Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a prostitute, and he went in to her. 2 The Gazites were told, “Samson has come here.” And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. They kept quiet all night, saying, “Let us wait till the light of the morning; then we will kill him.” 3 But Samson lay till midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the gate of the city and the two posts, and pulled them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is in front of Hebron.
 
4 After this he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, “Seduce him, and see where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to humble him. And we will each give you 1,100 pieces of silver.” 6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.”
 
7 Samson said to her, “If they bind me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she bound him with them. 9 Now she had men lying in ambush in an inner chamber. And she said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he snapped the bowstrings, as a thread of flax snaps when it touches the fire. So the secret of his strength was not known.
 
10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “Behold, you have mocked me and told me lies. Please tell me how you might be bound.” 11 And he said to her, “If they bind me with new ropes that have not been used, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 12 So Delilah took new ropes and bound him with them and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And the men lying in ambush were in an inner chamber. But he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread.
13 Then Delilah said to Samson, “Until now you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me how you might be bound.” And he said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web and fasten it tight with the pin, then I shall become weak and be like any other man.” 14 So while he slept, Delilah took the seven locks of his head and wove them into the web. And she made them tight with the pin and said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” But he awoke from his sleep and pulled away the pin, the loom, and the web.
 
15 And she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and you have not told me where your great strength lies.” 16 And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. 17 And he told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.”
 
18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called the lords of the Philistines, saying, “Come up again, for he has told me all his heart.” Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her and brought the money in their hands. 19 She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. 20 And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. 21 And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison. 22 But the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.
The Death of Samson
23 Now the lords of the Philistines gathered to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to rejoice, and they said, “Our god has given Samson our enemy into our hand.” 24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god. For they said, “Our god has given our enemy into our hand, the ravager of our country, who has killed many of us.” 25 And when their hearts were merry, they said, “Call Samson, that he may entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he entertained them. They made him stand between the pillars. 26 And Samson said to the young man who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars on which the house rests, that I may lean against them.” 27 Now the house was full of men and women. All the lords of the Philistines were there, and on the roof there were about 3,000 men and women, who looked on while Samson entertained.
 
28 Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 And Samson grasped the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and he leaned his weight against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other. 30 And Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell upon the lords and upon all the people who were in it. So the dead whom he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life. 31 Then his brothers and all his family came down and took him and brought him up and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had judged Israel twenty years.
 
Meditation
The honest evaluation of the rebellion in our hearts leads to magnification of the Lord’s heart to save.
 
Samson’s rebellion reveals the heart of Israel’s problem, doing what was right in their own eyes. In Gaza, Samson “Saw a prostitute, and he went into her” (1). Gaza was the heart of Philistine territory, the place where Samson revealed his heart to Delilah (18). Samson’s misdirected passion (4) led to passivity in God’s purposes and the ruin of his rule as judge. Samson’s insecurity needed Delilah’s love more than anything, so he rejected his holy calling.
 
Samson’s rebellion revealed the riddle of the source of his strength and his enemies exploited the compromise. Fittingly, the eyes that regularly got Samson in trouble (14:1-7; 16:1) were gouged out. Surprisingly, Samson never repented. Amazingly, the Lord heard his cry for mercy and restored his strength. The weakness of Sampson highlights the strength of the Lord. In the midst of human failure, God reveals His faithfulness.
 
Samson’s story emphasizes the need for humanity to “call upon the name of the Lord in the day of trouble” (Psalm 50:15). God will hear. God will deliver. God will get glory.
 
Samson’s story emphasizes God’s pattern of “victorious defeat,” saving through suffering and ultimately pointing to our Savior. Jesus uncovers the sufficiency of God’s grace, His power displayed in human weakness. Jesus was weak to death in order to defeat the enemy, rescue all who believe, and give life. The honest evaluation of our rebellious hearts will open our eyes to God’s glorious mercy to rescue and redeem.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the depth of human rebellion and the height of God’s mercy to save?
 
-Why is it significant to highlight the connection between heart and eyes, both in the narrative and in our need for salvation and seeing God’s mercy? Where do you identify?
 
-How does seeing the rebellion in your heart magnify God’s heart to save, His amazing love for you? How does this move you towards faithfulness by rejoicing in His rule as King?

Key Verse
1 Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a prostitute, and he went in to her.

This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
 
6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
 
12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.
 
15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
 
18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.
 
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
 
28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son 29 and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” 30 Lamech lived after he fathered Noah 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.
32 After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
 
Meditation
God’s faithfulness furthers His promise by bringing death from life. Ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the beginning of God’s redemptive story reveals God’s reliability to redeem what He allows. God is committed to show His steadfast love so that His people may know His steadfast love.
 
Genealogies show us the Bible is a story going somewhere. God’s first gospel promise through Eve’s seed (Genesis 3:15) was not extinguished when Cain killed Abel. The echoes of Eden reverberate in verses 1-4 and travel through the DNA of humanity until we meet Jesus. We are introduced to Seth (3) whom Luke makes sure we know is in Jesus’ genealogy (Luke 3:38). God remains faithful to fulfill His promise.
 
We are puzzled by the longevity of life revealed in this genealogy, and fascinated by someone like Enoch who was “taken up” by God without death! How can humanity not taste death in a fallen world? Hebrews 11:5-6 reveals it is through faith in God and the word of His promise.  God’s mercy is a greater puzzle than great numbers of age. God’s mercy is set on furthering His story so His people can return to Him.
 
The camera focusses on Lamech, Noah, and his three sons at the end of the genealogy. Through this family God furthers His faithfulness and brings His promise to fruition. Yes, it is baffling to consider a 500-year-old having three sons (32). But more astounding is how an eternal, holy, God remains committed to a finite, unholy people! God’s faithfulness pushes God’s promise forward in His story of redemption.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What are your preconceived notions about genealogies? Do you see God’s faithfulness embedded in the story, especially highlighting Seth and Noah’s family?
 
-Why is it important to see God pushing His promise forward, bringing life from death, and revealing His faithfulness in His redemptive story? How does this give you security in His sovereignty?
 
-Knowing Christ as the climax of the genealogy helps you see not only how God redeems all He allows but it also deepens your understanding of His faithfulness. How does this deepen your own faith and fuel your love for Him?
Key Verse
3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

​After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
Jesus Is Equal with God
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Authority of the Son
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
 
25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Witnesses to Jesus
30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
 
Meditation
Jesus says we can search the Scriptures for our own commitment and miss the main purpose of God’s revelation- Jesus Himself (39).  We study the Word of God to know the God of the Word more intimately. Jesus teaches us how not to miss the main thing- belief in the God of the word. Jesus wants you to know Him.
 
The invalid man heard the word of Jesus and made excuses before he obeyed (7-8), no belief that healing came from Jesus (13), until Jesus revealed Himself (14). It is God’s grace that seeks us and enables us to believe, opening our eyes to see Jesus.
 
The Pharisees had Jesus before their eyes but never believed the words from His mouth. They wanted to kill Jesus (18).  In God’s amazing grace Jesus continued to point the way to life- Believe! If I were Jesus, my focus would have been to protect myself. Jesus’ sole focus was to show the Father’s love and continue His journey to the cross where He would die so those who believe can find life. God’s love is shown in this, that while we were His enemies Christ died for us.
 
You move from death to life when you believe the Word of Jesus (24). The Father sent the Son to save (34) and with urgency Jesus pleads for you to believe, to have His word abide in your flesh (38).  Through belief you will come to know and see Jesus, the God of the Word and the focus of God’s word.
 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about the contrast of belief between the invalid man and the Pharisees?
 
-Where do you struggle believing God, His word, and Jesus? Be specific to diagnose places you are looking for life outside of Christ.
 
-How can you refocus your faith on the God of the word, Jesus Christ, so the word of God will dwell more richly in you?
 
Key Verse
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
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​Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
 
4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called again, “Samuel!” and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
 
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
 
10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”
 
15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” 17 And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”
 
19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.
 
Meditation
Our hearts hunger to hear the Lord, created for intimate fellowship with Him. God still speaks, and His grace grows desire to open our hearts to hear and receive His word.
 
The boy Samuel was raised by Eli in the temple. God called Samuel three times (4, 5, 8), during days when the word of the Lord “was rare” (1). Eli directed Samuel in how to hear the Lord, opening the heart by opening his mouth: “Speak, your servant hears” (9). Samuel obeyed and opened his heart to hear God’s word.
 
Eli was eager to hear God’s word, too. Commanding Samuel to share the word of the Lord, Eli absorbed the promised judgement (18).  God had promised to raise up a faithful priest (1 Samuel 2:35) and God was clear that it would not be from his house. Eli surrendered to God’s sovereign plan and God continued to establish Samuel by speaking to him (21).
 
Samuel welcomed God’s word, richly dwelled in God’s presence, and was established as God’s priest. Eli’s sons rejected God’s word and welcomed ruin (chapter 4). The faithfulness of God to speak is consistent. The willingness of God’s people to hear is inconsistent. Jesus is the greater Priest, the word of God made flesh. Jesus taught why hard hearts do not hear God’s word- we ignore it, are distracted, or have other good things choking it out (Matthew 13). Jesus died to atone for the sin of our hard hearts and His grace grows desire to hear.
 
Speak, oh Lord, for your servants are listening.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What part of the passage stands out to you the most? Why?
 
-Is your heart open to hear God’s word? Or is it hard- ignoring God’s word, distracted, or choked out by good things?
 
-Will you join Samuel by opening your mouth to open your heart, asking the Lord to speak to you through His word? “Speak, oh Lord, for your servant hears!”
 
Key Verse
9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place

​“I have made a covenant with my eyes;
how then could I gaze at a virgin?
2     What would be my portion from God above
and my heritage from the Almighty on high?
3     Is not calamity for the unrighteous,
and disaster for the workers of iniquity?
4     Does not he see my ways
and number all my steps?
5     “If I have walked with falsehood
and my foot has hastened to deceit;
6     (Let me be weighed in a just balance,
and let God know my integrity!)
7     if my step has turned aside from the way
and my heart has gone after my eyes,
and if any spot has stuck to my hands,
8     then let me sow, and another eat,
and let what grows for me be rooted out.
9     “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman,
and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door,
10    then let my wife grind for another,
and let others bow down on her.
11    For that would be a heinous crime;
that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;
12    for that would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon,
and it would burn to the root all my increase.
13    “If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant,
when they brought a complaint against me,
14    what then shall I do when God rises up?
When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?
15    Did not he who made me in the womb make him?
And did not one fashion us in the womb?
16    “If I have withheld anything that the poor desired,
or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17    or have eaten my morsel alone,
and the fatherless has not eaten of it
18    (for from my youth the fatherless grew up with me as with a father,
and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow),
19    if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
or the needy without covering,
20    if his body has not blessed me,
and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,
21    if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,
because I saw my help in the gate,
22    then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder,
and let my arm be broken from its socket.
23    For I was in terror of calamity from God,
and I could not have faced his majesty.
24    “If I have made gold my trust
or called fine gold my confidence,
25    if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant
or because my hand had found much,
26    if I have looked at the sun when it shone,
or the moon moving in splendor,
27    and my heart has been secretly enticed,
and my mouth has kissed my hand,
28    this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,
for I would have been false to God above.
29    “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me,
or exulted when evil overtook him
30    (I have not let my mouth sin
by asking for his life with a curse),
31    if the men of my tent have not said,
‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’
32    (the sojourner has not lodged in the street;
I have opened my doors to the traveler),
33    if I have concealed my transgressions as others do
by hiding my iniquity in my heart,
34    because I stood in great fear of the multitude,
and the contempt of families terrified me,
so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors--
35    Oh, that I had one to hear me!
(Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)
Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!
36    Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;
I would bind it on me as a crown;
37    I would give him an account of all my steps;
like a prince I would approach him.
38    “If my land has cried out against me
and its furrows have wept together,
39    if I have eaten its yield without payment
and made its owners breathe their last,
40    let thorns grow instead of wheat,
and foul weeds instead of barley.”
The words of Job are ended.
 
Meditation
The gospel gives such deep security in God’s steadfast love that we can welcome God’s examination without fear of condemnation. Jesus Christ justifies believers. Truth of our union with Christ securely sustains our righteous status.
 
Job’s final words (40) are an explanation of his righteousness status (1:1-5) and defense against false accusations that his suffering is from his sin. Job was a real man whose argument is laughable separate from the work of God’s grace.
 
Job begins by emphasizing covenant relationship, a commitment for his eyes not to look at impure things. The eyes are a window into our soul, helping us see the treasure of our hearts (Mathew 6:22-24). Job’s claim that his heart is pure is a reality only secured by the covenant love of God revealed in the cross of Christ.
 
Job walks through specific sins with reckless confidence, appearing to lack self-awareness. Using “If I…” as a marker, Job claims he has walked in truth, without any adulterous activity, caring for his servants, generous with the poor, protecting the fatherless, not trusting in his wealth, serving enemies (not rejoicing in their ruin), confessing all his false steps, and stewarding his land faithfully. Job boldly claims to have no area of his life worthy of condemnation.
 
God’s grace through Jesus is the only thing that can give a righteous status, justified and free to live with no condemnation. Union with Christ guarantees what is true of Christ is true of believers, too. Job’s defense is “true in grace,” a safe place to sustain our status in Christ, to live with no condemnation in Him.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about Job’s claims of living a righteous life, worthy of examination without fear of condemnation?
 
-Do you embrace the truths of the doctrines of justification and union with Christ, believing in Christ God looks at you just as if you have never sinned and that what is true of Christ is true of you by virtue of faith?
 
-We need to confess our sin, but we also need to confess our lack of belief in God’s grace, what is “true in grace” for us as believers. Take time to confess to God that you have not believed the full scope of effectiveness of the cross, the comprehensive work of Christ that frees you to live without condemnation.
 
Key Verse
5     “If I have walked with falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit; 6 (Let me be weighed in a just balance, and let God know my integrity!) 

Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2     The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3     “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
4     He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
5     Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6     “As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
7     I will tell of the decree:
       The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
8     Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9     You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
10    Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11    Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12    Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
       Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
 
Meditation
God rules, and His sovereign grace invites everyone to come and find rest under His reign.
 
Burger King’s new jingle ends with the refrain, “You rule!” And is titled “I rule the day.” Interestingly, BK does not give free refills on fries or whopper patties when requested… I guess I do not rule after all.
 
Today’s song celebrating God’s sovereignty diagnoses the rebellion of humanity seeking to rule, reveals God’s reaction, shares the reality of God’s rule, and guides us in a wise response.
 
Rebellion (1-3) is humanity seeking to throw off God’s rule, “taking counsel together against the Lord’s anointed.” Rebellion against the Lord leads to ruin, empty promises leading to an empty life.
 
Reaction of God (4-6) is a laugh, like a father who is threatened by a three-year-old. The attempt to overthrow His sovereignty is laughable. The Lord has already set His king on the throne. God rules!
 
Reality (7-9) is the Song of God, Jesus the Messiah, reigning over the nations and possessing the ends of the earth. This already reality may not always seem to be the case, but our perception and experiences do not change the truth. Jesus is, right now, on the throne (Revelation 21:5).
 
Response (10-12) is clear. Worshippers serve the king, rejoice, and honor His authority by recognizing The Lord is King forever (Psalm 10:16), He sets up and removes kings of the earth (Daniel 2:21), Jesus rules over all that is seen and unseen (Colossians 1:15-23), and the kingdoms of this world will one day become the Kingdom of our God (Revelation 11:15). 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from the Psalm most, the rebellion, Divine reaction, reality, or our response. Why?
 
-Where do you believe the lie that you rule, or where do you fear the perceived rule of people who raise their fist against God’s rule?
 
-Abraham Kuyper said in his inaugural address at the dedication of the Free University in Amsterdam, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’” How is your work, relationships, use of time and money, etc., different if this exalted rule of Jesus is true? Where do you need to find restoration under His beneficial rule? Be specific.
 
Key Verse
6     “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”