SOAP 11/21/2015; Psalm 98:9

Today's reading: Matthew 8, 9, 10*

S) "⁹ Before the LORD, for He is coming to judge the earth;
He will judge the world with righteousness
And the peoples with equity."

Psalm 98:9 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 98

O) This verse seems to be awkwardly divided from the previous verse. I didn't exactly want to take it out of context, but I did want to focus on this end to the psalm. The last three verses are poetical telling the world to praise God. Rivers and mountains are told to clap and sing before the LORD... and that's where this verse picks up. What really strikes me, is that they are implored to praise because God is coming to judge. And, He is coming to judge with righteousness and equity. That is to say, God is going to right every wrong, and no one will escape accountability. All of this judgment, even during the Old Testament, is going to hinge on the relationship status of people, relative to the LORD. What's essential to remember in view of this coming judgment, is that no one will have an excuse. When this closing verse is read in relation to vv.2-3, it is clear that people are held to a standard equally, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. This is reiterated in the New Testament, in Romans 1.

A) God will judge with equity, and His standard remains the same for all people. Perfection is the standard. For myself, I need to remember that grace does not lower that standard. Instead, in the gospel, in faith and trust and obedience to Christ, I am found righteous in Him. I am brought up to His level, and justified in Jesus Christ. I am elevated to the standard. So, this also means that I cannot believe the lie that grace means sin is no longer possible. I cannot be tempted to think that grace is a license to live however I want. I am brought up to share in the righteousness of God, but I do not share in His sovereignty. One day, I will also face judgment, so I must judge myself now, so that I can repent from my sins and have them washed away, before the Final Day is upon me.

P) Father, open my eyes to Your sovereignty, power, and justice. My sins deserve death, every single time. It is only by Your amazing grace, that I have life. It is because my sins were already punished on the cross, and Jesus took the death I deserve, and He defeated it. But, I confess that I am still prone to temptation. I still fall to sin. Father, please continue to discipline me. Help me grow, and mature, to become stronger and stronger. Not that I could ever be independent of my need for my Savior, but only that I may honor Your name more and more. I want to honor the name of Christ, to bring honor to You when I call myself a Christian. Be glorified in my obedience. Be glorified in my repentance. Let Your will be done in my life, and on earth, as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/20/2015; Psalm 97:12

Today's reading: Matthew 5, 6, 7*

S) "¹² Be glad in the Lord, you righteous ones,
And give thanks to His holy name."

Psalm 97:12 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 97

O) Like many Psalms do, this ends with an invitation to worship, serve, and fear the LORD. This last verse especially caught my attention, though, because the use of the phrase, "in the LORD," conceptually. What this verse is really saying, is to be in the LORD, and the how of it is gladness. But, the concept of being in God that way, is really what Jesus introduced. That was a big part of why the Pharisees sought His life, because for Him to declare that He was in the Father that way, was elevating Him to a holy stature (in their estimation) that was beyond Him. This concept of divine unity is what Jesus brought to fulfillment (see John 17:22-24 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-20). But, as much as this verse may seem to allude to these New Testament concepts, we must still be careful not to take this verse out of context. The other way to read this would be something along the lines of "let the gladness you have be in the LORD," making the gladness itself be placed within the LORD, and not the person having the gladness. In all likelihood, that is more along the lines of what the author thought. Even still, that principle is wisdom to the hearer.

A) It almost seems like these two concepts are actually two sides of the same coin, especially for me as a disciple of Christ. After all, if I am in Christ as a believer in Him, then I am in the LORD God. That being the case, my attitude in Him should certainly be glad! At the same time, God does not ask us to walk through this world with fake smiles, with whitewashed walls, and pretty facades. In fact, there are warnings against such self-deceiving lifestyles (e.g., Ezekiel 13). However, when I put my focus and attention, on the fact that I am in Christ, then gladness will be restored to me, overcoming my circumstances. There can certainly be mixed emotions (people are complex), but this is the type of gladness that defies negativity. I am righteous in Christ. I am glad in the LORD. I will give thanks to His holy name.

P) Father, the depths of Your grace continue to astound me. I suppose I may never become used to it. In fact, I pray that I never do, God, for fear that it would mean that I've taken the gospel for granted. Lord, there are many things in life that can sap my happiness. I have bad encounters at work, or looming debt, or an ailing body. Despite all of that, though, I also have the assurance that I am reconciled to my Creator. Help me to keep my focus where it should be, God. I want to rejoice always, being glad in You, LORD. Thank You for our relationship, which is by Your abounding grace. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/19/2015; Psalm 94:18

Today's reading: Matthew 1, 2, 3, 4*

S) "¹⁸ If I should say, 'My foot has slipped,'
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, will hold me up."

Psalm 94:18 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 94

O) In context, the writer is talking about salvation from enemies. When he used the term, "My foot has slipped," it means to become vulnerable. This is along the lines of being chased, or climbing, and slipping would mean eminent danger. So, this verse is about helplessness apart from the LORD, and His grace at work in salvation.

A) Even though this verse was written about carnal dangers, it is certainly applicable to the spiritual realm. When Paul defined our battle as not one of flesh and blood, it must also change the way I see God as my help. When I think of the concept of slipping, with modern Christian vernacular, it makes me think of sinning. Even with that "spin," though, this verse makes sense. Because again, my fight is not against human enemies, but spiritual enemies. When I do "slip" and sin, then I have indeed become further vulnerable to my enemies. In both senses, only the lovingkindness of my God will hold me up.

P) Father, Your grace is humbling. When I am confronted by my great need, it makes me so aware of my need, and also makes me aware of how You have completely met my every need. In fact, Your grace goes even beyond what I simply needed, and You have lavished lovingkindness on me. When my foot has slipped, and I have become vulnerable either through my own sinning, or any other cause, let Your lovingkindness sustain me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/18/2015; 2 Corinthians 13:5

Today's reading: Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 11, 12, 13

S) "⁵ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?"

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB)

O) There had been some doubts within the Corinthian church, because people were questioning the apostleship of Paul, and therefore questioning whether or not the Corinthians really had believed the gospel correctly. So, in the closing chapters of this letter, Paul was reassuring the church that he was indeed an apostle of Christ, and that they themselves received the gospel correctly. Paul brought up the idea of works a little later, in v.7, imploring the church to "do no wrong" and this is tied back to the verse above. If a man has doubts about his relationship with God, then he should examine himself carefully. If he can see obedience (doing no wrong) is the normal posture of his heart, and that he seeks to do good works in the name of Christ, then he passes the test.

A) For myself, I don't think I have ever struggled with doubts about where I stand with God, exactly. I've always had a pretty clear understanding of where I have been in my faith (or absence from it), throughout my life. Still, this verse carries with it a command by omission. Paul's point in this passage is that no one else should be judging if I am in the faith; I should be judging myself. In the same way, then, I should not be concerning myself with questions about someone else being in the faith, either. Certainly, there are times to rebuke someone who is sinning without repentance. There are times when a person might be struggling with self-doubts, and seek my input. Situations like those are circumstantial, but in general, it is much better for me to put questions like that out of my mind.

P) Father, thank You for making it clear to me, where I stand in my relationship with You. I know that You are God, holy and mighty, righteous and just. You are my Father in heaven, merciful and patient, loving and kind. Don't ever let me take my salvation, my relationship with You, for granted. I would sooner leave this earth, than to jeopardize my faith in Jesus Christ. Help me to use strict discipline, to not examine the lives of others without cause. If someone asks me for counsel, then please give me wisdom and understanding, and boldness to speak the truth. If someone is in danger in their sins, and You want me to rebuke them, then please give me courage and self-discipline, to carefully and lovingly approach them. In every other case, though, help me to resist my fleshly urge to question the status of other people, in their relationship to You. It is never my place to speculate. Help me to examine myself daily, though. Open my eyes and ears, especially to the Word, that I may judge myself correctly, and confess and repent from my sins. Be glorified in my life, Lord. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/17/2015; Psalm 93:3-4

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 7, 8, 9, 10*

S) "³ The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
The floods have lifted up their voice,
The floods lift up their pounding waves.
⁴ More than the sounds of many waters,
Than the mighty breakers of the sea,
The Lord on high is mighty."

Psalm 93:3-4 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 93

O) In this psalm of God's majesty, the writer used one of the most powerful scenes we have in nature, and ascribed it to the might of God. Flooding waves, breakers at sea, the sounds of many waters, all of these are generally descriptions of destructive force. After all, God used a flood to destroy the world once. So, humanity should fully understand the kind of power that is the LORD'S to command. That is not to say that every flood that takes place is because God wants to punish people, or that breakers at sea that capsize huge boats are His righteous judgment. I mean, that could be true, but Jesus seemed to make it clear that those types of disasters cannot be oversimplified (see Luke 13:4-5). Still, the imagery paints a clear picture. The sheer power of God is simply beyond anything we see in the natural world around us. All of the destructive powers, which mankind is helpless to prevent, are nothing compared to the might of the LORD Himself.

A) There are a few things for me to remember from this passage. The first, might very well be that natural disasters (which used to be called "acts of God" by insurance companies, and the like), may not actually be God executing some broad judgment. Nevertheless, the Bible also makes it clear that one day, there will be a Final, all-inclusive judgment. When that Judgment Day comes, humanity will be powerless to resist the will of God, and there will be many who would rather face every natural disaster instead, but will not be able to bargain with the Almighty. Second, when I do witness the awesome forces at work within nature, I must remember that they testify to the overwhelming and irresistible power of God. Fearing the LORD is not my default posture, so every reminder I have for reasons to be humbled before His might, should be given full consideration.

P) Father, there have not been many times when nature has terrified me, but even seeing it secondhand, or hearing harrowing stories, should be used to point me back to Your awesome might. You are great beyond measure, powerful beyond comparison, and mighty beyond challenge. Open my eyes that I will properly fear You, God. At the same time, never let me lose sight of Your ever-present grace, mercy, and abounding love. In all of Your overpowering strength, You are still so gentle and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Open my ears to hear of Your grace, mercy, and love, to fill me with Your peace, hope, and joy. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/16/2015; Psalm 92:4

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 3, 4, 5, 6*

S) "⁴ For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands."

Psalm 92:4 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Psalm 92

O) Generally speaking, this Psalm is praising God for His goodness, warning against wickedness, and encouraging righteousness. The verse above focuses on God's good work, not that is yet to be done, but what He has already completed. This is to remember what God has already done, and to rejoice for what He has already accomplished. This is not praise based on what God might do in the future. This gladness is not based on anything more, than the goodness of what the LORD finished.

A) The context is different for me, but the practice is the same. My hope in God is sure, because it is not hoping for what He might do, but hoping in what He has already done. My hope of salvation, and my hope for eternity with God, is based on what has already been finished with the gospel. To be clear, God is not done with me, but the gospel is written. The New Covenant is complete, and nothing better could ever come. God can do amazing things in my life, like healing sickness, providing money to pay bills, or restoring relationships; nothing will ever compare to what He has already done. In fact, it is even accurate to say, that God cannot increase His grace to me, by doing anything more than authoring the gospel work. In light of the cross, I never need more cause to praise Him.

P) Father, I have every reason to praise You eternally. For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Help me to fix my mind on the gospel. If You never change anything else about my temporal existence, You have already secured my eternal life, and there is nothing that can compare with that. I am so thankful for blessings like my wonderful marriage, great kids, solid career, and on and on, but none of that means anything without the gospel at work in my life. But, praise belongs to You, because I am made secure in Christ Jesus, and by Your grace I have faith in Christ as my Lord. This is the hope I have in the gospel, God, but I am easily distracted. Help me to remember, whenever I ask for anything in prayer, that the most important need I had, my eternal need for salvation, has already been granted. Everything else can fall away, and I still have joy at the work of Your hands. Be glorified in my thanksgiving. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/15/2015; Job 42:13-15

Today's reading: Job 41, 42; 2 Corinthians 1, 2


S) "¹³ He had seven sons and three daughters. ¹⁴ He named the first Jemimah, and the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. ¹⁵ In all the land no women were found so fair as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers."

Job 42:13-15 (NASB)

O) The end of Job's story sees him restored and blessed twice as much as he was in the beginning of his life. He went on to live another 140 years after his testing. In some of the brief descriptions of his restored blessings, we find these three verses, describing his daughters. This is notable for a few reasons. First, I noticed that his daughters are named and his sons are not. That alone is interesting on two sides. It was unusual for daughters' names to be recorded, since women were culturally valued less during this time. Then, the fact that the sons' names were omitted adds to the unusual nature of this passage, given the value and prestige associated with male offspring at that time. Then, this peculiarity is taken a further, because Job gave his daughters an inheritance. While the daughters were still objectified on some level (noting their beauty), this is still progressive equality almost 4000 years ago. Context is important to remember when reading the Old Testament. There is a lot recorded in the histories that is not prescriptive text. However, Job's life as a righteous man can be seen with commendation, since God clearly approved of his character in the opening chapters. So, while the Bible does not often show women to be equals with men, because so much of ancient culture did not see them that way, this is another instance where a righteous man treats women with respect, and clearly reveals the heart of God toward the fairer sex.

A) Direct application of this verse is pretty straight forward. I have two daughters and one son, and I must treat them as equals. I don't have much by way of inheritance, but I do have beneficiaries for my life insurance and retirement funds. So, splitting that equally among my kids is pretty easy. But, financial numbers are the easiest part of equality. The harder part of equality is the daily, emotional, relational interactions with them. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm tempted to trade my daughters for goats and treat my son like a royal heir, not at all. But, in seeking to treat them equally, it also goes the other way. I have to be careful to not give preference to one because of intelligence, or another because of age. I have to also be careful not to give preference to any of them based on gender, in either direction. Equality does not mean sameness, but it means they have shared value as people.

P) Father, in Your holiness, You treat all of Your children equally. You are not partial to any person, and as a perfectly righteous Abba, I can look to You for my example of how to treat my own children. I want to be holy as You are holy. I want to glorify You with how I interact with my own kids. Give me wisdom, patience, and understanding to do what is right with them, in every facet of our relationships. Open my eyes and ears, to be led by the Holy Spirit in this. When other people notice, and I pray they do, let me use it as an opportunity to praise Your holy character. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.