RE Verse reading–Psalm 119:9-16; Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day six)
“Continue in what you have learned. . . because you know those from whom you learned it.” (2 Timothy 3:14) One reason I believe the Bible is that God has given me godly examples of people who study and obey it. Jesus is first on the list. Reading the New Testament, it is hard not to notice how often Jesus reflects His own confidence in Scripture. Quoting it in temptation, referring to it in conflict, the Lord’s testimony is clear. Scripture is the reliable voice of the Father. Add to the Lord’s example (as if it were necessary) that of my grandmother and the people who led me to Christ and the godly professors I encountered in college and seminary. With one voice they all declared the same truth, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable.” (2 Timothy 3:16) The people you respect–what do their lives teach you about the place that God’s word should have in your life?
Author: Don Guthrie
Don Guthrie is the Senior Pastor at FBCSA.
Honey
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 119:9-16; Acts 17:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (day one)
44 summers ago. I was 17 years old. A believer for only a few months, I was on a retreat with the Campus Crusade for Christ group through whom I had first heard the invitation of grace. The retreat center had a book table. “See that Bible?” my friend said. “Buy it and begin reading it every day.” I did, and all these years later I look back with wonder at the life-changing power of that simple turning point. My experience has been like Ezekiel’s. “Son of man. . . eat this scroll. . . I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth.” (Ezekiel 3:1,3) Again and again, I have found in Scripture the wisdom, challenge, conviction and hope of an Eternal mind. Today we begin a summer series of studies on spiritual disciplines. My heart rejoices that the first discipline is Bible study. Ancient path. Way of freedom. Searching the Scripture, together. Sweet!
Our Undiscouraged God
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day seven)
“They defiled my holy name by their detestable practices. So I destroyed them in my anger. Now let them put away from me their prostitution and the lifeless idols of their kings, and I will live among them forever.” (43:8-9) When the Bible says that “His mercies are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23) it means the Eternal One is not discouraged or weary with His plan to restore the world. Our sin has not defeated Him, nor changed His promise, nor weakened His bright resolve! True, our rebellion has been very costly to us and our children and the cosmos, but THE VICTORY IS AS CERTAIN AS IT HAS EVER BEEN. What a privilege it is to receive this gracious invitation. “Put away” the practices of sin! He will “live among” us forever. What is out of balance will be restored to an eternal equilibrium. It is an unchanging offer of grace from an undiscouraged God.
Mine eye have seen the GLORY
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19; 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day six)
“And I saw the GLORY of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his GLORY.” (43:2) “Mine eyes have seen the GLORY of the coming of the Lord.”—Julia Ward Howe. Whether civil war song or prophet’s vision, the hope is the same. Christ will come to His people with great GLORY. The Hebrew word for GLORY is kabod. It came from the word kabed which meant “heavy”. Heavy as compared to plastic or disposable. A contrast to a world that is not real, substantial and eternal. Ultimately, His GLORIOUS coming is the only hope for this sin-sick, self-spent world. God, Himself, will be the light and the justice. “For the Son of Man is going to come in the GLORY of His Father with His angels, and will repay every man according to his deeds.” (Matthew 16:27) GLORY? GLORY. Hallelujah!
Ichabod
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9 (day one)
“And she called the boy Ichabod, saying, ‘the glory has departed from Israel.’ ” (1 Samuel 4:21) Old story. The daughter-in-law of Eli, upon hearing the news of a great defeat and the enemy capture of the Ark of the Covenant, kneels down and gives birth and dies. (On how many levels can sin be tragic?) Before death comes, she names the boy Ichabod, which means “the glory of God has departed.” Years later, it happens again. Not the birth, but the departure of God’s glory, God’s protection/power. Ezekiel sees it in a vision. “The glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple.” (10:18) Then later, “the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city, and stood over the mountain which is east of the city.” (11:23) Graphic. Sobering. It is what David dreaded, “Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11)
Visionary
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day seven)
“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley.” (v 1) Eyes that see the invisible are a gift from God. ( 2 Corinthians 4:18) One of the promised outcomes of the Spirit’s presence and fullness is “your young men shall see visions” (Acts 2) Ezekiel is not unique in this experience. Isaiah. Daniel. Ananias (Acts 9, the conversion of Saul). Peter (Acts 10). Paul (2 Corinthians 12). All of these people give testimony to a Spirit-assisted perception of invisible reality. Vision! Stands to reason, doesn’t it? The Spirit came to “guide us into ALL truth.” (John 16:13) If so, then invisible truth, truth only seen with Spiritual eyes must be included on the list. May the church be glad for such grace. “Open my eyes that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me, Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.”–Clara Scott.
Life after death?
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day six)
“He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.’ ” (v 3) Is there life after death? “Yes” is the unwavering answer of the Christian faith. Dead people, dead marriages, dead churches can be resurrected by the Spirit of God. Ezekiel is less certain. He knows God CAN. He is somewhat reluctant to declare that God WILL. Those of us who live on this side of the empty tomb are more confident. “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. . .(after Him) those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end. . .(and) the last enemy to be abolished is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23-24) Christian, are you confident in the reality of life after death? Does this confidence change the way you live and make decisions and face challenges? He is Risen! Do you believe we all will be?
Dry bones
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 37:1-14 (day one)
It is a terrible scene, month (years?) after a bloody battle with so many casualties that no one even bothered to bury the dead. Dry bones are everywhere. In a vision, Ezekiel is transported to see it. An unexpected question is posed by God. “Son of man, can these bones live?” (v 3) “Only you know the answer to that question,” the prophet says to “the God who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9). Three lessons are taught from this strange moment. The valley of dry bones symbolizes the resurrection at the end of time. Read John 11:24. The valley of dry bones symbolizes the resurrection of the nation of Israel. The valley of dry bones symbolizes the new life of believer who has been reborn–from death to life by the Spirit of God through the medium of the preached word. Can people and nations live again after a terrible defeat and years of spiritual deadness? Yes! Hallelujah!
History here
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 20:1-32 (day seven)
“Will you judge them, son of Man? Then confront them with the detestable practices of their fathers.” (v 4) It is confusing. In Ezekiel 18 we learned that personal responsibility is what matters. The choices of our fathers do not determine who we are with God. In Ezekiel 20 the Lord speaks of the “detestable practices of the fathers” as if these past mistakes have current relevance. Which is it? Both, actually! History exercises a significant influence on our lives. Unless/until we choose to change/break those patterns (and this by the grace of God) we are destined to repeat and perpetuate past patterns. Without repentance, examples and experiences from the past will control the present. “Will you defile yourselves after the manner of your fathers. . .(and then expect that) I will be inquired of by you?” (v 30-31) It is not the past that breaks my relationship with God. It is the present pattern of continued sin.
Inner Honesty
Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 20:1-32 (day seven)
“As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me.” (v 3) When the elders of Judah got a “no comment” from the Lord, it must have been a shock. Isn’t God required to listen to us when we are ready to talk? No. Not unless we meet the condition of inner honesty. Not unless we stop living in denial, unwilling to face the long issues negatively impacting our relationship with Him. For years the Lord had warned His people about the effects of idolatry (v 7), disobedience (v 13), and disregard for the Sabbath (v 20). Had they been willing to honestly look at these sinful patterns, the heart of the Lord would have opened to them in mercy. Failing this, only silence. “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, in the hidden part You will MAKE me know wisdom”–Psalm 51:6. We do not have to be perfect. We do have to be honest.