For the week of March 15 - 21, 2009, the Bible reading covered Numbers 22 : 21 - Numbers 33, Luke 1 : 57 - 5 : 11, Psalm 58 : 1 - 64 : 10 and Proverbs 11 : 12 -22.
1. The verses which impacted me are :
- Numbers 22 : 21 - 41 on Balaam's donkey - God can use anyone, even a "donkey" to fulfill His purposes. Let's be a "donkey" for God !
- Luke 1 :68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people." - Praise God for His gift of redemption.
- Luke 4 : 18 - 19 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."
- Psalm 61 : 1 - 2 "Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I will call to you when my heart is faint." - On Christ the Solid Rock I will stand.
- Psalm 62 : 7 - 8 "On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." - We can take refuge in God our mighty Rock.
- Psalm 64 : 10 "Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him ! Let all the upright in heart exult !"
- Proverbs 11 : 20 "The Lord detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless."
2. What I learned about God (Jesus) this week are :
- Jesus always warned against false prophets and the "angel of the Lord" who talked to Balaam may have been Jesus Hinself, who in Old testament times periodically stepped into human history to bless and defend His people.
- Balaam's fourth prophecy recorded in Numbers 24, was inspired by the "Spirit of God" (vs 2). God used this pagan prophet to proclaim the truth, and Balaam correctly predicted that "a star would come out of Jacob; a scepter arise out of Israel (vs 17). This prophecy was initially fulfilled by David but was ultimately realised in the birth and ministry of Jesus.
- Mary's song in Luke was a shining example of both praise and submission to God. There are 4 parts to her song. First, she confessed her understanding of who God is and of who she was in comparison to him. Next, she described what God is like and then marveled at his intimate concern for the details of her life. Finally, she reflected back on God's covenant with Abraham.
- Psalm 58 reveals God's righteous vengeance.
- Some scholars believe that David wrote Psalm 62 after his son Absalom had tried to usurp the throne from him. David began his song by asserting that his "soul found rest in God alone". God offers true rest for his children; true rest is spiritual, eternal rest, a place of refuge with God where we can be released from the burdens and struggles of this physical life.
- Proverbs teach us that treating others with kindness may not necessarily guarantee reciprocal kindness from others. Nevertheless, God urges us to be kind regardless of how others respond.
3. How I have been inspired by this week's reading
- God is in charge and in every situation, He can show Himself strong on behalf of His people.
- Mary, though a virgin, was with child from the Holy Spirit. She did not try to explain herself even if it meant that she may be criticised or ridiculed. I am inspired by her story and applying to myself, I should let God "vindicate" me and not justify.
- When Jesus was baptised, the Holy Spirt descended upon Him and God's voice was heard from heaven : "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." I long to hear these words from God and picture myself as one who is tenderly and passionately loved by the Lord.
- Psalm 62 inspired me to rest in Jesus, whose arms are outstretched asking me to come to Him and find rest.
4. My Application
To put into practice what I have been inspired by as in 3 above. To God be All the Glory !
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