April 28

April 28
One Year Bible Readings:
Judges 8:18-9:21
Luke 23:44-24:12
Psalm 99:1-9
Proverbs 14:9-10
Supplemental Reading for The One Year Bible.
The following are excerpts from Mike’s One Year Bible Blog.

Judges:
Judges chapter 8 verses 23 & 24 are an intriguing look at beautiful humility mixed with a unique request - "But Gideon replied, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD will rule over you! However, I have one request. Each of you can give me an earring out of the treasures you collected from your fallen enemies.""  It is awesome that Gideon says he will not rule over the Israelites- but that God will.  But then, his ask for a piece of gold from each person is intriguing.  We read in verse 27 that Gideon made a sacred ephod from the collected gold - so, this does appear worshipful perhaps at first glance.  But then verse 27 tells us: "But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family."  Yikes!  Not exactly what should have happened here...  It's interesting.  
Q: I wonder if we do this in our lives today as well.  Perhaps we are very humble in one regards - but then maybe we make some sort of unique request of those around us... and that unique request goes awry.  I don't know if I can give you a good example of this.  But perhaps this will ring true for you in some area of your life?  If so, can you abandon the false idol you are worshiping as quickly as possible?  Particularly if this false idol was born out of something that was initially worshipful.  Will you let it go?

Luke:
In Luke chapter 23 verse 45 we read just before Jesus died on the cross: "The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the thick veil hanging in the Temple was torn apart."  The tearing of the veil in the Temple symbolized that men and women could now access God the Father directly through Jesus the Son.  No longer was the veil needed to keep separate the Holiest of Holy place in the temple, where God dwelled in the Old Testament.  No longer could only the High Priest approach God in the Temple on behalf of men and women.  Jesus' death and coming resurrection signified that the veil was no longer needed.  God is accessible now directly through faith in Jesus!  
Q: How do you approach God through Jesus?  And how often?

Psalm:
Psalm 99 is a great psalm of praise! This Psalm mentions the word Lord 7 times. I like verse 6 - "Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name. They cried to the LORD for help, and he answered them." These were obviously some major characters in the Bible. I love Psalm 99 verse 3 - "Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy!" I think sometimes in our modern world we can forget that God's name is holy. Jesus' name is holy. These holy names change things. They change everything. If ever you are ever feeling like you are being confronted by evil - maybe even in your sleep in a dream - call upon Jesus' name and watch the evil flee from you immediately. It is true... Jesus' name is holy! God's name is holy!
Q: Do you believe God’s very name is holy? How do you cry out to the LORD using His holy name? Do you believe if you cry out to the Lord for help, He will answer you too?

Proverbs:
Wow. Proverbs 14 verse 9 I don't think I've ever really noticed before - "Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation." How true is this? Wow... Guilt is real. Valid. And yes perhaps we can overdo it... but it's real and it's purpose is to call us to reconciliation with God. Great Proverb here... Let us not carry guilt around, but let us give our guilt over to Jesus!  
Q: How do you acknowledge guilt? When you are guilty do you seek reconciliation with God?

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