Today’s reading: Deut 12:29–14:29, 2 Cor 4:1–6, Ps 36:1–12

Today’s theme: The light of the Gospel

We seek to preach the Gospel plainly so that the Holy Spirit can use the truth of the Gospel to open the eyes of those who have been blinded from the light of Christ. In His light we see the truth and are made free.

We do not want the pure light of the Gospel to be darkened by any underhanded ways, so we are committed to sharing it faithfully and guarding against anything that would distort or distract from it.

Deuteronomy 12:29–14:29

Murdering children

You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the LORD hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. Deuteronomy 12:31 (ESV)

This still happens today through the wicked sin of abortion, where children are sacrificed on the alter of convenience, to the gods of comfort and choice.

Be on guard

you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 13:3 (ESV)

We need to be on our guard against any dream, vision, declaration, teaching or movement that goes against God’s word. Even if there are apparent supernatural results, these may simply be the Lord testing the covenant heart of His people to see if we love Him, or signs and wonders. This is picked up in the New Testament in Matthew 12:39, Galatians 1:8-9 and 1 John 4:1-6.

God’s treasured possessions

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2 (ESV)

There is no doubt that Israel are God’s special chosen people, elected by God unlike any other nation. This is also true of the church, where those elected and chosen by God are saved. Those chosen by God should find confidence, increased faith and security in knowing that they have become God’s treasured possessions. See 1 Peter 2:9

2 Corinthians 4:1–6

Declare the truth plainly

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

As Paul says, we do not need any gimmicks, tricks or cunning to declare the truth of the gospel. Instead we must declare the truth boldly and then leave it to the God given conscience of the hearers and the work of the Holy Spirit, to lead sinners to repentance.

Fight for the minds of men

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)

Our fight is one for the minds of men. Christianity is not a religion that asks for the mind to be empty or discarded, but to be transformed, renewed, enlightened and fed.

We fight the devil’s schemes which he uses to keep the unbelieving from seeing the light of the Gospel and the glory of Jesus. The devil will fill the minds of unbelievers with lying Philosophies, theories and beliefs, which stand as strongholds against the truth.

The devil is not a real god but is the ultimate example of a false god, who was ultimately defeated at the cross and God will soon crush him under our feet. Romans 16:20

Psalm 36:1–12

The light of Jesus

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Psalm 36:9 (ESV)

Jesus is both the fountain of life which gives life and the true light that gives light, as mentioned in John 1:9, 4:10-14 and 5:26. In the light given by God’s word, we see the truth.

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 4

Today’s reading: Deut 11:1–12:28, 2 Cor 3:9–18, Ps 35:12–28

Today’s theme: God’s Permanent Covenant

Today we see a very important lesson regarding the special land that God had chosen for His people, it was a land that would cause the people to have to depend on God for growth and prosperity. We need to trust God for our own growth in the new, glorious and permanent covenant God has made with His people through His Son Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 11:1–12:28

Loving obedience

“You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, his statutes, his rules, and his commandments always. Deuteronomy 11:1 (ESV)

Loving God has always been connected to obeying the Lord and following His commands. Jesus makes this same point about those who love Him, they will show the evidence of their love for Him by keeping His commands, in John 14:15, 21, 24.

Depend on God for growth

a land that the LORD your God cares for. The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Deuteronomy 11:12 (ESV)

God has specially chosen the land of Israel, it is special to the Lord and He watches over it always.

This new land was not like Egypt with its man made irrigation systems, this was a land that received its rain from the heavens and so the people would have to depend on God for prosperity in the land. We too must depend on God for growth. See 1 Corinthians 3:7

Think about God’s word all the time

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 11:19 (ESV)

It is so important that we are genuinely people of the Bible, we should be talking about God and His word all the time, thinking about it continuously  and naturally teaching it to our children. God and His word should have such a high place in our hearts, that our minds are occupied with Him all the time.

God’s covenantal blessings are conditional

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: Deuteronomy 11:26 (ESV)

God’s blessings are conditional and relational, we are called to obey God’s commands for our own good.

God does not ask us to do good just for goodness sake, but that He might bless and reward us. God’s commands are in place to increase human flourishing and for the prosperity of His entire creation.

2 Corinthians 3:9–18

God’s Glorious, Permanent Covenant

For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. 2 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV)

The old covenant was certainly glorious, it was inaugurated by God in the glory and terror of mount Siani. However, the glory typified in Moses’ shining face would eventually fade as he moved away from the presence of God and we see the fading of the effectiveness of the old covenant in the people of Israel, to the point that Jeremiah mentions that God will make a new covenant because the old has been broken (Jeremiah 31:32). The old covenant was a temporary covenant until the true full covenant came.

We give God thanks that we are beneficiaries of the new covenant, which unlike the old does not fade away, but is permanent and greater in Glory, as it is God’s final revelation for salvation and the ultimate covenant established and maintained by Jesus himself (Revelation 14:6 and Hebrews 13:20).

Pray that the veil is removed

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 2 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)

We should pray for the Jews that they will turn to the Lord,  so that the veil is removed and they will see that the entire bible points to Jesus.

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 3

Today’s reading: Deut 9:1–10:22, 2 Cor 3:1–8, Ps 35:1–11

Today’s theme: The Spirit brings life

Today we see that Israel was given the land of Canaan by God’s grace, much like our salvation. We learn that we should circumcise our hearts and be confident that our sovereign God contends for us and dispatches Angels to aide us. The most important thing that underpins all of these is, the Holy Spirit who brings life to us as believers, through the new covenant.

Deuteronomy  9:1–10:22

Not by our own righteousness

Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Deuteronomy 9:5 (ESV)

God reminds the people that it is not by their own righteousness that they are given the land. It is God who goes before them and He seeks to confirm His own word. It is the same for us, we are saved by God’s grace, not by our own righteousness. Ephesians 2:5, 8.

Circumcise your heart

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. Deuteronomy 10:16 (ESV)

God points to the true meaning of circumcision, it was a sign pointing to cutting unclean and evil things from our lives. We also need to have circumcised hearts, see Romans 2:29.

God, the just Sovereign

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. Deuteronomy 10:17 (ESV)

God is the great and mighty sovereign. What is comforting is that in all His supreme power, He is not partial and cannot be bribed. As we see in the next verse, God’s love extends to all people.

2 Corinthians 3:1–8

The Holy Spirit brings life

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:5–6 (ESV)

We thank God for the new covenant we have in Jesus. The new covenant is better than the old one because we have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us, to enable us in our walk with God.

‘The letter kills but the Spirit gives life’ should not be seen as the written Bible vs the Holy Spirit, in context, this is looking at the old covenant vs the new better covenant. God’s perfect law can only be kept through the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 35:1–11

Jesus contends for us

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Psalm 35:1 (ESV)

As 1 John 2:1 states, we have an advocate (Jesus) who can contend for us against the enemy.

Warrior Angels!

Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away! Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them! Psalm 35:5–6 (ESV)

We can pray in the same way, that God’s Angels will go into battle on our behalf.

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 3

Today’s reading: Deut 7:1–8:20, 2 Cor 2:12–17, Ps 34:1–22

Today’s theme: The triumph of God

Today’s theme is in line with the victory of the resurrection because we see God’s triumphant victory over us and for us. In light of this, we boast in the Lord and serve Him with joy.

Deuteronomy 7:1–8:20

Have no mercy on sin

and when the LORD your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. Deuteronomy 7:2 (ESV)

God told His children to have no compromise or mercy when fighting the enemy, in fact, God called for their complete destruction. We must apply this total destruction approach to our great spiritual enemy, sin. Romans 8:13 reminds us to put to death the evil deeds of the flesh, by the Spirit of God.

We need to have no compromise when dealing with sin in our lives. We should not have pity or mercy on sin or sinfulness, we need to exact God’s judgement on sin through the Holy Spirit.

God’s loving election

but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Deuteronomy 7:8 (ESV)

We do not fully know God’s mind in His choices and election, but some light is shed on God’s motivation for choosing Israel specially from all nations and establishing His covenant with them. It is because He loves them. In the same way, God has specially elected and chosen everyone who will be saved.

He doesn’t choose us because we are good or better than others, but because He loves us. God loves everyone but He has a particular, special, peculiar and electing love for His chosen people, Israel and the Church. It is like the special love that a man has for his wife as opposed to his love for others. see Romans 11:5 and Ephesians 1:4.

The victory of the cross

you shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, Deuteronomy 7:18 (ESV)

In our case, we should remember God’s victory on the cross over sin, the world and the devil. see John 12:31.

Keep your house clean

And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest and abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction. Deuteronomy 7:26 (ESV)

This is still a very valid point for us today, we must be careful when picking up artefacts while on holiday for example, or when receiving certain gifts. If they are cursed items, they can carry demonic curses which can have a real effect in our homes. We need to ask for God’s guidance so that we don’t find ourselves hindered in our walk with the Lord. See Acts 19:19

This also has spiritual implications in terms of compromise.

Look back and be humble

And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV)

When we think back to how God carried us through difficult times, it should cause us to be humble and dependant on Him in our present circumstance. If these recollections bring pride or bitterness to mind, then our hearts are not in the right place. We are called to walk in humility. See Philippians 4:11, James 1:3, 1 Peter 5:6 and Romans 8:28.

2 Corinthians 2:12–17

God, the conquering King

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)

To help us understand Paul’s point here, it is useful to understand what it meant to be led forth in triumph in the Roman world. This is a term meaning that conquered captives would be led forth with a victorious general as he marched in a victory procession. Paul sees himself as a prisoner of Jesus Christ and as one conquered by God, being led forth in God’s victory procession before all.

The victory is not Paul’s but God’s, because God is shown as strong in our weakness and humble service. We should see ourselves as willing and privileged captives, we are God’s trophies and although we were once enemies, we have been led away to serve and bring glory to our conquering King. Our service for the Lord demonstrates His victory in our lives.

Psalm 34:1–22

Always bless the Lord

I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1 (ESV)

This can become like a cliche but it is so important to continually  praise the Lord, no matter what we are or are not going through, this encouragement continues in the New Testament too, in places like Thessalonians 5:18, Romans 8:28 (again) and verse 37.

Boast in the Lord

My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Psalm 34:2 (ESV)

Our boast is in the Lord, we rejoice in His triumph (as we read in the New Testament today). If we walk in true humility, we rejoice in and boast for others, especially God. See 2 Corinthians 11:30-33.

Surrounded by Angels

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7 (ESV)

It is encouraging to remind ourselves that God’s Angels work on our behalf, as mentioned in Hebrews 1:14.

Prophecy of the Messiah

He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:20 (ESV)

This is a prophecy of the Messiah fulfilled by Jesus, as mentioned in John 19:36.

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 2

Today’s reading: Deut 5:1–6:25, 2 Cor 2:1–11, Ps 33:1–22

Today’s theme: The greatest commandment

Today we revisit the greatest commandment which is to love God above all and love others in the way we desire to be loved. This should be the governing principle of our lives as believers. It is only though love that firm and true discipline and reconciliation can work in the church community.

Deuteronomy 5:1–6:25

A sign commandment

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. Deuteronomy 5:15 (ESV)

The reason given for the keeping of the Sabbath day is different here than the account in Exodus 20:8-11. In this case the Lord connects the keeping of this commandment to the redemption of the people of Israel from Egypt. This is still connected to the Exodus account and with the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, a new nation was born / created.

This is what is sometimes called a sign commandment which is related to a specific covenant. In this case it is the Mosaic covenant which has been superseded by Jesus Christ. We still keep this command in principle because our reasoning is the same. We remember the Lord’s day (1st day of the week) because it commemorates His resurrection and our redemption, being a new creation in Christ and entering God’s rest.

The greatest commandment

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)

Jesus is the greatest commentator on this command. He tells us that this is the greatest and most important commandment of all in Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27. To love and serve God is one of the very reasons we were created.

2 Corinthians 2:1–11

Firm and true forgiveness

So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 2 Corinthians 2:8 (ESV)

Paul was encouraging the church to walk in love even in their discipline of one of their members who had sinned but then repented. This is in line with Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness in Luke 17:3–4, Matthew 18:15–18 and John 20:22.

Our forgiveness does not ignore or excuse sin, it acknowledges the sin and the repentance of the sinner. It grants pardon and restores relationship. An important distinction is that a position may not necessarily be restored. In many cases a relationship may be restored while a position (say in church leadership) is forfeited.

Love, or sword and shield

so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV)

The ultimate weapon against Satan’s plans to destroy God’s people is love. We need to be loving enough to enforce church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-5) at the same time as being loving enough to extend forgiveness and reconciliation. This is the best offence and defence against Satan’s schemes which include pride, division, discouragement, casual sin and false confidence.

Psalm 33:1–22

God’s love is steadfast

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, Psalm 33:18 (ESV)

A theme in all of today’s readings is the love of God. We can hope in God’s steadfast and faithful love and kindness. Because we know who God is, we can place all our hope in Him.

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 2