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13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was,14 because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) Meditation God’s blessings are extended through His mercy, never resulting from our desire or effort. Our greatest works are grossly insufficient, a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6) unable to merit us access to God and His covenant blessings. Grace alone is our only hope to know God and His steadfast love. In today’s reading, God’s plan to bless the second wilderness generation by preparing the for the promised land is surprising. The first section extends covenant inheritance to unmarried daughters of Zelophehad who, under the old Mosaic law-code, did not have a claim to inherit the land of their fathers (vv. 1-11). Grace alone extends the blessings of inheritance. The second section withholds the promised land from Moses. Our hearts want to believe a leader like Moses could earn his place within God’s blessing. Surely, we think, the religious fervor and faithfulness of a man who led God’s people through the wilderness is sufficient? Not at all! Moses, too, needed a mediator. Moses had rebelled against God’s direction (Numbers 20) so he would miss experiencing God’s promised blessing of the land (vv. 13-14). At the same time, God’s desire to direct His people to the fullness of His promised blessing is evidenced by His grace in hearing Moses’ prayer to give the people a shepherd (vv. 15-23). Greater than Joshua or Moses, Jesus is the great shepherd of God’s people (Hebrews 13:20). Jesus paid the penalty for our rebellion, for Moses and all believers, so by grace alone we experience the fullness of God’s covenant blessings in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9;Titus 3:5) and enter the promised land of the New Heavens and New Earth. Today’s Reading Then drew near the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh the son of Joseph. The names of his daughters were: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers.” 5 Moses brought their case before the Lord. 6 And the Lord said to Moses, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. 8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter.9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers.11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’” Joshua to Succeed Moses 12 The Lord said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was,14 because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) 15 Moses spoke to the Lord, saying,16 “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” 18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. 20 You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the people of Israel with him, the whole congregation.” 22 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua and made him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23 and he laid his hands on him and commissioned him as the Lord directed through Moses. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the preparation for God’s promised land? -Do you believe that not even a man like Moses can merit the experience of God’s blessing, not even through his sacrificial leadership in the wilderness for decades? Why do we hold hope in our works of righteousness and (perceived) good deeds? -How does the mercy of God seen in the sacrificial work of Christ move us to celebrate salvation through God’s grace alone? This is to ask, HOW can you allow your heart to be moved by God’s mercy, responding to God’s grace by living for His glory (with gratefulness for His faithfulness)? Key Verse 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was,14 because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
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7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Meditation Jesus was raised from the dead for the justification of His people (Romans 4:25). If Jesus did not rise from the grave, Christians should be pitied and humanity would be stuck in sin (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). Because Jesus rose from the grave, Christians celebrate the righteousness of Jesus imputed to us through faith, secure status in God’s steadfast love. Peter had no reason to be justified, having just denied knowing Jesus three times. Peter’s failure highlights God’s grace revealed in the angel’s special focus. “Jesus has risen... go tell the disciples, and Peter” (vv. 6-7). Mary obeyed, going to tell the disciples, and Peter. Each disciple who had collectively abandoned Jesus in His death were now welcomed to meet resurrected Jesus in new life. Justification is based on Jesus’ work for us, never our performance before Him. In today’s reading, Peter was offered special assurance. Later, resurrected Jesus met with Peter personally (1 Corinthians 15:5) and restored Peter gently (see John 21). What we often miss is the potency and power of justification found through Jesus’ resurrection evidenced by radical reconciliation. Jesus’ death made a full satisfaction for the penalty of sin, God writing “PAID IN FULL” on the debt we owe. Jesus’ resurrection was proof of payment and prospect of Jesus’ righteousness for all who believe. Resurrected Jesus meets people who are hungry for life, assuring forgiveness of sins and status to begin again. Jesus’ resurrection is Peter’s sure foundation that is sins are forgiven and he is able to return to relationship, justified by Jesus’ finished work. Today’s Reading When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. Jesus Appears to Two Disciples12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country.13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. The Great Commission 14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the “And Peter” included in the simple resurrection message? -Do you identify with the need to be singled out to in hearing not only your sins are taken by Jesus but His righteousness is given to you to secure your status in God’s steadfast love? Take a moment to confess specific sin(s) to receive the forgiveness of Jesus. -How is the sure forgiveness of Jesus for your sin a catalyst to show forgiveness to others? How does His finished work give you confidence to love and serve Him? Take a moment to consider who you need to forgive and ask Jesus to help you steward the forgiveness He has shown you by forgiving others. Likewise, ask the Spirit to show you how to boldly come to Jesus today, knowing His grace more fully to serve Him more faithfully. Key Verse 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”  Key Verse
26 For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27 … so he saved them Meditation God is our helper. God saves us when we need rescue, strengthens us when we are weak, protects us when we are vulnerable, and keeps us from evil. God is gracious and compassionate, abounding in steadfast love for His people. In today’s reading, the downward spiral continued in the Holy Land. Amaziah took the throne in Judah (vv. 1-22) and, after an OK start, he rejected God’s word and things blew apart. Jeroboam II reigned in the Northern Kingdom (vv. 23-29) and for forty-one years his rebellion against God and His word led to ruin in Israel. Stated simply, the kings of both Judah and Israel were horrible, yet God was still their helper. God’s grace is at the heart of the historical narrative. The Lord “saw” the struggle of His people, that “there was none to help Israel” (v. 26), so He saved them (v. 27). The people had rejected God and His word, trusted human powers, and allowed temple treasure to be taken. And God helped them. God saved them. This amazing grace points to the true King, Jesus, who was ruined to death so rebels can be redeemed to everlasting life. Jesus was a faithful King who died so God could help His unfaithful people through giving forgiveness, freedom from the penalty and power of sin. God helps those who turn to Him. There is no pre-requisite that we help ourselves or perform to earn God’s help. God is our Helper! God forgives and God saves, even those who rebel against Him and reject His word. Today’s Reading In the second year of Joash the son of Joahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem. 3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done.4 But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 5 And as soon as the royal power was firmly in his hand, he struck down his servants who had struck down the king his father.6 But he did not put to death the children of the murderers, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the Lord commanded, “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin.” 7 He struck down ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and took Sela by storm, and called it Joktheel, which is its name to this day. 8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us look one another in the face.” 9 And Jehoash king of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah, “A thistle on Lebanon sent to a cedar on Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son for a wife,’ and a wild beast of Lebanon passed by and trampled down the thistle. 10 You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?” 11 But Amaziah would not listen. So Jehoash king of Israel went up, and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another in battle at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah. 12 And Judah was defeated by Israel, and every man fled to his home. 13 And Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash, son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem for four hundred cubits,[b] from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate. 14 And he seized all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king's house, also hostages, and he returned to Samaria. 15 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoash that he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 16 And Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and Jeroboam his son reigned in his place. 17 Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. 18 Now the rest of the deeds of Amaziah, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 19 And they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But they sent after him to Lachish and put him to death there. 20 And they brought him on horses; and he was buried in Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David. 21 And all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. 22 He built Elath and restored it to Judah, after the king slept with his fathers. Jeroboam II Reigns in Israe l23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25 He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 26 For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27 But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. 28 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did, and his might, how he fought, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, the kings of Israel, and Zechariah his son reigned in his place. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you in today’s reading, especially God’s willingness to rescue those rejecting Him and His word? -Where do you turn for help other than God? How do you resist God’s help through your own performance or self-reliance? How is that working for you? -Jesus secures God’s grace and gives ground for you to turn and trust the Lord alone for help. What are two areas you want to grow in responding to God’s grace through receiving God’s help by trusting His love and His promises? Be specific. Key Verse 26 For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, for there was none left, bond or free, and there was none to help Israel. 27 … so he saved them  Key Verse
28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. 29 I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens. Meditation Have you experienced a solar eclipse? For a brief moment the bright light of the sun darkened and the color of the day dimmed. The sun still shines! But light is obstructed. Today’s psalm is worship for God’s eternal faithfulness even when it seems eclipsed by pain and problems of life. This exalted psalm ends with questions to God- How long… How Long will you hide yourself? Where is your steadfast love? (vv. 46-51). The circumstances are dire (vv. 38-45), but the difficulty cannot fully darken the light of God’s covenant faithfulness. God’s promise of an eternal king springs from His covenant with David (2 Samuel 2:4-17). Language from the Davidic Covenant echoes the Lord’s promises with the repetition of “forever” (vv. 1, 2, 4, 27, 28) describing the rule of God’s anointed king. God’s king will have an endless rule, a truth that exists even when eclipsed. The throne of God is eternal (vv. 1-4, 27-28), exalted above every power (vv. 5-18), and will endlessly fulfill His covenant promises to David (vv. 19-37). The psalmist’s view was clouded by the Babylonian invasion and exile, unable to see what later prophets such as Jeremiah will proclaim (Jeremiah 23:5-6) and Jesus will fulfill (Luke 1:32). Jesus is God’s eternal King, the fullness of God’s covenant promises to David. Colossians 1 describes King Jesus with language from this psalm. Circumstances may eclipse the light of God’s promises but they cannot negate God’s faithfulness. Jesus is king! And Jesus invites you to know the blessing of walking in the light of His love (v. 15). Today’s Reading I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.” 3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: 4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah 5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, 7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? 8 O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O Lord, with your faithfulness all around you? 9 You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them. 10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm. 11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them. 12 The north and the south, you have created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name. 13 You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand, high your right hand. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, 16 who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted. 17 For you are the glory of their strength; by your favor our horn is exalted. 18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel. 19 Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: “I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. 20 I have found David, my servant; with my holy oil I have anointed him, 21 so that my hand shall be established with him; my arm also shall strengthen him. 22 The enemy shall not outwit him; the wicked shall not humble him. 23 I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him. 24 My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him, and in my name shall his horn be exalted. 25 I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers. 26 He shall cry to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ 27 And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. 28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. 29 I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens. 30 If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, 31 if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, 32 then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, 33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. 34 I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. 35 Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. 36 His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. 37 Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah 38 But now you have cast off and rejected; you are full of wrath against your anointed. 39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown in the dust. 40 You have breached all his walls; you have laid his strongholds in ruins. 41 All who pass by plunder him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors. 42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes; you have made all his enemies rejoice. 43 You have also turned back the edge of his sword, and you have not made him stand in battle. 44 You have made his splendor to cease and cast his throne to the ground. 45 You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with shame. Selah 46 How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? 47 Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man! 48 What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah 49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? 50 Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked, and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations, 51 with which your enemies mock, O Lord, with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed. 52 Blessed be the Lord forever! Amen and Amen. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the emotions arising from the eclipsed faithfulness of God? -How do you react when the light of hope from God’s promises are eclipsed by the circumstances of our world? What are your emotions? Do you turn to the Lord? -God is faithful to His promises. They are endless, eternal, and exalted over everything in our world! Jesus is the fullness of God’s faithfulness and Jesus invites you to walk in the light of His love, His covenant faithfulness. How can you trust God’s faithfulness even when you do not feel it? What is one promise Jesus makes you can meditate on and carry throughout your day? Key Verse 28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. 29 I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens.  Key Verse
17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Meditation Hope for renewal and restoration are captured in The Return of the King (Book 4, chapter 4) after Gandalf returned from the final battle. “Has everything sad become untrue?” asked Sam. Gandalf replied, “A great shadow has departed…” Laughter and music returned to life, Sam proclaimed, “I feel like spring after winter, and sun on the leaves; and the trumpets and harps and all the songs I have ever heard!” Stories of renewal and restoration tap into the human hunger for renewal, what Peter calls the “time of restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21) and what Jesus proclaims to be a day when everything is made new (Revelation 21:1-6). The true story of hope is found in the gospel, the ground from which Zephaniah proclaimed His final prophecy in today’s reading. Zephaniah promises the “day of the Lord” will be difficult for those who do not trust the Lord, fear His name, wait for Him, and reject His word (vv. 1-8). But for those who wait through faith in God and His word, the day will be a delight. The curse will be undone and Babel reversed as peoples from all the earth will seek refuge in the name of the Lord (vv. 9-13). In that day, music will return as the Father sings over His children. He is mighty to save! He “takes away” judgement through the work of Jesus, freeing believers from His wrath and welcoming us into His love. The shadow of death will be departed and all sad things will become untrue. As a foretaste of this day, today the Father longs to quiet you with His love through you trusting what He has promised (vv. 14-20). God will redeem all He has allowed. All sad things will become untrue. Today’s Reading Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city! 2 She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord; she does not draw near to her God. 3 Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning. 4 Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law. 5 The Lord within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame. 6 “I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant. 7 I said, ‘Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your[a] dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.’ But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt. 8 “Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed. The Conversion of the Nations 9 “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord. 10 From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering. 11 “On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. 12 But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord, 13 those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” Israel's Joy and Restoration 14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. 16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20 At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the promise of renewal and restoration in the final section? -What or whom do you hope in for restoration and renewal? Do you completely and concretely trust God and His promises? Why or why not? -Our Father’s love will completely restore through the faithful work of the Son. Jesus endured God’s wrath so all who trust His love will be welcome into the family of God! Do you see how the “day of the Lord” is good news for children of God and horrible news for those who do not seek refuge in relationship with the Lord?Where, specifically, do you need to practice this in your discipleship? Key Verse 17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.  On Wednesdays we “walk in the Word” through study & application of Biblical doctrine. Rightly understanding Biblical doctrine fuels doxology, delight in Jesus, & gospel centered discipleship. Today we continue our short survey of the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology): Knowing the Holy Spirit and His gifts of grace. Previous posts include: Know the Holy Spirit: Week 1 Know the Holy Spirit’s Story (2) Know the Holy Spirit: Covenant (3) Know the Holy Spirit: Union with Christ (4) Key Verses: 1 Peter 4:10 & 1 Kings 17:23-24 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” “And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.” Meditation Daily I pray with expectancy of God’s Spirit to work extra-ordinarily, and He does through ordinary means! God reveals His eternal power in various ways, not least of which is through answering prayers for conversions, healing, gospel movement, reconciliation, renewal, revival... This stated, the Holy Spirit's miraculous gifts designated to authenticate His messengers and His message have ceased. The cannon of Scripture is complete. God has spoken, and God's Spirit's primarily works through God's Word (Ephesians 6:17). The extra-ordinary gifts of the Spirit, those designated to authenticate the Apostles as Christ’s messengers and their word as the very word of God during the foundational period of the church, have ceased. Yet God's extra-ordinary work continues today through His ordinary means of grace.  Every Christian has been gifted by grace with a spiritual gift, but only one person has had every spiritual gift (Jesus!). Jesus’ apostles had unique sign-gifts for their period of redemptive history, but those gifts were apart of the foundational period of the church and they have ceased (Hebrews 2:3-4) as false teachers mimic miraculous gifts (Mark 13:22, as did Pharaoh’s magicians to counter Moses). Church officers have gifts for the offices to which they are called (Pastor, Teacher, Elder, Deacon) and every Christian is gifted by God’s Spirit and called to serve one another to build of Christ’s Church (1 Corinthians 12-13). Every Christian must steward our spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6) for the common good and unity of Christ's Body (1 Corinthians 12:7) that the Church may mature, growing up into love (Ephesians 4:16). Christian stewardship includes discovering, developing, and deploying the gifts given by God’s Spirit. Christian love necessitates we communicate disagreements in love. John Calvin’s response to Catholic attacks on the Reformers is worthy of note. The Catholic leaders sought to discredit the reformers because no miracles accompanied their message for authentication. In a letter to Francis I, Calvin defends against the attack saying, “The new covenant was attested by the outpourings of the miraculous. That is adequate testimony. We have no novel message so we need no novel outpouring of the miraculous.” Reformed teaching and preaching are bound to the revelation of Scripture, and the Canon is closed. There is nothing new in our teaching outside of Scripture so there need not be any confirming miracles for supposed new revelation.  Eras of Redemptive History Throughout Scripture there are different eras when the “sign-gifts” authenticated the messengers of God and the message of God's word through them. See especially the ministries of Moses, Elijah/ Elisha, Jesus, and the Apostles: Exodus 4-12; 1 Kings 17:17-24; Mark 2:1-12; Acts 2:22; and Hebrews 2:3-4. As for these gifts existing after the foundational period of the church, there is absolutely no Biblical support for the normalization of apostolic miraculous gifts for the Church. With this, there is no support or explanation for the majority of redemptive history not having these signs, and when they are revealed in redemptive history their specific function is explicitly to authenticate God’s messenger and God’s message: see the key verse 1 Kings 17:17-24. Finally, it is an incorrect reasoning to conclude the New Testament does not explicitly teach cessationism. Sinclair Ferguson helpfully says, “The New Testament itself divides the last days into apostolic and post-apostolic dimensions or periods. There is a foundation-laying period, marked by the ministry of the apostles and prophets, and there is a post-foundational, post -apostolic period in view (as Ephesians 2:20 implies).” The sign gifts were apart of the foundational period of the church. Illumination & Inspiration All of God’s word is sufficient for all we need in life and godliness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The WCF 1.6 helpfully articulates this, solidifying why there must be zero tolerance for the:
God’s people must have God’s Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:17-18), to explain spiritual truths (1 Corinthians 2:10-14), and remind us of everything Jesus taught (John 14:26). How does celebrating the sufficiency of scripture and welcoming the illumination of the Spirit help us interpret people’s experiences? Here is a brief summary:
Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from this discussion of gifts of the Spirit? Do you know your spiritual gifts? How have you stewarded them by developing and deploying them for the building of the Church? -Is God’s word sufficient for you or do you look for “words of knowledge” or “prophecy” or “tongues” to supplement God’s word? Take a minute to ask God’s Spirit to illuminate His revealed word so that it is enough for you. -How can you pray and live expectantly, knowing God will act in extra-ordinary ways through His ordinary means, while living in dependency on God's Spirit to use God's word to make you more like Jesus? Be specific. Key Verses: 1 Peter 4:10 & 1 Kings 17:23-24 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” “And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”  |
AuthorMitchell celebrates twenty-six years of marriage with Lisa & together they have four fantastic children. Archives
March 2026
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