Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 35

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

One of the more commonly known hymns in the psalter, 103 captures king David as he recalls the many reasons he has to praise the Lord. Like most hymns of praise and thanksgiving, the unchanging and righteous character of God is the cause for such adulation. As king David lists empirical truths of God’s nature, he does so by emphasizing the redemptive relationship between God and his people. Through such relationship David had witnessed God’s forgiveness, healing, steadfast love, and unmerited mercy. The repeated phrase “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” is the response of anyone who has personally experienced the benefits of being an adopted child of God the Father. When the reality and work of salvation takes root within the heart of a person, they recognize the immense grace of the Father and in turn worship him with all of their heart, soul and mind. All we have is from him, so all we are is due him.

(1 Chronicles 29:10-15; Psalm 116:12; Micah 7:18; Matthew 22:37; Luke 15:21-22; John 1:12; Romans 8:15, 11:36; Galatians 4:6-7; Ephesians 1:5)

The title for this book, Ecclesiastes, can be translated as “the Preacher” (vv.1, 12) or one who gathers the congregation for instruction. In other words this book can be thought of as instruction from the Preacher (ekklessiastes) for the benefit of the congregation/church (ekklesia). King Solomon’s instruction here is a warning for his audience concerning the futility in finding anything worthwhile apart from God. Solomon refers to mankind’s pursuit of things like wisdom, fulfilment, happiness, and success as vanity. In other words, every human effort is driven by a sinful and prideful nature. Solomon himself regrettably wasted much of his life by pleasing himself instead of honoring God. The life of a man is empty and fleeting, everything he builds is temporal. However, that which is built upon the foundation of God and his word will stand forever. A life that honors the Lord will value his wisdom, be fulfilled in him, find joy with him, and success will be defined by his will and purpose.

(Job 28:28; Psalm 39:5-6, 144:4; Isaiah 40:6-8; John 15:5; Romans 8:20; 1 Corinthians 3:19; Philippians 4:13; 1 Peter 1:25)

Paul boldly but respectfully testifies before Herod Agrippa II. Agrippa was well versed in Jewish customs, as he was commissioned by Rome to preside over Judea and was given authority over the Jerusalem Temple affairs by Emperor Claudius. Just as he had done before, Paul displays his innocence by connecting Jesus of Nazareth to the God of the Jewish patriarchs. If Paul was guilty of anything it was persecuting the followers of Christ as a Pharisee. The amazing aspect of this preceding is that the accused (Paul) is not defending himself, but defending the gospel of Jesus Christ (apologia) by sharing his testimony. This is why Agrippa asks if Paul is trying to convert him during the address. Paul’s reply to the king portrays the very heart of his mission, that he desires all people to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, even those who oppose and ridicule him. Reacting to hate and violence with more hate is the way of the world. However, reacting to hate and ridicule with love and concern is the work of the Lord and a characteristic of a true follower of Christ.

(Matthew 5:44; Romans 9:1-3, 10:1; 1 Corinthians 9:22; Philippians 1:23-26; 1 Timothy 2:3-4)

God’s sovereign plan will come to pass and his word ultimately proves true. Because the Lord had spoken to Paul, guaranteeing his safety and arrival to Rome, the apostle became a major asset among the 276 passengers. Empowered by faith and equipped with God’s reliable word, even as a captive, Paul was able to encourage the voyagers and advise the crew. Although the missionary was a very experienced traveler, it was Paul’s strong Christian character that made him stand out among the crowd. The ship surged with turmoil and fear, yet Paul remained anchored by his trust in the Lord. Even though life is often turbulent as a stormy sea, God is the ruler of the raging waters and therefore able to deliver his people to the destined location, regardless of the forecast.

(Numbers 23:19; Psalm 89:9, 145:13; Proverbs 30:5; Jeremiah 17:7; John 17:7)

There are no coincidences, for every shipwreck is orchestrated by God with purpose. Paul understood that truth and routinely remained on mission despite the landscape and climate. Throughout his trip to Rome the apostle was blessed with many profound opportunities to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Even a venomous snake bite assisted the missionary on his God-ordained journey. Through healing the many Maltese people, standing firm in his faith before other men, and leading with compassion, the apostle utilized every situation to make much of Jesus. Although he was a prisoner in Rome, Paul was given much liberty and spent his days reasoning and encouraging others with the Word. Just as he always wanted, the apostle made it to Rome so that he may bring the gospel to the nations.

(Acts 1:8, 19:21, 20:24; Romans 1:10-11, 15, 15:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Galatians 6:9)

Paul pens the epistle to the Roman believers while in Corinth towards the end of his third missionary journey. The assembly of believers in the Roman capital were known for their faith (v.8) and the apostle’s primary focus of the letter was to encourage and strengthen them (v.11) with what is widely considered to be the most robust and systematic theological work in the entire Bible. Just in the introduction alone Paul touches on several doctrinal truths, particularly justification by grace through faith in Christ, of which he will later expand upon. The anchor to the entire epistle (and the bible for that matter) comes in this chapter (vv.16-17) where Paul boldly proclaims that the person and work of Jesus Christ is the active power of God that produces salvation in all who believe. To understand this more clearly, to believe in something at that time and in that culture meant to put one’s entire weight of life into it. To believe was not simply comprehension or to be in agreement, but it was to support that belief with your entire being. In essence a person is saved not by merely acknowledging, but turning over one’s entire life to the Lordship of Christ. Paul also spends a good deal of time in this opening chapter speaking about why salvation is necessary: The wrath of God is against those who do not give their life to Christ (believe). As Paul states, all of humanity intrinsically knows that God exists, for it has been made plain to everyone (v.19). However, those who do not believe have rejected the truth of God in disobedience and therefore subject to his just judgement.

(Psalm 19:1-3; Habakkuk 2:4; 1 Corinthians 1:23-24; Galatians 3:11; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 2:9-12)

God shows no favortism in regards to people, judging everyone based on their individual faith and works; not by their ethnicity, their bank account balance, or what they say. This section of scripture points out the hypocrisy of the legalists and self-righteous sect, particularly those who reject Christ as the Messiah and believe in their own ability to keep the entire Law. Paul infers that they are, as John Calvin mentions, “doubly deserving of condemnation,” because they themselves are closely acquainted with God and his judgement, yet they condemn others of violating the Law as if they themselves are exempt. As we will see in chapter 3, every single human throughout history has sinned and therefore are considered violators of God’s law and standard. It was never the Law of Moses that set the Jewish people apart from the rest of the world, but their faith in the God whose Law they received. A person can be born from a Jewish lineage and even adhere to some of the Law (for instance circumcision) externally, but if they do not possess a new heart that seeks after God, then their efforts are futile. The Law does not save, it merely exposes sin. It simultaneously reflects the perfect righteousness of God and the human inability to achieve it. One must be changed inwardly, having been recipients of God’s grace, receiving faith and the indwelling Spirit of God.

(Deuteronomy 10:17; 1 Samuel 16:7; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Acts 10:34; Galatians 2:15-16, 3:1-6; Ephesians 6:9; James 2:10-11, 14-26)