Pride and arrogance will lead to failure. A person needs more than just a realistic understanding of their own abilities. They need to recognize that they need the help of others and God in order to succeed.
God never slumbers nor sleeps. He will care for those who love Him. Night and day God will guard you. If you fear anything read this and let it sink in. Nothing is able to harm those over whom God stands watch. A human may get tired or distracted, but not our God.
When Peter called on the assembled followers of Jesus to select a replacement for Judas, he said that it should be someone who was with them from the time John baptized Jesus until that very moment. I don’t think I have ever thought about the implication in the way Luke phrases that they nominated two men who filled that requirement. I have always thought about it only being the Twelve who were with Jesus for His entire ministry. This passage reads as if there was a large number of men to choose from. They nominated two and chose between them by lot. What is the significance of this? There were more than twelve men, and a handful of women, who witnessed all of Jesus’ miracles and listened to Him teach. Christianity was not the creation of a small clique of men who made up a story.
When Joab pursued Sheba, who led a rebellion against David immediately after David defeated Absalom, to the town of Abel I am sure that he intended to destroy the town as a lesson to the rest of the towns in Israel. Yet when a woman of the town parlayed with him, Joab expressed his willingness to leave the town alone if they would turn Sheba over to him. The lesson here is that when you find yourself in a conflict with someone, it is valuable to determine their side of the story. You may discover that their interests do not run counter to your own despite initial appearances.
Giving to the poor is making a loan to God. Our debt to Him already exceeds what we could ever hope to repay, yet we can be assured that He will more than repay us all that we give to the poor.
My help does not come from the mountains and the high places. My help comes from the Lord. It is God who watches over us and He does not slumber, nor does He sleep. What more can I say than what the psalmist writes.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
The writer informs us that the Antichrist is not singular. There is not a single individual who will appear who is the Antichrist. He tells us that there are many antichrists. Anyone who denies that Jesus is Lord, those who claim that it is possible to have salvation without Him, are antichrists. As I was reading this I realized that there is a question one should ask those arguing that it is Christian to accept controversial teachings (such as support for legalized abortion, or gay “marriage”). That question is this; is it possible to come to God without faith in Jesus? If their answer is “Yes”, there is no need to listen to any more of their arguments. They are rejecting the basic message of Christianity.
This is an important point made by John in this letter. Those who deny Jesus, who claim that it is possible to be righteous and good without faith in Him, are not Christian and are not serving God. It is only possible to know God and approach Him through faith in Christ. When listening to those who claim to speak on behalf of God, this is the most important thing to know about what they teach. It is not possible to follow God without first acknowledging Jesus. Those who truly follow Jesus will also know the Father.
Daniel acknowledges that God was in the right to bring judgement against the people of Israel for their sins. He does not ask God to act because he, or the people of Israel, deserve God’s mercy. Daniel acknowledges that they do not deserve God’s mercy. There is a lesson here for us. We should not think that we deserve God’s mercy. When we call on God to rescue us from trouble, we should do ask that He do so in a way which will bring honour to His name. We do not deserve God’s mercy, but He will show it to us because He loves us.
Help comes from the Lord, let us look first to God for help. If we rely on His help, He will not allow us to stumble or slip. God does not slumber, nor does He sleep. Whenever trouble may come upon us, God will be there to rescue us. This is such a beautiful psalm. I will meditate on it all day today.
Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He reminded the Apostles that the Holy Spirit would come upon them. It would fill them with power to do the works of God and wonders to convince people of the Gospel message. We are heirs to the Apostles and will also receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, we are also to be witnesses to Jesus locally, regionally, and worldwide.
The Eleven Apostles gathered together with other believers and selected Matthias to become an apostle with them to replace Judas. From this (and some of Paul’s writings), I conclude that the role of apostle is one which was meant to continue until Christ’s return. The word after all means “sent one” and was used in Classical Greek to refer to ambassadors and similar officials. God has not stopped sending ambassadors, apostles, to the world with His words for the world. If He has chosen any of us to be His apostle to the world today, let us not refuse to carry His message.
Sheba, the man who led a rebellion against David shortly after David had defeated Absalom, fled from David’s army led by Joab. Sheba holed up in a fortified town, along with all of the members of his clan. Joab besieged the town and began battering down the walls. A wise woman in the town parlayed with Joab asking why he was attempting to destroy this town with importance to the nation of Israel. Joab responded that he had no interest in destroying the town, he merely wanted Sheba. The woman responded that the town would throw Sheba’s head over the wall to Joab.
There is no doubt that the woman knew what Joab wanted before she started speaking to him. However, in all negotiations it is important that both sides declare what their goals are. In this case, the woman declared, indirectly, the town’s loyalty to the nation of Israel. Joab replied that he was seeking the man who was leading a rebellion. The two sides were able to negotiate peace because both sides declared what they would accept to settle the conflict. Joab declared that he would accept the minimum necessary to end the rebellion. The people of the town declared that they would no longer support rebellion against David. Thus peace was restored.
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.
In studying the writings of Jeremiah Daniel discovered that Jeremiah had prophesied that Jerusalem would remain abandoned for 70 years, at which time God would restore the people of Israel. Upon learning this, Daniel turned to God in prayer and fasting. Notice that Daniel does not turn to God and “claim” His promise to restore the people of Israel. Rather Daniel turns to God with remorse and confesses his sins and the sins of his people. He begs God to restore His people, not because they deserve it but because God is merciful. At the end of his prayer Daniel lays out the order in which God does things. God forgives, listens, and acts, in that order. A bit of thought on that tells us something about how we should approach God. Let us therefore confess our sins, repent of(turn from) our sins, and pray.
John reminds us that we have heard that “the Antichrist” will appear sometime in the future. He tells us that the antichrist is not a singular being, rather there are many antichrists. Anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ is the antichrist. It is not possible to be in communion with God if we deny His Son. On the other hand if we are in communion with the Son we are also in communion with God. John tells us that we must watch out for those who are trying to lead us astray. The Holy Spirit lives within us and will teach us the truth. We do not need anyone to teach us the truth.
As I read this I think of those around us who argue that we should not and cannot impose our morals on others. By this they mean that we should not ask others to live according to our moral code. However, they then turn around and demand that we live by their moral code. This happens in many ways. One of the more recent examples is related to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Supporters of the Act argue that the owners of Hobby Lobby should not be allowed to force their moral opposition to abortion and contraceptives in their employees by refusing to pay for those as part of the health care coverage they provide their employees. Yet on the other hand, they claim that it is a moral duty of the owners of Hobby Lobby (and every other business) to pay for health care coverage for their employees. They are incapable of seeing the contradiction between these two positions. I hate to use such a politically charged example, but it is important to recognize that the secular world constantly attempts to impose its morals upon us while telling us that we must not even ask others to except our morals. They deny that Christ is the Son of God, then attempt to claim the moral authority of God.
I look at the mountains in their majesty and the forests in their glory, but that is not where my help comes from. When I am in need, my help comes from God. God watches over me and will not let me stumble. What a wonderful thing to know that He is watching over me and He never sleeps, not even a short nap. This is as true for you as it is for me.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
This is true, whether we wish it or not. God is watching over us, let us willingly allow Him to guide our steps.
If we give to the poor, God will provide us with all that we need. However, if we ignore the needs of the poor and turn a blind eye to their existence, curses and trouble will fall upon us. When the government is run by the wicked, everyone attempts to stay out of sight. When the wicked fall from power, those who do not attempt to exploit others will flourish.
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.
Sheba, the man who led the revolt against King David, took his forces into a walled town. Joab led David’s army and besieged the town. Joab and his men built a siege ramp and began battering down the walls of the town. A wise woman in the town called Joab over and asked him why he wanted to destroy the town, which she credited with being an important town in Israel. Joab responded that he had no interest in destroying the town, all he wanted was one man, Sheba. He told the woman that if they handed Sheba over to him, he would leave the town alone. The woman replied that they would throw Sheba’s head over the wall to Joab. She went to the people of the town and they did as she said they would. When Joab received Sheba’s head, he called the troops back from the attack and sent them home.
At some point after this there was a famine in the land of Israel that lasted for three years. When David inquired of God for the reason for the famine, he was told that it was because Saul had murdered the Gibeonites (a group of Amorites whom the Israelites under Joshua had entered into a treaty with to allow them to live). When David consulted with the remaining Gibeonites as to what he could do to make amends, they asked him to give them seven sons of Saul to execute. David handed over to them Saul’s two remaining sons and five of his grandsons. The Gibeonites executed them all together at the beginning of the barley harvest season. The mother of the two sons of Saul executed by the Gibeonites stayed by the bodies for the entire harvest season and would not allow scavengers to tear at the bodies. When David heard what she had done, he sent to Jabesh-gilead and retrieved the bones of Saul and his three sons killed by the Philistines. He buried those and the seven executed by the Gibeonites in the tomb of Kish, Saul’s father.
The passage tells us that after this at some point, Israel was once more at war with the Philistines. David led his army into battle. In one of those battles, David became exhausted and became cornered by a man who was descended from a giant. The man was about to kill David when Abishai, Joab’s brother, came to David’s rescue. After this, David’s men asked him to no longer come with them into battle because they were afraid that he would be killed. The passage goes on that in three later battles against the Philistines, members of David’s army killed three more descendants of giants.
Luke began his account of the Acts of the Apostles by writing that Jesus remained with the disciples for 40 days after His resurrection. During this time, the disciples asked Him if the time had come for Him to free Israel from Roman rule and re-establish the kingdom of Israel. Jesus responded that the Father alone would set those dates and times and that they were not for the disciples to know. However, the Holy Spirit would come upon them and give them power. They would then be His witnesses to tell everyone about Him throughout the world, starting in Jerusalem. After He told them this, He was lifted up into heaven before their very eyes.
The apostles returned to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Luke lists the eleven apostles, those of Jesus’ disciples who were closest to Him during His ministry. These eleven met together regularly to pray, in addition Mary, the mother of Jesus, several other women and Jesus’ brothers joined with them. This group represented the core group but they were joined by other followers of Jesus as well. At one point when they were together with about 120 followers of Jesus, Peter stood up and said that they needed to choose someone to take the place of Judas Iscariot (who had betrayed Jesus). This happened after Judas had killed himself. The group nominated two men who had been with Jesus from the time He was baptized by John until He was taken up into heaven, Joseph, known as Justus, and Matthias. They then cast lots between the two and Matthias was chosen to join the eleven as an apostle.
There are a couple of points that I want to highlight out of this passage. The first is that this passage is yet another that warns us not to try and calculate the date when Jesus will return to overthrow the kingdoms of the world. The second is the method that the apostles used to choose a new leader of the group. They reviewed the qualifications for the position. Then they chose two men who not only met the qualifications but whom they believed would be good candidates to fill the role. Finally, they cast lots between the two men, asking God to pick which one was His choice to fill the role. I think that the Church should more often use a method similar to this to choose its leaders.
This psalm is yet another reminder of what a great God we server. We need not wonder where our help in time of need will come from. It will come from God. God watches over us and He neither slumbers nor does He sleep. During the day and during the night, He is watching, ready to reach out and support us when we lose our footing. I need fear nothing because God watches over my coming and my going, now and forevermore. But this promise is not just for me, it is for everyone. If anyone will put their trust in God and strive to serve Him, He will watch over them and care for them. They will need to fear nothing.
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. 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.
Daniel was reading the scripture when he read Jeremiah’s prophecy and realized the time for Jerusalem to be abandoned was almost complete. He began to fast and pray. He acknowledges that God’s judgment on the people of Israel and Jerusalem was just and righteous. Daniel confessed his own sins and those of his people. He then prayed for God to restore Jerusalem, not for the sake of the people of Israel or because of their righteousness, but in order to glorify God’s name. Daniel did not request this on the basis of either himself or the people of Israel deserving it, but on the basis of God’s mercy.
Daniel records that the angel Gabriel came to him with a message. The message is very cryptic, containing references to seventy sevens and sixty-two sevens. The passage does not tell us if those “sevens” are days, weeks, months, years, or some other unit. What it does tell us is that the Anointed One will come after Jerusalem is restored. The Anointed One will die without seeming to accomplish anything. Then a ruler will arise who will destroy Jerusalem and the Temple again. This is a clear prophecy of the first century to me. Jesus was born and lived His life. He died without seeming to accomplish anything. A generation after His death (more or less) a Roman emperor attacked and destroyed Jerusalem, including the Temple.
John writes that we are in the end times. We have heard that “the Antichrist” is coming in the end times. John tells us that there is not one antichrist, but rather many and they are already among us. There are those who have gone out from the Church and preach against it. John tells us that if they belonged to God’s Church, they would not have gone from it. This is a difficult statement because not all Church splits (even ones that create new denominations) involve people who deny the true Christian message. Fortunately, John tells us how to recognize when someone has gone beyond just a personality conflict run amuck to the point of being an antichrist.
John tells us that he did not write to us because we do not know the truth but rather because we know the difference between truth and lies. Anyone who denies that Jesus is the Christ (Anointed One) is a liar. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is a liar. If you deny the Son, you will not have the Father. Anyone who falls into any of these categories, falls into all of them and is an antichrist. We have received the Holy Spirit who will teach us what is true. We need to remain in fellowship with Christ the Son and by doing so we will be in fellowship with God the Father. It is not written here, but I believe it is consistent with John’s writing here. Any religious group that has “scripture” which supersedes what is written in the Bible has left the Body of Christ.
I can look to the mountains, but that is not where my help comes from, my help comes from the Lord. He watches over me and will not let me stumble or fall. God does not slumber or sleep. He watches by day and by night. There is never a time when He is not watching over me to protect me from danger. He watches me when I am at home and when I am away, when I am in one place and when I travel. This is both a blessing and a warning. It is a blessing because it means that God is always there to keep me from harm. It is a warning because it means that God is always there to see when I do what I ought not do. Of course, that second part can be a blessing as well because I will be happier if I never do what I ought not do.
Those who give to the poor will have plenty, those who try to pretend that the poor do not exist will be cursed. Oh Lord help me to find the time and resources to help the poor. Show me how to change my life so that I have more to help those with greater need than myself.
