Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 7

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.

David here speaks to the Lord’s help and deliverance. There is great praise given to the Lord for not only the ultimate delivery and salvation, but the gift of David’s apparent endurance. As initially stated, David had been tried and tested as he waited upon the Lord for such providence in the face of turmoil and death. Perhaps the greatest truth in this psalm is the recognition of God growing in David the God-like characteristic of steadfastness and longsuffering. Although it seemed David was facing an impending disaster, the Lord sustained him long enough to see deliverance and faith was not lost. David’s public proclamation of thanksgiving and gratitude reveals to the reader that he in fact understands that there is great purpose in God’s timing. Either a swift rescue or a prolonged deliverance that produces endurance, the will of the Lord is constantly preserving his children that love, trust and depend on him.

(Romans 8:28, 12:12; Galatians 6:9; Colossians 1:11; James 1:2-4)

These words of wisdom not only give warning against various problematic conditions of humanity, but they provide practical advice to keep oneself from becoming ensnared by them. The transition from temptation to trouble is a slippery slope and can take place rapidly. In these passages over-committing financially or poor stewardship, laziness, and various debauchery seem to be the issues addressed. Instead of speaking unwittingly or pridefully concerning the commitment of debt, either keep quiet or take the time to counsel and calculate. Those who are prone to laziness should monitor their rest, as they could be one nap away from poverty. Flirting with sin shall only hasten the blow of consequence. Being aware of the danger and extinguishing the possibilities quick is the only answer. Playing with fire is the surest way to get burned. We all struggle with sin, and various transgressions know us by name. Christians can only overcome temptation by the power of the Holy Spirit, but knowing our weaknesses and guarding oneself is the most practical way to avoid destruction.

(Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Ephesians 6:10-20)

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob rescued his people from bondage in Egypt and although he had been present with the Israelite people, he was far off in the mountain communicating through their mediator Moses. But now time had come for them to build a place for the Lord their God to dwell amongst them. Because we are talking about God the Father in divine form, precise precautions and arrangements had to be made to account for the purity and holiness of the Lord’s presence, as well as the safety of the Israelites. No human, due to their unrighteousness, could come into the exact presence of the Holy God. Therefore, they had to stay far off and the Most Holy Place had to be veiled. Due to God taking on the form of humanity in Christ, saving us from the bondage of sin by absorbing the wages of our transgressions and defeating death on our behalf, that veil was torn and the Lord’s presence is now available to indwell us personally. The Holy Spirit of God now dwells (tabernacles) in each individual believer, making it possible to one day live in his complete presence.

(Matthew 27:51; John 1:14; Revelation 21:3-4)

The priests of Israel were descendants from the tribe of Levi, the sons of Aaron, the brother of Moses. They were to stand as God’s representatives before the people, therefore they were required to illustrate the holiness of the Lord. Here we see several requirements for how they were to live amongst the people. Representing a holy God is serious business and was/is not to be taken lightly, for there are grave repercussions for disobeying them. For instance, the priests were not to come into contact with a dead body (except their close family) for it made them unclean. Death is the result of sin and thereby illustrates the holiness of God which does not and cannot be mingled with unrighteousness. There were also strict guidelines concerning the marital conditions of the priest, as marriage is a picture of God and his people living within a holy covenant. Jesus the Christ (the Great High Priest) set the perfect example of God’s holiness and was without blemish. As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ as being God’s representatives in this world. Difficult as it may be, we are aided in this by the Word and the Holy Spirit of God through the process of salvation, particularly sanctification; overtime being conformed to the image of Christ.

(John 17:17; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 5:1-2; Hebrews 10:14-22; 1 Peter 2:9)

The Israelites, by observing the Passover feast/celebration, they were by remembrance worshipping the saving grace of the Lord their God. For through their faith and obedience via sacrifice, the angel of the Lord had passed over their homes during the final plague in Egypt, keeping death from their families. Here we see them honoring their God for salvation, but there is also a great picture of forgiveness. Even those who would be found unclean (persons in contact with death and even foreigners) were still allowed to worship and participate in the Passover. Although humanity is broken and sinful, through faith and obedience in the ultimate sacrifice (Jesus), there is inclusion, forgiveness and salvation. With true faith and obedience, there is a clear presence of the Lord, which will guide and direct his people.

(Psalm 16:11; John 16:13; Romans 8:12-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 3:26-29)

Here there is established from God a legality of justice that is to govern the people within their territory, clearly setting them apart from other nations. These mandates can be seen as a pure sense of justice that seeks to know the heart behind the travesty, verses blind justice seeking to simply avenge an outcome. This type of governance desires undisputed truth and gives leniency to those who have not premeditated the transgression, but either acted in self-defense or accidental. Wisely it also establishes regulation to combat the deceitful wickedness of mankind in regards to bearing false witness. One person’s view on a matter is not enough to condemn another, but there must be a communal witness to provide proof of guilt. In God’s polity there is no leniency for the intentionally wicked, but there can be protection and empathy for those who are innocent at heart though they find themselves in a problematic situation. There is great security in God who is the strength of those who seek refuge in him and are obedient to his ways.

(1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Samuel 22:2-3; Psalm 46:1; Jeremiah 17:10)

Time after time the Israelites faith in the Lord had waxed and waned. In either time of trouble or prosperity, they grumbled and turned from the ever-present God that dwelled before them. As Moses was dying, he commissioned his officer Joshua to carry the people into the land of promise. Joshua is given great assurance by God even though the people would fall away bringing destruction and judgement upon themselves. Even in the midst of sin and apostasy the mercy and provision of the Lord continues. What a great sign of God’s sovereignty in the face of mankind’s weakness and inability. Praise the Lord that his promises are unbreakable and salvation is his work and not dependent upon the achievements and faithfulness of man.

(Exodus 33:19; Romans 9:14-16; Ephesians 2:1-10)