Bible reading for June 5.
Deuteronomy 9.
"Do not say in your heart, after the LORD your God has thrust them out before you, 'It is because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to possess this land,' whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out before you." (Deuteronomy 9:4)
NOT BASED UPON OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. One of the messages that the Israelites needed to keep hearing -- and so do we -- is that God's choice of his people is not due to any righteousness in themselves (Titus 3:4-7). God's calling rests upon his work and promises to the fathers in the past, and in light of his present judgment upon the wicked. Israel was saved by mercy, as are we. Christ is the only righteous One, who obtained salvation for us. We are a people given to Christ by his Father, that we might be spared and separated from the judgment that is coming upon the world (John 17:6; Rom 9:14-16). The Israelites are described as stubborn (vv 6, 13), idolatrous (vv 16-21), and rebellious (v 24).
GOD'S REPUTATION. The deliverance of God's people rests upon God's ability to save those who have no inclination to be saved. He alone can make the unwilling willing, and the unsaved saved. This gracious salvation of sinners magnifies God's glory to the world (vv 27-29). God's reputation (his name and fame) is bound up with the salvation of his people. As Moses interceded for the people, so Jesus intercedes for those who draw near to God through him (Heb 7:25). All of this becomes a motivation for us to come to Christ for grace, mercy, and forgiveness, as Paul wrote, "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life" (1 Tim 1:15-16).
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Psalm 92-93.
"The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age..." (Psalm 92:12-14)
BEARING FRUIT (92). Psalm 92 is a psalm of thanksgiving for God's steadfast love, faithfulness, and righteous judgment. God is righteous, and he is a solid rock for those who trust in him. The wicked are like grass that flourishes but then soon perishes (forever, v 7). But those who are planted in the courts of the Lord are green and fruitful, even to old age. (How thankful I am for that!) Note also that the Psalms speak frequently about singing and making music to the Lord (see v 3). Are you using your quarantine time to sing and play music to God, as well as to read and pray?
THE LORD REIGNS! (93) This psalm, along with several upcoming (see 96-99) is a celebration of the Lord's kingship. He is the majestic, all-powerful Creator (v 1). His throne is from eternity past (v 2; cf Ps 90:2). His power and majesty are greater than the roar of the stormy sea (vv 3-4). His decrees are trustworthy (v 5), and taking all of this into account, the psalmist tells us, "holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore." Who God is (his reign, power, majesty eternality, trustworthy) should impact how we live (holiness)! Do you celebrate God's reign over all?
Image credit: Photo of date palms in Morocco by Sami Lamqaddam 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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