Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 33 Copy

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.

This psalm consists of two different but related invitations. First, come to the Savior in worship with wondrous praise for our salvation (vv.1-3). Second, respond to the Lord with thanksgiving out of gratitude for his character (vv.4-5). The sheep know the voice of their Good Shepherd and they run to him with great joy. Shouts of praise echo from their lips as they experience the sustaining providence and protection of their Shepherd. Over time the flock grows to appreciate their Shepherd as they witness His unwavering love and righteous nature day after day. In the end the hearts of God’s people cry out to him with both praise and thanksgiving; reverence because He is God and gratitude because He is a good God.

(1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 23:6, 34:8; Lamentations 3:22-23; Nahum 1:7; John 1:14, 10:4, 27-28; Acts 17:27)

A God-fearing mother has imparted words of wisdom to her son, King Lemuel, who is thought to be King Solomon according to Jewish tradition. In the form of two poems, the mother passes on divine wisdom to the son in hopes that such instruction will guide the boy as he grows into becoming a man of authority and influence. There is both instruction to the king in regards to living and ruling righteously, as well as the importance of finding a wife who honors the Lord and the blessings that flow from such. There are many parallels within the two; such as, while a worldly woman will usurp strength, a godly wife dresses herself with strength and never harms her husband. The king is advised against being given to too much wine, whereas the godly wife establishes a vineyard through prudence and diligence. The son is advised to defend the poor, just as the godly wife reaches out her hand to the needy. A man who lives according to the wisdom of God will most certainly attract a woman of God. Generally speaking both sections provide a pure standard of biblical morality which benefit all when applied.

(Psalm, 128:2-4; Proverbs 6:20; 12:4, 18:22, 19:14; Matthew 6:33; Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 6:14)

Paul’s third missionary journey continues as he travels from port to port, meeting with established believers in order to encourage them, further equip and assist them with spreading the gospel in their region. Twice Paul is warned by other believers regarding his travel to Jerusalem. The disciples at Tyre earnestly pleaded with Paul and Agabus in Caesarea prophesied of his arrest. However, Paul was able to discern the will of the Spirit. Paul would not be deterred from his mission, no matter the potential danger. In fact, Paul had a peace of mind in Christ and was quite ready and willing to become a kamikaze evangelist (v.13). Giving up his life for the sake of Christ made perfect sense to Paul, for it had already been purchased and belonged to his Lord. Although Paul had taken great measure to prepare for entering the temple (v.24), he was met with false accusations, claiming he had defiled the temple. The disciples’ warning to Paul and Agabus’ vision proved true when Paul was arrested; his hands and feet bound with “two chains” (v.33). The apostle was willing to walk into the proverbial lion’s den because he was certain that it was the Lord’s will and that it would provide him a profound opportunity to address many with the cross of Christ.

(Psalm 32:8; Matthew 16:25; Acts 11:28; Ephesians 5:15-17; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 3:15; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:5-8)

At this juncture, Paul’s opposition and persecution is becoming more frequent and his freedom to travel openly is constricting. Even though he is met with severe hostility, Paul remains humble and responds to his detractors with a faithful testimony. Paul intentionally builds his defense by presenting himself as a devout Jew, a decorated one at that, which many in the crowd could testify to. The apostle wants the people to understand that the God of the Old Testament, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the same God he serves. Paul’s desire was for these devout Jews to come to the realization that Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah, the Righteous One that was promised to their ancestors. Upon hearing Paul’s inclusion of the Gentiles the prideful Jewish crowd becomes uncontrollably irate and would have eventually killed him. As the situation escalates, the Roman tribune pulls Paul aside in order to interrogate him by flogging, a practice that often ended in death. However, Paul being an intelligent man, knew the law and invoked his rights as a Roman citizen in order to extend his life and opportunity for the gospel.

(Isaiah 53:11; Jeremiah 23:5-6; John 8:58; Acts 3:14, 7:52; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; 1 John 2:1)

Even in the midst of trials and tribulations God is still sovereign (in control) and has his peoples best interest at heart. As Paul is imprisoned, awaiting some sort of trial and potential verdict, his nephew and Lysias are both used to assist Paul, fulfilling the Lord’s good will and pleasure. On the night before he was to be assassinated, God encourages Paul and assures him that he will be going to Rome, giving him the courage to confront the plot with confidence and assurance. Although Paul remains in custody, the Lord is using the Roman empire to protect and transport Paul, preventing the attempt on the apostle’s life. God uses all things to bring about his perfect plan and nothing can impede his just will.

(Job 42:2; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 14:27; Daniel 4:35; Romans 8:28, 9:19)

After being transported to Caesarea, Paul stands trial before Felix, the governor of Judea, and his Jewish accusers. Tertullus, lead prosecuting council for the Jews, brings false accusations against Paul, attempting to paint him as a reckless violator of all authority: breaching Roman law (stirring up riots), Jewish law (ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes) and God’s law (profane the temple). In reality those who indicted Paul were truly the culprits, for it was the unbelieving Jews who created dissention (21:27), who were guilty of sectarianism (23:8) and who blasphemed the Lord by rejecting Christ and leading the Hebrew people into legalism. As the Lord would have it, Paul remained confined for 2 years, yet he was allowed some freedoms which enabled the apostle to fellowship with other believers as he continued to advance his gospel ministry.

(Proverbs 11:9; 26:28, 29:5; Isaiah 54:17; Jeremiah 20:11; Matthew 5:11; James 1:2-4)

Felix, a former slave, was fired by Nero and replaced with Festus, who was a member of the Roman aristocracy, bringing an end to the apostles two year stint in custody. Throughout his confinement Paul faithfully served the Lord, which allowed him to share the gospel with the likes of high-ranking Roman authorities. Even though Paul may not have understood every detail of God’s design, he remained obedient to the cause of Christ. Eventually God’s plan for Paul to travel to Rome takes shape when the apostle invokes his right as a Roman citizen to appeal before the Roman Emperor. Again, the Lord’s sovereign will supercedes the enemy’s devious plan. A second assassination attempt is thwarted and Paul will now be delivered to the very place God wants him at the expense of the Roman Empire.

(Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 55:8-9; Daniel 4:34-35; Hebrews 11:1, 6; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 1:11)