I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day, or more. in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
Those who place their hopes for the future on wicked mortals will discover that their hopes come to nothing because no matter how powerful everyone dies. Only by when we place our hopes in God can we see lasting results.
The psalmist warns that while we may guard against external dangers, the real threats to a country is the wickedness within it. When we as a people no longer turn to God, wickedness rises up within us to destroy us. Friends and companions turn against each other. It is no longer possible to trust those who should be our closest, most trusted companions. People think nothing of breaking promises and using smooth words to fool others into trusting them, then betraying that trust when it suits them. This happens when people do not fear the Lord. Yet even though people do not fear God, He will hold them accountable. Those who give their burdens to God will be cared for. God will care for the godly. He will not permit them to slip and fall.
The most reliable early manuscripts of Mark end with verse eight. The ending seems abrupt and many think there must have been more, although none are sure if any of what later manuscripts contain is that more. Today, I like the way the passage ends at verse eight. When the women were confronted with the announcement that Jesus had risen from the dead, they were bewildered and frightened. The same thing often happens to us when God begins moving in our lives. We are bewildered and frightened. God takes us out of our comfort zones and we find that disconcerting. Oftentimes we would prefer staying in a place of grief and depression rather than accept what God is doing if it means leaving where we are comfortable. The good news of the Gospel is that if we are willing to listen to God, He does not leave us trembling and bewildered.
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Despite the way in which Moses handled Korah’s rebellion the people blamed him for the deaths. As a result of their continued rebellion, a plague broke out among the people. Aaron and Moses acted quickly to stem the plague getting in among the people, between those with the plague and those who were still healthy. Once this crisis had been averted, God instructed Moses on how to settle the problems for people. The people were to bring Moses twelve wooden staffs, one for the leader of each tribe of Israel. They inscribed the name of the leader of each tribe on a separate staff, with Aaron’s name being inscribed on the staff representing the tribe of Levi. Moses then placed the staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark of the Covenant. In the morning, Moses retrieved the staffs. Each of the leaders claimed his staff. Aaron’s staff had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds. The rest of the staffs were still staffs.