"MY SOUL LONGS FOR ..." Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings - March 11th

“MY SOUL LONGS FOR … “

     These are the first words in our Psalms reading; what does your soul long for, is it the same as the Psalmist?  We read, “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.  My eyes long for your promise …” (Ps.119 v.81,82) There is real urgency in his expressions – do we share that sense of urgency?

     Then we come to 3 extra-special verses (v.97-99) it would be good to memorize.  They start, “O how love I your law! It is my meditation all the day; your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.  I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.”  God’s law is to be loved, to be meditated upon – and the result of doing this, the Psalmist says, “I hold back my feet from every evil way in order to keep your word.” [v.101]

     His next thoughts are, “ … you have taught me.  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth … therefore I hate every false way.”  The Psalmist continues, “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” [v.111]   The “law” that the Israelites were expected to “love” was no set of ‘thou shalt not’s.   Jesus found them “sweet” and as we read Luke ch. 2 we pondered the conversation that the 12 year old Jesus had in the temple – where Mary and Joseph eventually found him “sitting among the teachers … asking them questions.  And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” [v.46,47]

     The chapter concludes in this lovely way, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature (or years) and in favour with God and man.” May we all do the same, although it is becoming increasingly difficult to increase in favour with our fellow humans because of the great God-less state of the world that is now around us, but this will lead us to say with greater and greater fervency and meaning, “My soul longs for your salvation.”    

"SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR" Thoughts from Today's Bible Readings - March 10th

“SERVE HIM WITHOUT FEAR”

     These words are taken from the inspired speech of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist.  Because he did not believe the angel who appeared to him in the Temple he had been made dumb, then when the child is born and there is pressure to call him Zechariah, the father’s “tongue is loosed and he spoke blessing God.  And fear came upon all their neighbours” [Luke 1 v.65]  The sense of ‘fear’ does not mean being scared or afraid, but to be in awe.

     Today’s chapter then tells us that “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied …” [v.67]  It is a prophecy about the coming task of his newborn son “who will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways” [v.76]

     Compared to human expectations God’s time frame for action  is exceedingly slow: it had been some 400 years since God had sent the last prophet (Malachi) to his nation, but, as Zechariah now says, “the Lord God … spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us …” [v.70,71]   

     Because they rejected his Son, God delayed the fulfilment of this – to our days – but “time” from God’s perspective is so different; but isn’t it remarkable the deliverance that the re-born nation of Israel has experienced since 1948 in being “saved … from the hand of all who hate (them)”!!

      Deliverance needs to be assessed from several perspectives; there is deliverance from fear of evil men and deliverance from sin and death  John and then Jesus came to “give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” [v.79]

     How clearly are we seeing the “light” and letting it “guide our feet”?   There are so many traps these days as to where we can put our “feet” – in a spiritual sense of course. How many appreciated the “light”  they were seeing in the words of John and Jesus?  They all stumbled and fell.  By his grace, those with genuine hearts were pulled to their feet again.  May we have genuine hearts and clearly see the light, only then can we “serve him without fear.” .   

"MESSENGER OF SATAN" Bible Readings Thoughts for March 9th

“MESSENGER OF SATAN””                                                                                            

                                                                                                             

     The conclusion of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians illustrates how Paul was thankful in a way, that “a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated” [v.7]. Who gave it to him?   The point is, he sees this “messenger” as being part of the will of God.

    We cannot be sure what this “thorn” was, some disability, many say it was probably poor eyesight.  Turn on 2 or 3 pages and look at the last chapter of Galatians, Paul writes “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand” [v.11], this indicates difficulty in writing which would most likely be caused by poor eyesight.  This handicap, whatever it was, stopped him from being too elated and so he says, “for the sake of Christ then I am content with weaknesses …” 

     But why is it called “a messenger of Satan”?  It is a figure of speech to describe adversity. Satan is a Hebrew word, and many times in the Old Testament it is translated as “adversary” and a particular person is named. It is adversity that brings out the best in disciples!   All ‘strengths’ need to be tested to make sure they are really strong for the task they are designed for.  Peter was a “satan” to Jesus (Mark 8 v.33), he tested Jesus’ resolve to do his Father’s will.

     In completing his letter Paul expresses the fear that when he comes “I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced” (12 v.21)  There is the blunt request (13 v.5) “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you” (13 v.9).

  The fleshly atmosphere in Corinth seems to have been very much like that in world today, More than ever we need God’s word IN our thoughts every day as a defence against the fleshly attitudes all around us. 

   Paul says, don’t you realize Christ is IN you?  Those who are baptised must realize this – every day. We prove that Christ is in us by becoming more and more like our Lord and Master in the way we think and act.  Note Paul’s conclusion, “Finally brothers (& sisters), rejoice … comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace” [v.11]

"NOT TO US. O LORD"

“NOT TO US O LORD”

     Our Psalm 115 reading starts, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory …”  Human nature is such that all glorying – that is, praising, worshipping and adulation, reflects back, at least in some measure, on themselves, there is enjoyment in doing it – television reports repeatedly illustrate this.

     The Psalmist is conscious of this human tendency – and his Psalm should be seen as a prayer about ‘escaping’ from the inclination to do this.   He proceeds to observe that “those who make them (idols) become like them, so do all who trust in them.”[v.8]  And so the spirit of human adulation operates in a reflective way – back to the worshippers.  But “not to us O LORD” – our worship, our prayers, ascend to heaven, to the throne of grace – let us make sure they are said in a genuine ‘Christ-like’ spirit.

     Paul makes a vital point in today’s 9^th chapter of 2^nd Corinthians.  He writes about how believers, when necessary, should help each other in a “material” way making the point, “each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” [v.7]  He then adds, “and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever” [v.8,9]  

     Spiritually – we see all giving as giving to the Lord – and all receiving – as receiving from the Lord.  This is an attitude which human nature can undermine, but our daily reading and reflection on God’s word is a ‘cure’ that prevents this so that, as a result, we truly feel in our hearts, “Not to us O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory”

"WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD" Thoughts from the Bible Readings for March 6th

“WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD”                                                                                                                                                           

    We often think of the occasion the disciples showed Jesus the grandeur of the Temple (Mark 13 v.1,2). What was in their minds?  They, like their fellow Jews, were proud of it.  Jesus totally shocked them by saying it was all going to be destroyed! 

    Now in today’s reading in 2^nd Corinthians (chs.5, 6 & 7) Paul shows how a new kind of Temple had been “erected”.   God seeks to dwell in a new ‘Most Holy Place’ and this development is the most important thing in the life of a believer. 

    Paul writes, “we are the temple of the living God, as God has said …” [Ch. 6 v.16]. He then quotes the words of God we will read later this month in Leviticus (ch.26 see v.11,12) of the blessings to come if they follow his precepts.   We specially notice God’s words to Moses that Paul felt he could ‘powerfully’ quote in his letter?

    “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Therefore go out from their midst and be separate from them … then I will welcome you and I will be a father to you and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” [v.16-18]  

    What are they to go out from?  They had left the fleshpots of Egypt, but sadly many now wanted to return. Paul then paraphrases the words in Leviticus,  “since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit bringing holiness to completion in the fear (awe) of God” [Ch.7 v.1]  How incomplete is my holiness – we must each ask ourselves? 

    In recognising that our minds and hearts are the spiritual temple in which God seeks to live – indeed – is now living - we must each ask ourselves - what occupied my mind yesterday, will there be a change today in the things I think about and meditate upon?  It is vital that we are positive in reacting to this challenge – how utterly wonderful to have God in our very being, watching over us!   We therefore see how important it is that we read God’s word every day, for  isn’t that what should happen in “the temple of the living God.”. 

" ... IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY"

2 Cor 4 Paul speaks of the wonderful gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we have received by mercy.

And because of this, "we faint (weary) not", he continues "but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed DAY BY DAY".  We have an echo straight back to the words of Jesus "Give us DAY BY DAY our daily bread", and as I am sure we are aware, Jesus' words don't just speak of the literal bread but also of the spiritual bread of the word (the manna).

Which again takes us to the words of our Master:
"And Jesus..., saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Pray that we feast on the spiritual food which is there for us if we will give the time and effort to open the word, study, meditate upon it and apply it to our lives DAY BY DAY.
“… IS BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY”

     What interesting and, in some ways, challenging readings we had this morning: first, we read of the detailed guidance given in Moses’ law as to what could be eaten – and what avoided.  Also – what happened to make articles of wood, garments and vessels “unclean” and whether cleansing was possible. [Lev. 11 v.32-35 &c] Here is valuable advice on hygiene which were not re-discovered until less than 200 years ago. But spiritual hygiene is even more important!

     Then we came to Psalm 110, so often quoted in the New Testament. Christ brought to an end the Mosaic law, he nailed it to his cross ( Col. 2 v.14)  and instead became “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” [v.4]  His role as that Priest will one day, maybe very soon, become powerfully evident for the next verses read, “”The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs (leaders) …” [v.5,6]

     When we come to Paul’s 2^nd letter to the Corinthians we specially note his point that believers must “let light shine out of darkness” because it “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” [Ch, 4 v.6].,  So let us shine spiritually – and as a result of this shining we have seen “grace extend(s) to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” {v.15,16]

     An essential part of that daily renewal is to feed our minds on God’s word, we have seen this today, “for we walk by faith, not by sight … for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil”  [5 v.7,10]  Note – he speaks of the body, Paul told the Thessalonians, “Encourage one another, and build one another up” [1 Thess 5 v.11] Let us walk with ever firmer and surer steps as we feed and are “renewed day by day” and seek ways to renew each other.

"I WILL BE SANCTIFIED" Bible Reading Thoughts for March 4th

We read today wonderful words of comfort:

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (2 Cor 1)

The word comfort and it's gk root is used x10 in x5 verses in this 1st ch. And is further repeated throughout this letter. The root is from x2 gk words, one = near and the other = near, therefore the gk has the idea and intent, to call near for a purpose, ie to comfort, to exhort, to teach, to provoke.

We see in its usage that this is done by brethren:
Barnabas see the grace of God in the number of those who turned to God in Antioch, and was glad and EXHORTED/COMFORTED, that with all purpose of heart they should cleave/hold fast unto Christ (Acts 11:23)
Paul and Barnabas strengthened the brethren, and EXHORTED/COMFORTED them to continue in the faith (Acts 14:22)
Paul sent Timothy to establish/strengthen the brethren in Thessalonica COMFORT/EXHORT them concerning their faith (1 Thess 3:2)

Let us never forget the impact we can have on anothers faith (both +vely and -vely), let never cease to be there to support and comfort our brothers and sisters, until the day of our Masters return.
I WILL BE SANCTIFIED                                                                                                                                     

‘Sanctified’ means recognized as holy, set apart from the commonplace; treating a situation or place with all reverence.  Above all, this must be our attitude toward God.  In our Leviticus reading today we see the dramatic and disastrous result of a failure to do this.

Imagine being there with all the wonder of the tabernacle and the manifestation of the actual presence of God as worship in it began!  We read “the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offerings … [9 v.23,24].  As a result human attitudes of reverence and humility should have been paramount.  The reaction at the time was totally understandable, “they shouted and fell on their faces” [v.24].

Aaron had 4 sons, all were involved in assisting their father and today’s chapter tells us how tragedy overwhelmed two of them.  In the way we speak today we might judge that their position of importance went to their head!  Nadab and Abihu “each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD which he had not commanded them” [10 v.1]

The result was terrifying for they “died before the LORD” as fire from him “consumed them” [v.2]  Moses then says to Aaron, “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified” [v.3] 

There is a vital lesson here for everyone who seeks to serve God and have a close relationship with him: this applies to Christians just as much as to Israelites. Several examples of a failure to do this come to mind.  One is the practice of christening of babies in many churches which is not mentioned in the Bible – or even hinted at – instead the followers of Christ practiced baptism, which is described as “an appeal to God for a good conscience” [1 Peter 3 v.21]  Another, is the teaching of people of a “different gospel” to “distort the gospel of Christ.” [Galatians 1 v.v.6,7]  Paul says, “let him be accursed” [v.9] who does that – and this is what happened to two of the sons of Aaron. A most important lesson for us as we follow Christ and the Apostles, doing so in ways which truly follow the example they set and the words they preached.