Today’s reading: Deut 29:1–29, 2 Cor 7:8–16, Ps 42:1–43:5

Today’s theme: Revealed for relationship

Today we see the theme of God’s self revelation. God is sovereign over the revealing of Himself for His glory that we might come into relationship with Him. God’s revelation is not for us to take pride in knowledge but to come into the right relationship with God who is our greatest joy and treasure.

Deuteronomy 29:1–29

God, sovereign over revelation

But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear. Deuteronomy 29:4 (ESV)

Often people can see God’s mighty works and hear His word. Yet they do not trust or obey Him, this is seen most strikingly with the people of Israel who saw the most amazing miracles and heard God’s actual voice, yet remained in unbelief. God is sovereign even over revelation and belief.

Jesus had to deal with this reality in His own ministry as mentioned in Matthew 13:14 which is itself a quote from Isaiah 6:9. Later Paul picks this point up and has this very passage in mind in Romans 11:8.

Knowing God and trusting God’s word are all in fact gifts of grace. At the same time they are a matter of our own choice, desire and response. Without the Holy Spirit no one can truly know the truth. This is core to our understanding of the new “better” covenant which is pointed at here but made very clear by God in Jeremiah 24:6, 31:33 and Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26-28. This covenant is fulfilled in Jesus.

A perpetual covenant

It is not with you alone that I am making this sworn covenant, but with whoever is standing here with us today before the LORD our God, and with whoever is not here with us today. Deuteronomy 29:14–15 (ESV)

God did not limit this covenant to physical descendants of Israel but with all who stood with them that day from other nations who had joined themselves to Israel. It also speaks of the fact that there is no caste system, all are welcome. Here is a great picture of unity and social equality before God.

Future generations are also prophetically called into this covenant. Jesus also does this in His prayer in John 17:20. The repeated use of the word today would mean when future generations recite or read this they would have a sense of urgency and ownership for their own generation. In much the same way, every generation of Christians have read the words soon, regarding the Lords return, and kept the urgency and expectancy alive in every age.

You can’t fool God

one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike. Deuteronomy 29:19 (ESV)

As Galatians 6:7 states, we should not think that God can be tricked or fooled. Just saying we believe doesn’t mean anything, we need to genuinely repent and live for God.

Revealed for relationship

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV)

God’s self revelation in the Bible is not God’s total revelation of everything, it is not all that there is to know. God has revealed to man all that he needs to come into relationship with Him in the Bible. Our religion is not one where great knowledge must be sought to know God like we find in other religions such as Buddhism.

What God has revealed in His word is given that we might follow God’s commands. God has told us all we need to know, there are some mystery’s we will only know in heaven, 1 Corinthians 13:12.

2 Corinthians 7:8–16

Godly grief

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV)

Godly grief over sin is very healthy. We should not be so incubated by God’s grace that we never feel guilt, grief or sorrow. These negative emotions are necessary and awaken us to God’s love and grace when we drift off course. We need these emotions to act like an alert system for our hearts bringing to light the need to repent.

Outside of Christ these emotions are destructive and open wider the chasm of selfishness, self pity and ultimately self destruction. Opposite examples in God’s word are Judas and Esau on the negative side and the ‘prodigal son’ and Peter on the other side.

Psalm 42:1–43:5

Thirst for God

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:2 (ESV)

We should have a thirst for God, not the things of this world. We should desire the fountain of living water, the only place were we can find safety and true satisfaction. See Matthew 5:6, John 6:35 and Revelation 22:17.

Preach to yourself

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation Psalm 42:5 (ESV)

We need to talk to ourselves and remind ourselves of who God is if we fall into depression or discouragement. Doing this can build up your faith, don’t stay silent, speak up.

Our ultimate joy

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:4 (ESV)

God should be our ultimate and greatest joy.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Corinthians 7

Today’s reading: Deut 28:1–68, 2 Cor 7:2–7, Ps 41:1–13

Today’s theme: Joyful Obedience

Today’s theme is that we should serve the Lord with joyful obedience and enjoy the rewards God so graciously gives for this. Our joy does not ignore difficulties and trials but responds to them with faith.

Deuteronomy 28:1–68

Rewards for obedience

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 28:1–2 (ESV)

All the blessings we read about in this chapter were made directly to Israel. These are not automatic blessings that are there to be claimed, they are blessings for obedience.

Each of these blessings are conditional, they are rewards for obeying God. We are also called to obey God’s word today. See 1 Peter 1:2, 14 and 22.

Punishments for disobedience

“But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Deuteronomy 28:15 (ESV)

All the curses mentioned in this chapter are conditional too. They are punishments for disobedience. We must not walk in disobedience to God (2 Corinthians 10:6 and Romans 2:8) and can be confident that Jesus took the curse on Himself for our disobedience (Romans 5:19).

Don’t be miserable when serving

Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, Deuteronomy 28:47 (ESV)

Serving the Lord in misery and duty driven drudgery is in essence the same as being disobedient. God must be served with joy. Throughout the Old and New testament we see that joy in God is a major theme and one of God’s core purposes for His creation. He desires our joy to be full and for our joy to be in Him.

Here are just some examples from the New Testament calling believers to lives of joyful obedience. Romans 14:17, Galatians 5:22, 1 Thessalonians 1:6 and 1 Peter 1:8. Let’s enjoy God today!

2 Corinthians 7:2–7

Faith filled joy

I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. 2 Corinthians 7:4 (ESV)

Despite the difficulties being experienced in the church, which included the controversy over Paul’s Apostolic authority and the compromise in some church members, Paul was able to boldly say that he was overflowing with joy. This is a joy that looks beyond the circumstances and is confident in God.

We should live with this sort of firm faith and joy. This is not a ‘stick our head in the sand’ sort of joy, no, Paul mentions the affliction and boldly deals with it in the letter. We must boldly confront the reality of whatever it is we are going through and respond to those facts with faith and joy.

Encourage fellow believers

For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 2 Corinthians 7:5–6 (ESV)

Paul is honest about his difficulties and struggles. He had external opponents both in and outside the church and in his own mind he struggled with fear over the situation in the churches. We should allow God to use us to bring encouragement and comfort to fellow believers who are under pressure as they work for the Lord, especially our leaders.

Psalm 41:1–13

Reach out to the poor

Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him; Psalm 41:1 (ESV)

We should reach out to the poor. God blesses us for this with health and protection.

The Messianic Psalms

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. Psalm 41:9 (ESV)

Much of this Psalm is messianic, here is a prophecy of the betrayal of Judas. See John 13:18.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Corinthians 7

Today’s reading: Deut 26:1–27:26, 2 Cor 6:14–7:1, Ps 40:1–17

Today’s theme: Delight in God’s word

We should find great delight in God’s word and joyfully give to the Lord from our hearts. Our lives should be marked by our delight in God.

Deuteronomy 26:1–27:26

Give sacrificially and joyfully

“And you shall make response before the LORD your God, ‘A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. Deuteronomy 26:5 (ESV)

When we give to the Lord out of the harvest, which for many of us would be our wages from employment rather than food from our fields. We should do so in response and recognition of God’s goodness and faithfulness in blessing us to have something to give. We should give sacrificially (not out of what is left) and joyfully (not out of mere duty).

Give with joy

And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. Deuteronomy 26:11 (ESV)

When we give to the Lord it really should be springing up out of a heart of gratitude and joy. We should give to the Lord gladly and get joy from giving to Him. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Say amen

“ ‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Deuteronomy 27:26 (ESV)

The people showed their agreement, recognition and understanding of the curses proclaimed for sin, rebellion and disobedience. Amen essentially means surely or truly so by saying Amen, the people said yes Lord we agree. We should say amen to the warnings and promises of God’s word today. Jesus is our great Amen, making all God’s promises sure. See 2 Corinthians 1:20 and Revelation 3:14.

2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1

Do not compromise

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14, ESV)

This is an important verse that we need to take heed to. It is not saying that we should have no association with unbelievers at all but it is saying binding relationships, for example in marriage and other areas of life like worship and business, will not work between believers and unbelievers. As a result of this, they should not be pursued. We should not compromise.

M J Harris (2008, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary) makes the following useful paraphrase: “Do not form any relationship, whether temporary or permanent, with unbelievers that would lead to a compromise of Christian standards or would jeopardize consistency of Christian witness. Why such separation? Because the unbeliever does not share the Christian’s standards, sympathies or goals.”

Pursue sanctification

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)

Each of us has personal responsibility before God in light of all the promises of his word and the fact that our bodies have become God’s temple. We need to actively pursue our own sanctification, we should not drift into compromise.

God makes us holy in Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Thessalonians 2:13) but then we must complete and maintain that holiness as we walk with the Lord each day (1 Corinthians 7:34, 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Romans 6:19). One day God will bring holiness to full completion for us (1 Thessalonians 3:13).

Psalm 40:1–17

Delight in God’s word

I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8 (ESV)

This speaks of Messiah (in fact the whole Psalm does too), see John 4:34. This also applies to us as believers. We should also say this, that we delight to do God’s will, we should find joy in doing His will. We must even delight in doing His will, it should not be drudgery.

The practical way to do this is to have His law in our hearts. He is the one who writes it on our hearts but we grow, sustain and cultivate it by reading, studying and meditating upon His word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Corinthians 6

Today’s reading: Deut 23:1–25:19, 2 Cor 6:1–13, Ps 39:1–13

Today’s theme: Tools to overcome

Today we learn that we should keep our word, take responsibility for what we do and share the Gospel now with the required urgency. We are also given a list of tools to help us overcome by the Apostle Paul in our reading from the New Testament.

Deuteronomy 23:1–25:19

Keep your word

You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth. Deuteronomy 23:23 (ESV)

We should be people of our word, this is why Jesus said we should just be clear in saying yes and no in Matthew 5:37.

The sin of human trafficking

“If a man is found stealing one of his brothers of the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. Deuteronomy 24:7 (ESV)

This was a law to protect Israelite society from tyranny. The principle can be applied to all nations. It is a sin before God to steal people and sell them into slavery as was done in the 19th century slave trade and the modern day sex slave trade.

Take responsibility

“Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16 (ESV)

God requires each of us to take personal responsibility for our own sin. We cannot say it’s all my dad’s fault etc. (Our culture encourages us to blame everyone else but ourselves).

2 Corinthians 6:1–13

The urgency of the Gospel

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)

There must be an urgency in sharing the Gospel. We need to let people know that salvation is offered to them today and that tomorrow has no guarantees for any of us. Death could come at any time without us expecting it.

The tools to overcome

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10 (ESV)

This is the end of Paul’s list of great struggles and the mirrored list of how to overcome those struggles. This list includes purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech and the power of God. We can take encouragement as we go through difficulties that God will give us these same tools to overcome them.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Corinthians 6

Today’s reading: Deut 21:1–22:30, 2 Cor 5:11–21, Ps 38:1–22

Today’s theme: Actual Atonement

When Jesus shed His blood on the cross, He made actual atonement for all those who would put their faith and trust in Him, namely God’s elect people from every nation, tribe and tongue. This is a powerful truth when we consider the fact that we are regenerated (made a new creature), by the Holy Spirit.

This big truth synchronises well with the rest of today’s reading; God’s just law, judgement, the price that Christ paid and the call to evangelism.

Deuteronomy  21:1–22:30

Innocent blood

Accept atonement, O LORD, for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, and do not set the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of your people Israel, so that their blood guilt be atoned for.’ Deuteronomy 21:8 (ESV)

This is the opposite to what was said when Jesus was being tried and executed in Matthew 27:25 (which shows how far the religious establishment at the time, had fallen away from biblical faith), but ironically the work of Jesus on the cross atones for the shedding of His own innocent blood.

Jesus became cursed for us

his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance. Deuteronomy 21:23 (ESV)

Galatians 3:13 reminds us that Jesus was hung on a tree and became a curse for us. Even in this list of laws to govern the people, we find God’s word pointing forward to Jesus the Messiah.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”.

God’s laws for society

And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother’s, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. Deuteronomy 22:3 (ESV)

God wanted an advanced and godly society where a man’s duty of care for his neighbour was clear. Our laws today find their roots in God’s law.

Cross dressing is wrong

“A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 22:5 (ESV)

Distinction and definition in the roles between men and women is holy before God and is crucial to the wellbeing of society. A person that cross dresses is not seen as comical or regarded as having a ‘personal issue’, but one that God considers to be an evil abomination.

Cross dressing is open rebellion against God and His created order.

The Ox and the Donkey

You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. Deuteronomy 22:10 (ESV)

This is a great illustration regarding being unequally yoked with unbelievers, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:14-16. One will drag the other down or one will wear the other out because they cannot share the same burden or go at the same pace, they are unbalanced and unsuited to work together.

God’s just law

“If a man is found lying with the wife of another man, both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman. So you shall purge the evil from Israel. Deuteronomy 22:22 (ESV)

The laws of God’s society were very advanced for the time they were in, exacting punishment on both man and woman. It shows us that by the time of Jesus, the administration of the law had been corrupted in favour of men. Notice that in the account of John 8:4, only the woman is brought to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:11–21

Persuade others

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 2 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV)

Knowing that one day we will all stand before God’s Judgement seat, we should look to persuade others to respond to the call of the good news. It is particularly significant that we are holding our main evangelism training day from 12:00 – 16:00 GMT today.

Compelled by love

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 2 Corinthians 5:14 (ESV)

God’s love for us in Christ should keep us from living selfish lives, it should compel us to live our lives for God’s glory and to build others up in love.

Actual atonement

…and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14–15, ESV)

The Apostle’s conclusion is a wonderful truth, we were all dead in our sin through our inheritance of Adam’s original sin and our own sin. Jesus came and died for all, not just for a particular type or race of people, but for all the peoples of the earth. All without distinction but not without exception.

The “those” spoken of are those who put their faith in Jesus and live their lives like Paul, in light of His love. Elsewhere in the bible we read that these are God’s own elect people, they have “actually” been atoned by Jesus’ death and resurrection, they are those from every nation, tribe and tongue for whom Christ died.

Universalists try to use these verses to say that everyone is saved because Jesus died for everyone, but this is an abuse of the text and takes it thoroughly out of context with the passage and with the rest of the bible. The benefits of the atonement are limited to those who put their faith in Jesus.

Regeneration

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

When we are saved, we are regenerated or made a new creation in Christ.

God’s Ambassadors

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)

We are God’s Ambassadors in the world and we should make God’s appeal clear to all men, which is; be reconciled to God, or come into relationship with God.

Imputed Righteousness

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

When we are saved, not only are our sins forgiven, but God imputes the righteousness of Christ to us. In other words, not only is our great debt paid but our account is credited with millions of pounds too!

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Corinthians 5