Ps. 104-105
These two Psalms show God as creator and caretaker. Psalm 104 speaks of His creation of the whole earth and how He cares for it all. It even mentions His rejoicing in His works. Psalm 105 speaks of His creation, if you will, and care for His set apart people; His chosen ones. From His initial covenant with Abraham to their possession of His promised land, this Psalm lays out how God cared for His chosen ones with wondrous works and miracles. Like Psalm 102 yesterday, Psalm 105 shows God’s plan for His created world. It starts with the one man, Adam, whose offspring are taken into slavery – that would be us, as slaves to sin. But God frees His people by striking down the firstborn – in this case His firstborn son, Jesus. Then those who receive salvation through Christ are led by His Spirit to the Promised Land – eternal life with God.
1 Thes. 1
Paul mentions here, in his greeting to the Thessalonian Christians, how they “received the word in much affliction” (1 Thess. 1:6b). We read about that in Acts yesterday. The pious Jews created much dissention, ran Paul and his group out of town and even dragged many of the believers before the city authorities and took money from them. I have it so easy in my life. Nobody threatens or persecutes me because of my belief in Christ. I have never been fined, dragged to court, run out, or persecuted in any way for being a believer. These people of Thessalonica came to Christ and stood fast for Him under such harsh conditions, and I know there are many in the world today of whom I could say the same.
It makes me wonder how my resolve for Christ will hold if and when I ever come under pressure because of Him. I want to think I would stand fast and unwavering, even under threat of death or, worse, torture. But I think of Peter, who swore he would stand with Christ even to death. Just a few hours later Peter betrayed Him three times! Peter obviously changed, especially after the Holy Spirit came and indwelt him. And so I cling in faith to the knowledge that the same Spirit indwells me, and I trust that He will help me to stand firm; to do and say what is right no matter the circumstance.