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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 10 December 2023:
Zephaniah 2:9 — The remnant of my people shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them.
God always preserves His remnant of faithful to restore the order of His will on earth.
Zephaniah 2:15 — This is the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, “I am, and there is no one else.” What a desolation she has become.
In security and prosperity, people have a tendency to turn from God. Those who are not faithful with little will not be faithful with much. Often prosperity magnifies what you already had in your heart, giving you more capacity to sin in ways you did not have the freedom to do previously. To strengthen an unfaithful person only increases their capacity for evil and speeds destruction. God might test your heart with trials but also with prosperity and comfort. The easy life ruins the half-hearted.
Psalm 143:5 – I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
When your faith is weak, meditate upon all the ways God has demonstrated His faithfulness to you, and pray earnestly to Him. He is always faithful.
Psalm 143:9-10 — Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Key to getting through life’s challenges is drawing closer to God and obeying Him. Don’t focus on your enemy or on the problem, focus on Jesus.
Psalm 144:1 — Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
David, a simple shepherd, was an unlikely choice to be King of Israel, but God said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature…. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) God empowered David for the work He had prepared for Him, and today’s Psalms are a reminder that, like Amos, David’s success depended on the Lord and not on his own abilities. Likewise, God has called us to spread the Gospel, make disciples, and transform our environments. Our success depends on His abilities, not ours. God doesn’t need the world to see what you can do. God wants the world to see what He can do through simple people like you and me.
Proverbs 10:5 — He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Work as hard as you can, while you can, to meet your needs when you can’t work later.
Proverbs 10:8 – The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Fools debate about commands rather than simply obeying.
Proverbs 10:12 — Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
We have been given the mission of reconciliation. This involves covering over all offenses with love, bearing the burden of others’ sins as a gift of grace and an act of worship before the Lord.
Proverbs 10:19 — When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
When your feel slighted, offended, and emotional, hold your tongue.
Proverbs 10:21 – The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
Those who are faithful to God are the real leaders.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 10 December 2023: Make a list of all the things you are good at, all the talents and abilities God has given you. Now make a list of all the ways you have used those abilities for God’s service rather than your own and how many times you have publicly given God all the credit for who you are. Do you use your gifts mostly for yourself or for God? (Psalm 144:1) Trust in the Lord, and proclaim the Gospel boldly today.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 