November 1 Psalm 119:137-144 Hebrews 3 Joel 1; 2:1-17
Psalm 119:137-144
The poet has found God to be trustworthy. Over the years, the guidance of God has been put to the test and has proven to be reliable. For this reason, the poet delights in the Word of God. He found God to be faithful to His Word. Psalm 119:140 helps us understand that millions of people have tested God’s promises rigorously. The songwriter says that when life brings pressure and stress he loves the reliable nature of God’s Words. As a result, my lifestyle should be built on the truth that God has provided.
Hebrews 3
God has made it possible for us to choose whether or not we will accept Jesus Christ. This includes His lordship and offer of salvation. In faithful love and infinite wisdom, our God extends to us hope found in Jesus Christ the Messiah (and now our Great High Priest). Hebrews 3 exhorts followers of Jesus to be careful that they do not drift from their belief in the living God and our Messiah. The Hebrew people who originally read this may have been relying heavily on the words of Moses and their Jewish identity. Here we read that Jesus is the Lord, the ever-present builder of the house (as it relates to the house that Moses built, in their identity). Today our own courage will come as we keep our confident hope in Jesus Christ. We should help each other avoid drifting into deception. We can help each other avoid the hardness of heart toward God that our culture leads toward. Our human nature may gradually drift in these ways. The Hebrew people saw the results of this in their own history. We need the strength that intentional relationships bring.
Joel 1; 2:1-17
God sends a message to the prophet Joel, calling people to lament the devastation of their land. Four kinds of locust destroyed their farms. The people of Judah were experiencing the consequences of breaking away from their agreement with God (as seen in Deuteronomy 11:10-17; 29:1 1 Kings 8:35-40). God has allowed this pain so that the people would turn away from their sin. Through the prophet Joel, God calls the people to a change of heart and behavior so that He can restore them. This would include healthy sorrow, a change of behavior, and a turning away from evil. It would result in wholehearted devotion and a return to the love relationship with God. This is set in the context God provided when He described His own character in Exodus 34:6-7. Such a response to God has preceded seasons of human history that we call “revival”.
November 1 Psalm 119:137-144 Hebrews 3 Joel 1; 2:1-17
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?