We are a part of a great story. God’s redemptive purpose from eternity past to redeem mankind from sin is playing out to this day as people come to place their hope and trust in Jesus Christ. The amazing breadth of God’s purposed redemption of humanity can be seen when our present circumstances are placed into the story presented in the Bible. In Isaiah chapters 11 and 12 we are presented with the promise of a righteous and fair leader who will bring hope and healing. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.” Isaiah 11:1-5 We are in the midst of God’s continuing promise to redeem humanity from their sins. Can you fathom the overwhelming love of God? Continue Reading…
God’s eternal, purposed, redemption of humanity: Isaiah 11 and 12
Futility of pride overcome by the cross of Calvary: Psalm 49
Can the renown and wealth you have acquired in life buy deliverance at deaths door? All the glory and honor we receive from men on earth is meaningless after we die. We cannot build our lives upon the favor of men and hope to take it with us beyond death. Let all mankind give ear to what is written in Psalm 49 by the sons of Korah. What renown do you have? What awards have you received? Have you ever been the employee of the month at work? All these trinket acknowledges by mankind are useless upon your death. If the goals of your life are summed up as gaining favor and renown from men it will lead to your ultimate ruin because only acknowledgement from God can bring you lasting hope. Continue Reading…
Wisdom, joy, enlightenment and restoration: Psalm 19
When you go outside and look at the blue sky stretching infinitely above you do you see the amazing splendor of God? On a still night when the moon and stars shine brightly do you hear them speak of the majesty of God? Creation all around us proclaims the greatness of God. Creation is the silent witness to the splendor and majesty of God. This silence of creation speaks louder than any words of man of the greatness of God. In Psalm 19 a beautiful picture of God’s greatness is revealed through the wonder of His creation. Do you take the wonder of creation for granted? When you see the beauty of the world around you it is only a pale and impure picture of the beauty of God. All creation is a sign post that points to the Lord God creator in every way. Are you filled with awe and wonder at the thought of such an amazing God? Continue Reading…
Live as the priceless jewel you are: Psalm 8
Why? Why has God chosen to care about mankind? The majestic God of creation who made heaven and earth cares about us. The fact that God has chosen to love me is unfathomable. How can the infinite care about the finite? It is an amazing truth to know that God so loved us that He sent Jesus Christ as the ultimate expression of His love. Can you fathom that truth? Was this same mystery seen through out the story of God’s expression of love?
In Psalm 8 we see this awe and wonder of God expressed by David. Everywhere David looked he could see the fingerprint of God at work. The heavens, moon and stars all proclaim the work of God. Did David feel infinitely small when he thought of the vastness of creation compared to his own simple life? Continue Reading…
Faithfulness and obedience, the making of a King: Ruth 3 and 4
God’s faithfulness that was expressed to Ruth and Naomi in their journey from Moab to Bethlehem continues in Ruth chapters 3 and 4. With the disobedience that was continually seen in Judges so fresh in my mind I am encouraged to see that there were people still following God in the midst of the turbulent time of the judges. I am challenged to stand firm in my faith no matter what circumstances I find myself in even when there are ways that would seem to give me an easy way out of difficulty. I will never know if God will use my faithfulness today to bring great deliverance to future generations. Continue Reading…
The Levitical redemption for Israel and Myself: Numbers 3 and 4
Numbers 3 and 4 are the two chapters that I read today in my journey to blog as I read my way through the Bible two chapters at a time. In Numbers 3 and 4 God is giving continued instruction to the people of Israel. Specifically God instructs Moses and Aaron to take the Levites as the priesthood in service to God. The Levites were divided by the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The sons and all the generations of these households were in service to the Tabernacle of God. The sons of Gershon were instructed to manage the the tent of meeting and the hangings in the court within the Tabernacle. The sons of Kohath were instructed to minister within the sanctuary with the ark, table, and lamp stand. The sons of Merari were instructed to manage the framework of the Tabernacle.
God’s faithfulness in Jubilee and hardship: Leviticus 25 and 26
The times seem so different now compared to the culture of the Israelites described in Leviticus 25 and 26. I am thankful for living in a modern society with all the amenities that I have grown accustom to but what is the cost to our relationship with God and our relationship with each other? In the agricultural of Leviticus did they feel the business of life I feel today? Can we live in dependance upon God in a truer way?
God’s faithfulness in the hardship of life: Exodus 15 and 16
redemption: re•demp•tion – the act, process, or and instance of redeeming
redeem: re•deem – to buy back; to get or win back; to free from what distresses or harms; to free from the consequences of sin. Continue Reading…
