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Post by Parker on Jun 2, 2023 7:24:58 GMT -8
THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING
Deuteronomy 4:9-10 / Deuteronomy 4:23
Throughout Scripture, remembering is a major theme. Authors constantly reminded God’s people to remember his faithfulness. The nations were admonished to remember the Lord and turn to him (Ps 22:27). In contrast, the Lord was petitioned to not remember sins and show instead his goodness and pour out his blessing (Ps 25:6 – 7). Among God’s people the failure to remember results in cyclical patterns of sin and rebellion (Isa 57:11). When the people forgot God — both his character and his past faithfulness to the nation — they were prone to a host of sins. Most specifically, the people of God pursued the idolatry of the surrounding nations.
False gods seemed more tangible, more concrete and more immediate. One could see and touch these false gods. Ironically, though these gods had a material substance, they could not speak or act on behalf of the people. Yahweh, in contrast, was not made by human hands but could act mightily on behalf of his people. The nation of Israel was reminded, time and time again, not to forget this.
How forgetful God’s people are concerning the truths of Scripture, thus finding themselves unable to stand firm on God’s promises (1Co 15:1). They forget the goodness of the Lord and his Word. They forget the frailty of human limitations and their propensity to live according to their own way. They forget their former longings for the Lord and the blessed experience of walking closely with him. God knows his people’s limitations and sees their forgetfulness as another way in which they need his gracious mercy. Therefore, he reminds them again and again to remember him, and he supplies the means to overcome their human inability to remember the things of God by providing the Spirit of Christ (Jn 14:26).
The Good News of the gospel is that Jesus remembers the covenant that God made with his people and intercedes in the midst of unfaithful moments (Heb 7:24 – 25). Without fail, Jesus is remembering and reminding the Father of his promises to his children. Jesus remembers and applies his death and resurrection as payment. Jesus remembers and sends the Spirit to strengthen his children during their journey of faith and to remind them of the goodness of God and walking in his ways. The triune God remembers because of Jesus’ intercession and oversight of continued sanctification (Ro 8:26 – 30).
Jesus, over and over you have shown me your faithfulness. Help me to always listen to your Holy Spirit so that I may never forget what you have done for me. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 3, 2023 9:05:08 GMT -8
OLD AND NEW COVENANTS
Joshua 8:30-35 / II Corinthians 3:3
Joshua recounted the law of God given to Moses and established it as the ongoing standard response of God’s people to his grace as they entered the land. This law, written on tablets of stone, was a God-given gift of grace to provide former slaves with the keys to the blessing and freedom found in obedience to God.
Paul later said that something far more incredible happened through the gift of salvation. The law is no longer contained on tablets of stone — now it is written on the human heart (2Co 3:3). The transformation brought about by God’s saving grace should be demonstrated by those who claim to follow Jesus. This change is not the result of following an abstract set of external, moral principles but the working of the Spirit of God dwelling in the hearts of God’s people. God, through the work of salvation, takes out a person’s heart of stone and puts in its place a heart of flesh that pulsates with new life. On this new heart is written God’s law — a miracle far greater than the Law given at Mount Sinai.
Jesus, thank you for writing your truth on my heart. Please continue to transform me so I become more and more like you: good, pure and full of love. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 4, 2023 4:18:53 GMT -8
CALEB
Joshua 14:6-9
Caleb, because of his faithfulness and obedience to God, was given entrance into the land and the glorious inheritance God pledged to his people — a gift that was squandered by those of Caleb’s generation. Over the ensuing decades, Caleb watched as all of his contemporaries died in the wilderness. Surely Caleb doubted the promise of God as he wandered in the wilderness, observed the hard-heartedness of the people and watched person after person die under the judgment of God. Would God be faithful to give the people this long-awaited land? If so, would he remember Caleb and grant him an inheritance among the people?
Like Caleb, Christians today await the fulfillment of God’s promises. In a fallen world, it can be easy to question whether God’s plan is unfolding as intended, whether Christ will return and whether he will remember his children when he does. The faithfulness of God to remember Caleb serves as an encouragement of God’s care for every person who longs for his coming (2Peter 3:11 – 13).
Jesus, help me to follow Caleb’s example—to be faithful and obedient, even in the face of hardship. When I question or doubt, fill my heart with your peace and hope. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 5, 2023 4:28:31 GMT -8
BLESSINGS OF FAITHFULNESS
Joshua 18:1-10 / Ephesians 3:8-11
This scene was eerily reminiscent of the sending of the spies in Numbers 13, except this time the result was more favorable. This time emissaries of the nation went throughout the promised land to map out the territory allotted to the seven tribes who had not yet received their land. There they saw the glorious inheritance that God would give to the nation. The land would testify to the faithfulness of God and demonstrate that he was continuing to accomplish his mission.
The church functions in the same way today. As believers gather in local churches around the world, they see a tangible picture of the grace of God. He is still at work, granting salvation to the lost and uniting them together into his family. Local churches, filled with believers, put the manifold wisdom of God on display for a watching world. The mystery of his grace, hidden for generations yet revealed in the person of Jesus, is evident for all to see (Eph 3:8 – 11). He is indeed faithful to bless his people, on earth and ultimately in heaven.
Jesus, please help me to shine within my local body of believers, so that others may be drawn to you. May your family grow in this community. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 6, 2023 4:43:57 GMT -8
DEATH REIGNS UNTIL CHRIST
Genesis 5:5 / John 11:25-26
The pace of chapter 5 demonstrates the tragedy of human sin. Person after person appears and then is gone. The repetition of the phrase “and then he died” reminds the reader of the implications of the curse. No longer can people live forever; they appear for a moment and then return to the ground (Ge 3:19). There is no escaping this reality. The just and the unjust, the righteous and the unrighteous, all die.
From Adam to Noah, death reigns universally. Jesus, knowing and experiencing this reality personally when confronted with the death of his friend Lazarus, makes a remarkable claim. Those who believe in him, even though their physical bodies will die, will be raised to new life forever (Jn 11:25 – 26). Like Christ, they will pass through death only to emerge victorious. Belief in Christ is the only antidote to the lineage of death recounted in Genesis and seen throughout all subsequent generations.
Jesus, thank you for taking away the sting of death. Thank you for having victory over the grave. I am so grateful that I can look forward to eternal life with you. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 7, 2023 7:51:13 GMT -8
ATONEMENT
Leviticus 9:7 / Romans 3:25
In the Scriptures, atonement refers to payment for sin. Offerings were made to gain God’s favor so that he would remove a worshiper’s guilt. The sacrifice was presented as a substitute for the offender. An animal died in the offender’s place, and the wrath of God was turned aside. The imagery was clear — because of sin someone had to die. It would either be the sinner or a substitute.
Like the animals offered to atone for the sins of the Israelites, Jesus’ life was offered as a substitute for ours. His death satisfied God’s wrath and covered our sin (Ro 3:25). This concept is captured in the lyrics of the hymn, “Jesus Paid It All”: “Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!” Jesus, as the great substitute, paid the price of death on behalf of his people. The one who paid our penalty is worthy of glory and honor both now and forever.
Jesus, thank you for paying my debt in full. I could never deserve such a gift and am overwhelmed with gratitude for you. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 8, 2023 5:17:29 GMT -8
CITIES OF REFUGE
Numbers 35:6-15
As God’s people made their final preparations to enter the promised land, God commanded Moses to establish six cities of refuge from the towns given to the tribe of Levi, where both Israelites and foreigners living among them who were accused of murder could seek sanctuary. The Old Testament Law allowed for the closest male relative of a person who was killed to seek vengeance for their deceased family member. But if the death was perhaps accidental, the “manslayer” could flee to a city of refuge where the accused would stand trial and, if found guilty of intentional murder by the judges, faced the death penalty. God refused to allow injustice to go unpunished because it would pollute both the people and their land; God’s justice demanded that sin be punished.
But the cities of refuge also pointed forward to Christ, an even better sanctuary and means of dealing with the sins of God’s people. All are guilty of sin and, if forced to stand trial before God alone, would be condemned to eternal punishment; however, God’s people can take hold of Christ as their refuge. He offers them forgiveness from their sins and escape from the death they all deserve (Jn 8:51).
Jesus, I know you are purely good and completely just, so sin must be punished. Thank you for being my sanctuary, my city of refuge, so that I don’t have to bear the punishment I deserve. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 9, 2023 4:52:18 GMT -8
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL THROUGH JESUS ALONE
So circumcise [that is, remove sin from] your heart, and be stiff-necked (stubborn, obstinate) no longer. Deuteronomy 10:16
Moses commanded the Israelites to circumcise their hearts rather than being rebellious. Circumcision carried tremendous significance in the minds of the Israelites as it was a physical sign of the covenant between them and God. Living in close proximity to the Canaanites whose worship system involved sexual promiscuity, circumcision of a Hebrew male was a reminder to avoid such cultural rituals. But circumcision was much more than a physical act.
A person’s heart must reflect the physical sign. God is concerned not merely with the outward marks of holiness but with the posture of the human heart. The covenant of God required a spiritual change to love God as he desires: with all of one’s heart, soul and strength (Dt 10:12 – 13; 30:6). Such a necessary change only comes through Jesus (Col 2:11 – 12). In Christ our debt was canceled; our flesh which ruled us was buried, and we were raised from death to life.
Jesus, my heart can be a dark, desolate place. Please take it, fill it and transform it, so that it is pure and true like you. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 10, 2023 5:04:49 GMT -8
CHOOSE LIFE
Deuteronomy 30:11-20 / John 10:10
At the end of his life, knowing that he would die without ever entering the promised land, Moses once again held out the covenant promises of God to the nation of Israel. In many ways, the challenge to “choose life, so that you . . . may live” (v. 19) is as old as mankind. In the garden, God held out the same promise to Adam and Eve (Ge 2:15 – 17), though they made the foolish choice and pursued death. Ever since, all people have been trapped in a cycle of sin. Certainly there have been times when people returned to God, but these seasons have been short-lived.
Moses, at this point the leader of God’s people for 40 years, knew full well the inability of the people to choose life that they could live. Throughout their journey, they had consistently murmured against God, doubted Moses’ leadership and been given over to death and destruction. Moses began his final sermons to the people of God on the plains of Moab with a vivid recounting of the gory details of their rebellion in chapter 1 of this very book. Even Moses, the great deliverer, had been unable to consistently choose life; therefore he died without ever stepping foot on the ground that he had been pursuing for 40 years (3:21 – 29).
Yet, he again reminded the people of their need to choose life. By this point, the entire generation that scorned the promises of God and were forced to wander in the wilderness had died. This new generation could vividly remember the death of their parents in these wilderness years. They now were faced with a decision: Would they follow in the path of their ancestors, disobey God and die — or would they be a new generation who trusted God, walked in his ways and lived bountifully in the land of promise?
Jesus’ life and ministry ushered in hope for all those trapped in the cyclical pattern of sin and death. He fulfilled God’s promises to the people by giving them a path to life. John wrote that Jesus claimed to be “the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). By coming to him, people can find the path to life, not through conformity to a system of rules, but by submission to the person of Christ. In him is life and life to the full (Jn 10:10).
Jesus, I want to choose life. I want to choose you. Help me to make each decision for you, so that I don’t fall into the cyclical pattern that causes so much suffering. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 11, 2023 5:19:25 GMT -8
TRIUMPH
Joshua 12:1-6 / Ephesians 1:21-22
Joshua 12 recounts a list of kings that Israel has defeated. The list goes into great detail by not only giving the names of the defeated kings, but also going to great length to describe the land over which the defeated kings previously ruled. The vast size of this territory is a testament to God’s ability to conquer great kings and great lands.
These victories are minor in comparison to the far greater victory won by Jesus himself. He did not simply win a battle against a pagan king, but he defeated Satan, sin and the principalities of darkness. He did not merely conquer a portion of land, but he secured his rule and reign over all the earth (Eph 1:21 – 22).
While the list of kings and land in Joshua 12 may appear large and valuable to people, Jesus was not inclined to accept temporal kingdoms as his victory (Mt 4:8 – 10). By virtue of Jesus’ work, he is worthy of all honor, fame and glory forever. All things, both in heaven and on earth, both temporal and cosmic, both now and forever, are placed under his kingly rule. This list of victories may be “great,” but it pales in comparison to the ultimate victory of Jesus.
Jesus, I know there is no king, no kingdom, no power that you cannot topple. When I fear the things that come against me in this life, remind me of your boundless might. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 12, 2023 5:11:36 GMT -8
THE CYCLE OF SIN
Judges 19:29-30 / Romans 6:15-23
Sin is never satisfied — it festers, grows, spreads and destroys all things in its path. The unnamed Levite and the people of Gibeah illustrate the depth of depravity of which humans are capable. There seemed to be no end to the self-centeredness of mankind apart from God’s gracious intervention. This reality was compounded in the seasons when the nation was without human leaders; though, even when they had leaders they proved to be incapable of consistent obedience. They needed a deliverer, a Savior, to break the cycle of sin, condemnation and death.
Paul declared that Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice breaks the death-grip of sin and sets believers free to live a righteous life (Ro 6:15 – 23). Whereas the just outcome of sin is death, the fruit of Jesus’ work is freedom, joy and holiness. Jesus’ victory is the only power great enough to break the power of sin within the nation of Israel and all of humanity.
Jesus, thank you for rescuing me from sin. Help me to not give sin any kind of foothold, so I can live in your freedom, joy and holiness. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 13, 2023 5:14:52 GMT -8
HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION
2 Samuel 12:15-23 / 1 Peter 1:3-7
The death of a child is a terribly tragic experience. Indeed, anytime a loved one or a close friend dies, deep anguish follows — as is the case here with the death of David’s son. In the midst of sorrow associated with death, Christians have complete confidence to believe they will be reunited with a deceased loved one. The story of the death of David’s son suggests that David believed he and his child would be reunited.
David said, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” Christian believers can hold to the same hope that Old Testament believers understood faintly — that death is inevitable, but God’s people will have life after death.
Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (Jn 11:25 – 26). Jesus’ words were not empty but rather were validated through his own resurrection. Truly, Jesus has power over death — the greatest and most feared inevitability in the human experience — and has promised to apply that power to his followers (1Pe 1:3 – 7).
Jesus, I thank you and praise you that the end of this life is not the end. Help me to remember when I am grieving that death is nothing, thanks to you. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 14, 2023 7:25:55 GMT -8
VANQUISHING SIN’S CONSEQUENCES
2 Samuel 17:14 / Revelation 21:4
As Absalom was plotting to attack and kill David, counterforces were already coming into place to block his progress. God used the “advice” of Hushai to give David and his men an advantage and an opportunity to prevail over Absalom’s wicked schemes. Although Absalom thought he was in control of the situation, God was already working against him to fulfill his promises to David and to David’s other descendants.
In the same way, those who resist God and pursue sin are laying up trouble for themselves (Romans 2:4 – 9). This life is filled with events shaped by sinful human actions. For believers, Jesus has applied his grace to cover sin.
Yet, Christians still experience the implications of the wrong actions of others. Part of the “good news” of the gospel is that eventually the world will see how God has conquered sin’s effects in our world once and for all. One day, believers will experience the beautiful reality expressed in Revelation 21:4: “ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Even now, God is at work to set things right, to work against evil and bring peace through Christ. And there is a much greater day in the future, one that is no longer marred by sin’s consequences.
Jesus, I cannot wait until the day when all will be right and all creation will see that you are Lord. Help me to live in the reality of this hope today. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 15, 2023 7:09:27 GMT -8
DEATH
Psalms 116:15 / Romans 5:12 / 1 Corinthians 15:55
The psalmist mentioned here an enemy of humankind: death (Ps 116:3), though he referred to it here as “precious” — an overwhelmingly positive term. According to Paul, death came to humanity because of sin: in Adam all die (Ro 5:12). While the scientific advances of the last century — even the last ten years — preserve and extend life in amazing ways, no one evades death forever.
Psalm 110 speaks of Jesus reigning until all his enemies become a footstool for his feet (v. 1). Building upon that truth, Paul wrote, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1Co 15:26). Paul went on to argue in that letter that the resurrection of Jesus makes possible the resurrection of his followers: “Since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1Co 15:21 – 22). Only through the work of Christ can his followers taunt death: “Where, O death, is your sting?” (1Co 15:55). Though no one evades death, it need not have the final word.
Jesus, I am so grateful that, thanks to you, I don’t have to fear death. Thank you for destroying death and for giving me eternal life. Amen.
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Post by Parker on Jun 16, 2023 7:21:41 GMT -8
But I will establish My covenant (solemn promise, formal agreement) with you; and you shall come into the ark—you and your [three] sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. Genesis 6:18
The story of Noah offers a clear picture of the saving mercy of God. In the midst of humanity’s sin and rebellion, God made a way for the salvation of the human race through Noah and the ark. Were there not a man and a family who by God’s grace stood out from the wickedness of their day, there would have been a new beginning on the part of God that would have omitted all of us! Mercifully, God provided Noah and his family with the ark to escape the floodwaters.
The ark is a powerful picture of Jesus Christ in whom salvation would come to everyone who believed in him. Jesus, like the ark, would one day be lifted high above the floodwaters of our sin to endure the full wrath of God. By putting our hope in Jesus, we are rescued like Noah and his family.
Jesus, thank you for your mercy. Help me to be like Noah—to stand out from the wickedness of my day in order to bring ou the glory you deserve. Amen.
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