M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 30, 2018

Deuteronomy 3: Deuteronomy 3:1-22 recounts Israel’s defeat of Og the king of Bashan. In verse 23-24, Moses begs the Lord to let him enter the land beyond the Jordan. The Lord commands Moses to view the land from the top of Mount Pisgah but refuses to let him enter. Moses is commanded to charge, encourage and strengthen Joshua.

Psalm 85: The Psalmist looks to the Lord’s mighty acts of redemption in the past and asks for present restoration and grace: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (v. 6).

Isaiah 31: The Lord pronounces woe upon those who go down to Egypt. Yet again, he announces the future judgment of Assyria.

Revelation 2: Letters to the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. The Lord rebukes every church except for the church in Smyrna.

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 29, 2018

Deut. 2: Deuteronomy 2 and 3 continues the account of Israel’s wilderness wandering, specifically summarizing the events which took place in Numbers 20:14-21:35. Chapter 2 recounts Israel’s journey through Seir and the wilderness of Moab until they crossed the brook Zered. 38 years passed between Israel’s departure from Kadesh-Barnea and their crossing of the brook Zered, by which time the first generation had perished. The account continues with Israel’s defeat of Sihon the king of Heshbon.

Psalm 83: The Psalmist pleads with the Lord to defeat the enemies of his people.

Psalm 84: Psalm 84 is a “Zion song.” Other “Zion songs” include Psalm 46, 48, 78, and 122. As Tremper Longman III puts it, “the predominant emotion of the psalm is a rapturous yearning to be in the temple precincts” (Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary, p. 310). In Psalm 84, the Psalmist testifies to the reality that the presence of God is his greatest good. He longs for Zion because “to be in Zion is to be close to God and his benefits” (Longman, 312). Christians reading this Psalm through the lenses of fulfillment recognize that God’s presence has been unleashed into the world in the person of the incarnate, crucified and risen Christ.

Isaiah 30: The Lord forbids Israel from entering into an alliance with Egypt. Israel is a “rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord” (v. 9). Nevertheless, “the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him” (v. 18). The Lord will remove all weeping from the land, restore his people, and judge the Assyrians.

Revelation 1: John greets the seven churches and describes his vision of the Son of Man.

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 28, 2018

Deut. 1: Deuteronomy begins with an introduction which sets the scene for the book. It contains Moses’ words spoken to the people of Israel east of the Jordan river immediately before they enter into the promised land. Verses 6-46 provide a retrospective account of the first generation’s failure to believe the word of the Lord after the 12 spies were sent to explore the land.

Psalm 81: Psalm 81 recounts the Lord’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt and her subsequent rebellion in the wilderness. The Lord promises to bless Israel if she responds in obedience.

Psalm 82: Psalm 82 presents God addressing a great assembly, described in verse 1 as “gods.” Since it’s possible that human judges are described using this language in texts like Ex. 21:6; 22:8, 28, the “gods” could refer to human rulers. Another interpretation, supported by Tremper Longman III, is that the term refers to all spiritual beings rather than human rulers. According to this interpretation, God is addressing the angelic assembly, upbraiding some of these spiritual beings for their unjust failure to protect the vulnerable.

Isaiah 29: Isaiah foretells the siege of Jerusalem. Israel is condemned for its hypocritical worship: “…this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me” (v. 13). Jesus uses verse 13 to describe the false worship of the Jewish leaders. Israel’s restoration is described in verses 17-24.

3 John: 3 John is written to “the beloved Gaius.” John commends Gaius for his efforts on behalf of fellow believers and encourages him to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. John mentions a church leader named Diotrephes and condemns his behavior. He concludes by commanding Gaius to not imitate evil but to imitate good.

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 27, 2018

Last week’s readings will be up later this week!

Numbers 36: In Numbers 27, the daughters of Zelophehad asked Moses for a possession among their father’s brothers since Zelophedad had no sons. The Lord gave them the inheritance and established a statute that if a man has no sons, the inheritance is transferred to his daughter. In chapter 36, men from the tribe of Manasseh approach Moses with a question which this statute raises. If the daughters of Zelophehad marry men from other tribes, then the inheritance will be taken from the tribe of Manasseh and added to the tribe into which they marry. The Lord says that the people of Joseph are right and establishes a new statute. The daughters of Zelophedad must marry within the clan of the tribe of their father and the inheritance cannot be transferred to another tribe.

Psalm 80: Psalm 80 is a corporate lament in which the Psalmist, representing the people, asks the Lord for salvation. One of the more noticeable features of the Psalm is the refrain repeated three times in v. 3, 7, 19: “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”

Isaiah 28: The Lord pronounces judgment upon Ephraim and Jerusalem. There is hope for the remnant of God’s people on that day when “The Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate” (v. 5-6).

2 John: John’s second epistle is written to “the elect lady and her children” (v. 1). John urges upon this lady the command to love (v. 5). He defines love as walking according to God’s commandments (v. 6). Those deceivers who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh are identified as the antichrist (v. 7). She is commanded not to receive into her house these deceivers who do not abide in Christ’s teaching (v. 10).

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 20, 2018

Numbers 29: The Lord provides laws concerning vows.

Psalm 73: Asaph speaks of nearly stumbling because he was envious of the prosperity of the wicked. He discerns their true end when he enters into the sanctuary of God. He closes the Psalm by praising the Lord for his presence: “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (v. 25-26).

Isaiah 21: Isaiah foretells the fall of Babylon.

2 Peter 2: False teachers will arise in the church, bringing in destructive heresies. Their end, like that of the fallen angels, is judgment. Baalam, whom we’ve just read about in the book of Numbers, is set forward as a kind of archetypal false prophet who “loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness” (v. 15-16).

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 19, 2018

Numbers 28: The Lord provides laws for the giving of daily offerings, Sabbath offerings, monthly offerings, Passover offerings, and offerings for the Feast of Weeks.

Numbers 29: Offerings for the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Booths.

Psalm 72: Psalm 72 is written by Solomon. He beckons the Lord to give justice, righteousness, and universal dominion to the King. Jesus Christ is the only King who fits the description laid before us in this Psalm. The lesson of this Psalm, read through the lenses of the New Testament, is that “one greater than Solomon has come” (D.A. Carson, For the Love of God, p. 139).

Isaiah 19-20: An Oracle and sign against Egypt and Cush.

2 Peter 1: The church must pay attention to the prophetic word as to a lamp shining in a dark place. Holy Scripture is not a product of human ingenuity but is authored by God: “No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the holy Spirit” (v. 21).

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 18, 2018

Numbers 27: The daughters of Zelophehad ask Moses for a possession among their father’s brothers since Zelophedad had no sons. The Lord grants them the inheritance and establishes a statute that if a man has no sons, the inheritance is transferred to his daughter.

Psalm 70: “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore ‘God is great!’” (v. 4).

Psalm 71: “Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you” (v. 6).

Isaiah 17-18: Isaiah’s oracles against Damascus and Cush.

1 Peter 5: Peter exhorts the elders to shepherd the flock of God. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

 

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 17, 2018

Pensive, doubting, fearful, heart,
Hear what Christ the Savior says;
Every word should joy impart-
Change thy mourning into praise.

Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee;
May he help thee to believe;
Then thou presently wilt see,
Thou has little cause to grieve:

Fear thou not, nor be ashamed;
All thy sorrows soon shall end;
I, who heaven and earth have framed,
Am thy Husband and thy Friend:

I, the High and Holy One,
Israel’s God, by all adored,
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.

-John Newton, Olney Hymns

Numbers 26: The Lord commands Moses and Eleazar to take a second census. Not one Israelite listed in the earlier census was included in the new census except for Caleb and Joshua (v. 64-65).

Ps. 69- David cries out to the Lord in the midst of severe trial. Psalm 69 is frequently quoted in the NT as being fulfilled in the sufferings of Christ who endured scorn as the zealous and faithful King come to save his people.

Isaiah 16: The burden against Moab continues. Israel is called to welcome the outcasts of Moab and Isaiah speaks of a day when a faithful King will reign: “…then a throne will be established in faithfulness, in the tent of David, one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness” (v. 5).

1 Peter 4: Peter continues to emphasize the theme of suffering in chapter 4. Those who suffer in union with Christ have ceased from sin to live, not for themselves, but for the will of God (v. 2). In the midst of suffering, we ought to live self-controlled and sober-minded lives, loving one another earnestly (v. 8). We ought not to be surprised by the fiery trial when it comes to test us. Instead, we ought to rejoice since we share in Christ’s sufferings (v. 13).

 

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for May 16, 2018

Numbers 25: The Moabites invite the people of Israel to the sacrifices of their gods and the men of Israel commit harlotry with the women of Moab. The Lord sends a plague upon the people. Phineas kills an Israelite man and a Midianite woman engaging in sexual immorality. The Lord commends Phineas’ zeal and stops the plague. 24,000 people die in the plague. God will not allow His glory to be profaned. So concerned is He with the glory of His name and the salvation of His people, that He gave His Son to take upon Himself the divine curse for our immoral hearts and actions.

Psalm 68: Psalm 68 is difficult to categorize. Longman suggests that it is most likely a song of thanksgiving for victory over Israel’s enemies (Psalms: A Commentary, p. 257). It depicts God as the Divine Warrior- the Almighty Lord who has fought for His people in the past, continues to do so, and even grants strength and power to His people in the present. Paul uses verse 18 in Eph. 4:8 to describe the significance of Christ’s ascension.  The people of God live upon the past, present, and future grace of the true and living God.

Isaiah 15: Chapter 15 recounts the Lord’s burden against Moab. Verses 1-4 provide a vivid description of the profound misery which will follow in the wake of Moab’s destruction. Well might we seriously consider the words of Puritan Richard Sibbes: “Where there is a falling into sin, there will be a falling into misery and judgment. Sin…debaseth a man. So much sin, so much loss of excellency” (Richard Sibbes, The Returning Backslider, Works: Vol. 2, p. 257).

1 Peter 3: Wives are called to submit to their husbands and to adorn themselves with godliness. Husbands are called to be understanding toward their wives and to give them honor. The people of God are called to unity, compassion, love, tenderheartedness, and courtesy. We are to bless rather than revile, even when sinned against. The church is blessed even if suffering for righteousness’ sake. Jesus Christ is the archetypal sufferer: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death pin the flesh but made alive in the spirit” (v. 18).

“Holy Spirit End our Sadness…”

The following are the words of Lutheran minister Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676), considered by many to be Germany’s greatest hymn writer. We will be singing it this coming Pentecost Sunday. My favorite lines are in the first stanza: “Come, O Source of sweetest gladness; Breathe your life and spread your life.” Only through the new birth and the sanctifying power of the Spirit shining the life and light of Christ into our souls, can we ever hope to experience the sweetest gladness that the Lord has laid up for His people in the person of His Son. May this be your prayer as you prepare your souls to worship the Lord on this Pentecost Sunday.

Holy Spirit, end our sadness;
Pierce the clouds of sinful night;
Come, O source of sweetest gladness,
Breathe Your life and spread Your light!
Hear, O hear our supplication,
Loving Spirit, God of peace!
Rest upon this congregation,
Great distributer of grace!

From the height which knows no measure
As a gracious show’r descend.
Bringing down the richest treasure
We can wish, or God can send!
Help us flee what e’er would harm us,
Both from error and from sin.
Guard us, less the world alarm us,
Holy Fountain, cleanse within.

Be our friend on each occasion,
God, omnipotent to save!
When we die, be our salvation,
When we’re buried be our grave.
Seat us with Your saints in glory,
When from out the grave we rise,
Then forever we’ll adore You,
Round Your throne above the skies.