June 17 Bible Reading

Mark 4

The fact that Jesus was able to control the sea and the wind point to the fact that He is God.  The disciples ask, “Who is this man, that the wind and the seas obey Him?”  Of course He had to have been Devine.  Only the Creator can have power over creation like that.  We take heart because He is in control of our world, and He is powerful enough to protect us.

Job 34&35

Elihu makes a valid point.  No one, including Job, is perfect.  We are told by Peter that if we claim to not sin we lie and make God a liar.  We also must realize that even our small amount of righteousness that we might possess is nothing to offer or brag about to a holy God.  As someone who is born again, my righteousness comes from God in the first place.

Exodus 16&17

The people of Israel were perpetual grumblers.  We must be mindful to appreciate what God has given us and trust that what He hasn’t granted us is for a reason.  We must have faith that He is our provider.

Jeremiah 28-30

False prophets are a recurring theme that has been brought up multiple times throughout Isaiah and Jeremiah.  This is a problem that we are not removed from today.  We must be on the lookout for false teachers by having and practicing discernment.  

2Corinthians 10

Paul understands his own limitations.  He knows well enough to not boast in his own work, but to boast in Christ.  We too must be willing to admit that it is not we who do things for the Heavenly Kingdom, but it is God working through and in us.

2Samuel 16-18

The story of Absalom’s death is a tragic one.  I am always moved by David’s grieving.  One of my favorite choral works by Eric Whitacre is based on this passage.  David cries, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”  What a beautiful picture this is of God’s love for us, and what His heartbreak must be when someone remains unrepentant.  He did die for us.  He must mourn the incredible loss.  Although Absalom came up against his father and made war, even try to become king like him, David never stopped loving his son.  Although we are enemies of the cross, God still remains loving toward us.  His cry of “Would I had died instead of you!” becomes a reality in cross.