~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 ~ Titus 1:1-16
Psalm 97:1-98:9 ~ Proverbs 26:13-16
Old Testament - Jeremiah chapter 49 today again is reminding me of the Lord of the Rings movies as I read it... :) Is this bad? I guess I default to thinking about a fictional movie when obviously these are some very real prophecies and things that were carried out due to the various lands' pride, idol worship, etc. So, yes, probably think of the LOTR movies imagery is probably not quite correct... This chapter does close again with the promise of redemption in verse 39 - "But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam," says the LORD."

Jeremiah 50 does not bode well for Babylon... interesting, in that King Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon have played a large role in sacking Jerusalem & Judah - for their discipline. And now the tide is coming back toward Babylon. Verse 39 jumps out at me today - "Soon this city of Babylon will be inhabited by ostriches and jackals. It will be a home for the wild animals of the desert. Never again will people live there; it will lie desolate forever."

Chapter 50 does bode well for Israel & Judah - verse 4 & 5 tell us: "Then the people of Israel and Judah will join together," says the LORD, "weeping and seeking the LORD their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the LORD with an eternal covenant that will never again be broken." How often do we weep and seek the Lord? Should we ever literally weep and seek God? Can we learn something about the power of weeping from the people of Israel and Judah on how we can bind ourselves to God with an eternal covenant that will never be broken?

New Testament - Today we begin Paul's letter to Titus!

~ Titus ~
Author: Paul the apostle
Place: Uncertain
Date: A.D. 64 or 65
Content: Paul addressed this letter to an earlier associate of his whom he had left on the island of Crete to help strengthen the churches there. Titus’ task was to ordain elders and to instruct the believers in the basic doctrines of the faith. It was necessary for Paul to go into some detail regarding the qualifications for the office of elder, and to give instructions for others in the church as well. During the course of these instructions, Paul touches upon the problems that face the servant of God and how these problems may be met.
Theme: The need for proper Christian living in the midst of the evil of the world is stressed by Paul in this letter. Around us we see the hostility and corruption of the world, but we must show by our lives what the grace of God can do. Such a life will have an impact, whereas mere words will do little or nothing. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” p. 30)
A wonderful commentary by J. Hampton Keathley, III on Paul’s letter to Titus is at this link.

The first two verses of this letter start strong... "This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them the confidence of eternal life, which God promised them before the world began--and he cannot lie." Do you believe everything in these two verses? Does the Truth give us the confidence of eternal life? Is this a promise of God's that you've accepted? Do you believe Paul's teaching here that God cannot lie? Do you know that Jesus cannot lie?

The next few verses are great instructions for whom should be elders in churches. A portion of verse 8 really jumps out at me - "He must enjoy having guests in his home." What a great verse... This really shows the importance of hospitality. Do you enjoy having guests in your home?

Psalms - Psalm 97 verses 10 & 11 are so spiritually powerful & true - "You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right." I do believe that God protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Honestly, I believe that God does this in our lives more than we even consciously realize. I am sure there are a few moments in our life when we fully realize we were being protected by God. But, I also have a strong belief that God protects us from unforeseen things that never entered our consciousness. Do bad things still happen to godly people? Yes, of course they do. Why? I can't answer this - C.S. Lewis' book "The Problem of Pain" gets at this a bit. I highly recommend this book. We are in a fallen world. There is evil and an enemy in this world. Bad things do happen. But, overall, I believe these verses above are so true. I do believe that light shines on the godly and joy on those who do right. Do you believe these verses above to be true? Have you experienced the truth of these verses in your life?

Proverbs - Proverbs 26:13 today jumps out - "The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "I can't go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!"" I wonder if we can substitute the word "worried" or "anxious" in place of lazy in this Psalm? Are we afraid of lions out there? Can we rely on the one true "Lion" who will be with us wherever we go? (yes, think C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia here.... :)

What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up in the Comments section below!
Grace,
Mike
ISAIAH 49
26
“I will feed your enemies with their own flesh. They will be drunk with rivers of their own blood. All the world will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.”
NOTE:
GOD WILL ALWAYS FULFILL HIS COVENANT WITH HIS PEOPLE. We need to continually pray for the peace of Israel, and pray that the Blood of Christ will bind the enemies of Israel.
ISAIAH 50 – ENTIRE CHAPTER IS EXCELLENT
1
The LORD asks, "Did I sell you as slaves to my creditors? Is that why you are not here? Is your mother gone because I divorced her and sent her away? NO, YOU WENT AWAY AS CAPTIVES BECAUSE OF YOUR SINS. AND YOUR MOTHER, TOO, WAS TAKEN BECAUSE OF YOUR SINS.
2
Was I too weak to save you? Is that why the house is silent and empty when I come home? Is it because I have no power to rescue? No, that is not the reason! For I can speak to the sea and make it dry! I can turn rivers into deserts covered with dying fish.
3
I am the one who sends darkness out across the skies, bringing it to a state of mourning."
The LORD’s Obedient Servant
4
The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know what to say to all these weary ones. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.
5
The Sovereign LORD has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away.
6
I give my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard. I do not hide from shame, for they mock me and spit in my face.
7
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.
FIRST NOTE:
Note Isaiah’s personal response of faith, trust, and obedience. He obeys while the general population of Israel was not obeying. He even says that because “the Sovereign LORD helps me… I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.”
SECOND NOTE:
Isaiah here is a type of Christ. Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this passage. As well, note BELOW Christ is the complete fulfillment of verse 6:
Matthew 26
64
Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say. And in the future you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven."
65
Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror, shouting, "Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
66
What is your verdict?"
"Guilty!" they shouted. "He must die!"
67
THEN THEY SPIT IN JESUS' FACE AND HIT HIM WITH THEIR FISTS. AND SOME SLAPPED HIM,
68
SAYING, "PROPHESY TO US, YOU MESSIAH! WHO HIT YOU THAT TIME?"
8
He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to oppose me now? Where are my enemies? Let them appear!
9
See, the Sovereign LORD is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
10
WHO AMONG YOU FEARS THE LORD AND OBEYS HIS SERVANT? IF YOU ARE WALKING IN DARKNESS, WITHOUT A RAY OF LIGHT, TRUST IN THE LORD AND RELY ON YOUR GOD.
11
BUT WATCH OUT, YOU WHO LIVE IN YOUR OWN LIGHT AND WARM YOURSELVES BY YOUR OWN FIRES. THIS IS THE REWARD YOU WILL RECEIVE FROM ME: YOU WILL SOON LIE DOWN IN GREAT TORMENT.
NOTE:
These verses make me think of what the Lord Jesus said:
Matthew 8
21
Another of his disciples said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father."
22
But Jesus told him, "Follow me now! Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead."
NOTE:
Do I really follow the Lord like this? Do I really leave those who are spiritually dead behind (who continue to have no interest in the Lord Jesus) and forsake all to follow Jesus?
In reality, I do not. PLEASE PRAY… that I—and we—will do this.
If we do, this is God’s promise for us.
Isaiah 54 (Amplified)
17
But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong.
this [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition]
is the heritage of the servants of the lord
[THOSE IN WHOM THE IDEAL SERVANT OF THE LORD IS REPRODUCED];
this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.
NOTE: “Those in whom the Ideal Servant of the Lord—Jesus—is REPRODUCED!
Vance
Posted by: Vance Brown | October 26, 2005 at 07:18 AM