Week 8 Thursday
Today Pharaoh scoffs at the Lord's name while God quietly reassures His doubting people, David gives us reason after reason to trust rather than fret, and Jesus rides into Jerusalem in humble triumph before clearing His Father's house.
Exodus 5-6
📖 What are we reading?: Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to let God's people go, but he only increases their burdens. God then reassures the discouraged Israelites of His covenant promise.
✞ What does this passage say about God? Pharaoh's dismissive words in 5:2 - sadly still echoed by so many today - are met not with God backing down, but with a fresh, patient reassurance of His unshakeable plan.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? The Israelites still refused to believe God's good plan even after hearing it again in 6:2-9. How often do we do the very same when we're in a dark place, disbelieving the promises God has already given us?
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 - the great rescue that Israel would look back on again and again as proof of God's love, and a picture of Christ setting us free from the prison of sin.
Psalm 37:1-22
📖 What are we reading?: David counsels us not to fret over the wicked, but to trust, delight in, and commit our way to the Lord.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He can be trusted with our way and our future, even when the wicked seem to prosper. He upholds the righteous, and He knows their days.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Verses 3-5 should inspire us to great trust today, and verse 16 reminds us to be grateful for what little we have. Trust in Him as you read these words.
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.
📝 A week of devotions on Psalm 37.
Luke 19:28-48
📖 What are we reading?: Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey to shouts of praise, weeps over the city, and then drives out those who were ripping people off in the temple, teaching there so powerfully that people hung on His every word.
✞ What does this passage say about God? He comes to us in humble triumph, not worldly power - and He grieves deeply over a city, and a people, that don't recognise the peace He offers.
🛐 How does this passage teach us to live? Don't miss Jesus' powerful words in verse 42 - and don't miss Him who can bring you peace. His zeal for His Father's house challenges us to examine what we've allowed to crowd out true worship in our own lives.
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.
🎤 Luke preaches on Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
A Prayer for the Day
🙏 Lord, thank You that Your promises stand firm even when we doubt them, that You are trustworthy with our way and our future, and that You come to us in humble peace. Help us not to miss the peace You offer today. Amen.
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