of need.

In many ways, I see myself like David in 1 Corinthians. God has put me in a better place and I am seeking him out, but I can also see myself becoming careless, cozying up in the way things are, not holding myself to a higher standard. 

So, what do I need to do? I will bolster myself in God, barricading myself in his word, seeking him and his will completely, allowing him to transform me further, that I would interact with others as he would, showing his love and allowing myself to understand by his wisdom.

Frankly, I need God, in part for the same reasons as before, but in part for new reasons as well.