Ignite 365: Don't Be Like the Priest (17 of 365)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105

It is interesting that the Word of God is compared to a lamp. It is very obvious that even a small flame shines the brightest in the darkest time of the night. It is living and active as well!

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." -Hebrews 4:12

Psalms and Wisdom Literature: Psalm 16

You Will Not Abandon My Soul
Have you ever felt that it seems everything you do is a failure? Does it seem that all of your great plans are ruined, and your life is a total mess? It is comforting to read this musical piece by David. It was a song of desperation unto the Lord. David declared that apart from God, he was nothing. It is also interesting that David did not hesitate to pour out his emotions unto the Lord. He expressed his heart's concerns unto God, and at the end of this psalm, David found his joy unto God alone.

Let us learn this attitude from David. He knew who his God was - and is also the same today, a living God who listens, that is why he unhesitatingly poured out what he was feeling at that moment. And after expressing his desperation, David sought to find his hope and joy from the Lord. Oh, what a great faith David had!


Pentateuch and History of Israel: Genesis 17

Abraham and the Covenant of Circumcision
God changed his name from Abram (which means "exalted father") to Abraham (which means "father of a multitude"). This was also the time when Sarai's name was changed to Sarah (which both means "princess"). God made a covenant with Abraham and his offspring as well at this time - the covenant of circumcision. Every male 8 days old and up should be circumcised, as part of God's covenant to Abraham, and Abraham to God, likewise.

Isaac's Birth Promised
God also promised the birth of Abraham's son, Isaac. Once again, God renewed his promise to Abraham that he would be a father to many nations through his son from Sarah.


Chronicles and Prophets: 1 Chronicles 17

The Lord's Covenant with David
After David was established in his house, he thought of building a house for the Lord. However, through prophet Nathan, God informed David that it will be one of his sons who shall build the house of the Lord. Moreover, God made a covenant with David:

‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the Lord will build you a house. When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’

God made a covenant with David that one day God will establish a kingdom from one of his own, forever. This was a foreshadow of the coming Messiah, the Savior, the Christ, of whom will be coming from David's lineage - his name is Jesus Christ!

David's Prayer
Once again, David showed his great faith, hope, and love for God. This was his prayer of thanksgiving for God's great blessings on him and his family. Several times the word "servant" came out of David's mouth. He considered himself a "servant" in front of the Lord, though his position was as high as the king.


Gospels and Epistles: Luke 10:25–42

The Parable of the Good Samaritan
This was the famous "Parable of the Good Samaritan". It must be noticed that Jesus used the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan as the characters of this parable. Both the priest (Teacher of the Law) and the Levite (Worship Leader) did not even care to help the dying "man from Jerusalem" (a Jew). Both of these people were men designated to work at the house of the Lord, and yet they did not practice what they are teaching!

Ironically, a Samaritan (a race with a conflict with the Jews) was the one who extended:

• his strength (carried him unto his donkey) 
• his time (even cared to take him into an inn which might be out of his original plan) 
• his finances (2 denarii which is equal to 2 days' wage for a laborer)

Martha and Mary
This was another lesson that we can learn from. We can choose to serve the Lord through ministries in His church, but if we neglect the "Lord of the ministries", we tend to be irritable and the tasks might be done out of mere compliance - as manifested in Martha. We should focus on God, the One we are serving "through the ministries", and not be distracted on the "ministries alone".


© 2014 Erickson Ibana

Image can be found at http://loudcry.org/the-good-samaritan/

Ignite 365: 15 of 365

"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105

Psalms and Wisdom Literature: Psalm 14

The Fool Says, There Is No God
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." As Matthew Henry commented on it,

"If we apply our hearts as Solomon did (Ecclesiastes 7:25) to search out the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness, these verses will assist us in the search and will show us that sin is exceedingly sinful. Sin is the disease of mankind, and it appears here to be malignant and epidemic."

It must be noticed that the fool tries so hard to convince himself that there is no God. Furthermore, it says of man's corruption in his core.

"They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
 
They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one."

David further cries out the consequences of the wickedness of man,

"...all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord?"

But in the end, David still hopes in the salvation that comes from the Lord.

"Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad."

This is a foreshadow of the coming Savior that would grant salvation, Jesus Christ!


Pentateuch and History of Israel: Genesis 15

God's Covenant with Abram
God fist made his promise to Abram when Abram was called by God in Genesis 12:1-3. In this chapter, God made it clear that the great nation will be coming from Abram's own son, though at that time Abram and Sarai were childless. Abram believed God's words and it is interesting that God counted that as Abram's righteousness; indeed, righteousness is by faith on the living God!

"And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

God promised not just a son, but also the land unto where his generations would live.


Chronicles and Prophets: 1 Chronicles 15:1–16:3

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem and Placed in a Tent
Here King David commanded that the Ark be brought back to Jerusalem. It must be noticed that during the time of Saul, the Ark was not even sought. This means that in the reign of David, he made it sure to seek God first in everything and anything.

Also, this chapter described how David assigned back the proper designated works to the proper people (like assigning the work for the Ark to the Levites, etc.) He made sure that the proper order was brought back, for the Lord is a God of order. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
 

Gospels and Epistles: Luke 9:1–50


This is where Jesus performed a great miracle. After giving thanks to the Lord, Jesus fed 5,000 men from the initial 5 loaves and 2 fish. At the end of the day, 12 baskets full of food were left. How great is the Lord, indeed!



© 2014 Erickson Ibana

Image can be found at http://www.hopewellonline.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=57420&mast=Events&PG=Events&CID=1328159