May 18 Bible Reading

Matthew 2

God will always bring His plans to fruition.  This chapter reminds me that God has grand plan and will use whatever means, and His are unlimited, are necessary to bring about what He wills.  He even promises us that it is for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Here we see that God was fulfilling centuries old prophecy, completing His plan, and protecting His Son, who would one day die and rise to take away the sin of the world.  And in both acts God brings His plan to fruition.

Psalm 3-5

No matter how unlikely the odds are, no matter how unstoppable our problems are, and no matter how oppressed we feel, God will protect and sustain us.  The psalmist is filled with such peace, even in the midst of oppression, that he is able to rest, because he knows that God is sovereign and will protect His chosen people.  David again in Psalm 5 recognizes that God is more powerful than himself and his enemies, but more importantly David reminds us that God upholds the righteous.  God hates evil-doers and accepts the sacrifices of the righteous.  I pray that I would have a righteous heart and that God would make my ways straight as David asked Him to do.

Genesis 3&4

The fall of man has great implications on the world we live in today.  It is a comfort to know that God has been dealing with our problem of sin since the very first man and woman walked the earth.  And it is exciting to see the plan for Jesus to be the Messiah and bring us Salvation this early in the story. 

Isaiah 4-6

God’s holiness and sanctity is something that I am still trying to appreciate fully.  He is so without sin and above the evils of this world that Isaiah realized the depravity of himself.  We too should recognize the incredible privilege it is to have access to God’s presence.  The fact that Christ’s work would allow a wretched sinner like me to approach the Holy Lord God should humble me and fill me with gratitude.  

Romans 2

Again, I see that God takes sin seriously, and is the judge of sin.  God is our Righteous Judge.  Paul reminds us that we must not only hear what is right, but we also must do it.  It is no use to listen to good things and never apply them to your life.  As a result we will be a light to this dark world, so that more people might come to know Christ.

Joshua 4-6

God wants His people to remember the things that He accomplishes for them.  When God does a great work in my life, I need to set up an ebenezer to remember the incredible power of God.  These stones were meant to keep Israel from straying from their Provider.  God is for us!  God always has a plan far better than ours, and guides us to do His will and leads us in His way.  Even when God’s ways are confusing, we can trust that He will provide for us and supply our needs.