Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 + Titus 1:1-16 + Psalm 97:1-98:9 + Proverbs 26:13-16
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Old Testament – We have quite the readings in Jeremiah chapter 49 & 50 today! The prophecies have turned from Judah and Jerusalem and are now directed toward their neighbors and toward their captors, Babylon. The map below will give you a good overview of the Babylonian empire in the 6th century B.C.:
Jeremiah 50 does not bode well for Babylon! It is interesting, in that King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon have played a large role in sacking Jerusalem & Judah – to discipline them for their sins. And now the tide is coming back toward Babylon. Verse 28 really stood out to me today as a clear indication that destroying the Temple in Jerusalem was a really really bad idea for Babylon… "Listen to the people who have escaped from Babylon, as they tell in Jerusalem how the Lord our God has taken vengeance against those who destroyed his Temple." Below is a miniature from the 15th century French artist Fouquet that shows Nebuchadnezzar´s army attacking the Temple in Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (though this is quite an artistic interpretation of the Temple…)
Chapter 50 does bode well for Israel & Judah – verses 4 & 5 tell us: "Then the people of Israel and Judah will join together," says the LORD, "weeping and seeking the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never again be broken." How often do we weep and seek the Lord? Should we ever literally weep and seek God? Can we learn something about the power of weeping from the people of Israel and Judah on how we can bind ourselves to God with an eternal covenant that will never be broken?
New Testament – Today we begin Paul’s letter to Titus!
~ Titus ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Uncertain
Date: A.D. 64 or 65
Content: Paul addressed this letter to an earlier associate of his whom he had left on the island of Crete to help strengthen the churches there. Titus’ task was to ordain elders and to instruct the believers in the basic doctrines of the faith. It was necessary for Paul to go into some detail regarding the qualifications for the office of elder, and to give instructions for others in the church as well. During the course of these instructions, Paul touches upon the problems that face the servant of God and how these problems may be met.
Theme: The need for proper Christian living in the midst of the evil of the world is stressed by Paul in this letter. Around us we see the hostility and corruption of the world, but we must show by our lives what the grace of God can do. Such a life will have an impact, whereas mere words will do little or nothing. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 30) A wonderful commentary by J. Hampton Keathley, III on Paul’s letter to Titus is at this link. Below is an image for Titus chapter 1 verse 5 today as Paul wrote to Titus: "I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you."
The first two verses of this letter start so wonderfully! "This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began–and he cannot lie." Do you believe everything in these two verses? Does the Truth give us the confidence of eternal life? Is this a promise of God’s that you’ve accepted? Do you believe Paul’s teaching here that God cannot lie? Do you know that Jesus cannot lie?
The next few verses are great instructions for whom should be elders in churches. A portion of verse 8 really stands out to me: "He must enjoy having guests in his home." What a great verse! This really shows the importance of hospitality. Do you enjoy having guests in your home? When people invite you to be guests in their home, do you understand how incredible of an invitation this truly is? Do you allow them to share their hospitality with you?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Titus titled "Instruction Concerning Elders in the Church" is at this link.
Bible Project: Here is a terrific video overview of the book of Titus!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUEYCVXJM3k
Psalms – Psalm 97 verses 10 & 11 are so spiritually powerful & true: "You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right." I do believe that God protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Honestly, I believe that God does this in our lives much more often than we even consciously realize. I am sure there are a few moments in our life when we fully realize we were being protected by God. But, I also have a strong belief that God protects us from unforeseen things that never entered our consciousness. Do bad things still happen to godly people? Yes, of course they do. Why? I can’t answer this – I’ve heard C.S. Lewis’ book "The Problem of Pain" gets at this a bit. I need to read it. We are in a fallen world. There is evil and an enemy in this world. Bad things do happen. But, overall, I believe these verses above are so true. I do believe that light shines on the godly and joy on those who do right. Do you believe these verses above to be true? Have you experienced the truth of these verses in your life?
Proverbs – Proverbs 26:13 today is a powerful teaching: "The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "I can’t go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!"" In addition to lazy, I wonder if we can sometimes use the word "worried" or "anxious" in place of lazy in this Proverb? Are we afraid of lions out there? Can we instead rely on the one true "Lion" who will be with us wherever we go? (yes, think C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia here… 🙂
Worship Video: Speaking of the Chronicles of Narnia, below is a great video for the song "Remembering You" by Steven Curtis Chapman from the movie. There are a lot of great clips from the movie in this video. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDX6f39ZAqY
Are you remembering God? Click here if you have yet to meet Him!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” Titus 1:15 (NIV)
Prayer Point: Pray for purity in your life. Pray that you have been made pure by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
In the reading today, Psalm 97:10-11 “…Lord hates evil,He does protect the lives of the godly people…” Then you asked does bad things happen to godly people? Of course they do. I feel that when we go through the bad times, this is God asking do you trust me? As you go through the bad times look at them as teaching tools,and see where God was in the situation. Of course bad things happen to good people look what happened to Jesus. Why shouldn’t we go through bad times? God is always there in the good and bad times. You just have to look for Him. Have a blessed day.
Peggy
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Re bad things happening to good people:
It struck me a few days ago, while we were reading Timothy, what a hard time Paul was having towards the end of his life. “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.” 2 Tim 1:15 NIV
Mike remarked yesterday “It’s also sad to see how Paul’s been left pretty much alone and abandoned by many.”
Andrew
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Per Andrew above: >>Mike remarked yesterday “It’s also sad to see how Paul’s been left pretty much alone and abandoned by many.”>>
The problem is when we think we are looking at “bad things” in the life of a believer we forget or we mentally set aside in our heads that God IS Good. He is not good because we are getting what we want He IS Good because it is in His character and He can be nothing other than Good. We wrongly judge what is good based on our comfort level and the things we want and we fail to see or discern the BIG PICTURE. Bad things happened to Jesus, His Son, or did it?
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV)
If Jesus hadn’t gone through what He went through there would not have been any Salvation. We would still be trying unsuccessfully to live under the restrictions of the Old Covenant. Eternal Life would not be ours if Jesus didn’t go through what He went through.
In the Book of Revelations, John was taken up higher Rev 21:10, so that he could see, when we get to the book of Ezekiel you will see that he too was taken up to a higher place so that he could see. Until we are given a higher perspective, we can only guess at why bad things happen to good people. But we should know this that when we are in the Shelter of God’s Hands, when bad things happen to good people, it is for God’s purpose.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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ISAIAH 49
26
“I will feed your enemies with their own flesh. They will be drunk with rivers of their own blood. All the world will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.”
NOTE:
GOD WILL ALWAYS FULFILL HIS COVENANT WITH HIS PEOPLE. We need to continually pray for the peace of Israel, and pray that the Blood of Christ will bind the enemies of Israel.
ISAIAH 50 – ENTIRE CHAPTER IS EXCELLENT
1
The LORD asks, “Did I sell you as slaves to my creditors? Is that why you are not here? Is your mother gone because I divorced her and sent her away? NO, YOU WENT AWAY AS CAPTIVES BECAUSE OF YOUR SINS. AND YOUR MOTHER, TOO, WAS TAKEN BECAUSE OF YOUR SINS.
2
Was I too weak to save you? Is that why the house is silent and empty when I come home? Is it because I have no power to rescue? No, that is not the reason! For I can speak to the sea and make it dry! I can turn rivers into deserts covered with dying fish.
3
I am the one who sends darkness out across the skies, bringing it to a state of mourning.”
The LORD’s Obedient Servant
4
The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know what to say to all these weary ones. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.
5
The Sovereign LORD has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away.
6
I give my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard. I do not hide from shame, for they mock me and spit in my face.
7
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.
FIRST NOTE:
Note Isaiah’s personal response of faith, trust, and obedience. He obeys while the general population of Israel was not obeying. He even says that because “the Sovereign LORD helps me… I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.”
SECOND NOTE:
Isaiah here is a type of Christ. Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this passage. As well, note BELOW Christ is the complete fulfillment of verse 6:
Matthew 26
64
Jesus replied, “Yes, it is as you say. And in the future you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God’s right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven.”
65
Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror, shouting, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
66
What is your verdict?”
“Guilty!” they shouted. “He must die!”
67
THEN THEY SPIT IN JESUS’ FACE AND HIT HIM WITH THEIR FISTS. AND SOME SLAPPED HIM,
68
SAYING, “PROPHESY TO US, YOU MESSIAH! WHO HIT YOU THAT TIME?”
8
He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to oppose me now? Where are my enemies? Let them appear!
9
See, the Sovereign LORD is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
10
WHO AMONG YOU FEARS THE LORD AND OBEYS HIS SERVANT? IF YOU ARE WALKING IN DARKNESS, WITHOUT A RAY OF LIGHT, TRUST IN THE LORD AND RELY ON YOUR GOD.
11
BUT WATCH OUT, YOU WHO LIVE IN YOUR OWN LIGHT AND WARM YOURSELVES BY YOUR OWN FIRES. THIS IS THE REWARD YOU WILL RECEIVE FROM ME: YOU WILL SOON LIE DOWN IN GREAT TORMENT.
NOTE:
These verses make me think of what the Lord Jesus said:
Matthew 8
21
Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”
22
But Jesus told him, “Follow me now! Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead.”
NOTE:
Do I really follow the Lord like this? Do I really leave those who are spiritually dead behind (who continue to have no interest in the Lord Jesus) and forsake all to follow Jesus?
In reality, I do not. PLEASE PRAY… that I—and we—will do this.
If we do, this is God’s promise for us.
Isaiah 54 (Amplified)
17
But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong.
this [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition]
is the heritage of the servants of the lord
[THOSE IN WHOM THE IDEAL SERVANT OF THE LORD IS REPRODUCED];
this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.
NOTE: “Those in whom the Ideal Servant of the Lord—Jesus—is REPRODUCED!
Vance
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I just LOVE Chronicles of Narnia — C.S. Lewis was a man who could go from such deepness with God(Mere Christianity) and then create such awesome books for children. This indeed was a great gift from God. I can hardly wait to meet him! Thank you for posting this great video.
Also — love today’s memory verse.
Johnnie
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Thanks, Mike for this wonderful ministry to us all. Your comments help reveal our Lord’s words to our hearts.
David
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About the psalm, and the question of why bad things happen to “good people”… I have a friend and her friend’s little boy suffers pain with a terrible disease (I think it’s leukemia or thalassemia, not sure because of translation problem). She asks, “Why would God make an innocent child suffer this pain, and it’s terrible for the mother to watch.” And the mother is a believer, but… I don’t ever know what to say. Quoting scripture about God’s love seems so hollow. I found a couple of sites which I’m searching for insight, hope, and perspective. My husband also suffers chronic pain, so I have 2 people to read it for. Maybe other people will find these helpful: http://www.whereisgod.net and http://www.suffering.net.
Becky
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thanks again for posting these lovely, inspiring graphics to complement the readings. I am in Venice, Florida enjoying my OYB. Wherever I go, thanks to internet, i can ‘plug in’to God’s Word. I am also enjoying using my new Life With God Bible (edited by Richard Foster and dallas willard) as I read OYB.
Luch
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As I read through the “90s” psalms, many of which have inspired some great contemporary songs, I have to wonder: why did the OYB folks decide to plod through all those “God devour our enemies” psalms only to race through the 90s? Arggghhh! I think I may design my own OYB for Psalms next time …
Bajo
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When Jesus came into my life, He came in with all He is. His purity is now my purity. I can never be pure in my own self effort, but when I focus on Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith, I will walk in purity, His purity. Think about who is living in YOU.
Wendy
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Ramona,well said. I too believe that ” we are in the Shelter of God’s Hands, when bad things happen to good people, it is for God’s purpose.” We can never tell or know how many bad things God shelters His people everyday of our lives.
God bless.
Lily
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I believe that the things we in counter everyday is the definition of life on earth and that God watches to see how we handle these situations that we are faced with. Are we including him or do we think we can do it on our own?
Joyce
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Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
Psalm 98:1-2
Could this be Jesus?
Charles
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Psalm 97 today started with “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;” It really fits in with the development in Jeremiah where the Lord is now pronounced His judgment against the very people He used to disciplined the Israelites. The Babylonians destroyed the temple in their conquest of Jerusalem and they would bear the consequences of it. Indeed, as I surveyed the world today, it brings a tremendous sense of peace knowing that God is above the kings and rulers of the world; for they are ultimately under His sovereign plan.
Karen
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Mentioned in the commentary was a sin that is often not addressed. The sin of gluttony. Food is often used to comfort. In a sense like a drug. Bulimia & anorexia are part of it also. At potlucks plates are piled high. It seems that the signal that tells us we are full no longer works. Because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit we need to take better care of it.
Nancy
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Titus reminded me that in my timid ways I have to stand up and face the evil that surrounds me and my cheer girls. It’s sad that we have to act and stand up and fight for what’s right but we do. The Lord says to rightly divide the Word of God and see through the lens of Christ. Sometimes we dont want to believe a situation that sometimes is staring us in the face but we have to stand up and believe. Amen!.
Dee