Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 47

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 Ascent envisions the benefits of the good life, one lived according to the ways of God. The man who puts his faith into practice will surely be blessed, for such a man is assured provision and protection from the Lord, and holds a guarantee that God has his best interest at heart. A man who loves and honors the Lord will then cherish and model the same love to his family, friends and peers. This psalm uses agricultural analogies to convey the value which flows from implementing godly love and instruction. The wise man adores and labors over his wife, and much like the grapes of a vineyard, she brings joy to her husband’s heart. Similar to olives producing oil, the blessed lineage of a righteous man will bring forth value, sustenance, and stability. While a God-fearing man may rely upon God for provision, he does not expect such to drop in his lap. Godly men take hold of their dominion, understanding their purpose, their duty and responsibility. Stewarding and fulfilling such purpose glorifies the Creator and man receives a bountiful harvest.

(Psalm 1:1-3, 37:25, 104:15; Proverbs 20:7, 23:24; Jeremiah 17:7-8, 29:11; Matthew 6:26, 31-33; Romans 8:28, 32; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:17, 23-24; Hebrews 13:5; 3 John 1:4)

While psalm 128 sings about the blessed life of the godly, this psalm focuses on the tribulation of the godly. Note that this psalm is not short of praise. Although the psalmist is in trouble, crying out for mercy, there is a tangible hope that comforts the tears, an expectation of deliverance. God is never far off from his people. While difficult times can often stoke fear and doubt, through his Word, God has revealed himself to be the covenant maker, the promise keeper, the Author and Sustainer, the Comforter, the God of steadfast love and compassion. Even in the darkest of nights, those who are assured of their Father’s love eagerly anticipate his mercies that are fresh as the morning dew.

(Exodus 3:6, 15-16, 34:6; Deuteronomy 7:9; Joshua 21:45; Psalm 46:1, 54:4, 55:22, 73:26, 86:15, 136:1; Isaiah 41:10; Lamentations 3:22-23; Nahum 1:7; John 14:26; Acts 17:27; 2 Timothy 2:13, 4:18; Hebrews 10:23, 12:2)

This letter, written by Paul from Rome during his initial imprisonment, uses what some theologians call the Christ Hymn (Carmen Christi) and the apostle’s own testimony to promote unity through humility. Unity is already within focus as the initial two verses intentionally list a wide range of individuals, yet describes them collectively “in Christ Jesus,” as a result of sharing the same Father. A sense of oneness continues as the apostle praises the Philippian believers for their joint efforts and dedication to an ongoing partnership. Each individual believer, either Philippian, Ephesian, Corinthian, and so on, have all experienced an equivalent outpouring of God’s grace. They are now included within a single family, whom share the same joy and sufferings. One example of shared suffering is the current situation Paul finds himself in. The apostle is content because he knows without a doubt that the Lord is using his trials to benefit the church as a whole. However, some appear to be leveraging Paul’s imprisonment for personal gain, ridiculing the apostle for his adversity as they inflate themselves. Suffering for the sake of Christ is nothing to be ashamed of, Paul affirms, but is an honor. By employing one of the more well-known phrases the apostle uses, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” Paul explains to the Philippian church that it is both a privilege and a duty to give your life for the gospel; expressly encouraging them to see the benefits of both the life and the death of a believer. In fact, the apostle reveals which one he would rather: to die and experience Christ in his eternal glory. However, Paul recognizes the Lord still has further plans for him and humbly submits to the Lord’s will.

(John 16:33, 17:21; Romans 8:17, 14:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 2:14-16, 4:4-6; Colossians 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 2:21, 4:12-13)

This chapter contains one of the richest Christological passages in all of Scripture. Verses 6-11 are known as Carmen Christi, Latin for Hymn of Christ, which is widely viewed as an ancient liturgical song, highlighting the exemplified humility of Jesus as the Son of Man and the willingly submissive nature of Jesus as the Son of God. The hymn details three major aspects of the gospel: the Pre-existence and Deity of Jesus (v.6), the Incarnation (vv.7-8) and the resulting Exaltation (vv.9-11). Prior to quoting this hymn, which details Christ as the ultimate example of humility, Paul uses a conditional sentence, if-then, to express the cause-and-effect of the work of Christ. The if-then can really be read as because-then. Because all believers have experienced encouragement, comfort, love, help, affection, sympathy, by way of the Holy Spirit, then all believers should be empowered and motivated to fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone was ever exempt from humility, it would be Christ, for he is God. Yet he set the ultimate example of humility, by putting aside all of his splendor as God, taking on the sub-standard nature of man. Not only that, but was obedient unto the point of death. Not only that, but to the lowliest, most painful death possible. However, because He was obedient, fulfilling the will of the Father, He was exalted unto Lordship. Everything is subjected under His authority. Therefore, Paul exhorts the church to actively and constantly seek to live a life of obedience that resembles the humility and sacrificial love of Jesus.

(Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Matthew 1:23, 11:28-30, 23:11-12; Mark 10:45; Luke 22:42; John 1:1-5, 14, 5:19, 6:38; Acts 2:32-36; 1 Corinthians 15:28; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 3:13, 4:4-5; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22)

In this portion of the epistle, the apostle Paul utilizes his testimony and pedigree to expose and oppose the false teachers among them, particularly the Judaizers, which taught that adherence to the law was necessary for salvation. The apostle poignantly utilizes their own lingo to strike at the heart of the legalistic false teachers. First, Paul uses the term dogs to refer them, which was commonly used by the Jews to describe the Gentiles as unclean and inferior. Due to their mistaken emphasis on circumcision, the apostle calls them mutilators of flesh. Then he turns right around and steals their identifying moniker, the circumcision. The Judaizers were often called the circumcision party, but here Paul reclaims the term, now defining it as those who have been divinely circumcised of the heart. As the apostle begins to detail his testimony, he goes through a list of certifications that no other could hold a candle to. Formerly as Saul, he had been born into a quintessential Hebrew lineage, a pupil of the highest order, and attacked the church with more zeal than any other. However, after experiencing the saving grace of Christ, the apostle now realizes that his former life, all of his efforts, were useless, ineffective garbage compared to the riches he now has received freely through faith in Jesus alone.

(Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6; Psalm 60:11; Jeremiah 4:4; Acts 11:2; Romans 2:28-29, 3:20-22; Galatians 2:12, 5:1, 6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 2:11; Titus 1:10, 3:5)

Paul urges the believers in Philippi to imitate him, as he seeks to imitate Christ, intentionally living a life that speaks the gospel to the world. If Christ, although he was God, did not take advantage of his status and humbled himself, how much more should the Philippians humble themselves? Perhaps some, similar to the legalists, thought of themselves higher than they should. Looking inward with a humble and honest posture produces an open and repentant heart, allowing the faithful to grow both independently and corporately as a fellowship. The apostle also reminds the Philippians of the power and accessibility they have in Christ, which will aid them in maturing towards the goal he has set for them. Jesus promised that his yoke and burden was light. That does not mean easy, but it does come with promises. The Lord is always available to his people and desires for them to come find rest and providence in him. One of the greatest tools a believer has is prayer. Approaching the Lord with thanksgiving, requests, doubts, concerns, etc. is not only about conversing with God, but it is an act of worship and an expression of faith.

(Exodus 33:14; Psalm 51:10, 17, 62:5-6; Matthew 11:28-30; John 13:15; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9; Hebrews 11:6, 12:2; James 5:16; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6, 5:14-15)

Due to a mingled threat of Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism, Paul strategically focuses on the deity of Christ and the redemption that is only received through the sovereign work of God in election and regeneration. Some may have perceived a shift from the Old Testament to the New Testament regarding salvation. This change however is refuted throughout scripture, as God has always redeemed people through their faith in him, not by adherence to the law. Historical Judaism had continued to get this part wrong, believing that they were saved simply because of their lineage and their reception of God’s law. This division grew as the Mystery of Christ was revealed in his life, death, and resurrection, thus upsetting the culture of Judaism and fortifying the church’s doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Naturally many Jews resisted and rejected the Messiah and clung to their historic traditions. Where Judaism denied Jesus’ deity, a developing belief at that time, later termed Gnosticism, rejected Jesus’ humanity and deity, reducing him to a by-product of God rather than God himself. Within the first few verses it becomes clear that Paul had not planted this church in Colossae, but rather had heard much about them from a man named Epaphras, their faithful minister. Immediately the apostle dives into the pre-eminence of Christ, the eternal essence of Christ which is echoed in the gospel of John, in order to refute both heresies. Paul here essentially says all things, all of scripture, all of creation, everything culminates with and find its meaning and worth in Christ. The apostle delivers the gospel message by referring to what is called the Hypostatic Union, assuring the recipients of this letter that Christ was indeed fully man and also fully God. Christ’s fleshly body was unmistakably bloodied and pierced. In the presence of many witnesses, his physical body suffered the brutality of the cross. However, the fullness of God which dwelled in him, brought him forth from the grave to achieve reconciliation. Upon his flesh was laid the sins of man and through his divine Spirit they are appointed righteous.

(Genesis 15:6; Psalm 62:1-2; Isaiah 12:2, 53:5-6; Joel 2:32; Habakkuk 2:4; John 1:1-3, 19:37; Romans 4:2-5, 13, 11:36, 16:25-27; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 1:9-10, 3:3-6; Philippians 2:5-7; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5, 3:16; Hebrews 1:2-3; 1 Peter 2:24; Revelation 1:7)