Scott Lane – Page 28 – The Everyday Prayer

Remembering

Re:Verse passage – Exodus 2:8-11 (day five)

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

There many instances where the scriptures are not kind to the human race. We see people (just like us) with flaws and weaknesses. We read about moral failure, disobedience, and pride (all are sin) in some of our most beloved bible characters. Exodus 20 is no exception. We are commanded to remember the sabbath. Seems to me, if I had heard the voice of God speak these words, I would never forget them much less forget to follow them. Yet, the premise is that we will forget. And, we have. What are other qualities and promises of God we forget? His faithfulness? His loving kindness? His patience? His power? His holiness?… to name a few.

How important is this command to rest and set apart a day for attention and affection for God? It’s important enough that He would firmly tell us not to forget!

Perhaps spending some time to remember (journal these)things in scripture (God’s nature and character, God’s promises, God’s warnings, God’s commandments) that are significant to the strength and formation of our faith and the depth of our understanding and relationship with God, would be a valuable exercise today.

Freedom

Re:Verse passage – Exodus 20:7 – (day five) “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.”

Often, when God gives a negative commandment we tend to think God is limiting us, invading our free will, or cramping our style. Actually a negative command offers more freedom than a positive one. A negative command instructs us not to do one thing but leave many other possibilities. A positive command tells us we are to do only one thing. So, when God says don’t take the LORD’S Name in vain, there are many other ways to use and speak His name properly: praise, honor, blessing, celebration, prayer, thanksgiving, glorifying, and trusting, and revering to name a few. Some Jews won’t even use God’s Name at all for fear of breaking this commandment. Aren’t you glad for the freedom to use His Name properly??

Where are they?

Re:Verse passage – Exodus 20:4-6 (day five)

“but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

This week I am accompanying my son as he attends college orientation. One of the things pressing on my heart is the prayer and hope he finds believers who will provide fellowship, accountability, and community. These days on college campuses it seems that finding believers is more and more difficult. Much like the workplace, and neighborhoods . But there is a great hope and promise in verse 6 They ARE here. They are there. They are in offices, schools, and neighborhoods. AND, God has promised His faithfulness and loving kindness to those who love Him and keep His commandments. I am grateful for God’s reminder this week. I am also thankful that my son has already verbalized this same need and desire to find a community of believers on campus, but more importantly in a local church.

Weaknesses

Re:Verse passage – Exodus 20:3 (day five)
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

God begins His commandments with a clear demonstration of His vast wisdom and knowledge of the human race in at least a couple of ways. The first commandment serves as a foundation for the other nine. Before learning and understanding all that God demands in a covenant relationship, we must first know who He is, and who we are in this relationship to Him. Once this is settled, we can begin to discover the priorities and structure God expects in our lives. Second, this first commandment also addresses the Egyptian influence that has shaped the hearts and practices of the Israelites- polytheism. They have been immersed in the Egyptian culture- one of the most polytheistic civilizations known to man. They were affected from their time in captivity. Note the activity of idol worship when God was delivering the commandments. So the first commandment addresses their greatest weakness and greatest need. The fact that the human race is quickly distracted from pure devotion to God, and will unwisely build our faith and relationship with God on less than a complete and eternally sturdy foundation. We are easily swayed.

Rhythm

Re:Verse passage – Exodus 20:1-17 (day five)

There is a wonderful rhythm to God’s actions and intentions with the Law. The commandments are given after God rescues the nation of Israelites from Egypt. First salvation, then the law. We see this as far back as we can look into the scriptures. In the garden, God establishes relationship wIth Adam and Eve, sets them free, then gives them the law (just 1). Jesus teaches the same principle in the New Testament. “If you love me, keep my commands.” Only after a relationship with God do the commandments become a blessing. The word delight is used over and over in the Psalms when thinking about the law and commandments. Psalm 112:1 Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. (Notice the rhythm). The New Testament echos the same truth, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,”. In relationship with God, the commandments are invaluable.

Faith

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 24 (day five) Now David’s heart troubled him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done.”

What was David’s motive behind the sin? Why was God offended by this particular census? God had even given instructions for taking a census (Exodus 30). So we know that God is not anti-census. Others have offered really good explanations in this blog. I would like to give you one that I find compelling. I believe that this census indicates a lack of faith in David. He seems to be deeply interested in the exact size and strength of his army. David has forgotten God’s promise that victories will not be determined by strength or numbers, but rather trust in God (1 Samuel 14:6)- a promise he believed as a teenager when he stood up against Goliath, but has forgotten as an adult. His trust was in his numbers not God’s power or promises. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) Which promises do we need to remember and trust in today?

Peace

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 20 (day five)

How did David do it? He kept leading and serving in the midst of betrayal, attacks, rebellions, danger, difficulty, death of loved ones, and consequences from his own sin and disobedience. In the midst of all these conditions and circumstances, David was still doing “kingly things”. The temptation for us is to give up and check out. But not David. In the midst of all the pain, suffering, disappointment, and tension, there is courage and contentment that keep David engaged with God and in leading the kingdom. I believe David’s perspective and persistence are a byproduct of being in covenant with God (remember 2 Samuel 7). Peace is evidence (fruit) of being in a covenant relationship with God. It is not simply a feeling of inner tranquility, but rather something deeper and stronger. We see this explained in the New Testament (Galatians 5:22, Philippians 4:7) and demonstrated many times in David’s life.

“God’s Peace brings us two things: power to face and live with our own badness and failings, and also contentment under ‘the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’.” – J. I. Packer

Prodigals

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 18 (day five)

As we read of the death of Absalom, we see the flawed love of king David. Only after Absalom is killed, does David refer to him as “my son”. David’s life is a picture of an imperfect king. This picture should serve to point us to the Gospel that proclaims a perfect King who offers forgiveness and restoration. Jesus teaches us about the perfect love of a father in the parable of the prodigal son. How different was David’s example. (Absalom returns to Jerusalem after rebelling and David won’t even meet with him- 2 Samuel 14). In Jesus’ parable, the father runs to meet and restore his son. Absalom, the prodigal, and we all deserve death for the rebellion and public humiliation we have committed against a Holy God. But the perfect King offers forgiveness thru His own death. A reality of the gospel and only a sentiment of an imperfect king. Let us celebrate the perfect love of our Father and King in heaven!!

Preacher

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 16 (day five)

Who is the most effective preacher you’ve ever heard? May I suggest that the most effective preacher is the one who can speak directly to the heart and address the greatest needs in life. May I also suggest that often times the we could/should be an effective preacher to ourselves.

I read a statement this week that summarizes David’s condition in chapter 16. “The truth of God’s promises carries less weight than the guilt complex he continues to nurse as he plods away from the city, the throne, and the kingdom God had promised him.”

I also read these statements in other devotionals this week, “Learn to preach to yourself rather than listen to yourself.” “What truths do you need to preach to yourself to realign your heart with that intended design?”

Seems we can and should be speaking into our own lives as God gives grace and insight. We need to be constantly reminded of God’s promises, sovereignty, holiness, and grace. What would our hearts and lives look like if we were faithful to preach God’s truths to ourselves?

Chasing

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 15 (day five) What is your instinct and reaction when you are betrayed? Psalm 55 gives us a glimpse into David’s heart and perspective. He is honest…”My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.” He is hurting…”If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me I could hide. But it is you, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.” Yet, David is hopeful… “As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

David’s example serves us well. When he was betrayed, he didn’t chase after Absalom, he chased after God… “Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. But as for me, I trust in you.”