Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 72-73; Acts 26
Psalm 72 is a psalm of Solomon, which could mean in Hebrew "of Solomon" or "by Solomon" (or both) for the occasion of his coronation. It may well have been used at the coronation of other kings from David's line. In accord with the promise of 2 Samuel: 8-7, the line of Davidic kings prophetically pointed to the ultimate Son of David, Jesus. The psalmist realizes that even the best of the Davidic kings fell short of the ideal. So we also often fail to live as we should. Yet our hope is in David's Son and Lord, Jesus Christ, who has brought us eternal salvation.
Psalm 73 deals with the same issues as the Book of Job. The psalmist expresses his doubts and struggles, yet passes through them to a faith renewed by God's faithfulness and promises. Being troubled by doubt and envy does not mean that we have lost our faith. We are called to struggle against doubt and envy. We find strength to do so in the certainty of the final outcome of God's promises.
In our reading from Acts, Paul makes his defense before King Agrippa. He describes his zealous opposition to Jesus and the Gospel message. He continues his defense before the king, recounting how the Lord converted him from the ardent persecutor of the faith to an avid apostle. To refuse to listen to God's clear Word is to remain in-or turn back to-darkness. The Lord turns us from darkness to light when we hear and believe the beautiful message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Psalms 74-76; Acts 27:1-26
Psalm 72 is a psalm of Solomon, which could mean in Hebrew "of Solomon" or "by Solomon" (or both) for the occasion of his coronation. It may well have been used at the coronation of other kings from David's line. In accord with the promise of 2 Samuel: 8-7, the line of Davidic kings prophetically pointed to the ultimate Son of David, Jesus. The psalmist realizes that even the best of the Davidic kings fell short of the ideal. So we also often fail to live as we should. Yet our hope is in David's Son and Lord, Jesus Christ, who has brought us eternal salvation.
Psalm 73 deals with the same issues as the Book of Job. The psalmist expresses his doubts and struggles, yet passes through them to a faith renewed by God's faithfulness and promises. Being troubled by doubt and envy does not mean that we have lost our faith. We are called to struggle against doubt and envy. We find strength to do so in the certainty of the final outcome of God's promises.
In our reading from Acts, Paul makes his defense before King Agrippa. He describes his zealous opposition to Jesus and the Gospel message. He continues his defense before the king, recounting how the Lord converted him from the ardent persecutor of the faith to an avid apostle. To refuse to listen to God's clear Word is to remain in-or turn back to-darkness. The Lord turns us from darkness to light when we hear and believe the beautiful message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Psalms 74-76; Acts 27:1-26
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Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. Psalm 73:23
This verse stood out for me today. Before this verse, the writer is saying that he isn't perfect, and that he has been ignorant with his choices. We are all like this. None of us are perfect. But inspite of our disobedience to God, the verse tells us that God is always with us holding our hand. We can never be too far from Him!
I also thought about "David's Line".
verse 20 says, "This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse." Not just any David, but the son of Jesse. We are known by our line...our family. (Maybe this was the original "mennonite game" to see how everyone is connected ;) It makes me think of God's ideal plan for a family:
one man + one woman + their children = family.
When we mess with that it becomes crazy complicated and contrary to what God designed. Divorce, living together, step families, multiple homes and shared time are so stressful to everyone. Sometimes people can't even trace their family tree because the roots are all messed up. We need to stand for our families as the Lord commanded Paul on the road to Damascus: 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet....'
So thankful for God's faithfulness despite our faithlessness.
Only God can take us from darkness to light - we cannot do it on our own.
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