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 Jeremiah 51:51 Strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the Lord's house.In this account the faces of the Lord's people were covered with shame, for it was a terrible thing that men should intrude into the Holy Place reserved for the priests alone. Everywhere about us we see like cause for sorrow. How many ungodly men are now educating with the view of entering into the ministry! What a crying sin is that solemn lie by which our whole population is nominally comprehended in a National Church! How fearful it is that ordinances should be pressed upon the unconverted, and that among the more enlightened churches of our land there should be such laxity of discipline. If the thousands who will read this portion shall all take this matter before the Lord Jesus this day, he will interfere and avert the evil which else will come upon his Church. To adulterate the Church is to pollute a well, to pour water upon fire, to sow a fertile field with stones. May we all have grace to maintain in our own proper way the purity of the Church, as being an assembly of believers, and not a nation, an unsaved community of unconverted men. Our zeal must, however, begin at home. Let us examine ourselves as to our right to eat at the Lord's table. Let us see to it that we have on our wedding garment, lest we ourselves be intruders in the Lord's sanctuaries. Many are called, but few are chosen; the way is narrow, and the gate is strait. O for grace to come to Jesus aright, with the faith of God's elect. He who smote Uzzah for touching the ark is very jealous of his two ordinances; as a true believer I may approach them freely, as an alien I must not touch them lest I die. Heart searching is the duty of all who are baptized or come to the Lord's table. "Search me, O God, and know my way, try me and know my heart." Daily Light on the Daily Path Deuteronomy 3:24 'O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?Psalm 89:6,8 For who in the skies is comparable to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the LORD, • O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. Psalm 86:8 There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. 2 Samuel 7:21,22 "For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know. • "For this reason You are great, O Lord GOD; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 1 Corinthians 2:9,10 but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." • For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. 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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