Monday 2 June 2014

TFTD - 02 June 2014 - Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings

02 June 2014

Joshua 19
Isaiah 25
Hebrews 8; 9

"... TO SAVE THOSE WHO …”

Let us link up the closing words of our reading in Hebrews [Hebrews 9] “Christ … will appear a second time … to save those who  are eagerly waiting for him” with the words God gave to Isaiah, in today’s chapter 25, which we referred to yesterday.  This describes the time when God “will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth …”  It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him … let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” [Isaiah 25:8-9]

How eagerly are we waiting?  Is the world around us full of ways of living that attract us, things that largely or fully occupy our minds?  Yes, we have to live in the world and earn our living, but are we keenly interested in the vision God’s word provides for us that goes far beyond the present materialistic way of thinking and doing?

We are forced to admit that this computer communication age, which is very helpful in many ways, is also very distracting – do we need to allow it to be totally distracting?  The more our minds feed on God’s word the more we will be attracted to that word.  In that coming day, the LORD tells us through Isaiah, the redeemed will say, “O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you … for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure … Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.” [Isaiah 25:1,3]

At that time those who have been “eagerly waiting” and showing this by their priorities in life will “be glad and rejoice”. Peter in his 1st epistle, which we will soon read,  expresses this powerfully, “Though you do not now see him, you believe him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith …” [1 Peter 1:8-9]  Imagine the joy?  Imagine the glory?

Finally, note the point Paul made earlier in Hebrews 9!  “How much more will the blood of Christ who … offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” [Hebrews 9:14]   If we do not sense our progress in that purifying and, as a result, serving, then we have to ask ourselves, ‘Do I genuinely belong to Christ?’
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- DC


Thought for the Day

02 June 2014

"Fortification by the Word is much more than the useful exercise of learning a number of proof texts by heart. It involves the assimilation of divine principles from the Word. A mind that has received instruction from the Scriptures understands the ways of God, and learns to trust God implicitly."

- Peter Watkins
The Inspired Scriptures - Our Sure Foundation (1962)

Isaiah 25 - a wonderful vision of hope of the day of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ:

"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; WE HAVE WAITED for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; WE HAVE WAITED for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

As a people called out, and waiting for our Master and coming King, let us look to the instruction to those who wait:

Psalm 25
"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I WAIT all the day"

Psalm 27
"WAIT on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD"

Psalm 130:5
"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth WAIT, and in his word do I hope"

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