Month: February 2019

February 26, Reading 1 – Exodus 17

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Water from the Rock is another of the great themes and metaphors of the Bible. Salvation comes from unexpected places. People did not expect the Water of Life either to be found in Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Rock on which we stand. Sing or say out loud one of the great hymns that uses the Water from the Rock theme.

SJA Notes

* Holy God, Your word is life to us – Please feed us today.

“And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, ‘Is the LORD among us or not?'”

Imagine this today, in our churches, people testing the Lord by asking “Is God really among us?”.

This is not so far-fetched.

In fact, it’s a hard reality of us humanity.

We today have people among God’s people who are wallowing in unbelief and rejection of God, outwardly masked as sheep but inwardly dead and decaying.

In Hebrews we read of this generation of Israel (ch 3),

“And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.”

UNBELIEF

This is not the unbelief that the father cries out for help with (I believe, help my unbelief!), but a complete rejection of God and His law.

Mocking the idea that God is real, that He is powerful, that He is loving.

Not so far-fetched for us today.

Strive to enter God’s rest, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

That is the end of things, the word for us today.

* Dear God Above,

Please write Your word, teach us today, on our hearts that we might not sin against You.

Thank You Lord!

Amen.

February 26, Reading 2 – Psalm 55

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

David had his Judas, his close friend and confidante Ahithophel. Ahithophel conspired with David’s own son and heir Absalom to murder David. David finishes with a heart-stopping and thrilling cry.

SJA Notes

* Blessed God, we praise You for the mighty works You have done in our lives and the lives of Your people.

“But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend.”

David writes here his experiences in the tearing apart of a dear friendship.

When enemies are against us, that is one thing. But when those close to us turn against us, it is another thing altogether.

What is David’s answer for himself and for us?

“But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.”

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you.”

The apostle Peter takes this up in 1 Peter 5,

“… Casting all your anxieties of him, because he cares for you.”

This is what God wants us to do. That we would cast our cares on Him, trusting in His care for us.

As David ends,

“But I will trust in you.”

* God Above,

You alone are worthy of all praise and honour, and You alone are steadfast and true.

You are trustworthy, You word is steady and Your will sovereign.

Please mark us as a people who stand for You – Who stand in this witness, that we trust in You!

Amen.


February 26, Reading 3 – Acts 9:32-43

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Aeneas and Tabitha – these mighty works brought many to believe in Jesus. Jesus’ words are true! He said: “anyone who has faith in me will do … even greater things than these”. (John 14:12) A true miracle attests to who Jesus is.

SJA Notes

* Lord God Above, please teach us today as we read Your word. Please help us hallow Your Name today.

“And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”

Signs are not what we believe in.

Even great signs!

In this passage we see that the people who see these amazing wonders, these signs, they don’t turn and believe in the sign itself, no idols are made.

Instead, they turn to the Lord!

We can be encouraged to point people to Jesus, who has saved us. And that this sign, free salvation for the sinner, itself is a pointer back to the One who saves –  Jesus!

Praise God that through the greatest sign in history, God becoming man and offering Himself up as a sacrifice for His enemies – Through this we have such a blessed assurance!

* Gracious Father in Heaven,

Thank You that in the Person of the Son, our King Jesus, You save us from eternal death.

Thank You that in the Person of the Holy Spirit you draw us along this path, making us more like Jesus.

Thank You that in the Person of the Father, in Your grace and mercy, You call us even though we were enemies.

Hallelujah Lord, what a God You are!

Amen.