Week 13 Tuesday
The Israelites give generously to build the tabernacle, Psalm 59 calls God our fortress in times of trouble, and Stephen is chosen as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
Exodus 35-36
📖 What are we reading?: The Sabbath instructions are repeated, then the people bring so much material for the tabernacle that Moses has to tell them to stop - and Bezalel and Oholiab are equipped with skill for the work.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He values rest, He values willing generosity, and He gifts His people with skills for His glory.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Are we as willing to give to the work of the Lord as this generation, so willing that Moses has to say "we have enough" in chapter 36? And are we using our own skills, like Bezalel and Oholiab, for God's glory today?
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ 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 59
📖 What are we reading?: David cries out to God as enemies surround him.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Twice He's called our fortress - a safe refuge from every attack.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? We're to rely on Him and find our strength in Him. It's singing of God's love that strengthens David here - let's sing to Him today too.
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 6:1-15
📖 What are we reading?: As the church grows, seven men are chosen to serve its practical needs, including Stephen, who preaches boldly and faces false accusations before the Sanhedrin.
✞ What does this passage say about God? His Word keeps spreading, even through opposition - and He fills ordinary people with faith and the Holy Spirit for the task ahead.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Are we the type of Christians who'd be "chosen" like Stephen and the others - full of faith and the Holy Spirit?
Looking for some extra info?
📝 A devotion on Stephen being "full of God".
➡️ 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, make us as willing to give and as ready to use our gifts for You as the Israelites building the tabernacle; be our fortress today, and fill us, like Stephen, with faith and Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
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