I am so grateful for the family we have in the Body of Christ. The bond that is shared by fellow believers in Christ is so very special. I can't even begin to describe it. The worship and prayers that we had together Sunday morning were amazing. Not because worship leader or speaker were great, but because your people were together and sharing something intimate with you. Thank you, God!
Psalm 46:8-10
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
This passage could, conceivably, be seen as a depiction of the end of the world. God has brought desolation on the earth and destroyed all the machines and weapons of war. There will never be war again. And afterward, we are told, simply, "Be still and know that I am God."
Notice that he doesn't say, "I desire to be exalted..." He says, "I WILL be exalted." In Philippians 2, in another depiction of what will happen at the end of time, it says that EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess. Not just the knees and tongues of the believers. Every knee...every tongue.
God WILL be exalted in all the earth. One way or another. I'm thinking it will go better for those of us who do it willfully...
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
"The Lord Jesus knows whom he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom they have trusted, and are sure of Him. See here the grace of Christ; since none could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our redemption."
Mr. Henry also points out that Jesus did not die for doctrine. He died for his sheep.
How blessed are we to be chosen of God...to be his sheep!
Matthew 13:57
And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household."
(This is continued from the passage in yesterday's reading.)
We aren't told what it was that Jesus was teaching in Nazareth that got them so offended. MacArthur opines, "No doubt He exposed the hypocrisy of their wicked desire for Him to perform miracles for miracles' sake. He likely spoke to them as well about their sinfulness and need to repent."
"The gospel will offend a person until he allows God's truth to plow up the hard soil of his heart."
Exodus 25:23-30
The Table of Showbread
Tabletalk has been looking at the furniture of the tabernacle. It's been camping in the O.T. for a while, now.
This table was to be placed inside the Holy Place, but not in the Holy of Holies. It was to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It had gold rings on the edges so that it could be carried with poles, rather than being directly touched. There were also plates, bowls, and utensils that were to be made and placed on this table.
The table would hold what was called the "bread of the Presence." "Twelve loaves laid out in two piles of six loaves each." The bread was a food offering, but, since God does not "eat," the bread was given back to the Levites, the priests, who then ate the bread in God's presence.
"Dining with someone in the ancient Near East was a sign of fellowship and peace, so the priests' eating of the bread of the Presence in God's house signified the Lord was at peace with His people." We have eternal peace with God through Jesus Christ, "so we may dine in His presence."
God graciously gives us food and provision. We must not take it for granted and remember that whatever he gives us is out of his kindness and love for us, and provided by his grace and mercy.
I am also grateful that I am part of your chosen and that I am one of your "sheep," for whom you willingly laid down your life. As one of your chosen sheep, I worship you regularly, and with a willing heart. When we see, at the end of time, the desolation that will be brought on the earth, there will also be a time of celebration, not because the earth is destroyed, but because you have brought an end to war and fighting for all eternity. At that point in time, we will rejoice to see you exalted in all the earth by all creation. That is what history is moving toward.
Grace and peace, friends.