May 29, 2022
1SAMUEL 18-19:
In
yesterday's story, David showed that he was more concerned with
God's reputation than for his own safety. May we all face our
imposing enemies with more belief in the unseen God than in the
very present enemies!
PSALM 102:
This
Psalm starts out like the prayer of anyone in distress and trouble
calling out to God. As we read further, many see parallels with
what our Savior would have prayed in his darkest days on
earth.
ROMANS 6:19—7:
The
last verse of yesterday’s reading shows why it is better to take
what we are given, rather than what we have earned! This is a big
problem for some. My Dad's “having lived a good life” was one of
the biggest blocks to him humbly coming to God and receiving the
gift of eternal life. I don't think he ever understood how God
would not be so impressed by his supposed integrity. The spiritual
reality expressed starting at the beginning of the 6th chapter is a
key to place along with a second key that we will hear about in
today’s chapter.
GNT Translation
notes:
[In
Hebrew, one can talk directly to God (or a king) as if talking
about ‘the Lord’. To keep the feeling of a prayer, English would
normally use ‘You’.]
Ps.
102:15 Then the nations will tremble before [You,//the]
LORD.
The kings of the earth will tremble before
[your/his] glory.
16
For [You//the] LORD will rebuild Jerusalem.
[You/He] will appear in his
glory.
17
[You/He] will listen to the prayers of the
destitute.
[You/He] will not reject their
pleas.
23
[You, Lord, have//The Lord has] made me weak while I am still
young;
[You
have//he has] shortened my life.