Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 46

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.

Included within the collection, Psalms of Ascent, this hymn speaks to the importance of establishing a legacy and lineage that is aligned with the sovereign will of God. As Jewish pilgrims would travel up to the temple, this psalm would have reminded them that the city had always been dependent upon the Lord, either for protection or deliverance. Man may attempt to build a giant tower unto the heavens, but if it is not erected according to the will of God, it shall come crashing down and the builders scattered. Judah tried to save their kingdom from the Babylonians, even though the prophet Jeremiah exhorted them to surrender intact. Despite their efforts, Judah was met with the severe hand of the Lord’s judgement and their kingdom fell, the city burned and their people taken captive. It is absolutely futile to build a future that is either void of or in opposition to the will of the Lord. Children, are no different. They are not intended to be a by-product of human achievement, but a blessing unto their parents, properly raised and instructed with godly wisdom and reverence, a weapon of righteousness and a strong guard of defense.

(Genesis 11:1-9; Job 42:2; Proverbs 19:21, 21:30; Isaiah 54:13; Jeremiah 25:8-14; John 15:5; Acts 5:39; Ephesians 6:4)

As this collection of wisdom comes to an end, the Preacher encourages the congregation to make the most of life, specifically by fearing the Lord and taking hold of his Word as soon as possible. By so doing, the individual will be better prepared and equipped for the journey ahead, the subsequent years enriched by the Lord’s presence and guidance. A life lived according to the Lord’s will is pleasing to him, but is also sure to be filled with purpose, protection and provision. In closing, the Preacher stresses the value of his instruction, because it is not from him, but in fact direct revelation from God.

(Joshua 23:11; Psalm 25:4-5, 32:8, 119:9, 105; Proverbs 1:7, 9:10; Isaiah 48:17, 58:11; Jeremiah 29:11; Mark 13:33; Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; James 4:15; 1 Peter 2:15; 1 John 2:17)

Paul begins by explaining the sin-sick nature of all mankind. Often referred to as the Adamic Nature, everyone is born into sin, a condition that describes an individual’s propensity to serving their own desires, breaking the righteous moral standards of God. The result of this condition, if not corrected, is eternal death and separation from the Lord. All sinners are dead-men walking, unable to change their condition or direction. Some theologians call this condition Total Depravity, or Human Inability. But God, says Paul, intervened on behalf of his people, motivated by his tremendous love and concern for them. The repeated adjective, dead, is intentionally used to describe man’s helpless sinful condition. This coupled with dynamic action phrases that completely attribute the work of salvation to God, explains the doctrine of Sola Gratia; saved by God’s Grace Alone. In addition to being reconciled to God by grace alone through Christ alone (Solus Christus), believers, both Jews and Gentiles, are also unified together as one. By referring to all believers as fellow citizens, an important and commonly used term within the Roman Empire, Paul reinforces the fact that now their allegiance and identity is not determined by their physical address or the society/culture where they live, but by Jesus Christ who ransomed them from death and sin.

(Psalm 14:2-3, 53:2-3, 51:5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:9-20, 5:12, 6:1-10, 12:5; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

Paul writes this letter to the Ephesian church from incarceration in Rome, as he is being persecuted for preaching the gospel, hence a prisoner “of” Christ Jesus for the benefit of the church. Although many non-Hebrew people were saved by their faith during the Old Testament period and prophecies foretold of believers from many nations, Christ had not yet come, which ultimately disclosed God’s eternal plan to redeem all people groups from the world. All who profess faith in the Lord, throughout time, across cultural and ethnic barriers, are all unified into one body, with one spirit, in one faith. The Messiah had come, the veil was torn and now all believers have direct access to Him. The apostle follows with a doxology, a prayer of praise and plea for spiritual strength. Paul has come to know and appreciate the depths and power of Christ, leading him to pray for the church, that they will mature deeply in their faith, perhaps to the extent that they too will boldly give their lives for the sake of the gospel.

(Genesis 12:1-3, 17:4-6; Isaiah 66:18-21; Romans 6:18, 22; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 7:22; Galatians 1:10; Titus 1:1; Hebrews 6:19-20, 10:19-20; Revelation 7:9-10)

As a prisoner, specifically one who is willingly restrained for the sake of another, displays the transformational power of Jesus Christ. This is the very power that regenerates the heart of his people, enabling and equipping them to be formidable agents of righteousness. The major themes of this epistle culminate here, as the truth and potency of the gospel produces the resulting unification that strengthens and molds the church into the fullness of Christ. Paul reminds the Ephesians that they too were once outsiders, agents of the flesh, but by the grace and mercy of the Lord they were delivered from the dark into the light. Now they find themselves inheritors of the vast wealth and endless provision of God. It was indeed the sovereign work of God that altered them, but it is also vital to notice the apostle’s words of admonishment. Paul urges the church to take action, to take responsibility for their lives which should bear witness of Christ as an outpouring of their gratitude and obedience.

(Romans 8:29, 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:49; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 5:17; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23)

The apostle’s plea to the church persists as he encourages them to model the same love they received and experienced in Christ. Because Jesus displayed the ultimate example of love, willingly giving his life for them, they too should live a life emanating sacrificial love. Paul gives practical examples of this within the context of a marital relationship. Scripture sets forth an intentional hierarchal structure for the family which is commonly known as Complementarianism. This theological view expresses the equal worth or value of men and women, yet designates their distinct complementary roles. Many reject this view and cling to what is called Egalitarianism, which states that both men and women are equal across the board, including their functional roles in leadership. It is abundantly clear from this passage that God has designed the marriage to exemplify the union of Christ as the bridegroom and the Church as the bride. Just as Christ is the head of the church, the man is to be the head of the family. Close attention should be had at how the man is to lead the wife. What scripture does not say is the man should wield his authority over his wife as a dictator, but rather to love and serve her sacrificially, just as Christ does for the church. Jesus emptied himself for the sake of the church, coming to serve and not to be served. A husband therefore should serve his wife in the same way, honoring her, pursuing her, attributing to her great value. The wife represents the church. As the bride of Christ looks to her bridegroom for care and leadership, so the wife respectfully accepts her husband’s provision and direction. If adhered to correctly the marriage becomes a unification into one flesh, a single body that accomplishes a shared goal and purpose; to display love and bring glory to God.

(Genesis 2:24; Isaiah 62:5; Hosea 2:19-20; Matthew 20:28; Mark 2:19-20, 10:45; John 3:29; Colossians 3:18; Revelation 19:7, 21:2)

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