July 20 Psalm 87 Romans 6:1-14 Hosea 1; 2
Psalm 87
From the beginning, our God has made a way to live among humanity, available in a personal relationship. God had designed a capital city for the Israelites centered around a place of worship. A place where they could be aware of His presence and engage in a relationship with Him. This is a treasured place in the heart of God. The sacrifice for atonement, the worship, and the other activities all served the purpose of God living among them. God makes a way for a relationship with us to be possible. In Jerusalem, they were singing about God’s desire that people from every ethnicity, every nation, would find their citizenship (their very source of life) in this place and in this relationship with God. We see this faith as inclusive. The same God is available to you today. There is an open invitation to places set aside for a relationship with God.
Romans 6:1-14
When we receive the grace found in Jesus, the power that sin had over us is broken. Now we are able to live in a new way. In the same way that death has no power over Jesus, our sin nature now has no power over us. You should become aware of this truth and choose to live in this way. You are no longer condemned to repeat the same mistakes of toxic selfishness. You now have freedom through God’s grace. In water baptism, we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a public confession of our faith in Jesus, the fact that we now live for Jesus, and that our relationship with sin is dead. Now we may live a new life. It’s a beautiful moment for a spiritual family to come together and support the person who is choosing to follow Jesus. We make a commitment to help each other on this journey.
Hosea 1; 2
God directs Hosea to marry someone who had been working as a prostitute, to illustrate how the Israelites had been unfaithful to God. As Hosea and Gomer raise children. God gives the children names that communicate the results of this generation’s deep spiritual immorality. Through Hosea God predicts a future restoration of His people and His love for them. God predicts a future relationship with the Israelites when they would look to God as a loving husband more than a master. In this, we see God’s desire for a loving personal relationship with us. God loves faithfully. God provides. God brings identity and purpose to a relationship with Him. God restores us after turning us from our mistakes.
July 20 Psalm 87 Romans 6:1-14 Hosea 1; 2
Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking the next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?