September 29, Reading 1 – 1 Kings 21

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Ahab’s repentance after the Naboth’s vineyard episode has a slight parallel with David’s repentance. An Ahab needs more than repentance; he needs a Saviour who can redeem him by grace. Repentance, by itself, cannot bring me forgiveness and eternal life. It is forgiveness in the blood of Christ. Jesus had to come!

SJA Notes

* God of Light, we tremble at Your presence Lord, the God of Jacob who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.

“And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.”

It is a sad thing that Ahab took Naboth’s inheritance through Jezebel’s murderous manipulation.

Naboth had a strong conviction in his inheritance, the vineyard.

In the gospel of John, ch 15, Jesus says,

“I am the vine; you are the branches.”

So if we are part of the vine, the true vine, what of our inheritance?

In 1 Peter 1 we read that through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead we are born again …

“… To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”

How wonderful this is!

Our inheritance cannot be stolen like Naboth’s vineyard was.

We belong to a vine that will never die, Jesus the forever King, our God who is alive!

* Father God,

Thank You for the inheritance we have in You the Son, our King and Saviour Jesus.

Thank You that through His imperishable indestructible life we are born again, into an inheritance like no other.

Thank You for Your promises to us, for the now, and for the not yet – that final day when we shall see You face to face!

Thank You Lord!

Amen.

September 29, Reading 2 – Jeremiah 32

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Jeremiah, the prophet of approaching judgment, redeems a family field! There is a future for us! You don’t buy land if there is no future. The deeds are sent to the safekeeping of the exiles through faithful Baruch. Consider the Lord’s question in verse 27, and His further assurance of redemption in the midst of devastation. Here is LIGHT for every black time.

SJA Notes

* Dear Lord God, thank You for today. Thank You for Your word today. Please write it on our hearts.

“For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.”

Jeremiah had a very interesting life, walking a road with many difficulties and frustrations.

He was a preacher who spoke God’s word from the King on down to the commoner.

Back in chapter 29 we read that God has commanded the people to seek the benefit of the city they will be exiled to.

And here through Jeremiah’s preaching, truth-telling, we see further depth to God’s plans, to His love.

While they were to work for the good of the foreign city while in exile – Their exile would not last forever!

“For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.”

This is a word for us today – That life on this earth, it is not the end!

How good is God’s promise to us, the hope we have in glory, in the new heavens and the new earth, our inheritance not made of gold or silver – That nobody can take it from us!

It is the most important family heritage.

* Father God,

Thank You for giving us, undeserved, an inheritance in Your kingdom.

Thank You for saving us from our sin.

You are God above, and there is none beside You.

We are safe in Your arms.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Amen.

September 29, Reading 3 – Hebrews 4:1-13

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Sometimes we can grow very weary of life and its struggles. The promise of entering God’s rest still stands for you and me. Our responsibility here lies in refusing to harden our hearts towards God and His Word, and in doing things His way.

SJA Notes

* Great Lord God, we would know You better today from Your word. Please teach us.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, …”

How good a word this is.

That though this life is hard and often set with travails (read Ecclesiastes while wrestling through with this), we have a rest promised!

As God rested on the seventh day of creation from all His works, so we look forward to our eternal Sabbath rest, where God will dwell with us and we with Him.

Let us be encouraged then,

“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, …”

We do not set auto-pilot and sit back as we walk through each day.

We strive to enter our promised rest.

Promised by our Father God, who is faithful and true, who is all-faithful and all-true.

Won by God the Son on the cross at Calvary.

Sealed by the Holy Spirit in-dwelling us.

And to be delivered at the return of our King!

Hallelujah, what a hope we have!

* God Above,

You are Holy, we would be holy as You are.

You are Faithful and True, we would be faithful and true as You are.

You have promised a rest, we would strive to enter it.

Please Lord, guide us today.

Amen.