For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Rev. 16
Why was God’s wrath justified? Do you think wrath is beneath God? Why or why not? I think we misunderstand God’s wrath because we view it from a human perspective. We get the image of a God who points His finger and says, “Obey me or die!!” Or we apply the concept of “getting even” to His actions. Both perspectives fail to understand righteousness. Not that it’s a concept we can fully understand, because we can’t. We can know what it means to be counted as righteous but we can never be righteous on our own, so we will always lack that understanding. What we know, though, is that God is sovereign, holy, and pure. He cannot be defiled, so His holiness, by nature, burns up whatever isn’t pure. Such is God’s righteousness.
I actually believe there is mercy in God’s wrath. It says several times in the book of Revelation that the people of the earth refused to repent. But God gave them every chance. He gave them every reason. And had they humbled themselves before Him, He would have readily forgiven and restored them. God went to great lengths to give all of us unholy people a way to exist in the presence of a holy God. Though it is not what God desires, those who refuse to take that way will burn in the refining fire of that holiness.
Est. 4-6
Evaluate Mordecai’s appeal to Esther and her response in 4:13-17. The story of Esther, though it is reasonable to believe was a real event, is also a parable. To me, it continues to echo the message we see in Revelation. It is the message of the entire Bible, really. Mordecai trusted God’s promise to establish David’s throne forever. Thus he said, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place” (Est. 4:14a). He also pointed out the truth that Haman’s advisers and wife eventually came to. Those who oppose God will perish.
Thus, the ultimate truth that we see in the parable that is the real-life story of Esther, is that God’s promise is true and sure. God will deliver those who are humbly faithful to Him and will destroy the proud. It is a promise we must stake our lives on.
Prov. 18
Select one proverb that speaks to you and write an action step for today. I tend to talk a lot. It’s been a running joke in my family for years. However, I started many years ago trying to learn to be a better listener. It’s an ongoing process and one that I am not always successful with. Sadly, I think this is especially true for my closest loved ones. I guess I figure them to be a more captive audience or something. Regardless of how much a person talks, this chapter in Proverbs has some insight into better listening.
“To answer before listening – that is folly and shame.” (Prov. 18:13). So there’s one thing. How can we even formulate an appropriate response if we don’t first listen? Yet I think we are all guilty of this behavior at times. The second teaching tidbit gives us some insight as to why we do this. “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (Prov. 18:2). We are more interested in saying our piece than in trying to understand the other person’s thought and perspectives. Talk about a communication barrier!
While nobody wants to consider themselves a fool, we won’t learn and change if we aren’t willing to take an honest look at ourselves and humbly acknowledge what we find. If we find ourselves engaging in foolish behavior, then we’re better off to simply admit that we’ve been a fool. As Forest Gump’s mom always said, “stupid is as stupid does.”