May 16th One Year Bible Readings

1 Samuel 18:5-19:24 ~ John 8:31-59 ~ Psalm 112:1-10 ~ Proverbs 15:12-14
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Old Testament - This is a powerful verse in First Samuel 18:14 today: "David continued to succeed in everything he did, for the LORD was with him." I think that is so important to know - David succeeded in all he did because God was with him.  And I believe this applies to us today as well.  We will succeed in all we do if God is with us.  Now - don't get me wrong - when I say succeed, I do not mean "succeed" as the world might define this word.  I mean we will succeed spiritually in all we do if we are in a loving and growing and obedient relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son (who is God).  This success might mean that we actually become "poor" in the world's eyes and serve overseas or in our own town in a ministry that won't make us a million.  But - if we are living in right relationship with God than we have truly succeeded in life.  Nothing else matters.  Below's an image of a young David succeeding in saving a lamb from the jaws of a lion and offering up praise to God for the success!

It is great to see Jonathan asking his father Saul to not murder David in First Samuel chapter 19.  I read a commentary that said Jonathan had really been won over by David after David killed Goliath.  It is thought that perhaps David shared with Saul and Jonathan his faith in God and why he was fearless of Goliath early in chapter 18 or late in chapter 17 (in yesterday's readings), and that Jonathan believed David's faith was true.  In any case, we do see in chapter 18 verses 3 & 4 these words: "And Jonathan made a special vow to be David's friend, and he sealed the pact by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt."  Jonathan is obviously living up to this pact here in chapter 19. (the images above and below are really from yesterday's readings, but I thought they were both quite good pictures of David - and Jonathan below. Oh, and Goliath too... :)

An image by Gustave Dore is below for First Samuel 18 verses 10 & 11: "The very next day, in fact, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman. David began to play the harp, as he did whenever this happened. But Saul, who had a spear in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David jumped aside and escaped."

Bible.org's commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled "David Joins Saul's Family" is at this link and commentary titled "David's Divine Deliverance" is at this link.

New Testament - John chapter 8 verses 34 through 36 are such powerful teachings for each of us to recognize - "Jesus replied, "I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free."  Do you believe it is possible to be a slave of sin?  Do you believe Jesus can set us free from the slavery of sin?  Are you free?

I believe verse 58 is one of the most powerful statements Jesus makes in the Gospels - "Jesus answered, "The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!""  Or the NIV of this verse is -  ""I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"  Jesus is quoting Exodus 3:14 here when Moses asks God who he should say sent him to free the Israelites from Egypt and God says - "I AM.  Tell them I AM sent you."  Jesus here knows what he is doing when he says that even before Abraham was born, I AM.  Jesus is saying he is God.  And He is.  But, to the religious leaders at this time, this was blasphemy to their ears.  And hence, they attempted to stone Jesus in the very next verse.  Do you believe Jesus when he says, "before Abraham was born, I AM"?

Bible.org's commentary on our John chapter 8 readings today titled "Like Father, Like Son" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 112 is a great look at a godly person's life.   Today in verse 1 we read: “Blessed is the person who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.” Is fear of the Lord healthy? Why or why not? Is fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? Are you blessed if you fear the Lord? Do you find great delight in God’s commands? What are God’s commands?

Verse 4 stands out - "When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in." This is encouraging.  When darkness overtakes us, if we stay true to God and Christ and faith, light will come "bursting in"!  I like that...  Know that the light is coming...  Below is a fresco from 1517 by Raphael of God separating the light from the darkness -

And verse 9 is a great reminder - "They give generously to those in need."  Are you doing something in your life to serve the poorest of the poor?   There are 1.2 billion people living in our world today on less than $1 per day.  Is there something you can do to give generously to those in need?  Below is an oil on canvas painting from 1611 by Bartolomeo Schedoni titled "The Charity" -

Proverbs - Proverbs 15 verse 14 is so powerful - "A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash." I will humbly submit that since YOU are going through the One Year Bible, you are a wise person who is hungry for truth!  :)  Well, really, I mean it.  The Bible is the best place to find Truth.  And trash?  Well, interestingly I was having a conversation with 3 friends recently - 2 of whom participated in this One Year Bible with us last year - and we were discussing how each of us don't watch TV.  We didn't quite use the word "trash" when discussing TV, but I think the term can fit... 

Worship God: Today's Proverb reminds me of the song "Hungry (Falling on My Knees)" by Kathryn Scott:

Are you hungry?  Click here to be fed!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV

Love Your Neighbor:  The Navigators

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Can you imagine living your life feeding only on TV?  Yikes...   So, really, when you look at how you invest your time are you hungry and feeding on truth or perhaps are you feeding on some trash?  Will you throw that trash away?  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

Comments

[Margaret]

The version of OT I read said "evil spirit from God came upon Saul". I like your version of "tormenting spirit from God came upon Saul" better. I have difficulty thinking that God would produce "evil". I guess it is like when Moses was in Egypt and God "hardened" Pharoah's heart to not let the Israelites go. God produces the attitude in us that HE needs to do His will.

[Lisa]

Food for thought that I will share which pertains to, but not limited to the posted fresco above from 1517 by Raphael of God.

While God our Father has given us an imagination, I think it quite scary when I see images of what people's perception of what God our Father may look like, especially when scripture speaks against such.

I always think of these two scriptures:

No man hath seen God at any time… (John 1:18); and
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… or any likeness [of anything] that is in heaven above; (Exodus 20:4).

Following is commentary by John Gill in the order of the scripture that is presented.

1. "That is, God the Father, whose voice was never heard, nor his shape seen by angels or men; for though Jacob, Moses, the elders of Israel, Manoah, and his wife, are said to see God, and Job expected to see him with his bodily eyes, and the saints will see him as he is, in which will lie their great happiness; yet all seems to be understood of the second person, who frequently appeared to the Old Testament saints, in an human form, and will be seen by the saints in heaven, in his real human nature; or of God in and by him: for the essence of God is invisible, and not to be seen with the eyes of the body; nor indeed with the eyes of the understanding, so as to comprehend it; nor immediately, but through, and by certain means: God is seen in the works of creation and providence, in the promises, and in his ordinances; but above all, in Christ the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person: this may chiefly intend here, man's not knowing any thing of God in a spiritual and saving way, but in and by Christ; since it follows, the only begotten Son; the word that was with God in the beginning. ..."

2. "An image of anything graven by art or man's device, cut out of wood of stone, and so anything that was molten, or cast into a mould or form, engraved by men, and this in order to be worshipped; for otherwise images of things might be made for other uses and purposes, as the cherubim over the mercy seat, and the brazen serpent, and images and impressions on coin, which we do not find the Jews themselves scrupled to make use of in Christ's time on that account; though they vehemently opposed the setting up any images of the Caesars or emperors in their temple, because they seemed to be placed there as deities, and had a show of religious worship: however, any image of God was not to be made at all, since no similitude was ever seen of him, or any likeness could be conceived; and it must be a gross piece of ignorance, madness, and impudence, to pretend to make one, and great impiety to make it in order to be the object of religious worship; on which account, not any image or the image of anything whatever was to be made: or any likeness [of anything] that is in heaven above; any form, figure, portrait, or picture of anything or creature whatever, whether in the supreme, starry, or airy heaven; as of angels, which some have gone into the worship of; ..."

Let us be careful in all that we do in trying to honor our Father.

[becky]

I have to say I am confused by the passage "...evil spirit from God came upon Saul"
Did God REALLY send an evil spirit? or what it an attack from Satan? It is the Bible that says it, so it must be true. But I know that when bad things happen I tend to think that its satan attacking me and God is allowing it. I never really read this I guess and see that it WAS GOD that sent the evil spirit. wow.

On the upside... Psalms 112:4 really spoke to me about how God will shine HIS light on us while in our dark times. very encouraging!!

[art]

I love that painting by Raphael. I do not bow down to it. I do not worship it. It merely pleases my eye and calms my spirit and prepares my mind to dwell on the Great God of the universe.

Perhaps John Gill has misunderstood me. I have not "seen God." I have instead quieted myself and let him enter my heart and soul.

Yes, Lisa, let us be careful...but also let us be open, even inspired!

[Lisa]

Hi Art,

With all due respect, again,

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image… or any likeness [of anything] that is in heaven above; (Exodus 20:4) the bottom line.

Speaking for myself, as you did, my inspiration is worship, praise and reading of the Word - that is what I am opened to and that is what calms my soul and spirit and brings me into that quiet place.

We should be careful where we get our source of inspiration from and I would hope that most do not bow down or worship "it".

And perhap, just perhaps it should be about pleasing God more than ourselves, as we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

[JO]

Mike, your comments about television viewing really spoke to me today, thank you for talking about it. I have been convicted and have been praying about my tv addiction and I think God has spoken to me through you.

Lisa, please remember what the gospel teaches us about the law, which you are quoting; i.e., Rom 3:20 "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." Rom 3:21 "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify." Rom 3:28 "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law." Rom 4:14 "For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless."

[Lisa]

Greeting JO,

Thank you for your comment from yesterday's post.

I really don't mean for some to get in an uproar.

Maybe I should have just used the scripture from the N.T. "No man hath seen God at any time…" (John 1:18); and simply say how can an artist liken God to be pictured as an image of a man.

And yes JO, thank you for the readings in Romans. I read the scriptures you singled out in chapter 3 of Romans in its context which includes verse 31: "Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law." (Romans 3:31, NLT)

I would suppose it is there for a reason.

Lastly, I will continue to thank God for sending His Son Jesus to redeem me from my awful sins and thank Him for His gift of salvation through the shedding of His blood and that through faith in the person of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, and faith alone I can claim my inheritance!

Peace to all.