For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
2 Cor. 9
Are you a cheerful and generous giver? If not, what prevents you? Enthusiasm can be contagious! When we do things with true joy, others want to experience that joy for themselves. It is not hard for us to ‘gush’ about a good book, a movie we loved, the new ‘whatever’ that we bought, or some fun experience we had. But how often do we respond in a similar way to sharing in God’s work? Or how often do we do as Paul and boast about the giving spirit we see in others?
I’m not talking about bragging or lifting ourselves up, here. This isn’t about “keeping up with the Jones’s”. I am talking about a genuine enthusiasm in seeing God work and in having the opportunity to participate in it. I am talking about the kind of enthusiasm that makes others want to get involved. As Paul said to the Corinthians, “your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.” (2 Cor. 9:2b). What I see in this chapter is Hebrews 10:24 being lived out by both Paul and the Corinthians. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”.
1 Sam. 5-6
Describe the impact of the ark on the Philistines. On the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh. What does that tell you about God? I don’t know how anyone could stay loyal to a no-god like Dagon after seeing the one in which they placed their trust fall prostrate before the One True God. The Philistines were at least wise enough, however, to figure out that God’s presence is not a blessing to those who don’t belong to Him.
Some of the Israelites, on the other hand, were over-assuming about their position with God. Just like those who lost the ark to the Philistines in the first place, many of those who received it back failed to properly recognize God’s holiness. Their presumption cost them their lives, causing the others to ask, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?” (1 Sam. 6:20b). The answer to that question, ironically, is those who willingly and readily kneel before Him. These stories make me realize that, even though I have been given the privilege of calling God “Abba, Father”, I need to keep my presumptions in check. God is still holy. I cannot simply expect that God will be with me wherever I go just because I am His. Instead, I need to strive to remain with Him always because He is my God.
Ps. 52
Contrast what David says about himself and his enemy (Doeg). I like how the Bible Project describes God’s kingdom as an “upside-down kingdom”. It is because God’s ways are not like ours. In fact, everything that we do, when left to our own devices, runs contrary to God’s ways. This contrast between David and those like Doeg demonstrates that beautifully. Our human nature seeks to “get ahead” as Doeg did. “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!” (Ps. 52:7). David rightly stated that Doeg’s end would be “everlasting ruin” (vs. 5).
David, on the other hand, would not lift a finger against King Saul, even though God had promised him the kingdom. How’s that for not being presumptuous!? David understood that those who fall on God’s unfailing love are the ones who will stand in his presence forever.