The One Who Feeds Your Strongest Desires Is Your Master

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 8; Psalm 9; Proverbs 23; 1 Thessalonians 2

Leviticus 8:14–15
* Now that we have built everything and have all of the offering laws, it’s time to put it into action. Here Moses, as God’s representative, performs the rituals in order to establish Aaron and his sons as priests.

Psalm 9:1–4
* After reading the psalms of lament preceding Psalm 9, the overflow of thanks for God’s deliverance has more significance. Likewise, if we recognize our oppression by sin, our celebration of deliverance will be more boisterous.

Proverbs 23:1–8
* Of the 30 sayings mentioned in 22:20, sayings 6–18 are in chapter 23. Saying 6 (vv. 1–3) and saying 8 (vv. 6–8) both address receiving food, and in both cases—with the wealthy ruler and with the stingy man—it is wise not to eat too much. If you are controlled by your appetite, those who feed you have power over you.

1 Thessalonians 2:11–13
* Paul (and the other missionaries) told the Thessalonians how to live right with God, and the new believers responded in obedience to God. It is significant to distinguish between obedience to Paul (or any other authority) for Paul’s sake, and obedience to Paul’s (or any other teacher’s) teachings for the Lord’s sake.

Judgment Against Sin Is Certain, But So Is Mercy Towards Repentance

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 7; Psalms 7–8; Proverbs 22; 1 Thessalonians 1

Leviticus 7:37–38
* Chapter 7 concludes the discussion of the laws for offerings.

Psalm 7:8–13
* David laments being unjustly accused. His appeal to his righteousness here is not some absolute claim, but is specifically concerning the false accusation. Perhaps more notable, though, is his mention of repentance. David cries for justice against persecutors, but also calls for their repentance. He knows that judgment against sin is certain, but so is mercy towards the repentant.

Proverbs 22:1–6
* The fear of the LORD gives a right perspective on all areas of life, from reputation and wealth, to status and prejudice, from precaution, to humility, from consequences of actions, to the fruits of discipleship.

1 Thessalonians 1:4–10
* Paul’s confidence in the election of the Thessalonians is based on four elements—namely that the Gospel came to them in word, power, the Holy Spirit, and full conviction.

Pray and Walk and Speak the Gospel Clearly

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 6; Psalms 5–6; Proverbs 21; Colossians 4

Leviticus 6:8–9
* Beginning in 6:8, the LORD prescribes how the priests are to handle the various offerings, beginning with the “law of the burnt offering.” Each offering will be presented again in order.

Psalm 5:4–8
* Here we have a clear statement of the problem with sin; namely, it cannot stand in God’s presence. Notably, the basis for David’s confidence is God’s love and God’s righteousness (and not his own).

Proverbs 21:1–2
* Verse 1 acknowledges God’s sovereignty over kings’ hearts (and, therefore, over everyone else less than a king). Verse 2 indicates God’s judgment of hearts. In other words, the two verses unapologetically juxtapose divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

Colossians 4:2–6
* Paul’s final exhortations (before the personal greetings) concern prayer and behavior among unbelievers. And in both cases, he is ultimately concerned with the clear presentation of the Gospel.

All Vengeance, All Judgment, All Understanding Belong to the LORD

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 5; Psalms 3–4; Proverbs 20; Colossians 3

Leviticus 5:14–16
* After offerings for unintentional sins, the Lord describes other sins requiring offering. Then come instructions for the guilt offering. These sins are generally more serious.

Psalm 4:6–8
* As you cry out to the LORD, remember the joy and peace that are found only by trusting in his care.

Proverbs 20:22–25
* All vengeance, all judgment, all understanding belong to the LORD.

Colossians 3:12–17
* Most of Colossians 3 talks about what to “put to death” (v. 5) and what to “put on” instead. This is what holding fast to Christ looks like.

Spiritual Growth and Maturity Come Only By Holding Fast to Christ

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 4; Psalms 1–2; Proverbs 19; Colossians 2

Leviticus 4:1–3
* Next, the Lord gives instructions to Moses for the sin offering. Chapter 4 deals specifically with sins committed unintentionally.

Psalm 2:7–12
* The end of Psalm 2 points to the fulfillment of a bunch of prophecies concerning the Messiah. See especially Gen 49:10; 2Sam 7:16; and Mark 1:11.

Proverbs 19:16–23
* This section of Proverbs 19 draws a picture of right living from the perspective of wisdom.

Colossians 2:16–23
* Spiritual growth and maturity come in one way—by holding fast to Christ. Trusting even partially in anything else, especially man-made religion, is a total rejection of Christ.

We May Be Made in the Image of God, But Jesus Is the Image Itself

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 2–3; John 21; Proverbs 18; Colossians 1

Leviticus 3:12–17
* Conveniently, the chapter splits of Leviticus are pretty well chosen. Chapter 2 concerns the grain offering, and chapter 3, the peace offering. I like how the peace offering is a shared meal between offerer, priest, and the Lord, who receives the best portion.

John 21:15–17
* Why does the Lord repeat his question 3 times? The repetition, in essence, painfully recalls but reverses the repeated denials of Peter from earlier; also, note how Peter is not so quick to announce his undying commitment, but rather defers to the Jesus’ omniscience—as if to say that, if he stays faithful, his shepherding of the sheep will be sustained by Christ.

Proverbs 18:5-10
* Much of wisdom and folly can be discerned by a person’s words.

Colossians 1:15–20
* Adam and Eve (and the rest of mankind) were made in the image of God, but Jesus is the image of God—the visible image of the invisible God.

Trust in the Good, Wise, and Sovereign Lord Can Only Reasonably Mean Unshakable Joy

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 1; John 20; Proverbs 17; Philippians 4

Leviticus 1:1–4
* The book of Leviticus begins with instructions for the burnt offering.

John 20:26–31
* Jesus tells Thomas that those who believe without seeing are blessed. And John writes that his Gospel account is written so that the reader may believe (without having to see).

Proverbs 17:1–5
* If silver and gold are tested in high heat, how do we expect the Lord to test hearts? I’m thinking it won’t be comfortable.

Philippians 4:4–9
* If you know that the Lord is good, wise, and sovereign, if you know that you are his, and if you entrust your concerns to him, it is only reasonable that you will have unshakable peace and joy.

Purity Has More To Do With the Heart Than With How Others Interpret the Appearance

Today’s Reading: Exodus 40; John 19; Proverbs 16; Philippians 3

Exodus 40:34–38
* Consider the indwelling of the glory of the Lord in light of the indwelling of the Spirit in the New Testament.

John 19:30–37
* John’s description of Jesus’ death on the cross includes a flurry of fulfillments. This makes sense because, in his death, Christ is finishing the Father’s will.

Proverbs 16:1–6
* For a person’s ways to be pure, it has more to do with the heart than the appearance of good intentions.

Philippians 3:7–11
* Since righteousness comes by faith, anything but Christ, who is the object of saving faith, is worthless, especially status, success, and good works.

We Must Remind Ourselves that Godliness and Love Are More Significant than Wealth and Prosperity

Today’s Reading: Exodus 39; John 18; Proverbs 15; Philippians 2

Exodus 39:42–43
* Though Bezalel oversaw “all the work of the Tabernacle” (v. 32), the record makes clear that many people (even all the people) were involved in completing the work.

John 18:36-38
* After Jesus claims to have an other-worldly kingdom and an authority over the Truth, Pilate shrugs off Jesus’ claims, as if they were of no consequence. Ironically, he dismisses absolute truth in the face of the One who is Truth incarnate!

Proverbs 15:15–17
* Celebrating the blessings of God at all times means having the right perspective on your circumstances. Godliness and love are more significant than wealth and prosperity.

Philippians 2:1-4
* If you are in Christ and have the same Spirit, have the same mind, the same love, following the example of Christ, especially in his humility.

To Show Love, You Must Be Able to Identify What Is Most Important

Today’s Reading: Exodus 38; John 17; Proverbs 14; Philippians 1

Exodus 38:21–23
* After the description of the construction of the Tabernacle, led by Bezalel (filled with the Spirit), Exodus gives the official record of the leaders and the materials used.

John 17:20–23
* Chapter 17 is known as the high priestly prayer of Jesus. In his prayer, Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, and then, wonderfully, for future believers (that’s us).

Proverbs 14:29–34
* Many proverbs show wisdom in terms of being like God (v. 29), honoring God (v. 31), and pleasing God (and so receiving a reward, v. 32).

Philippians 1:9–11
* Paul prays for love to grow in the Philippians. But for love to grow, it must be accompanied with knowledge and discernment. To show love, you must be able to identify what is excellent; otherwise, you may mean to be kind but, instead, do harm.