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
Understanding to grow in
The second book of Moses begins with God's promise being fulfilled - Abraham's descendents becoming the great nation. 1v7 reminds us that God is calling out a new humanity to be what he created humanity to be (compare with Gen 1v28). Yet this intent is immediately threatened as Pharoah plots to wipe Israel out. But God can use the most insignificant people to thwart the purposes of the most powerful: The midwives risk their own lives to honour him and save the children. God can also use even evil decisions to bring about good ends: So the attempt to destroy the babies is what leads Moses to be raised in Pharoah's household, and the altercation over the slave brings Moses to the desert where he will meet with God. And so we find God raising up the perfect deliverer to take Israel through the desert to receive law at Mount Sinai - a man educated in Egypt's laws and trained in desert survival. Our greater deliverer Jesus was also saved from a similar crisis and achieved his salvation through the evil acts of others (Matt 2v16-18, Acts 4v27-28). What encouragement that nothing can hinder the advance of his kingdom purposes. As you read note the different ways in which God acts.
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.