Monday, August 17: Psalms 97-99; Galatians 2 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Psalms 97-99; Galatians 2

A few things stuck out for me today:

Psalm 97 verses 5-6 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
    before the Lord of all the earth.

⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    and all the peoples see his glory.

We've been road tripping to BC a few times and after growing up and living on the Prairies, the mountains seem to rise up and greet us with a majestic appearance. But even the firm standing mountains are created and can be destroyed by God. Have you ever watched a candle burn? Have you ever watched a wrapper melt in a campfire? The fire consumes it and it melts in submission. God has the consuming power of fire and even the mighty mountains are not match. One day that power will be evident in a very tangible way that no one can deny it and all the people, believers and non-believers alike, will melt in God's presence. We will be consumed by our unworthiness and God's holiness.

⁶ Psalm 98 verse 6: With trumpets and the sound of the horn
    make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

I love that this verse emphasizes "trumpet" and "horn". We are to worship God loudly and joyfully and make our praise known. It doesn't say to whisper or hum or play something that is barely audible. When you hear a trumpet or a horn it commands attention. Everyone will turn and look to where that sound is coming from. We should strive to make a joyful noise to our King in a way that attracts people to Him.

Psalm 99 verse 5-6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
    Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
    They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
⁷ In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
    they kept his testimonies
    and the statute that he gave them.
We are constantly reminded throughout the Bible about those who have journeyed before us. This allows us to reflect on what they've done, both in obedience and disobedience, and how God has been with them through all circumstances. I know that I don't often share with my children about my past walk with God and how it has shaped me. When we look back, reflect, and share what we have learned it makes it easier to see God's hand in situations over the long term.

From the NT:

^{Galatians 2:14} But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew,live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

It's hard to call someone out. It's so much easier just to raise your eyebrows and shake your head (or your finger) than it is to confront someone about something. Even worse, it is so easy to gossip and think about how much better we are than someone who would do that.

The reality is that we are all sinners. Sin separates us from God--whatever that sin may be. We need to stop judging people for sinning differently than we do. If we see a fellow believer straying from biblical truths we should, with love, challenge them and their choices. It won't be easy but we should desire to guide wrong back to right. The world is watching...and waiting for us to fail...and we will. Often and repeatedly. When we set an example of sinfulness we are not being the ambassadors for Christ that we need to be. When our conduct is not in step with the truth of the gospel it has dire consequences. May we acknowledge our sins and be accepting when our wrongs are brought to our attention and may we have the desire to change.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Psalms 100-102; Galatians 3