March 10th One Year Bible Readings
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
Numbers 14:1-15:16 ~ Mark 14:53-72 ~ Psalm 53:1-6 ~ Proverbs 11:4
~ Click here to listen to today's Scripture on BibleOnRadio.com ~
Old Testament - Today in Numbers chapter 14 we read about Joshua and Caleb's bold faith. They were ready to move into the Promised Land! Again, similar to my thoughts in yesterday's post, I wonder if sometimes in our lives, when we are on the brink of something new & something big - that is of God - are we like Caleb & Joshua, or are we like the Israelites? Are we ready to move forward quickly and decisively on toward what God is giving us? Or, are we putting on the brakes and starting to complain? Do we sabotage ourselves? This is a tough question to ask ourselves I realize. But I think that if I honestly look at my life, I can more often be like the Israelites in this situation chapter - putting on the breaks and really becoming the cause of my own problem... I pray that I can have faith like Caleb and Joshua. I pray that I will boldly move forward to what God is calling me toward. How about you?
New Testament - Today in Mark chapter 14 we read an amazingly powerful statement from Jesus in verses 61 & 62 - "Then the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the blessed God?" Jesus said, "I am, and you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven."" Wow. This is it. This is a statement that changes everything. The question for us is this - is this more than just a statement from Jesus? Do you believe this is Truth?
Psalms - If you've ever asked yourself - or ever been asked - why do we need a Messiah? What is our need of Jesus? Well, I think this question is clearly answered in verses 2 & 3 of Psalm 53 - "God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God. But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!" This is why we need Jesus. With Jesus, we indeed seek for God. With Jesus, we are blessed with the Holy Spirit to begin to have some real understanding. But without Jesus.... well, it reminds me of the old DC Talk song "In the Light" - "What's going on inside of me? I despise my own behavior. This only serves to confirm my suspicions, that I'm still a man in need of a Savior!" Amen...
Proverbs - wow... this is a powerful Proverb in chapter 11 verse 4 today - "Riches won't help on the day of judgment, but right living is a safeguard against death."
Worship God: Per my reflections in Psalms above, here is DC Talk's "In the Light," performed live:
Do you want to be in the Light? Click here for eternal Light and Life!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 NIV
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on our Proverb today, what are you focusing your life on? Is right living one of your focuses? Think it should be? (right living through your faith in Jesus of course - not "trying" or "working" to live right on your own will or power...) Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Love, Trust and Obey Jesus,
Mike
I find remarkable parallels between Psalm 53 and Numbers 14. In particular:
Psalm 53:1, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" and Numbers 14:11, in which the LORD says to Moses, "How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?"
Imagine God's frustration! He does so many things for us and we don't notice or give Him credit, much less praise Him. And how many don't even believe he exists, even though they are surrounded by evidence -- in scripture, in testimony, and from the Holy Spirit. There is so much resonance between these passages and the ones about not having eyes to see or ears to hear (e.g., Ezekiel 12:2, Matt 13:15)
The other big parallel I find speaks to a lack of trust in God... which makes perfect sense for those who don't even believe in Him!
Psalm 53:5 reads: "There they were, overwhelmed with dread where there was nothing to dread." which is a neat commentary on Numbers 14:3 in which the Israelites complain (in fear): "Why is the LORD bringing us into this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder..."
I'm reminded of the scene, in the Wizard of Oz, in which Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion are about to enter the forest of the Wicked Witch of the West and they work themselves up into a frenzy of unwarranted fear: "lions and tigers and bears! oh my!"
God IS... whether we believe in him or not. And we hold him in contempt when we fear what he has told us not to.
Posted by: Art | March 10, 2008 at 06:33 AM
Food for Thought!
Did you know that Psalm 53 is almost verse for verse a repeat of Psalm 14?
Hmmm - do we think it was purposeful?
When God wanted to get the attention of a particular person, He would say their name twice!!
Think God is telling us something?
Be still and know ...
Lisa K.
Posted by: Lisa K. | March 10, 2008 at 10:55 AM