Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 47:1-4 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
2 For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
Read the entire Psalm
Think about verse 2 for a moment. The Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King over all the earth. He does not have to prove His awesomeness. He did not ascend to the throne. He has always been King. His Kingship is secure and never has been in jeopardy. He reigns over nations. He is worthy of praise. He reigns over your life. Acknowledge Him as the great and awesome King over all the earth.
Scripture Reading
1 Peter 1:10-11 – New International Version
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.
1 Peter 1:24-25 – New International Version
24 For, “All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for Isaac and Suzanne Michaels. Ask God to encourage them and use them as they serve at Black Forest Academy.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow
1 Peter 1:10-11
The Bible presents Jesus throughout the entire historical drama from Genesis to Revelation. In the Garden after mankind’s fall into sin, God announces the gospel for the first time. From the seed of the woman will come the one who will crush Satan’s head. Abraham’s faith in the promised covenant is tested when he is told to sacrifice his own son, the son of the promise. In Isaac’s place, God provides a substitute sacrifice. In Egyptian captivity, the seed of the promise is again endangered when all the first born are threatened with death, but through the substitutionary blood of a lamb the wrath of God is averted. In the wilderness, the people threaten to stone Moses because they have no water, but their real complaint is against God. The Lord stands before the people (putting himself in the position of defendant) by a rock, and at his command, Moses strikes the rock. The symbolism is that God receives the blow and water comes from the rock to save the people. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:4, this rock they received life from was Christ. This same thing repeats itself over and over in Scripture. The biblical narratives lead people to expect a deliverer who can be no one other than Jesus Christ. Jesus is the true and better Adam, King, prophet, Moses, wisdom. (Much of this material comes from Apologetics by John Frame)
Application: The divine nature of the Bible is seen in its contents, its overall design, its impact and its providential protection. Give thanks to God that he has given us the Bible. If appropriate, ask God to forgive you for taking the Bible for granted. Ask God to help you treasure the Bible by reading it and applying it to your life.