God is in charge

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, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Saturday, June 27, 2009
Devotions: Ps 33; 107:33-43; 108:1-6; 1 Sam 9:15-10:1; Acts 7:30-43; Lk 22:39-51

Rejoice in YHWH; praising God is fitting for the upright! Sing Him a new song; play your best; shout His glory! His word is upright; He is altogether faithful. The universe overflows with God’s steadfast love. YHWH created everything by His words; He is in charge of the universe. Let all humanity stand in awe of Him, Who speaks and worlds arise! We live and move and have our being in His mind! Blessed is the nation whose God is YHWH; He is Master of all creation; our well-being is in our God. YHWH’s eye is on those who fear Him, who trust in His integrity and goodness; who receive His great love. Our well-being consists in trusting and obeying our God. He watches over those who do this, and delivers us from death. Our souls wait upon our Lord, our Help and Shield! Our hearts are glad in Him, as we trust Him. O Lord, let Your steadfast love rest on us as we hope in You! God turns deserts to springs, and fruitful land to salt waste. He is Master! He brings down the wicked and arrogant, and exalts the poor and powerless. The upright see God’s ways and rejoice; anyone who is wise, heed these things; consider YHWH’s steadfast love! Lord, as I contemplate You, my heart is secure, and I sing Your praises. Your steadfast love and faithfulness overtop the very clouds. Be exalted above the heavens, great Lord! Deliver Your anointed and beloved, and tread down Your foes!

God had prepared Samuel to encounter Saul: ‘Tomorrow about this time, I will send you a Benjaminite; anoint him to be prince over My people Israel. He will deliver them from the Philistines, for I have heard their cries and pleas.’ When Samuel laid eyes on Saul, God told the prophet, ‘Here is the man I spoke to you about, who will rule over My people.’ Saul and Samuel met, and the prophet took charge: ‘Go up before me to the high place; today you will dine with me; tomorrow, we’ll talk, and I will address all that is on your mind. As for those donkeys you were seeking, they have been found. All that is desirable in Israel lies before you and your father’s house.’ Saul was amazed! As the prophet had arranged, Saul and his servant came to the prophet’s table, and Samuel had Saul seated at the head, among about 30 guests. The cook set before Saul a large and choice portion. After the meal, a bed was laid for Saul on the roof, and at daybreak, Samuel called Saul down. As they approaches the outskirts of the city, Samuel had Saul send the servant ahead, and Samuel announced God’s words to Saul. He took a vial of oil, poured it over Saul’s head, kissed him and said, ‘The Lord has anointed you to be prince over His people Israel. You will reign over Israel and save My people from their surrounding enemies. God will confirm these words with clear signs, affirming that YHWH has anointed you prince over His heritage.’

Stephen’s testimony before the Jewish council continued: ‘After Moses had lived in exile in Midian forty years, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness near Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. As Moses approached, God spoke: “I Am the God your fathers, God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob!” Moses trembled and didn’t dare to look. YHWH said to him, “Take the shoes off your feet! You are standing on holy ground! I have seen the ill-treatment of My people in Egypt; I have heard their groaning, and have come to deliver them. Come, and I will send you to Egypt!” This Moses, whom the people had resisted and rejected as ruler or judge, God sent as ruler and judge to deliver them. And deliver them, he did! Moses led them out, performing signs and wonders in Egypt and at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. This same Moses told Israel, “God will raise up for you a prophet from among your brothers, as He raised me up.” Moses was with the angel, and with our ancestors, and he passed along God’s living oracles to our people. But our ancestors refused to obey him, and sought to thrust him aside. In their hearts, they longed to return to Egypt; at the first opportunity, they rejected Moses and YHWH, and demanded of Aaron, “Make for us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who led us out from Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.” And they made and worshiped a graven calf, sacrificed to this idol they had made, and rejoiced in the work of their hands! God turned, and gave them over to worship the host of heaven; it is written in Amos, ‘Did you offer Me slain beasts and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, house of Israel? Rather, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan, the figures you made to worship; and I will remove you beyond Babylon!”’

On the night of Passover, Jesus completed the seder with His apostles in the Upper Room, then came out and went to the Mount of Olives, as was His custom. He said to His apostles, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And Jesus removed Himself about a stone’s throw, knelt, and prayed, ‘Father, if Your are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done!’ When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation!’ As He was speaking, a crowd came, led by Judas Iscariot; he came up to Jesus to kiss Him; but Jesus said, ‘Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?’ Jesus’ companions could see what was coming; they asked, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ And one struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ He touched the slave’s ear and healed him.