Bible League: Living His Word But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.On the one hand, there were the people of God during old covenant times. On the other hand, there are the people of God during new covenant times. The former were basically limited to the people of Israel, but the latter has been opened up to people of "every tribe and tongue and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9). The former has expanded to become the latter. Israel has transitioned into the church. Given this, the privileges that were at one time limited to the old covenant people of God have become the privileges of the new covenant church. First, the church is a "chosen generation." Just as the old covenant people of God were chosen by God, so the members of the new covenant church have been chosen by God. We are, as Peter said, "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (I Peter 1:2). Second, the church is a "royal priesthood." Just as the old covenant people of God were a "kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:6), so the members of the church are priests. We are a "royal priesthood" because, like the priests of old, we are servants of the King. Third, the church is a "holy nation." Just as the old covenant people of God were a holy nation separated from the heathen nations around them, so the members of the church are a holy nation separated from the unbelieving people around them. We have been separated unto God the King for His service. Finally, the church is a "special people." Just as the old covenant people of God were His special people formed for God Himself (Isaiah 43:21), so the members of the church are God's special people. We are special because God has reserved us as His very own possession. The church has been granted all these privileges so that we "may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." And the church is more than willing to proclaim God's praises because we have been called, because we have been given the special privileges. Today, then, give praise to God, for He has delivered you from darkness into light, and He has made you very precious to Himself. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 109, 110, 111 Psalm 109 -- God of my praise, don't remain silent NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 110 -- The Lord says to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 111 -- I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Romans 16 Romans 16 -- Greetings and Love NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?”“It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” Insight A common belief in Jewish culture was that calamity or suffering was the result of some great sin. But Christ used this man's suffering to teach about faith and to glorify God. We live in a fallen world where good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior not always punished. Therefore, innocent people sometimes suffer. If God took suffering away whenever we asked, we would follow him for comfort and convenience, not out of love and devotion. Regardless of the reasons for our suffering, Jesus has the power to help us deal with it. Challenge When you suffer from a disease, tragedy, or disability, try not to ask, “Why did this happen to me?” or “What did I do wrong?” Instead, ask God to give you strength for the trial and a clearer perspective on what is happening. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Mark 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.A golden truth is couched in the fact that the Saviour put the myrrhed wine-cup from his lips. On the heights of heaven the Son of God stood of old, and as he looked down upon our globe he measured the long descent to the utmost depths of human misery; he cast up the sum total of all the agonies which expiation would require, and abated not a jot. He solemnly determined that to offer a sufficient atoning sacrifice he must go the whole way, from the highest to the lowest, from the throne of highest glory to the cross of deepest woe. This myrrhed cup, with its soporific influence, would have stayed him within a little of the utmost limit of misery, therefore he refused it. He would not stop short of all he had undertaken to suffer for his people. Ah, how many of us have pined after reliefs to our grief which would have been injurious to us! Reader, did you never pray for a discharge from hard service or suffering with a petulant and wilful eagerness? Providence has taken from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke. Say, Christian, if it had been said, "If you so desire it, that loved one of yours shall live, but God will be dishonored," could you have put away the temptation, and said, "Thy will be done"? Oh, it is sweet to be able to say, "My Lord, if for other reasons I need not suffer, yet if I can honor thee more by suffering, and if the loss of my earthly all will bring thee glory, then so let it be. I refuse the comfort, if it comes in the way of thine honor." O that we thus walked more in the footsteps of our Lord, cheerfully enduring trial for his sake, promptly and willingly putting away the thought of self and comfort when it would interfere with our finishing the work which he has given us to do. Great grace is needed, but great grace is provided. Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Corinthians 1:31 so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."Jeremiah 9:23,24 Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; • but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD. Philippians 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 15:17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. Psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. 1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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