SOAP 05/05/2012; Psalm 20:7

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22
    
S)"⁷ Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God."
     

Psalm 20:7 (NASB)

     

O) It seems the translation into 2012 American culture would be something like this:
"Some boast in owning their house and some in their 401k,
But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God."
It's not that there's any problem with owning a house or having a strong stock portfolio, but they can't be the source of security or providence.

     
A) There are times when I wonder what could have been if I'd never sold the condo that Kristin and I owned. There are even recent times when I feel like maybe I should have had a 401k for the last 4 years (working at Blue Shield of CA). But I need to be careful because that's my insecurity talking. As long as I have been careful to obey God's voice, to follow His lead - especially with my finances - then I trust in His name, the name of the LORD, my God.

     

P) Father, some boast in owning their house and some boast in their 401k, but I will boast in the name of the LORD, my God. Because of Your lovingkindness to Your servant, Nicholas, I am alive today. It is because You are gracious and good that I have a wife and children. It is because of your provision that I have a job at all, or am even capable of work. Holy Spirit, let me rejoice that the Creator knows my name! Remind me that my security is not bound in earthly treasures, but in heavenly promises! You are good and Your love endures and I am alive because You are great! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/04/2012; 1 Chronicles 19:13

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 8,9; 1 Chronicles 18,19; Matthew 21     
S)"¹³ Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight."
     

1 Chronicles 19:13 (NASB)

     

O) The Israelites were preparing for battle and they've worked out there battle plan. Here, just before the battle actually starts, though, the assert their ultimate trust in the LORD and His will. They assert that His will is better than their plans. So, they go with what they know and do it the best they can. They move forward with the plan, striving to do right by the people and accepting God's will. They trust that they will do what they should do and allow God to do what He wills to do.

     
A) I generally have an easy time trusting the LORD to do what is good in His sight. My general problem is that I still need to do my part. I need to obtain the plan that is best, based on what I've heard from God and based on wise counsel and sound logic. After I've worked out a plan, even if I'm not completely sure that it's absolutely correct, I need to show myself courageous for the sake of those around me, for my family and the people depending on me. I can't simply settle on letting God handle everything. I need to go with my plan, act, do, accomplish and then trust God to do what He will.

     

P) Father, Your plans for me and Your will for me is beyond good. Good doesn't even begin to tell of how You see things for me. I submit to Your will for me. I accept that what You define as good for me may not look like what I define as good. Holy Spirit, continue to do heart surgery on me and remove spiritual and physical laziness. Do not allow me to be inactive in the name of trusting You. That's truly apathy posing as faithfulness. God, I want to do Your will, not simply accept it. Help me work out plans in wisdom, reasoning, trust, and Your will. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/03/2012; Psalm 2:10-12

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20
     
S)"¹⁰ Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O ^[1]judges of the earth.
^{11 [2]}Worship the LORD with ^[3]reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
^{12 [4]}Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may ^[5]soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!"
     

Psalm 2:10-12 (NASB)

     

O) This is a psalm of David, but it's prophetic regarding the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Reading the whole psalm in the context of Jesus' 3 1/2 year ministry adds interesting perspective. Reading in the context of today's view on Christianity is even more striking, I think. I don't usually leave the footnotes in the verses when I paste them into my blog, but I did today because I think they're incredibly insightful. Here are the footnotes:

1. Or leaders

2. Or Serve

3. Or fear

4. Lit. Kiss; some ancient versions read Do homage purely, or, Lay hold of instruction

5. Or quickly, suddenly, easily

Here's what I see when I put these things together. I see that Jesus should never be taken lightly, certainly not if we're in a position of leading anyone. Worshiping God is important, but it's equatable with serving Him. Purity and obedience to the Son, Jesus, will be (and now is) extremely important because the Messiah, Jesus Christ, has a wrath still to come. Taking refuge in Him is active, not passive, so it requires our action and involvement. If we're not individually and actively taking refuge in Him, we are subject to perishing by His wrath.

    
A) There's a movement today that says people can't really sin anymore. This is basically the "once saved, always saved" notion, but maybe a little more dangerous. This isn't necessarily a new concept, but it seems to be new again like a vintage fashion, or something. Scripture shows us that Jesus already redeemed all sin (past, present, and future), so no more sacrifice is needed. But, it's also pretty clear throughout the New Testament (NT), that we all still need to live righteously before God. When I sin, I need to repent and turn from that sin, refusing to let it become any kind of practice in my life. For centuries, various religious leaders have questioned various books of the NT, mostly because of the strict content of those books. But, I've never heard of anyone wanting to remove a psalm. Let alone a prophetic psalm about the Messiah. Yet here is my ancient instruction to serve God as well as worship Him. This is my ancient instruction to fear God with reverence. This is my ancient instruction to kiss homage to the Son, do homage purely, lay hold of instruction. This is my ancient reminder that there is a wrath coming and if I am not found taking refuge in Christ (this is active, not passive), then I may be caught in a holy storm I can't survive.

    

P) Father, Your holiness is beyond me. I thank You though, as I read yesterday, that with myself it's impossible but with You all things are possible. Thank You for the mercy that covers my sins and thank You for the grace that makes it possible to live a righteous life. Holy Spirit, help me maintain this focus and never lose sight of the fact that I am called to be holy because my God is holy. Remind me that repentance is ongoing and that sin still causes destruction and death as long as it is in me. Forgive me of my sins, Lord. Help me continually turn away from the errors of my ways, to strive for the high standard set by Your Son. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/02/2012; Matthew 19:26

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19
     
S)"²⁶ And looking at them Jesus said to them, 'With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
     

Matthew 19:26 (NASB)

     

O) My littlest, Kaia, has just turned two. Like flipping a light switch, after her recent birthday she wants to push the boundaries of everything. Because of her age, we've only just started to reason with her, giving her simple explanations for the rules in our family and house. When we sit her down to talk to her, we have to say the words, "Kaia, look at my eyes." Because otherwise, she'll turn her face to us, but avoid eye contact. There's something very significant about talking to some one and specifically looking them in the eye when you're talking. Jesus and the disciples are no different. This promise He gave them here, this is a significant statement. It really cannot be overstated.
    
A) Like the Trip Lee song, "Limitations" I need to continue to acknowledge that I have very clear limitations. At the same time, though, it's equally important that I put absolutely no limits on God's power. Jesus' statement was all-inclusive. He didn't say, "... with God this is possible." It wasn't just this one thing, it's all things. In my life, I've seen some miracles. Some have been more impressive than others. I'm not sure any of them rival the miracles mentioned in the book of Matthew, though. But, this is why it's so incredibly important that I read the Word daily. It's not just about my testimony that will give me faith, but the testimony of men 2000 years older than me, telling of the same powerful God in their Spirit-breathed scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:16).

    

P) Father, with myself or other people, things are impossible. But with You, all things are possible. God, there are some things in my life, even now, that I know are beyond me. I can thing of all sorts of ways I can try to make situations better or affect things, but I know in the end it might simply be beyond my abilities. Help me, God. Your word, Your Son told us that with You, all things are possible. Holy Spirit, move powerfully according to the will of the Father. Bring about miracles where my hands are bound. Let the power and love of the LORD shine forth and glorify Your holy name. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/01/2012; Matthew 18:26-27

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 14,15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18
     
S)"²⁶ So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.' ²⁷ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt."
     

Matthew 18:26-27 (NASB)

     

O) This parable actually goes all the way to verse 35 and ultimately, the point Jesus was making was that if we're forgiven for so much, then we also need to forgive others with the same kind of mercy. What really struck me about this verse, though, is the way the Father operates in grace and how we often respond. We owe God a heavy debt because of our sins. However, we can never truly repay that debt. We can do all sorts of good works in the name of the LORD and we could even revert to the sacrifice of animals to atone for our sins, but that doesn't truly erase the debt, it only appeases God's wrath. But through Jesus, our just and righteous Father is able to also be merciful. So, we come to God like this slave in the above verse. God sees that we are not truly able to repay Him, no matter how long we have. So He forgives the debt. The problem, though, is that we sometimes try to repay Him anyway. While God wants us to stay true and not accumulate future debt, so to speak, it would actually insult His grace for us to try to repay Him for the debt He already erased.
   
A) My first response is to fulfill the point Jesus was making. I have been forgiven for sins I cannot number, so it is absurd, insulting to God, and unjustified for me to ever hold unforgiveness toward anyone, regardless of the level of their sin against me. My mind can wander toward the most egregious offenses to me, but my heart must be committed to mercy and forgiveness, because of the mercy and forgiveness already given to me. Second to that, I need to walk in thankfulness toward the LORD for the mercy He's given me, and my service and sacrifice to Him should be out of obedience or worship, not out of recompense or repayment.

     

P) Father, I can never fully comprehend the amount of mercy You afford to me. The grace involved is too much for me to truly grasp. I understand in part, but help me accept in full. Holy Spirit, continue to open my eyes to all the ways I have received mercy and grace, so that I can walk in mercy and grace toward others, more easily and more quickly and more completely. I pray that I am never in a position to have to forgive some one for some outrageous, terrible offense, because I pray You protect me and my family from such afflictions. But, if I ever find myself in that desperate place, in that moment especially, remind me again of this verse and all of the compassion You have on me and all the world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/30/2012; Matthew 17:27

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17
     
S)"²⁷ However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me."
     

Matthew 17:27 (NASB)

     

O) There are 2 things that I noticed about this verse. The first part is why Jesus did this. In the previous verse, He just showed to Simon Peter why they are truly exempt from this particular tax, but Jesus still chose to have the tax paid, so that they wouldn't offend. That word, "offend" is perhaps more literally translated as "cause them to stumble" and so we see that Jesus chose to conform to a restriction, a regulation, in order for others to have an easier time. Through that, though, He still didn't want His disciples burdened, and so He performs a miracle for them.
The second thing about this verse is what the miracle actually was; it was still an exercise of faith. Jesus was able to cause two coins to appear in the mouth of a fish, so He could have had them appear in His own robe and simply pulled them out. Instead, He creates an exercise of faith where His disciple still has to do something, in order to receive the grace He's providing. The reward was still grace beyond the work, but it still required work.
   
A) First, as instruction, I need to be sure that I am not becoming any kind of hindrance or stumbling block to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Secondly, when I need a miracle, I need to remember that God isn't likely to just drop the blessing in my lap. While He can do it that way, it seems much more common that I actually have to participate in bringing the blessing to fruition. I can never be deceived, though. I am not causing miracles to happen. I am only ever being obedient to His command, and being blessed as a result of that obedience in faith.

     

P) Father, as Paul said, Your grace is sufficient. If You withheld every blessing from me except my eternal salvation, between now and when I die, I would still be blessed and grateful. But, Your grace and blessings to me have gone so very far beyond that. My wife and marriage, my kids and family, the job I have, the toys I have, my health, my friendships, even the talents and gifts I have - the list is endless, Lord. Only You will ever know all of the ways You have blessed me, so my thankfulness should also know no limit. When I am commanded to do anything, Holy Spirit, remind me that the blessings for obedience are always disproportionate to my level of participation. You always bless so much more than my reward should rightfully be. Keep my heart soft, God, so that I am eternally grateful. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/29/2012; Psalm 139:12

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16
     
S)"¹² Even the darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You."
     

Psalm 139:12 (NASB)

     

O) This whole psalm is speaking of God's omniscience and omnipresence; David is acknowledging that God is more aware than he can even truly know (see v.6). In this verse, he is using darkness as the setting when people are at their worst, as he alludes in vs.11, saying the darkness will overwhelm him. This is significant because darkness is often when people are up to no good, thinking no one will see them. This is why it's shocking when people do things bad in the daytime and people react by saying things like, "He did it in broad daylight!" It's not that doing in the light makes it worse, it's that it just makes it more audacious... anyway, the point of this verse is that God cannot be deceived. Dark, light, under covers, on a rooftop, in a closet, or on TV, God sees and knows it all.
   
A) David wrote this psalm, not as a confession or caution, but relative to God's saving hand. I need to remember that God sees my affliction, He's not unaware. He hasn't been distracted or disarmed, He is not fooled or misled. If I am facing great affliction, or I feel like I am fighting a battle, I can have the full confidence that God is watching it. So, as long as I am proceding according to His will, then I know that He will bless me. Furthermore, He sees what I would otherwise miss. I can certainly be deceived and I can certainly miss dangers and fall into unseen traps. With God helping, though, I can be made aware of the unseen. My God is better than night vision goggles.

     

P) Father, You are truly great and mighty to save! Knowing that You are my strength, You are my deliverer, You are my protection, provision, and security, this comforts my spirit beyond words, Father. You see things with perspective I cannot obtain. You see things with clarity that is too much for me. Holy Spirit, lead me when I am in darkness. Speak to me of the unseen dangers. Keep me safe and guide me when I do not know what is really around me, when the dangers are beyond my own perception. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.