Joshua 21:1-22:20 ~ Luke 20:1-16 ~ Psalm 89:1-13 ~ Proverbs 13:15-16
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Old Testament - In Joshua chapter 21 we read about the towns given to the Levites, the priestly tribe appointed in the Mosaic Law for the service of the Tabernacle and of the Temple. It seems very wise that the Levites are given towns throughout the various tribes of the Israelites. In my mind this is spreading out the priestly tribe strategically. Can you imagine if the Levites were all in just 1 location? It seems to me that there would be a vacuum of spiritual leadership in the tribes if the Levites were not dispersed in the manner which they were.
In Joshua chapter 22 verse 10 today we read: "Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built a very large altar near the Jordan River at a place called Geliloth." The place where our readings end today in verse 20 is quite a cliff-hanger! Note that verse 20 is not the end of chapter 22, and as Paul Harvey says, in tomorrow's readings you will get "The Rest of the Story." :)
New Testament - Okay, so it's every so often that I post up about the non-Biblical (not the original text) sub-headings that translations put into our daily readings. For some reason I got a kick out of the NLT's subheading above Luke chapter 20 verse 9, "Story of the Evil Farmers!" (okay, I added the exclamation point). Is it just me, or is that kinda funny? I mean, the evil farmers in the story are not funny - and what they did is certainly not funny... hmmm... I think I've dug myself into a hole here. :) I'm sure everyone probably picked up on that the point of the farmer story is that Jesus is the son who was murdered in the story. And Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders - who has now become the cornerstone of our Christian faith. Nice quote by Jesus of Psalm 118 verse 22 there in Luke 20 verse 17. Is Jesus the cornerstone of your life?
Bible.org's commentary on our Luke chapter 20 readings today titled "The Tempest in the Temple: The Abuses of Authority" is at this link and commentary titled "God and Government" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 89 verse 11 is so powerful for us to remember - "The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is yours--you created it all." Everything in this world is God's. Everything. This means every single person we meet is God's. However... they might not realize it. But, I think it is important for us to remember that every single person we meet - no matter how "bad" they may seem or whatever - is still made in the image of God. And there is the possibility of that person getting to know they are God's. There is the possibility of redemption - not by our human power, but by the power of God. I think sometimes we go through our day thinking the world is bad. People are bad. It all is bad. And certainly, it is a fallen world. But it is still God's world - and yes, the devil is thrashing around his temptations as rapidly as he can in the hearts of men and women. This is the great spiritual battle. But, God is so much stronger than the devil. The name of Jesus expels the devil quicker than anything. So, know that while we are in a fallen world, it is God's world. Everything in this world is God's. What are you and I doing to let others know that they are God's - particularly if they don't know it? What are we doing to bless others with the knowledge that there is another Way than the devil's temptations in this world? What are we doing? Really. What are we doing with our lives to let others know about Jesus? Whew... this one gets to me for some reason. There are people suffering so much in our world. If only they knew there was another way.... Will you help to show them to the Way?
Continuing on the thoughts in the paragraph above - take a moment to reflect on this image below. Wow... Can you make out the angel on the right coming from the prayers of the woman to defend her from the evil one? Who are we praying for today to defend them from the evil one?
Psalm 89 verse 13 today - "Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength." Amen and Amen.
Proverbs - Proverbs 13 verse 16 is great - "Wise people think before they act."
And I agree with this. My one additional thought is don't think for too too long! I know some folks that like to think... and think.... and think.... and this is good.... but there is also a time for action. There is a time to move and get involved in the advancement of God's Kingdom. Yes, let's think about how we'll do this - but then let us act!
Worship God: Today's readings reminded me of the song "In Christ Alone." Here's a great version of the song with lyrics.
Do you trust in Christ alone? Click here for Christ!
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: Are you someone that thinks before you act? Or do you sometimes act before you think? :) If so, can you meditate on this Proverb, memorize it, and put it into practice? 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
Love the youtube video In Christ Alone.
Posted by: Brett | April 19, 2008 at 08:49 PM
"You created it all."
Of course, "all" must also include evil. If God is all-powerful, then the bad -- the chaos, particularly as it manifests in human suffering -- is also God's work. That conclusion may be disturbing to us, but what is the alternative? A return to a Zorasterian Persian-style of dualism (or similar Eastern concepts of Ying and Yang)? If God is indeed all-powerful, then God must also have created evil (He didn't just bring order out of chaos, but everything out of nothing). In fact, the inclusion of darkness in the Genesis creation story is designed to help us understand that if darkness is created by God, then so is evil. How, then, are we to worship this God?
Hear O Israel, our God is one -- that is, all "bad" in our lives is always meant for our "good." Our healing needs may include our mind, body, and soul but this God even gives life to the dead. God promises to always provide a way out of every sinful situation in which we may find ourselves.
Posted by: Jim | April 19, 2008 at 09:28 PM
psalm 89: 11 it is a good reminder for all believers that everything is god's own he created everything even bad people are god's creation but they do not know ,so here come our part the inspired believer to tell them that they are god's people God owns everyone of us ,teh bad people are blind and far away from the truth that give freedom and eternity so it is your responsibility to go and tell these lost people because if you did not go and tell they will see the light of Jesus and you will be convicted for not witnessing to them about Jesus about the Kingdom of the real God.
proverb 13: 16 think before you act is very important especially when you you are in front of somebody accusing you or insulting you it is important to be slow in speaking quick in listening and slow in anger thinking before acting is a wise thunk to do some people naturaly they are doing it because their personality are like this and some who are fast in acting . how unique God in created everyperson different from others ,this give appreciation to our Creator God the father Amin
Posted by: nasser | April 19, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Thank you for your post Jim, but I must say, I am confused about your statement regarding the topic of God, Creator of all in which you also included He created evil - so I did a little research.
In the King James version it says: "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." (Isaiah 45:7); so at FIRST glance, you can say yes, God did create evil, but one needs to probe a little deeper.
What does the word "evil" mean?
"First of all, the Hebrew word for evil "rah" is used in many different ways in the Bible. ...
... We can see that the Bible teaches that God is pure and does not approve of evil, that the word "rah" (evil) in Hebrew can mean many things, and that contextually, the verse is speaking calamity and distress. Therefore, God does not create evil in the moral sense, but in the sense of disaster, of calamity." Quoted from: http://www.carm.org/diff/Isa_45_7.htm
Another thought continued in next "post" below.
Posted by: Lisa | April 20, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Another thought - continued.
The word "evil" is used in the KJV; while "calamity" is used in other translations.
In the NET Bible First Edition, I will post the scripture and the footnotes (the footnotes are indicated by the numbers 13tn, 14tn and 15tn) which corresponds to the numbers within verse 47.
45:7 I am13 the one who forms light
and creates darkness;14
the one who brings about peace
and creates calamity.15
I am the Lord, who accomplishes all these things.
13tn The words “I am” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text the participle at the beginning of v. 7 stands in apposition to “the Lord” in v. 6.
14tn On the surface v. 7a appears to describe God’s sovereign control over the cycle of day and night, but the following statement suggests that “light” and “darkness” symbolize “deliverance” and “judgment.”
15sn This verses affirms that God is ultimately sovereign over his world, including mankind and nations. In accordance with his sovereign will, he can cause wars to cease and peace to predominate (as he was about to do for his exiled people through Cyrus), or he can bring disaster and judgment on nations (as he was about to do to Babylon through Cyrus).
http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=3086 (download Net Bible for free).
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Posted by: Lisa | April 20, 2008 at 12:10 PM