Through the Bible in one year - Day 59

Psalm 59:12

For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,

let them be trapped in their pride.

This Psalm today reminds me of living in the city where the nights are fearful and people roam with ill intent, and God seems far away – or totally unknown.  This psalmist asks many times for the Lord to remember him and to come to the aid of those who are oppressed. Yet this line above strikes me today for its difference. This isn’t about retribution; it is about consequences. These are the consequences of our own actions, that we would be trapped in our pride. Pride can keep us from making amends or forgiving someone else – and this is indeed a trap; one in which we are stuck with these ill feelings; this trap, without God we could not escape.

In our reading today in Exodus we see this passage in the 2^nd chapter that shows us we are heard – and known. Like the Psalmist, the people of Israel have been heard in their cries for help.

During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. (Exodus 2:23-25)

Then the rest of our reading today in Exodus is one of the most visually famous thanks to Cecil B. DeMill’s Ten Commandments. Moses sees a bush that is on fire but doesn’t burn (that would make barbeque so much easier). First thing Moses says is who-me? No I don’t think I have the authority, and God says I am giving you the authority. Moses asks who should I say sent me and God says tell them “I Am has sent me to you”. And God goes on to remind Moses and the people through him of all the things that God has done for them, and promises to be with them and bring them through to a new safe place that is their own. This is exactly what the psalmist was asking for – and trusted in. The psalmist knew this story already; and he knew the outcome of this encounter. We will just have to read more tomorrow (or watch the movie-or both).

Our story in 2 Chronicles continues with Hezekiah, and the Lord intervening on behalf of Israel. When Hezekiah is prideful – and trapped in his sin because of it, the Lord doesn’t leave him and the people in that place, rather he rescues them because Hezekiah turns from his pride and repents – he and his whole nation. This theme today seems to be a call to repent and leave our pride so that it doesn’t leave us stuck in terror and brokenness.

I may be putting too fine a point on this theme but it seems to me that part of the issue Paul was having with his brethren at that time was one of false pride; they knew nothing to commend what he had to say and since it wasn’t the way they had always done things they turned away...and yet, there were some who listened. I pray that I listen and am open to the Lord, and repent from my own pride so that I may hear, understand, turn and be healed. (Acts 28:31)

Today’s readings: Psalm 59, Exodus 2:23-3:22, 2 Chronicles 32, Acts 28:16-31

Through the Bible in one year - Day 58

Psalm 58:11

Mankind will say, "Surely there is a reward for the righteous;

surely there is a God who judges on earth."

This is one of the Psalms that is hard to read aloud – but I can recognize the sentiment that went into this; things must really be going poorly. How do we respond when pure evil walks the earth? Would we not, like this psalmist ask for them to be wiped of the face of the earth; that no one after us might suffer through their actions? Yes, I expect we all might feel that way. There are times and places to this day where we might pray for God’s vengeance and cleansing power. In the end, we know that this will take place – or we can know that if we read and pray these scriptures.

Into this storm in Egypt, where the first born sons are under penalty of death Moses is born, and like the sons we read of yesterday, he too was not murdered, but secreted away. This life of Moses passes swiftly before our eyes – first he is born, then he is a child and soon he has murdered an Egyptian – and is under penalty of death yet again, so he flees, and marries and gives birth to a son. Whew, all in the space of a few verses. If his story begins in such a whirlwind, I am wondering what will come next.

It has been a relief to read of Hezekiah, these past few days. Here indeed is a man who has been faithful. This is what our reading in 2 Chronicles says today:

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered. (vs 20-21)

This was a funny beginning in Acts today. I went back to yesterday’s reading in case I had missed something, but no, it begins as if in the middle of a thought: And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy...This tale of winter sailing and shipwreck is something to imagine! Don’t worry folks; even though we shouldn’t have done this dangerous thing- we will be saved with our lives. Now the Centurion wishes to save Paul after the wreck and it could be in part because he is a dutiful fellow and wishes to fulfill his obligation, and it could in part be, because he has seen miraculous things.

OK, so this is a funny bit with the people on the Isle of Malta – either Paul is a murderer and will swell up and die...or oh wait he is a god. This unintended delay has Paul praying and saving the life of the chief’s father. The prisoners were well treated on account of Paul and everyone was sent away with full provisions and makes the remainder of the journey to Italy in safety. Again, I ask myself, what will tomorrow bring.

Today’s readings: Psalm 58, Exodus 1:22-2:22, 2 Chronicles 31, Acts 27-28:15

Through the Bible in one year - Day 57

Psalm 57:1

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by.

This is fitting after our Psalm yesterday, where we hoped in the Lord; here today we cry out for help. When I read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Hobbit before it, there were a few crucial moments when all seemed lost and the Eagles came. These were not ordinary eagles nor were they of a size we would recognize; these were great eagles – and in the shadow of their wings one was completely safe. How much more so would we be safe in the shadow of God? When Moses is on the mountain top and the shadow of God passes him by, he is transformed, and changed; that indeed is an awesome shadow!

Now we leave Genesis and come to Exodus. This begins with the death of Joseph and his entire generation – and the people of Israel multiply so that the Egyptians fear them. First off they try to kill their first-born sons, but the midwives fear God more than Pharaoh – which is good for the Israelites, and they prosper. Memory is a funny thing, and so many times we see that when a generation passes the next forgets all that they have brought about and accomplished and in the end we fall into the trap of disregard. Sometimes it might be very good indeed to stop and ask, why they were venerated and perhaps take a chance to change our own minds and enlighten ourselves before it is too late and we repeat mistakes we could have prevented had we paid attention to history. This, I fear is exactly where the Egyptians are heading, by forgetting what Joseph did to save the land and the people through his wise council.

In 2 Chronicles today we read more of Hezekiah and his bringing the people back to God. In today’s reading we see the celebration of the Passover (which we will read about soon in our Exodus passages), and this is what verse 26 says:

So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.

All the people from all the land come together in joy to thank the Lord for his saving actions – and it takes days to do it. This would be a wonderful time to be in Jerusalem.

More today in the story of Paul in prison: In our reading this day we have the king Agrippa and his wife wondering to the judge Festus why Paul is imprisoned, and Festus saying, good maybe you can help me, since he has asked to be brought before Caesar, and I have no charge to show against him worthy of this imprisonment. Toward the end of our reading today we read this:

And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains." (Acts 26:28-29)

Don’t you love this answer? It shows a certain self-deprecating humor that we all could aspire to especially in the circumstances. – Yes everyone should be like me- well except for this whole being thrown in prison and in chains bit...

King Agrippa says it’s too bad he has appealed to Caesar since he could be free as there seems to be no reason at all to hold him. What will tomorrow bring?

Today’s readings: Psalm 57, Exodus 1:1-21, 2 Chronicles 30, Acts 25-26

Through the Bible in one year - Day 56

Psalm 56:11

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

This saying often comes to me as a relief when things don’t seem to be going well; this concept that if God is for me, what can mere flesh do to me as a sure sign of the impermanence of trials. And I know that there will be other times when I wonder all over again if things could get worse or if there is anyone who isn’t out for me...well, the Psalmist does seem a bit extreme in his thoughts, but let’s face it our thoughts are not always rational and sometimes we do have these grandiose thoughts or thoughts of impending doom; but this then can truly be a comfort.

Here we are coming to the end of the tales of these brothers; and once they realize that their father is dead and no one is left to mediate between them and the brother whom they sold into slavery after trying to kill him outright, all those years ago, they are rightly nervous. But Joseph has learned a lot in his travels and captivities, and is no longer the rash and foolhardy man of his youth. Here he is in a perfect position to ‘lord it over them’ and yet he doesn’t; instead he gives glory to God. Surely this is a wonderful illustration for us, and how to respond when we have been wronged. In the end, this is what he says to them:

But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.(Genesis 56:19-20)

Finally, we read of a king who follows the Lord, and calls his people to a holy life! Hezekiah cleanses the Temple and tears down the idols, and all the people are surprised when the joy of the Lord falls upon them, and they rejoice. We can breathe a sigh of satisfaction reading this and knowing that times and actions have improved for these people. I think I see a hint for myself as well, and that is I need to put the things of God first and remove all those idols and distractions that get in the way so that I too might have the joy of the Lord.

This next reading today is of Paul in prison, and how interesting that people came and listened to him and were taught, yet all the while the judge was waiting for a bribe in order to let Paul go free. Two years is a long time – and yet as we saw with Joseph, it is not long in the service of the Lord, and I guess that there were things being put into play that had lasting consequences. What will we read tomorrow?

Today’s readings: Psalm 56, Genesis 50:15-26, 2 Chronicles 29, Acts 23:12-24:27

Through the Bible in one year - Day 55

Give ear to my prayer, O God,

...

Attend to me, and answer me;

I am restless in my complaint and I moan,

...

because of the oppression of the wicked.

For they drop trouble upon me,

and in anger they bear a grudge against me. (Psalm 55:1-3)

This is very descriptive; how often do we moan and complain? Have you ever felt that the wicked “drop trouble upon [you]”? You can surely understand where the Psalmist is coming from. In the end, this is what he recognizes:

            Cast your burden on the Lord,

and he will sustain you;

he will never permit

the righteous to be moved. (vs 22)

I appreciate this reminder and pray that when there are burdens, and evil people dropping trouble, I hope I remember to cast these burdens on the Lord. He is much bigger and stronger than I and on him I can rely.

Hmm, it looks like I got a little ahead of myself, Jacob was buried straight away (after the embalming and mourning) I was thinking of Joseph’s bones. Just proves that I shouldn’t get ahead of myself, and also that I need to continue to read and refresh my memory in order that these words become engrained and part of my core.

Today in 2 Chronicles, we see the blessings of Jacob borne out among the sons of Israel; These wars and defeats, captives and plunder all were first spoken of by Israel on his deathbed. Too bad, they weren’t able to do what is right in the sight of their Lord; how much of this fighting could have been prevented?

This long reading today in Acts gives us a glimpse of how Paul could speak – yes long, but also well. And in the power of the Holy Spirit he discerned much about each of the audiences he stood before. At each turn, just as he seems to have lost it, he says the thing that stops them all in their tracks; even to the extent of using the crowds against themselves. What will tomorrow bring? I guess we will wait and see.

Today’s readings: Psalm 55, Genesis 50:1-14, 2 Chronicles 28, Acts 21:17-23:11