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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 1 August 21:
Note: Here is a brief video overview of Proverbs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzmYV8GNAIM
Psalm 89:1 — “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.”
We were created to glorify God on earth. We were not created simply for heaven, and eternal life is not something we experience only after we die. Eternal life is something we experience now, on earth – “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (see John 17:3 and read Jesus’ prayer for us). We were specifically made as both physical and spiritual entities so we could translate God’s spiritual qualities and truths into the physical world for His glory. Don’t let sin distract you from your earthly calling of glorifying God and enjoying Him right now while you patiently await His triumphant return.
- Matthew 6:10 — Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
- Isaiah 65:17 — “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
- Isaiah 66:22 — “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.
- 2 Peter 3:13 — But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
- Revelation 3:12 — The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
- Revelation 21:1 — Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
- Revelation 21:2 — And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
God’s plan brings the physical and spiritual into harmony. In fact, upon Christ’s return, His final restoration will include a new heaven and new earth, where everyone will see God as King over all, both a physical realm and a spiritual realm. While we wait for the final fulfillment of redemption and Christ’s triumphant return, we are to live out and proclaim the truth of our redemption on earth while on a mission of reconciliation. We have been given the wonderful calling to proclaim Christ and to display His love “that the world may believe!” We are Ambassadors for Christ, “God making his appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:20).”
“With my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.” Remember, God’s plan is for generations. We don’t know when Jesus will return in His glory to restore all things — “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32) We are called to remain vigilant and ready, but also to prepare future generations. “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.” (Luke 1:50) Proclaim the truth to the next generation.
- Psalm 78:4-7 — We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.
- Deuteronomy 6:5-9 — You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
- Psalm 71:18 — So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.
Sing Jesus’ praises today to all generations. Live boldly and victoriously, rejoicing in all circumstances, not rejoicing because of the circumstances but because of the grace of God! The more you appreciate the love and faithfulness of Jesus, the more you will be compelled to sing out His praises uncontrollably, regardless the situation. If singing the praises of Jesus is not your natural reaction, pray for a deeper revelation of Him. In the meantime, sing anyway and see if that doesn’t help increase your joy and enthusiasm to share Him with others.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 1 August 21: Today, “sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with [your] mouth… make known [His] faithfulness to all generations.”
- Luke 12:43 — Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 