For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
John 14
More spectacular claims! What does Jesus claim about Himself? How does that impact you? (John 14-17 are holy ground: the final teaching of Jesus in the upper room. If you can, spend some extra time the next few days soaking in these chapters.) There it is – that power that Jesus fills us with. “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14). What will we do with it? Remember that God tests the heart and is pleased with integrity. And remember that Jesus demonstrated the right way to use that power. I honestly don’t know how to apply Jesus’ promise here to my life but I do pray that God will be glorified through my life because of Jesus presence in me.
As a side note, I found the chapter and verse reference of this particular verse very fascinating. I mentioned Brock & Bodie Thoene’s fourth A.D. Chronicles book the other day, with regard to Psalm 77. One of the other things they mentioned was about the number 14. Without covering everything they said about the number, they basically associated it with the work of God’s hand. They even noted that a hand has 14 knuckles. And they also mentioned that 14 is twice the number of completion, which is 7. So for a verse declaring God’s power at work in us through the presence of His son, the completion of His perfect covenant, I thought 14:14 was a very fitting reference.
2 Chron. 1-2
If God said to you, “Ask for whatever you wish,” what would you ask for? Why? Go ahead… ask! “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (2 Chron. 1:7b). This is the same thing Jesus told His apostles in John 14. Interesting. God appeared to Solomon, son of David, who was getting ready to build God’s temple and lead His people. Many years later, God appeared to the apostles in the form of the man, Jesus, who was preparing them to build God’s new temple – His Church. They, too, would lead God’s people. Well, let me take a cue from Solomon and ask for the wisdom to do my part in God’s work. Let me ask that God’s desires would become my heart’s desires as well.
Ps. 78
This is a lengthy teaching psalm. What does it teach you about God? About you? The Psalmist says the people, “did not believe in God or trust in His deliverance.” (Ps. 78:22). So what did God do? “He rained down manna for the people to eat, He gave them the grain of heaven.” (Ps. 78:24). It is no coincidence that bread from heaven is what the Psalmist associated with God’s deliverance here. This is exactly why Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:51a). Jesus is God’s deliverance. Do we trust Him?