SOAP 07/05/2014; Hosea 2:10

Today's reading: Hosea 2, 3, 4, 5; Hebrews 2


S) "For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine and the oil,
And lavished on her silver and gold,
Which they used for Baal."

Hosea 2:8 (NASB)

O) Forgetting for just a moment, that this woman's profession was literally harlotry, the whole point of this book is the spiritual adultery of God's people. Backing up to v.5, she said she was going to return to her lovers (clients) because they provided for her. Ultimately, it is like a hamster on a wheel, though, and she ran and ran, but never caught up to them again; she it was a fruitless chase.

A) Setting aside the details of her profession, allows me to relate more closely. I work to make a living, so that I can buy my "bread, water, wool, flax, oil, and drink." Essentially, it's my employer who is (indirectly) giving me those things. However, if I make the mistake of thinking that it's from my employer, instead of recognizing that it's all from God, then I am making my bosses my lords, and the things I am buying with my paychecks are becoming idols (I'm using them "for Baal" i.e., making them into a Baal). So, I redirect my focus, and thank God for the work I have to do, for the check I get from it, for the things I buy with that check. I force my eyes to heaven to thank Him, and I bow my head only toward Him. I don't chase the favor of my employer, I don't chase my paychecks, I don't chase the things I buy; I chase the LORD.

P) Father, thank You for the job You've given me, the pay it yields. Thank You for the things I can buy, both the essential things, and the unimportant things. Let me remain thankful to You, only, so that I am keeping my focus and devotion to You. Teach me to honor You with my work, with my money, and even with the things I buy. Be glorified in all areas of my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/04/2014; Hosea 1:7

Today's reading: 2 Kings 15, 16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1


S) "⁷ But I will have compassion on the house of Judah and deliver them by the Lord their God, and will not deliver them by bow, sword, battle, horses or horsemen."

Hosea 1:7 (NASB)

O) This is a reference to the salvation brought by Jesus. The Messianic prophecies have many military references, but didn't come to bring political freedom to the Jews (yet). The deliverance Jesus came to give, was not a deliverance by bow, sword, battle, horses or horsemen, but by cross and nails, scourging and blows, blood and sacrifice, death and resurrection.

A) God simply does not operate in the ways we think He will. Our expectations are just so far off the mark, sometimes. Guessing what God intends, or what God will do (or certainly how He will do a thing) is futile, and arrogant, and foolish. I need to continue to seek God for clarity and understanding about my life, His plans... everything. If I am allowing myself to set expectations, I run the risk of missing His plan altogether (as the Pharisees did, expecting a military coup).

P) Father, thank You for the Bible. Thank You for opened eyes and ears. Let me continue to seek You every day, taking no plan for granted. Draw me into prayer, and lead me by the Holy Spirit, to commune with You daily. Speak to me in dreams, visions, through others, and certainly through the revelation of Your Word. Lead me according to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/03/2014; 2 Chronicles 26:16

Today's reading: Isaiah 6, 7; 2 Chronicles 26, 27; Philemon

S) "¹⁶ But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense."

2 Chronicles 26:16 (NASB)

O) This chapter is about Uzziah, who had a strong and (mostly) faithful rule over Judah. However, as noted in the above verse, he eventually went awry. He reigned 52 years, but near the end, his pride was his downfall. His act of haughty rebellion didn't cost him his throne, exactly, but he was struck with leprosy. Consequently, his son began ruling in his stead, judging the kingdom until his father's death. What is noteworthy about Uzziah's rebellion, though, is that it had a semblance of righteousness. He was burning incense to God, an act of worship; however, he was worshiping God on his terms, instead of worshiping God on the LORD's terms. While it may have seemed like an innocent faux pas, the truth was revealed when he was confronted by the priests. Instead of repenting immediately, he tries to argue for his righteousness. It's not until he is struck with leprosy, that he sees the arrogance of his heart.

A) I had a similar experience as Uzziah. As I became an adult, I "became strong" and my heart for God became proud. I slowly felt less and less need for Him. I wonder now, sometimes, if I am allowed to struggle through things, specifically so that I still "feel need" for God. I want to believe, and determine, that no matter how much ease I have in my life, that I would be seeking God just the same, but how can I be sure? Maybe God knows, that if my life became easier (even just at certain seasons in my life), that I would struggle to be devoted to Him in the same way. Maybe there is grace in a struggle, because it keeps me humble, and close to God.

P) Father, thank You for saving me from my own stupid pride. Whatever it takes, please continue to keep my heart humble, if I am ever in danger of my pride derailing my devotion to You. Thank You for the grace of facing struggles. When I am in the middle of hard times, let me be thankful that I can, and do, turn myself toward seeking You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/02/2014; Isaiah 4:3

Today's reading: Isaiah 4, 5; Psalms 115, 116; Jude

S) "³ It will come about that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded for life in Jerusalem."

Isaiah 4:3 (NASB)

O) This is a great foreshadow of end times, as described in Revelation 2 (especially v.11). Over and over, throughout the Bible, God calls His people to remain faithful. He allows challenges in our lives, to see that we will hold fast to our devotion, patiently waiting for Him. In the meantime, we are admonished not to seek false gods, false hope, false help. While the above verse is physical in nature, that is not necessarily what God wants in our lives, exactly. For example, when the Jerusalem was invaded by Babylon, Jeremiah warned the people repeatedly, that they must submit themselves to king Nebuchadnezzar. But, when the city was conquered, and the people either taken or killed, Jeremiah was allowed to either stay behind, or march to Babylon with the majority of the survivors (see Jeremiah 40). He chose to stay behind with the smallest fraction of the remnant.

A) Above all else, I must continue to seek the will of the LORD, especially during calamity. I can make informed decisions, but unless I am devoted to God and His ways, I am still doomed. But, by preparing myself, determining ahead of time to pursue Him in all difficulties, then I am promised life.

P) Father, I cannot imagine what struggles are in my future, but I know that You know. By Your will, reveal future difficulties to me, let me be found prepared and ready, able to stand firm in my faith. Help me keep focus, remembering that life by Your word is the only thing that matters in the end. Thank You for the grace You have shown me, in bringing me this far. By Your grace, see me through to the end. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/01/2014; Isaiah 1:18

Today's reading: Isaiah 1, 2, 3; Titus 3

S) "'Come now, and let us reason together,'
Says the Lord,
'Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.'"

Isaiah 1:18 (NASB)

O) Blind faith is a bit of a misnomer. God wants us to see the clear benefit, the clear advantage, that we have in following Him. From the earliest commands, He laid it out for His people (see Deuteronomy 30:19) so they could see the options before them, and make a rational, well-thought-out decision. It's the same here, with Isaiah's opening chapter. God's people are reminded to think through their choices, their devotion to Him versus their devotion to idolatry. God promises the forgiveness of sins here, and promises prosperity (v.19) for obedience, and warns of destruction (v.20) for rebellion.

A) Think it through, think it through, think it through. God offers the best, most powerful gift first: forgiveness. Then He promises to add to it, "the best of the land;" and warns that there is a severe danger in turning away from Him. This verse is a wonderful reminder that our faith is not a blind one. Our faith is a rational one. I just need to remember what my foundation is. What is the basis of my faith? In whom am I placing my faith? Jesus is the foundation. Jesus, who washes me clean of my sins, is the person, the God, whom I trust.

P) Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for being a God who freely lays our options at our feet. Thank You for giving me the choice, so I can make an informed decision to follow after You. Let me use this experience, this model, as a tool for evangelism, too. Remind me of the simplicity behind the reason for our faith. Thank You for forgiveness. Give me boldness to share these truths. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/30/2014; Psalm 104:33

Today's reading: Amos 7, 8, 9; Psalm 104; Titus 2

S) "³³ I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God ^[ai]while I have my being."

Psalm 104:33 (NASB)

O) This whole chapter is a strong declaration of praise to the Lord about His creation of the world and the things in it, but this verse really grabbed me. The footnote I left in this verse, says that literally it says, "while I still am." I think that is a powerful definition It gives the verse a much more eternal tone, I think. It is to say, "As long as I can call myself 'I' then I will praise the Lord. As long as I am, I will praise Him." It alludes to the same eternal, present, existent, infinitive nature of God, when He calls Himself, "I AM" and says, "My eternal, present, existent, infinitive posture will be praise toward the Lord." The psalmist is presenting the concept that his praise will not be held back, it will not end.

A) Most people would consider me a "natural worshiper" (although, in truth, we are all naturally sinful and worshipers of self, money, celebrity, etc). However, generally speaking, I have an easy time freely worshiping in any given worship service. I truly consider it a blessing, since I know some people have to fight for focus, humility, sincerity, etc. Having said all of that, it is much harder to worship in some other settings, under some other circumstances. When I was set to move back home, to Bothell, I was worshiping to Kristene Mueller's "Praise The Lord" (I also wrote about it on 08/21/2011, and that entry had a link to the song). I remember praying to God, the lyrics, "Nothing's gonna take Your praise out of my mouth, as long as I shall live."  an I remember Him warning that when I moved to Washington, I would have a harder time openly worshiping. I determine then, that this would be my resolve. As long as I am, I will worship Him. There is only one criterium, only one box to check, only one circumstance. I am, therefore I worship.

P) Father, thank You for giving me a spirit of worship. It is my joy to worship You. Strengthen my resolve, to be expressive with my worship, under any circumstance, even in the face of severe persecution. I want to be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, willing to worship, even facing certain death for it. I am, therefore I worship You, LORD. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/29/2014; Psalm 87:2

Today's reading: Amos 4, 5, 6; Psalm 86, 87; Titus 1

S) "² The Lord loves the gates of Zion
More than all the other dwelling places of Jacob."

Psalm 87:2 (NASB)

O) This whole psalm is about how it is considered a privilege to have been born in Zion (Jerusalem), and that's really because of this verse. When David ascended the throne, it was initially in Hebron, not Zion, and he reigned in Hebron for several years until he conquered Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 5). But, it really wasn't until he moved the ark of the covenant there, that Jerusalem was truly considered blessed, because the LORD chose to dwell in Zion instead of going "from tent to tent" (see 1 Chronicles 17), and that, then, is what shows He loves it so much more than anywhere else the Israelites lived.

A) The context is in the idea that God loves the place where He resides. So, when I read later, after Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to us, that our bodies are the temple of God (see 1 Corinthians 6:19), it should remind me that I share the same favor that Zion itself had. I am blessed and honored that God would choose to dwell within me! I am blessed and highly favored! As many verses as have been written about the LORD loving Zion, could have been written about the LORD loving me (or anyone who has the Holy Spirit within them).

P) Father, thank You for the grace You gave from the very beginning of time. I am so limited in my ability to comprehend Your love, but I pray You continue to reveal it to me, as much as I can understand, according to Your will. Give me the confidence of knowing that Your affection toward me is the same as Your affection for Zion, the holy city about which so many songs were written. Thank You for that amazing love. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.