Exodus 32:31-33:23; Matthew 27:1-14; Psalms 33:12-19; Proverbs 11:29-31

OT: “Moses said to the Lord, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me.’ Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you. Now consider that this nation is your people.” And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” “If your presence does not go,” Moses responded to him, “don’t make us go up from here. How will it be known that I and your people have found favor with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth.” The Lord answered Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and I know you by name.”” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33:12-17‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Earlier, after the golden calf incident, God said that He would have Moses lead the people, but would send an angel to lead the way. After a time, Moses asks God to let him know who will be sent with him, and also asks God to teach him His ways, that he may lead the people well. God’s response: “My Presence will go with you… and I will give you rest.” How comforting that must have been. Moses didn’t want to go anywhere without God’s presence, and it was probably a huge burden on him to think he would have to lead the nation without God’s presence. Moses had found favor with God, and for Moses’ sake, God would accompany him with His presence. Then Moses said something key: “I and your people will be distinguished by Your presence and favor from all the other people of the earth.” That should still be true of us today – that we are distinguished from the rest of the world by the favor and presence of God on us and in us. Have we accepted the work of Jesus the Son of God and received His salvation for us? Have we allowed God’s favor to rest on us by abiding in The Son? Have we allowed God’s presence to ever abide in us by accepting and continuing in the fullness of His Holy Spirit? If so, we should be people at rest – not a people wrought up with worry, strife, and fear – and that should differentiate us from the rest of the world.

NT: “When daybreak came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put him to death. After tying him up, they led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor… Now Jesus stood before the governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus answered, “You say so.” While he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he didn’t answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how much they are testifying against you?” But he didn’t answer him on even one charge, so that the governor was quite amazed.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:1-2, 11-14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Here we see the prophecy from Isaiah 53:7 fulfilled: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.” All He did was affirm His identity when asked. He did nothing to defend Himself, nor did He resist the affliction – He allowed sin and evil to be fully unleashed and poured out on Him to save us from the fullness of God’s justice and wrath.

Psalms: “Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord — the people he has chosen to be his own possession! The Lord looks down from heaven; he observes everyone. He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth from his dwelling place. He forms the hearts of them all; he considers all their works. A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be rescued by great strength. The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power. But look, the Lord keeps his eye on those who fear him — those who depend on his faithful love to rescue them from death and to keep them alive in famine.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:12-19‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Peace and rest are not ultimately found in large armies, abundant resources, and economic strength. Ultimate peace and rest is found when the Lord’s favor is on us and His presence is with us. Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, who depend on Him for protection and provision.

Exodus 32:1-30; Matthew 26:69-75; Psalms 33:6-11; Proverbs 11:28

OT: “When the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Come, make gods for us who will go before us because this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt — we don’t know what has happened to him!” Aaron replied to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the gold rings that were on their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from them, fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it into an image of a calf. Then they said, “Israel, these are your gods, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of it and made an announcement: “There will be a festival to the Lord tomorrow.” Early the next morning they arose, offered burnt offerings, and presented fellowship offerings. The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party.” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭32:1-6‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

How quickly men turn from faith to the familiar… to things they can control – especially when they are surrounded by uncertainty. It’s one thing to trust in a God that you don’t see. The Israelites had plenty to see. They were led across the wilderness by a pillar of smoke and a pillar of fire. They saw the Red Sea part right before their eyes. They saw the thundering and shaking manifest presence of the Lord descend on Mt Sinai and heard His words – yet they still turned away from faith to familiar and controllable patterns when things became uncertain. The very gold that was to be used to create the articles of holy worship were being used to fashion a god that they could see and control. We look at that event from our perspective and think, “How utterly idiotic that was – why in the world would they do that?” Yet, we do the same thing all the time. We find things to trust… we find programs to give our lives to… we sacrifice our resources to lifeless patterns that can lead us nowhere in the face of a good and loving God Who is willing and able to lead us through all of life’s uncertainties.

Psalms: “Let the whole earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it came into being; he commanded, and it came into existence. The Lord frustrates the counsel of the nations; he thwarts the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart from generation to generation.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:8-11‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

In light of Who God is, every inhabitant of the earth should tremble in His presence. We get fearful and very cautious before a mere men who has authority over us. How much more so the Lord of the universe. If people truly saw and understood and inkling of the greatness of God, they would stand in awe of Him. Everything that has and has ever existed came to be and continues to be by just the power and authority of His will and word. Considering that, how foolhardy it is to stand against the Lord’s purposes… how completely futile it is to manufacture things to worship and trust instead of the Lord God. The Lord crushes the advice and purposes of the unbelieving nations, and He hinders and frustrates the carnal uninspired projects of His own people. However, the Lord’s purposes stand and endure forever and the projects and plans from His heart continue through the ages, from generation to generation to generation. So what is the truly reasonable thing to do? Go our own way and rely on our own understanding… listen to the wisdom and advice that comes from the world? Or do we trust and submit to the ever-good Lord of the Universe?

Proverbs: “Anyone trusting in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

This proverb is pretty self-explanatory. Who or what do you trust in?

Exodus 31:1-18; Matthew 26:57-68; Psalms 33:1-5; Proverbs 11:27

OT: “The Lord also spoke to Moses: “Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have put wisdom in the heart of every skilled artisan in order to make all that I have commanded you… They must make them according to all that I have commanded you.”” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭31:1-6, 11‬b ‭CSB‬‬)

The Lord gave Moses a long and specific list of things to build and make, and there is a good possibility that Moses wasn’t skilled or equipped to do any of it. But God wasn’t calling him to do everything on his own – to do it all by himself. God had a team for Moses to lead – skilled artisans, trained and practiced in multiple disciplines, and gifted with the creativity of the Lord. He even named two of them by name: Bezalel and Oholiab. God is a creative God. He creates beautiful and majestic things out of nothing. As He has made mankind in His image, He has also given man the ability to create… the ability to take raw, unformed materials and craft them into something magnificent. He specifically and uniquely gifted Bezalel and Oholiab with all that was needed to craft and oversee the construction of the articles of worship. God poured His creativity into those men, so that out of them would flow His creativity to intricately craft the instruments of worship that would allow His people to worship and draw near to Him. That is true inspiration.

Psalms: “Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the lyre; make music to him with a ten-stringed harp. Sing a new song to him; play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout. For the word of the Lord is right, and all his work is trustworthy. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the Lord’s unfailing love.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭33:1-5‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The psalmist here calls for the blessing that God has bestowed on His people to flow out of them in expressions of creativity: expressing thanks and praise with new, never-before heard, fresh and alive instead of rotely repeated songs and musical pieces. For those who are musically skilled – what a beautiful and amazing opportunity you have to allow God’s transforming, life-giving, creative grace to flow into you, and then flow out of you in masterfully crafted works of music and song, that can then lead God’s people to worship and draw near to Him – that they might know His trustworthiness and receive of His righteousness, justice, and unfailing love.

Exodus 30:11-38; Matthew 26:47-56; Psalms 32:8-11; Proverbs 11:24-26

Psalms: “I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel. Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you. Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:8-11‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

One of the most challenging things a disciple of Christ faces is trusting in the Lord. It is so much easier to trust in what you can physically see and audibly hear. It is so much harder to trust in something that is discerned spiritually, especially when what you are discerning spiritually is completely counterintuitive to the things that are physically happening and being communicated all around you. But one of the marks of a true disciple of the Lord is a surrender of self-will to, and complete trust in the Lord. Don’t be a person that has to be cajoled and convinced into trust with a “bit and bridle.” Be someone who willingly places his life into the hands of the Lord, and allows himself to be led by just the sound of His voice. He will instruct us and show us the way to go. He will ever keep His eye on us as we trust completely in Him… and in the midst of your trust, you will be surrounded by His unfailing love and mercy.

Proverbs: “One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water. People will curse anyone who hoards grain, but a blessing will come to the one who sells it.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:24-26‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Something that communicates trust is generosity. A person who is fearful or who does not trust will not be generous. Instead, they will hoard and take and isolate themselves. If they do “give,” it will be with guarantees attached. When we trust the Lord as our provider and source for all our needs, then we have no fear of giving… we have no fear of being without, for we know that when we give, more will be given to us. It is the Kingdom law of giving and receiving that runs counter to the world system of take and hoard. When you live by the world system, all you will ever have is what you can physically accumulate by your own abilities or take from others due to your own limitations. However, when you trust the Lord and enter into His economy, you enter into His endless flow of provision that provides, not only for you, but for those around you as well… and as you give, you gain more… and as you give away water, water is given to you. Faith or fear? Generosity or stinginess? Trust in the Lord.

Exodus 29:29-30:10; Matthew 26:26-46; Psalms 32:1-7; Proverbs 11:23

OT: “This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar every day: two year-old lambs. In the morning offer one lamb, and at twilight offer the other lamb. With the first lamb offer two quarts of fine flour mixed with one quart of oil from crushed olives, and a drink offering of one quart of wine. You are to offer the second lamb at twilight. Offer a grain offering and a drink offering with it, like the one in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord. This will be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance to the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you. I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by my glory… I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. And they will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God.” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭29:38-43, 45-46‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

These are the instructions God gave Moses for the daily sacrifice. Every day, for the next 1,400 plus years, this sacrifice would be made both in the morning and the evening. Each morning a lamb would be slain and offered as a sacrifice along with bread (flour mixed with oil) and wine. Why was this done? God gives His ultimate reason – “I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. And they will know that I am the Lord their God…” For a Holy God to dwell among a sinful people, the sin must be dealt with and atoning for sin is costly.

NT: “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins…” After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives… Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” …He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:26-28, 30, 36, 38-44‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

On the night before the annual Passover lamb was slain, Jesus had an early Passover meal with His disciples. During this meal He said this time, the bread that is broken and offered is My body… and the blood that will be shed is My blood. My life offered and poured out will bring not just atonement for sin, but complete forgiveness of sin. As Jesus awaited the inevitable, He prayed. His response to the disciples gives some insight into what He was going through. “The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak – so pray.” And in Jesus’ prayer, He was basically saying, If there is any other way for sin to be forgiven and mankind reconciled to You, then don’t make me go through this… if man can be saved by any other means, then don’t make me go through this – but if this is the only way, then not My will, but Your will, Father, be done. The ultimate act of worshipful obedience to the Father brought ultimate satisfaction for sin and ultimate reconciliation between mankind and Holy God. Through Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice The Lord is now able to dwell among those who place faith in Christ and be their God… and His people know and testify and demonstrate that He is the Lord their God.

Psalms: “How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit! When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:1-7‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Forgiveness is a truly joyful and liberating experience. In Christ, our sin isn’t just covered. It is removed… as far as the east is from the west. How do we receive that forgiveness and maintain that liberty and unfettered relationship with the Lord? Through confession and repentance. Confession and repentance are not bad words – they are wonderful gifts made available to us to stay clean and free and in relationship with Father God. That is why David says here, “Let everyone who is faithful pray to You immediately.” As soon as you are aware of a sin you have committed, bring it out of the shadows into the light and let it go through confession and repentance. As you remain clean and your relationship with the Father remains unhindered, you are able to abide in Him and with Him, joyful, forgiven, protected, and blessed.

Exodus 29:1-28; Matthew 26:14-25; Psalms 31:23-24; Proverbs 11:22

OT: “This is what you are to do for them to consecrate them to serve me as priests. Take a young bull and two unblemished rams… Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the tent of meeting and wash them with water. Then take the garments and clothe Aaron with the tunic, the robe for the ephod, the ephod itself, and the breastpiece; fasten the ephod on him with its woven waistband. Put the turban on his head and place the holy diadem on the turban. Take the anointing oil, pour it on his head, and anoint him. You must also bring his sons and clothe them with tunics. Tie the sashes on Aaron and his sons and fasten headbands on them. The priesthood is to be theirs by a permanent statute. This is the way you will ordain Aaron and his sons.” (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭29:1, 4-9‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Two words are used here to describe what needed to be done for Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. The first is consecrate (qadash in Hebrew). It means to set apart as holy. The second word is ordain (male’ in Hebrew). It means to fill up. So Aaron and his sons were to be set apart and filled up to serve in their role as priests. They also had to be completely cleansed from head to toe, clothed with holy garments, and fully anointed with holy oil. Then sacrifices were made to atone for their sins. In Revelation 5 is says this about those who place their faith in Christ – they have been purchased by Christ’s sacrifice and made a kingdom of priests to God. So what was done for Aaron and his sons physically has been done for us spiritually as we place our faith in Christ and follow Him. We are purchased by His blood. We are completely cleansed from head to toe, inside and out. We are clothed with Christ Himself, and immersed in the Holy Spirit. We are set apart and filled up to serve God and be a minister of reconciliation between God and the rest of the world.

Psalms: “Love the Lord, all his faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:23-24‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The loyal and faithful, those set apart and filled up – those are the ones that the Lord protects. To be loyal and faithful to the Lord requires humility and submission – a complete dependence on the Lord. The opposite spirit of that is arrogance. Those who arrogantly go through life on their own terms and in their own understanding will receive the wages of their refusal and independence, but those who love the Lord and are faithful and loyal to Him are able tp be strong, courageous, and full of hope because they belong to the Lord.

Exodus 28:15-43; Matthew 26:1-13; Psalms 31:21-22; Proverbs 11:20-21

NT: “While Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman approached him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume. She poured it on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw it, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This might have been sold for a great deal and given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a noble thing for me. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me. By pouring this perfume on my body, she has prepared me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:6-13‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Two things stood out to me about this passage. The first is the mention of Simon the leper. If Simon was still leperous, he wouldn’t be living in the city, he would be forced to live outside the city. Because of this, people believe that Simon was one of the lepers that was healed by Jesus, and that he was no longer a leper, but the “title” stuck to differentiate him from other Simons. So Simon, most likely a recipient of Jesus’ healing, was throwing Jesus a banquet. From a parallel telling of this story in John 12, we know that the woman was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus. Not only did she anoint Jesus’ head, she also anointed His feet, and wiped His feet with her hair. The second thing that stands out is the extravagance of this act of worship. If the accounts here and in John are the same story, we see the fullness of Mary’s worship. The perfume was probably the costliest thing she owned was was most likely part of her dowry. Her hair that she used to wipe Jesus feet was seen as her glory. All that she had to offer to Jesus, she gave to Him as an offering of gratitude, devotion, and worship. Because her worship was so extravagant, she was criticized by the disciples – specifically Judas Iscariot. But Jesus commended her. Worship is to be extravagant. It is the laying down of our everything in trust, devotion, surrender, etc.; that we may in exchange receive His everything. And if we truly live our lives surrendered to our Lord at that level, we will be criticized by those who still have trappings in the world – but we will be honored by Jesus.

Psalms: “Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his faithful love to me in a city under siege. In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to you for help.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:21-22‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

What a relevant scripture for where we find ourselves these days. Our city, our state, our nation, and most of the world is under siege by an unseen virus that has the ability to kill – to cut people off. But God hears us when we call for His help… and for those who place their trust in Him, they will experience His faithful love in the midst of a city under siege. And we, like Simon the leper, Mary of Bethany, and King David of old, will say Blessed be the Lord! All glory to the Lord! All I have, I give to You, for You are my life and my salvation.

Exodus 28:1-14; Matthew 25:31-46; Psalms 31:19-20; Proverbs 11:18-19

NT: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you didn’t take me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of me.’ Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:31-46‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

This parable ends Jesus’ “Olivet Discourse.” At the end of the age, all the nations of the earth will stand before the Lord Jesus and He will individually separate the sheep from the goats – or the righteous from the unrighteous. This is not a message where Jesus is preaching salvation through good works. Salvation has and will always come through faith in God and in His Son. However, good works are an external indication of an inward change – especially works that flow out of a submitted and obedient heart. Jesus taught that the way up is the way down. He taught about sacrificial love and service to those in greater need than yourself. Throughout the word, God shows that He is always concerned about the vulnerable. A person who has been inwardly transformed and made new through faith in Christ will outwardly care for and serve the vulnerable, just as Christ did. Therefore, the division is based on who lovingly obeyed Christ’s command to love one another in the same sacrificial way He loved, and those who refused to love the way He commanded us to love. Not doing good is the same as doing evil, for it involves disobedience. As we do good… as we lovingly serve the vulnerable – it is an act of worship to the Lord. When we refuse to do good… when we reject the vulnerable and care only for ourselves – it is an act of disobedience and rebellion against the Lord. The works themselves do not bring salvation. The works are a product of the genuine salvation we have received.

Psalms: “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you. In the presence of everyone you have acted for those who take refuge in you. You hide them in the protection of your presence; you conceal them in a shelter from human schemes, from quarrelsome tongues.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:19-20‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

How great is the goodness… How great is the blessing… How great is the reward that God has stored up for those who honor Him and obey His word, will, and ways. He will openly, in the presence of everyone, bless those who fear Him… and He will protect them from the schemes of humanity.

Proverbs: “The wicked person earns an empty wage, but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward. Genuine righteousness leads to life, but pursuing evil leads to death.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:18-19‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

When you sow righteousness – as you allow the fruit of God’s righteous work within you to flow out from you to others – it leads to life. Not feigned righteousness where you try to appear good outwardly – but true and genuine righteousness that is the product of the transformation that happens when you place your faith in God and in His Son. The sheep inherit eternal life. The goats – those who reject the Son and end up pursuing evil, receive the wages of evil – the eternal punishment that was prepared for the devil and his angels.

Exodus 26:30-27:21; Matthew 25:14-30; Psalms 31:9-18; Proverbs 11:16-17

NT: “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. In the same way the man with two earned two more. But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money back with interest when I returned. ‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw this good-for-nothing servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:14-30‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

As I am reading smaller portions of the Bible this year and reading these warnings given by Jesus about the end of the age, I am struck with how important it was to Him that His disciples remain vigilant, obedient, faithful, and fruitful until the end of the age. Here Jesus tells a parable of 3 servants. First of all, it is important to note that not every servant was given the same responsibility. Jesus said that each servant was given a responsibility equal to his ability. He didn’t give the under-qualified servant too much, and he didn’t give the highly-qualified servant too little. Each was given what they were capable of managing, so no one had an excuse to “under perform.” Also, a talent was not a meager amount of money – it was equivalent to about 20 years’ wages. So the 1 talent would have been enough money to earn a significant amount of interest. The point that Jesus is making is this: until the Lord our master returns, be faithful to do the Lord’s work, using all the opportunity He gives you to be fruitful and expand the kingdom. He won’t over burden you nor will he under burden you, but He does expect you to labor with Him and on His behalf. While the one-talent-servant didn’t intend to do wrong, he ended up committing sin through his fear and/or laziness. He was well-able to manage the one talent and see a return, he just chose to do nothing with it. Lord, help me to see every opportunity you give me to be fruitful, and grace me to not take those opportunities because of fear or laziness or lack of desire.

Psalms: “Be gracious to me, Lord, because I am in distress; my eyes are worn out from frustration — my whole being as well. Indeed, my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away… But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” The course of my life is in your power; rescue me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors. Make your face shine on your servant; save me by your faithful love.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:9-10, 14-16‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Psalm 31 is a great example of how to strengthen yourself in the Lord as you face challenges, setbacks, frustrations, etc. David doesn’t approach his issues with positivity. He approaches them with faith. There is a big difference between positivity and faith. Positivity seeks to ignore the negative and pretend it doesn’t exist while manufacturing positive thoughts to “counteract” the negative. Faith, on the other hand, acknowledges the challenges, but realizes that there is One far greater than the challenges that we can come to for help. As you see in this excerpt, David is very honest about his feelings and frustrations and even admits that he failed in his own attempts and remedying his situation because of his own shortcomings. But he doesn’t end there. He says, “But I trust in You, Lord; I say that You are my God, and my life is in Your hands.” In the midst of the fearful and/or frustrating situations we honestly recognize the challenges, but also, in faith, acknowledge the great God that we serve and trust in Him. That brings peace in the midst of the storm.

Exodus 25:31-26:29; Matthew 25:1-13; Psalms 31:3-8; Proverbs 11:15

NT: “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.’ When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’ Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:1-13‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Still on the subject of being ready for His return, Jesus told a parable about 10 bridesmaids awaiting the return of the bridegroom. Five were prepared and five were not. Five had enough oil the endure the long wait, the other five did not. When the bridegroom finally arrived the five who were not prepared were caught of guard, were empty of their oil and missed their opportunity to be welcomed into the banquet. Though all 10 bridesmaids fell asleep while waiting, only the 5 that had a full supply of oil were in the position to quickly respond. 1 John 5:19 speaks of the whole world being under the sway of the evil one. The original language connotes being rocked to sleep like an infant. The enemy of our soul is always attempting to rock us to sleep… dull our senses… and keep us off guard and unable to respond to our King. How do we combat that? Remaining full. What is the oil that we are to have in plentiful supply as we wait? The Holy Spirit and the Word of God. If we do not continuously feed on God’s word and remain full of the Holy Spirit we will be lulled to sleep and unable to respond when the time to respond arrives.

Psalms: “For you are my rock and my fortress; you lead and guide me for your name’s sake. You will free me from the net that is secretly set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I entrust my spirit; you have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:3-5‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

As we make the Lord our primary pursuit… as we follow Him… as we fill ourselves with His word and with His Holy Spirit, He will lead and guide us. He will navigate us around the pitfalls and snares of life and be our refuge in the midst of a world gone awry. The key is staying alert, listening to His voice, trusting in Him, and obeying Him.