October 2, 2012

"This Child is Appointed for the Fall and Rise of Many" (10/2)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38.

When Joseph and Mary came to Jerusalem to present the child Jesus to the Lord at the temple, they were met by a devout man named Simeon. God had revealed to Simeon that “he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26). When Jesus was brought to the temple, Simeon was able to be a witness of God’s promise in Christ. He first praised God, then briefly explained to Mary what Jesus’ role was going to be:

“And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed’” (Luke 2:3).

Mary had already been told, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:32-33). Joseph had already been told that Jesus would “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). These passages emphasize the blessings that would come to man through Christ.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , , ,
September 13, 2012

"Whoever Calls on the Name of the Lord Will Be Delivered" (9/13)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Joel 1-3.

In prophesying of the “great and awesome day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31), the prophet Joel indicated who it was that would be delivered:

“And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered…” (Joel 2:32).

Paul reminded the saints in Rome of this promise as well, as it had a direct impact upon their salvation.

“Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: ,
August 30, 2012

“By Their Own Righteousness They Could Only Deliver Themselves” (8/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ezekiel 13-15.

“‘Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast, even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,’ declares the Lord God.

“‘If I were to cause wild beasts to pass through the land and they depopulated it, and it became desolate so that no one would pass through it because of the beasts, though these three men were in its midst, as I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters. They alone would be delivered, but the country would be desolate’” (Ezekiel 14:13-16).

The three individuals mentioned – Noah, Daniel, and Job – were known for their trust in God and their obedience to Him. Each one was delivered from some great ordeal: Noah from the flood, Daniel from the lion’s den, and Job from his severe hardship and loss.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
August 18, 2012

"This Man is Not Seeking the Well-Being of This People" (8/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Jeremiah 28-40; Psalm 74, 79.

Jeremiah’s message was one that was filled with warnings of destruction. As we might expect, his “negative” message was generally not well-received. The attitude of his opponents is very similar to the attitude of those today who oppose the truth.

“‘Thus says the Lord, “This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.”‘ Then the officials said to the king, ‘Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of the people but rather their harm’” (Jeremiah 38:3-4).

Jeremiah’s message, though unpopular and uncomfortable, was one that the people desperately needed to hear. The ones who would heed his words and obey them would deliver themselves (Jeremiah 38:2). For those who rejected him, there would be punishment. But the officials did not like Jeremiah’s message and tried to turn the king against him by making two accusations:
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
July 30, 2012

"Seek the Lord While He May Be Found" (7/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 54-58.

The Lord abounds in mercy and is willing to save us. Yet we must appreciate the urgency of the salvation He offers. Notice what Isaiah says:

“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).

God is willing to show “compassion” and is able to “abundantly pardon,” but there is a time limit on his mercy. He does not offer salvation indefinitely. We must seek Him “while He may be found” and “call upon Him while He is near.” Otherwise, we will be too late.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
July 29, 2012

Do Not Fear the Reproach of Men (7/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 49-53.

The Lord offers some words of comfort for all of His people who must suffer for their faith.

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, a people in whose heart is My law; do not fear the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them like a garment, and the grub will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation to all generations” (Isaiah 51:7-8)

Persecution is inevitable for the child of God (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet we must not fear those who would persecute us (cf. Matthew 10:28). The Lord gives two reasons why we should not fear or be overcome by them:
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: ,
July 24, 2012

The Highway of Holiness (7/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 35-36.

“A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it. No lion will be there, nor will any vicious beast go up on it; these will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there…” (Isaiah 35:8-9).

This analogy of a highway for the redeemed is in some ways similar to the analogy used by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,