Amid trials, God provides

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.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Devotions: Ps 101, 109, 119:121-44; 1 Sam 7:2-17; Acts 6:1-15; Lk 22:14-23

Lord, I will sing to You of loyalty and justice; I will walk in my home with integrity and justice; I will not set anything base before my eyes, nor clasp evil to myself. I will set aside perversity of heart. I will favor the faithful, and live by faith. I will oppose evil day by day. I pray, Lord, that You will be active in defending and guiding me, and in judging and punishing the unrepentant wicked. Let humankind experience Your mercy and Your holiness. Because Your steadfast love is good, deliver me, I pray! I am needy, and my heart is weak. Help me, YHWH my God! Save me according to Your steadfast love. May my accusers be wrapped in shame as in a cloak. I will praise God aloud, for He stands beside the needy, to save us from death. I long for Your justice and mercy; teach me Your ways, and help me live by Your precepts! Your words give light and impart wisdom; keep my steps steady; let no iniquity overtake me. Your promises are well-tested; I will not forget Your precepts. Give me understanding, that I may live!

Twenty years passed after God’s ark returned to Israel and was taken in at Kiriath Jearim; all Israel implored God’s help during those years. Finally, Samuel called Israel to gather at Mizpah. There, the nation assembled and fasted, and confessed their offenses against YHWH. The Philistines heard of the assembly and prepared to attack them, and the Israelites were afraid. They begged Samuel not to cease interceding; so Samuel offered a burnt offering and prayed for God’s help, and YHWH answered. As the Philistine forces approached, God thundered against them, and they were thrown into confusion. And Israel routed the Philistine forces that day, and pursued them beyond Beth-car. Samuel set up a monolith between Mizpah and Jeshana, and named it ‘Ebenezer’ (Stone of Help), declaring, ‘Hitherto YHWH has helped us.’ The Philistines were subdued and stayed out of Israel’s territory. God’s hand was against the Philistines all the days Samuel led Israel, and the Israelites recaptured the cities from Ekron to Gath, and they had peace with the Amorites. Samuel established an annual circuit, and judged Israel in Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah, as well as in Ramah, Samuel’s home base, where he also built an altar to the Lord.

As the young church grew, a division arose between the Jewish and Gentile Christians. The Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews, complaining that Gentile widows were neglected in daily distribution of goods and services. The twelve apostles gathered the community of disciples and announced that it was not right that the apostles should neglect preaching in order to conduct table service; but to correct inequity, the community should select seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and wise, to undertake the duty of service. The apostles, meanwhile, would focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. This proposal pleased the community, and they selected the first seven deacons: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus. The apostles prayed and laid hands on the deacons. God’s word prospered and the church multiplied in Jerusalem, attracting among others a large number of priests. The new deacon Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. He was opposed by members of the synagogue of Freedmen, and by people from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia. Stephen's opponents were unable to withstand the Spirit and wisdom with which he spoke. So they plotted against him and falsely accused Stephen of blasphemy against the Torah and God. They stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and Stephen was arrested and brought before the Jewish council. False witnesses testified against Stephen, saying, ‘This man never stops speaking against the temple and the laws; he says Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs God communicated to us through Moses.’ Those watching noted that Stephen’s face was like that of an angel. Finally, the high priest asked Stephen to respond to the charges against him.

At the hour of the Passover feast, Jesus reclined at table with His apostles. He said, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in God’s kingdom.’ He took a cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among you; for I say to you I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread and served it to them, saying ‘This is My body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ He did likewise with the cup of wine after supper, saying ‘This is the new covenant in My blood, poured out for you. Behold: the hand of My betrayer is on the table with me. For the Son of man goes as it has been determined; but woe to the man by whom He is betrayed!’ Of all He had said, the apostles focused on speculating about which of them would betray Jesus.