It took less than a day of reading to get a deeper understanding of why one can study the bible for a lifetime and still glean new things. In truth a lifetime is not enough. As Saint Augustine said, "The bible is shallow enough for a child not to drown, yet deep enough for an elephant to swim. Each verse opens up a new thought, a new question, a new understanding of what God has done and sometimes a confusion of why He is doing it. In moments of questions research is good but there are times where I need to submit to His authority remembering what A.W. Tozer said in his book Pursuit of God, "God will not hold us responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination, and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal with these truths is to raise our eyes to God and in deepest reverence say, "O Lord, Thou knowest." Those things belong to the deep and mysterious Profound of God's omniscience. Prying into them may make theologians, but it will never make saints."
Genesis Chapters 1-7
In one short week we read about God creating the world and saying it was good, to him having to wipe the world clean of all of mankind save the one he found righteous, Noah. Adam and Eve, placed in perfection, literally walking with God feeling no shame and no discord with one another, threw it all away because of one thing, they thought God was withholding something from them. This one seed of doubt from Satan set off a series of events that allowed sin into this world and became the reason that one day God would send a savior. In the grand scheme of life the perfection of Eden was so minute. However, the perfection that comes in Heaven through a relationship with Christ is here for eternity.
Comforting moments in these chapters came from God, of course, but they came in the darkest part of sin and shame. Adam and Eve deliberately disobeyed yet He came to them, sought them out, clothed them. Cain killed his brother in a jealous rage and yet God came to him, sought him out, and protected him from being killed even after Cain had failed to protect his brother from himself. After hundreds of years of evil and debauchery, God was ready to wipe out all of mankind but he found Noah righteous and came to him, sought him out, and asked him alone to remain and to carry on the line of Adam.
Matthew Chapters 1-7
Is there a reward for richest text in the bible? If so Matthew is a definitely contender. I would say flat out winner, but it's only the first week and there is a lot more reading to go!
It makes sense that almost every word in the first seven chapters of Matthew are now underlined in my bible. It begins with telling of the conception of Christ, the birth of Jesus, and then the ministry of our Savior starting with his baptism and continuing to include the beginning of the Sermon on the mount. We, in our fallen state, get to hold and read the direct words of Jesus, the monologue on a mountainside where he poured it all out to his disciples and for the benefit of the others around to hear.
Starting from before his birth, there was never a time that the name of Jesus didn't stir up polar opposite responses.
There is more in these chapters than I can begin to touch on so the only thing I can think to do is share items that were new to me this time around knowing that there are countless more that are being left out. To resist temptation, Jesus quoted scripture. The word of God is power! My eye is the lamp to my body so be careful little eyes what I see. Focusing on Christ brings light into my life, when that focus shifts darkness will fill me. Every one will be known by their fruit and that good fruit comes directly from God. There's no need to worry about getting it done on our own. Eyes up, trust Him.
Ezra 1-7
Ezra has been a first read for me and I love the hand of God actively shown throughout it. God has brought his people back from exile and assembled them together to rebuild the temple of God. He has stirred not only the hearts of his people to give of their riches to build it, but has also stirred the hearts of the King to decree that not only MUST the temple be built but that the riches Nebuchadnezzer took will be returned and taxes will be used to finish it.
There was opposition from those who were denied the ability to assist, there was government decrees sent to stop the building of the temple, there were even heartbroken members of God's people saddened by the state of the new temple in comparison to what once was in the grandeur of Solomon's, but in all of it there was steadfast faith, wise words and actions, and hearts changed so that the temple was completed.
My favorite part of the entire week actually wasn't in Ezra but a verse in Haggai that describes this temple they were building.
"The final glory of THIS house will be greater than the first...I will provide Peace in this place."
Acts 1-7
The Gospel erupts. Jesus has died, risen, and is spending his last days on earth with his disciples before God takes him up to heaven. Constant in prayer, his disciples received languages of all the people so that they could carry his word forth. Growing in grace, fellowship, and wisdom the church began to be what God created the church to be. Telling another of His goodness, using their abundance to benefit the needy, healing those who were sick and lame, His word is being spreads and numbers are being added to His Kingdom. However, as earlier said the name of Jesus always causes polar opposite emotions and those who's hearts are not being turned toward him are turning further away and doing everything they can to halt it. History has taught us that that only causes more to come to him but in the midst His people are beginning to be persecuted and suffer for his name. This cycle continues even to this day...
Week 1 has stirred my heart and opened up an intense desire to continue seeing how this book will show the story of Jesus from start to finish. Praying for each of you as we continue on this journey, that the newness will remain as the weeks go by and the hunger will grow to keep going.
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