Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 38

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 of thanksgiving seeks to gather together all of God’s redeemed people so that the Lord may receive unified praise due to his steadfast love. Four examples of God’s unwavering love are given, encompassing the various trials and tribulations of mankind. No matter if one is lost and wandering aimlessly through life, bound in chains of rebellion, stuck in a perpetual cycle of sin, or experiencing the extreme highs and lows of life, God is always there in the midst, ready to seek and save those who call on his name. Nothing is impossible for the Lord who commands the wind and the seas. No individual is too far gone for Him to bring back. Praise is surely ready to spring forth from the lips of those who have tasted and seen the depths of God’s love and eternal sovereign power.

(Psalm 34:8, 103:11-12; Lamentations 3:22-23; Mark 4:39; Luke 1:37, 8:25, 19:10; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; Hebrews 7:25)

What the “Preacher” describes here are the continued results of the fall of mankind, sin and the curse on creation. Although there remains some beauty in this world, it is tainted by man, for the consequences of sinning against God are an unfortunate reality. This depiction of life is intentionally narrowed to the secular point-of-view apart from God, which removes all hope and direction. Sin perpetuates through humanity, growing and escalating, taking root and multiplying strife, envy and oppression. One could gain such disparity by watching the news in our current culture: murder, theft, deception, perversity, hunger, famine, division, oppression, and the list goes on. It seems as if there is no end to the depravity of this world. What is the point? the Preacher seems to ask. “There is no one to comfort the oppressed!” he cries out in the first verse. However, the truth of the matter is that there is hope. This portion of scripture forces us to take a hard look at ourselves and the world around us. Even though we create and endure such travesties in this world due to sin, we can be assured that there is a God who provides deliverance and gives his people purpose. There is a Savior who redeems and restores.

(Genesis 3:14-19, 6:5; Deuteronomy 28:15; Psalm 9:9, 34:18; Isaiah 51:12; Matthew 5:4; Luke 4:18; John 14:16; Romans 5:12, 8:20-22, 15:13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Galatians 3:13)

Paul continues to point out key markers that identify true Christians. Respect and obedience to authority is a key theme in this section of scripture, both unto God and the state. God is first and foremost the source of absolute authority. Seeing how God is sovereign over creation, nothing can take place and no one may take any office unless the Lord has allowed it. God has in fact instituted governmental structure for the benefit of mankind, therefore Christians are to submit to the local rule of authority. That is as long as it does not contradict or prevent God’s commandments from being upheld. As it regards state principalities, in order to uphold and protect a civil society, Christians are to abide accordingly. Love, as Paul mentions, is the key to this process. True love that is. True love does not harm nor neglect, but strengthens and protects.

(Proverbs 8:15-16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:20-21; Matthew 22:21;  Acts 5:29; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14)

Paul’s goal here in this portion of the epistle is to promote unity among believers, especially between the varying maturity levels of each faith. If we keep these instructions in context, the apostle is not forbidding believers from sharing their convictions or even correcting one another according to scripture. He is emphasizing that there should never arise division and enmity between brothers and sisters in Christ due to individual views that are not essential to salvation. Scripture has made clear what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to primary issues concerning gospel matters. The apostle particularly uses the example of foods that were typically forbidden in Jewish customs becoming acceptable before God, as seen in Peter’s vision in the book of Acts. Ultimately the individual believer should act according to their own convictions and will answer to the Lord for their own decisions. As individual members of the body of Christ, we are definitely called to correct and rebuke one another in love according to clear violations of crucial doctrine, or outright sin and blasphemy. However, when it comes to secondary issues, the church should maintain a level of grace and understanding with one another, refraining from creating fractures within and holding contempt toward each other. Unity trumps all of these tertiary issues. The maturity level of each Christian plays a very important part in this discipline. Those who have a deeper and more proficient comprehension of God’s Word should exercise patience with those who are younger in the faith, assisting them in their growth with humility and compassion.
(Leviticus 19:17; Proverbs 27:5-6; Isaiah 45:23; Matthew 7:3-5; Acts 10:9-16, 28; 1 Corinthians 8:7-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:15; James 4:11-12)

Christ is the ultimate example of and motivation for unity. Not only does he provide the love and humility through faith which produces unity, but Jesus also set the supreme standard for unity, as he submitted to the will of the Father within the Trinitarian Godhead by becoming flesh in order to serve the likeness of men. Paul quotes three different sections of the Old Testament (Law, Prophets, Poetry/Wisdom) to convey the coherent and factual truth of God’s eternal sovereign plan in salvation to include both Jews and Gentiles. This unification of both Jews and Gentiles as God’s holy people is also evidenced in the apostle himself. Paul, a Hebrew of Hebrews, is divinely appointed as the apostolic minister to the various peoples of the world. This anointing is clearly evidenced throughout his ministry. Towards the end of this chapter, Paul begins to close out the epistle to those in Rome by acknowledging God’s plan and timing for his ministry, as well as sharing his desire to visit and fellowship with them. Paul understands that the Lord has implanted his feeling towards the body of believers in Rome and in due time the Lord will also deliver him to them accordingly.

(Genesis 12:3; Deuteronomy 32:43; Isaiah 11:10, 49:6; Psalm 18:49, 117:1-2; Matthew 20:28; John 13:14-15; Galatians 3:28; Philippians 2:5-8, 3:5; Revelation 7:9)

At a quick glance, the end of this letter to the Roman believers can appear to just be a list of names, however. It is important to remember that ALL of scripture, every last word, is profitable for edifying and building up the church, even this recorded roster. Paul intentionally prepares this correspondence, addressing the intended beneficiaries ahead of the letters arrival, in order to emphasize the importance of Christian community. Every individual included at the end of this epistle shared a deep bond through missional servitude and Paul wanted the recipients of the letter to understand the gravity of their relationship and welcome them accordingly. Each particular identity and story interwoven, stitched together into a single narrative of shared experience and common mission. Paul used words like family, kinsmen, beloved, mother, and brother in order to communicate their intimate connection; souls tethered by the grace of Christ. Anyone who has ever experienced the true bonds of church family can testify to the immense blessing of having such support and encouragement throughout the highs and lows of life and ministry.

(Psalm 34:3; Proverbs 27:17; Romans 12:4-5; Acts 2:44; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:3; Colossians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 10:24-25)

The apostle wrote this epistle from Ephesus during his third missionary journey in order to respond to the church’s questions and concerns which were included in a prior letter sent by the Corinthian believers, as well as to address the issues within the church that had been reported to Paul. The body of believers in Corinth had the benefit of being with Paul for over a year and a half, which explains the church-planter’s expectation and desire to witness a certain level of unity and maturity from them. Prior to Paul’s correction, the apostle reminds them of the sovereign sustaining grace that the Lord has gifted them, which should promote a shared integrity. Infighting and division had begun to plague the church as their focus seemed to slip away from Christ and towards human leaders. Right out of the gate Paul emphasizes the necessity of keeping Christ the center and focus of the church, for he alone is the wisdom and power of God manifested to mankind for salvation.

(Psalm 118:8; Isaiah 2:22; Acts 5:29; Galatians 1:10; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:23; Colossians 1:18, 2:19, 3:2; Hebrews 3:1, 12:2)