| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| August 24, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
1 Samuel 16
1 Samuel 16:14 (ESV) 14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.
Following the selection and anointing of David as king, the Spirit of the LORD departed Saul and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. The notion that the LORD would send a harmful spirit on someone is difficult to grasp but, as the BBC makes note, “what God permits He is often said to do”. The CSB Notes provide additional understanding by saying, “God is completely righteous, hates evil, and never does anything unjust, yet he makes use of demons (against their evil intention) to accomplish his good purposes (cp. Jb 1:6–12).” Difficult as this passage may be, we must realize that God’s divine plan will involve elements we cannot fully understand. However, all this rests on the foundation of God’s goodness, knowing that everything He does will bring about His glorious purposes.
Romans 14
Romans 14:10–12 (ESV) 10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Paul makes clear that we are not to assume God’s role as ultimate Judge. Everyone comes as equals to the throne of grace and each will give an account to Jesus. Paul condemns judging and despising brothers in that it causes enmity and stumbling blocks to faith. Instead we are to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Rom. 14:19b). This pursuit of peace does not mean accepting everything a brother does, both righteous and sinful alike, but that upbuilding and correction must be properly balanced. All that is done among the saints must be with the aim of encouraging the repentance of sin and the deepening of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lamentations 1
Lamentations 1:18 (ESV) 18 “The LORD is in the right, for I have rebelled against his word; but hear, all you peoples, and see my suffering; my young women and my young men have gone into captivity.
Jerusalem mourns over her fall and exile but confesses that the LORD was in the right because she had rebelled against His word. Jerusalem’s admission of guilt at a city level is one that we should espouse at a personal level. In our sin, we stand condemned before a holy and righteous God. The just deserts for our cosmic treason is punishment through everlasting separation from our Creator. Nothing can undo or change this sentencing apart from divine action. Praise be to our gracious heavenly Father that clemency has been gifted to us in the sacrifice of His only Son. Responding in faith to Christ as Lord and Savior, we are clothed in His righteousness so as to be seen by the Father as spotless and blameless. How wonderful is our Lord to show us such mercy and how much we should offer our full devotion to Him in return.
Psalm 32
Psalm 32:5 (ESV) 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Acknowledgment and confession of sin are crucial expressions among the faithful. As the Spirit convicts us of sin, we confess what He has graciously revealed to God and to one another. David realized this too and, as the BBC makes note, he “came to the place where he was willing to utter the three words that God had been waiting for—’I have sinned.’ Then the whole shameful story came out like pus from an abscess. Now there is no attempt to gloss over, to mitigate or to excuse. David finally calls sin by its real name—’my sin … my iniquity … my transgressions.’ As soon as he confesses, he receives the instant assurance that the Lord has forgiven the iniquity of his sin.”