Men, lead your family

Here is a short video encouraging and teaching us how to lean into the task of leading our family.  A related blog post is also linked right below the video...


Men, Lead Your Family from Desiring God on Vimeo.

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/how-a-man-loves-a-woman

April 11

Leviticus 15; Psalm 18; Proverbs 29; 2 Thessalonians 3

Yes Papa, I started adding comments for the full one-year M'Cheyne plan rather than the two-year plan.  Sorry to mess you up!  You can grab the one-year plan now in the Resources page right below the two-year version.

Daily Catechism

QUESTION 70: WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT?
Answer: The fifth commandment requires that we preserve the honor and perform the duties which belong to every one in their various roles as authorities, subordinates or equals.
Scripture: Leviticus 19:32; 1 Peter 2:17; Romans 12:10; 13:1; Ephesians 5:21-22; 6:1, 5, 9; Colossians 3:19-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:7, 17.

Leviticus 15

The biggest thing I notice in this chapter is a summary statement that might apply rightly to chapters 11-15.  Lev 15:31 puts a bow on the topic of uncleanness and the reason for all the rules and processes.  The Lord is protecting them and instructing them as he did at the death of Nadab and Abihu in chapter 10.  In Lev 10:3 the Lord said that those who are near him he will be sanctified and before the people he will be glorified.  This was Moses' answer to Aaron at the death of Aarons sons.  It seems that the Lord wants unclean persons to know their uncleanness so that they will rightly be kept far from the tabernacle (God’s presence with the nation of Israel) so that they are not consumed like Aaron’s sons (Lev 15:31; Lev 10:1-3).  Sin still separates and will hinder my prayers (Is 59:2; 1 Pet 3:7; Prov 28:9) but I need not fear death if I am coming into God’s court by faith in the Son (Eph 3:11-12; Heb 4:16, 10:19-22).

Psalm 18

A focal point in this Psalm is the basis for David’s plea to God.  From verse 20-24 David speaks in a way that seems to be claiming merit before God as if the Lord owes him deliverance.  He speaks of God dealing with her according to his righteousness and the cleanness of his hands.  He speaks of keeping the ways of the Lord and being rewarded for his righteousness according to the cleanness of his hands in God’s sight.  This can seem odd but David clarifies his argument from verse 25-39.  At verse 25 he reveals that God shows his mercy through his people meting merciful and his righteousness (blamelessness) through his people walking blamelessly.  This is a clue as to the cause and means of David’s obedience.  It is the Lord exalting his own name and empowering David to walk sanctified to the praise of the name of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Clearly in verse 27 David acknowledges that the Lord saves the humble and thus his claims of righteousness would be odd if they were a self-righteous claim before God.  Every verse from 28-39 gives further argument for the fact that it is the Lord who is accomplishing righteousness in David.  He is even giving him wide and clear ground on which to step…he is making it easy for David!  Could I seriously boast in myself that I have not committed such and such sin in more than two years when the reality is that the Lord has placed my feet on solid ground and the place for my steps are broad?  If he has removed temptation and there is indeed no borage of slippery slopes and uneven ground then where can my claim to owning this righteousness possibly come from?  May the Lord indeed equip us for battle by giving us strength and blamelessness.  May he indeed give us the righteousness of Christ and may the others see our works and glorify God (1 Peter 2:12; Matt 5:16)!  May he equip us to keep from our guilt (Psalm 18:23)!  Thank you Lord that you rescue us because it is your delight and not because you have found merit in us (Psalm 18:19).  Thank you Lord that you do not deal with us according to our sin (Psalm 103:10) but as David says here according to our righteousness (Psalm 18:20), which is Christ’s (2 Cor 5:21).

Proverbs 29

Sin is a snare but obedience lightens the heart and give joy even in rotten circumstances (Prov 29:6).  There is hardly a reason to be arguing with a fool (Prov 29:9).  Maintaining thoughts and grievances within until all information is gathered and understood is wise.  It is foolish to react immediately only to find that I did not consider something and now it is me who is the fool (Prov 29:11).  Children cannot raise themselves and they need constant direction and discipline and instruction (Prov 29:15).  The first will be last and the last will be first (Prov 29:23).  If I am acting in a way to please man and keep his favor then I will make terrible decisions and end up in a bad way…but if I fear the Lord and act to please him then my way will be secure (Prov 29:25)!

2 Thessalonians 3

Paul prays here that the Lord would direct their hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thess 3:5).  He knows that it is the Lord’s influence upon our hearts that brings change within us.  I cannot muster change or fruit…it is granted by God.  He admonishes us to warn those who are idle and are not working to support themselves but taking advantage of the hospitality and generosity of the church and to not associate with them (2 Thess 3:6, 10, 14-15).  He urges us to support ourselves and to not grow weary of doing good.  We are not to treat the idle as enemies but we are to be faithful brothers to them and admonish them.  He prays that the Lord would grant us peace always in all circumstances and so I pray that he would indeed!

Soli Deo Gloria!