Someone who offers to guarantee a strangers debt is likely a bad risk, make sure that they are good for the debt. Don’t offer to guarantee a stranger’s debt unless you know that you are able to pay it.
Read this psalm and remember that God will stand beside us even when those we thought our friends turn on us as it describes. And let us never be like the psalmist’s enemies. God will save us if we are faithful to Him and recognize our need for Him.
In yesterday’s passage the writer wrote that the sacrifices under the old system were not able to purify people from sin, which was why they needed to be offered over and over again. In today’s passage he writes that Jesus by His death offered a sacrifice which does make us clean. Thus we are allowed into God’s presence. As a result, let us seek ways to build each other up, encouraging each other to love and good deeds. The writer points out, almost as an aside, that if we are going to encourage one another (and be encouraged) we need to meet together.
The writer than writes one of the most thorough debunking of the idea some people have that they can do whatever they like because of God’s grace. The writer tells us that if we deliberately and knowingly keep on sinning once we have learned God’s truth, there is no sacrifice left. We cannot be forgiven for sins we do not regret and we will not plan on repeating sins which we genuinely regret.
Ezekiel compares the kingdoms of Israel and Judah to two sisters. They both married, but lusted after other men. Rather than relying on God for protection, the kingdom of Israel sought a protective alliance with Assyria. The Assyrians responded by completely conquering the land and taking the people of the Northern Kingdom into captivity. The kingdom of Judah did not learn from Israel’s example. They, too, sought alliance with Assyria, surviving that alliance only because Assyria fell before it could conquer Judah. Then they sought a similar alliance with Babylon, but rather than be loyal even to Babylon, they rebelled against Babylon and sought the protection of Egypt. The point of all of this is that rather than trust God to protect them, they turned to various human powers for security. God warned them, but they chose their path and paid the price. Let us not make the same mistake.
It is foolish to ignore a parent’s discipline, no matter what your age. The wise learn from correction regardless of the source. Take advice where you can find it. Anyone who offers you advice has some wisdom you can learn from, only a fool has no advice to give.
We will, and do, face the sorts of accusations which the psalmist recounts. However, let us never stoop to the level of our accusers. Let us love them, even though they accuse us. Let us pray for them, even as they seek to destroy us. They will accuse us of persecuting the needy. They will claim that we curse others. Let us call out to God to protect us from such accusations and do the opposite even while they are saying these things about us.
Before Jesus began teaching at the Festival, no one was willing to publicly say anything good about Him. However, once He began teaching and preaching an interesting thing happened. More and more of the people became willing to declare that He must be the Messiah. It got to the point where the religious leaders decided to have Jesus arrested. They sent the Temple guards to arrest Him, but the guards were mesmerized by what He said and returned without doing so.
The point I am getting at is that when the Festival started people were afraid to talk about Jesus in a positive manner. Yet when He actually stood up and started to speak they became more emboldened. This is a lesson for us. Our society attempts to silence the Gospel message and threatens those who proclaim it. Yet if we stand up and boldly proclaim it other people will be emboldened to embrace that message. We will not avoid persecution by keeping quiet about our faith.
When Jonathan went with just his armor bearer to scout the Philistine camp he used an interesting method of deciding whether or not to attack. However, before that, he made his plans with the knowledge that he would only be successful with God’s help, and that with God’s help he could not fail. When he reached the point where he needed to determine if God was going to help him or not, he based his decision on the Philistine reaction to his presence. If the Philistines made it clear that they were going to do the smart thing and use the advantage of their position, he would return to the Israelite camp. If, on the other hand, the Philistines were foolish enough to allow him, and his armor bearer, to close with them, negating the advantage of their location, he would do so and attack. The Philistines chose the arrogant, foolish course of action. As a result, Jonathan and his armor bearer were able to disrupt the Philistine camp making the Philistine army vulnerable to the Israelite army. The key here was that Jonathan acted in faith and allowed God to direct his actions.
For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I am away from home on a business trip for a few days. I am pretty sure that I will still be able to complete these as my daily devotions, but I may be later than normal in getting them published. I would appreciate your prayers for me and my wife while I am travelling.
I strive to live as the psalmist describes. I will rely on God to defend me from the wicked. I will love them and pray for them, even if they slander me. I will not hold enmity against them, even when they seek to destroy me. If I do so I will not need to fear their curses because God’s blessings will overcome any curse they may cast.
The writer continues his theme that we do not need to have a guilty conscience for the sins we have committed. Christ’s sacrifice covers over our sins, allowing us to approach God directly. We no longer need any priest other than Jesus to intercede between us and God. Since Jesus is God, this means that we can approach God directly.
As a result of this we should seek to motivate each other to acts of love and to good works of all kinds. In order to do this we need to meet together with our fellow believers. There are those who believe that because they have a personal relationship with God and with Jesus they do not need to regularly join with their fellow believers. They are mistaken. We need the relationship with our fellow believers, both to encourage them and to be encouraged. If we do not spend time with fellow believers being influenced by them to more closely follow God, we will be influenced by the non-believers around us to drift away from God.
The people of Samaria and Jerusalem were not satisfied with being God’s people. They were not satisfied with the power and wealth that came from doing God’s will. Rather than follow God’s will, they sought to become client states of those two powers. Rather than trust in God for their security, they sought the protection of Assyria and then of Babylon. Do we make the same mistake? Do we seek the protection of earthly powers, rather than trusting in God for our security>
It is foolish to despise discipline. A wise person welcomes being corrected, that is how they become more wise. The godly will have treasure no matter how poor, but the wicked will earn trouble no matter how wealthy. Turn to the wise for good advice, the fool has nothing to offer. When I read the last proverb, I was reminded of the several men I have encountered who had been married multiple times who wanted to give me advice about marriage. My recommendation is to take advice from people who have succeeded, not from people who have demonstrated that they are unable to learn from their mistakes.
Let us follow the example of the psalmist. He loved his enemies, even though they fought against him for no reason. He prayed for them, despite the fact that they were trying to destroy him. If we do these things, God will cause the trouble our enemies try to make for us to fall upon them. The very fate they wish for us will be theirs. I will not hate those who attempt to destroy me, rather I will pity them and pray that they repent before it is too late. I know what fate awaits them if I have lived a life which makes their attacks unjustified.
When the religious and political leadership found that many of the people were saying that Jesus must be the Messiah they sent the Temple guards to arrest Him. Jesus told those around Him, including the guards and the leadership that He would only be there for a short time, then He would go away. When Jesus calls to us, we have a limited amount of time to answer His call. If we refuse to follow Him when He calls us and later we search for Him, we will not be able to find Him. If you are feeling God’s call today, do not delay, tomorrow may be too late.
Saul was camped with his army not far from where the Philistine army was camped. Jonathan decided to scout out the Philistine encampment. As he was scouting with just his armor bearer he came upon an outpost of the Philistine encampment that was atop a steep hill. Jonathan trusted God to guide him and give him victory. When the Philistines saw Jonathan and his armor bearer, rather than kill them as they approached their camp the Philistines challenged them to come up and fight them. Jonathan did so and killed those who stood before him, while his armor bearer guarded his back, killing those who attempted to outflank Jonathan. Jonathan’s attack threw the Philistine army into disarray allowing Saul to win a great victory that day.
Jonathan faced an enemy entrenched in a position that he could not hope to assail successfully. He trusted in God and waited for a sign from God to act. God made Jonathan’s enemies cocky and they gave away their advantage of position. God gave Jonathan the victory that day and He will do the same for us, even when our opposition seems to have all of the advantages.
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 in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
Ezekiel condemns the people of the kingdom of Judah for not learning from watching the disaster which struck the Northern Kingdom. Ezekiel compares idolatry to adultery. As I read this passage it struck me that Ezekiel was implying that sexual immorality is a form of idolatry and that idolatry leads to sexual immorality. Ezekiel condemned Judah for sacrificing their children to the idols they worshiped, much as our society today sacrifices children on the altar of convenience.
Our sins have been forgiven, there is no need for any more sacrifices. As a result of Jesus’ death we can enter into God’s presence without fear. Our spirit’s have been made clean by Christ’s blood and our bodies washed by the water of baptism. Let us seek ways to encourage one another to act out our love, the love instilled in us by God’s Spirit, and to do good works. In order to do this, we must gather together with our fellow believers on a regular basis. There are those who believe that they can live a life faithful to God in isolation from their fellow believers. They are mistaken. We need to meet with fellow believers on a regular basis in order to encourage others and to be encouraged.
The psalmist calls on God to protect him because his enemies are telling lies about him. Despite the fact that he has done good for them they are attempting to destroy him. They tell lies about him claiming that he is deserving of misfortune because he has refused kindness to others and persecuted the poor and needy. They claim that he hounded the brokenhearted to death. They condemn him for acts which he never committed and deny the good things he has done.
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As I read this psalm, it occurred to me that this is something that those who refuse to accept God often speak of those who strive to serve God. When we hear someone who calls for righteous behavior condemned for being uncaring and/or evil we should carefully look at those who are making the accusations. Are those doing the accusing guilty of the things which they accuse others of doing? When you hear bad things about someone, consider the source. It is amazing how often I have heard someone tell me bad things about someone, only to realize that the source does not consider those things bad when practiced by those with whom they agree…which leads me to wonder if the person being talked about has actually done that which they are being accused of (all too often I discover that while the person has done what they are being accused of, it only becomes a source of opprobrium when it is taken out of context. In context is is actually a reason for approbation).
I just realized that this proverb does not condemn guaranteeing a stranger’s debt. Rather it merely warns to be wary of loaning money to someone who has offered surety on someone else’s debt, since it is likely that they will have to pay off that debt as well as their own.
I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.
While Saul was camped with his vastly outnumbered force not far from the Philistine army, Jonathan secretly slipped out of the camp with his armor bearer. Jonathan suggested to his armor bearer that the Lord was with them, they could defeat the Philistines. The Lord could defeat the Philistines, whether He had a large force or a small one to work with. Jonathan and his armor bearer approached the Philistine camp. When they got close, Jonathan suggested they show themselves. He asked God for a sign as to whether he and his armor bearer should attack. If the Philistines called out to them to keep their distance, or they would kill them, Jonathan would know that God did not want them to attack. If, on the other hand, the Philistines called out for them to come up to them to fight, he would know that God was with them and would give them victory.
When Jonathan showed himself, the Philistines called out for him to come up to them. So Jonathan climbed up the cliff face to them and attacked the small outpost of the Philistines that was at the top of the cliff. Jonathan and his armor bearer killed about twenty men. As the sound of battle and word of what was happening (apparently a confused version) spread throughout the Philistine army, panic set in. As the confusion set in an earthquake struck, terrifying the entire Philistine army. When Saul first heard the confusion in the Philistine camp, he called for the priest to bring the ephod in order to consult what action he should take. However, by the time the priest got to him, the confusion in the Philistine camp had become so pronounced that Saul ordered the attack without a divination of God’s will. The Hebrews who had previously joined the Philistine army revolted and fought with Saul and the rest of the Israelites. In addition, those Israelites who had been hiding in the hill country came down and joined the pursuit of the Philistine army.
This passage shows Jonathan’s faith and gives an example how a single individual who is willing to step out in faith can make a large difference. Jonathan did not worry that it was only himself and his armor bearer against the entire Philistine army. He knew that God could bring victory, even from so small of a force. Do I have similar faith to act when God calls me forth? When God gives me the sign I have asked for, do I step forth in faith, despite the risks?
Many among the crowds listening to Jesus in the Temple began to believe that He was the Messiah, telling each other, “What more would the Messiah do than this man has done?” When the Pharisees heard that the people were saying such things, they sent the Temple guards to arrest Jesus. When the Temple guards came to arrest Him Jesus told the crowds that He would only be with them a little longer and then He would return to Him who sent Him. They would search for Him, but be unable to find Him. He told them that they would be unable to go where He was going. The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement and wondered if He was going to go teach among the Gentiles.
On the last day of the Festival, Jesus stood in the Temple and cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (This is another time where I prefer the NIV for this passage.) He continued by saying that whoever believes in Him would have rivers of living water flowing from their heart. After He said this the crowd was divided. Some thought He was the Prophet who Moses said God would send, others thought He was the Messiah. Both of these groups felt that Jesus was a messenger from God, announcing His coming kingdom. However, others felt that Jesus could not be either of those because they knew where He came from and that place was Galilee. They did not believe that God would call a Redeemer for Israel from Galilee.
When the Temple guards failed to arrest Jesus as they had been instructed, the Jewish religious leaders demanded an explanation. The Temple guards responded that they had never heard anyone preach like Jesus did. The religious leaders mocked the guards, asking them if any of the religious leaders believed in Him? Telling them that only fools would believe in Him, only those who were ignorant of the law. At this point Nicodemus spoke up, pointing out that it was against the Law to convict a man without giving him a hearing. At which point the rest of the religious leaders turned on Nicodemus and belittled him. Notice how the religious leaders did not argue against the substance of Jesus’ teachings. They merely called those who believed in Him fools and declared that He could not be sent from God because He was from Galilee. As Paul pointed out in 1 Corinthians, the message from God is considered foolishness by those this world considers wise. But always remember, for all of their supposed wisdom, they have no answer to the teachings of Jesus.
The psalmist calls on God to bring misfortune to those who repay good with evil and friendship with hatred. The psalmist tells us that there are people who never think of doing kindness for others, who hound the poor to death. The psalmist says that those who love to curse others will have those curses visited upon themselves. Let us rather be the opposite of that, repaying evil with good and looking all of time to how we can do kindness for others. Rather than cursing those around us, let us strive to bless them. IF we stand beside the poor and needy, we will be standing beside God. If on the other hand, we stand against the poor and needy, we will be standing against God, and that is a losing proposition.
