Abide steadfast and alert, trusting God's resolution

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. As you read, I encourage you to record any reflections or comments you may have, for the entries here serve best as the first remarks in a conversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Monday, July 12, 2010
Devotions: Ps 9, 15, 25; Josh 2:1-14; Rom 11:1-12; Mt 25:1-13

I will thank YHWH with my whole heart and sing His praises to all. He has caused my enemies to perish, and has sustained me in times of challenge and stress. God has rebuked the pagans, and He is enthroned forever; God judges all peoples with equity. YHWH is a stronghold for the oppressed; we trust in You and are saved. Let everyone know about our God. Lord, be gracious to my family and me, that we may recount your praises. Put the nations on notice: YHWH rules, and the wicked are snared in their own plots. Who may abide in Your holy presence, Lord? Those who are blameless and do what is right; those who speak truth and do not slander; those who despise the ungodly and honor all who fear YHWH; those who keep their promises, who refrain from usury and refuse to give or receive bribes against the innocent. They will not be moved! YHWH, I lift my soul to You. Help me to know Your ways; teach me Your paths, God of my salvation, for I wait upon you all day long. Bless me in Your steadfast love; forgive my sins; help me to keep Your covenants and testimonies. Pardon my great guilt, for Your name’s sake. Protect my household, and be my Friend; my eyes and heart are ever turned toward You! Relive the troubles of my heart, my God; deliver me from my distresses. Consider the violent hatred others express toward me, and redeem me out of all my troubles.

Joshua sent two spies to reconnoiter in Canaan, especially around Jericho. They lodged in the house of a prostitute named Rahab. Spies carried news of their arrival to Jericho’s king, and the king sent messengers to demand of Rahab that she turn the men over. But she had hidden them, and she lied to the king’s men, saying that the men had left before the gate closed at dark, and she didn’t know their destination. Rahab told all this and more to Joshua’s spies: ‘I know YHWH has given you the land; fear of you has fallen on us, and all the inhabitants melt away before you. We have heard of the mighty works YHWH has done, drying up the Red Sea before you, and how you overthrew the Amorite kings Sihon and Og—so our hearts have melted and our men have no courage left, for YHWH your God is God of heaven and earth. Swear by your God YHWH that as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s household when you conquer—preserve us from death.’ The men replied, ‘Our lives for yours! If you keep all this to yourself, then we will deal kindly and faithfully with you with YHWH gives us the land.’

Paul continues his discussion of God’s providence to Jews and Gentiles: Has God rejected His people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite of Benjamin’s tribe, Abraham’s descendant. God has not rejected this people whom He foreknew. Consider the scripture in which Elijah pleads with God against Israel: ‘Lord, they have killed Your prophets and demolished Your altars, and I along am left—and now they’re trying to kill me.’ What did God reply? ‘I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ Likewise, at the present time, there is a remnant chosen by God’s grace—no on the basis of works, but by grace alone. Israel as a whole failed to obtain what it sought—the elect obtained it, but many were hardened: ‘God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that should not see and ears that should not hear, down to this very day.’ And David added, ‘Let their table become a snare and a trap, a pitfall and a retribution to them; let their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and bend their backs for ever.’ So: has Israel stumbled so that they will fall? By no means! Through their trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. Now, if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

Jesus taught: ‘The kingdom of heaven can be compared to ten maidens, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. A foolish five took no oil with them; the five who were wise carried extra oil for their lamps. The bridegroom’s arrival was delayed, and all fell asleep. But at midnight came the alert: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him!’ All arose and trimmed their lamps. And all the lamps needed more oil. The foolish asked to borrow oil from the wise, but the latter answered, “There may not be enough for us and for you; so go and buy oil from the dealers.” While the foolish maidens were seeking oil, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready followed him into the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Later, the other maidens arrived, and cried out, “Lord, lord, open to us!” But the bridegroom replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” And they were excluded. So keep watch! You know neither the day nor the hour when God’s kingdom will arrive.