One Year Bible, February 3

EXODUS 17:8-19:15
In the Valley of Rephidim, the Amalekites, descendants of Esau, attacked right after the Israelites had miraculously gotten water. God's comment was, "Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God." (Deut 25:17-28) For this reason, God promised to erase their memory from Israel. They had probably come for the water (a type of the Word of God). This is a battle between the flesh and the spirit. Moses, who represents each one of us, did not enter the battle. He rested on the Rock and held up his hands, aided by Aaron (High Priest) and Hur (Holy Spirit). Joshua, who typifies Jesus here, rushed into battle with no questions and without self-pity - with fearless faith.

After resting nearly two months, the Israelites moved on to Mt. Sinai, where they were met by Jethro and Moses' family. On the 50th day after coming out of the Red Sea, (that would be modern Pentecost), Moses went up the mount to talk with God. The important thing to take from this conversation is 19:4 - God's intention was to bring the people to Himself. And so, 19:5 is pivotal: "You will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

RESPONSE:   The Amalekites (the flesh) didn't play fair. They ambushed Israel from behind, attacking rookies, who were on foot and who had no weapons (of the flesh). But the battle was the Lord's. We must never question God's capacity to prevail in the fight against our flesh. The fight is FIXED! If we don't give up, we win. Thank You, Jesus for rushing into battle for us. Thank You for Your complete victory.

MATTHEW 22:34-23:12
So far, Jesus has been "tested and examined" by three "politically correct" groups of the day: Herodians, who were worldly, Saducees who represented humanism or man-centeredness, and the Pharisees who represented heartless legalism or powerless, religious tradition.(Scribes could be either Saducees or Pharisees.) The "greatest commandment" answers all three, because it is the command to center our lives on God and by extension, to love those created in His image, our "neighbors". After demonstrating irrefutably that the "son of David" (Himself) and the One David called "Lord" were one and the same, "from that day on no one dared to ask Him any more questions."

In Matthew 23, 24, and 25 Jesus clearly demonstrates that the Gospel of the Kingdom spells the destruction of the "old order". That the Gospel of the Kingdom is a "new thing" - not a revision or restoration of the "old thing".  That while the leaders of the "old order" deserve respect because of their position, they do NOT deserve a following because "they do not practice what they preach". "Everything they do is done for men to see:" This is why they demanded titles of distinction. As followers of Jesus, we are not to do that. But please, you may call your dad, "father" if you want to. This is talking about self-exalting titles.

RESPONSE:   Why did Jesus attack titles right out of the gate? Could it be that having a title was supposed to have the affect of guaranteeing a following? John Maxwell said one time, "If you call yourself a leader and no one is following you, then you are just taking a walk." Jesus said that a REAL leader was a humble servant. Giving yourself a title does not make you a leader. You still have to walk it out - by serving, not by parading your self-exalting title.

PSALM 27:7-14
"Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior." I think we can stand just about anything if we know that God is with us. David's mother and father were forced into exile with him and could not help him, and in fact, had to hide themselves from Saul with the Moabites, blaming David for their troubles. David would have despaired if he hadn't had his hope in God.

As David "waited on the Lord" he was able to "be of good courage" or "act like a man" which means he did not panic, but stood his ground. And when he did, God strengthened and encouraged him.

What does it mean to "wait on the Lord"? That phrase sums up what he did in Psalm 27: He told himself that it was safe to trust God, that God was FOR him so that no one could stand against him, that he was a man of One Desire - God's Presence in him, on him and with him. He reminded himself that God would hide him, would defend him, would exalt him above his enemies, and would have mercy on him. He sought God's face. He submitted to being taught by the Lord. He believed that God heard his prayer. I believe he instructed his own heart. He definitely was not passively killing time while he waited for God to do something.

PROVERBS 6:27-35
Men don't allow a thief who is just stealing food because he's hungry to get away with it, in fact, he repays 7-fold. So, don't think a man who would steal another man's wife will get off. He can't repay, can't bribe, can never be forgiven, and will be shown no mercy. So adultery is self-destructive.

RESPONSE:   I am grateful to David for providing us with the words to say when we feel surrounded with no way out. When I am tempted to panic and despair. I will "wait on the Lord" and "act like a man" . I bind myself to God, and sink into His Presence where I feel safe. Thank You, Lord, that you PROMISED never to leave me or forsake me. Your faithfulness gives me courage to do the right thing.