Sunday, February 24, 2013

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

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