Thursday August 31, 2023

Today is Thursday, August 31 and we are exploring what it means to trust God’s Word.

As I enter this time of prayer, I still my body, quiet my mind and slow my breathing. I close my eyes and relax in the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy and blessed Lord, I long for you to speak into my life and circumstances. Give me ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to understand the good message you have for me today as I study the Holy Scriptures. Amen.

At the dawn of a new day, I praise God and seek him with the ancient words of Psalm 20.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalm 20:7-8

Pause and Pray

Matthew begins his Gospel by tracing the genealogy of Jesus, beginning with Abraham, the father of God’s chosen people. In doing this, Matthew emphasizes how Jesus Christ came to fulfill the Old Testament. More than any other Gospel writer, Matthew cited specific Old Testament passages that Jesus fulfilled in his life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus Christ is the ultimate completion of everything. The long plan of redemption comes to its climax. Jesus is the last Adam, the second Noah, the seed of Abraham, the new Moses and the Son of David. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares the following truth.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20

I have often struggled to understand the enormity of the Old Testament with its difficult to pronounce names, confusing geography and ancient customs. Jesus tells me he is the fulfillment of the sacred Scriptures that encompass the bulk of the Bible I hold in my hands. None of these holy words will disappear or pass away. I am not to ignore scripture, overlook sections or set the Bible aside. I am to practice God’s commands and teach his eternal truths to others. I am not to outwardly follow the letter of the law like the Scribes and Pharisees of Biblical times; it is more than that. I am to seek the sanctifying grace of God that will transform my heart and mind to obey his Word engraved on my heart and truth written on my soul.

Ask: How much time do I currently spend reading and studying God’s word? How has the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures been speaking into my life?

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord, take my hand and lead me the way I should go. Thank you, Jesus, for coming into my world to fulfill God’s great plan of redemption. Generations waited for the coming of the Messiah. Generations longed for the ability to read and comprehend God’s Word. You have blessed me with this opportunity every day. Forgive me when I hurry through my devotions, neglect your teachings or permit my Bible to collect dust. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I can trust God’s Word to be holy, just and good (Romans 7:12). God’s gift of scripture is given to me and every day I have the opportunity to open it, read it, and absorb it. God chooses to speak to me through these sacred texts and I am learning to listen to God with the ear of my heart. How might these recorded words of Jesus reveal a truth that has been forgotten or hidden? What capacity do these words have to change my attitude or direction? What guidance might God want to provide me today through the words which most resonate with my spirit?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to me and reveal truth to my soul. Remove any doubt or confusion and whisper directly into my heart. You are the one who gives knowledge and understanding regarding the ancient texts of the Bible. You are the fulfillment of all things. Come speak into my life. Amen.

Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:4

I leave this time of prayer, nourished by the word of God and fed by truth. I go to shine God’s light and love into a broken world.

Amen