Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 42

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 is part of what is termed the Hallel (Praise) Psalms, or Egyptian Hallel, which encompasses 113-118. According to Jewish and Christian tradition, these psalms of praise were sung during Jewish feast celebrations, specifically alluding to the Lord’s providence in the Exodus as he delivered his people out of the hands of the Egyptians. This particular hymn uses an individual’s personal experience with God as an example to all who cry out to him in great distress. The individual, upon witnessing the grace of the Lord, commits their life to praising God for his salvation. This song of praise assures the audience that the Lord is not far off, but near to his people, ready to hear their prayers and inform their hearts. Instead of wrath and judgement, which the enemies of God receive, the psalmist knows that God’s people can raise their pleas to him, waiting in faith for their cup to be filled with his righteousness.

(Exodus 15:1-3; Psalm 23:5, 34:18; 121:1-2, 145:18-19; Proverbs 15:29; Jeremiah 29:12; Matthew 5:4, 7:7-8; Romans 8:26; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14-15)

God’s sovereignty is the key theme of this informative text. Even though yielding to government authority is mandated by the Preacher, God is seen as the source of absolute wisdom and direction, which earthly leaders either prosper by implementing or fail by comparison. The use of king and his subjects can also be understood as a depiction of God and mankind. The king has all authority while the commoners are powerless before the throne and bound by the king’s decrees. Fearing the Lord brings wisdom, but this is not referencing fright as much as it is complete awe and reverence. Because all wisdom emanates from God, man must first know the essence and nature of his very being before receiving such beneficial insight. It is impossible for finite man to fathom the mind of an infinite God. Any knowledge man possesses is not obtained but received from Him. Therefore, those who gaze at His splendor and bow before His majesty profit from His wisdom and righteousness. On the other hand, the wicked who exercise not the wisdom of God, although they may appear to prosper for a time, will inevitably fall to their demise.

(Psalm 73:3-17, 92:7, 115:3; Proverbs 2:6, 9:10; Isaiah 40:13; Daniel 2:20, 4:35; Matthew 28:18; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Corinthians 2:11, 16; James 1:5, 3:17; 1 Peter 2:13-17)

Paul wholeheartedly seeks reconciliation for the Corinthians; for them to be reconciled with God, with himself and with each other. In addition to the disunity among the Corinthians, some in the congregation were doubting the apostle’s authority and his decision making. This explains Paul’s immediate justification regarding his ministry efforts and travel plans. The intentional structure of the greeting strategically highlights Paul’s appointed position, power and plan. Paul was hand-selected by Christ Himself and designated to fulfill the will of God the Father. By doubting Paul’s authority and strategy they were in fact denying the work of Christ and the will of God. Prior to building a defense of himself and the apostolic ministry, Paul begins by asserting the fact that because they are one in Christ, when one suffers they all suffer. Any harm done to the apostle and the elders was an attack on the rest of the body. Therefore all should seek to comfort one another, for such comfort they will receive in turn. Perhaps some mocked or ridiculed Paul for his suffering, implying that his poor decisions were bringing judgement upon himself. The apostle reminds them that those who follow after Christ will be ridiculed and hated for their dedication and commitment to the gospel. Paul found a reason to rejoice in suffering because it meant that he was actually doing something right, for the enemy attacks those that live for the sake of the gospel. It also appears that Paul was being labelled fickle for changing his plans. However, their travel to Corinth was actually delayed in hope that the congregation would have more time to repent and correct their behavior ahead of the apostle’s arrival (1:23, 2:1).

(Matthew 10:22, 24:9; Luke 10:16; John 13:20; 1 Corinthians 12:26; Galatians 5:15; Philippians 1:29; Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 1:8, 2:3, 3:12; 1 Peter 4:14)

The enemy is a crafty one, working in various ways to attack the church. Not only was Satan behind the Corinthians division and their skepticism of Paul, but he also appears to have been the author of unforgiving behavior among the congregation. Even though the church body rightly confronted a congregant in sin, they apparently wielded such authority too harshly and devoid of grace. When properly following the instruction of Matthew 18, if the believer in question shows true signs of repentance, forgiveness and restoration must be extended. The apostle is obviously troubled by the church’s continued display of division on several fronts. Paul pours out his heart for the Corinthians, exposing his deep love for them and his desire for the church to model the same affection in their actions. A Christian’s life is the new sacrifice. As it displays faith and love, it glorifies the Lord. Such life can be infectious, enticing others to seek after God. However, Paul implies that a Christian who fails in this manner actually dishonors God and repels others with the stench of death. Followers of Christ must take their influence in the world seriously, making every effort to be effective for the cause of Christ and to preserve their testimony.

(Ezekiel 20:41; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 13:10; Galatians 2:20, 6:1; Ephesians 4:32; 5:2; Philippians 2:17; Hebrews 13:15-16)

A Christian’s witness before men (here referred to as a living letter) is not by the power of self, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, yet there remains upon the believer a call and responsibility to strive and run the race well. Speaking about the law verses grace (man’s ability vs God’s), the apostle elevates the new covenant of grace through Christ above the former covenant through Moses. While the Mosaic covenant set a holy standard for the nation of Israel, differentiating them from all other nations, it did not and could not bring salvation to God’s people. The Law merely highlighted the holiness and righteousness of God, but condemned mankind for the inability to adhere. With such truth in view, of course the new covenant in Jesus’s blood is far superior, bringing God more glory and a greater blessing to humanity. Christ accomplished what no man could, fulfilling the Law of God perfectly, through which man can vicariously receive what the Law could not provide.

(Isaiah 40:31; John 6:63; Romans 3:20, 7:6, 8:1-3; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Galatians 2:16, 3:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 12:1; James 2:10)

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