Bible reading for May 18.
Numbers 27.
"Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd." (Num 27:16-17)
CHAPTER 27. The Lord makes provision for the daughters of Zelophehad (and others) to inherit land when there were no male heirs. This shows God's care for women (and mothers and widows) under the law. In the new covenant men and women alike inherit eternal life and the blessing of the Holy Spirit in this life (Joel 2:28-29; Gal 3:28). Moses views the promised land from Mount Abarim and appoints Joshua as his successor. To have a "shepherd" was to have a leader to lead, guide, protect, and care for you (Ps 23; John 10:10-16). God's people always have need for such leadership (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:1-4).
DO YOU THANK GOD, and pray regularly, for your church leaders?
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Psalms 70-71.
"So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come." (Psalm 71:18)
AGES AND STAGES. Many of the psalms in books I and II are tied to stages and events in David's life, as noted often in the superscription. Completing this collection are a short lament (Ps 71) and this psalm (Ps 78), recognizing God's work in David's life from youth to old age. Here David praises God for his lifelong faithfulness to him. He is still surrounded by those who oppose his reign, and he still needs God's continued help and deliverance to the end. He wants to finish well (see Paul in 2 Tim 4:6-7). What David wants to leave behind is not monuments to his own power, or great buildings, or public spectacles of grandeur. Here's what he wants to pass on to the next generation: "My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge" (v 15; cf John 21:25). He wants to leave behind the knowledge of the mighty deeds of the Lord, his righteousness, his salvation, and his power (vv 15-19). Instead of buildings and monuments and armies and wealth, David leaves behind for us his songs of praise to our God (vv 22-24).
LEAVING A LEGACY. I'm thankful for children, and grandchildren, and the privilege to speak to them from God's word and to pray over them. I'm thankful, too, that the Lord placed me in a university community where I have met with many young people over the past two decades, studying together, and speaking of the righteous deeds of our Lord. (I think I've learned more from them than they did from me!) If you are growing older -- and aren't we all -- determine that you too shall leave a legacy of knowing and worshiping the Lord, for the blessing of the next generations.
Image credit: photo by Raul Petri on Unsplash.
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 free, online resource, and a ministry of bible.org.
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Psalms 70-71.
"So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come." (Psalm 71:18)
AGES AND STAGES. Many of the psalms in books I and II are tied to stages and events in David's life, as noted often in the superscription. Completing this collection are a short lament (Ps 71) and this psalm (Ps 78), recognizing God's work in David's life from youth to old age. Here David praises God for his lifelong faithfulness to him. He is still surrounded by those who oppose his reign, and he still needs God's continued help and deliverance to the end. He wants to finish well (see Paul in 2 Tim 4:6-7). What David wants to leave behind is not monuments to his own power, or great buildings, or public spectacles of grandeur. Here's what he wants to pass on to the next generation: "My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge" (v 15; cf John 21:25). He wants to leave behind the knowledge of the mighty deeds of the Lord, his righteousness, his salvation, and his power (vv 15-19). Instead of buildings and monuments and armies and wealth, David leaves behind for us his songs of praise to our God (vv 22-24).
LEAVING A LEGACY. I'm thankful for children, and grandchildren, and the privilege to speak to them from God's word and to pray over them. I'm thankful, too, that the Lord placed me in a university community where I have met with many young people over the past two decades, studying together, and speaking of the righteous deeds of our Lord. (I think I've learned more from them than they did from me!) If you are growing older -- and aren't we all -- determine that you too shall leave a legacy of knowing and worshiping the Lord, for the blessing of the next generations.
Image credit: photo by Raul Petri on Unsplash.
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 free, online resource, and a ministry of bible.org.
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