Skip to main content

April 29 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 119

We are taking 6 days to read Psalm 119.  Yes, it has that many verses!  If you want to know how to read the Bible, take in all the words of Psalm 119.  It's not about reading for reading's sake.  It's about pursuing the heart of God.

Today's Bible Project video talks about the way Jesus announced and spreads the news of God's kingdom.


DAILY READINGS

Isaiah 42-44 & Psalm 119:1-32

DAILY NOTES

Isaiah 42
  • A servant of God is announced.  This chosen one of God will have God's spirit and bring justice to the world.  
    • This is one of several "servant songs" written in Isaiah.
  • His arrival is a part of God's redemption plan.
  • A hymn of praise springs forth as a result.  
  • God's redemption comes even though Israel has been disobedient.
Isaiah 43
  • God promises that the people who have been scattered will return.
    • What about those taken by Assyria?
  • This new thing of God will take the place of the suffering and punishment the people have endured.  
  • According the Verse 21, this is done so that the people may praise God again.
Isaiah 44
  • The people will take delight in being called God's people.  I would hope so!
  • Of course, there will be some whose dependence on idols will keep them from knowing this freedom of God.  According verses 18-19, those people don't even realize how silly they are being by creating worshiped idols from the same tree they cook and get heat from.
Psalm 119
  • We're going to be talking about lot about God's precepts and following those commandments.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Have you wondered why we keep hearing many of the same things?

In Isaiah, we've heard again and again that God is our Creator.  God has done much for us.  We've heard about the futility of idols.  Repeatedly, we've heard about idols.  We've heard many times about how we turned from God.

We've also heard, and will hear much more, about the promise of our future.

You know why we repeat things.  One, so we don't forget.  But also because sometimes people aren't paying attention the first time.  And, of course, some things are that important they should be repeated.

Since these themes will continue to be repeated, my suggestion is that we take time to consider what they mean to our faith today.  Yes, they mean something for our faith today!

Stay blessed...john
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

February 16 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 47 Before the movie Shrek, the best known talking donkey was Balaam's donkey.  That's what we're reading about today.   Of course, that's only part of the story between Balak and Balaam.   DAILY READINGS Numbers 22-24 & Psalm 47 DAILY NOTES Numbers 22:2 Apparently, Israel is making a name for itself.  The Moabites are terrified and distressed/irritated by the news of what the Israelites are doing. Numbers 22:5-6 Balaam is, apparentely, a diviner with a good reputation.  Balak is "overcome with fear" and his response is to go to Balaam.  Balak knows that "whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:8 This is the recurring theme for Balaam.  He will only say what  God tells him to say.  That is, there's no money back guarantee.  Even if it doesn't align with what Balak wants, Balaam will only give the words that God gives him. There is no indication why Balaam w...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 3 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 93 After today we'll have finished another book of the Bible.  King David's place in the story of God is winding down. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 22-24 & Psalm 93 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 22 This is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving.  Psalm 18 is a variation of this psalm. 2 Samuel 23 David's reign (and life) are drawing to a close.  These are some of his last words and speak of men that have served under him.   2 Samuel 24 David wants a census of the people.  Since he later sees it as a sin, we can gather that he had prideful purposes for doing so.   The king repents, but also suffers the judgement of the sin.  Technically, 70,000 of the people he just counted suffered. Afterwards, David builds an altar to God. Psalm 93 God's rule over earth is celebrated.  This is what's called an enthronement psalm.  OTHER OBSERVATIONS There's an interesting observation to consider about 2 Samuel 24:1...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more