Tuesday, January 17th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Genesis 16-18

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 5:4-6

No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 5:4-6

Quoting Psalm 2:7 and 110:4, the writer shows us that God Himself appointed Jesus to be His Son as well as Priest.  Melchizedek was both King of Salem and priest of the Most High God during the time of Abraham.  Psalm 2 recognized the Son as King and Messiah as well.  Jesus is our ultimate King-Priest, called and appointed by God.

From my MacArthur commentary...
the two titles [Son, Priest] are titles of subordination - the subordination not being in regard to essence or nature (cf. John 10:30, 14:9, 11), but in regard to the fulfillment of the program of redemption. Neither office diminished the eternal deity of Christ or the equality of the Trinity.  Both offices had a beginning.

We have made subordination mean inequality and yet it is not always so - certainly not in this case!  Reminds me of submission as well. Submission does not mean inequality either.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 5:7-10

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Genesis 19-21

Monday, January 16th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Genesis 12-15

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 5:1-3

Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.  Hebrews 5:1-3

The position of high priest in the Levitical system was by appointment only - you could not appoint yourself.  When the priests offered sacrifices for his own sins, it reminds him of his own sinful humanity and keeps him humble, in order to deal compassionately towards others, especially those who were spiritually weak, ignorant or wayward.

The more we recognize God's holiness, the more we will recognize our own sinfulness and unworthiness.  As we study and grow in our faith, we will likely sin less - however, our sin will distress us more because we recognize how much God detests sin of any kind.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 5:4-6

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Genesis 16-18

Sunday, January 15th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 40-42

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 4:14-16

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:14-16

There's a lot packed into these 3 verses but I want to focus on the middle one.

I think we are quick to discount many of the things that Jesus did as being possible because He was God.  Obviously it is true that He was and is God, but He was also fully human.  He set aside His God-ness, so to speak, when He was born, and He faced temptation as a human, just as we do.  Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and armed with the Word of God He had memorized as a man schooled in the Jewish synagogues, He faced temptation and yet was without sin.

We have that same power available to us!  We have the very Word of God to study, to meditate on, to memorize, to rely on, to sustain us.  And we have the power of the Holy Spirit within us.  And because of this, Jesus called us to be like Him.  To be like our Rabbi.  And when we are like Him, we show the world who He is.

May we be like our Rabbi.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 5:1-3

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Genesis 12-15

Saturday, January 14 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 38-39

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 4:12-13

^{Hebrews 4-12-13}

¹² For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

What a great reminder that the Bible is God's living and active message to us. It is as applicable now as it was when it was first written. I found this great insight about the application of God's word when He speaks:

"Then God speaks into us. It's the difference between hearing and listening. God's word becomes alive when hearts and minds open to the Spirit of God. God's word speaks into them – and we find that words that were just words come alive. How many times have you had that situation where you've looked at a passage of scripture and what were familiar words sometimes come alive and you know God is speaking to you personally through them?"

Then "There is this wonderful picture of the word of God being a double edged sword. It's a sword that can cut two ways. When God speaks into our lives, we can experience two extremes – judgement and blessing. But the other advantage of the Roman two-edged sword was that it was heavy – it could easily chop and enemy in two – not for the faint-hearted. It's the same when God speaks into our lives – He can cut right to the chase – He can get into the deepest part of our beings. If we are prepared, He can get right down to the very things in our lives that are stumbling blocks to us: those secret and hidden things – our thoughts and our attitudes. If you think that sounds bad; that you don't want to be reminded of all those things in your life ... – then remember that it's a two-edged sword. The challenge that God brings as He speaks to us also has blessing attached to it. As God deals with the deep things in our lives, He brings blessing too."

Nothing is hidden from God. Our thoughts. Our actions. Our words. Our attitudes. Nothing. It's amazing that this is passage was on my day (....speaking of God's word being living and active, lol!...) because I am dealing with a situation with my Mom and Dad and this reminder about everything being uncovered and that I need to give an account for my life before God directs my thoughts to what God will ask of me about this situation. Now it is my job to not just hear it but to listen as well.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 4:14-16

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Job 40-42

Friday, January 13th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 35-37.

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 4:6-11

It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:6-11

After reading this passage and the study  notes from my Life Application Bible and MacArthur commentary, a few things jumped out at me.

First - simply the meaning of the passage....
God gave the Israelite the opportunity to enter the Promised Land, but they failed to receive this because of disobedience.

Even after they entered the Promised Land with Joshua, even in David's time (Psalm 95:7-11), God continued to offer spiritual rest.

And even now, God is giving everyone the opportunity for spiritual rest and inviting everyone to enter the eternal promised land of heaven through Christ - we must trust in God's promise, believe, repent and place God on the throne of our hearts and lives.  We need to stop thinking we know a better way!  That we can work for it, that we can earn it, or that we don't need it, or at least that we don't need it yet - maybe tomorrow.  No!  Today!!  The invitation is combined with urgency and obedience - do not delay!

As Christians we can enjoy God's rest and peace on earth already (though it is imperfect and incomplete) as we look forward to entering His perfect rest and peace for eternity to come.

One point I appreciated from my study notes - often we work really hard the week before a vacation in order to tie up loose ends so we can relax. When we know rest is coming we put extra effort into our work. The same should be true of our Christian life here on earth.  We know our eternal rest is coming, so let's work hard for God here while we can!

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 4:12-13

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Job 38-39

Thursday, January 12th ~ Miriam

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 32-34.

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 4:1-5.

¹ Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. ² For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. ³ Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

   “So I declared on oath in my anger,
   ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

   And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world. ⁴ For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.” ⁵ And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

To all of us busy, busy people, doesn't "enter my rest" sound fabulous?  I know for myself there are days where I just want a rest.  A break.  Because even when I'm not actually doing physical work, I'm planning, or mentally going over my to-do-tomorrow list, or to-do-next-week list.

I've started a while ago reserving Sundays for church and family, and since doing that, I find that I feel better about my whole week.  I still prepare meals and clean up after them on Sundays, and I am involved in children's activities at church, so it's not a day where I don't do any work, necessarily, but I generally don't plan or schedule anything for Sundays.  It makes Sunday, for me, more of a day to look forward to, and I find it refreshes me for the coming week.  How do you keep the Sabbath?

I like what Matthew Henry had to say on the above verses:
As God finished his work, and then rested from it, so he will cause those who believe, to finish their work, and then to enjoy their rest. It is evident, that there is a more spiritual and excellent sabbath remaining for the people of God, than that of the seventh day, or that into which Joshua led the Jews. This rest is, a rest of grace, and comfort, and holiness, in the gospel state. And a rest in glory, where the people of God shall enjoy the end of their faith, and the object of all their desires. The rest, or sabbatism, which is the subject of the apostle's reasoning, and as to which he concludes that it remains to be enjoyed, is undoubtedly the heavenly rest, which remains to the people of God, and is opposed to a state of labour and trouble in this world. It is the rest they shall obtain when the Lord Jesus shall appear from heaven. 

God really is good to us, isn't he?

Tomorrow's scripture focus:  Hebrews 4:6-11

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage:  Job 35-37.

Wednesday, January 11th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 29-31

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 3:16-19

Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. Hebrews 3:16-19

The Israelites failed to enter the promised land because they didn't believe in God's protection and ability to help them conquer the giants of the land.  They sinned due to their unbelief.

What are you not believing God for today?
How I am sinning due to unbelief?

God has always been faithful and trustworthy.  He has never given us a reason for unbelief.  Don't rely on your own faulty, human knowledge and understanding. Rely on our God who knows everything and trust in His promises.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 4:1-5

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Job 32-34

Tuesday, January 10th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 24-28

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 3:12-15

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:12-15

There's a few tips in here about remaining faithful.

One is to recognize sin's deceitfulness - it can be attractive, but it is destructive.

Another is to encourage each other.  Fellowship with other believers is vitally important for our own walk, and to encourage others in their walk.

And again, the urgency of "today".  It never pays to put off strengthening our spiritual lives.  There is no better moment to start then today, this very moment.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 3:16-19

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Job 29-31

Monday, January 9th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 21-23

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 3:7-11

So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” Hebrews 3:7-11

No matter how many miracles God performed, no matter how faithful He was, the Israelites hardened their hearts over and over again.  And so they missed out on the Promised Land.  If we resist God's will over and over again, we will eventually harden our hearts and miss out on the rest God wants for us - spiritual rest in this lifetime, and eternity to come.

One thing that stood out to me was "Today".  Today!  Recognize God's voice, resist the hardening of your heart - today!  Now is the time.  We do not know when Christ will return.  And we do not know at what point our continual bad choices will result in the hardening of our hearts.  Our opportunity to repent is now...today!

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 3:12-15

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Job 24-28

Sunday, January 8th

Today's passage from the Chronological Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Job 17-20

Today's scripture focus is Hebrews 3:1-6

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. Hebrews 3:1-6

Moses was truly a great man.  He led the Israelites from Egyptian bondage to the edge of the Promised Land, he was given the law by God, he wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, he was a prophet, he was a prayer warrior who interceded on the people's behalf so God would not destroy them.

But Moses was still only a human servant.

Jesus is more than just human. He is also God himself.  And He is the One on whom our faith rests, giving us the courage and hope to live out our faith daily.

Tomorrow's scripture focus: Hebrews 3:7-11
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Job 21-23