For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Mark 12
A funny thing about human nature is that we constantly seek what we already have. Satan told Eve in the Garden of Eden that if she ate of the forbidden fruit, she would be like God. But she was already made in the image of God! I notice the same thing here in Jesus’ parable of the tenants. When the owner’s son came to collect from them, they plotted against him. “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’” (Mark 12:7).
The tenants represented the Jewish religious leaders, who failed to understand that they already had the inheritance. The Levites were not given any land inheritance because their inheritance was in God. But, like Eve, they mistakenly thought they needed something more. In seeking for more, however, they lost what they had. If we could only master the art of contentment, being grateful for and generous with whatever God provides, it sure would alleviate a lot of problems!
2 Sam. 7-8
Look at God’s response to David and notice every time God says, “I will” or “I have.” What does this say to you? God made David a spectacular promise. David responded with a very interesting prayer. First, he was humble. His first words were, “Who am I, Sovereign LORD?” (2 Sam. 7:18). Next, he was overflowing with awe and praise. “How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you” (2 Sam. 7:22a). In his prayer, David acknowledged that God’s great promise had nothing to do with him but everything to do with God’s great name.
Then David said some interesting things. He prayed, “Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever.” (2 Sam. 7:25b-26a). And He said that it was because God revealed this promise to him that he “found courage to pray this prayer to You.” (2 Sam. 7:21b). To put that all another way, God made a promise so David, knowing God to be faithful to His promises, was emboldened to ask God to do what He promised. Rather circular, no?
I see a couple of cool (to me, anyway) things in all of it, though. First, this seems like David’s way of humbly accepting a fantastic promise from God. He put it in proper perspective and prayed it back to God, reinforcing both his belief and his part in all of it. Second, what better way to have full faith that your prayers will be answered than to ask God to do what He has already promised to do? When my faith is shaken, I am struggling with doubt and fear, or I am wondering if God hears or cares, why not remember who God is and ask Him to keep His promises? Seems like a great way to shore up my faith to me!
Ps. 59
What makes you want to cry out today, “Deliver me! Save me!”? Pray it! I love David’s confidence in God. No matter what he faced, He believed God would see him through it because of who God is. “In the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress” (Ps. 59:16b).