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Day 97 of Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 days commentary, insights and thoughts. If you would like to follow along with the book offered exclusively on Amazon, please refer to https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Bible-Cover-365Days/dp/B0B6XSNMY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_90
This is a podcast sharing thoughts and insights for the accompanying the daily reading schedule for the book, Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 Days.
Welcome to Day 97 of Reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 365 Days!
Let us pray:
O Lord, thank You for continuing to teach us more about You and Your ways. Help us learn more about You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let’s see what’s happening in Matthew chapter 8!
Jesus is healing. A leper worshiped Him and asked if He would be willing to heal Him. Verse 3 says, “And He reached out His hand and touched him, saying I am willing;” He was always willing to heal. Next, He met a commander of one hundred men who asked Him if He would heal his servant boy. Immediately, Jesus tells him that He’ll go with him to his house. Again, He was willing. He didn’t need to make the trip because the commander told Him it wasn’t necessary. The boy was healed that instant. Then Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. And then He healed many people who came to Him into the nighttime hours. Yes, Jesus was willing. He shows us His compassion and love for all people as He healed them throughout His ministry. He is the Great Physician. He has compassion for us and is willing to heal us as well. Let’s lean into Him for all we need today.
Let’s see what Paul is writing to the Thessalonians in chapter 4!
Paul encourages them to live lives set apart for God – holy for God. Sounds a lot like the Old Testament books we have been reading. Verse 7 says, “For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity].” Yes, God calls us to live pure lives as we are His.
Then Paul compliments them on the love they have for one another and others outside their church. Even so, there are some things he advises them about. In verses 10-11 he writes, “But we beseech and earnestly exhort you, brethren, that you excel [in this matter] more and more, To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you.” As he encouraged them to live quietly and peacefully, we can all take his advice in the current condition of our world. He also told them to mind their affairs. In today’s lingo, it would be something more like, mind your own business. Paul wrote against gossip in various letters to other churches as well. We need this reminder from time to time too. Lastly, Paul encourages the Philippians to work so they will be respected by the outside world. While we don’t work to be better than others or show up to the neighbors with our wealth, Paul encourages us to maintain a good reputation so we can share the Gospel with others and represent the Lord well. It always amazes me how the words written and spoken thousands of years ago are so applicable to us in our modern-day world.
He ends his letter with great encouragement about the rapture to come. What a day that will be!
Let's see what's happening to the Israelites in chapter 7!
Well, this chapter reveals man’s sinful nature. God instructed Joshua that everything in Jericho was to be burned. Nothing was to be taken as spoil by anyone. All the gold, silver, and bronze could be taken but it was to be given to the Lord and put into His treasury. Achan from the tribe of Judah took some things for himself that he coveted which was against the will of the Lord. God’s wrath was against the Israelites until this situation was rectified. It was God, Himself, Who told Joshua there was sin in the people. They lost a battle because of God’s wrath. As Joshua asked the Lord why – God told him of the sin. Joshua still had to search for the sinner. And when found, He and his family were stoned to death because of their disobedience. The Lord sees us and knows when we have sinned too. Let our hearts be soft toward God and ask Him where we have gone against His will. He will show us just as He showed Joshua. Thankfully, we can be forgiven through Jesus’ blood shed for us.
Chapter 8 is like an action-adventure movie packed full of fighting, ambushing, and winning! In our last chapter, the Israelites lost to the city of Ai because of their disobedience. But now that the perpetrator was gone, God gave the city to the Israelites. The Lord told Joshua exactly what to do to ambush the city, and they carried out His instructions perfectly.
I want you to read how it goes for yourself. However, I do want to point out that after their victory, they made an altar for the Lord, and Joshua wrote out the Book of the Law of Moses on stones. The law was read aloud before all the people – both the blessings and the curses. They were on fire for the Lord, and they were exceedingly blessed by Him.
The 97th Psalm talks about God’s greatness and how everything is in submission to Him – even the mountains. Yes, our Lord is great! As we read about the battles the Lord wins, we can see everything is in submission to Him. Verse 7 says, “Let all those be put to shame who serve graven images, who boast in idols. Fall prostrate before Him, all you gods.” It is rather easy to see the gods the people served and worshiped in the Old Testament, but not so easy to see our own. I’ve recently been on a quest to see what I worship more than the Lord. It has been an interesting journey. Let us all seek God’s help in discovering what we may be putting in front of Him.
Verse 11 is very reassuring and says, “Light is sown for the [uncompromisingly] righteous and strewn along their pathway, and joy for the upright in heart [the irrepressible joy which comes from consciousness of His favor and protection].” God lights our path. He puts joy in our hearts. And He grants us favor and protection. Yes, we serve a mighty and gracious God.
Let us pray:
O Lord, thank You for showing us Your power and might. Thank You for choosing us to know You, lighting the path we travel, and offering us favor and protection. Lord, please sanctify our souls. Help us come up higher and follow You more closely. May our hearts be Yours and Your will be done. Help us fully surrender to You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.