Monday, December 6, 2010
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 40-42 and Hebrews 4
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Jeremiah 40-42 and Hebrews 4
SCRIPTURE READING
Luke 1:27-28 (NIV); …The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Deuteronomy 7:7-8 (NIV); The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you…
There was no apparent rhyme or reason behind God’s choice of a people. Abraham was raised in godlessness by a man who worshipped idols in a city of wickedness when the Lord called him. It was by faith that he obeyed the voice of God and left his homeland. It was God’s faithful response to the faith of Abraham that caused Him to cast favor upon the people of Israel. The pattern is repeated when the prophet Nathan spoke the words of an everlasting dynasty over King David. And on this fateful night in history, the Lord God shone His favor upon a lowly virgin girl.
God’s love is undying. Though His people killed the prophets and devoted themselves to idols, the love of the Lord remained full-force. Even when we are in the middle of our sin, and the Lord’s anger towards our sin is clear, His love remains unbending. But the favour of the Lord, the delight and grace of God, comes by faith. God favoured man above all creation, and He desires to favour and delight in YOU! Though nothing we do deserves His loving-kindness, He gives it to those who live by and act out of faith.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how you are currently experiencing His love, but not His favour. What is in the way of His favor? Confess what He reveals to you.
2. Spend some time in thanksgiving, praising the Lord for His kindness to us who do not deserve it at all! Write out five ways that you are experiencing /have experienced God’s favour and write out a prayer of thanks.
3. Read Proverbs 3:1-4. This reveals how we can grow in the favour of the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a practical application to you from these words.
