Bible League: Living His Word His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.— Ephesians 3:10 NIV Our God is a God who reveal things. For one, He reveals His wisdom. It's a "manifold wisdom" that has many parts and facets. Although He doesn't reveal every part and facet, although He's under no obligation to do so, He reveals a lot. It's clear, then, that He doesn't want to keep everything He knows to Himself. It's important to Him that His wisdom be made known. Indeed, that's why He's made it known at "many times and in various ways." (Hebrews 1:1). To whom does God reveal His wisdom? He reveals it to human beings. Although not every human being accepts the revelation of His wisdom, although many suppress His revelation (Romans 1:18), He reveals it nonetheless. No one will ever have the excuse of not knowing what has been revealed to them, however much that may be. (Romans 1:20). He also reveals it to the angels, the "rulers and authorities" of our verse for today. He doesn't just want human beings to know. He wants the angels to know as well. And, in point of fact, the angels want to know. Indeed, the Apostle Peter tells us that they "long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:12). They long to see the wisdom of God being revealed over the course of time. As mentioned, God's wisdom is a manifold wisdom. It includes the wisdom revealed in the creation, the wisdom revealed in the Bible, and the wisdom mentioned in our verse for today—the wisdom revealed in the church. God also reveals His wisdom to the angels through the church. The growth and development of the church reveals the wisdom of God. It reveals the outworking of His plan of salvation. The angels are watching. They long to look into these things because they're deeply interested. Indeed, they have a vested interest in the church. After all, they are ministering spirits. It's what they do. (Hebrews 1:14). No doubt, they long to look into these things to see if their efforts are bearing fruit, to see if they have helped us along the way. Today, then, let's not forget that the angels are watching. Today, let's look into the wisdom of the Lord. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingExodus 11, 12 Exodus 11 -- The Plague on the Firstborn NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Exodus 12 -- Passover; Feast; Memorial; Pharaoh Urges Exodus NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 18:21-35 Matthew 18 -- Greatest and Least in the Kingdom; Parables of the Lost Sheep, Brother who sins, Unmerciful Servant NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's.”Insight We may not fight an enemy army, but every day we battle temptation, pressure, and Satan, who wants us to rebel against God. Challenge Remember, as believers, we have God's Spirit in us. If we ask for God's help when we face struggles, God will fight for us. And God always triumphs. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Matthew 6:26 Your heavenly Father.God's people are doubly his children, they are his offspring by creation, and they are his sons by adoption in Christ. Hence they are privileged to call him, "Our Father which art in heaven." Father! Oh, what precious word is that. Here is authority: "If I be a Father, where is mine honor?" If ye be sons, where is your obedience? Here is affection mingled with authority; an authority which does not provoke rebellion; an obedience demanded which is most cheerfully rendered--which would not be withheld even if it might. The obedience which God's children yield to him must be loving obedience. Do not go about the service of God as slaves to their taskmaster's toil, but run in the way of his commands because it is your Father's way. Yield your bodies as instruments of righteousness, because righteousness is your Father's will, and his will should be the will of his child. Father!--Here is a kingly attribute so sweetly veiled in love, that the King's crown is forgotten in the King's face, and his sceptre becomes, not a rod of iron, but a silver sceptre of mercy--the sceptre indeed seems to be forgotten in the tender hand of him who wields it. Father!--Here is honor and love. How great is a Father's love to his children! That which friendship cannot do, and mere benevolence will not attempt, a father's heart and hand must do for his sons. They are his offspring, he must bless them; they are his children, he must show himself strong in their defence. If an earthly father watches over his children with unceasing love and care, how much more does our heavenly Father? Abba, Father! He who can say this, hath uttered better music than cherubim or seraphim can reach. There is heaven in the depth of that word--Father! There is all I can ask; all my necessities can demand; all my wishes can desire. I have all in all to all eternity when I can say, "Father." Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 13:13,14 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. • For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.1 Peter 4:12,13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; • but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 2 Corinthians 1:7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort. 1 Peter 4:14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Acts 5:41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Hebrews 11:25,26 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, • considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. 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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