August 9 Psalm 93 1 Corinthians 5 1 Chronicles 28; 29
Please read the suggested passages, prayerfully consider them, and the questions below. My comments here may be helpful after those moments. The suggested daily reading is for the purpose of reading through the whole Bible within a year.
Reading the Bible is helpful in taking the next steps to follow Jesus. It may not be easy and yet it can be rewarding. Digging into Scripture alongside people you know is a life-giving way to pursue answers together. We discover the love that God has for us has been expressed through Jesus.
• What’s the plain simple truth of the verses you read?
• Based on today’s reading, what is one thing God is saying to you?
• What should you do about that truth?
August 9 Psalm 93 1 Corinthians 5 1 Chronicles 28; 29
Psalm 93
The God we worship is an eternal Spirit, majestic, and powerful. We cannot control a violent raging ocean. God is stronger than the waves. We turn to a God who is able to do more than we imagine. The One True Living God is more powerful than the forces of our natural environment. We should revere this God. Our reasonable response should include awestruck wonder and a life of wholehearted devotion.
1 Corinthians 5
Paul writes to the Corinthian church about their acceptance of a man, calling himself a believer, who is living in sexual sin without repentance. If a person joins the church claiming to be a believer they should confess and repent of sin, seeking a change in their lifestyle. Within the church, we must help each other move toward a lifestyle that is honestly following Jesus. The purpose includes the restoration of people. Helping each other grow spiritually closer to Jesus. That said, we cannot pretend that a problem doesn’t exist. Pastor Paul gives us instructions to call a person who claims to be a believer to walk away from their sin. If they refuse to do so then we should not pretend otherwise. We are called to not associate with them as though they are a believer. We should still show respect in doing so. Paul describes the difference between this and how we relate to unbelievers.
1 Chronicles 28; 29
Before his passing, King David instructs his son Solomon to “learn to know God,” to “worship and serve” God with all his heart and mind. He charges his son to be courageous, with the words God spoke to Joshua. King David invited everyone to follow his example of courageous generosity, with an understanding that all we have comes from God. There is a public repeating of God’s covenant guidance for Solomon, as the new king, and for all the people.