September 6th One Year Bible Readings

Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16 ~ 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 ~ Psalm 50:1-23 ~ Proverbs 22:22-23
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Old Testament - Today we begin the Song of Solomon! Now, for those of you that have not read Song of Solomon before, let me say this up front – this is a book for married folks y’all! :) Well, yes, us single folks can read it, but we would do well to know that this book is all about the beauty of love and, yes, sex - within marriage.

~ Song of Solomon ~
Author: Solomon
Date: Tenth century B.C.
Content: This book, about the love of Solomon and a Shulamite woman, consists of a series of lyrics or songs, hence the designation in the text: the Song of Songs. It is a simple but moving piece, describing the longing of two lovers for one another, of the struggles that need to be overcome, of the tender feelings that love awakens, and of the joy that the lovers find in being together. The young women of Jerusalem, who appear with Solomon and his beloved, add to the dramatic effect of the story by adding observations of their own.
Theme: The most obvious meaning of this narrative is that human love, which was ordained by God, is good and holy when enjoyed in obedience to the commands of God. Many interpreters have found a symbolic meaning in the book, however, and point to the love of God for Israel or the love of Christ for his church. Seen in this way it underscores the teaching of the New Testament that God is love (1 John 4:8). (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 10-11) More great commentary on the Song of Solomon is at this link.

New Testament - Second Corinthians chapter 8 verse 23 stood out to me today - "If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And these brothers are representatives of the churches. They are splendid examples of those who bring glory to Christ."  I like that last sentence a lot.  I believe each of us are called to be splendid examples of those who bring glory to Jesus!  How is your example these days?   Below is an icon painting of Paul ordaining Titus on the island of Crete:

Bible.org's commentary on today's (and tomorrow's) readings in Second Corinthians titled "Keeping Your Commitments" is at this link.  Below is a great image for Second Corinthians 8:20-21 today:

Psalms - Psalm 50 verses 14 & 15 are beautiful words from God to Israel - "What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory." Do you believe these words can apply to us today as well?  Are you giving true thanks to God each day?  Are you trusting in God in your times of trouble?  Are you giving God glory for all that he has done for you?  How often do you say "thank you" to God? 

Below is a great image for Psalm 50 verse 1 today:

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 22 verses 22 & 23 teach us today: "Do not rob the poor because they are poor or exploit the needy in court. For the LORD is their defender. He will injure anyone who injures them."  This is a strong warning to not rob or exploit the poor.  I think we would do well to think of this not only in terms of the materially poor, but the spiritually or emotionally poor too.  Let us not rob them or exploit them.  For the Lord is their defender!

Worship God: Psalm 50 verse 15's "you will give me glory" reminded me of Third Day's great song "Show Me Your Glory!"  Here's a live version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JbEQHmCEFU

Do you want to see God's Glory? Click here for Glory!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them." Proverbs 22:22-23 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you will never exploit the poor. Pray that you will bless the poor, know them, love them, and serve them - as you know, love, and serve yourself.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Ramona]

II Corinthians 8:16-24

20 By traveling together we will guard against any suspicion, for we are anxious that no one should find fault with the way we are handling this generous gift. 21We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to know we are honorable.

Accountability and integrity as practiced by Paul: Never do anything alone that can bring on suspicious talk or rumor. In accounting the hand that takes should never be the hand that gives and there should always be a “Paper-trail.” Too often in ministry and churches across the country ministry does not submit to scrutiny or accountability which can lead to God’s name being Blasphemed when the shepherds abuse the sheep they have been assigned to watch over.

Psalm 50:1-23

13
I don't need the bulls you sacrifice;
I don't need the blood of goats.

14
What I want instead is your true thanks to God;
I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High.

Too often, we get caught up in the ritual and not the God who made us. Our worship should point to God. Yet we wind up worshiping the worship instead of the one we have been called to Worship, God.

Proverbs 22:22-23

Exploitation of the poor is almost applauded in this society. Predators seeking out a person’s week spot not to try to build them up but to take advantage and tear them down. Lust desires to benefit self at the expense of others while love desires to benefit others at the expense of self.

Lusting after people’s gifts, talents and abilities makes us enemies of God a position no one who is supposed to be filled Wisdom should ever want to be in.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Bettyanne]

In the Song of Solomon passage we see the superiority of genuine love:
like a lily among thorns (2:2), sweet fruit (2:3), being brought to a banqueting hall (2:4), better than wine and more fragrant than the sweetest smelling spices (4:10). The love relationship we have in Christ is superior to anything we could imagine!

In the Corinthians passage we see how to demonstrate love to others--in the care for brethren in need--not just lip service.
Therefore openly before the churches, show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you. 2 Corinthians 8:24 NASB That is that love is demonstrated and we, who are loved by God are called to demonstrate our love to those in need.

Psalm 50 tells of the sincere sacrifice of love. Verse 8, God is not reproving because they are sacrificing, but, if you'll excuse the expression, wants them to cut out "the bull." Sincere sacrifice is one of thanksgiving and not ritual obligation and cannot be accepted when we are being unkind to one another (v. 20).

The Proverbs show us the extreme opposite of love--withholding love by not caring for the poor is actually robbing them; this pits us against the Lord--the source of that genuine love that we recognized back in the Song of Solomon.