Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 15

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

What is the foundation of our welfare? Is it ourselves, successes, influence, power, money, or is it God? This psalm consists of two sections divided by the pivotal proclamation (v.7) of God being the ultimate and sole source of confidence and strength. The first section speaks to the internal and relational confidence one has in God when faith is rooted in the word and truth. The second section seeks to motivate and move others to find and experience the same confidence the psalmist sings about. God is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the creator of all things, the author and finisher; therefore, we should logically and rationally look to him as the root of our well-being. Everything apart from God is a created, inanimate object unworthy and uncapable of producing or providing hope and salvation.

(Proverbs 14:26; Isaiah 40:28-29; Jeremiah 17:7-8; Romans 15:13; Hebrews 12:2; Revelation 1:8)

One of the biggest delusions in the world is that there can be found wisdom and truth apart from God. Many seek and scour the universe to find answers and security, yet in vain their efforts fail to provide sustaining substance; because they look to the created yet reject the Creator. The knowledge of God is within each of us, but those who suppress and deny that truth will always be removed from the only source of enrichment. Without the gift of faith that provides the wisdom of God, we are left to our own devices, which are overwhelmingly destructive and severely limited at best.

(Proverbs 21:30; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Romans 1:18-25; 1 Corinthians 3:18-21)

The exiles whom had returned to their homeland, gather together in Jerusalem so that they may begin to rebuild the temple. First, the altar must be erected so that the people may glorify God and consecrate the building site, as well as themselves. The previous chapter lists the many who would be the hands and feet of the reconstruction, but here two key players are named, both foreshadowing Jesus Christ. Jeshua, or Joshua (of the same origin as the name Jesus or Yeshua) is the high priest. Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin (the king that was spared by Evil-merodach at the end of 2 Kings), a descendant from the line of David. The fact that he was in charge of rebuilding the temple fulfils the prophecy of 2 Samuel 7:12-13 and God’s promise that the throne of David shall not be broken, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

(1 Kings 9:5; Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 33:17; Psalm 89:34-37; Hebrews 4:14-16)