May 14

Numbers 23; Psalms 64-65; Isaiah 13; 1 Peter 1

Daily Catechism

QUESTION 96: HOW IS THE WORD MADE EFFECTIVE FOR SALVATION?
Answer: The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith unto salvation.
Scripture: Psalm 19:7; 119:11, 18; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Peter 2:1, 2; Romans 1:16.

Numbers 23

Interesting that Balaam continues to go along with Balak on this tour of Moab.  It seems expressed by God here through Balaam that when he sets his will upon blessing a people…this shall come to pass (Is 46:10).  There is no buying of the favor of the LORD.  There is no turning of the LORD against his people.  There is no coming against the plan and covenant and love of God (Ps 33:11; Deut 7:9; Rom 8:38-39). 

Psalms 64-65

The righteous, those who trust in the LORD, will rejoice and take refuge in God because they know that he will deliver them.  They are satisfied with God (Ps 65:4) and they recognize the work of Christ as their hope (Ps 65:5).  The creation that he has made sings his praise and offers provision to his people and gives revelation of his eternal power and divine nature (Rom 1:20).  

Isaiah 13

The ESVSB and the title of the section indicates that this prophecy is about the judgement of Babylon but there are verses that seem to indicate a more end time judgement of God.  Verse 5 says the host coming for battle come from the end opt the heavens and they will destroy the whole land.  Sounds like the great Day of the Lord vs. a lesser judgement of a day past in Israel's history at this point to me.
v9.  Presents his judgement and the pouring of wrath and the destruction of sinners.
v11.  He will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity.
v16.  Very serious description of the violent wrath that is to come upon them
v20-22.  Describes desolation resulting and only animals living in what was babylon…

1 Peter 1

     v1-2.  The opening straight up goes right after the providence of God and an immediate understanding that all is in his hands and he is not unawares of our suffering.  There is a call to obedience that is to be brought by the purification process we see in suffering!  Their election is announced to be by the foreknowledge of God and for obedience to Jesus.  He acknowledges that the full trinitarian involvement with purpose in our struggles.  God plans that we will rely on his Spirit to sustain us to obedience and devotion to Christ!
     v3.  The resurrection of Christ “caused” us to be born again into a living hope!  And it is by mercy- we are all from the same lump.  This agrees with the Pauline theology of the mercy of God being the active agent in salvation as we are all from the same corrupt and guilty mass of humanity.  Romans 9:14-21
     v4.  This new birth ushered us into an inheritance that is indestructible
     v5.  We are being guarded by God’s power but the weapon he wields to guard us is our faith!  Wow- secure but directly involved and such our faith remaining is key to the power of God being evidenced.  More so the salvation is not really revealed until the end!  No false hope!  With the context of the letter it is likely that this was not to warn half hearted believers as much as to excite the believers to look forward the the salvation that will be revealed sometime ahead that they are having a hard time seeing in the midst of their persecution.
     v6.  This supports my previous point.  Rejoice in your hope of future redemption even though you suffer for a little while.
     v7  The faith that God is using to hold us secure (related to the Holy Spirit no doubt) is tested in these trials and is shown to be true!  And this to the glory of God since it is from him and not our own!  This revelation of Jesus Christ could refer to the end times but might better here be said to be the manifesting of Jesus in their life and the unseen sight of him at work in them and their resulting joy and hope.
     v8.  This verse support my point above about joy from hope.
     v9.  The outcome of this tested and abounding faith that is God’s gift and assurance is the final salvation of our souls- now indeed referencing the end times.
     v10-12.  He here establishes that the prophets discerned that they were writing for our benefit some time in the future and that they and the angels both longed to see these things come to be.
     v13 and forward…Here is it seems the revelation of Jesus Christ is future indeed and he is urging them to set their minds there on the future grace and the unseen (like Paul).  Also like Paul here he is urging that they not return to their former passions but to holiness by this setting of their mind upon their future redemption and knowledge of Jesus.  In this they will be prepared for action and sober minded like a good soldier.  This fits the persecution they are suffering.  Stand firm!  Hold your ground!  If we call upon him we ought to walk in obedience to him rather than live like the people attacking us and expect that he will deliver us from them when we are alike.  We came into this future hope by adopted inheritance as we were strangers (like Paul asserts in Ephesians).  It was Christ that brought us in (nigh) by ransom payment.
     v20.  The Son’s taking on of humanity and his death was foreknown before the ages and thus the book of the Lamb and the election of his church before they were even created.
     v21.  We are believers through Christ…he has given us the belief by a mighty work of obedience and sacrifice.
     v22-25.  Because we have been born again into this imperishable hope, which keeps due to the living and abiding Word of God (Christ in us and his Word being our daily bread), we are purified and obedient to truth (obedience of faith in Romans) and this leads to sincere brotherly love from a pure heart.  So love one another during this time and be strengthened by the Word of God!  All flesh will wither but your hope will remain.

Soli Deo Gloria!