For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Titus 2
I got caught up in Paul’s final statement in this chapter. “Do not let anyone despise you.” (Tit. 2:15b). What was he saying with that statement? Other translations of the word “despise” are “disregard” and “put you down”. My problem is that all of these refer to other people’s actions and attitudes toward us – things we can’t really control. Without diving into the meaning of the original word used here, I see a couple of possibilities for what Paul might have meant with this statement. And I think both thoughts are relevant to how we live out our own lives as followers, and thus to some degree teachers, of the gospel of Christ.
First, though we can’t control people’s responses toward us, we can control what we give them to respond to. Paul said these words to Titus as part of his instruction on how he was to teach what Paul was laying out for him. Paul also said, “Encourage and rebuke with all authority.” (Tit. 2:15a). So perhaps Paul was telling Titus to be firm but kind in his approach and to be sure to lead by example. That way people wouldn’t find contradiction between Titus’ own attitude and behavior and the message he was giving others.
My second thought focuses on Paul’s “with all authority” statement. Again, we can’t control people’s responses toward us, but we can control how we respond to them. So maybe Paul was telling Titus not to let dissenters intimidate him. Instead, he should lean into the authority of the gospel and not get wishy-washy in his message or pushed around in his approach. True authority does not feel the need to defend itself. It knows it has the power without any need to wield it. Somebody might despise Titus, but he did not need to feel or act despised in response.
Job 38-39
Finally…God speaks! Summarize God’s response to Job. What is the point God is making? It sounds to me like God was reminding Job of his time-bound, human perspective. He was letting Job know how little he knew about anything. God, on the other hand, is intimately acquainted with all of His vast creation. He knows – and cares – about all of it. I suppose the point in all of that is that it isn’t helpful to make assumptions with little knowledge. Sometimes it is just better to admit we don’t know or understand. So we place our trust in the One who does, knowing that He cares for us, His creation.
Ps. 98
For what does the psalmist praise the Lord? Why would we rejoice when the Lord “comes to judge the earth? “The LORD has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations.” (Ps. 98:2). This Psalm speaks of God’s promise fulfilled. That promise – God’s salvation and His righteousness – is Jesus Christ. The day will come when God reveals that promise full. On that day, ALL will know that Jesus is Lord and will be compelled to praise Him whether they want to or not. That is the day of God’s judgment. Those who received God’s salvation will rejoice on that day because they will be saved from God’s wrath as He puts an end to wickedness forever. All the earth will rejoice with us because they will be freed from the curse of man’s sin.