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bible reading apr 13

Bible reading for April 13 -- Leviticus 17; Psalms 20-21. 

"This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD." (Leviticus 17:5) 

Legit worship of the one true God.  Chapter 17 repeats a number of themes echoed throughout Scripture: a) God seriously cares about how he is worshiped, and so, we are to worship only in the manner that he specifies; b) there will be only one place of sacrifice, that is, at the tabernacle, and later at the temple in Jerusalem; and c) the life of a creature is in its blood, and so, God's people are not to consume blood.  We approach God in the way he desires. The temple points ahead to Christ, the only way to come to God. And the only blood whose life will give us life is the blood of Christ sprinkled upon our hearts. 

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"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."  (Psalm 20:7) 

Psalm 20 highlights what was mentioned above, that is, God cares about how and where he is worshiped. Mount Zion is where the temple of the Lord stood. Salvation comes from the Lord, in his name, and from his place. The "anointed" spoken of here is the king (David) that God called and anointed to rule over his people. And this king trusts not in his military might, but in the Lord. From David's lineage will come the one Ruler that God chooses to rule over all the earth (Ps 2).  

Psalm 21 continues the theme of David's kingship.  It is a joyful and confident psalm about the blessedness of trusting the Lord.  As subjects of the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ, we too rejoice in God's blessing, strength, answered prayer, gladness, and security. In fact Scripture teaches that we also will rule with him (Rev 3:21; 5:10; 22:5). Just like King David we should long for the day when wickedness will be punished and evil banished forever.  We should long for and pray for Christ's rule to be established on earth: "May your kingdom come!" (Matt 6:10)   


We are following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson. 
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The NET Bible is a recommended, free online resource, being a ministry of Bible.org. 

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