For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Phil. 2
What advice does Paul give about our relationships in v. 3-5, and how is Jesus the example of that (v. 6-11)? “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” (Phil. 2:3a). “Do everything without grumbling or arguing” (Phil. 2:14). Paul says that these are the Christ-like behaviors that set us apart from the “warped and crooked” world around us. These statements also highlight why relationships are so difficult. “Self” gets in the way! The more people involved in any given relational effort, the more “self” there is to step in and make things difficult. But there is no room for “self” in unity.
Christ is the ultimate example of setting self aside for the benefit of others. As God, He had authority over all things, but He never used that authority to serve Himself. As a human, He subjected Himself in humble obedience to His authority, God the Father. These are the behaviors I see stressed over and over again in the Epistles. Those in any position of authority – husbands, parents, masters, teachers… – should use their authority not for their own benefit but for the benefit of those in their charge. And those in any subordinate position – wives, children, slaves, students… – should humbly submit themselves to their authorities with kindness and grace. Honestly, almost all of us fit into both of those positions at some point or another. And they both come down to the same thing – service.
If the God who created me took on human form to serve me, should I not, with love and gratitude, serve Him back by serving others? Am I greater than God, that I should have the right to lord it over another? And if any authority lords it over me, how can I separate my response to them from my response to God? God give me a heart to serve, both those under and over me, knowing that in serving them I am really serving you.
1 Kings 19-20
From the heights of victory to the depths of depression—have you been there? What did God do for Elijah? What was Elijah’s response? “I have had enough, LORD” (from 1 Kings 19:4). Boy, do I feel Elijah’s pain! He had fought a great battle that ended with a tremendous victory. To say he was ready for a rest is an understatement. What he got instead was a death threat from a woman who had the power and authority to see it through. No rest for the weary!
I love that God graciously overlooked Elijah’s little pity party. And it seems to me that God took notice of his complaint. In response, God gave Elijah sustenance, encouragement, a helper, and an end in sight. God met Elijah’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He does the same for us, if we care to notice. He gives us whatever we need to endure to the end.
Speaking of enduring to the end, and having just read about the armor of God the other day, I found Ahab’s statement in 1 Kings 20:11 quite interesting. “One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.” Indeed, picking a fight is not the same as winning it! But the thought occurred to me that when it is God’s armor we put on, our ultimate victory is assured. Our boast is not in ourselves or our own victory but in God.
Ps. 66
The psalmist praises God for what He has done for him. What specifically had God done? What has He done for you? Give Him praise for that. The Psalmist says, “we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” (Ps. 66:12b). That is our salvation story! Remember passing through the water is the symbolism of baptism. It signifies our passing from death to life. God parted those waters for us through Jesus Christ. Because we have passed through the water, we now have the power of God’s Holy Spirit so that we can withstand God’s refining fire. God’s fire removes our sinful human nature from us, making us pure for Him. It is the ultimate passing from death to life. And when we come out pure because of the work of Christ, we enter into all of God’s abundance. Amen!