Judges 6:1-40 ~ Luke 22:54-23:12 ~ Psalm 95:1-96:13 ~ Proverbs 14:5-6
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Old Testament - Today in Judges chapter 6 verses 1 we read - "Again the Israelites did what was evil in the LORD's sight." It is so interesting to see the back-and-forth relationship of the Israelites with God in the Old Testament. The Israelites did evil. They cried out to God. God saved them. Then... The Israelites did evil again... And I wonder - are we so different from the Israelites today? Should we be? Could we be? How? I do believe that through a growing and loving relationship with Jesus, we can be spared of this back-and-forth relationship with God. I believe this is the only Way. Let us not have to spend our lives running back and forth to "caves" as we will see below... Let us only run into the arms of the Jesus!
An image is below for verses 1 & 2: "So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites fled to the mountains, where they made hiding places for themselves in caves and dens."
Today read about Gideon and the fleece. We also read about how the angel of the Lord comes to Gideon and tells Gideon he will save Israel out of Midian’s hands, because he is being sent by God. In verse 15 Gideon replies, “But Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” You’ll notice how this reply of Gideon’s is reminiscent of Moses’ reaction to God’s call to serve in Exodus chapters 3 & 4 – “Why me? How can I?” etc. etc. And I think it is very useful for each of us to note that God often calls the seemingly lowly – like Moses and Gideon – rather than the seemingly mighty to act for him. This should be encouraging to us! I wonder if you and I are sometimes like Gideon and Moses? I wonder if perhaps we are being called to do something incredible for God in our lives, and we are making excuses like Gideon and Moses made excuses? Should we instead act in obedience to God’s call and trust that he will lead us? If God has called us to something, shouldn’t we have enough faith to believe he will give us the strength and wisdom needed for the journey? What is God calling you to do in your life that you are not doing? Are you making excuses like Gideon and Moses did? Will you instead move forward in faith and obedience to God in this holy calling in your life?
New Testament - Luke chapter 22 verse 70 is powerful - "They all shouted, "Then you claim you are the Son of God?" And Jesus replied, "You are right in saying that I am."" Check out those last two words of Jesus' - I am. Sound familiar? Remember from Exodus 3:14 when Moses asks the burning bush who he should say sent him to free the Israelites from Egypt. And what did God reply? "I am. Tell them that I am is sending you." And here we see Jesus use this same terminology that God used - I am. Below is a powerful image of Jesus before Pilate:
In Luke chapter 23 verses 8 & 9 today we read: "Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer." Herod wanted a miracle "performed." And Jesus simply stayed silent. Beautiful... I wonder if there are moments in our life when we would do well to model Jesus here - to stay silent in the face of a ridiculous request - or in the face of a ridiculous attack on our faith. Silence may be the perfect thing in the face of ridiculousness... Below is "Jesus before Herod Antipas" by the artist Duccio from the year 1308:
Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 22 titled "The Rejection of Israel's Messiah - Part I" is at this link and Part II is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "Indescribable": "He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too." Have you heard this song by Chris? Very joyful modern day psalm! You can view the song's lyrics here. Great tune... And great Psalms of praise in 95 & 95 today! Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 95 titled "A Warning about Worship" is at this link.
Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing! I love verse 1: "Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!" And I love the imagery in verse 12: "Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise."
Worship God: Today's Psalm reminds me of Chris Tomlin's song "Indescribable:"
Can you describe God? Click here for His description!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
Love Your Neighbor: Food For the Hungry
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Psalm 96 verse 1 above is there a new song God is asking you to sing to him these days? Will you sing this new song to God? 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
Thanks once again for the links to the music you include. "Indescribable" is one of my favorites. We have learned it as a congregation and it brings me to tears every time we sing it. God bless you this week. You are in my prayers.
Posted by: Joy | April 25, 2008 at 02:46 PM
A Warning about Worship is the link Mike referenced for our edification today.
The warning as stated: "... God warns Israel is that of hardening their hearts (v. 8). ..."
But I wonder if anyone caught this passage of scripture in Psalm 96 which is indeed as important when worshipping Abba Father:
Verse 9:
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before and reverently fear Him, all the earth. (Amplified Version).
Wow - in the "beauty of holiness"; "reverently fear".
Not just in anyway we feel like coming before Him, but in reverence.
And I am more than sure that in the beauty of holiness is not on the outside, like what we wear or what we look like - as some commentators refer to as the "beauty of holiness" - but because God our Father looks at our hearts and He is holy and He calls us to be the same. It will certainly keep us from hardening our hearts!
Dr. James Merritt of Atlanta, GA has a message entitled: "Wholly Holy".
The message really penetrated my spirit and I believe will penetrate yours. Be blessed by the message and think about ordering it from: www.touchinglives.org.
The direct link is:
https://resources.touchinglives.org/index.php?id=65
Be blessed and be a blessing.
Posted by: Lisa | April 26, 2008 at 07:55 AM