For a full description of the (Y4) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Ex. 40
There is no point making excuses for our sin; for our failure to obey God. Our surroundings and circumstances are not the problem. We are. Even if we lived in the very presence of God day in and day out, we would sin. How do I know? I know because Adam and Eve did it and so did the Israelites. “For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.” (Ex. 40:38). Thought they didn’t actually see God, they saw His presence in a very real and tangible way every day and night. And still they defied Him over and over again. We are the problem. Jesus is the only solution.
John 19
John makes it clear that he was a direct eyewitness to the fulfillment of some specific scriptures during Christ’s crucifixion, as well as to the fact that Jesus did indeed die on that cross. He gave testimony of what he saw because he knew for a fact these things are true. And there was certainly no incentive for him to lie. He spoke and wrote this truth at risk to his life, without payment or benefit. This is contrary to typical human behavior, which is to lie because they fear the consequences of the truth and / or gain from the lie. Thus, John’s testimony is reason enough to believe that the Gospel he shared is true.
Prov. 16
I like the way verses 2 and 3 read when taken together. “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the LORD weighs the motives. Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established.” (Pr. 16:2-3). Our works are nothing in themselves, and how they look on the surface doesn’t matter. We can do the exact same action for self or in service to God. It is God who gives weight to our works and He who makes our ways clean when we surrender everything to Him.