May 31 Bible Reading

Matthew 15

Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees makes it clear that merely acting out religion does not please God.  Jesus was unimpressed with all of their added regulations to the law.  He even pointed out that their rules detracted from God’s Word.  We must remember that God is after our heart, not our actions primarily.  We must believe in Christ and let our actions be informed by Him.

Psalm 38-41

We find David in the midst of great turmoil in Psalm 38.  He cries out for God to remember him.  Often we become impatient in hard times when it seems that God is far away.  We must be willing to wait for the Lord.  Again in Psalm 39, David cries for deliverance.  It is incredible that he shows such faith in the midst of trouble, knowing that God is his hope.  Psalm 40 presents a picture of David now that God has delivered him from oppression.  David recognizes that in response to God’s power to save him he must keep the Lord’s commands and praise Him.  David rejoices that God has blessed him for his faithfulness in Psalm 41.  David knows that God rewards those who seek after Him and His heart.  We should take hope in hard times that the Lord will reward those who are faithful to Him.

Genesis 30&31

Interactions between Laban and Jacob are marred with deception and misunderstanding.  It is important to remember this and observe its affects in a family relationship.  Deceit and misleading are dangerous tools to employ in any relationship, but they are harshly harmful between family members.

Isaiah 43-45

The Lord makes it clear that He alone is God.  In such audacity He challenges anything else who claims to be a god to speak and say so.  It is almost as if He says, “Prove it!”  And how wonderful the silence that answers that call.  Our God is the Lord Most High.  No one is like Him.  No one can offer salvation like His.  No one can created the earth, and be worshipped by its inhabitants like Him.  No one can challenge Him on His plan for the cosmos.  No one is like our God!  How amazing is that?!

1Corinthians 3&4

Paul takes time to remind the Corinthian church that it is useless to claim one apostle over another.  It is not important to follow men; it is important to strive to be Christlike.  We must run toward the goal of becoming like our Savior.  Paul reminds these people that the true life of service to Christ and His people is not one of luxury, but one of hardships.

Judges 19-21

What a mess!  The last verse of this book sums up the whole of Judges pretty well.  “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  Our eyes are untrustworthy.  We must not rely on our own judgement to do what is good and righteous.  We too often will deceive ourselves.  We must learn and obey God’s commands.  It is imperative to view life through God’s eyes.  When we are looking at our situations through eyes informed by God, we will know what we ought to do.