Psalm 135-12.14.22
Scripture
Psalms 135:5, 15-18 NIV
“I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods….The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”
Observation-What does it say?
Here is a breakdown of this chapter, according to David Guzik’s commentary on enduringword.com:
A. The Good God, Creator and Redeemer
(verses 1-2) A Call to praise Yahweh.
(verses 3-4) Reasons to Praise the Lord.
(verses 5-7) Praising God who creates all things.
(verses 8-12) Praising God who redeems his people.
B. Exalting God in all His greatness
(verses 13-14) The Greatness of God’s fame.
(verses 15-18) The Greatness of God in contrast to the empty folly of idols.
(verses 19-21) The people of God called to bless and praise Yahweh.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Praise the Lord! We serve a risen Savior who is eternally alive!
If we can sum up this Psalm in one sentence, it is to praise God above all as Creator and Redeemer!
Life Application
There is always a reason to praise the Lord.
We just need to look around us at the majesty of His creation. Look at the trees, the animals, how our bodies work, the sun, moon, stars, oceans, mountains, etc.
Also, we always have a reason to praise God as redeemer of our sins. We are alive today because of Him!
Are there any idols that can compete with the greatness of our God? Nope!
Take some time to selah and pause. Remember that He is Immanuel like Katie preached about on Sunday and praise Jesus today! (Here’s a link to Katie’s amazing sermon last Sunday if you missed it: https://youtu.be/K1UvSV1NPlY)
-Michelle Gaddi
Matthew 18-12.13.22
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 18:1-5
"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Then He called a child to Him and had him stand among them. "I assure you," He said, "unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child - this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in My name welcomes Me."
OBSERVATION:
The disciples asked Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This came as no surprise to Jesus because He was aware that they were concerned about who He thought was the most deserving regarding the highest position in the administration He would soon establish. So...in order to answer their question, He avoided pointing to Himself as being the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and instead He called over a child and had him stand among them. He told the disciples, "unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven".
UNDERSTANDING:
The disciples must have been a bit shocked at Jesus' answer because in those days, in the Jewish society, children were regarded as not being important until they were twelve. Until then they were usually seen - but not heard. So, what did Jesus mean? He certainly didn't mean that He wanted the disciples to act childish! He was referring to the humility of being like a child, and how they tend to accept things in simplicity. Children are trusting by nature. They are needy and dependent, and they know almost nothing about life, and yet, Jesus said, "the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these'. (Matthew 19;14). Jesus told His disciples, "whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven".
LIFE APPLICATION:
I pray I will have what Jesus desires: childlike humility. And I pray that I will do my part to help children see their value and importance according to God, and how very much He desires to bless them because of His great love for them.
-Robin Orefice
Job 19-12.12.22
Scripture
Job 19:28-29 NLT
“How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, ‘It’s his own fault’? You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment.”
Observation-What does it say?
In this chapter, Job is responding to Bildad’s speech from the previous chapter. You see, up to this point, Job’s three friends: Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad have been ridiculing him, and wrongfully accusing him of sinning against God. They are piling on Job’s sorrows by essentially ganging up on him, and verbally mistreating him. If they were truly his friends, they would comfort him, pray and intercede for him, encourage him, and love him no matter what.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Don’t kick a man while he’s down.
From the sounds of things, it looks like Job is in need of new friends. I mean, Job lost his family, his wealth, and on top of all that, his health is deteriorating. He is in need of some sort of support here. That’s what friends are for right? Not in Job’s case. Job’s friends add insult to injury. They wrongfully accuse him of sinning against God. They tell him that the reason why God is putting him through the wringer right now is because of his sin. They think they are better than him. They are looking at his humiliation with haughty eyes. Instead of trying to help him out, they mock and ridicule him. Poor Job. God did find him to be blameless and a man of integrity. But, sometimes God does allow bad things to happen to us. It is during those difficult times though, that God sees our character. God sees our faith. God uses those times to grow us and make us stronger.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”-Romans 5:3-5
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”-James 1:2-4
Don’t be discouraged from our readings in Job though. If we continue to read until the end, we will see what God does to those who remain faithful to Him ‘til the end. We will see how God restores Job. Just continue to stay strong in our faith, lean on God for everything, and know that He is good. 😊
Life Application
Am I a wing or a weight?
If there is one thing I’ve been learning as I’ve been going through the book of Job, it is the importance of having godly friends around you to support you when you are down. Job didn’t seem to have that, which makes me ponder the question, “Am I a wing or a weight?” I’ve heard a pastor ask his church the same question once. Are we the type of people who uplifts, encourages, and loves on a person when they’re down? If so, congratulations you are a wing! But if you’re the type who discourages, mocks, and looks down on your friends when they’re having a difficult time, then…what’s wrong with you?! Let’s be the people God calls us to be. Let’s be forgiving, loving, encouraging, and constantly be praying for one another. Let’s build each other up in the Lord as opposed to tearing each other down.
-Moses Gaddi