Today’s Bible Reading
March 15
Old Testament I
Exodus 32
32:10 The words of God then turned very ominous. He threatened to destroy the nation entirely and begin anew with Moses (see Num. 14:11, 12). This declaration prompted Moses to intercede on behalf of the people for God’s mercy (see vv. 11–13).
32:11–13 Moses used three principal arguments in this great prayer to assuage the anger of the Lord.
The deliverance of Israel from Egypt was the work of the Lord. How could He abandon them now?
The Egyptians would hear of this judgment and would believe that they had triumphed after all. How could He destroy them now?
The covenant had been established long before by divine oath. How could He revoke this promise now? We see clearly Moses’ own humility, his compassion for the Israelites, and his zeal for God’s glory and honor
32:14 So the Lord relented:
Here is a wonderful example of the interaction of faithful intercessory prayer and the purpose of the Lord. God intended to spare Israel. But He drew Moses into the process by causing him to pray for the right outcome. He uses our prayer combined with His own determination to make His will come to pass.
32:33 And the LORD said to Moses, Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.
32:34 Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin
Many Christian would revile and condemn the act of the Israelites but still do the same thing the Israelites did in a different way. When we think God is taking too long on His promises and we find a way to accomplish what we want on our own, oftentimes in a way God does not approve, that’s exactly like raising a calf idol.
When we worship possessions over God, we are raising a calf idol.
We need to learn how to wait on God, God is never late, never early, He is always on time.
Let’s learn how to trust God while we wait. Even when we don’t see it, God is working on our behalf.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
God wanted to destroy the Israelites because of this act of idol worship but Moses pleaded on their behalf, in the New Testament the person interceding for us is Jesus Christ (Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us Romans 8:34).
Though our sins can be forgiven, like someone said.. “Would we still sin if we know every forgiven sin has consequences?”
Let’s not think we didn’t raise a golden calf so our “hypothetical idol worship” isn’t as serious as the Israelites. It is and that isn’t the right attitude to have, revelations like this isn’t to condemn you but to call your heart to genuine repentance.
Old Testament II
Psalms 81 & 82
Psalm 81 begins as a psalm of praise and becomes a psalm of admonition (Ps. 50), in which the voice of the Lord Himself is heard (Ps. 75).
The structure of the poem is as follows:
a call for the people to praise the Lord (vv. 1, 2);
a command for the people to celebrate the New Moon festival (vv. 3–5);
the Lord’s report of His deliverance of His people (vv. 6, 7);
the Lord’s admonition concerning idolatry (vv. 8–10);
the Lord’s description of Israel’s failure to obey Him (vv. 11, 12);
the Lord’s lamentation of Israel’s failure to obey (vv. 13–16).
Psalm 82 is a wisdom psalm.
The structure of the psalm is as follows:
God’s call for the judges of the earth to appear in the heavenly assembly (vv. 1, 2);
God’s review of His commands to the judges of the earth (vv. 3, 4);
God’s hearing of the complaint of the oppressed (v. 5);
God’s announcement of His judgment on the judges of the earth (vv. 6, 7);
The prayer of the people of the earth for divine justice (v. 8)
New Testament
Acts 19:21-41
19:25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
19:26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
These people feel threatened that their dubious source of livelihood will be taken from them if Paul preached and the people accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.
When you preach the gospel, know that some spirit, some people will feel threatened by it. That shouldn’t stop you. Jesus said they will hate you for my sake
You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22
For example, at your workplace, when people are trying to cheat and you don’t join them, they may hate you for not joining them. Some Christians in the organisation can even gaslight you that they are also Christian, why are you acting like you are holier than them? Some will even say something like give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar in a bid to convince you to follow their way. Don’t fall for all these temptations. Stand firm on your faith.
Action Point
Make it a habit to make pray intercessory prayers
Repent from your sins
Let go of every idol in your heart
Make praising God a habit
Be intentional about evangelism
Don't join scammers & cheats
Quote
We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.
- Harry Ironside
Prayer is an act of praise and worship to God
-Lailah Gifty Akita
Joy and thanksgiving expressed in prayer and praise according to the Word of God are the heart of the Church's worship.
-John Calvin
Prayer Points
Thank God for His Grace
Praise God for his goodness
Ask God for forgiveness and mercy
Pray for the power of Holy Spirit
Pray for blessing
Pray for your neighbour, friends, siblings, parent, country
Pray that those yet to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior see the light
Pray for the boldness to stay on the part of righteousness
Pray that God reveals the state of your heart towards him to you
#BibleInAYearChallenge
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