Day 215
1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36, Romans 16:1-27, Psalm 90:11-17
Two things on the Old Testament reading, both pointing in the same direction. v14 tells us that "the priests and Levites consecrated themselves" before they brought up the ark of the covenant, this is how much they honoured the Ark. What about us? Sometimes we just turn up at church to worship for an hour and then disappear again, how often do we consecrate ourselves before we come into the presence of the Lord? I was also struck by the effort that they put into bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, it was with so much pomp and ceremony, so much effort in terms of the number of people and the singing and dancing. OK, so we have a very different understanding that God is everywhere and not just in one object (like the Ark), but do we put as much effort and love into the things of God, into being with God! The answer is probably no!
Moving into the epistle, you probably thought that the names part was limited to Chronicles, and then Paul has a good crack at it too! 2 things though:
Firstly Paul didn't write all of the letters. Quite an insignificant point for some people but scholars have picked on this in huge ways. People who acted as scribes often put something of themselves and their own words in to letters and written works so the book of Romans was probably written by Paul and Tertius. It gives us very new incites on the Bible when we take in some of this factual stuff.
Secondly, Paul (and Tertius) write to this church great words of encouragement when they felt down in the dumps about everything. The fact that they are obedient means that Satan will attack more, but Paul says that Christ is stronger and will crush Satan. There are times when we feel that Satan is snapping at our heels, and yet Christ is still stronger and will crush him below our feet.
Next time you come close to Christ come with reverence, for he is the all powerful Christ.
Two things on the Old Testament reading, both pointing in the same direction. v14 tells us that "the priests and Levites consecrated themselves" before they brought up the ark of the covenant, this is how much they honoured the Ark. What about us? Sometimes we just turn up at church to worship for an hour and then disappear again, how often do we consecrate ourselves before we come into the presence of the Lord? I was also struck by the effort that they put into bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, it was with so much pomp and ceremony, so much effort in terms of the number of people and the singing and dancing. OK, so we have a very different understanding that God is everywhere and not just in one object (like the Ark), but do we put as much effort and love into the things of God, into being with God! The answer is probably no!
Moving into the epistle, you probably thought that the names part was limited to Chronicles, and then Paul has a good crack at it too! 2 things though:
Firstly Paul didn't write all of the letters. Quite an insignificant point for some people but scholars have picked on this in huge ways. People who acted as scribes often put something of themselves and their own words in to letters and written works so the book of Romans was probably written by Paul and Tertius. It gives us very new incites on the Bible when we take in some of this factual stuff.
Secondly, Paul (and Tertius) write to this church great words of encouragement when they felt down in the dumps about everything. The fact that they are obedient means that Satan will attack more, but Paul says that Christ is stronger and will crush Satan. There are times when we feel that Satan is snapping at our heels, and yet Christ is still stronger and will crush him below our feet.
Next time you come close to Christ come with reverence, for he is the all powerful Christ.
your not the only one! but thanks for all the work your putting into this!!!! great encouragement for me to keep reading it!!!!! thanks
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