Week 3 Monday
Today we watch judgement fall on a wicked city while a faithful man is spared, hear David choose trust over flight, and see Jesus explain why His message could never be squeezed into old wineskins.
Genesis 19
📖 What are we reading? Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed, and Lot's family narrowly escapes - though not without tragedy.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He judges sin decisively, but He does not forget the righteous - Lot is rescued for Abraham's sake.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Jesus pointed to Lot's wife as an example of those who don't take His offer of salvation seriously enough (Luke 17:32).
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Genesis, meaning "beginnings", was written by Moses around 1400 BC, and covers the story of creation, the fall, and the origins of God's chosen people, Israel.
Psalm 11
📖 What are we reading? Under threat from his enemies, David is urged to flee like a bird to the mountains - but instead he states his case for trusting in God.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He is on His heavenly throne, examining all mankind, loving justice, and welcoming the upright into His presence. Amazing, that we would read verse 6 on the same day as Genesis 19.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Instead of fleeing from his enemy, David decides to trust in God. A reminder for us to hold fast to God in our difficult times, rather than abandon our faith.
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.
Luke 5:27-39
📖 What are we reading? Jesus calls Levi the tax collector to follow Him, and celebrates with a feast among sinners. He then teaches that His new message must be poured into new wineskins.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He came to call sinners to Himself, not those who think themselves righteous. His mercy reaches exactly the people others would rather avoid.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Jesus calls Levi to follow Him and explains His own calling to help sinners, before teaching that the "new wine" of His message must be put in "new wineskins." Are we trying to force His new life into old, rigid habits?
Looking for some extra info?
➡️ The bigger picture: Luke's Gospel was written by Luke, a Greek physician and companion of Paul, around AD 60-62. It is the most detailed account of Jesus' life, and is especially attentive to the poor, to women, and to outcasts.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that Your judgement is just and Your mercy reaches even the most unlikely of sinners. Help us to hold fast to You in difficult times rather than run, and give us new wineskins to receive the new life You offer. Amen.
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