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
Even a little knowledge of history testifies to the transience of nations and empires. And so, we read of how the LORD will bring down the arrogance of might Egypt - a nation that had been the pinnacle of civilization for millenia. The point is that although a thousand years are like a day to the Lord (2 Pet 3v8), in time his justice will be done against the wickedness of men. And this is not just a final eternal justice, but a temporal earthly one too. It is European civiliation that has dominated the last 300 years at least, colonizing and shaping much of the world, and impacting in some way the culture of every nation. It increasingly exalts reason, celebrating humanity now as god, able to achieve heaven on earth by its science, education and politics. It presumes the authority to terminate the life of babies in the womb, redfine the nature of marriage, recreate human identity according to anyone's personal whim, and consume the world's resources without concern for the environment nor those enslaved in order to produce whatever is needed to meet its materialistic appetites. Ezekiel's word against Egypt should cause us all to repent, mindful that at any moment the justice that is our due might fall. As you read note how Egypt's arrogance is displayed.
Ezekiel 30:20-32:32
Ezekiel 30:20-32:32
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.