Thursday, November 30, 2017

November 30

Daniel 7:1-28; 1 John 1:1-10; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 28:23-24

The words of John were refreshing water to my soul this morning. John writes from very personal experience; he tells us that he knew the Word of Life himself. John had heard Him, he had seen Him, he had looked at Him, and he had even touched Him. His knowledge of Jesus Christ was personal and intimate and that gives validity to the words he now writes to believers.

He says that the God we follow is light—He shines light on all who believe. And to those who believe, He shines light on our sin. That’s a rather uncomfortable thought. But what a good thought! For we are sinful and we need His cleansing. John cautions us against believing that we are not sinful and that we don’t need the cleansing light of God Himself.

A dear friend of mine once told me that she had no awareness of her own sin. I was stunned by this, and tried to say, “Well, we all sin. Ask the Lord to begin to reveal areas of sin in your life.” Her words were all the more shocking to me because she was well aware of sin in the lives of those close to her and she didn’t mind pointing out their sin. And she was right about the sin of others—those close to her were acting in sinful ways. But her area of weakness was self-examination. The Word of God says that we all sin. I encouraged her to look more at herself with the Light of God’s Word and less at the sin of others.

Yes, it’s easy to see the sin of others, even as it was easy for me to see my friend’s sin of declaring that she didn’t feel sinful! But God’s light is designed to show us our own sin so that we can deal with it! I say a sharp word to someone and the Lord shows it to me by a discomfort in my heart. I can ignore that—the words I said weren’t so bad and why does he need to be so touchy anyway! But if I ignore it, and I sometimes do, my heart gets hard in that place where I feel the unease. And it gets a little bit harder to see that sin the next time. God’s plan for us is to let His light reveal our moment-by-moment sins so we can confess and repent.

We often travel with a couple who are old friends of ours, and I’ve noticed that on each trip the husband usually comes to us at least once to say, “I was out of line in what I said yesterday and I want to acknowledge that. I don’t want anything between us.” We usually hadn’t really noticed, but what touches me is his heart to keep things clean and clear between us. That’s the light of God shining in his heart, encouraging him to confess places where his heart was wrong and where relationship may have been harmed.

“Lord God, thank you for the light You shine on us to expose our sin. May we be quick to respond to that light and make clean the areas You reveal. Amen.”


- Nell Sunukjian

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

November 29

Daniel 6:1-28; 2 Peter 3:1-18; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 28:21-22

I love the reading in Daniel today. Obviously, it’s a very familiar story. Perhaps, like me, you grew up in church and so have a flannel graph story board picture of the characters in this tale. It’s very dramatic, isn’t it? Bad guys who get jealous and set a trap; Daniel who gets caught; a cave of hungry lions as the punishment – it’s all there. But as familiar as the story is to me, I was struck in my reading today in a whole new way.

Have you ever noticed that this story is actually told from the perspective of the king? Growing up, I was taught about Daniel’s trust and bravery and, yes, those things are there. But, really, this is a story about King Darius. He is tricked into signing the injunction so the other leaders can rid themselves of Daniel. After Daniel is caught, he is in great distress (Dan. 6:14) and works all day to try to find a way out of it for Daniel. When his hand is forced (vs. 15), he commands that Daniel be placed in the den, but not until he gives Daniel some parting words: “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” (vs. 16). Then the night passes, but we don’t see how Daniel is faring with the lions; rather, we see how Darius’ night goes – he fasts, declines any distractions, and doesn’t sleep (vs. 18).

Morning finally comes, but again, instead of first finding out how Daniel is, we see the king arising at the “break of day” and going “in haste to the den” where he cries out “in a tone of anguish” (Dan. 6:19-20). Isn’t that amazing? All night this pagan king has worried over Daniel and has enough faith in Daniel's God that he calls out the next morning. And when Darius learns that Daniel is in fact spared, “he [is] exceeding glad” (vs. 23) and makes an amazing proclamation of faith: “In all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end” (vs. 26). These are incredible words for a pagan to say, let alone a powerful king. In a rare moment of humility and true perspective, King Darius sees how powerful God is. Isn’t that a great new way to think about the story of “Daniel and the Lions’ Den?”

As it turns out, we just recently finished a series in Daniel at church (don’t you love it when your One Year Bible lines up with church?), and I loved what my pastor said about Daniel in this passage. He pointed out that with Daniel’s three friends and the fiery furnace (Daniel 3), they were being persecuted for what they wouldn’t do – bow to an idol. In this passage, Daniel is being persecuted for what he won’t stop doing, namely praying to God three times a day. My pastor challenged us to think about the areas in our own lives, as believers, where we need to look different from the world around us. What are the things we will refuse to do? And what are the things that we will refuse to stop doing, because we love Jesus? Good questions for us all!


- Esther McCurry

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Tuesday, November 28, 2017

November 28

Daniel 5:1-31; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 28:19-20 

It’s nice to see the Israelites aren’t the only ones who didn’t learn from their forefathers’ mistakes. Well, maybe it isn’t nice to see, but it might give us a little more grace for them when we read about Belshazzar’s account in Daniel 5. He was guilty of the same pride and arrogance that led to his forefather Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall. But instead of learning from the mistakes of his forefather, he repeated them.

In fact, in all of Scripture, we see people having the chance to either learn from the mistakes of others before them, thus averting the destruction of their lives, or to repeat the mistakes and thereby ensure their own downfall. Even in our reading in 2 Peter 2:1-2, we see talk of false prophets whom “many will follow” in “their shameful ways,” thus “bringing swift destruction on themselves.” You would think Belshazzar, the Israelites, and those early Christians from 2 Peter would have chosen better when they had the examples and evidence right in front of them, right?

Lest we be the pot calling the tea kettle black, we should examine our own lives in this regard as well. Many of us struggle to overcome the sins of our fathers. Maybe we fall into the same patterns of sin our parents had - big or small. We may even blame them for making us “turn out this way.”

Over the last several years, I have watched firsthand how the marriage of two people very close to me was destroyed. While watching them interact, I became acutely aware of my own interactions with my husband. How did I speak to him? How was my tone? Did I blame unfairly or speak unkindness into his life? I became so aware of the little ways that small things and words can contribute to the destruction of a marriage. I had a choice: learn from their mistakes or repeat them. Lord have mercy, I did NOT want to repeat them.

Four years ago today, a great tragedy occurred in my life. In the midst of my acute sadness, I was aware that I would have a choice ahead of me in this process of grief. I had seen people ahead of me go through tragedy in their lives. It seemed like it either made them more bitter and angry inside, or, quite the opposite, they became more at peace, with an inner joy greater than before. I wanted to be in the second category. Whom would I follow?

Who will you follow? Do you know godly people in your life? People you admire and look up to? I am pretty sure they didn’t get that way by having an easy life and having everything go just right for them all the time. They probably had to choose over and over again to follow after Jesus, not what their own pride and comfort was choosing for them, nor the negative patterns of others set before them.  I think back to our Hebrews reading and the cloud of witnesses and how we should run with them after Jesus.

Oh Lord, we pray that you would “give [us] discernment that [we] may understand your statutes…because [we] love your commands more than gold” (Ps. 119:125,127). Help us to learn from the mistakes of others and always walk according to your perfect ways.


- Mary Matthias

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Monday, November 27, 2017

November 27

Daniel 4:1-37; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 28:17-18

I must confess.  I was behind until just a few minutes ago.  Only a day behind, but still.  However, and here is the point I'm going to make, reading two days of our One Year Bible gave me a chance to have Peter's words ringing in my ears as I read the story of Nebuchadnezzar.  

In his last chapter (our reading yesterday), Peter admonishes his hearers to be humble before the Lord and each other, quoting from Proverbs that "God opposes the proud" (Pr. 3:34).  Interestingly, this same proverb is quoted by James, too (see Jam. 4:6).

And then, today, we read about Nebuchadnezzar, whose self-satisfaction and aggrandizement ("Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" [Dan. 4:30, emphasis mine]) lead to his seven-year stint as a beast.  That is what I call opposition!  It is only when he "raise[s] [his] eyes toward heaven" (vs. 34), admitting his dependence on God, that his humanity is restored.  The right relationship is accepted by Creator and created through humility, forced or otherwise.  Nebuchadnezzar himself acknowledges the Lord's actions against his hubris: "Those who walk in pride [the Lord] is able to humble" (vs. 37).

While I don't like getting behind (that would be my perfectionism rearing its ugly head), I'm grateful for the way God worked in my tardiness.  I'm not sure Peter's words would have been as fresh in my mind had I read them yesterday.  I don't think I would have made the connections between Nebuchadnezzar's pride and Peter's exhortations to a young church hundreds of years later.  I would have almost certainly missed seeing another example of the continuity and consistency of Scripture. Instead, the Lord created an opportunity to reveal more about himself.  Just a small moment of grace extended specifically to me on this particular day.

Isn't God good?


- Sarah Marsh

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Sunday, November 26, 2017

November 26

Daniel 2:24-3:30; 1 Peter 4:7-5:14; Psalm 119: 81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16

I sat down to read the OYB today and there was Daniel.

Daniel—a young man with impeccable character who was a devoted follower of the God in heaven who reveals mysteries (Dan. 2:28). How did Daniel get this incredible confidence in the God of heaven? Where did he learn to resist the enticements of the culture in which he lived? How did he choose such good friends? Daniel was a Jewish lad living in exile in foreign Babylon. His entire life was thrown into chaos when Nebuchadnezzar defeated King Jehoiakim of Judah and sacked Jerusalem. Daniel was taken captive to Babylon where he lived for the rest of his life. Because he was a prince in Israel and intelligent, he was chosen to be developed for leadership in Babylon.

Back to my questions—where did he get the wisdom and fortitude he possessed? Judah had not been following their God for many decades, yet Daniel knows the law of his God.

I read this and stopped. I stopped to pray for my grandsons: Paul, Caleb, Noah, Joseph, Samuel, Levi, Daniel, Jonah and Isaiah. I prayed that they would become young men who follow the God of heaven as ardently as Daniel did. I prayed that they would have godly friends like Daniel did. I prayed that they would learn to resist the pull of their culture like Daniel did.

Then I read in 1 Peter 4:7: “The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Yes, that is what I want. To read the OYB and to pray as I read. As Psalm 119:81b says, “I have put my hope in Your Word.”

My hope is in God’s Word—not in the pervasive downward pull of our culture and not in any resistance to it that I can muster. My hope is in God’s Word. Somehow, in a time when his nation was apostate, Daniel knew God’s Word. And he knew the God of the Word. And he trusted Him his whole life and served him devoutly in a pagan culture.

Lord, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations (Ps. 119:20). I need not fear the godless culture around me. I can trust You to raise up godly men to lead like Daniel did. And I pray that my grandsons would be among those men.”


- Nell Sunukjian 

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

November 25

Daniel 1:1-2:23; 1 Peter 3:8-4:6; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 28:14

I mentioned this briefly in my post on 5/27, but the Thanksgiving Eve service at our church made me think of it again.  We did a responsive reading of portions of Psalm 136, with the congregation repeating, "His love endures forever."  When I read these words in Psalm 119, I hear the same echo.  Just as Israel chose to declare God's love, so we, too, can choose to proclaim: "You are good, and what you do is good."  Thanksgiving may have been bittersweet this year (or even just bitter), but we can still speak this truth.

Though the diagnosis came back as cancer,
        You are good, and what you do is good.
As I live with the knowledge of betrayal in my marriage,
        You are good, and what you do is good.
When countries revolt and terror lurks,
        You are good, and what you do is good.
My children are rebellious and foolish, but
        You are good, and what you do is good.
I am alone and old and unwanted, yet
        You are good, and what you do is good.
The world seems to spin out of control;
        You are good, and what you do is good.
My future is uncertain and unknown;
        You are good, and what you do is good.
Friends and family are aging and dying; even so
        You are good, and what you do is good.
When deeply held dreams and hopes remain unfulfilled,
        You are good, and what you do is good.
When the phone doesn't ring,
    the bills mount up,
        the pregnancy test is negative,
            the company downsizes,
You are good, and what do you is good.

Thank you, Lord.


- Sarah Marsh

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Friday, November 24, 2017

November 24

Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; 1 Peter 2:11-3:7; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 28:12-13

Man, oh man, is our New Testament passage packed today or what? As I read 1 Peter, I kept thinking to myself, “I could write about this. Oh wait, I could write about this! No, this is what I’m going to write about!!” So here we go.

First, a general observation – this confident, bold, direct Peter is the same Peter who denied Jesus to the servant girl by the fire. Isn’t it marvelous to see how Peter stepped into his position as “the rock” of the church, leading with courage and truth? I am so encouraged by his transformation.

Now, onto the verses themselves –

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Pet. 2:16).

This verse is very convicting for me, as it would have been for Peter’s readers. As first generation Christians, they were probably overwhelmed with the freedoms they now experienced – freedom from guilt, freedom from the law, freedom from the obligation of perfect obedience to please God. And Peter tells them to live into this freedom, to embrace it, to not keep acting as they did before Christ set them free. But on the other hand, he warns them not to take advantage of the freedom, to not let freedom in Christ become an excuse to do evil. This is true for us today – God wants us to be truly free, not hamstrung by the need to be perfect or earn his salvation or live by a restrictive set of laws that he never intended. But there are still boundaries because we are servants of God. Here’s a practical application for us today. Alcohol can be a sensitive subject when it comes to believers, and, for many years, it’s been viewed by Christians as evil. But our freedom in Christ teaches us that no food or drink in and of itself is evil; we are free to partake, to enjoy it as we celebrate the abundance of God’s goodness in our lives (much like the people at the wedding in Cana did when Jesus turned the water into wine). However, we can’t use our freedom as an excuse to drink in excess. We are still servants of God. Drunkenness is never pleasing to the Lord and is not a reflection of someone living as his servant.  

Onto the next profound verse.

“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (2:23).

This is SO hard for me to swallow. There have been a handful of times in my life where I’ve felt truly wronged, where I was falsely judged and the need to justify myself was STRONG. I want to be heard; I want to be understood. I want to tell my side of the story so that everyone knows I’ve been falsely accused. But the example of Christ is truly amazing – he did not retaliate, but he trusted himself to God, who is the true judge. Wow.

“Wives…do not let your adorning be external…but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious” (3:3-4).

Here’s another humdinger! What a challenge to us wives today. This is particularly striking to me as I live in Southern California (and am raising a daughter here). Outward beauty is very important in our culture – weight, teeth, skin, hair – everything is picked apart and evaluated. But God’s word tells us that those things aren’t what make us lovely to God (and shouldn’t be what’s important to our husbands, either). The person inside, the hidden person of gentleness, is what is precious to God. When I was in my 20s, those words “gentle and quiet spirit” used to really bother me. If you know me, I’m pretty much the opposite of that. I’m direct, bossy, not a people pleaser and not at all quiet. How then was I pleasing to God? But taken in their context of how a wife is to relate to her husband, they make a whole lot more sense. And I find them easier to apply. My husband, Ian, as is probably true for many husbands, is very tone sensitive. As the closest person to him in his life, I have the most power to hurt him, and very often this happens just through a tone. In our years of marriage, I have learned it really is a gentle and quiet spirit that helps my marriage thrive, and it’s surprisingly easy for me do, thanks to God’s grace in my life.

“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered” (3:7).

Good – I’m glad they get their instructions, too. What a calling for husbands, to live with their wives in an understanding way. And what a consequence if they don’t – prayers that don’t get answered! So if there is a husband out there who has been praying for a job promotion while at the same time refusing to help his wife with household chores even though she’s been telling him she’s tired and overwhelmed and needs his help, perhaps he should reevaluate his decision!

But what about this “weaker vessel” business? What does that mean? At first glance, this can feel sexist, but upon further study, we see that it’s just the opposite. It is a frequent theme in the New Testament that God wants to affirm those whom society has disregarded (women, the lame, tax collectors, etc.) and here is another example. Peter is calling husbands to see the equality their wives have with them (“since they are heirs with you”) even though society has labeled them as weaker vessels. He calls them to honor their wives, rather than misusing the authority they have.

Okay, one more verse. Hang in there, because this one’s the best!

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (2:24).

That is the Gospel, people. The Good News doesn’t get any clearer than that! Jesus took our sins to the cross so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. Hallelujah! If you ever wonder what God has done for you or doubt his goodness or generosity, remind yourself of 1 Peter 2:24. That is what Jesus did for you; that is how much he loves you. Thank you, Jesus!!


- Esther McCurry

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you. 

Thursday, November 23, 2017

November 23

Ezekiel 45:13-46:24; 1 Peter 1:13-2:10; Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 28:11

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope today is full of good conversation and good food with friends and family. I know I am anticipating a great day! And I’ll try to keep this short so we can all enjoy our holiday.

Now onto 1 Peter – wow, where to begin!? There’s so much rich and beautiful theology in this passage. I love how Peter starts this passage by affirming to his hearers (remember, this letter would have been read out loud at each church) who they are: “As obedient children…” (1 Pet. 1:13). They are struggling and they are being persecuted (vs. 6) but Peter calls them children, and not just children, but obedient ones; and he calls them to be holy.

And then look at what he says next – “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers” (1 Pet. 1:18) – I love that word, ransomed. It’s not too common in our vernacular – it’s in some worship songs and has a negative connotation with kidnapping but most of us probably don’t use it daily – but the imagery here is amazing. To be ransomed from something means to be “released after receiving payment.” Peter’s listeners (and us!) were being held captive, but, through the work that Jesus did, their payment (and ours!) was made in full and they were set free from their foolish ways. And what was the work that Jesus did? How was the payment made? “With the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (vs. 19). Incredible theology. Pastors don’t just make this stuff up, people. We were literally saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.

In this passage, we get another amazing theological pillar: being born again. Did you catch that in verse 23? Jesus teaches that concept for the first time to Nicodemus in John 3 and there's no doubt that Peter, as one of his closest disciples, learned of that teaching. It clearly made an impression as he communicates more truth to these people about who they are: “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Pet. 1:22-23). What incredible truths – we’ve been born again, this time for immortality, and that birth was through God’s word.

There’s more, too. The idea of the “good news” (1 Pet. 1:25), which is the way we now think about the gospel; the idea of being a “chosen race” (2:9); the idea of being “living stones” (vs. 4) and so on. But since I’m sure your turkey is starting to smell good, I’ll wrap things up. As we go through our day today and the weeks ahead, let’s remember who we are – obedient children, holy, ransomed. Thank you, Jesus!


- Esther McCurry

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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

November 22

Ezekiel 44:1-45:12; 1 Peter 1:1-12; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 28:8-10

I have loved this passage in 1 Peter for some time now.  Several years ago, our church was in the midst of what eventually became a church split.  It was a terribly painful and confusing time, for people on both sides of the issue.  As church staff, Eric and I felt attacked and maligned and persecuted and also called to sit meekly before the onslaught.

I memorized verses 2b through 9 during these days.  Peter's words to the church scattered abroad were - and are still - very comforting.  Our inheritance could never perish, spoil or fade (1 Pet. 1:4), though our job was certainly on the line.  We were shielded by God's power (vs. 5), and therefore did not need to manufacture our own rescue; we could wait on God's timing and activity.  We suffered grief in all kinds of trials (vs. 6), and it was reassuring to know that we were not alone in the history of God's people.

My favorite section of this passage, though, is verse 8.  "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1 Pet. 1:8).  (I thought about italicizing some words in that quotation, but realized that I'd basically end up emphasizing the whole verse, so refrained.)

Look at those words again:
            "Though you have not seen him" - this is me!  I have not seen our Jesus.
                        But "you love him" - yes!  Yes, I do.  
            "Though you do not see him now" - in the agony and uncertainty of our church situation, it was hard to see the presence of God.
                        But "you believe in him" - and this was what we clung to.
            You "are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" - this description of joy just overwhelms me.  "Inexpressible" - beyond my ability to articulate or understand.  "Glorious" - majestic, holy, powerful, awesome.  That's some kind of real joy, ladies and gents!

This section of Scripture became meaningful during a dark period of time.  You are probably not in the midst of a church divide, but you may be in the middle of a cancer treatment or a divorce or a job change and you feel this same sort of pain and uncertainty.  This is for you today:

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, [I pray that you will] believe in him [and be] filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy."  Amen.


- Sarah Marsh

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

November 21

Ezekiel 42:1-43:27; James 5:1-20; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 28:6-7

“You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” (Jam. 5:5). 

Wow! These words are very piercing and convicting. There are many times I wonder if that’s just what we are doing in our comfortable middle class lives. Sure, I’m not the richest person out there, but I do very much live in luxury. I would like to be able to afford a few more full body massages, but I seriously do have pretty much every comfort I need and want. Am I fattening myself on the day of slaughter? 

I am extra sensitive to passages like these as we approach the holiday season. All around me are advertisements shoved in front of my eyes for stuff and more stuff. My kids grab all those Black Friday newspaper ads and plow through them updating me every 30 seconds with what they would like to have for Christmas. Am I teaching my kids to fatten themselves on the day of slaughter?

What is this passage really talking about? After reflecting on it and praying over it, here’s my take on it. No commentaries or Bible scholars were consulted, so take this for what it’s worth as my understanding of what Scripture is trying to say here.

Let’s look at the context this piercing verse is found in (I do remember something from my Bible classes!).  First, James is talking in the four preceding verses about how the rich people have “failed to pay the workmen who mowed [their] fields” and that their cries “have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty” (Jam. 5:4). James is condemning the rich because they have not treated the poor with justice and given them their due wages. That is how they have fattened themselves in the day of slaughter.

Secondly, the three verses following James 5:5 talk about how the end times are coming and we should “be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (Jam. 5:8). This shows us that the rich people in verse 5 were totally oblivious to the time in which they lived. Their priorities were all wrong. They were fattening themselves up, not knowing that on that very day they were going to be slaughtered. If they knew they were going to be slaughtered, do you think they would have done things differently? Absolutely!

These reflections cause me to ask some probing questions about my own life:
            -How am I treating the poor? Am I treating them fairly? Am I actively pursuing ways to help them in their livelihood? Do I try to help give them good work and purpose? How can I really do this in my middle class life and neighborhood? Oh Lord, show me. I want to love the poor like your Word commands us to over and over again. 
            -Am I aware of the signs of the times? Am I watching, preparing, anticipating your return? Am I more concerned with laying up my treasures in heaven than here on earth? Where does my energy go - to accumulating more and more, or to giving my possessions and myself to others? Lord, have mercy on me. May I have the eyes to see where you are at work and the desire to join you whole-heartedly.


- Mary Matthias

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Monday, November 20, 2017

November 20

Ezekiel 40:28-41:26; James 4:1-17; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 28:3-5

Our chapter in James today is full of good, hard questions and commands, isn't it?

I couldn't help but think of the times I'm impatient with our children when I read.  "You want something but don't get it" (Jam. 4:2), and when I want order or quiet or efficiency and don't get it, I lash out at them.  Children are fundamentally disorderly, loud, and inefficient!  (And lovable.)

I remembered praying to make the cheerleading squad in junior high, telling God it would open opportunities for me to be the light of Jesus, but knowing I really just wanted to find my way into the popular crowd.  "When you ask, ... you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures" (Jam. 4:3).  Ouch.

"God opposes the proud" (Jam. 4:6).  Oppose is a very strong, set-against sort of word, just as pride is a very strong, set-against sort of attitude.

"Grieve, mourn and wail.  Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom" (Jam. 4:9).  I don't understand why humility and happiness seem at odds.

"Who are you to judge your neighbor?" (Jam. 4:12)  I've made far too many comments about my literal neighbors and about my figurative neighbors.  (See "God opposes the proud," above.)

"All such boasting is evil" (Jam. 4:16).  I'm a planner.  I set a course and then list the steps to make it happen.  And then I congratulate myself when my actions result in a favorable conclusion.  I forget how much I owe to a physically strong body (courtesy of God), a strong impulse to save financially (courtesy of observing my parents), a democratic, capitalistic society (courtesy of the Founding Fathers).

And the most convicting of all: "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins" (Jam. 4:17). Oh, boy.

Nestled among these needed course-corrections, though, is encouragement beyond all hope: "Come near to God and he will come near to you" (Jam. 4:8).  What a beautiful truth!  As we humble ourselves and acknowledge our dependence, God is available and present to us.  

Advent is approaching, and I've been caught again and again by the incredible gift of the incarnation.  God became man and dwelt among us.  "Immanuel" - God is with us.  God's heart is always toward us; his presence is always intimately close by; his spirit lives within us.  God is already near to us - how can that not make us want to be nearer to him?  

Thanksgiving, too, is near, and I've realized again how thankful I am for God's Word.  It encourages me; it convicts me; it reveals truth about God to me and also truth about myself.  It is beautiful and powerful and such an incredible opportunity to know God, and, this year, it has been a way to interact with all of you.  I'm grateful.


- Sarah Marsh

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

November 19

Ezekiel 39:1-40:27; James 2:18-3:18; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 28:2

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by now with Ezekiel, let’s review to understand where we are in Judah’s history.

Judah is in captivity in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar’s rule according to Dr. Charles Dyer in The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Ezekiel is one of the last prophets to write as the Old Testament canon is closing; he is writing during a thirty-year period about 580 years before Jesus’ birth. He writes about the judgment on Judah (chapters 1-24), the judgment on Gentile nations (chapters 25-32) and the eventual blessings that will come to Israel (chapters 33-48) as cited in TBKC on pages 1226-1227.

In Ezekiel 39 we read of an attack on Judah (also called Israel in this section) by Gog. Dr. Dyer believes that Gog is Russia plus some of her allies. We see that Israel triumphs in Ezekiel 39:11. This prophecy awaits fulfillment.

In chapter 40 God took Ezekiel back to Jerusalem in a vision. He saw the new temple and we’ll read more details about it tomorrow. The rebuilding of the temple is also yet to be fulfilled.

So we’re reading important history before it happens! Events in our world indicate that the world is changing rapidly. Keep watching for where God is at work because He is always at work!

James is a more practical book. It’s fun to read it alongside the visions and drama of Ezekiel because James has little drama but much to say about how we are to live for “faith without works is dead” (Jam. 2:26).

Psalm 118 is one of my favorites—expressive and emotive. Here are verses 10-12.

            “All the nations surrounded me,
            but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

            They surrounded me on every side,
            but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

            They swarmed around me like bees,
            but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
            in the name of the LORD I cut them off.”

The prophetic words from Ezekiel will be fulfilled. And God will triumph as the psalmist writes. We can trust in the Omnipotence of our God as we watch history unfold around us.


- Nell Sunukjian

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

November 18

Ezekiel 37:1-38:23; James 1:19-2:17; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 28:1

Ezekiel 37:1-10 is so interesting.  On a sheer literal level, what an event!  A valley full - full! - of bones, dry as only old bones left to themselves can be.  Abandoned, unloved, unburied.  A terrifying moment of noise as the bones rattle together, a fear-inducing rejoining of skeletons, then the covering with tendons and muscles and skin.  A great host of lifeless bodies, standing inert until life enters them with breath, and they live.

I mean, wow.  Really.  WOW.  This is more suited to a Halloween Haunted House or a Dia de los Muertos celebration!

A few comments on the literal level:
* For a good Jew, like Ezekiel, this scene would have been revolting.  Unburied bodies contaminated those nearby, causing ceremonial uncleanness (see Num. 19:11, for example).  A valley full of them would distress an observant Jew.
* Notice the emphasis on very dry bones.  These are ancient bones, picked clean by scavengers and left to bleach in the sun.
* The amount of bones is significant: it's not one or two skeletons, nor can we be sure the bones are even in skeleton-like heaps.  It's a scene of destruction and death and loss.  These are "the slain" (Ez. 37:9).

But then look at this on the spiritual level.

God asks Ezekiel if these bones can live.  Then, through his prophet, God acts to restore, to renew.  He makes a promise and then fulfills it.  God takes the dead and broken and brings new life and wholeness.  Despair and destruction make way for hope and a future.  Nothing is beyond our God.

A few comments on the spiritual level, and some application for our own lives:
* Ezekiel's faith - "you alone know" (Ez. 37:3).  I can hear my answer to that question, a resounding "no."  I've taken high school biology.  I know the stats on physical life after death.  But Ezekiel acknowledges that another option is possible with God.  I want to live my life in a manner that indicates the same trust and even hope.  "You alone know," Lord, whether my marriage is salvageable.  "You alone know," Lord, whether these medical treatments will heal me.  "You alone know," Lord, whether my loved one will turn toward you in repentance.
* Ezekiel acts as the Lord commands (vs. 7, 10).  His simple declaration of trust leads him to act in faith, and the result of his obedience is dramatic.  What an event he gets to be a part of because he obeys!  Even when confronted with a seemingly impossible situation, Ezekiel prophesies - and the Lord answers.  This, too, is an encouragement to me: God is capable of healing the fractured relationships in my life; God is eager to deliver me from the habitual sin that keeps me from Christ-likeness; God is able.  No matter how desperate the situation, it can be redeemed.  God can redeem.  But my obedience comes first.
* True life is the ultimate goal.  It's not enough to have a body without life, without vitality.  This "vast army" (vs. 10) is only truly animated by the breath of God.  I, too, am only really alive when filled with the activity and presence of the Holy Spirit.  We all know men and women who live a deadened life, joyless and monotonous.  That is "life," but yet is not.  God offers so much more.  "I will settle my Spirit in you and you will live" (vs. 14).  Hallelujah!

"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him all you peoples.  For great is his love toward us and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever" (Ps. 117:1-2, emphasis mine).  Amen and amen.


- Sarah Marsh


How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Friday, November 17, 2017

November 17

Ezekiel 35:1-36:38; James 1:1-18; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 27:23-27

Isn’t it a great time of year? We’re getting closer to Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday; the weather is turning cooler; for some of you, the trees are changing color (palm trees are pretty much always green at the beach); and we’re getting incrementally closer to our goal of reading the Bible in a year. Way to go, us!

Today we get to start a new book – James. Written by Jesus’ brother, James, around 44-48 AD, this book gives us great practical applications for living a life centered around faith in Christ. James was the leader of the Jerusalem church. [As a side note, don’t you love that even though there are times in the New Testament when Jesus’ words make us wonder about his relationship with his family (Matt. 12:46-48), the fact that his brother leads this large and prominent church affirms that they did love and believe in him in the end?] We see in John 7:5 that James perhaps doubted, but 1 Corinthians 15:7 reveals that Jesus appeared directly to James and this compels his conversion and, most likely, is the impetus for his rise to leadership.

Pressing on. So James writes this letter about ten years after the death of Christ and ten years into the new life of the church. He writes it to all the believers who have been forced out of Jerusalem (he calls them the “Twelve Tribes”), in an effort to encourage them during their trials and to exhort them to wholeheartedly commit themselves to God, who requires absolute allegiance (Jam. 4:4-5). In essence, this is a letter of moral exhortation to struggling and tempted believers (Moo, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, 87-88). And exhort them (and us) he does!

There’s so much even in this first section from today’s reading, but I was particularly struck by verses 14 and 15: “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Isn’t that just such a true picture of what happens? We are drawn into sin by our desire – by the things we want, that we perhaps feel we are entitled to. Satan doesn’t tempt us with things that hold no power over us; he goes for where we are vulnerable, for the places we’ve been letting little lies creep in. God isn’t good. There isn’t enough money. Her house is better than mine. The website isn’t really that bad. My wife doesn’t love me the way she should. We are enticed by our desire which gives birth to sin – but instead of bringing forth life the way a normal birth does, it brings forth death. The gossip we indulge in eventually becomes our world, the only way we know how to relate to others. The comparison we give into about other people’s houses or jobs or kids grows to make us dissatisfied with our whole lives. The thoughts we entertain about someone else’s spouse becomes the affair we feel we are justified in. Desire gives birth to sin, which grows into death: the death of our families, the death of our relationships, the death of our marriages, the death of our very souls.

Hooray for the psalm today, the gracious reminder we so need – “I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy” (Ps. 116:1). Have mercy on us, Jesus! We want to do the right thing, but we often fail. Thank you that you hear our call and save us, no matter how many times we fail. Have mercy on us!


- Esther McCurry

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

November 16

Ezekiel 33:1-34:31; Hebrews 13:1-25; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 27:21-22

If you live in California, and maybe even other parts of the United States, then you’ve probably heard about the devastating wildfires that have been ravaging northern California. So many lives and homes lost. Some of those with houses destroyed or lives lost had no idea that the fires were coming. The winds moved so quickly and forcefully that the flames were upon them without any warning.

However, most people were given a warning that the fires were coming. Alarms were sounded and mandatory evacuations issued.  Yet some people refused to leave their homes. Why? Why wouldn’t they heed the warnings and alarms given to them about a life-threatening situation?  That seems kind of crazy, right? I mean, run for your life, right?! The only conclusion I can come to, as to why they would refuse to go, is that they didn’t really believe they were in that much danger. They may have thought the warnings were overstated and everything was going to be fine. 

I think this must be the same syndrome the Israelites have in the book of Ezekiel. Over and over again Ezekiel is commissioned by the Lord on their behalf. “Son of Man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning for me” (Ez. 33:7).  But Israel doesn’t want to hear the warning of coming destruction. They don’t believe it’s really going to happen. They say, “Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession” (vs. 24). They think they are going to be fine, that things are going to be as they have always been.

God says to Ezekiel, “My people come to you and listen to your word, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain” (Ez. 33:31). Their sin keeps them from seeing, and practicing, the truth. Disaster IS coming, and they should take heed. But they continually disregard the words of the prophets; being wise in their own eyes, they continue on with their sin and arrogance.

It is easy for us to see their mistakes because history shows us that destruction and devastation did indeed come just as was predicted. But I wonder if we had lived in that time, and without the benefit of hindsight, would we have been any different?

How often are we justified and wise in our own eyes? Convinced that we see and know best? We don’t grasp the weightiness of sin saying, “Surely that isn’t what God’s Word says/means. That was for a different time period, things are different now.” Or we live our lives in comfort, oblivious to the signs of the times happening all around us, saying “Surely things aren't going to be all that bad. Let’s not get too radical here.” Do we listen to the words, but refuse to put them into practice? Do our mouths express devotion, but our hearts indicate otherwise?

These words are challenging to me. I would like to believe that everything is going to be fine. But here on this earth, we know we will face hardship and challenges and many difficult things in our lives. Do we heed the warnings when they come? Maybe that verse that convicts your heart, or that word from a dear friend or sister, or the sermon you heard on Sunday seems to speak just to you. Heed the warning, dear friends, and hear the alarms. Flee sin and anything that might keep you from seeing, hearing, and acting on the truths in God’s word. Let’s not get caught in the trap of thinking everything is going to be just fine, and go down in the fires and ashes.

We serve a good, good God. “We say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ (Heb. 13:6). He is so ready and willing to help us and be with us in our times of need. Let us turn to him daily, listening to his voice, and responding in obedience.


- Mary Matthias

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

November 15

Ezekiel 31:1-32:32; Hebrews 12:14-29; Psalm 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 27:18-20

Several disparate portions of our reading today caught my eye, a little out of each section.  They don't really have a cohesive theme, so I'll just write four little mini-posts.

In our Old Testament reading, the beauty of the tree (a metaphor for Assyria) is so, well, beautiful.  Strong and almost elegant in its description, nurturing and proud.  "Beautiful" or "beauty" are used four times in seven verses, and words such as "majestic" and "abundant" emphasize this beauty.  Also clear in the description is the unique place occupied by this tree.  It has no rival, no match for its beauty; it is "the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God" (Ez. 31:8-9).  I've been interested in God's awareness of and love for beauty for several years now, and this passage makes me want to study it more.

The initial verses in our Hebrews reading jumped out because of their call to a righteous life.  The writer exhorts us to "make every effort to live in peace with all men" (Heb. 12:14), a high and holy call if there is one, a call that is necessary because such harmony will make sure that "no one misses the grace of God" because of bitterness and trouble (see vs. 15).  To think that I could miss the grace of God because I continue to live in tension and resentment and bitterness toward others is awful and sad; to think that I could cause others to miss the grace of God is even worse.

I've mentioned before about the theme of reversal that we see throughout Scripture.  God delights in overthrowing the status quo, in upending the normal course of events.  We see this theme in Psalm 113.  Notice that the poor and needy are lifted up to the level of princes; notice that the barren woman's barrenness is overturned, making her the happy mother of children (see vs. 7-9).  I'm grateful for the reversal-making of our God; it constantly reminds me that change, redemption, HOPE are possible because God is in the business of turning ashes into beauty.

I was surprised that a "man's heart reflects the man" (Pr. 27:19).  It seems backward to me.  It seems more likely that the man would reflect the heart, that the inward motivations and desires would be demonstrated by the actions of the outward person. I agree that the heart is the most essential representation of the whole person, but I was more expecting the idea that "out of the overflow of the heart" (Lk. 6:45) comes action.  I'll need to think about this more.


- Sarah Marsh

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

November 14

Ezekiel 29:1-30:26; Hebrews 11:32-12:13; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 27:17

I did my One Year Bible reading this morning, and I couldn’t wait to have some time to do my post. I have just been so excited about the people of faith we have been reading about in Hebrews. 

“Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets” (Heb. 11:32) are the headliners for our reading today on people of great faith. I love reading about all the amazing things they did in our Lord’s name, but the line that most caught my attention was the one describing them as those “whose weakness was turned to strength” (vs. 34).  We’ve already read about each of these people of faith in our OYB readings so far this year, so we know their story. But let’s look at our list again and how they could have been known.

Gideon: doubter; Barak: hider-behind-skirts; Samson: womanizer; Jephthah: daughter-sacrificer; David: adulterer; Samuel: well, there’s nothing really bad to say about him; and the prophets: at times, fearful, doubting, running from God, and more.

But those are not the words the writer of Hebrews uses to describe these people. No, they are praised for their faith (“being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” [Heb. 11:1]). So highly were they respected that the author finally exclaims – “the world was not worthy of them” (vs. 38)!

Isn’t that such good news? God took their weakness and turned it into strength. God wasn’t limited by them living mistake-free and without failings. God wasn’t dependent on them making every right decision and hitting everything right on the mark in order for him to use them for mighty, mighty things. I’ll admit, I would not have included some of those names on the list of people of great faith. But God was not disappointed in them. 

Since that can be true about those people who did some pretty crazy and bad stuff along with the good, maybe that can also be true for you and me. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:1-2a).

Let’s do it! Let’s throw it off! Let’s run free in earnest pursuit in the kingdom of God. Let’s not wait to be made perfect, to be sinless, to have it all figured out. Let’s do it now. Jesus will take us and perfect our faith as we go along. He’s with us – the author and perfecter. We don’t do it on our own. We just need to have faith, the sureness that Jesus is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do. 

Hebrews 12:12: “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” Who’s ready to run!?!


- Mary Matthias

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Monday, November 13, 2017

November 13

Ezekiel 27:1-28:26; Hebrews 11:17-31; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 27:15-16

Eric and I are speaking this week at a local MOPS.  We were asked to talk about what we do to keep our marriage healthy and strong.  During a brainstorming time, I wrote down the idea of "how to fight well."  Generally speaking, we try to fight in and for the moment, keeping other days and hurts well out of it; we also try to concede as many points to the other as possible while still being genuine.  We never consider that the situation is unfixable.  We fail in this fair-fighting plenty, but the guidelines do keep us from being completely undone.

Yesterday, I was quilting a bed covering for our youngest son and listened to some TED talks while stitching.  One speaker mentioned the mathematics of conflict in marriage.  Turns out that the mandate "do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" (Eph. 4:26) is proven true by research.  The more conflict we address as it happens, the less volatile the relationship grows, and the longer the relationship will likely last.

And today I read that "a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day" (Pr. 27:15).  We live in an old house, and we've added on twice.  Until very recently, whenever it rained (which, in drought-ridden SoCal, is not often), we had to set a bowl out in one particular spot.  Plink.  Plink.  Plink.  Plink.  Not much, and not loud, but enough and continuous.  By the end of the day, when I settled down to enjoy the quiet of all five children done for the day, it was enough to drive me mad.  Plink.  Plink.  Plink.  Like the erosion caused by rivers to create canyons and gorges, so this drip-drip-drip was an erosion of my sanity.  Plink.  Plink.

We finally fixed the dripping.  Though it was such a small drip, it surprisingly took multiple efforts and a lot of failure before we were ultimately successful.  A roofer came and spent an afternoon on our roof.  Looking back, it seems like drastic measures for such a small irritation.

I think those same kind of drastic measures are necessary, though, to undo the constant irritation of a quarrelsome wife.  Quick fixes, like a bowl or a vow to "hold my tongue," aren't enough.  It takes an overhaul.  An expert has to go in, find the problem, and address it.  Simply imposing external forces on the situation, much like "restraining the wind" (vs. 16), won't work.  Trying harder, like "grasping oil with the hand" (vs. 16), won't work.  Submitting to a master - whose job it is to repair and restore - is the only solution.

Are you quarrelsome, whether as wife or husband or parent or child or friend or worker?  Are you gradually wearing down those around you with your criticism, sarcasm, cruelty?  Have you tried, without success, to will yourself into a different pattern?  Are you beginning to despair that it could ever be any different?

Perhaps today is the day to let the master carpenter, Jesus Christ, take his expertise and pound out the dripping holes in your life, re-covering you in his love and acceptance.  That love and acceptance can become a shelter and a haven for those around you, transforming you from "plink, plink" to one "brings good, not harm, all the days of [your] life" (Pr. 31:12).

Lord Jesus, let this become true in my life. Amen. 


- Sarah Marsh

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Sunday, November 12, 2017

November 12

Ezekiel 24:1-26:21; Hebrews 11:1-16; Psalm 110:1-7; Proverbs 27:14

A love story.

Tucked in the middle of Ezekiel’s prophecies about the future of Judah and her neighbors is a love story. Yes, a love story—a sad, but beautiful, picture of marriage.

Ezekiel has been faithfully proclaiming to Judah that certain judgment and exile await them. “I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions” (Ez. 24:14). Then, unexpectedly, the Lord tells Ezekiel that this is going to be very personal very soon. His wife is going to die. She is going to die and it will happen with no warning.

And he is not to grieve.

Notice the love language with which the Lord describes Ezekiel’s wife—“the delight of your eyes” (Ez. 24:16). Very tender words are used to describe his wife. Not ‘ball and chain’ or even ‘better half,' but words expressing great affection and enjoyment. She who brings him comfort, joy and delight is going to die.

And so it happens. Mrs. Ezekiel dies during the night (Ez. 24:18).

Ezekiel shows no outward signs of mourning, as he has been instructed by the Lord. For the Lord is using Mrs. Ezekiel’s death and Ezekiel’s refusal to mourn to illustrate to his wayward and unbelieving people that when Jerusalem falls—that stronghold in which they take pride, that delight of their eyes, the object of their affection—they will not mourn nor observe the usual mourning rituals. They will not have the opportunity to grieve because their lives and choices will be taken from them by their conquerors.

Ezekiel remains faithful to God. His wife dies. He cannot even grieve her loss. And he faces a difficult future without the companionship of his dear wife. But he trusts God with that future.

I find hope in the fact that God embedded a love story in a tragedy. Even when war and famine are facing a nation, people still love each other.

And God still loves His people. As He disciplines them and sends them to exile, He loves them. And as He plans for their future and for their return to the land, He loves them.

Our loving God loves a love story.


- Nell Sunukjian


How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

November 11

Ezekiel 23:1-49; Hebrews 10:18-39; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 27:13

A doozy of a day, huh?  Not only do we have the very uncomfortable calling-down-of-curses in Psalm 109, but we also have the all-out grossness of Ezekiel 23.  A couple of comments on each:

In Psalm 109, we see the persecuted psalmist calling out to the Lord for what looks like vengeance.  Note that the psalmist is not swearing revenge himself, but instead appeals to the Lord for an advocate, "an evil man to oppose him" (vs. 6).  Because of this wicked man's deeds, let judgment fall upon him to a complete and total degree.  "Make it so obvious, Lord," he pleads.  He wants this calamity to be far-reaching and long-lasting: children, wife, parents are all affected (see vs. 9-10, 12, 14-15); finances (vs. 11) and even physical health (vs. 18-19) may suffer.  This desired justice is dreadful.  We who say, "Jesus loves me, this I know" are on shaky ground here.

It's also perhaps familiar ground.  I can empathize with the psalmist who feels alone and unfairly accused and viciously attacked (vs. 2-5, 20), who feels weary and worn out (vs. 22-24).  But today I'm struck that the psalmist puts all this into the hands of a praiseworthy God.  The psalm begins and ends with an acknowledgement of praise - the writer knows who is in control and to whom he should turn.  God is trustworthy and faithful.  We can take comfort in that.

Ezekiel 23 has to be one of the most disgusting chapters in all of the Bible, not excluding the chapters in Leviticus about discharges and hairs in blemishes.  Even those exhaustive descriptions of icky physical situations can't touch the "ewww" I felt as I read.  Prostitution and promiscuity and lusting after beast-like lovers, lewdness and defilement and child sacrifice.  I, living in 21st century America, have seen my fair share of gross things.  My state recently legalized recreational marijuana, and our ballot also included a proposition requiring the porn industry to provide condoms for its employees.  I know women who have aborted their babies; there's a friend of a friend who is watching another woman grow with her own husband's child, while the child they bore together is hospitalized for serious medial concerns.  All awful and infuriating and just gross.

But that pales in comparison to the rampant depravity described in this chapter.  The prophet paints the most offensive picture possible as evidence of how God views the idolatry of his people.  "This is how bad what you're doing really is," God says.  "This is how repellent your actions are."  And this is why God finally must act to bring judgment.  God is disgusted; it is time to re-set the nation through exile.

On the one hand, this passage is somewhat comforting - "we're not as bad as that," I say (nervously) to myself.  On the other hand, this passage is terrifying - the scenario is so vile that it gives me a glimpse of how sin offends a holy God.  Idolatry brings consequences: even here, God is trustworthy and faithful.  Instead of comforting us, though, that truth should galvanize us (as it was meant to for God's nation) to repentance and obedience.

And, on an upbeat and unrelated note, we only have about 50 more days in our One Year Bible journey.  Congratulations for all the time and effort you've put in so far this year - be thinking now about your plans for 2018.  How will you invest in Scripture next year?  Some of us will be reading the OYB again, and we'd love to have company!


- Sarah Marsh

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you. 

Friday, November 10, 2017

November 10

Ezekiel 21:1-22:31; Hebrews 10:1-17; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 27:12

Today I want to deviate from my normal routine and just spend some time meditating on the very powerful words in Hebrews. Have you been noticing the nuggets of sheer beauty and truth and power? Let’s look at a few from today:

“And by that will, we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Heb. 10:10, emphasis mine).

“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet” (vs. 12-13).

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (vs. 14).

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more” (vs. 17).

Do you hear the language here? It’s all encompassing.  (See all [pun not intended] the references to all.) It’s thorough and complete and once, for everyone, for all time. Isn’t that amazing? What Christ did one time on the cross was enough, more than enough, to cover all sin, all lawless deeds, all wickedness for all time. By his one death, he defeated death a million times over. Through him, we are being made perfect.

Let’s sit in that today, overwhelmed with gratitude for what our Savior did.

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book’” (vs. 5-7).

Thank you, Lord. Amen.


- Esther McCurry

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

November 9

Ezekiel 20:1-24; Hebrews 9:11-28; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 27:11

I’m doing a Bible study on the book of Judges with some ladies at my church. It’s been a while since I’ve been in an official Bible study, and it’s been really fun to read and discuss God’s word. It’s also reminded me of the things we read earlier this year in our One Year Bible. Sarah mentioned this yesterday, how we’ve seen Israel forget and remember, but it struck me again today, I think because of the Judges study.

Ezekiel recounts, yet again, Israel’s history to the men who come seeking of the LORD from him: “On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most glorious of all lands. And I said to them, Cast away the detestable things your eyes feast on,…but they rebelled against me and were not willing to listen to me” (Ez. 20:1:6-8). In the Judges study, we are just at the beginning of this history, where Israel first begins to forget, fall captive, cry out to the LORD, be rescued by a judge/prophet, then have peace, then forget and rebel again. It’s a cycle that will haunt Israel their whole history, until the point of total destruction, which we just read about last month in Jeremiah and Lamentations. And as I’ve been reading in recent weeks in our One Year Bible and also in the Judges study, I’ve been mulling around this idea: the cycle gets worse and worse for Israel. They fail to remember what God did for them, they rebel, they are conquered, they cry out, God saves them and then the cycle continues. And each cycle seems more severe. But then we read in our New Testament about the gospel exploding – we just finished Paul’s letters not that long ago and we get a sense of a similar cycle, i.e. the church forgetting some of Paul’s teachings about the Gospel, but then they receive the correction and the Gospel goes forth and even explodes. So they have a similar cyclical pattern, but in the opposite direction; their cycle propels them closer to Christ, each rotation bringing further clarity and more light. Don’t you just love the things you can see about Scripture when you read it in big chunks, consistently over time?

I love the psalm for today, too – such rejoicing and celebrating! Here are just a smattering of my favorites:

                “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Ps. 107:1)
                “Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!” (vs. 8)
                “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things” (vs. 9)
                “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress” (vs. 19)
                “Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let him consider the steadfast love of the LORD.” (vs. 43)

Thank you, Lord, for your word, for its complexity and beauty and seamless connection. And thank you for passages like this psalm, which bring to our lips our praise and adoration. We love you. Amen.


- Esther McCurry

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

November 8

Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; Hebrews 9:1-10; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10

"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD.  Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" (Ez. 18:23).  And again God pleads, "Repent and live!" (vs. 32).

We see this same posture in our psalm today.  "Many times he delivered them....He took note of their distress;...he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented" (Ps. 106:43-45). 

This, too, is the heart of our God (to add to what Mary mentioned yesterday).

I hope you've seen this tender desire this year.  We're coming toward the end of our journey together through The One Year Bible, and we have read the history of the nation of Israel.  We've watched them remember and forget, while all the time God is faithful to his covenant of love toward them.  

We've walked with Jesus during his time on this earth, wooing sinners to himself with this same message of repent and believe.  We have watched his apostles work and preach and write in his name, and we've seen the birth of God's church, meant to continue sharing the message of "turn and live."

This message is for you today, and it is for me.  God calls us to repent and live; repent from our anger, our gossip, our envy, our pride, and turn toward the way of Jesus in gentleness, kindness, thankfulness, humility.  And God puts us to work, to set our shoulders to the call of repentance; we are meant to let others know the power of turning and believing.

Lord God, we are infinitely grateful that you called each of us to repentance and to life. May we pass this good news onto others, so that the world may know your heart of love for them.  Amen.


- Sarah Marsh


How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.