Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 30

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.

Part of a collection of enthronement psalms (93-99) this hymn of praise exults the Lord as universally supreme; the King ruling over all the earth, and the judge reigning over his creation. A call goes out to all the world, urging the nations to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Lord and respond appropriately in worship. Even the creation sings his praise for it is good that such a mighty and compassionate, forgiving God is King. God deserves praise because he is indeed all-powerful as the King of kings and Lord of lords, but he also is worthy of praise because of his longsuffering, righteous and just character. This psalm climaxes with the anticipated day of judgement, when all of creation is redeemed as the Lord establishes his perfect justice. Praise the Lord for he is good.
 
(Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 32:4; 1 Chronicles 16:25; Psalm 89:14; Isaiah 42:4; Romans 3:25-26; 2 Peter 3:9)

This section of scripture encompasses a wide range of beneficial applications of wisdom; such as, ignorance of self-boasting, the dangers of jealousy, importance of honesty and friendship, the frustration of divisive relationships, and the transparency of an individual’s heart. The beginning of wisdom is understanding the true nature of God, therefore it is completely foolish of a man to hold fast to his own plans when God has complete sovereign control. It is better to be prudent, planning ahead, yet remain flexible and accommodating, trusting in what the Lord’s plan is for the day. Jealousy is highlighted here due to the fact that it pushes a person towards other unrighteous characteristics, becoming the root for things like anger and cruelty. To this point is why having a pure heart is so important, as it overflows into the life of the individual. A loving heart will lead to righteous behavior, bearing fruit that blesses the individual and those around; but the heart of a jealous person will reveal itself with anger and cruelty.
 
(Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 4:23, 9:10; Jeremiah 17:7; Matthew 5:8; 1 Corinthians 1:25; 2 Timothy 2:22; James 3:17, 4:8)

Luke references his gospel account as he opens this section addressed to Theophilus, connecting Jesus’s life, death, burial and resurrection to the ascension of Christ, the coming of the Holy Spirit and the commissioning of the Church. By doing such Luke reaffirms the truth of Christ and continues the redemption story as the Holy Spirit guides and empowers the church for kingdom building. This account, often called the acts of the apostles, is the beginning of church history. Through just a few individuals the news of Jesus Christ spreads through the entire world, and continues to this day. Christ accomplished the work of redemption and now through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s bride is proclaiming the hope of redemption to the corners of the earth. Before the Spirit is poured out, the disciples needed to restore the number of apostles, for twelve was the number representing Israel (12 Tribes of Israel). To restore the full twelve represents the restoration of God’s people, now inclusive of gentiles. By praying fervently and using the ancient practice of casting lots, they believed God needed to choose Judas’s replacement just as Christ chose them, trusting in the sovereignty of God to bring about the answer. This is the last mention of casting lots due to the fact that when the Holy Spirit comes he then is the means by determining and understanding the will of the Lord.
 
(Psalm 69:25, 109:8; Luke 22:3, 22-23, 30; John 14:26; Romans 11:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Ephesians 3:6)

Pentecost was one of three annual celebrations for the Jewish people which was held on the fiftieth day after Passover. This festivity primarily celebrated with thanksgiving the provision of God by means of agricultural blessing (grain) and the law (God’s Word). Befitting of the day, the Holy Spirit is initially poured at Pentecost, affirming the ultimate provision in Christ as the bread of life and the fulfilment of the Law/Scripture. The unseen but evident Spirit of God rushes in and divinely reveals the truth of the Gospel to the multitude that would have come to Jerusalem from all over the known world. This divine occurrence of multiple languages is a direct reversal of Babel, where God dispersed them from one common language to multiple dialects, dividing the people. Here the plethora of nations are unified through several languages, but with one message; the message of Jesus Christ. Peter’s sermon exposits the Old Testament prophet Joel, teaching the crowd that prophecy has been fulfilled by the God of their fathers, in the Son of God, through the Spirit of God. By means of such revelation and pronouncement of the Gospel, many came to faith and were baptized. As God’s people continue to fellowship, grow in and proclaim their faith, the Lord multiplies their efforts by bringing many more unto his saving grace.
 
(Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 16:8-11; Joel 2:28-32; 1 Corinthians 3:6-11; Galatians 3:2)

The followers of Christ are becoming bolder by the day. Peter, after his gospel address to the multitude on Pentecost, is now healing and preaching in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. The healing of the lame beggar showcases the power of God and by what authority the apostles speak. Peter wastes no time and does not mince words, abruptly speaking the truth to the religious Jews who would have been present inside the Temple. It is so plain to see, Peter says, that the Messiah has come but you rejected him. Although they sinned against God, committing Jesus to the death, Peter tells them there is still a chance to repent and acknowledge that Jesus is their prophesied Messiah. God displays his steadfast, covenantal love in that before the gospel is taken to the ends of the earth, he sends his disciples to the people of Israel. The message is that Christ is at the center of it all. The ministry of Christ continues by way of the Spirit which witnesses of Christ through the followers of Christ.
 
(John 16:13-15; Romans 1:16, 11:36; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:17-18; 2 Timothy 1:6-14; 1 John 5:6-12)

A heated exchange occurs when the Jewish authorities take exception to the teaching of Peter and John near Solomon’s Colonnade on the Temple Mount. As the crowd gathered there must have been several priests who would have been alerted by what they heard, provoking them to collect the highest of their religious officers. Not only were they offended by their preaching of Jesus, but also the resurrection, which the Sadducees historically rejected. After throwing Peter and John in custody, probably convening in council overnight, the religious leaders cross examine the apostles the following day. Peter, filled with the power of the Spirit, unashamedly proclaims salvation exclusively in Christ, and essentially accuses them of heresy for rejecting Christ. Obviously outraged by the truth before them, they have no other option but to silence the apostles, for their courage and ability to heal could not be denied. Even though persecution is beginning to rear its ugly head, the church responds with a boldness of faith, being unified in spirit.
 
(Proverbs 28:1; Luke 20:27; Acts 23:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, 16:13; Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 2:2; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 2:22-23)

Not only does the church receive attacks from outside, there is often attacks from within. Satan tries hard to devour the church, causing it to lose its testimony to the world. The story about Ananias and Sapphira is a warning, exposing the fact that not everyone among the church can be counted as the church. Just as the church is being unified, sacrificing for one another, Satan enters to steal, kill and destroy. The couple’s sin was not in wanting to keep some of the proceeds of selling their property, but that they were false believers, hypocritical liars, that they willingly deceived the elders and their brothers and sisters in Christ. Their wicked hearts caused them to sin before God, bringing death upon themselves as the wage for their transgression. The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira set a glaring example to any who would dare to identify with the church, sifting out those who were superficial. Just like the couple, the religious leaders were exposed by their hardened hearts. Their jealousy and pride, when rooted, caused them to oppose God himself. At this juncture the power of God working in his people is undeniable. No arrest, no prison cell, no beating, nor death is able to prevent the will of God.
 
(Job 42:2; John 10:10; Acts 20:29-30; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Ephesians 1:11; 1 John 2:19)