One Year Bible, February 15

EXODUS 39:1-40:38
When the tabernacle was completed and set up, God filled it with the cloud of His Presence, to give to the people a visible proof that He had taken possession of the tabernacle for His dwelling-place. This cloud afterwards drew back into the Holy of Holies, to dwell there above the wings of the cherubim of the ark. The entire time the Israelites were on their journey through the Wilderness, the Presence of God was manifested outwardly and visibly by the cloud, which settled on the ark, and rose up from it when they were to travel onward, that they might never again question, Is the Lord among us, or not? And when the people questioned Moses' authority, the cloud quickly moved out to where all of Israel could see it over the tabernacle.

RESPONSE:    I hope I have enough spiritual sense to know when God is leading me away from something, and on to the next thing. When I've missed it, God just keeps nudging or finally takes things into His own hands and forces me, so that I don't miss out. I think I have hesitated because I wasn't sure it was God. A cloud is more obvious, but we have the Holy Spirit, and so we shouldn't need visible signs. Lord, don't allow me to get de-sensitized to Your voice, EVER! 

MARK 1:1-28
The Gospel of Mark moves quickly through Christ's life and is the shortest Gospel. It was written within 30 years of the events, and so was probably the first Gospel written. Chapters 1-8:30 show Jesus as a Servant Who Rules. Chapters 8:31-end show Jesus as a Ruler Who Serves.

Right away in the Gospel of Mark, it says that the way to "prepare the way for the Lord" is through repentance. And the way into the Kingdom of God is "repent".

RESPONSE:   What do we repent for? First of all for our independence from God. And for our uncleanness. For being insensitive to the Holy Spirit. That's just a start. This prepares the way for the Lord to come to us and begin the re-creation in His image. Wonderful!

PSALM 35:1-16
Many commentators believe that Psalm 35 may have been prayed by Jesus (in fulfillment) in the three prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane. Verses 1-10, 11-18, and 19-28. These are definitely prayers for rescue from our enemies. Three times, the phrase "without a cause" is used. Historically, David was never vindicated. (1 Kings 5:1-5)   In fact, in 2 Sam 16:7 David was called "a bloody man". And did Jesus "escape" those who "hated Him without cause"? No, in fact, they crucified Him. David's and Jesus' vindication was in their resurrection from the dead. So, the prayers of this Psalm were not answered in this life. 

PROVERBS 9:11-12
It is in our best interest to get wisdom. For one thing we will live longer. If we scorn wisdom, we don't hurt anyone but ourselves.  

RESPONSE:   Is God truly enough for me? If I know I've pleased God, then I shouldn't be so concerned if others criticize me "without cause". But, the truth is, I actually prayed this prayer today anyway. I want to be rescued from my enemies and vindicated, even though I don't think it will happen. My only comfort is that I know that this is happening "without cause". Unless the Holy Spirit shows me otherwise, I will just rest in God, knowing that He has seen and does see it all.