God's might, light, and word

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Devotions: Ps 45, 47, 48; Isa 9:1-7; 2 Pet 1:12-21; Lk 22:54-69

The Sons of Korah praise the king: Ride forth in your majesty, sword upon your thigh, O mighty one! You are powerful; our people praise you, and our enemies fall before you. Defend truth and equity; raise up righteousness and cast down wickedness. God has anointed you with the oil of gladness. Let the princess, royal consort, turn to her master. May their sons bless the nation, and all the peoples praise our lord forever!
Shout to God with a voice of triumph and joy! YHWH, the Most High, is terrible; let all sing His praises. Earth is His. Mount Zion, where God chooses for Himself, is thereby exalted above all other heights, the joy of all the earth. When other powers gaze upon God’s citadel, they tremble. Let us ponder God and His stronghold; this is our God and our Guide for ever.

In sending Jesus, God has favored the people who walked in darkness, the outcasts of Galilee—on them, God’s light has shone. He breaks the yoke of oppression; He will burn the bloodstained relics of warfare: for to us a Child is born; to us a Son is given; and the government shall be His, and He will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ His government and His peace will continue to increase without end. The zeal of YHWH Sabaoth will accomplish this.

Peter wanted to exhort his flock before Peter departed to be with God. ‘I was an eyewitness to Christ’s majesty, and heard God’s voice say, “This is My beloved Son, with Whom I AM well pleased.”’ So Peter’s experience and testimony reinforce the prophetic words of scripture. ‘You will do well to pay attention, as to a light shining in a dark place—until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts. No prophecy of scripture came by the impulse of a man; rather, men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke messages from God.’

In Gethsemane, the mob seized Jesus and dragged Him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance. A fire was kindled in the courtyard outside the house, and Peter sat down with those gathered there. A maid noticed Peter and said, ‘This man also was with the prisoner.’ But Peter denied it: ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ A bit later, another said, ‘You also are one of them.’ Peter replied, ‘Man, I am not.’ About an hour later, another insisted, ‘Certainly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I do no know what you are saying.’ And immediately, the cock crowed; the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remember what Jesus has said to him: ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
Meanwhile, the mob mocked and beat Jesus; they blindfolded Him and demanded that He name those who were striking Him. With cruel words, they reviled Him. At daybreak, the elders assembled, chief priests and scribes, and led Him away to their counsel. They demanded: ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us!’ He answered, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I ask, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of man will be seated at the right hand of God’s power.’ To this, they responded, ‘Are you the Son of God, then?’ He said, ‘You have said that I Am.’ And they took this as proof of their accusations: ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard [blasphemy] ourselves, from his own lips.’