September 27, Reading 1 – 1 Kings 19

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Elijah’s great victory and subsequent collapse is the setting for his dramatic meeting with God at Horeb or Mount Sinai. It is the still small voice that speaks to Elijah. He goes and obeys the Word of the Lord. What WORD should you be carrying out today?

SJA Notes

* Dear God, we would be people who fear You, who greatly delight in Your commandments.

“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

This question comes from the Lord twice (the first time it is the WORD, the second time the LORD).

Elijah answers the same, both times,

“… And I, even I only, am left,”

Elijah has come to a point we all circle around at times. He’s at the end, ebbing low, down in the pit.

These cares he takes and casts on the Lord. He is feeling a bit sorry for himself.

How does the Lord answer Elijah?

Not in the wind, nor the earthquake, not in the fire.

Instead the Lord is in the low whisper, the still small voice.

We often find it easier to listen to the big earth-quaking fire-raging noisy word.

But our Lord God often speaks to us in the still and small voice.

God answers Elijah with a pin-prick to the self-righteous-sorry bubble (it is also an encouragement for Elijah).

There are seven thousand more people in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal!

We are not alone. Jesus is always building His church, each of us a living stone.

We are not alone. We are part of God’s family, His people under His rule.

We are not alone. Our rest and comfort, our rescue and redemption, our foundation and shelter, our shield and defender – It is our Lord God!

He is with us!

* Father in Heaven,

Thank You that You never leave us, You never forsake us.

Please continue to make us more like Jesus each day.

Amen.

September 27, Reading 2 – Jeremiah 30

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

This remembered promise (v1-3) forms the background to the Book of Revelation. The storms of the Lord are not wilful, feral or sadistic. (verses 23,24) Verses 18-21 contain the purpose of His storms. Trust Him, for, in days to come, you will eventually understand.

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, please show us more of who You are today from Your word.

“And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

These are words of much hope!

Words which the loud voice from the great white throne takes up in Revelation chapter 21,

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

God’s message of hope is the same for us today as it was for Israel in exile.

A message for our good!

Temporally in the _now_ we have the assurance of salvation in Jesus, Him and Him alone.

This is a hope that nothing else can give us, a wonder that no other can give.

Eternally in the _not yet_, we have the hope and blessed promise of life with God Himself, the bride/church and groom/Christ joined in perfect union. God having made all things new.

Let us be encouraged – We are loved! God is preparing a place for us. We will one day be restored in full.

* Father God,

Our pain and problem is uncurable apart from You. We cannot fix it ourselves.

But through Jesus You restore our fortunes, You restore health to us, You heal our wounds.

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Amen.

September 27, Reading 3 – Hebrews 2

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Find something about Jesus in this passage that stands out to you. Meditate on verses 14-18. Are there any temptations you think Jesus won’t understand or wouldn’t receive? Why?

SJA Notes

* God Above, Your word is bread for our souls. Please feed us today.

“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

One of the big themes of Hebrews is that Jesus is our Great High Priest.

He is a priest who can actually help us in our need.

When we are tempted, we can hold to this – That Jesus can help us!

Our King suffered while being tempted, and so when we are tempted we can be reminded of the hope we have in Him. That He has walked this road, that He KNOWS and UNDERSTANDS.

We know from 1 Corinthians chapter 13 that with the temptations that come God has given to us a way out.

Jesus endured much suffering while being tempted, and He chose the right way to handle temptation, using God’s word to stand firm (see Matthew 4).

God’s word!

Let us be encouraged to, when undergoing temptation, return to God’s word. Find comfort in His word being written on our hearts, as we meditate upon it. And knowing that Jesus, our King, God’s word become flesh, suffered as we do – He is able to help us, He knows what we are going through.

* Loving God,

Please help us in our trials and temptations.

Please strengthen us that we might not yield.

Please encourage us that we might not falter.

Please show us the way out from underneath.

And through it all, please continue to remind us that in Jesus we have a high priest who has suffered as we do.

Amen.