Daniel's Visions, Thursday, September 20, 2012

Today's reading is Daniel 7 and 8. 

"I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. ll Then I got up and went about the king's business.  I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding."  Daniel 8:27

Spiritual Exile, September 18 and 19, 2012

Today's reading is Psalm 44, 74, 79, 80, 85, 89, 102, 106, 123 and 137.  These Psalms tell of the disgrace and shame the Israelites feel from their exile.  There were those who were righteous and who were punished with the nation.  In this way, they are likened to Job who suffered extreme loss, though sinless.  For most, however, the punishment was well deserved.  They still cried out about their innocence and the injustice of their punishment.

In Psalm 44 they complained:
"All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant.  Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. . . .  If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god. . . ."

 

 

The Lord Speaks, Monday, September 17, 2012

Today's reading is Job 38-42.  Don't you get goosebumps when you get to this part?

"Who is that that darkens my counsel
     with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
     I will question you,
     and you shall answer me."  Job 38:1-3

Job can only pledge to say no more.  A wise move!

 

 

 

Elihu Waited, Sunday, September 16, 2012

Today's reading is Job 32-37.  Elihu was wise to wait.  But that's where his wisdom ended.  His silence was golden.  Trying to follow his logic shows him to be confused about the nature of God.  I am so grateful for God's Holy Word which reveals His nature and allows us to seek His wisdom. 

"Be assured that my words are not false;
one perfect in knowledge is with you."  Job 36:4 

Elihu's own words convict him of his pride and folly. 

Righteousness Impossible?, Saturday, September 15, 2012

Today's reading is Job 25-31.  Job must be very weary of all of this advice.  He is becoming quite sarcastic.

Eliphaz Again, Friday, September 14, 2012

Today's reading is Job 22-24.  Eliphaz again berates Job for his wickedness.  Does Eliphaz assume this is secret sin -- sin Job has tried to hide from his friends and from God?  He seems to believe that if Job repents and confesses, all his possessions will be restored.

Job Demands a Hearing, Thursday, September 13, 2012

Today's reading is Job 18-21. 

"I know that my Redeeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth."
Job 19:25

 

Eliphaz Again, Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Today's reading is Job 15-17.  Job is declared to be blameless and upright in Job 1:1.  He feared God and shunned evil.  You would have to suppose that his "friends" either didn't know him at all or had harbored great jealousy prior to his suffering.  Job says that if things were reversed he would encourage and comfort his friends.  Again he asserts his innocence.

Zophar, Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Today's reading is Job 11-14.  Job's friends are at a lose for encouraging words.  They insist that God has ". . .even forgotten some of your sin. . . ." so you (Job) should ". . .put away the sin that is in your hand. . . ."  I would have to agree with Job when he suggests that silence would be wisdom for these men.

Bildad, Monday, September 10, 2012

Today's reading is Job 8-10.

"How then can I dispute with him?  How can I find words to argue with him?"  Job 9:14
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Eliphaz, Sunday, September 9, 2012

Today's reading is Job 4-7.  Eliphaz decides that Job must be guilty because ". . .those who sow trouble reap it. . . ."   Job declares his innocence over and over.  Job lost his children, his possessions and also the support and respect of his friends. 

Job Did Not Sin, Saturday, September 8, 2012

Today's reading is Job 1-3.  After suffering the tragic loss of his children and most of his wealth, Job falls to the ground and worships.  He is able to praise the Lord even during his time of suffering.
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Most High God, Thursday, September 7, 2012

Today's reading includes Ezekiel 29, Daniel 4, Jeremiah 52 and II Kings 25.  During this election year especially, Nebuchadnezzar's proclamation in Daniel 4:16 is most appropriate:

"The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men."
 

Then later, in verses 36 and 37:

"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.  And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. . ."

Amen!

 

Ezekiel's Final Words, September 5/6, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 40-48. 

"Ezekiel's prophecy must surely give renewed hope to this downcast nation, yet his vision casts another image far beyond the time when the nation will be reestablished and the temple will be rebuilt.  This becomes clear when it is realized that the rebuilt temple will not have the physical beauty of the one which it replaces, and that the dimensions of the great temple described here are on a much grander scale than could possible be built in the soon-to-be-reconstructed city of Jerusalem."  Commentary from The Daily Bible for September 5.

Faith Tested by Fire, Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Today's reading is Daniel 3.  Meanwhile back in Babylon, God's faithful servants, Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego serve the Living God in the most amazing way!

". . .We want you to know that even if God does not rescue us, we will not worship or serve your gods. . . ."  Daniel 3:18

What Goes Around. . ., Monday, September 3, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 32 and 33.  Things do not look good for Egypt.  Repeatedly these words are repeated in various combinations:

They lie with the other uncircumcised warriors, who die by the sword.

New Life, Sunday, September 2, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 37-39.

". . .From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God."
Ezekiel 39:22

 

Restoration, Saturday, September 1, 2012

Today's reading is Ezekiel 33-36.  The children of Israel are unclean through the laws they have broken and the repulsive idols they have worshipped.  They have trusted in their own might, rather than the Lord's.  But the Messiah is coming.

Flight to Egypt, Friday, August 31, 2012

Today's reading is from II Kings 25; Jeremiah 40-44 and 51.  These passages are filled with assassinations and brutal murders.  The people in Judah seek guidance from the Lord through Jeremiah and then refuse to obey.  They continue their offensive actions and heap other evil onto them by idol worship. 

Grieving the Loss, August 29 and 30, 2012

These day's readings are the book of Lamentations.  Assumed to be written by Jeremiah, the writer of this book grieves over the losses suffered by the inhabitants of Jerusalem as well as the city itself.  While the writer cries with the suffering, he then beraids them for his own harsh treatment at their hand.