Day 223, August 11, 2021
2 Chronicles 13-15, Psalm 138, 2 Thessalonians 1 2 Thessalonians 1:12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. There is little doubt in our minds that to be a Christian is difficult. To believe something, for which many people do not see or understand is difficult. Take into account the active frustrations of suffering and evil, it is hard for us to have complete confidence in our faith, all the time. Paul sets out frequently in his writing to the churches to encourage the faithfulness and perseverance of the believers. He knows that he is asking them to believe something about the world, specifically that Jesus is Lord and King. As was the case in the time of Paul, the challenges faced by the Kingdom of Judah was also filled with pressure and difficulty. Would the Israelites remain faithful? Would they trust in God, even though there was great persecution and temptation to do otherwise? This was the tension and struggle. And some Kings did an excellent job of refusing to worship the idols of the day, and called people to faithful living and trusting in God. As we face trials and difficulty today, Paul’s encouragement to the Thessalonians becomes our own. As we trust in the Lord, may we be found worthy of the Kingdom of God. What a gift that will be, to have a place with Christ in His Kingdom. Blessings, Jordan
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Day 222, August 10, 2021
2 Chronicles 10-12, Psalm 53 Psalm 53 gives us a glimpse into the life of Israel and its relationship with God. 2 Chronicles teaches us that Israel/Judah was a nation that was set apart as a beacon of light for God, often neglected this task and identity. There was “some good” in Judah, but much of it was corrupt. Psalm 53 teaches us that God looks down from heaven and he is looking for anyone who has faith, anyone who seeks him with their whole hearts and minds. Sometimes faith was found in the people of Israel, other times it wasn’t. When the Lord looks down on us, does he find those who are seeking Him? Seek Him today friends. Jordan Day 221, August 9, 2021
2 Chronicles 7-9, Psalm 100 The crowning achievement of Solomon is the temple. In Psalm 100, we read of a psalm that would have been used by the Israelites as a psalm of praise for centuries. Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” As we read this Psalm, let us also give God praise. For his love endures forever! Jordan Day 220 – August 8, 2021
Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 4-6, Psalm 132 Psalm 132:8–11 - ‘Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. 9 May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy.’ ” 10 For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one. 11 The Lord swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.” Solomon finalizes the temple and the ark of the Covenant enters into the temple. God’s overwhelming presence fills the temple with his glory and splendor. Psalm 132 is a beautiful description of everything happening in 2 Chronicles 4-6. It is filled with the hope of a new temple with blessings overflowing for the people of the Lord. As we celebrate with them today, it is amazing to me that they could not fathom that the temple that was built could be filled with God’s presence. There was no way for it to be contained, even though there was a beautiful temple, filled with sacred items that were dedicated to God. I went to two places in my head on today’s reading. One was that Solomon perhaps would have been quite surprised by Jesus. That God’s glory and splendor would be “contained” in Jesus. He was the exact representation of God the Father. As Christians we know that the splendor of God was embodied in Jesus Christ. And the second place I go is to Paul who teaches us that Christians are the temple of God. God has sent his Spirit to be among us, to live among us and go with us. The splendor of God, his loving presence is found in you and me, in our life together as the people of God. Jesus Christ is our King who reigns over his people and his Spirit is among us. We are the temple of God. Blessings Jordan Day 219 – August 7, 2021
Scriptures: 2 Chronicles 1-3, Psalm 72 What a beautiful description of what Israel could have been, under the leadership of a righteous and just king. “May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.” Psalm 72:4-5. Solomon of course fails, but his Psalm ascribes the true beauty of what it would all point towards “Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.” 72:17. As the temple is being built, we see Solomon in a very positive light. He is doing something quite spectacular and an incredible undertaking. Thousands are rallying to the cause to build a temple for the Lord. It will be an architectural wonder, built under the leadership and vision of Solomon. But it will one day crumble and fall. As will the leadership and reign of Solomon. But one who is coming, “May his name endure forever, may it continue as long as the sun.” And all nations and peoples will be blessed through him. We know him to be the Son of God, the Son of David, Jesus Christ. May he reign eternally, in His kingdom, and everyone be blessed through him. Day 218 – August 6, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 27-29, Psalm 30 “Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:4-5 The life of David comes to an end in our Chronicles reading today. David commissions his son Solomon to build the temple. Great sacrifices are given, to accomplish the task. Silver, gold and more are given as a blessing that they might have what they need to make a glorious temple for the Lord. David praises the Lord in Psalm 30. In the Chronicles reading, there is an additional praise. Despite the failures and mishaps of David’s life (few of which, we see in the Chronicles reading), David worships and praises God. “Sing the praises of the Lord – his anger lasts only a moment – his favor a lifetime.” David can speak with great authority on the favor and love of God. David responds to the faithfulness of God and his love, with a desire to build a temple in glory of the name of the Lord. Solomon is blessed and encouraged, to be strong and courageous. Moses blessed Joshua with the same encouragement. It’s a passing of the baton to next generation to be faithful and trust in the Lord. How are we praising the Lord? Do we trust in his favor and faithfulness? How are we calling others to that faith, to be strong and courageous in the Lord. Have a great day! Jordan Day 217 – August 5, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 26, Luke 24, Psalm 98 I love coupling Psalm 98 to Luke 24. It is the joy of salvation that is upon us in the resurrection of Christ. While most of the focus in chapter 24 is on the resurrection, Luke includes a critical piece to the theological puzzle. Jesus ascends to the right hand of God. I say this is critical because it the point of the whole Gospel. Jesus doesn’t come to die. Jesus comes to do away with death. Jesus comes to inaugurate the kingdom. All of that is celebrated here in the resurrection and ascension. We join with David, ““Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.” (Psalm 98:1) Day 216 – August 4, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 25, Luke 23 Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. The powerful words from the cross, are a comfort to me in the despair of sin. They are a great encouragement to me as we all face struggles of our sin and doubt. Our brokenness and failures. Christ during the greatest of darkness, and greatest suffering, offers forgiveness. He is pouring himself out. Out of the overflow of his mouth, his heart speaks, “Father, Forgive them.” Rest in those words. The Son still says, Father, Forgive them. God bless! Jordan Day 215 – August 3, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 24, Luke 22 1 Chronicles 24 addresses the genealogy of the Levites. These Levitical priests would care for and minister to the Israelite community. They would bring the sacrifice before God, in the tabernacle and seek the Lord’s forgiveness and blessing. They were charged with carrying out the mission and purposes of the Day of Atonement and other special events in the calendar of Israel. The priests would also slaughter the animals for Passover, and sprinkle the blood throughout the tabernacle in various powerful images of cleansing and blessing. Passover remembers the deliverance of God’s people from slavery. The last sacrifice, the Lamb of God is going to the cross in Luke’s Gospel. This Passover, the blood of Christ is poured out for many. Luke makes it clear, this is Christ, the King, laying down his life. The betrayal, arrest and trial of Christ takes place on Passover. A powerful image for the church to know that we are delivered from sin and death. “When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!”” (Luke 22:14–22, TNIV) The blood of Christ is at the table with the disciples. His life is poured out. He comes to this table, and he serves. He lays his life down. Christ is priest and lamb, whose blood cleanses us, unites us with God in covenant, and delivers us from sin and death. Welcome, servants in the Kingdom of God. We are saved in Christ! Jordan Day 214 – August 2, 2021
Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 23, Luke 21 It is the conviction of NT Wright, that Luke 21, the Day of Desolation, is in reference to the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the year AD 70. It certainly makes for a helpful understanding and interpretation because it is often said that this generation will see it happen. We tend to think that it is entirely about the Son of Man returning a second time. Wright is, I think, mostly right. There is a chance that Jesus is talking about both his return, and also the destruction of the temple. That this is in part, about the temple, but overall about the return of Christ and all that he is accomplishing in the new age of the kingdom. The nuance of that discussion is not needed here. Let’s simply agree that Jesus is making a prediction about the ransacking of Jerusalem, and it will be a great and terrible event. In our 1 Chronicles reading, we hear about the Levites who take up the task every day in the tabernacle to minister for the people. The Aaronic priesthood is tasked with ministering in the tabernacle for the people of God. This tabernacle will become the temple, when the Israelites are settled in the promised land. Jesus comes to end this completely. As far as we can tell, since the destruction of the temple - in AD 70 – the temple has never returned and its sacrificial purposes have never been restored. That’s because Jesus ends all sacrifice! The blood of bulls can’t cleanse the conscience or wipe away sin – but the blood of Jesus can! We come to Jesus as the temple of God, drawing near to Him through Christ. We have life and forgiveness in his name. Draw near to God as he draws near to you! Jordan |
AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
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