October 2 Psalm 116:1-11 Philippians 3; 4:1 Jeremiah 4:10-31; 5
Psalm 116:1-11
God is listening to what we are saying to Him. And so, let us be in conversation with God. Let our souls be at rest because God has been good to us. In this honest relationship with God, we can express our thoughts and feelings. Fearing for his life, the songwriter called on God for rescue in Psalm 116. Through real-life experience, he learned that God listened to his cries. In Psalm 116 the songwriter calms himself with the memory of God’s rescue of him in the past. This is a way to draw strength from your relationship with God at a time when you are facing a challenge.
Philippians 3; 4:1
In my life, there is nothing more valuable than knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I rely on what Jesus has done to make my salvation possible. I must not rely on any good deed I have done as a basis for my relationship with God. It is a mistake to think only about this life here on earth. Everything about our life should be informed by the truth that Jesus will return in victory. Passionately Paul writes of the essential nature of relying on faith in Jesus as our means of salvation and not our own righteous deeds. He refutes the false teachers and their manipulation of God’s Word. They were trying to gain influence by teaching that circumcision and obedience to Jewish customs were essential to salvation. Having obeyed each of these laws, Paul writes that faith in Christ has brought salvation. His obedience to these laws did not bring about his salvation. Paul writes that he will daily pursue personal spiritual growth and obedience to God, as long as he lives.
Jeremiah 4:10-31; 5
Through the prophet Jeremiah, God calls His people to a change of heart so that they may be saved. Jeremiah weeps for the people and the pain resulting from their walking away from God. Jeremiah mourns the unrepentant state of his people. God sends Jeremiah looking for even just one honest person. God is searching for people with an honest heart toward Him. Yet Jeremiah sees the people refusing to repent of their sins and rejecting the God who created it all. They became ignorant of God’s ways. They forgot just how good it had been to be in a relationship with God. The people preferred their spiritual leaders, who were corrupt, instead of God. How foolish is it to walk away from the God who controls the ocean?!? This is tragic. It is described here as heart-wrenching.
October 2 Psalm 116:1-11 Philippians 3; 4:1 Jeremiah 4:10-31; 5
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?