Category: Daily Bible Reading Blog

A blog following the daily readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The news is rarely filled with good wholesome edifying reporting; it is usually filled with the grit and grime of human depravity.  Whether it is terrible war and economic meltdowns half-way across the world, or child pornography, theft, and murder closer to home, we live in a time of both unprecedented communication and unparalleled evil.  So, where does God fit into all this?
 
            He is there, calling his people to a life of moral sobriety, spiritual holiness, and unflagging encouragement of one another.  In the midst of the sinful muck, the Apostle Paul made the astounding statement that “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  God is patiently and constantly working behind the scenes to overshadow the world with grace.  There will come a time when this present order of things will pass away and the fullness of God’s rule and reign will be established forever. 
 
            In the meantime, until that Day occurs, we are to be vigilant to “encourage one another and build one another up.”  While God works, we encourage.  We are to come alongside each other, speaking grace and helping one another become successful in our daily Christian walks.  That is no small task, considering the immense evil in the world.  Thus, no lone ranger Christianity will do.  Individual mavericks will not make it unless they accept the encouragement and help of God’s people.
 
            So, are you trying to live the Christian life in your own strength, on your own terms, in your own way?  “Private Christian” is an oxymoron.  Every believer needs the encouragement that God provides through his people, the church.  What will you do today to foster and/or deepen your bonds with other believers?
            Gracious God, thank you that I do not need to live the Christian life on my own.  Not only have you given me your Holy Spirit, but other believers to help and encourage me as I strive to walk in holiness each and every day.  Empower me to bless others, as well, through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 101

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            King David was one serious dude when it came to dealing with wickedness and injustice.  He had a zero tolerance policy toward people who were deceitful and proud.  “Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy.  Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”  Those are some strong words.  But they arise from David’s own personal integrity and practice of being a king who seeks after what is right and just.
 
            David said, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless” (Psalm 101:3 ESV).  When I was a kid, I watched hours of television every day.  Even today I still remember names of actors and all the theme songs of the shows.  Early in my Christian life, I wrote out this verse in large print and put it just below my TV set so that I would always see it.  Maybe we all need to think about putting up Scripture verses in appropriate places around our house, workplace, and car.  Maybe we would think twice about visiting certain websites if we prominently place beside our computer:  “I refuse to take a second look at corrupting people and degrading things” (The Message).
 
            Good intentions are just that.  Instead, we all need an unequivocal commitment to a zero tolerance policy toward evil.  It is simply unacceptable to flirt with it.  Whatever we must do to remind ourselves of righteousness and whatever boundaries we need to set in order to curb our wagging tongues and put spiritual blinders on our wandering eyes is most necessary because “no one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.”
            Holy God of justice, I will make a covenant with my eyes to set before my eys no vile thing.  Help me to be strong in your mighty power so that my daily walk of faith in Jesus is righteous, free of guilt, and simply enjoyable.  Amen.

Psalm 57

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            One thing we all share about the human experience is that, sooner or later, someone or a group of people will let us down.  On top of that, many have experienced, or will experience, some sort of abuse and victimization from another person or group.  What is more, there are those who have even had their very lives at risk because someone sought them out to actually kill them.  That is the company that David found himself in when King Saul sought to do away with his life.
 
            To David’s credit, he never retaliated and did not try and turn the tables on Saul by putting a hit out on him.  Instead, David cried out to God.  And we get to listen in on the prayer.  Psalm 57 is David’s incredible praying reliance upon the God whom he put all his trust and praise. 
 
            One of the best things about the psalms is that they are a wonderful collection of prayers that we can adopt for our own.  Not only can we use them for ourselves, but we are obliged to do so.  If anyone has been in an adverse situation so deep that it feels like having ambled into a pride of lions, it is quite likely that the experience leaves one with no adequate words to say.  It’s as if you are paralyzed with fear.  So, let the psalm say for you what you cannot even begin to utter yourself.  The Word of God is not meant to sit on a coffee table or rest on a shelf; it is meant to be opened and used for prayer.  Allow it to do its intended purpose.
            Be merciful to me, O God, for in you my soul takes refuge.  Even though I feel the slash of people with tongues as swords, my heart is steadfast and will exalt your name above the heavens.  Let your glory be over all the earth!  Amen.

2 Samuel 15:13-31

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            David seems to be at his best when he is at his lowest.  His son, Absalom, carefully designed a conspiracy to take over the kingdom and it was looking as though he might just do it.  David and those loyal to him had to flee Jerusalem in order to avoid being done overthrown and killed.  They were between a rock and a hard place, to put it mildly.  David was running for his life.
 
            If we were to put ourselves in David’s sandals, what would be our response?  At the least, we would likely complain, find ways to maintain power, and get back at Absalom.  I am humbled by David’s unflagging trust in God.  Like Job centuries before him, David is willing to receive anything from the hand of God whether it is good or evil:  “let him do to me what seems good to him.”
 
            Yet, at the same time, David was in touch with his emotions as he left the city and ascended the Mount of Olives.  He wept and lamented over the situation he and all those with him had to experience.  A thousand years later, Jesus took the same trek out of the city in great sorrow because of people who conspired against him.  Christ faced the agony of the cross through the machinations of sinful humanity who did not want him as Lord over their lives.
 
            Our confidence must rest in the God who knows what he is doing.  We must rely on our prayers to the Lord as we navigate the difficulties of this life.  Humility goes a long way toward letting the will of God rule the day.
            O Lord, please turn the plans and the counsel of evil persons into foolishness.  Do not let the sinfulness of people have its way and run roughshod over my life.  I trust in you to bend a bad situation toward your own good purpose through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen.