Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read
slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God,
thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for
you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:13
The wife of nobel character...Proverbs 31:13
Understanding to grow in
The first vision probably portrays Zerubbabel and Joshua as the two olive trees, providing oil for the lampstand in the sense that their work in leading the rebuilding of the temple will lead to the presence of God again being with his people and shining as a light in the darkness of the world. This is followed by two visions stressing the sin of the people, likening them to the Babylonians, and then one of four chariots signifiying God's Spirit at work throughout the world because of God's universal sovereignty. The Spirit at "rest" in the north implies he is with the exiles still in Babylon. The next vision sees Joshua, the High Priest, given a crown to symbolise a uniting of the two offices of priest and king in one person - the branch from the stump of David. Such an individual would be able to both ensure the people were right with God (the priest's work) and that they obeyed his law (the king's work). We've already been told Joshua and his associates were symbolic of "things to come" (3v8), so he and Zerubbabel's heading up the rebuilding of the temple looks to Christ's work as Priest-King in drawing his people together as "spiritual stones" of the church in which God now lives by his Spirit (Eph 2v20-22, 1 Pet 2v4-10), and that in Christ is to be light of the world. The final word in this section stresses that what the Lord looks for in fasting, is a genuine concern for him that should be evident in practical godliness - justice, mercy, compassion and caring for the poor and needy. This is how God's light is to shine. As you read note how this all looks forward to Christ.
The first vision probably portrays Zerubbabel and Joshua as the two olive trees, providing oil for the lampstand in the sense that their work in leading the rebuilding of the temple will lead to the presence of God again being with his people and shining as a light in the darkness of the world. This is followed by two visions stressing the sin of the people, likening them to the Babylonians, and then one of four chariots signifiying God's Spirit at work throughout the world because of God's universal sovereignty. The Spirit at "rest" in the north implies he is with the exiles still in Babylon. The next vision sees Joshua, the High Priest, given a crown to symbolise a uniting of the two offices of priest and king in one person - the branch from the stump of David. Such an individual would be able to both ensure the people were right with God (the priest's work) and that they obeyed his law (the king's work). We've already been told Joshua and his associates were symbolic of "things to come" (3v8), so he and Zerubbabel's heading up the rebuilding of the temple looks to Christ's work as Priest-King in drawing his people together as "spiritual stones" of the church in which God now lives by his Spirit (Eph 2v20-22, 1 Pet 2v4-10), and that in Christ is to be light of the world. The final word in this section stresses that what the Lord looks for in fasting, is a genuine concern for him that should be evident in practical godliness - justice, mercy, compassion and caring for the poor and needy. This is how God's light is to shine. As you read note how this all looks forward to Christ.
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.