Week 5 - Day 5

Leviticus 8-11; Psalm 27 

*Click here to read these passages:

Leviticus 8-11 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 27 YouVersion(NIV)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life”

Not long ago the life group I’m a part of from my church had a discussion imagining what our lives would be like without Jesus.  I immediately thought about what it would be like not to have the Holy Spirit to guide me, comfort me, give me peace, give me strength….What would it be like not to have my source of hope? 

I think the darkness would take over.  I know that different people struggle with different things. I think for me, if I didn’t know the Lord, I could see depression, fear, and anxiety winning in my life.  But He is my light!  He is my salvation!  He is the stronghold of my life!  There is nothing I want more than to be in His presence.  Without Him all I see is darkness.

Remembering those in the darkness as I pray today…     

Week 5 - Day 4

Leviticus 5-7; Psalm 26 

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Leviticus 5-7 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 26 YouVersion(NIV)

As I was reading the chapters from Leviticus today, the word ‘holy’ kept popping out for me…holy sacrifices, holy places, what was most holy, etc.  The phrase “Be holy as I am holy” came to mind, and I couldn’t remember where that came from in the Bible, so I looked it up. 

1 Peter 1:15 says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ [*Lev.11:44].”

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 says, “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.  Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

Some definitions for the word ‘Holy’: dedicated or consecrated to God; set apart; different from the world – in the likeness of God

The commentary in my Bible points out about the Israelites and this Old Testament justice system described in these chapters, that “Only when every member of the community took personal responsibility could the community remain holy.”

Thinking today about the local Church…the capital C “Church”….praying that as a community of believers we will be holy [dedicated to God; set apart from the world – in the likeness of God] so we can impact our community, our culture, and our world for His glory and His Kingdom, which is what we’re called to do!

Week 5 - Day 3

Leviticus 1-4; Psalm 25 

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Leviticus 1-4 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 25 YouVersion(NIV)

“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.  He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.  All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.”

The pastor of my church used an illustration recently that really struck me.  As a parent I try my best to guide my children and give them good advice.  I try to help them avoid things that I know are bad for them and point them toward things that are good for them.  But they have to trust me, trust my knowledge and wisdom, and trust my love.  I love them more than anything so I will do everything I can to lead them in the right direction because I want what is best for them.

God knows everything there is to know about us, loves us more than anything, and wants what is best for us.  I have to trust not only that He knows what I need but also that He loves me more than anything and wants the best for me.

I like reading a Psalm a day because it almost always ushers me into a conversation with God and helps me start focusing on prayer for the day.  Today was definitely that way as I prayed:

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust.  Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Instruct me in the way you’ve chosen for me.  Make your promises and your vision for our family known to me.  Help me keep my eyes on you and release me from anything that will hold me back from you.  Take away my sins.  Guard my family and rescue us.  I take refuge in You.  I trust You.  My hope is in You.     

Week 5 - Day 2

Exodus 38-40; Psalm 24 

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Exodus 38-40 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 24 YouVersion(NIV)

“Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.”

The book of Exodus concludes with the Israelites finishing all the work as the Lord had commanded in setting up the tabernacle.  “Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”  It says that in all the travels of the Israelites, they would set out when the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle; but if the cloud did not lift, they waited until it did. 

When I was reading this part, I couldn’t help but think…..that would sure be nice….to be able to physically see when God wants me to wait, when He wants me to move, and where exactly He wants me to go.  Then when I read the Psalm, I felt like God was reminding me that He does show me these things, but instead of seeing Him physically He leads me from within.  If I keep my eyes on Him and the doors to my heart open to Him, the King of glory will come in!

And who is this King of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty!      

Week 5 - Day 1

Exodus 35-37; Psalm 23

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Exodus 35-37 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 23 YouVersion(NIV)

There was a phrase that came up several times in the passage today that surprised me a little…. “all who are willing.”  God had given commandments and directions, but He did not force them to do anything.  They had to be willing to follow Him and His ways.  God wanted their hearts to be on Him. 

I also love that we get to see how much God loves art and beauty.  It says He gave the ability to make artistic designs and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.  Think about the description of the lampstand – one piece hammered out of about 75 pounds of pure gold with branches and buds and blossoms on each side… 

If we are willing He can use us to create something beautiful.      

Week 4 - Day 6

Exodus 31-34; Psalm 22

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Exodus 31-34 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 22 YouVersion(NIV)

God had given very specific directions for how to make the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, furnishings of the tent (table, lampstand, altars, basin), and all the woven garments.  Now in chapter 31 it says that God chose people to make these things; He “filled them with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge…” 

Not everyone is given the same skills and abilities, but God gives us what we need in order to do what He’s called us to do.  Bezalel and Oholiab – two names I probably won’t remember – They didn’t perform miracles or lead thousands of people, but God chose them, listed them by name, gave them special skills, and used them to do a job that no one else could do.

In the rest of the chapters today I kept thinking about the power of the presence of the Lord.  First of all in chapter 32, how quick the Israelites turned away from God when they were not in His presence.  We are all “stiff-necked” people, and if we don’t stay in God’s presence, we can fall into the temptation to turn away from him.  This is one of the many reasons staying in God’s Word and praying every day is so vital.  Then in chapter 34 we read about the radiant face of Moses after being in the presence of the Lord.  When we spend time with Him we are changed, and He is reflected!

Week 4 - Day 5

Exodus 27-30; Psalm 21

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Exodus 27-30 YouVersion(NIV) 

Psalm 21 YouVersion(NIV)

“They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them.  I am the Lord their God.”

Once again, reading through the detailed descriptions for the different garments and all the different types of offerings can be a little confusing and not necessarily the most exciting.  However, it shows God’s desire to be near His people as well as His desire for our worship.  It also reminded me of just how holy God is.  Man is so sinful and God so holy that coming into His presence would cause man to die.  All these extravagant measures and offerings had to take place to come near to God.

We also get a little glimpse of what the glory of heaven will be like.  Hebrews 9 says that this was a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true heavenly one.  It says that Jesus did not enter a man-made sanctuary but heaven itself, and appeared for us in God’s presence.  “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)  Jesus Christ appeared “to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26)

Week 4 - Day 4

Exodus 24-26; Psalm 20

*Click here to read these passages:

Exodus 24-26 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 20 YouVersion(NIV)

All the details listed out in the Exodus passage today may not make for the most exciting reading ever, but the fact that God went into such detail shows us that this has great spiritual significance.  It helped me to read more about the tabernacle in Hebrews 9 today as well.  If you have time, click to read Hebrews 9 YouVersion(NIV). 

Where God really spoke to me today was in the Psalm. 

“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.”

‘The God of Jacob’…..  As we’re reading at the beginning, in the days of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, I feel like God keeps telling me and showing me that He’s the same God today. 

The God who parted the sea….

The God who provided food from heaven every day….

The God who brought water out of a rock….

The God who used an ordinary guy to lead thousands and set them free from slavery….

The God of Jacob loves me, lives in me, protects me, answers me when I’m in distress.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Through the blood of Jesus we don’t need the tabernacle anymore and can come to God calling Him Father.  My gracious Father, but still my powerful God!

Week 4 - Day 3

Exodus 19-23; Psalm 19

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Exodus 19-23 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 19 YouVersion(NIV)

How fitting that Psalm 19 came along on the same day as the beginning of God’s law.  David describes the law of the Lord as perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, sure, more precious than gold, and sweeter than honey.  It revives the soul, makes wise the simple, gives joy to the heart, gives light to the eyes, and in keeping them there is great reward.

God knew we needed guidelines to live by, but He also knew we needed a plan for redemption, which comes through His son Jesus. 

I’m finding myself delighting in God’s Word in a new way this year.  I look forward to reading each day and hearing from the Lord.  I’m so thankful for those who are following along with me and reading this blog as well.  I hope that God is blessing and speaking to others hearts like He is mine. 

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Week 4 - Day 2

Exodus 16-18; Psalm 18 

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Exodus 16-18 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 18 YouVersion(NIV)

“Give us each day our daily bread” (The Lord’s Prayer – Luke 11:3)

Sometimes the ‘each day’ part can be a little hard.  I want to know that I’m going to have what I need and that everything is going to be okay today, tomorrow, and the next day, and next month, and next year.  When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray he told them to ask God for daily bread.  He also said, “Do not worry about tomorrow.”

God wants us to trust Him.  He wanted the Israelites to trust Him.  He provided for them exactly how much they needed every day and gave specific instructions not to store up extra. 

He gives us what we need, and sometimes what we need are other people to help hold us up.  There is a great picture of this when the Amalekites attacked the Israelites.  “As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning.”  “When Moses’ hands grew tired…Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other.” 

I know God has provided people to help hold me up.  Now I’m wondering, who is it that I’m supposed to help hold up?  

Week 4 - Day 1

Exodus 12-15 

*Click here to read these passages:

Exodus 12-15 YouVersion(NIV)

SO many cool things within these chapters!

~The Passover – “when I see the blood, I will pass over you.”  I’m realizing more and more how much the entire Bible points to Jesus, the Lamb of God.  When God sees the blood shed by Jesus that covers whoever believes in Him we are saved from death.

~The Exodus – “The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for” – silver, gold, clothing.  I’ve read this story from the Bible many times, but I didn’t remember this part about God’s further preparations and provisions. 

~God’s presence – “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light” (chapter 13).  In chapter 14 it says that the pillar of cloud came between the armies of Egypt and Israel so that throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to one side and light to the other. 

~Moses’ pep talk – “Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”  “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  I love that.  The Lord did fight for them, and they did have to be still to hear His voice and directions.  But they also had to keep going.  Right after Moses says this, God tells him to move on, divide the water of the sea, and go through it. 

~The Song of Moses and Miriam – (which is why we don’t have a Psalm to read today)  The response to God’s deliverance is worship!  To “sing to the Lord for he is highly exalted!”

Week 3 - Day 6

Exodus 8-11; Psalm 17 

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Exodus 8-11 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 17 YouVersion(NIV)

So, why the plagues?  God even said, “By now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth.”  He kept giving them chances but also kept proving His sovereignty.  “But I have raised you up (other translations say ‘have spared you’) for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”  God showed that the idols and gods the Egyptians looked to, their magicians and their dark arts, were nothing, and He was everything.

With every plague Pharoah says he is giving in to get the plague to stop.  But as soon as there is relief his heart is hardened and he does not let the people go.  Over and over…, “this time I have sinned,” “the Lord is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong,” “forgive my sin once more and pray to the Lord your God to take this deadly plague away from me,”…  But then Pharoah’s stubbornness shows up again and nothing changes.

How often do people today go through this cycle, myself included?  Things get dark and tough and we look to the Lord for help, and maybe even commit to changing things in our lives that need to be changed.  But then when things are going well again we forget about the Lord and our commitment and just go back to doing things our own way. 

Praying for God to melt closed up calloused hearts today…that His voice and presence and sovereignty would be so evident….that His name and power would be proclaimed everywhere.     

Week 3 - Day 5

Exodus 4-7; Psalm 16

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Exodus 4-7 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 16 YouVersion(NIV)

“O Lord, please send someone else to do it.”

I can so relate to Moses here in chapter 4!  He hears clearly from the Lord, sees His miracles first hand, knows exactly what God wants him to do, but yet he’s scared and thinking about his weaknesses instead of God’s strength. 

I even relate to how Moses didn’t have confidence in his speaking skills.  I’ve always been pretty shy and always struggled somewhat to talk to people.  The Lord has helped me overcome some of that, but especially when I’m one on one with people, unless I know them really well, I get nervous and tongue-tied and I feel like I say things that are really stupid.  That’s why a lot of times I just don’t say much at all.

I love God’s first answer to Moses, “Who gave man his mouth? ….Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Even still Moses asks God to send someone else.  I love God’s second solution as well.  It says that God was angry at this point, but even still, he provided a helper for Moses in his brother Aaron.  Even when I don’t have enough faith, God provides what I need to do what He’s called me to do. 

One final thing today….  At the beginning of chapter 4 Moses had a staff, and God told him to throw it down.  At the end of chapter 4 when Moses was ready to follow the Lord, it says “he took the staff of God in his hand.”  He had reluctantly surrendered, laying everything down before God.  The staff of Moses could do nothing; the staff of God would set the people free.  There is a song about this by Ken Medema that ends asking, “What do you hold in your hand today?  To what or to whom are you bound?  Are you willing to give it to God?  Give it up, let it go, throw it down.”    

Week 3 - Day 4

Exodus 1-3; Psalm 15 

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Exodus 1-3 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 15 YouVersion(NIV)

We enter into the book of Exodus today!  I’m so excited to read this book again and see what new things God has to show me! 

The book starts off describing how the Israelites (sons of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham – the covenant people) have multiplied greatly and become exceedingly numerous as generations have passed.  My Bible commentary tells me that about 400 years have passed.  And because they had become so numerous the Egyptians feared them and forced them into slavery.  It says about the Israelites, the “more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied” (they were God’s people after all – He was still blessing them). 

When it came to reading about the law of killing baby boys as they were delivered, I first of all couldn’t help but be heartbroken and disgusted at the same time.  But I also couldn’t help but think about today’s world and about abortion.  Women being forced to end the life of their baby is unthinkable.  But for many in our world today, the choice to end the life of a baby is acceptable.  I think it must break God’s heart, as I’m sure it did when this was happening to the Israelites.  It says that God was kind to the midwives who would not harm the babies and blessed them with families of their own. 

God provided a way for a particular baby boy to be saved, to be raised in the royal family, preparing him to be the vessel of how God was going to rescue His people.  When the Lord calls Moses He says, “I have seen the misery of my people…I have heard them crying out….I am concerned about their suffering.” 

The great rescuer….the great I AM (The one who has always been and will always be present)…It’s so cool that the God of Moses is the same today!  He still hears His people crying out, and cares so much that He sent His only son to rescue us!    

Week 3 - Day 3

Genesis 48-50; Psalm 14

*Click here to read these passages:

Genesis 48-50 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 14 YouVersion(NIV)

Sometimes I read the passages for the day and write a reflection right away.  Sometimes I read it and come back to it later and reflect.  Today’s passage was one that I waited a bit before starting to write.   The whole time one single verse kept coming to my mind:  Chapter 48:11 when Jacob says to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”

That little sentence that seems somewhat insignificant has broken my heart a little but at the same time given hope.  I began to see the whole story through Jacob’s eyes as a father.  His son was gone, and he had given up hope completely of ever getting him back.  As a parent, even the thought of losing a child causes me to not be able to breathe. 

I also started thinking of people I know who have grown children who they are estranged from and do not have a relationship with at all, or have a child who is involved in drugs or alcohol or something else that is destroying their lives.  I can imagine the heartache and hopelessness they have to feel as parents.  But with God all things are possible and hope is never gone!  We see that here with Jacob and Joseph.  God, in His timing, restored father and son back together again and continued to bless. 

Praise the Lord that all things are possible through Him, and for always being my source of hope.  “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:18).  

Week 3 - Day 2

Genesis 44-47; Psalm 13

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Genesis 44-47 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 13 YouVersion(NIV)

In chapter 44 it appears that Joseph is tormenting his brothers a little.  While honestly that would be quite understandable, it doesn’t really fit with who we’ve learned Joseph to be.  The commentary in my Bible says this: “Joseph is testing his brothers, much as God has tested him.  A truly changed heart, like faith, is revealed not in what a person says but in how he or she behaves while under continued pressure.  Judah’s request to take Benjamin’s place as Joseph’s slave-out of concern for his aged father’s feelings-shows a true change of heart.” 

When Joseph sees this, and when he can’t stand it anymore, he reveals that he is their brother.  They immediate fear him, but instead of wrath, he shows them love and forgiveness.  Joseph is once again pointing others to God.   He says, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you….God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.”

Not only is he not angry with them, not only has he completely forgiven them, but he can also look back and realize that God used everything for his good and in turn for the good of his whole family. 

Joseph had trusted in God’s unfailing love.  People in our lives can and will let us down, but His love never changes; His love never fails! 

“But I trust in your unfailing love;

         my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

         For he has been good to me.”

(Psalm 13:5-6)

Week 3 - Day 1

Genesis 41-43; Psalm 12

*Click here to read these passages:

Genesis 41-43 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 12 YouVersion(NIV)

I love the answer Joseph gives Pharaoh when he asks him to interpret his dream, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”  Joseph knew that God had given him the gift to interpret dreams, and he easily could have been prideful about that and taken the credit and glory for it.  Instead, he immediately points Pharaoh to God – no I can’t, but God can. 

I also love looking back through Joseph’s story as someone who knows how the story goes, realizing that Joseph did not know how everything was going to turn out.  He got sold as a slave by his own brothers, but it says, “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered.”  Then he gets sent to prison for something he didn’t do.  “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him.”  Then he finally ends up second in command in Egypt. 

Bad things kept happening to Joseph, but God was with him through it all.  It all led to where God wanted Joseph to be.  It was just a rough road along the way.  Yet another reminder that God holds the big picture and is with us every crazy step of the way. 

Week 2 - Day 6

Genesis 37-40; Psalm 11

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Genesis 37-40 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 11 YouVersion(NIV)

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:16

In the first book of the Bible alone, we’ve already seen several examples of jealousy and the bad decisions that result from it (Cain and Abel; Leah and Rachel - to name a couple), and here in Genesis 37 it shows up again.  I can see how jealousy came to be known as the green-eyed monster.  It can take over, destroying you from the inside out, and lead to extremes one wouldn’t think possible.  All of Joseph’s brothers but one were so jealous that they wanted to kill their own brother.  What started as envy, turned into anger, which turned into hate, which turned into aggression. 

Jealousy is one of those things that can really sneak up on us.  It is honestly something I use to struggle quite a bit with, and even now is something I really have to keep my guard up against.  One envious thought can easily turn into a negative thought toward someone, which can even turn into a bitter heart. 

Praying for a heart at peace in who He created me to be….      

Week 2 - Day 5

Genesis 34-36; Psalm 10

*Click here to read these passages:

Genesis 34-36 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 10 YouVersion(NIV)

There are several psalms that follow somewhat of a pattern such as this one.  The psalm begins with questioning God’s presence: “Why O Lord, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”  Then goes on to describe all the evil and trouble that is all around.  Then at the end, there is a change of tone.  The focus changes from the problem to the answer.  Things are put into perspective: “The Lord is King for ever and ever.” 

The last two verses of Psalm 10 remind me of a song that I’ve known for a while and have heard many many times, but this week, for some reason, the words just keep coming back to me.  Psalm 10:17-18, “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.” 

“The fatherless will find their rest….

All the weak find their strength…

Every fear has no place…

The enemy has to leave….

At the sound of Your Great Name”

My three-year old daughter Evie has struggled with having bad dreams at night and being fearful of going to sleep.  I started praying with her before bed in Jesus’ name that she would not be afraid and all darkness would have to leave.  She hasn’t been having bad dreams lately and has been going to bed without a struggle, but every night she still asks me, “Pray to Jesus I won’t be scared.” So I do.  And the darkness flees…

Week 2 - Day 4

Genesis 29-33; Psalm 9

*Click here to read these passages:

Genesis 29-33 YouVersion(NIV)

Psalm 9 YouVersion(NIV)

Today’s reading was a little lengthier than usual, but reading all these chapters about Jacob is like a book you can’t put down.  I’ll try to keep my reflection brief. 

A couple things that stood out for me….

In chapter 32, when Jacob is about to meet Esau for the first time in years he prays to God.  He says, “I am afraid….But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper…”  Using God’s words in prayer is so powerful and has a way of strengthening your spirit.  Admit your doubts, fears, and frustrations; then cling to His Word and pray it out loud.

Then in chapter 33 when Jacob finally approaches Esau, it says Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him.  Jacob responds, “To see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.”  Forgiveness reveals the heart of God.