Deuteronomy 5, Psalm 88, Isaiah 33, Revelation 3

Date	Version	Reading Plan
@June 1, 2024	ESV (2016)	M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Deuteronomy 5

Deuteronomy 5:6–7 (ESV) 6 “ ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 7 “ ‘You shall have no other gods before me.

The LORD gave the people the Ten Commandments to which they must adhere in order that they may live and that it would go well with them in the land they shall possess. The list follows almost verbatim what was given in Exod. 20:1-7. In both places, before giving the first commandment to have no other gods, God reminded the people who He is: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” There was to be no misunderstanding as to the one, true God who both commanded and deserved exclusive worship. As followers of Christ today, this same God requires of us our complete devotion, fully surrendered to the One who freed us from the slavery of sin that we may have a newness of life in Him.

Psalm 88

Psalm 88:3–4, 13 (ESV) 3 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength, … 13 But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

The psalmist laments that his soul is full of troubles, that he has been counted among those who go down to the pit (Sheol), yet he cries to the LORD and his prayer comes before Him in the morning. Would that this be us, that in the darkest of seasons and circumstances, we would bring it all to Him in prayer and supplication rather than try to endure it ourselves. It is a matter of being so attuned to God’s presence and work at all times that we go to Him first for everything, even when things are at their worst. John Owen called this “spiritual-mindedness”, a persistent state of Godward focus, ever keeping our thoughts on things above rather than things on earth.

Isaiah 33

Isaiah 33:22 (ESV) 22 For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Isaiah speaks of the LORD as judge, lawgiver, king and that He will save them. In this context, Judah had failed to submit to God as the ultimate source of power. The three offices of judge, lawgiver and king convey a sense of stability and security. Salvation comes by the LORD who is our good and benevolent king. His rule and reign is one of grace, His throne approachable and His clemency extended to those he has effectually called.

Revelation 3

Revelation 3:15–17 (ESV) 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

These passages are often used to rebuke lukewarm faith, but there is a literal component to the water referenced here as the FSB Notes states:

This imagery may allude to the water system at Laodicea. The city had no water supply of its own; it had cold water piped in from Colossae or hot water piped in from the springs at Hierapolis. When the water arrived in the city, it had become lukewarm. Like the water, the church at Laodicea was neither refreshing (like cold water) nor healing (like hot spring water).

Carson on Psalm 88

One of the few attractive features of this psalm is its sheer honesty. It is never wise to be dishonest with God, of course; he knows exactly what we think anyway, and would rather hear our honest cries of hurt, outrage, and accusation than false cries of praise. Of course, better yet that we learn to understand, reflect, and sympathize with his own perspective. But in any case it is always the course of wisdom to be honest with God.

It is certainly always best to be honest with God, but the heart that underlies such honesty is equally important. Our hearts are in the wrong place if we come to Him in honesty but from a posture of accusation and antagonism. He wants us to come to Him for all things and this very fact should stir within us a deep level of gratitude and appreciation that we serve a God that grants us such an invitation.

Justin Houtz