Ignite 365: 13 of 365

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

Psalms and Wisdom Literature: Psalm 12

The Faithful Have Vanished
This is a psalm of David that crying unto the Lord for help. Then the Lord aswered:

“Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

It must be noted as well that the description of the Word of God as pure is found here, being purified in an eternal sense (seven in Jewish culture means "unending").

"The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." -Psalm 12:6

Pentateuch and History of Israel: Genesis 13:2–18

Abram and Lot Separate
This is part where Abram and Lot part ways. Lot chose the location near Sodom (for he saw that the land was good). This is also the passage where God made the promise again to Abram:

“Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”

Chronicles and Prophets: 1 Chronicles 13

The Ark Brought from Kiriath-Jearim
It must be noticed that it is only at this time that the Ark of the Covenant be brought back, as requested by David. During the reign of Saul, the Ark was not sought at all. This must be true in every leadership. The Lord must be sought first in every plan. and in every aspect of his kingdom. David really must be the "man after God's own heart"!

Uzzah and the Ark
Uzzah was smitten by God for touching the Ark. This must be because of proud presumption and irreverence in Uzzah's heart. Everyone knows that the Ark must not be touched, but only by the designated persons and after certain preparations (cleansing, etc.). God really sees the heart and even the deepest motives and desires. May our worship be acceptable to Him!


Gospels and Epistles: Luke 8:4–21

The Parable of the Sower
This was pertaining to the Kingdom of God. The seed is the Word of God. The good soil are the one who hear the Lord's Word and obey it. He is also compared to a lamp put on a stand. And he is also accepted by Jesus as a member of his family. But it must be noted that being part of God's Kingdom is only by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.


© 2014 Erickson Ibana

Image can be found at http://sallysjourney.typepad.com/sallys_journey/2011/05/outrageous-generosity-revisiting-the-parable-of-the-sowermark-4.html

Ignite 365: 12 of 365

Psalms and Wisdom Literature: Psalm 11

The Lord is in His Holy Temple
While reading through this chapter, I remember the Legolas from the movie "The Lord of the Rings". Legolas was a veteran archer with stunning skills! On the other hand, the passage describes the exact opposite of his character. The archer was compared to a wicked man who bends the bow, fits the arrow to the string, and shoots in the dark at the upright in heart. However, the Lord is in His temple watching every creature, even the desires of their hearts are not hidden.


Pentateuch and History of Israel: Genesis 12–13:1

The Call of Abram

This is the part where God made the promise to Abram:

“Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Also, this is where God showed the place He will be giving to his descendants, Canaan.

Abram and Sarai in Egypt
Abram showed how selfish he was in this part. For his own sake, he even chose to give his wife, Sarai, to the Pharaoh, and he even wanted his wife to be regarded as his sister! It is by God's grace that He showed the Pharaoh the truth, and gave back Sarai eventually.

Abram and Lot Separate
This is the first part of their travel, Abram, Sarai, and Lot (Abram's nephew), from Egypt to Negeb.


Chronicles and Prophets: 1 Chronicles 12

The Mighty Men Join David
These were the great and mighty men who joined David's army. They were also the ones who helped him until he became the King of Israel.
 

Gospels and Epistles: Luke 7:36–8:3

A Sinful Woman Forgiven
This was a contrast of a Pharisee (a self-righteous person) to a repentant sinner. The woman even used her perfume, a luxury at that time, to wash Jesus' feet, while the Pharisee did not even wash His feet when He arrived in his home. This was also the part where Jesus taught about the two debtors: one with a greater amount of debt. Jesus asked:

"A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

And the answer, of course, was the one with the greater debt! It is also the same with the person who really knows his wretchedness and hopelessness before God, leading him to completely put his faith on God's grace through Jesus Christ.


© 2014 Erickson Ibana

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

Image can be found at http://jamestabor.com/2012/07/15/in-memory-of-her-marys-memorial/