For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Heb. 11
The Hall of Fame for Faith! What is faith? Write a definition in your own words. What results did faith produce in these biblical characters? Who would be in your personal Hall of Fame for Faith? The thing that stands out to me about faith is that faith leads to obedience. Conversely, obedience is impossible without faith. And so faith is a sure belief that results in action. This, to me, highlights the error in the “saved by faith or by works” question. The thing is, we can have works without faith but we cannot have faith without works. I suppose in the first case it is more accurate to say that works can come from faith in the wrong thing. This is because we act on what we believe to be true. So salvation comes from placing our faith in God, resulting in a life of obedience to Him.
One other thing about faith is that it exists in the absence of absolute proof. We may have lots of evidence that what we believe is true, but the great deceiver presents us with plenty of what seems to be evidence to the contrary as well. So no absolute proof. We must choose what evidence we believe, place our hope and our trust in that, and put it all into action. Only then does it become genuine faith.
Is. 1-2
What does God think of Israel’s worship? What does He desire instead? Compare and contrast the vision of v. 1-5 with the reality of v. 6-22. These first two chapters of Isaiah show a vivid contrast between what was / is and what is to come. Isaiah starts with what was then the current condition of God’s people and His intended response to it. This description really makes the point that I just stated about how works can be all about the wrong thing. God’s people did not completely abandon al the worship rituals, offerings, and feasts prescribed by God’s law. They had, however, abandoned all genuine faith in God in doing them. They were not at all devoted to the God they pretended to serve. As a result, they completely missed what God really desires.
God declared, through Isaiah, the coming consequence of Israel’s sin. At the same time He urged their repentance. Then, in chapter two, Isaiah launches into what to me is a depiction of the two choices God has laid before mankind since the beginning. The first choice is, “Come…let us walk in the light of the LORD.” (Is. 2:5). This choice leads to life and peace. The other choice is to, “[trust] in mere humans” (Is. 2:22a). The result of this choice? “The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day” (Is. 2:17a). This message wasn’t just intended for the people of Isaiah’s day. It is a message for all of us and is one of the primary messages of the Bible. We can have life with God or death without. The choice is ours.
Ps. 103
“Forget not all his benefits.” What benefits are listed? Which ones have you experienced? What do you need right now? Perhaps the greatest of God’s benefits noted in this Psalm is His sovereignty. “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” (Ps. 103:19). Why do I say this is a ‘benefit”? Because it means that God has control of everything. Everything good is in His presence, and He cares for those who seek Him. How arrogant to desire to be anywhere other than in His good favor!