| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| August 21, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
1 Samuel 13
1 Samuel 13:11–14 (ESV) 11 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”
The Philistines had mustered to fight against Israel and Saul waited seven days for Samuel at Gilgal. When Samuel did not arrive and the people were scattering from him, he commanded the burnt and peace offerings to be brought to him and then offered them himself in direct violation of Samuel’s instruction. Upon his arrival, Samuel confronted Saul’s action, rebuking his impatience and rash decision, telling him that his kingdom shall not continue. As the BBC points out, “This was the first of several sins in Saul’s life which resulted in his losing the throne of Israel. The others were: his rash vow (chap. 14); sparing Agag and the best of the spoil in the battle with the Amalekites (chap. 15); the murder of Ahimelech and eighty-four other priests (chap. 22); his repeated attempts on David’s life (chaps. 18–26); and consulting the witch at En Dor (chap. 28).” Saul’s life represents a helpful antithetical model for us in what what awaits those who proceed in persistent disobedience. Reading of this individual should elicit self-reflection and inquisition of the Spirit to reveal any ways in which our life may be reflecting Saul’s that we may turn from such ways in repentance.
Romans 11
Romans 11:22 (ESV) 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
In the midst of his discourse on how the Gentiles were grafted into the root, Paul makes a distinction between God’s kindness and severity. The BBC provides some helpful insight on these passages by saying, “[God’s] severity is manifest in the removal of Israel from the favored-nation status. His goodness is seen in His turning to the Gentiles with the gospel (see Acts 13:46; 18:6). But that goodness must not be taken for granted. The Gentiles too could be cut off if they do not maintain that relative openness which the Savior found during His earthly ministry (Matt. 8:10; Luke 7:9).” What does it then mean to “continue in his kindness”. The NLT translates this portion of v. 22 as “He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness.” There seems to be a heavy component of trust and abiding in God’s kindness being conveyed here. As we immerse ourselves in the truth of the gospel, we are able to walk in continual acknowledgement of His kindness and mercy, ever mindful of His immeasurable love made manifest for our sake by His sacrifice on the cross.
Jeremiah 50
Jeremiah 50:20 (ESV) 20 In those days and in that time, declares the LORD, iniquity shall be sought in Israel, and there shall be none, and sin in Judah, and none shall be found, for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.
God through Jeremiah declared judgment on Babylon and, in those days and in that time, there would be a remnant left of Israel. The remnant would be strong in faith and there would be no sin or iniquity found in her. The kind of comprehensive restoration seen in this passage echoes what was spoken earlier in Jer. 31:34 in which God said that they “no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest”. We see in this passage God’s mercy to bring about a fullness of faith among His children and that He is gracious to pardon those whom He chooses to leave as a remnant.
Psalms 28–29
Psalm 29:1–2 (ESV) 1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
David calls upon the heavenly beings to ascribe to the LORD all glory and strength due His name. We, like the angelic creatures, should make it our every-moment disposition to do the same. All glory and honor and dominion belong to our God, the One who is alone worthy of our worship in the splendor of holiness. May hearts pour forth in exaltation of our LORD, lifting our praises to Him with our very being, yielding the fruit of faithful obedience in every word and deed.