Reflections: 01-08-2008

All Scripture citations are taken from New Living Translation, Second Edition (NLT).

 
 

Bible Reading Reflections:

 
 

• Deuteronomy 9
  

   
   

  • [Moses was quoted as saying,] "… You've heard the saying, 'Who can stand up to the Anakites?' But recognize today that the LORD your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD has promised." (vv. 2b - 3)
    
    • The Anakites were a tribe of people with towering heights. But God had been with them, just as the LORD has promised. Have faith in God, and fear nothing else except Him.
      

     
     

  • [Moses continued,] "After the LORD your God has done this for you, don't say to your hearts, 'The LORD has given us this land because we are such good people!' No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way… You must recognize that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not -- you are a stubborn people." (vv. 4, 6)
    
    • This showed the reason why the neighbouring tribes of Israel have to be removed from the land God promised for the latter people -- the former were wicked in His eyes. Moreover, the Israelites also were not perfect -- they were stubborn. Ironically however, God still chose them because of the faith displayed by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
      

       
       

• Deuteronomy 11
  

   
   

  • [Moses had said,] "If you carefully obey all the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the LORD your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons -- the early and late rains -- so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil. (vv. 13-14)
    

     
     

• Deuteronomy 12
  

   
   

  • [Moses had said,] "Do not worship the LORD your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods… You must not worship the LORD your God the way the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every detestable act that the LORD hates." (vv. 4, 31)
    

     
     

  • [Moses continued,] "So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them. (v. 32)
    

 
 

• Psalms 86
  

   
   

  • Teach me Your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor You. (v. 11)
    

     
     

  • But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. (v. 15)
    

 
 

• John 5
  

   
   

  • [Jesus was quoted as saying,] "If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid. But someone else is also testifying about me, and I assure you that everything that he says about me is true." (vv. 31-32)
    
    • Witnesses are necessary for one's testimony to be valid. This particular "someone else" was John the Baptist. Everything that John had said about Him is true, Jesus had said.
      

     
     

  • [Jesus continued,] "Of course, I have no need of human witnesses, but I say these things so you might be saved… But I have a greater witness than John -- my teachings and my miracles. The Father gave me these works to accomplish, and they prove that he sent me." (vv. 34,36)
    
    • As if witnesses are not enough, Jesus had greater witnesses regarding His testimony of who He is -- His teachings and miracles. Many people were astounded by both of these.
      

     
     

  • [Jesus continued,] "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life." (vv. 39-40)
    
    • Point taken. Sad but unfortunately true, some people chose not to believe in Jesus.
      

     
     

• John 6
  

   
   

  • When Jesus saw that they [-- the people whom Jesus miraculously gave bread and fish to 5,000 people --] were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself. (v. 15)
    
    • It is very clear from here that Jesus' earthly reign is not yet time. As it was stated in the Old Testament, Jesus' first coming will be a kingdom based on the forgiveness of sins, and not yet Him setting up an earthly government.
      

        
       

  • [Jesus had said,] "But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him." (vv. 54-56)
    
    • Jesus Christ should be our "bread and wine", representative of food to nourish our physical bodies and water to replenish our spiritual thirst. The idea here is that Jesus should be our only sustenance.