God's Word For Every Day
Notes for a three-year journey through the whole Bible
Wednesday 15 May 2024
Teach us, Lord, to obey Your Word. Lead us on the pathway of blessing (prayers based on Ezekiel 5 - 8)..
Ezekiel 5:1-6:14
‘Because you have defiled My sanctuary... I
Myself will withdraw My favour’ (Ezekiel 5:11). To those who despise
Your Word and treat the place of prayer with contempt, Jesus still
speaks His Word of judgment: ‘My House will be called a House of prayer,
but you have made it a den of thieves’ (Matthew 21:13). Lord, You’re
warning us: ‘You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember the
height from which you have fallen! Return to Me and change the way you
think and act. If you don’t change, I will come to you and remove your
lamp from its place’ (Revelation 2:4-5). When, Lord, You remove Your
blessing, there is nothing left but ‘a desolate waste’ (Ezekiel 6:14).
Help us to make sure that we don’t become like Samson - ‘“I will go out
as at other times, and shake myself free.”He did not know that the Lord
had left him’ (Judges 16:20).
Ezekiel 7:1-8:18
‘This is what
the Sovereign Lord says to the land of Israel: The end!’ (Ezekiel 7:2).
Why, Lord, did You say, ‘This is “the end? ”’You had been taking a good
look at what was going on among His people: ‘the utterly detestable
things the house of Israel is doing here, things that will drive Me far
from My sanctuary’ (Ezekiel 8:6). You came to this conclusion - ‘This is
the end of the road. It’s the end of the time of blessing. It’s now
time for judgment’: ‘The end is now upon you and I will unleash My anger
against you. I will judge you according to... all your detestable
practices...’ (Ezekiel 7:3-4). Why did You say, ‘This is “the end”’ -
the end of a time of blessing, the beginning of a time of judgment? The
answer is clear: If there is no obedience, there can be no blessing.
Disobedience can lead to only one thing - judgment. Teach us, Lord, to
obey Your Word. Lead us on the pathway of blessing.
Our Shepherd, Our Strength - The Lord Saves And Satisfies.
Blessed by the God of love, called to be “His people, the flock of
His pasture”we “praise” Him and “give thanks” to Him (Psalm 79:13). He
is our “Shepherd” (Psalm 80:1). He restores our soul. He leads us in the
paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake (Psalm 23). He is “our
Strength.” In Him, we rejoice with true happiness (Psalm 81:1). “All the
nations” belong to the Lord (Psalm 82:8). He is “the Most High God of
the whole earth” (Psalm 83:18). Those who know the Lord as their
Shepherd and their Strength, the One who “saves” (Psalm 80:19) and
“satisfies” (Psalm 81:16), are to pray and work, with the goal of
bringing others to the knowledge of Him.
From Victory To Victory
Numbers 21:1-35
The Israelites are journeying with the Lord. He is leading them from victory to victory. Salvation for Israel, salvation from the God of Israel, the true and living God, meant “destruction” (Numbers 21:3) for those who opposed God and His people – “How horrible it is for you, Moab! You are destroyed, you people of the god Chemosh” (Numbers 21:29). If there is to be real blessing among God’s people, we must face conflict and overcome opposition from God’s enemies.
The Israelites are journeying with the Lord. He is leading them from victory to victory. Salvation for Israel, salvation from the God of Israel, the true and living God, meant “destruction” (Numbers 21:3) for those who opposed God and His people – “How horrible it is for you, Moab! You are destroyed, you people of the god Chemosh” (Numbers 21:29). If there is to be real blessing among God’s people, we must face conflict and overcome opposition from God’s enemies.
Saturday 27 April 2024
I’d Rather Have Jesus Than Silver Or Gold.
Daniel 5:1-31
We are not to ‘praise the gods of gold and silver...’(4). Material possessions must never take the place of God. Seeking material prosperity is not to be the most important thing in our lives. We are to ‘seek first His Kingdom...’. We are to ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’(Matthew 6:33; 2 Peter 3:18). ‘I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather be His than have riches untold...I’d rather have Jesus... than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin’s dread sway. I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today. I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause, I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy Name’(Mission Praise, 319).
Daniel 6:1-28
‘He is the living God and He endures for ever; His Kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end’(26). He is the living God. He is also the loving God - ‘His love endures forever’(Psalm 136). He is the King. He is a very special kind of king. He is ‘the King of Love’. The coming of God’s Kingdom will be the victory of His love: ‘Kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of the Lord: Love has the victory for ever!’. We enjoy the victory of His love as we lift our hearts to Him in worship: ‘Who can see Your greatest Gift and fail to worship You?’. We enjoy the victory of His love as we give our lives to Him in service: ‘Let us labour for the Master... Let us talk of all His wondrous love...’(Church Hymnary, 388; Mission Praise, 86,759).
We are not to ‘praise the gods of gold and silver...’(4). Material possessions must never take the place of God. Seeking material prosperity is not to be the most important thing in our lives. We are to ‘seek first His Kingdom...’. We are to ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’(Matthew 6:33; 2 Peter 3:18). ‘I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I’d rather be His than have riches untold...I’d rather have Jesus... than to be the king of a vast domain and be held in sin’s dread sway. I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today. I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause, I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause; I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I’d rather be true to His holy Name’(Mission Praise, 319).
Daniel 6:1-28
‘He is the living God and He endures for ever; His Kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end’(26). He is the living God. He is also the loving God - ‘His love endures forever’(Psalm 136). He is the King. He is a very special kind of king. He is ‘the King of Love’. The coming of God’s Kingdom will be the victory of His love: ‘Kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of the Lord: Love has the victory for ever!’. We enjoy the victory of His love as we lift our hearts to Him in worship: ‘Who can see Your greatest Gift and fail to worship You?’. We enjoy the victory of His love as we give our lives to Him in service: ‘Let us labour for the Master... Let us talk of all His wondrous love...’(Church Hymnary, 388; Mission Praise, 86,759).
Jesus changes people ...
Mark 2:13-3:12
Jesus
changes people. Levi became Matthew (14). He became 'a new creation' (2
Corinthians 5:17). The change of name marked his new birth (John 3:6).
To be changed by Jesus you must recognize yourself as a sinner (17).
There is a world of difference between legal obedience - 'old wine' -
and Gospel obedience - 'new wine' (21-22). There is an eternity of
difference between belonging to God's Kingdom and remaining outside of
His Kingdom (John 3:3,5,7). The religion of the Pharisees was
legalistic. The obedience of Jesus was spiritual. Will we follow Jesus,
or will we be like these 'religious' men who planned 'to destroy Him'
(6)? It is sadly possible to participate in 'religion', professing faith
in 'the Son of God', in an 'unclean spirit' (11). Prompted by the Holy
Spirit, let us truly confess that 'Jesus is Lord' (1 Corinthians 12:3).
Mark 3:13-35
The
conflict intensifies. The 'twelve' are 'sent...to cast out demons'
(14-15). Jesus is accused of being demon-possessed (22). Jesus warns
against 'an eternal sin' - blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (28-30).
With the offer of forgiveness - 'the blood of Jesus...cleanses us from
all sin' - , there is the call to 'confess our sins' (1 John 1:7,9). 'If
we say we have no sin' (1 John 1:8,10) and no need of Jesus Christ as
our Saviour, we resist the Holy Spirit who seeks to convict us of our
sin and lead us to the Saviour (John 16:8-9,14). Are you anxious about
'an unpardonable sin' ? Let the Holy Spirit lead you to the Saviour.
Take your sin to Jesus, and let His 'perfect love cast out your fear' (1
John 4:17). Do you think you cannot be forgiven ? God's thoughts are
'higher': 'Return to the Lord...He will abundantly pardon' (Isaiah
55:6-9).
Proverbs 4:1-9
This
is 'a father's instructions' to his 'sons' (1). The father has been a
'son' (3). He has wrestled with temptation. He has needed the
exhortation - 'Let your heart hold fast...' (4) - and the warning - 'Do
not turn away...' (5). Now, we turn to the divine Father and Son. The
Father does not keep His distance from us. Through the Son, He has come
near to us. Through the Son, we come to the Father (John 14:9,6). When
Scripture says, 'Get wisdom' (7), it means this: 'Come to the Father
through Jesus the Son'. Wisdom brings 'a beautiful crown', 'the crown of
righteousness', 'the unfading crown of glory' (9; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1
Peter 5:4). Be wise. Be ready for the Lord's Return (Matthew 25:1-13).
'Purer...higher...greater - Our wonder, our worship, when Jesus we see!'
(Church Hymnary, 374).
Don't forget God's love ...
Exodus 15:22-16:36
God
allows His people to suffer difficulties. Why? - To strengthen our
faith (15:25; 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:2,16; 1 Peter 1:6-7). He chastens us,
to teach us repentance (Revelation 3:19). Don't forget God's love. He is
faithful: 'He didn't bring us this far to leave us'. He shows us His
glory (7). He assures us that He is God (12). He provides us with 'daily
bread' (4). Yesterday's 'bread' is insufficient for today's challenges
(19-20). 'Morning by morning', the 'bread' is to be gathered (21;
Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus is the Living Bread (John 6:32-35,48-51).
Feed on Him each day. Don't invite spiritual starvation by missing days.
If you miss some days, don't let it continue. Remember: 'Seven days
without prayer makes one weak'! 'How long has it been since you talked
with the Lord?' Too long? It is time to pray and feed on Jesus!
Exodus 17:1-18:27
Worldly
people create problems (17:3). Moses asks, 'What shall I do...?'
(17:4). Indecision asks, 'Is the Lord among us or not?' (17:7). He gives
victory (17:8-9,13). Joshua is being equipped for special service - 'in
the ears of Joshua' (17:14). God's great concern is that His people
move forward together. The work is not to be left to the few (18). God
is looking to faithful servants who will 'bear the burden' together
(21-22). There is much to be done, but we must never forget this:
'prayer and the ministry of the Word' (Acts 6:1-4). You may not be a
Moses or a Joshua, but you can play your part. We rejoice in who God is
and what He has done for us. Assured of His presence with us, let us
worship Him: 'Blessed be the Lord...' (18:10-11).
Exodus 19:1-25
Before
law, there is Gospel - what God has done for us (4). We are to obey in
the Spirit of grace, as those who have been redeemed by His mercy (5-6; 1
Peter 2:9-10). God's Word is not only for the leader. It is for the
whole people of God (3,7,9,11). God speaks to us concerning possession,
consecration and reverence. Possession - We are His 'own possession' (5). In love, He has claimed us for Himself. We belong to Him. Consecration - God is holy. We are to be holy (10,14; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Reverence
- Don't rush into God's presence, presuming on His blessing. We must
not take God's blessing for granted. That would be arrogance (21-22). We
must come to Him with this humble confidence: God will bless those who
truly call upon Him (2 Chronicles 7:14-16). May God help us to say, 'All
that the Lord has spoken we will do' (8).
Exodus 20:1-20
God
does not want to see sin in us (20). He wants to see Himself in us. Sin
robs us of His great blessing. He wants to fill us with love (Mark
12:28-31; Galatians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13). Before our love for
Him, there is His love for us. He is the God of redemption. He has
redeemed us. We are His people. This is His doing. All the glory belongs
to Him (1-2). We are to live as His people. He is to have first place
in our lives (3). The 'law' is 'holy' and 'good', but it cannot make us
holy and good - without 'the new life of the Spirit' (Romans 7:12,6:
8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:3). 'Moses' cannot save! There is only one Saviour -
Jesus! Not under law, we yield ourselves to the God of salvation
(Romans 6:13-14). Our obedience comes from faith in Christ - not
legalism (Romans 1:5-6)! Our holiness comes from the Spirit (Galatians
5:22-23).
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