For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

    It is better to live humbly with barely enough, than to live with great wealth among the proud. However, if you are willing to humbly listen to instruction you will not need to live in poverty for long. Trust in God and do as He commands and you will find joy.

    Do we share the psalmist’s joy at being invited to join others in worshiping and serving God? My first thought every time I read this psalm is about how much joy there is in joining others to serve God, or even just to worship God (which is a form of service). However, I feel a call to follow the psalmist’s request to pray for peace in Jerusalem. I am convinced that if God were to bring peace to Jerusalem in my lifetime, many would stand in awe of His power and worship Him. I will pray for peace in Jerusalem.

    When the Holy Spirit came on the disciples on Pentecost, many of those who witnessed it thought they were drunk. Am I willing to let the Holy Spirit control my actions such that those around me think I am behaving foolishly (as if I am drunk)? Peter explained to the crowds what was actually happening and many came to follow the Lord. However, the first step was allowing the Holy Spirit to make all of them look foolish. So, once more, let us ask ourselves, are we willing to let the Holy Spirit make us look foolish so that we can reach those who have not yet met Jesus?
    As important as the story of the day of Pentecost is, Luke’s account of what the believers did following it is at least as important. The believers met together and shared their possessions with those in need. However, they did not meet in private. They met at the Temple. That is, they met in public where anyone could join them. Not only could anyone join them, their meetings were held where they would be witnessed by many who had not yet joined them. The believers did not act in secret. All could see what they taught, and said, and did. Let us live so openly.

    As I read David’s song of deliverance, my first thought was how wonderful to have such a great God to whom I can cry out for deliverance. When we cry out to God in our distress, He will come to our rescue. However, I also thought, I do not want to be one of the obstacles between God and those who have cried out to Him for deliverance. I want to be faithful so that God shows His faithfulness to me. I want to live with integrity so that God reveals His integrity to me. I want to be pure so that I can see God’s purity. I do not want to see the hostile face which God turns to the wicked.
    David begins his song by speaking of the protection which God offers us and the security within which He shelters us. However, David reminds us that God does not call for us to cower in His protection. No, God gives us the strength to crush the armies arrayed against us. He will give us the ability to scale the walls which stand in our way. God will give us the strength and the ability to overcome any obstacles that stand in the way of accomplishing the mission which He has given us.