(400) 5 February : Proverbs 20v21 / Matthew 8:1-9:34 / Psalm 88v10-13

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

Proverbs 20:21

Understanding to grow in

Faith in Christ comes with a cost, but it is always well placed. So although Jesus notes that those who follow him may have nowhere to lay their head, we see that he able to deliver all he promises to those who do trust him. Amongst the sicknesses he is able to heal is leprosy, that made the Jew unclean and so unfit for God's presence. It was a sign that Jesus is able to make people acceptable to God and bring them into a world free of all sickness and death. Yet Jesus also showed himself able to drive out evil spirits, calm a storm, forgive and heal a paralytic, raise the dead, and heal the blind and mute. So Jesus' kingdom will be free of all sin, disaster and death, where through forgiveness, all that stemmed from the curse on creation in punishment for sin will have gone. This is something to celebrate (9v14-17). And the centurion's faith shows it can be accessed by any, whilst many Jews who were its subjects by history, would be thrown out for unbelief. The contrast asks what our response will be? As you read note what Jesus can deliver.
Matthew 8:1-9:34

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.

Psalm 88:10-13

·       For introductions to the various Bible books click here.

·       To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here