Week 11 Tuesday
Exodus commands us to rest, Psalm 49 sobers us with the certainty of death, and Acts opens with Jesus promising power and pointing His disciples toward heaven - and toward His return.
Exodus 23
📖 What are we reading?: Laws on justice and mercy open the chapter, followed by God instituting the Sabbath and the yearly feasts to help Israel remember their heritage. God then promises victory and a protected journey to the promised land, if His people follow His words and don't bow to other gods.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He cares as much about justice and mercy between people as He does about our worship of Him, and He builds rhythms of rest right into His law.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Justice and mercy, and regular, holy rest - two essential principles for a follower of God that are just as needed today.
Looking for some extra info?
📝 A devotion on holy rest, commanded here in Exodus 23.
➡️ The bigger picture: Exodus, meaning "departure", was written by Moses around 1400 BC. It tells the thrilling story of Israel's miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt - a picture of Christ setting us free from the prison of sin.
Psalm 49
📖 What are we reading?: A sombre song reminding us of the certainty of death.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He alone can redeem us from death - no amount of wealth can ransom a life (verses 7-9).
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Note verses 16-17: amassing wealth is not the meaning of life. Don't be overawed when others grow rich - none of it goes with them.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: The Psalms is a collection of 150 poems and songs, written by David and others, expressing the full range of human emotion in response to God and to life.
Acts 1:1-11
📖 What are we reading?: Luke opens his second book with more of Jesus' words, setting the scene for all that follows. Jesus tells the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit's power, then ascends into heaven before their eyes, as angels promise He will return the same way.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Jesus, though ascended and unseen, still sends His Spirit to empower His people, and He will return exactly as He left.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? We're called to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth, empowered by the Spirit, and to live with our eyes on His promised return rather than staring blankly at the sky.
Looking for some extra info?
📝 A devotion on the words of Jesus before He ascended.
📝 A devotion on the power of the Spirit, promised here.
📝 A devotion on expecting Jesus' coming again, as the angels said here.
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's second book outlines the ministry of the early church - though it could just as well be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit, as He guides and grows Jesus' small movement into something that changes the world.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that You care about justice and rest, that no wealth can ransom what only You can redeem, and that You send Your Spirit to empower us as we wait for Your return. Help us to live as Your witnesses today. Amen.
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