Jeremiah 51:1-53 ~ Titus 2:1-15 ~ Psalm 99:1-9 ~ Proverbs 26:17
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Old Testament - Jeremiah Chapter 51 dives into Babylon's destruction! Lately we've been basically just looking at Babylon the city & empire and Nebuchadnezzar from the historical perspective - though, certainly seeing where and how God has been interacting with Babylon. I think it might be a good point here to consider the spiritual connotations of Babylon. A great place to begin this conversation is in Revelation Chapters 17 & 18 where Babylon is discussed. I won't go into trying to interpret these two chapters of Revelation today... :) We have yet to get to Revelation later this year in the One Year Bible! But, these two chapters may give you some more insight into the spiritual meaning of the term Babylon. If you do want to read more about Babylon in context of these two Revelation chapters, check out this link for an interesting commentary. Below is an image of Babylon before its destruction...
It is interesting in the middle of Jeremiah 51 we have a few verses of a hymn of praise to God - verses 15 through 19. Again, in verse 18, idols are mentioned and can be assumed as one of the prime reasons of Babylon's destruction: "Idols are worthless; they are lies! The time is coming when they will all be destroyed." Do you believe that idols are worthless? Are they lies? What are some of our modern day idols that are worthless and lies? Are you rejecting worshiping any and all of our modern day idols and focusing your worship and time and love toward God and Jesus? Please, leave those worthless idols behind... and don't pick them up ever again!
The other thing to note in this chapter is that earlier in Jeremiah we read about the coming destruction of Jerusalem - but always with the note of ultimate redemption. In this chapter with Babylon, and other chapters discussing Babylon, there is no redemption for Babylon. This city will not be restored... Below is artist John Martin's "Fall of Babylon" from Illustrations from the Bible, 1835:
New Testament - Titus chapter 2 today is full of great wisdom from Paul! Please let these verses sink in. Verse 14 stands out: "He (Jesus) gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing what is right." Do you believe that Jesus gave his life to free you from every kind of sin? To cleanse you? And to make you his very own? Are you totally committed to doing what is right? Has Jesus' life, death and resurrection freed you from sin?
In Titus 2:11 we read: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people.” Do you believe this? What does God’s grace mean to you? How have you experienced God’s grace in your life? Has God’s grace brought salvation to your life?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Titus titled "The Foundation, Means, and Motivation for godly Behavior" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 99 is a great psalm of praise! This Psalm mentions the word Lord 7 times. I like verse 6 a lot: "Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name. They cried to the LORD for help, and he answered them." These were obviously some godly men in the Bible. Do you believe if you cry out to the Lord for help, He will answer you too?
I love Psalm 99 verse 3 - "Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy!" I think sometimes in our modern world we can forget that God's name is holy. Jesus' name is holy. These holy names change things. They change everything. If ever you are ever feeling like you are being confronted by evil - maybe even in your sleep in a dream - call upon Jesus' name and watch the evil flee from you immediately. It is true... Jesus' name is holy! God's name is holy! I don't know if anyone has a CD by Vineyard Worship with Kathryn Scott singing on it? It's called "Hungry, Live in London". This is a great CD and they have a wonderful song that includes lyrics saying, "You are the sovereign I AM, your name is holy!" Beautiful tune... And so true. A link to this CD with audio clips of songs - check out track #2 "Your Name is Holy" - is at this link.
Proverbs - Proverbs 26:17 makes me chuckle. I don't know what it is about this Chapter 26 of Proverbs, but the analogies are cracking me up lately. (I didn't post up the vomit analogy a day or two ago... you'll have to look that one up...) Today's verse tells us - "Yanking a dog's ears is as foolish as interfering in someone else's argument." Why would you ever yank a dog's ears?? :) And thus, why would you interfere in someone else's argument? This is of course a true and effective proverb analogy! Let that sleeping dog lie!
YouTube: As I mention Kathryn Scott in the Psalm reflection above, here she is in this video interview below about her writing worship songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
How's your secret life as a worshiper? Click here for a pure secret life!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture this week: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV)
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike
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