Week 11 Wednesday
Moses seals the covenant with blood and receives the pattern for the tabernacle, Psalm 50 calls us to a faith that's more than empty ritual, and the early church gathers in prayer before choosing Judas' replacement.
Exodus 24-25
📖 What are we reading?: Moses seals the covenant with the sprinkling of blood, then receives the detailed pattern for the tabernacle - the tent-like structure in which God would dwell among His people.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He binds Himself to His people in covenant, and desires to dwell among them - every part of the tabernacle points forward to the Person and work of Christ, and the way of approach to God.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Great words in 24:3 and 24:7 - maybe today we should pray them and live by them, just as Israel did when they answered, "We will do everything the Lord has said."
Looking for some extra info?
🎤 Worship with Luke through the words of Exodus 24 in this "Encounter" session.
➡️ 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 50
📖 What are we reading?: A judgment Psalm, reminding us that our faith should be lived out, not just spoken or performed.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He isn't impressed by empty ritual - He desires thankfulness and a life that honours Him, not just the outward motions of religion.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Will God see good things or bad things filling our lives when He gathers us up one day? Let's let that question search our hearts today.
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 1:12-26
📖 What are we reading?: The disciples return to Jerusalem and join together constantly in prayer, before choosing Matthias, by casting lots, to replace Judas among the Twelve.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is at work even in the gaps left by betrayal and loss, guiding His people as they seek Him together.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Verse 14 reminds us of the importance of prayer - notice how the early church leans on it before making an important decision. It's thought that once the Spirit came in chapter 2, they never needed to cast lots again.
Looking for some extra info?
📝 An interesting take on the man who was overlooked for the new disciple position.
➡️ 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 bind Yourself to us in covenant and long to dwell among us. Help our faith to be more than empty ritual, and teach us to lean on prayer, as the early church did, especially in seasons of loss and uncertainty. Amen.
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