Living under God's awesome sovereignty

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

Saturday, June 20, 2009
Devotions: Ps 87, 90, 136; 1 Sam 4:1b-11; Acts 4:32-5:11; Lk 21:20-28

Jerusalem is special to God and to me; it is good to be a citizen of the holy city, from which real song and dance arise! Moses, the man of God, prayed: ‘Lord, You are our Dwelling Place in all generations. You are eternal, we are mortal—a thousand years to us is a watch in the night to You. You are the eternal Rock, we are like grass, flourishing in the morning, dry by sunset, withered and fuel for fire by night. Our earthly lives are full of trouble and strife. Mighty One, teach us Your wisdom; return to us, fill us with Your steadfast love. Let Your work and ways be manifest to Your servants; favor us and establish the work of our hands.' Let us thank YHWH, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever! He is God of gods, Lord of lords, Wonder Worker, Author of nature, Father of humankind, Deliverer of Israel, Master of the nations. He remembers us in our low estate and cares for us, now and always!

Israel went out to war against the Philistines, who had encamped at Aphek. They routed the Israelites, and the people sent to Shiloh and had the ark of the covenant brought to the battlefield; Eli’s sons Hophni and Phineas came with the ark. When the ark came into the camp, Israel gave a mighty shout, and the Philistines took note: ‘A god has come into the camp. Woe to us! These are the gods who defeated Egypt. Take courage, O Philistines; acquit yourselves like men, or we’ll be slaves to Israel. Fight!’ In the battle, Israel was defeated and retreated; 30,000 Israel foot soldiers died. Eli’s sons were killed, and God’s ark was captured by the Philistines.

After Pentecost, the Christian believers remained together, holding all their possessions in common. Those with property and goods sold them and distributed to all as any had need. Daily they attended the temple, broke bread together, and praised God with glad hearts. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. The apostles bore their witness with power, attesting the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; great grace was upon them all. They shared their goods and resources, so that no need among them went unaddressed. Joseph Barnabas sold a field, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. In contrast, a couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property, but connived to keep part of the proceeds and donate the remainder—yet claimed or implied that they were giving all. Peter confronted Ananias: ‘Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep part of the proceeds? It was yours to sell or not; you have not lied to men—you have lied to God!’ Hearing this, Ananias fell down and died. The onlookers were filled with dread. Young men took Ananias’ body out and buried him. Three hours later, Sapphira came in. Peter questioned her about the price they had received; like her husband, she lied. Peter confronted her: ‘Why did you two conspire to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out, too.’ Immediately, Sapphira fell at Peter’s feet and died, and the young men carried her out and buried her beside her husband. All who heard of these matters were filled with great fear.

Jesus was answering His disciples’ questions about the signals that would usher in God’s kingdom on earth: ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, its desolation has come near. Then, let all in Judea flee to the mountains; let those in the city depart and those in the country avoid the city! For these are days filled with God’s vengeance, fulfilling all that has been written. Pity the pregnant and nursing mothers in such times of wrath and distress. They will fall to the sword or be taken captive by the Gentiles; and the Gentiles will tread down Jerusalem, until their times are fulfilled. The heavens will echo hard times on earth: signs will appear in sun and moon and stars; nations will be distressed; sea storms will arise; and men will faint for fear of which is coming upon the earth—the very powers of heaven will be shaken! Finally, all will see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory! When these things begin to happen, lift your heads and look up, because your redemption is drawing near.’