Psalm 96 - 3.13.24
Scripture
Psalms 96:1
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth
Observation
God’s mercies are new every morning. Will we give him the same devotion?
Application
Do you like it when we sing a new song during worship on Sunday mornings? Sometimes it takes a little work - you have to read the words and learn the tune before you can get comfortable. Some of us are more open to change than others (not me!). Change can be exciting, but it can also be challenging. It takes far less effort to continue doing things the way we have always done them. But Psalms 96 (and other verses) says, Sing to the Lord a new song. How can we do that?
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. God's love and mercy is new every morning, erasing our sins. We can start fresh every morning. And every morning God gives us a new opportunity to follow him, to show him our love and devotion. And it's up to us to make the most of that opportunity. Will we go through our day, checking off the boxes, or will we look for opportunities to serve him in a fresh new way? Will we challenge ourselves?
I admit I am a list follower. I am one of those people who write things on the list just to check them off! But I can't continue to follow God that way. An example is this morning's journal entry. I read all three chapters in today's reading and nothing jumped right out and caught my attention. In full transparency, often times I will just move on, feeling like I accomplished what I was supposed to do. I read the chapters - check that off my list. But this morning I decided to dig. Reading commentaries about Genesis 34 made me wonder why Dinah went out to visit the women of the land alone (in an unknown place of foreign people and foreign gods). And what would the consequences ultimately be for her brothers taking revenge into their own hands? I read about some reasons the Thessalonians could have been idle. And I wondered - why does God want us to sing a new song? When I put in the effort to dig deep, God spoke to me. He doesn't want my complacency - he wants me to follow him with the same devotion that he shows to me.
Prayer
Thank you for speaking to me today. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you for your faithfulness. Help me to remember to start every new day asking how I can serve you best.
- Debbie Dunn
2 Thessalonians 2 - 3.12.24
SCRIPTURE: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – 14
“ But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
OBSERVATION: Paul begins this chapter by spelling out some key points to the second coming of Jesus from verse 1 – 12. Then in verse 13 he begins with some encouraging words on how to stand firm through it all. He begins with giving praise to God because we are loved by the Lord, and He chose us as firstfruits. How wonderful to know we are considered so special as the firstfruits. In gardening, the first fruits are very significant. When you’ve spent so much time and effort in preparation for the fruit, watering, pulling weeds (don’t get me going about the weeds!), then the blooms appear in Spring and your heart is so happy. Once the fruit matures, there are so many emotions that go into seeing it ready and ripe. There’s a sense of such excitement and viewing that first fruit as so very special. As believers, we are set apart and chosen first by the Lord. That’s how God looks at us! In Ephesians 1:4 it says “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
Paul continues in the second half of verse 13 with “to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” The Holy Spirit continues to work on us and helps to sanctify us. The sanctification process is something internally – not necessarily externally – that comes from first believing the salvation message in faith and then the Holy Spirit begins the sanctification process to transform us. Some of the sanctification from the Holy Spirit comes from the gentle prodding, guiding us down life’s path, and leading us in a closer walk with Jesus. I am so thankful that the Lord continues to work in me, through faith, to consistently mold (sanctified) me to be more like Christ. Through this process, we can all stand firm and be encouraged through anything – even the end times!
Paul concludes this section to say “that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He brings it full circle: we were called firstfruits, chosen, have salvation through faith, the Holy Spirit sanctifying us, all with the end result of reaping the “glory” at his Second Coming. We get to share in all the glory of His Return, and ultimately in Heaven. Cue “Oh Happy Day”!!
APPLICATION: When I think about how God chose me, my mind explodes with love and gratitude for His saving grace. It’s hard to reconcile His perfect love with my imperfect life. I am so unworthy yet He chose me and you as firstfruits. Thinking about the depth of His love instantly brings me joy! His love is so overwhelming! Seeing His great love for me only increases my desire to bow down at his feet and follow Him.
PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for choosing me as your firstfruit – so special and called apart from other fruits. My heart is overflowing with love for you! Thank you for your Holy Spirit that continues to sanctify me, day by day, from the inside out to become more like Jesus. Help me Lord to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s moving in my life - whether it be in words or actions. Search my heart and lead me in your path. Praise you, Lord, for everythig! And like a crescendo with cymbals, my heart is overflowing as I look forward to share in the “glory of our Lord Jesus.” In Jesus Name - Amen!
- Mary Oberg
Psalm 94 - 3.11.24
Scripture
Psalm 94: 17-19
17 Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. 18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Observation
Here is a breakdown of this Psalm, according to David Guzik’s commentary on enduringword.com:
-Recognizing God as judge of the earth (vs. 1-3)
-Recognizing the rebellion of the wicked (vs. 4-7)
-Rebuking the senseless rebels (vs. 8-11)
-Consolation for God’s people-they will never be cast off (vss. 12-15)
-Comfort for God’s people-God will help them. (vss. 16-19)
-Cover for God’s people-God is their defense. (Vss. 20-23).
Application
God will always provide comfort to us in our greatest time of need. Always run to Him first!
God’s love is unfailing and He always provides comfort and help for His people. As we run to Him completely for comfort and safety, we in turn would be able to comfort others in need, with the same comfort we have received by Him.
One of my favorite verses (it is actually one of my life verses) is:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV
As we draw comfort from the Lord, who in turn can we comfort with the same comfort we have received from Him?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You that You are always with me. I am truly dependent on You for everything and am unable to do anything without You by my side. Thank You for the comfort You have shown me in the past and that You continue to show me in times of need. Thank You for the restoration of joy through Your Word and Your love that continues to lift my head. May I always point others to You in their times of need as well. I love You Jesus. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi