Learning to trust God as Father makes it possible to rest in Him even in the midst of pain, persecution, trials, and other difficulties. But if we’re going to trust God as Father, we must truly know Him as our Father and not just as God and Judge.
How do you see God? Do you see Him as a harsh judge just waiting to punish you? Do you see Him as a benevolent grandfather who’s not too concerned about whether or not you are holy? Or do you see Him as a Father, the only perfect father, one who cares about your holiness and not just your happiness, but a father who is trustworthy and has your best interests in mind? If not, I hope you will read today’s post and prayerfully think about these things.
Welcome, to “God’s Word Day by Day” where I blog through the Bible in a Year. I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here. This year I’ve added a couple of new features. First, check out the “Free Resources” tab at the top. You’ll find a downloadable, printable PDF with “Going Deeper Study Questions” for each day’s post. And … this year you’ll find the daily “Bible in a Year” posts on YouTube. The daily emails now have a link to both these Soul Survival posts and the YouTube videos. I hope you’ll sign up. (If you already receive them, no need to sign up again.)
Today’s Readings:
Leviticus 3 & 4
Psalm 23
Proverbs 9.1-6
Matthew 27.55-66
Trusting God as Father
Leviticus 3 & 4:
The Messy Business of Sin
The primary theme in Leviticus is holiness. God is holy and He has commanded us to be holy just as He is holy (1 Pet. 1.14-16).
The need for holiness is attested to by the complicated system of sacrifices and offerings. The animal sacrifices made temporary atonement for the sins of the priests and the people.
And what a “messy” and costly business the sacrificial system really was.
But I’m reminded that sin itself is “messy” business! Think of all the messes we make in our friendships, our marriages, our families, our finances, and every area of life. It’s not always “pretty” and the only remedy was and is Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf.
When we see our complete failure to do life right, to say nothing of being holy, we come to understand that we need a Savior to save us from ourselves and our sinful hearts.
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith (Gal. 3.25-26).
When we accept Christ, the perfect Sacrifice, and His work on the cross, we become children of God and He becomes our Father. We exchange our sin for His holiness … at least positionally. Though we will spend the rest of our lives on earth learning to walk that out (Rom. 8.28-29; Eph. 4.22-24).
Even When We Know God as Father
But even believers who truly know God as Father, experience tests and trials. Sometimes because we are living or responding sinfully in some area. Other times because God is growing and pruning us so we’ll bear more fruit (Jn. 15.1-2).
Like any good father, He trains and disciplines His children because He loves us.
My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor detest His correction; for whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights (Prov. 3.11-12).
Did you notice the word “delights”?
That same passage is quoted in Hebrews 12 where the writer goes on to say that if He does not correct us, then we are not His children (Heb. 12.8). We don’t truly know God as Father. Verse 11 says:
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Heb. 12.11).
And verse 10 says “… he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.”
So if you are going through a difficult time, don’t forget God is there. Ask Him to search your heart as the psalmist did in Psalm 139.23-24. Is there sin for which you need to repent? Is He merely pruning so you will bear more fruit? Most importantly, trust Him:
… knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1.3-5).
If you belong to Him, He is your Father and He is trustworthy.
Today’s Other Readings:
Matthew 27.55-66:
Are You Prepared & Are You Willing to Defend the Faith?
In this passage, we find three of the women who followed Jesus there at the cross “looking on from afar.” It’s interesting to note that there is no record of any of the women who had followed Jesus leaving Him or denying Him in those last hours when most of the men fled in fear.
But what about you and me? Do we flee in other ways?
Do you ever pretend you’re not a believer because it’s inconvenient or embarrassing? Have you ever said my faith is a “personal thing” when you had an opportunity to defend and talk about what you believe?” Do you ever hold back when it would mean taking a stand or speaking up? I know I have.
Maybe we’re afraid people won’t like us, that it would jeopardize something we want, or of some other consequence.
Certainly, we need to be wise in the workplace and respectful of our employer’s time. But do we sometimes keep silent simply because it’s uncomfortable or because we don’t really know how to defend our faith? Are we afraid we’ll sound foolish or mess it up?
Look at what the Apostle Peter told an earlier generation of believers.
Always Be Ready
The book of 1 Peter was written to the Diaspora, Jews who had fled their homeland because of persecution and lived in almost constant danger of more persecution or worse:
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil (1 Pet. 3.13-17).
What do you need to do to be better prepared to “defend the faith” or as Peter said, “to be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you”? Do you need to get involved in a discipleship class or Bible study so you can learn the basics of the faith? Do you need to pray for boldness and freedom from fear or do you simply need to step out in faith?
If you need to grow in your understanding or the ability to explain the basics of the faith, you might want to check out Fundamentals of the Faith: 13 Lessons to Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus Christ by John MacArthur. Or ask your pastor for a recommendation.
Psalm 23:
The Shepherd’s Psalm
What a beautiful psalm! If you have never committed it to memory, I would encourage you to do so. But whether you already know it or it’s only vaguely familiar, take some time and think about the words. Here it is from the New Living Translation:
1 Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
2-3 He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.
4 Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
5 You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!
6 Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.
But to trust in Jesus as our Shepherd, we must know Him personally. If you’re not sure you do, leave a comment or send me an email.
Proverbs 9.1-6:
The Wisdom of God
Wisdom continues to call to us, but not just any wisdom, the wisdom of the One who created us. And it’s available to us as we pray and study His Word looking for it.
1 Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She has slaughtered her meat,
She has mixed her wine,
She has also furnished her table.
3 She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat of my bread
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.
Prayer:
Father, help us to search out Your wisdom and walk in it every day.
And help us to not deny You, to not flee when the going gets tough. Help us, Lord, to stand up for what’s right and to always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks us to give an account for the hope that is in us, yet help us to do so with gentleness and reverence. As we do, help us to not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2.24-26). In Jesus’ name, amen.
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about the need to get the logs out of our eyes, how Islam intends to conquer the West largely through cultural invasion, and the contagious nature of many sins. We’ll also pose the question, “Could you be raising little hypocrites?” and talk about what it means to preach the gospel to yourself and why it’s so important.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss them.
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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