Meditation

Meditation for 04/11/2019

“By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Early the next morning, Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities whee Lot had lived.” (Genesis 19:23-29 )

Miraculous judgment works toward redemption of God’s people. Sin had engulfed Sodom and Gomorrah. God responded in miraculous judgment. Only Lot and his two daughters escaped the destruction of the two cities.

As limited as redemption appears on the surface of this story, there is evidence of God’s mercy. Lot’s greedy choice threatened the future of his whole people. In allowing him to escape God preserved an entire nation.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Abba let us understand that even in judgment, God showed mercy. Help us to also understand that we know right from wrong, what honors God and what does not; thus, we are to repent of our sins, not sit in judgment of others, but concern ourselves with our words and actions. Let us honor You in all ways and situations, seeking continuously to be within Your will and not our own. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Life is short, pray hard and read God’s Word daily!”

KNOWING GOD:

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided.” (Exodus 14:21)

God’s redemption from Egyptian bondage was the central miracle for Israel. The crossing of the sea created identity and faith for God’s people. Frightened rebels came to believe in God’s redemptive purpose. How? The Scripture clearly attests God’s miraculous use of His created nature. The wind blew back and dried up the waters. The event came at God’s time through the obedience of God’s prophet. Moses stretched out his hand, and God brought the strong east wind. Israel crossed, and Moses stretched out his hand bidding the waters to return. The Egyptians were drowned. Israel was redeemed. The important event is God’s victory. That day the Lord save Israel. God had introduced Himself on the international scene to His chosen people through the miraculous action in history.

I AM:

Miracle, Redemption: (Psalm 78:13-72)

Miracles should be unforgettable and from the heart of the tradition we teach our children. Miracles should help keep us from rebelling against God and being unfaithful to Him. Forgetting God’s miracles is a beginning point for sin and disobedience. The psalmist sang of God’s mighty acts in redeeming His people. He sang with tears because the redeemed rebelled. We must always keep the miraculous history of redemption bright in our memory.

Second Thought of the Day:

“Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled had was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely too see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand,’Stand up in front of everyone.’ Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” (Mark 3:1-6)

If you compare Matthew 12:9-14, there are similarities, but in Matthew it states the Pharisees entered the synagogue with intent to find a reason to accuse Jesus of breaking the law. In Mark, the healing is the same, but Jesus knows their hearts and minds and uses the healing as a lesson on compassion versus legalism. “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath, my answer is absolutely yes, and Jesus, but those who sought to destroy Him sat there in silence.

Jesus broke human tradition in order to help a person in need. He revealed His compassion for those suffering by healing this man, and His detractors sat in silence. As stated, the Pharisees left to plot with the Herodians on how they might kill Him.