June 5 Bible Reading

Matthew 20

The first parable in Matthew 20 serves as a comfort to those who have come to the faith later in life, and a reminder to those who are evangelizing.  It is never too late to become a follower of Christ.  God accepts us whenever we come to Him, and does not penalize those who have come later.

Job 9&10

Job’s heart is one focused on God.  He recognizes that God is far more powerful than he is and that God’s ways don’t need to make sense to Job.  He realizes that “He destroys the blameless and the wicked.”  It is foolish to think that the wicked will always be punished in this life and the righteous will always prosper.  Often that does not take place.  We must trust that God is higher than we are.

Genesis 40&41

Joseph makes it clear in both instances of his interpretations of dreams that the power does not come from him, but from God.  Joseph possesses great power to interpret these dreams, but he is careful that his clients know that it is God who is at work.  We should take note that what we are gifted with is a gift from God.  We should take measures to ensure that He receives the credit for our accomplishments.

Isaiah 58-60

God is not interested in mere ritual.  He wants His people to act like Him.  He wants His people to demonstrate His heart.  We should be mindful of the needy as He is mindful.  We should take care of those who are worse off than ourselves.  In this God is truly pleased, when we seek after His heart.

1Corinthians 10

Paul reminds us that we ought to put God in priority in our lives.  We should not seek after the idols of this world, but strive to do all that we do that God might be glorified.  We must remember that God is a jealous God, and that just because we have the grace of Christ, we should still seek to please God with our lives.

1Samuel 10-12

Samuel is obviously disappointed with the people of Israel.  They have not appreciated the incredible opportunity they had to be a Theocracy, but they wanted, instead, a monarchy.  It is a pattern for the people of Israel, that after God provides for and delivers them, they turn from Him and want their own way.  We must be careful to seek after and to do God’s will and not our own.