One thing is needful

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might read 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives

Friday, May 29, 2009
Devotions: Ps 102, 107:1-32; Ezek 34:17-31; Heb 8; Lk 10:38-42

Lord God, hear and answer my prayers today. My days fly by, and I languish. I’m stressed by enemies without and pain within. I fear You, because I am sinful and You are holy; so I pull away and wither like dry grass. But You! O YHWH, You are enthroned forever; You are holy and loving, a God of complete authority and infinite goodness. Let Your glory shine upon me and all your people. You have allowed circumstances to attenuate my strength, so that I may choose to grow in faith and obedience, rather than entertaining the illusion of self-sufficiency or sinking into despair. I am secure in Your virtue, and my posterity are established under Your loving authority. Let all God’s people thank Him, for YHWH is good! His steadfast love and faithfulness endure forever. Let all those He has redeemed bear witness: He guides and preserves His people through desert wanderings, through darkness and gloom; He delivers prisoners and those who endure heavy labor; He delivers us from distress, from darkness and gloom into brilliant light and joy. Let us praise our God, Who shatters our fetters and breaks us out of prison. God heals the sin-sick; He forgives and remits our sins and their penalties, having paid their toll Himself! He sends forth His Word and heals us. Let us thank God for His steadfast love and wondrous works. He watches over those who travel and those who engage in commerce. He protects us from the ravages of storms; He stills the winds and waves and brings us to safe havens. Let all God’s people extol Him!

God spoke through Ezekiel to His people: ‘Pay attention! I judge among my people; I see that you leaders take the best for yourselves, then spoil what the rest of My people need—you serve yourselves and befoul life for those less fortunate and blessed. So I Myself will save my flock and exercise judgment among you. And I will set up godly authorities, beginning with My servant David, who will guide and care for you. And I, YHWH, will be your God, and David and his offspring will be princes among you. I, YHWH, have spoken!’

The Hebrew writer offers an interim summary of his argument: We have a perfect, eternal High Priest, seated at the Father’s right hand in heaven, ministering in God’s true Sanctuary and Tabernacle. Every high priest is appointed by God to offer gifts and sacrifices; on earth, under Torah, priests practice a shadowy replica of the true heavenly gifts and sacrifices. They do their best to copy on earth the eternal realities in heaven. But our Messiah has obtained a better ministry, through a better covenant, based on better promises. God has judged the first covenant, and found it wanting; accordingly, God established a new covenant, that supersedes the covenants with Adam and Moses and the patriarchs. He declared: 'I will put My Laws into My people’s minds and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God and they, My people! And they all shall be equipped to understand and teach—all shall know Me, the Lord, from the least to the greatest among them. I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and remember their sins no more.' The old covenant is obsolete, aging, and ready to vanish away.

Jesus visited Mary and Martha in their home. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to His teaching, but Martha was distracted with much serving. Martha went to Jesus and protested: ‘Lord, don’t You care that my sister leaves me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!’ Jesus responded, ‘Martha, Martha! You are anxious and troubled about many things; but only one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it won’t be taken from her.’