
Continuing today in Psalm 119:129-136, we observe the Psalmist calling out to God for “mercy” (verse 132); “direction” (verse 133); “redemption” (verse 134); approval (verse 135); and “instruction” (verse 135). Freely, God wants us to receive each of these gifts from Him, and He is always eager to bestow them upon us – if we are willing to accept them. In today’s reading, the Psalmist emphasizes that he “pants and longs for the Lord’s statutes and commands” (verse 131). I wonder how many of us today desire the Word of God like that? To walk so closely with the Lord as to hunger and thirst for His truth - amazing! We also read again today that the Psalmist notices and regrets that God’s “laws are not being obeyed” (cf., verses 126 and 136); he adds that “Streams of tears flow from his eyes because of” such disobedience (verse 136). God actually desires and offers us unlimited fellowship – even intimacy – with Him, but often, we are the ones who resist. May God grant us the depth of interest, concern, and desire to walk with Him like this Psalmist.
In Lamentations 3:40-5:22, Jeremiah calls us to “examine our ways and test them” (verse 40). He bases this call on verse 39: “Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?” This is a logical, prototypical, rhetorical question that no normal person would disagree with. Every person against whom a wicked act has been perpetrated wants the perpetrator punished for his or her actions. Why? Because of that built-in sense of justice that we discussed yesterday. Jeremiah says, “Let us return to the LORD and lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven and say, ‘We have sinned and rebelled …’” (verses 3:40-42). Chapter 4 reveals to us the awful results of the desecration of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians and Jeremiah’s prophecy that Edom will also receive her due. Finally, in chapter 5, Jeremiah calls on the LORD to remember “what has happened to us” (verse 1). He confesses Judah’s brokenness, and he pleads, “Restore us, O LORD, that we may return” (verse 21). Jeremiah epitomizes the heart and soul of the repentant remnant of Israel.
Today in our readings, we come to the great book of Hebrews. We do not know who wrote this book, but it is safe to conclude that the book came to us by way of the Holy Spirit of God. The book was written to teach the early Jewish believers that Christ – and everything about Him and our trust in Him – is better than the traditions, the laws, and the priesthood of the old Jewish system. In chapter 1, we read that, “in the past, God spoke to the forefathers through prophets at many times and in various ways” (verse 1), but “in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son … Who is the radiance of God’s glory – the exact representation of His being” (verses 3-4). He is “superior to the angels – all of whom worship Him” (verses 4-6). To no angel did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet” (verse 13). In this book of Hebrews, we will see that Christ is superior and better than everyone and everything; He has no equal, because He is God.
Comments