Israel keeps the Passover and follows the cloud and fire, Psalm 92 gives us a song for the day of rest, and Festus explains Paul's case to King Agrippa.
Numbers 9
📖 What are we reading?: The Israelites observe the Passover, and God is adamant that this is done! Then we read of the pillars of cloud and fire through which God led the Israelites.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He leads His people step by step, by day and by night, and He wants His rescue remembered.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Do we take our own observance of Holy Communion as seriously as the Jews in their Passover observance?
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Numbers, written by Moses around 1400 BC, takes its name from the censuses of Israel and tells the story of the people's 40 years in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
Psalm 92
📖 What are we reading?: A Psalm written for use on the Sabbath. The Psalmist is overwhelmed with joy at God's deeds and sings passionately about His glory. Notice the contrast between the "fools" in verses 6-7 and the "righteous" in verses 12-13.
✞ What does this passage say about God? What great words describe Him here! He is worthy of our praise, and His deeds bring joy to His people.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Maybe we can read this Psalm regularly on our days of rest. Will our hearts join in the song 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 25:13-22
📖 What are we reading?: King Agrippa arrives to visit Festus, who tells him about Paul's case. Paul is still being held in prison, and Agrippa is interested to hear from him himself.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is at work behind the scenes, even through the conversations of rulers, to take His message where He wants it to go.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? When we are waiting in difficult places, we can trust that God is arranging things we cannot yet see.
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ 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 for leading Your people by day and by night. Help us to remember Your rescue, to rest and sing of Your goodness, and to trust Your hand when we cannot see the way ahead. Amen.
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