Day 40 Bible Readings – Matthew 26: 33-35 (ESV)

Exodus 4-5, Exodus 6: 1-13, Matthew 26: 30-46, Psalm 25: 8-15

Matthew 26: 33-35 (ESV)

“Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.”

In verses 33 through 35, we read about Peter telling Christ he would never fall away from. Jesus told Peter he would and deny him three times. Peter denied it and the disciples did the same. I love how Jesus knew what would happen to him and what his disciples would do, but he still loved them. I read one Bible commentary where the author said that Jesus was trying to reassure his disciples that he was in command of the whole situation. Jesus also knew his disciples better than they knew themselves, and even though he knew they would desert them he still loved them and knew that their future was to grow his church.

I sometimes wonder if I would try to change my future if I knew it, even though the future was going to help me grow to be a better person. I can see the disciples denying everything that Jesus told them they would do because they couldn’t conceive at the time that they would betray Jesus like that. I think they also wondered if their betrayal would make Jesus love them less. But if God knows everything that is going to happen in our life, we need to trust that everything we go through will work to fulfill God’s plan. We might not see it at the time, but God does and if we just trust in him then we would be more at peace with whatever happens in our life.

Day 39 Bible Readings for February 9 – Exodus 3: 11-12 (ESV)

Exodus 1-3, Matthew 26: 1-30, Psalm 25: 1-7

Exodus 3: 11-12 (ESV)

“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

In verses 11 and 12 from Exodus 3, we read what Moses answered when God told him of his mission. I can see how this scene with Moses is repeated with almost everyone who God calls to be on mission for him. When I discerned what I think is God’s plan for my life, I had the same reaction. There was nothing in my life that that prepared me for what I think is God’s plan for my life. I had the same, still have the same lack of self-confidence in my own abilities to fulfill God’s mission.

So I love how God responded to Moses. God told Moses, “I will be with you”, which means Moses had nothing to fear. Even if Moses thought he didn’t have the abilities to fulfill God’s plan, God will be able to supernaturally help him. Moses had such faith and confidence in God, that he took God up on his offer and did as he asked. We should all have the faith of Moses to go where God commands us to and do what he wants us to fulfill his plan on earth.

Day 38 Bible Readings – Job 42: 1-3 (ESV)

Job 40-42, Matthew 25, Psalm 24

Job 42: 1-3 (ESV)

“Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”

In verses 1 through 3 from Job 42 Job told God that he realized all things came from God, good and bad. Job confessed to God that he did not understand how powerful God is, when he doubted God for all the bad things that was happening to him. Job ended up having to tell God how repentant he was having doubted him. I think the story of Job reminds us that we need to not lose our faith in God when bad things happen to us. We cannot assume that God has lost control of our life and allowed these bad things to happen us. We cannot make assumptions about the reasons that bad things happen in our life. We instead need to have constant faith that no matter what happens in our life, God is in control. We cannot presume to know God’s mind, God’s plan for our life. But what we can know is that our God is all powerful and is in control of everything that is happening in our life. All of it, including the bad things. Everything has a purpose in our life, and we need to faith that God knows what is happening to us and it’s all part of God’s plan for our life.

Day 37 Bible Readings – Psalm 23: 1-4 (ESV)

Job 37-39, Matthew 24: 32-51, Psalm 23

Psalm 23: 1-4 (ESV)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

What is it about Psalm 23 that brings tears to my eyes, especially verses 1-4. It could be all the times I’ve heard this Psalm recited at funeral church services, which brings up memories of the people who died. Hollywood has even woven Psalm 23 into many scenes where people are at their lowest, and we watch on screen how just saying Psalm 23 brings comfort to the fictional characters in the film. Or maybe it is all the times I’ve opened my Bible to find Psalm 23 so I could read it and bring comfort to my troubled mind.

There is something so soothing to my mind to think about God as a good shepherd, who looks to all of my needs and who will protect me through all evil. Even though I often think of myself as that one lost sheep that the shepherd has to leave the whole flock to find. That black sheep who keeps constantly wanting to go their own way and always wants to leave the safety of the shepherd and flock to chase that shiny thing out there. The black sheep who is  always thinking there are greener pastures out there than the fine green pasture the shepherd has found for me.

 I often think I ought to memorize Psalm 23 so its words can easily to my mind when I am troubled. But I love the physical act of opening my Bible to find Psalm 23. To read it with my eyes and mind first, and then to finally read it out loud reverently and with tears in my eyes and a catch in my throat through every word. That is power of Psalm 23 for me.