Joshua 19:1-20:9 ~ Luke 19:28-48 ~ Psalm 88:1-18 ~ Proverbs 13:12-14
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Old Testament - Today we finish up reading about the Promised Land being divided among the tribes! Below is a great NASA photo with an overlay of a map of the twelve tribes:
In Joshua chapter 20 we read about the Cities of Refuge. I like that concept - a city of refuge. A place of refuge. This is what I think about Jesus today - He is our City of Refuge! No matter what our past sins are, Jesus can be our City of Refuge if we will run to Him, believe, confess & repent. Is Jesus your City of Refuge?
New Testament - In Luke chapter 19 today we read about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem - and of course, this scene of people shouting "Hosanna!" will far too soon turn toward people spitting on and mocking Jesus on the road to Golgotha as he carries his cross. Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 19 readings today titled "The Untriumphal Entry" is at this link.
Verses 41 through 44 are so beautiful as Jesus looks upon Jerusalem and cries. It makes sense because he knows that the destruction of Jerusalem in coming in 70 A.D. Per Tyndale's commentary today, "In 66 A.D. the Jews revolted against Roman control. Three years later Titus, son of Emperor Vespasian, was sent to crush the rebellion. Roman soldiers attacked Jerusalem and broke through the northern wall but still couldn't take the city. Finally they laid siege to it, and in A.D. 70 they were able to enter the severely weakened city and burn it. Six hundred thousand Jews were killed during Titus' onslaught." And so, Jesus wept over Jerusalem...
Psalms - Psalm 88 is quite a Psalm! Interestingly many churches read this Psalm during their Good Friday liturgies, interpreting this Psalm as a prayer of Jesus suffering on the road to Golgotha. Take a read through this Psalm again with this perspective...
Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 13 verse 12 teaches us today: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy." Do you see the wisdom in this Psalm? I do hope that each of us realizes that faith in Jesus is not hope deferred. It is a dream come true in the here and now. Faith in Jesus brings life & joy now. And yes, faith in Jesus also brings the hope of glory for eternity. But, salvation is not all just hope deferred... It is life & joy now too!
Worship God: Today's Proverb reminded me of the song "Set the World on Fire" by Britt Nicole:
Do you want to set the world on fire? Click here for Fire!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 NIV
Love Your Neighbor: Harvest Prayer Ministries
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Has faith brought life and joy into your life? Do you believe faith in Jesus brings eternal life and joy as well? Are you looking forward to eternal life and joy in heaven, our eternal "city of refuge"? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
This verse has stirred my heart today and I can't let go of it. I feel that my God is walking in the cool of the day with me when I sup with Him in His Word daily (even when I do not understand it):
"...because all the people hung on every word he said." (Luke 19:48, NLT)
The Amplified Bible adds at the end of verse 48 ... "and stuck by Him."
Then I thought of this scripture: "At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared. Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?"" (Luke 24:31-32, The Message Bible)
The powerful majestic Word of God, our Father, is just that! It has a way of me wanting more and more, not getting enough, hanging on every Word when I allow the Word to rightly divide itself (not making it fit for me, but fit for what God has purposed His Word to accomplish through me). Glory to His name.
I encourage my family to stick by the Word and He will draw closer to you today!
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Posted by: Lisa | April 19, 2008 at 07:30 AM