Through the Bible in one year - Day 89

Psalm 89:1

I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;

with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

Ether's story begins to unfold for us today. Read along and see what happens next.

(Today Esther is chosen as queen, and Mordecai, her uncle discovers a plot to kill the king-which Queen Esther disclosed to the king in Mordecai's name.)

1 Corinthians 7:17

"Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him."

This call, is very like what Esther experiences - live the life that you are called into. Make your efforts for the Lord's glory. Whether you are a non worker, and low wage worker or a manager or owner - live and work for the Lord in all things. this idea of a Higher Calling is what I strive to remember in all my work - that nothing is secular - but rather everything is the Lord's. It is not my time or my money; it is the Lord's gracious gift to me. This I need to keep at the forefront of my mind.

Today’s readings: Psalm 89, Exodus 35:1-29, Esther 2, 1 Corinthians 7

Through the Bible in one year - Day 88

Psalm 88:13

But I, O Lord, cry to you;

in the morning my prayer comes before you.

The Psalmist in this reading asks questions and pleads for response and mercy - I found this particular verse arresting because I might remember to cry out to the Lord - but not always do I remember to let my prayer come to Him in the morning. Some days it might wait until I have some need. I could, however, pray regularly and as a habit and what better time than before the day interrupts as it surely will? This is a verse I take as instructive to my priorities.

Exodus 34:11 says: “Observe what I command you this day..."

While that may be only one small verse of our reading, I will take in conjunction with what I was seeing above - and how (I ask myself) would I be able to observe what the Lord commands this day - if I didn't read what it was He said - early in the morning - again, this speaks to my priorities.

I am a slow getter upper - ask my husband who has to make my coffee every morning. And there are lots of people who find different times work best for them - maybe their children are asleep at night and they have peace to read the Bible, or maybe there is a window of time during the day or over lunch; my issue is I do better with a consistent schedule (thanks for that reminder from my friend Danielle) and if I make a plan to read in the morning, even if I miss I can still make an opportunity later during the day. While if I plan on the last thing at night-well, I'm not that great at staying awake either-so with these things in mind I'd be much more successful if I prepared to read as early in the day as I am functioning - and not distracted!

Today we begin the story of Esther - for such a time as this-we read and respond to the Lord!

When I read this passage from 1 Corinthians I was thinking of a couple of things - one personal and one from my reading of the news. The understanding that it is better to be wronged than it is to go to court. There are many stories where people are wronged and even going to court, the situation does not get better. What I worry about is our witness, when we as Christians cannot come to terms amicably but rather pursue vendettas or the world's justice - or what passes for the world's justice. I really want to say no to this - and not participate in this behavior; whether out of self preservation or after having been wronged. I pray I can walk away. I pray for our witness to the world.

Today’s readings: Psalm 88, Exodus 34, Esther 1, 1 Corinthians 6

Through the Bible in one year - Day 87

Glorious things of thee are spoken

The Psalmist says this and it makes me think today of how often or how little we speak of the glory of God, and when I say we-I certainly mean me. How often do I speak of the great things of God, of His blessings? Not in proportion to those gifts from Him.

Is that why the Israelites forgot so soon? Did they need to speak of the glories of God in their midst? If I don't intentionally remind myself of things - a shopping list, someone's name - you get the picture, well then, I don't remember it accurately. So, today, I will speak of the glories of the Lord.

Exodus 33:12-16

Moses said to the Lord,... “Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And [Moses] said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

Yesterday we read of God's mercy after their walking away from them and my wondering if the Israelites wanted to be like everyone else-instead of God's chosen people, and here today we read of Moses asking the Lord to indeed go with them - and to show them the way to be His people.

Today, I will pray that I may walk with the Lord and show His glory. (Never should it be said "Why is the house of God forsaken." (Nehemiah 13:11))

1 5 Corinthians 5:7

Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.

Make me new oh Lord-and make me an instrument of your peace - let me tell of your glories and Lord, protect me while I am in the world so that I might be 'distinct from every other people on the face of the earth.'

Today’s readings: Psalm 87, Exodus 33, Nehemiah 13, 1 Corinthians 5