M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for July 24, 2018

Judges 7: The Lord commands Gideon to reduce the size of the army lest the people boast and attribute success to themselves. 300 men of Israel attack the Midianites and set them to flight. They capture and kill Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian.
We learn from this chapter that the Lord’s great and ultimate design in the salvation of his people is his own glory. The Lord chooses to glorify himself through those who are inherently powerless.. His deliverance is wrought in the most unexpected and miraculous of ways.

Jeremiah 20: Jeremiah’s denunciation of the people and his warning of coming judgment in chapter 19 is met with the violent hostility of Pashhur the priest. He beats Jeremiah and then puts him in stocks. When Jeremiah is released, he forewarns Passhur of his imminent punishment. In verses 7-18, Jeremiah laments the intense suffering he is experiencing at the hands of Judah’s leaders.

The isolation brought about by the persecution of God’s people can often lead to discouragement and emotional turmoil. Our hope in the midst of isolation and affliction is the abiding presence of our ever-gracious God who has promised never to leave us or forsake us. In the midst of isolation and affliction we can rejoice and sing praises to the Lord (v. 13) since “He has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evil doers.” In the person of Jesus, the victory over our enemies has already been secured. We labor on in this world assured that Jesus reigns and will soon return to set us free from all His and our enemies.

Mark 6: One of the great purposes of Mark’s gospel is to reveal, through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, his identity as the Son of God (1:1). Mark 6 is largely concerned with this theme of Jesus’ identity. Who is Jesus Christ? What did others think of Him? Who did he reveal Himself to be? Those in his hometown of Nazareth think of him as the mere son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon (v. 3). Others said that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead (v. 14), still others that Jesus was Elijah (v. 15). All of these evaluations of Jesus are wrong. Only Jesus Himself can reveal to us His true identity and he does this in verses 30-56. Jesus is the compassionate shepherd of the sheep who graciously feeds the hungry; Jesus is Yahweh made flesh who provides bread for his people in the wilderness; Jesus is the Ruler of the Waves, the sovereign Lord over the forces of chaos who walks on the sea and stops its roaring; Jesus is the Great Physician who heals the unclean and gives them his purity without contracting their corruption. And yet, in spite of this revelation, his disciples fail to understand his identity due to their hardness of heart (v. 52). As D.A. Carson observes, “…their entire orientation was still too restricted, too focused on the immediacy of their fears, too limited by their inability to penetrate to the full mystery of who Jesus is and why he came. This side of the cross and resurrection, we have still less excuse than they” (D.A. Carson, For the Love of God, p. 34).

Acts 11: Peter explains and defends his mission to the Gentiles. The church in Jerusalem glorifies God for granting to the Gentiles repentance unto life. Barnabas goes to Antioch and then sends for Saul. For a year, Saul and Barnabas minister to the church in Antioch. Key verse: “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life’” (11:18).

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for July 23, 2018

Acts 9: Saul is confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus. A disciple named Ananias is sent to restore Saul’s sight. Saul is baptized and begins preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. He joins the apostles in Jerusalem and is taken to Caesarea when the Hellenists seek to take his life. Meanwhile, Peter heals a man named Aeneas and raises Dorcas from the dead in Joppa. The Lord is building his church. Key verses: “And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’” (9:4-5).

Judges 6: In the midst of Midian’s oppression of Israel, the Lord raises up Gideon as judge. Gideon asks for signs to assure him of the Lord’s presence and intention to save Israel. He destroys the altar of Baal.

Jeremiah 19: The Lord commands Jeremiah to buy an earthenware flask and go to the valley of the Son of Hinnom. Jeremiah speaks of the coming disaster coming upon Judah. He breaks the flask as a sign that the Lord will “break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter’s vessel, so that it can never be mended” (v. 11).

Mark 5: Jesus heals the man with an unclean spirit living among the tombs. He then heals the woman with the flow of blood and Jairus’ daughter.

Acts 10: Cornelius sends for Peter after being told to do so in a vision. Peter, after receiving his own vision in which the Lord commands him to eat unclean animals, goes to Caesarea and preaches to Cornelius’ household. While preaching, the Holy Spirit falls upon them and they are baptized. Key verses: “And there came a voice to him: ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.’ And the voice came to him again a second time, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common’” (10:13-15).

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for July 22, 2018

Judges 5: Chapter 5 records the song of Deborah and Barak, celebrating Israel’s victory, lauding the actions of Jael, and taunting their enemies.

Jeremiah 18: The Lord commands Jeremiah to observe the potter. Just as the potter shapes the clay, so the Lord is shaping disaster against Israel (v. 11). He commands the people to turn from their evil way and amend their deeds. Israel, however, will follow her own plans and act according to the stubbornness of her heart.

Mark 4- Jesus begins to teach in parables. The purpose of the parables is identified in v. 10-11. Jesus’ parables are not the ancient equivalent of contemporary sermon illustrations. Rather, the parables serve a unique role in the history of redemption. According to Jesus, they are designed to conceal the truth from those who are outside (v. 11). Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 where Isaiah’s ministry to hard-hearted Israel is described in terms of concealing the truth (v. 12). Jesus is portrayed here as the latter day Isaiah whose parables serve as forms of judgment upon the impenitent- especially those who, like the Pharisees, refuse to acknowledge the claims of Christ and blaspheme against his Spirit.

Acts 9: Saul is confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus. A disciple named Ananias is sent to restore Saul’s sight. Saul is baptized and begins preaching that Jesus is the Son of God. He joins the apostles in Jerusalem and is taken to Caesarea when the Hellenists seek to take his life. Meanwhile, Peter heals a man named Aeneas and raises Dorcas from the dead in Joppa. The Lord is building his church. Key verses: “And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’” (9:4-5).

 

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for July 21, 2018

Judges 4: The Lord sells the people of Israel into the hands of Jabin, king of Caanan, and Sisera, the commander of his army. Barak and Deborah put Sisera and his armies to flight. Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, slays Sisera by driving a tent peg through his head.

Jeremiah 17: Those who trust in man are cursed, while those who trust in the Lord are blessed. If the Sabbath is observed, then the Lord will preserve his people.

Mark 3- The opposition between Jesus and the Pharisees continues to escalate. After Jesus heals the man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, the Pharisees plot to kill Jesus with the Herodians. Jesus continues to heal the masses and deliver those oppressed by demons. Even the demons confess the divine Sonship of Jesus Christ but Jesus silences them. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of Satanic empowerment but he rebukes them, identifying their sin as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This blasphemy consists of impenitently attributing Jesus’ saving work to that of tithe devil (v. 30).

Acts 8: The church is persecuted and scattered. Phillip preaches the gospel in Samaria and a magician named Simon believes and his baptized. After trying to buy the power of giving the Spirit from the apostles, he is condemned by Peter. Phillip then goes to the south where he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah 5:7-8. Phillip explains the passage and the eunuch believes and is baptized. Key verse: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus” (8:35).

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

Judges 3: Othniel is raised up as Israel’s deliverer but when he dies, the people descend into wickedness. The Lord then raises up Ehud who kills Eglon king of Moab.

Jeremiah 16: The Lord commands Jeremiah not to marry or have children. Judgment will come upon God’s people because they have followed their evil hearts.

Mark 2: The Pharisees are offended that Jesus’ disciples do not fast. Jesus defends his disciples by pointing out that “in his immediate presence the proper response is joy” (D.A. Carson, For the Love of God, p. 30). Carson continues: “The truth, Jesus says, is that with the dawning of the kingdom, the traditional structures of life and forms of piety would change. It would be inappropriate to graft the new onto the old, as if the old were the supporting structure” (p. 30). In the presence of the Incarnate Christ, is fulness of joy and pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11).

Acts 7: Stephen’s sermon emphasizes the history of Israel’s sin- beginning with the family of Abraham and the selling of Joseph into Egypt by his brothers. and concluding with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at the hands of the Jews. Key verses: “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it” (7:51-53).

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

Judges 2: The people of Israel worship the Baals and the Lord hands them over to their enemies. When they cry out to the Lord, he delivers them.

Jeremiah 15: Jeremiah laments the insults he suffers for the sake of the Lord. The Lord assures Jeremiah that He is present with him.

Mark 1: Mark’s gospel opens with a description of its main subject: it is the gospel (good news) about Jesus Christ, the Son of God (v. 1). The heartbeat of Mark’s gospel is the gospel itself, the confident proclamation that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the long awaited Messiah who has come to establish the kingdom of God.

Acts 6- Seven are chosen from among the disciples to care for the physical needs of the church. The Apostles’ primary responsibility is prayer and the ministry of the Word.

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

Judges 1: Judah defeats the Caananites and conquers Jerusalem but fails to drive them out completely.

Jeremiah 14: There is widespread drought because of Israel’s sin. Jeremiah asks the Lord not to forsake his people. The idols of the nations cannot bring rain.

Matthew 28: The women go to the tomb and see an angel of the Lord sitting on the stone of the tomb. He tells them not to be afraid because Jesus has risen. Jesus meets them on the road, greets them and tells them not to be afraid. He instructs them to go to Galilee and tell the brothers of his resurrection. The disciples meet Jesus on the mountain and worship him. Jesus gives his disciples his commission to make disciples of all nations.

Acts 5: Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property, kept some of the proceeds for themselves, and then brought only a part of it before the apostles. Their sin was deceit- presenting the partial proceeds from the property as the whole offering. The severity of their judgment reveals the Lord’s hatred of hypocrisy.

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

Joshua 24: Joshua rehearses the mighty acts of redemption wrought by the Lord on Israel’s behalf. The land is a gift of divine grace. In view of Israel’s deliverance, they are to fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness, putting away the gods of their fathers (v. 14). Joshua proclaims his commitment to the Lord’s service: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (v. 15). The people of Israel renew the covenant and promise to serve the Lord. Joshua, however, tells them that they are not able to serve the Lord. The conclusion of chapter 24 cries out for a better covenant, a covenant which will enable the people to serve the Lord faithfully. Joshua dies at 110 years old. Joseph’s bones are buried at Shechem.

Jeremiah 13: Jeremiah’s spoiled loincloth represents the Lord’s intention to spoil the pride of Judah. The prophets, priests, and kings- along with all the inhabitants of Jerusalem- will be filled with the wine of God’s wrath. He will not pity or have compassion upon them. In the fulness of time, Jesus Christ- the antitypical prophet, priest and King- would drink down to its very dregs the cup of God’s wrath, not for his own sins, but for the sins of his people. His exile-death secures our deliverance from the covenant curses described in this chapter.

Acts 4: Peter and John are taken before the rulers and elders and scribes who charge them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John answer: “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” The believers pray for boldness and continue to share their possessions which each other. Key verse: “But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened” (v. 19-20).

Matthew 27: Jesus is handed over to Pilate to be killed. While Pilate is hesitant, the crowds insist and cry “Crucify him!” Jesus is mocked and crucified. At about the ninth hour Jesus cries out with a loud voice “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for July 26, 2018

Joshua 23: Joshua commands the people to hold fast to the Lord or perish in the land.

Acts 3: After healing the lame man, Peter preaches the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophetic hope, and calls for faith and repentance.

Jeremiah 12: Jeremiah asks why the wicked prosper. The Lord will judge all of the evil neighbors who have ravaged the land. He will then have compassion on them and build them up in the midst of Israel. If they do not listen to the Lord, He will pluck them up and destroy them.

Matthew 26: In Matthew 26, it seems as though everything is going wrong. The Jewish leaders plot to kill Jesus; Judas cruelly betrays him; Jesus prays in agony but receives only silence from the Father. And yet, there are signs of hope. Jesus institutes the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper with his disciples which visibly promises the forgiveness of sins. As we saw in Genesis 27, God, in his covenant grace, overcomes the sin and disobedience of mankind, creating beauty out of ashes, providentially working amidst the chaos of murderous plots, cruel betrayals, and faithless disciples to accomplish his redemptive purposes.

M’Cheyne’s Daily Readings for July 15, 2018

Joshua 22: Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh go back to their land, build an altar to the Lord, and tell Phineas that they had not turned from the Lord.

Acts 2: The church is filled with the holy Spirit at Pentecost. Peter proclaims that Jesus has been made Lord and Christ in fulfillment of God’s promises to David. Jesus Christ is the long-awaited Davidic King who has poured out the holy Spirit upon the church.

Jeremiah 11: Israel and Judah have broken the covenant. This covenant-breaking will bring disaster upon them. The Lord commands Jeremiah not to pray for them. He will punish those who seek Jeremiah’s life.

Matthew 25: The parable of the ten virgins emphasizes the theme of readiness. The five foolish virgins are not prepared for the coming of the bridegroom and so are excluded from the marriage feast. Only the five wise virgins who were prepared for the coming of the bridegroom are allowed to enter in. The point of the parable is identified in verse 13: “Watch therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour.” While the parable of the ten virgins emphasizes the theme of readiness and preparation for the coming of Christ, it does not tell us precisely what that preparation consists of. The parable of the talents teaches us that disciples of Jesus Christ ought to prepare for his return by making good use of the mercies He has given them. True disciples of Jesus Christ will use their gifts, influences, money, knowledge, health, strength, time, senses, reason, intellect, memory, affections, privileges- everything whereby we may glorify God- for his purposes in this world. Our lives ought to be marked by a zealous pursuit of God’s glory which uses His gifts to promote and magnify His name.