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

Through the Bible in one year - Day 86

Psalm 86:5

For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,

abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Exodus

This is the passage that made me stop when I first read it. Stop and think Oh NO! I am amazed at how soon the people forgot what God had done, what Moses had said - and how soon they drifted away from God. Samuel Clemmons, in his Autobiography of Mark Twain said that people are always tending toward monarchy - that they wish to be ruled. Yet, what we see here seems to be that the people wish to have a manageable god - one made by their own hands. The Lord was too scary and was not manageable. I don't know if Samuel Clemmons was correct when he wrote that people want a monarch but in the case of the Israelites they wanted something, something different, and if I think about what Mr. Clemmons was getting at in his Autobiography of Mark Twain, it was his critique of people that I thought of here and especially when the Israelites decide they want a king so they can be like everyone else. Maybe, that in the end is what it is all about. We want to be like everyone else. In this Exodus passage it was a case of mob rule - and it certainly did mimic the surrounding nations-they all had little man-made gods. The Israelites did not wish to be a light to the nations; they did not want to show the world that the kingdom of God had come near.

There is more going on here, of course. The intervention of Moses, and the mercy of God who had been set aside at the earliest possible convenience. I am amazed that although God says he will visit their sin upon them, Aaron lived through it. I noticed in this passage we read that the Levites did as the Lord commanded, and as we read on in the Nehemiah passage, the Levites are front and center when the Wall of Jerusalem is dedicated; what a joy to participate in that it must have been for them. We see that the Lord blesses their obedience - maybe this isn't a direct line but it is what stood out to me today as I read these passages. We see that in the time of Nehemiah the Levites were allotted portions as were the sons of Aaron. God, in His mercy, does not visit all our sins upon us - He is instead merciful.

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Psalm 86:11

Teach me your way, O Lord,

that I may walk in your truth;

unite my heart to fear your name.

Today’s readings: Psalm 86, Exodus 32, Nehemiah 12:27-47, 1 Corinthians 4

Through the Bible in one year - Day 85

Psalm 85:6

Will you not revive us again,

that your people may rejoice in you?

1 Corinthians 3:18-20

"Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness," and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

I do not wish to deceive myself. How easy it would be to let myself off the hook - on whatever I haven't done or should have done - or shouldn't have done but did.

Going back a couple of days: 1 Corinthians 1:18

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Will you not revive us again, that we may rejoice in you? Show us your mercy, oh Lord and grant us your salvation. -Psalm 85:7

Today’s readings: Psalm 85, Exodus 30-31, Nehemiah 11-12:26, 1 Corinthians 3

Through the Bible in one year - Day 84

Psalm 84:2

My soul longs, yes, faints

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and flesh sing for joy

to the living God.

Verse 10:

For a day in your courts is better

than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Do I really long - yes faint for the courts of the Lord? If I'm honest the answer is not always (maybe never?) I know there have been times when I desire to stay in the Lord's presence ardently, and desire not to leave the mountain top as did Peter - but to say that I faint for the courts of the Lord, I don't know. I am simpatico with verse 10 - this is indeed true in my heart and I can say with certainty that I agree - how much better it would be for me to say with certitude that my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God - all the time; without distractions or selfish detours.

Exodus 29:43-46

There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.

In a continuation of our story, we have the Lord letting the people know how to come into his presence - and that he will be with them at the altar in their praises and worship; this is reinforcement for our psalmist's desire to reside - body and spirit in the courts of the Lord - this place to be in his presence.

Nehemiah has shown God to be concerned with all the people - and especially the poor and those who do not have 'kin' to look after them. Here the covenant is given/taken and the obligations set out for the people to know - in these ways are they keeping in step with the Lord's plans - that they do not neglect the house of God - and in our understanding this house - is built of the people of God in whom the praises and worship rest.

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians today he says something that stands out to me. He says:

I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (verses 3-5)

All along in our Exodus journey (and before that in Genesis) we have seen the power of the Lord for his people, and I think what Paul says here is important - that we are not just to think things or that we need to fully understand things - yet in the evidence of our lives with God we see him moving on our behalf, and like Abram, this is reckoned to us as righteousness. Paul finishes today's reading by saying - who has known the mind of the Lord - so as to tell him what to do? We do often desire to instruct the Lord - but this is very good advice - we do not know the mind of the Lord so how do we then instruct him?

Today’s readings: Psalm 84, Exodus 29, Nehemiah 10, 1 Corinthians 2

Through the Bible in one year - Day 83

Psalm 83 1-3

O God, do not keep silence;

do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

For behold, your enemies make an uproar;

those who hate you have raised their heads.

They lay crafty plans against your people;

they consult together against your treasured ones.

I can relate to this Psalmist. I don't really listen to or read the news because I get tired. I feel bowed down by all the railing against God. His enemies do not keep silent they make a loud clamor and if I listened too often I would begin to feel oppressed, under attack or like Elijah when he complains to God that the people have killed all the prophets, and he is the only one left. This I know is not the case. It wasn't the case in Elijah's time and it isn't the case now. Our news looks for noteworthy things, things they say are different, and not the norm-so in reality, if God and good things really became every day news, then in fact things would be darker still.

So, let them rail against God, if they dare. As for me and my house...we will serve the Lord. Joshua said it a long time ago and it still works today.

There is another Psalm when the people complained against God - and to Moses and the Lord, it says 'gave them their desires. but sent a leanness to their souls. (Psalm 106:15) I pray that the Lord's people do not fall prey to crafty plots, and don't succumb to a leanness of their souls. Protect us, Lord.

If we read Nehemiah 9 we see just these things. The people act recklessly, rebelliously, and walk away from God and his law, until things go poorly for them and they turn back-and God is ever ready to forgive and bring them back.

Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.  - Nehemiah 9:33

Keep us this day Lord, from acting wickedly. If we might act honorably in all we do, and with all whom we come in contact, the world would be more according to your law - one person at a time. Let it begin with me.

Today’s readings: Psalm 83, Exodus 27:20-28:43, Nehemiah 9, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Through the Bible in one year - Day 82

Psalm 82:5

They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

Today's Gospel reading was the report of Jesus healing the man born blind, and this Psalm reminds me of the discussion in that Gospel; who sinned this man or his parents, that he was born blind...neither says Jesus. Later he says that those who did not see have an excuse for not knowing, but for those who can see-who have understanding, they will be accountable.

[John 9:41: Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains".]

From this Psalm and that reading, I see that my own sight is both not perfect - and yet I am called to see things with godly insight, so that I do not walk in physical or spiritual darkness.

Lord, I ask that I see as you see, and care as you care, not to be blind to your call upon my life - and in order to know you-to read your word. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Today’s readings: Psalm 82, Exodus 27:1-19, Nehemiah 8, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Through the Bible in one year - Day 81

Psalm 81 - Oh that my people would listen to me

Ironic that I stopped reading and writing my quest to travel through the Bible in one year on this Psalm.

Today, I will take the up challenge again. There is no bad time to begin reading the Bible daily. So today I am re-committing to this desired task of 'reading, marking, learning and inwardly digesting' the words and works of the Bible.

Today's Collect says:
Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Romans 16:17-18
I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 

Let us not be sewers of division, nor put up obstacles. Lord help us to be blessings in your kingdom.

see you tomorrow - maggie

Today’s readings: Psalm 81, Exodus 26, Nehemiah 7, Romans 16

Through the Bible in one year - Day 80

Today we see Nehemiah being lied to in hopes he would sin and get caught. How often does sin - or someone with evil designs conspire against good people - against God's people in this way. Nehemiah knew not to do what seemed the prudent thing, and in so doing sin against the Lord God. We can only hope to be as discerning through prayer and study - and goodly fellowship. The company we keep matters. When things look bleak we need to be surrounded by folks who know enough to say 'lean not on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord.'

I am reminded of Job's 'friends' who gave him such sage advice - and even his wife who said 'curse God and die.' It seems to me that sometimes the advice we get is for the advice givers good and not necessarily for our own - or toward actions that bring God the glory.

Recently, I had a car mishap, and it was late, I was tired, and needed to get home, and get my two young passengers home. It was traumatic and stressful, yet my young passengers knew enough to say "don't worry Aunt Maggie, it'll be OK." And "Let's pray."

THIS advice is good, useful and Godly advice. This advice gets us home. And in God's company. So, like Nehemiah (and Job) let us not sin before God, let us thank him in all circumstances - even in the middle of the mess.

Romans 15:33

May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Today’s readings: Psalm 80, Exodus 25, Nehemiah 6, Romans 15:14-33

Through the Bible in one year - Day 79

Psalm 79:5

How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?

Will your jealousy burn like fire?

Psalm 79:8

Do not remember against us our former iniquities;

let your compassion come speedily to meet us,

for we are brought very low.

There are times - often and sometimes overwhelming when this cry is too familiar our hearts are burdened and our strength is diminished - and yet - The Lord is there, ready, willing to listen and compassionate to our need, understanding of our faults and the fallen world.

Psalm 79:9

 Help us, O God of our salvation,

for the glory of your name;

deliver us, and atone for our sins,

for your name’s sake!

God does just this through his son Jesus - and for that, every day I am thankful.

In Exodus today we read of the covenant confirmed. Knowing God as this psalmist does is there any wonder? Would we do any less? Should we do any less? Or like the Israelites before us, say Yes God! You are our God, the King of creation and our Salvation! Amen!

Out of this response to a loving father, Nehemiah, we read "stops the oppression of the poor", this, like James admonishes us who read his words to go and do the same - out of our great thanksgiving for all God does and had done and will do for us. Amen.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Today’s readings: Psalm 79, Exodus 24, Nehemiah 5, Romans 15:1-13

Through the Bible in one year - Day 78

Recounting the deeds of God's saving works to the people of Israel - and how often they forget once the moment has passed! We (I) need to heed this-and to tell the next generation of His saving works. I need to tell them as much for them as for myself; I need to remember for my own faith walk.

I spoke with someone yesterday who is struggling with a tragic loss, and the folks around him offer platitudes-but no comfort. How like Job's wife we can be when she told him "curse God and die." How much better we would do if we recounted and remembered God's grace-and then acted in His love as agents of that grace. Sometimes what it takes is just to be there, and to listen.

And, as for our listening to God and following His commands, let us not be like the forgetful and rebellious generation - - let us instead recount all He has done for us, even if those things were in our past, in hopes that when He acts again on our behalf we will recognize it.

The reading from Exodus echoes this last thought - remember what God has done and be prepared when He acts again. Verse 33 says this:

"They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

How often do the snares of this world get our attention so that we forget God's law and His promises? I know I need to be watchful.

I read Romans 14 differently today. I saw in it reference to Lenten observances - or observances of Holy Days. How in one tradition or another each thinks some other person wrong-headed and 'passes judgment.' In this passage I see that if it is done for the glory of God we are not to judge, just be careful not to destroy the work God has begun in them. And going back to my thoughts from yesterday, if someone is struggling, welcome them don't quarrel with them (verse1). I pray I can do as Paul suggests here and proceed with faith, so as not to sin.

Today’s readings: Psalm 78, Exodus 23:10-33, Nehemiah 4, Romans 14

Through the Bible in one year - Day 77

Psalm 77:14

You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.   

Psalm 77:16-19

When the waters saw you, O God,

when the waters saw you, they were afraid;

indeed, the deep trembled.

The clouds poured out water;

the skies gave forth thunder;

your arrows flashed on every side.

The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;

your lightnings lighted up the world;

the earth trembled and shook.

Your way was through the sea,

your path through the great waters;

yet your footprints were unseen.

In today's Psalm we read of a possible response to hard times-this response of remembering God's blessings. I know when things are tough, or I am sad, tired, fearful...you name it-feeling persecuted or unappreciated, this lesson from the Psalmist is one I need help recalling; that in remembering God's provision and actions in the past on my behalf I am better able to stand up to and overcome the distresses of the present. Thank God that he makes his might known, and works wonders on our behalf. In the midst of the storm God walks; his path is through the deep and even when he is unseen - he is.

Romans 13:7-8,12

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 

Today’s readings: Psalm 77, Exodus 22:16-23:9, Nehemiah 3, Romans 13

Through the Bible in one year - Day 76

Psalm 76:2

My soul longs, yes, faints

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and flesh sing for joy

to the living God.

Verse 10:

For a day in your courts is better

than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Do I really long - yes faint for the courts of the Lord? If I'm honest the answer is not always (maybe never?) I know there have been times when I desire to stay in the Lord's presence ardently, and desire not to leave the mountain top as did Peter - but to say that I faint for the courts of the Lord, I don't know. I am simpatico with verse 10 - this is indeed true in my heart and I can say with certainty that I agree - how much better it would be for me to say with certitude that my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God - all the time; without distractions or selfish detours.

In Exodus we read the additions to the law-those that are added (as they are today) in order to remove loopholes. No longer is "honor your father and mother" sufficient, now we see in 21:15 that “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death." and in verse 17: “Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death."

However, we also see more than that. We see balance and what as children we are always harping about: fairness. These verses advocate balance and fairness in all our dealings with each other. No longer can we harm without making restitution; no longer can we value our own desires above those of others. This God of the Israelites is not the same as other gods. Master is not better than slave, my wishes do not supersede yours. Even for the actions of our animals will we be held accountable.

Our reading from Nehemiah today is about restitution as well. In this case the restoration of Jerusalem.

Verse 17-18:

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

Romans 12:3

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

I began today's readings noting the Psalmist's call to long for the courts of the Lord, and how he would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord rather than dwell in the tent of wickedness. Now as I read the remaining passages today I see the call for balance and equitable dealings echoed and know why the house of the Lord is preferable. Yes indeed a day in His courts are better than a thousand elsewhere.

Today’s readings: Psalm 76, Exodus 21:12-22:15, Nehemiah 2, Romans 12

Through the Bible in one year - Day 75

Psalm 75:4

I say to the boastful, "Do not boast,"

and to the wicked, "Do not lift up your horn;

Here we have the psalmist saying that it is not our own good deeds that bring reasons to boast or acclaim; acclaim does not come from the world, but rather it comes from the Lord. Only in His eyes and according to Him does it matter whether we have reasons to boast...and as it says elsewhere (Romans 3:23)- all have sinned and all have fallen short of the Glory of God - in other words we don't actually have any reason to boast. - But not to worry we are all in the same predicament!

Exodus 20:18-19

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die." 

Yes, I expect the people were afraid and trembled. And yes, I expect it made sense to them to put Moses between God and them - but by putting Moses in between themselves and God, they effectually distanced themselves and made it easier to ignore or forget or turn away. Being afraid of God, while understandable, doesn't assist us in having a relationship with God - or anyone else for that matter. Imagine if we always used a liaison between us and someone we wished to talk to - you remember that old game of telephone where we pass a message from one person to another and by the time it gets back to the originator it has changed sometimes subtly and other times dramatically; I think that when the Israelites put Moses between themselves and God they put themselves at a disadvantage and set up the opportunity for misinterpretations to evolve later on.

The next section where we talk of selling and redeeming and of treating people who are related to you with compassion and not unduly giving favor to the 'new and improved' person (wife, daughter-in-law etc) may seem a bit strange - but remember that this is a people who has been sold into slavery for 400 years - what do they know about correct treatment of each other - my guess is that under these circumstances it has been every man out for himself and each of them grasped for whatever satisfaction they could - at the expense of anyone and everyone; and what Moses tells them here - is STOP IT! Begin treating each other with respect. Obviously this is a baby-steps kind of move but it is in the direction that God wishes to bring them.

Nehemiah is a new book today for us, and we read in the opening section of Nehemiah's prayer:

And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, "The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire."

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, "O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. (Nehemiah 1:2-6)

The reading in Romans today is one of my all time favorites; I commend it to your reading. Paul speaks eloquently about the salvation of God - open to all who believe and redeeming all the Israelite and Gentile through Christ. Thank you Jesus.

Today’s readings: Psalm 75, Exodus 20:18-21:11, Nehemiah 1, Romans 11

Through the Bible in one year - Day 74

Psalm 74:4

Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place;

they set up their own signs for signs

It is interesting to me to think of signs in this Psalm. If we are travelling and need to look for directions we are at the mercy of those who put up the signs. How dangerous to us, it would be if evil people put the signs up; if they put them up with evil intent we could easily lose our way or find ourselves in danger!

And then in verses 19-20:

Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts;

do not forget the life of your poor forever.

Have regard for the covenant,

for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.

In Exodus today we read of the giving of the 10 Commandments. This is particularly fitting, I think in relation to this Psalm; where the psalmist asks for protection from those who would harm and subvert the Lords justice, and her is God giving the rules for safe passage - for safe living among ourselves.

My husband and I have another name for these commandments, we see them as the 10 freedoms. How much easier it is to 'worry' about only One God - and not try to appease all the little household Gods - or to keep up with the Jones' or the Trumps or whomever it is you aspire to be like. You have a right to a day off - and you are not enslaved to the world's demands for productivity, you can just spend time with the Lord - and relax and BE - not DO. Give honor to your parents - and you also deserve honor from your children - how nice this is in families when we see this in practice! Now, we see some of the other freedoms - you have a right to your stuff - no one can take it from you - not your things, or your spouse or your life! And people will not tell lies about you; this indeed is true freedom. There wouldn't be any dangerous or misleading signs from people who uphold these commandments.

In Ezra, we find the Israelites turning back to the Lord after having been out of covenant with him; in this time the Israelites had abandoned these commandments of God and put other people and things in place of God and before their relationship with God...things hadn't been going well for them and they began to see these commandments as the freedoms that God intended. (These are my thoughts today as I read the passages together.)

Now, as I read the passage in Romans today I see that we bring these ideas together. Paul writes:

But what does [righteousness based on faith] say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." (10:8-11)

and a little bit further he says: So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (verse 10:17)

I say, let us then, by faith live into the freedom of God's kingdom, here in our lives now.

Today’s readings: Psalm 74, Exodus 20:1-17, Ezra 10, Romans 9:30-10:21

Through the Bible in one year - Day 73

Psalm 73:25

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

In Exodus we read that this has been 3 months; on the third new moon...(verse 1) and what does Moses tell the people – that if they do what the Lord commands and remember all that he has done for them they will be his treasured possession among all the peoples. And the people reply YES we will do all that the Lord commands. We’ll see...

Ezra 9:10-14

"And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, which you commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, "The land that you are entering, to take possession of it, is a land impure with the impurity of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations that have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness. Therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever." And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this, shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be angry with us until you consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?”

According to Ezra the Israelites didn’t keep the commandments, and yet were not punished as they deserved. How often do we hear the lament ‘that’s not fair’? And yet in this case fair would have been worse – fair is not justice. The Lord does not punish as we deserve, he is merciful.

Romans 9:8

This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

As indeed he says in Hosea,

"Those who were not my people I will call "my people,"

and her who was not beloved I will call "beloved."

26"And in the very place where it was said to them, "You are not my people,"

there they will be called "sons of the living God." (verses 25-26)

Paul says in his letter to the Romans that God gets to be God – and we do not; we aren’t the ones to tell the creator what we will or will not do, and yet in all that, God wishes us to be adopted into his family, not by our own merit or the lineage we ‘possess’ but rather out of his love for us.

Today’s readings: Psalm 73, Exodus 19, Ezra 9, Romans 9:1-29

Through the Bible in one year - Day 72

Psalm 72:19

Blessed be his glorious name forever;

may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

Amen and Amen!

Exodus 18:7

And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent.

This is such an ordinary line- they meet after being separated –and certainly unsure of if they would be reunited and they are finally brought back together, and what does our chronicler write? “They asked after each other and their welfare.” This is what we do after a separation we get caught up and sometimes everyone is talking at once – so what better way to describe this reunion? Then we read of the judging of Israel and of Moses’ burden. His father-in-law has heard of God and determined that God is greater than all the other little gods and is ready to worship and make offerings – and with his practiced managerial eye he tells Moses – look you can’t do it alone (as if yesterday’s lesson hadn’t yet sunk in) you need help; and Moses listens to the advice and appoints people to judge issues between people, up until the point where they actually needed Moses to intervene and go to God for an answer.

In Ezra we are reading of the return of the exiles – while above in Exodus these exiles haven’t yet been brought to a place of their own. They still need to learn, listen and leave Egypt behind. At present our Israelites in Exodus are still ready to turn back at the first sign of discomfort, while our returned exiles in Ezra’s time are willing to do anything they can to stay free. I can see that we need to know what freedom is before we are willing to give our all to keep it. Our Egyptian slaves do not remember anything but being in captivity.

What we hear from Paul supports this idea of mine – he says his present suffering will not compare to his anticipated glorious future. Without this knowledge and hope we are quick to fall back to wishing for slavery – where we knew what to expect – we might not have liked it but we understood it. As Paul goes on, he describes the help of the Holy Spirit by whom we receive hope and strength. Here is what he says in verses 24-25: Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

 We need this help in order to hope for what we do not see or in the Israelites’ case – have never seen or even heard of.

 This is what Paul says at the end of this chapter:

If God is for us, who can be against us? (verse 31) And then these wonderful assurances:

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (verse 38-39)

Today’s readings: Psalm 72, Exodus 18, Ezra 8, Romans 8:18-39