Devotions: Ps 121-26; Ruth 1:15-22; 2 Cor 1:12-22; Mt 5:13-20
I turn my gaze upward and ponder: where does my help come from? It comes from YHWH, the Maker of heaven and earth. He never wavers, never nods off; and He protects me. YHWH is my Keeper; He watches over my goings and comings now and forever. I am always glad to be called to assemble with God's people to worship. Let God's peace abide over Jerusalem and all God's people. Lord, I lift my eyes and my heart to You, enthroned in glory. Have mercy on us, Lord; we have had enough of contempt. And if You were not with us, we'd have perished long ago. Blessed is YHWH, Who keeps us safe; our help is in His name. Those who trust in the Lord are like Mt. Zion, immovable, everlasting. YHWH surrounds and protects us as the mountains surround and shelter Jerusalem. Wickedness cannot overrule God; so doo good to His people, and pray for the peace of the Israel of God. When He restores us, we become like dreamers, mouths filled with laughter, tongues shouting with joy! YHWH has done great things for us, and we are glad! May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy, and bring home the harvest sheaves, fruit of God's love.
Naomi had released both her daughters-in-law and told them to return home to their mothers and their native gods. Orpah did so, but Ruth would not leave Naomi, and so they journeyed together back to the region of Bethlehem in Judah. The whole town was stirred by their coming; people hardly recognized Naomi. And she said, 'Don't call me Naomi [which means pleasant]--call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt most bitterly with me. I went away full, and YHWH has brought me back empty. Don't call me 'Pleasant,' when the Almighty has brought calamity upon me.' Naomi and Ruth had arrived at Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest.
Paul and Timothy wrote to the Corinthians: Our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we have behaved in the world, and even more toward the believers, with holiness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by God's grace. We write to you only what you can understand; I hope you will understand fully as you have already understood in part, so that you can be proud of us, as we are of you, on the day of the Lord Jesus. I had planned to come to you going forth toward Macedonia and again, as I returned toward Jerusalem. As God is faithful, so are we. The Son of God, Jesus the Messiah, whom Silvanus, Timothy and I preached among you, was never Yes and No. In Him, it is always Yes! All God's promises find their fulfillment, their affirmation, in Him. And we utter the Amen through Him to the glory of God. It is God Who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us. He has put His seal upon us, and has given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee and deposit.
Jesus taught: 'You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its savor, how can its saltiness be restored? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by mortals. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light lamps and put them under baskets; rather, lights are set on a stand and give light to all the house. Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven. Don't think I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth: heaven and earth are passing away, but not an iota or dot will pass from the law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one commandment and teaches others to do so, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever obeys the commandments and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you this: unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'
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