Category: Daily Bible Reading Blog

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

Psalm 51:1-12

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Sin is pervasive.  It is constantly present.  Sin lurks in the shadows of the heart, drips from the tongue of the wicked, and lingers in the actions of the selfish and proud.  Sin is not something to trifle with, dabble in, or even manage.  No, sin at its core is a rebellion against God, a stiff-arm to the Lord that claims we know better than he about how to run our lives.  Sin will eventually break us.  It may initially look good and meet a quick emotional need, but in the end it is like a poisonous snake bite that will kill unless treated.
 
            When we come to the realization that we are in dire straits, then it is high time we blurt out a prayer of confession along with David.  The book of Psalms is the Christian’s prayer book, and there is no better prayer to pray when we come to the end of ourselves than David’s in Psalm 51.  “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”
 
            A genuine prayer of confession asks for mercy based upon God’s character and ability to heal, rather than trusting in the attempted quality of our petition.  In other words, neither the eloquence nor the sheer word structure itself is the proper basis for confession; utterances of a broken and contrite heart, submitted to God, trusting solely in his grace to transform are the only kind of words appropriate for approaching God with our sin.  Such prayers are not to be few and far between; they are to be a regular regimen, engaged on a daily basis.  Just as we take pills each day for all that ails us, so we need to take in the mercy of God through prayers of confession that link us to the only true healing power that will bring health and life.
            Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.  Amen.

Psalm 37:12-22

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Perspective is everything.  When an ornery cuss swears at us, a group of people think the worst of us, or an organization takes advantage of us, not to mention wars, poverty, human trafficking, and a host of victimization around the globe in which evil seems to be winning, we might feel like crumbling under the weight of evil in the world.  But when we add God to the mix, it changes everything.
 
            The vantage of the psalmist is that all this malevolent plotting that exists can’t even begin to stand up to the large sovereignty of God.  “The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.”  It is almost as if we get the picture of some puny bugs on the ground making nefarious plans, completely oblivious to the hugeness of God that towers over them.  They are about to be squished but are too busy going about their puny business to look up and see what is coming.  The bugs are totally powerless in the face of such an awesome presence.
 
            We as human beings become much too discouraged far too easily.  The remedy is to be filled with a robust theology that discerns God as far above all our problems and situations.  No matter how ominous the machinations of sin array against us, the believer is assured that God is in control and that, in the end, the wicked will get their comeuppance.  No earthly power, no clever person, and no human organization can ever go toe to toe with the gargantuan God we serve.  Put all your circumstances beside this God and see if it changes your perspective.
            Mighty God, you bless those who are dedicated to you, and you put down those who rage against you.  Fortify my spirit and let me see just the train of your robe, and I will glimpse the large grandeur of your glory.  Let me know Jesus Christ risen and ascended far above all principalities and powers of this earth.  Amen.

Philippians 4:10-20

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            In the English language, the words “you” and “your” can either be singular or plural.  One must determine by the context which it is.  But in the language of the New Testament, Greek, this is not the case.  We clearly know which words are singular and which are plural.  It is important to know that in the book of Philippians, all the “you” pronouns used are plural.  This is significant because the theme of unity and solidarity runs powerfully and affectionately through this letter of Paul.
 
            The entire Philippian church, not just an individual or two, shared in Paul’s troubles with him.  They partnered with him through financial resources, prayer, and ministry.  Paul was quite confident that every need the Philippians encountered would be supplied by the riches of God because they had learned a valuable lesson from Paul, and discovered a vital lesson about their church.  From Paul, the Philippians were taught that the practice of contentment in all circumstances would bring unity, not division, since it would ease normal anxieties.  What the Philippians uncovered about themselves is the seeming paradox that through the practice of giving they become rich. 
 
            We are not to be islands only operating at the level of individuation.  We are meant to know the blessing of partnering and working together in the unity of the gospel.  Learning contentment and generosity go hand-in-hand.  Hoarding actually creates anxiety, whereas a collective generous spirit leads inexorably toward satisfaction and joy.  If we want to be free of division and being constantly uptight, then we must be wildly generous.  Go ahead, try it; you’ll like it.  Be generous with your money, generous with your words of encouragement toward others, and generous with your gratitude to God.  Find out whether or not this changes your level of contentment with life.
            Generous God, your storehouse of grace and mercy is infinite and unending.  Help me to partner with you in a manner that my generosity flows in the same way that yours does so that Jesus Christ is glorified, and his church is edified.  Amen.

2 Samuel 10:1-5

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            King David was at the pinnacle of his rule.  All Israel and Judah were under his gracious authority.  David acted as a godly sovereign when he sought to use his power to show kindness and grace to those in his kingdom, even those who were related to his former enemy, Saul.  But when David kept up his gracious ways and sent a delegation to the Ammonites in order to bring compassion to a grieving nation, they not only spurned the kindness but attributed evil intent to it.
 
            One of the hard lessons of life is that showing God’s grace and mercy to others does not necessarily mean that they will receive it and give love in return.  In fact, there are some who refuse grace and give back only scorn and despise.  Yet, even the Lord Jesus experienced this like no other before or after him.  Christ endured all the foulness and degradation of a cruel cross because there were people who refused to see that he was extending to them God’s grace.
 
            In those times when we, at best, scratch our heads, and, at worst, weep uncontrollably over having our genuine love paid back with harsh scorn, it is a good reminder that we are imitating the life of our precious Lord Jesus who knows exactly what shame is and what a profound lack of mercy can do.  It is in such seasons or events in life that we understand that perfect peace will not be found in this life, and we more fully attach ourselves to Jesus and find genuine grace and the solidarity of faith and love.
            Loving God, I give you thanks for sending your Son, the Lord Jesus.  He is the pioneer of my faith.  Just as he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at your right hand, so help me to live into the grace you offer through Christ’s redemptive events so that I might remain strong through all the unmerciful acts of this world.  Amen.