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Devotional
Weekly Bible Devotion By Books
Jan 16-21, 2023
Enter the presence of the Lord (Psalm 19: 1-2; 7-9)
(Men)The heavens declare the glory of God, (Women)And the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (M)Day to day pours out speech, (W)And night to night reveals knowledge. (M)The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; (W)The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; (M)The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; (W)The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; (All)The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever The rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Confession
Giver of our life vision and principles, how do we discern our errors? How do we not let sins dominate over us? Who can declare our innocence from hidden faults? It is in your law, rule, word, and your son of Jesus that we realize that we are far short of your glory, and yet we find the hope that we can have a new self and new life. Your words are not out of date at all. Help us be mindful of your revelation from long ago. May our hearts, our minds, our acts will be more acceptable to you in this year.
Adoration
Lord, yes, indeed, your word is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold. Whenever we dwell in your word, our confusions are cleared away; our complexity is simplified; our blindness is opened; our soul is revived. Our being is renewed. Yes, your word gives life and peace that I need while I walk in the world daily. Thanks for the word written and word living Jesus Christ. We praise you, O our Lord!
Scripture reading
Exodus 19:5-6; Leviticus 19: 1-2; 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 5:13a, 14a
Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:5-6)
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. (Leviticus 19: 1-2)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world… (Matthew 5:13a, 14a)
Thoughts to share: Our True Identity and Mission in God
God carefully prepared the Israelites for a new life as they entered a new year in the new land. Interestingly, one vital thing that he did was open their eyes to see a new vision about their identity and their new mission. The other thing he did was how they were going to reflect this new identity and new mission. It was a turn-around revolution to them.
Their new identity was “my treasured possession among all peoples… a kingdom of priest, a holy nation.” They were no longer the slavery in a foreign land. Their new mission is to reflect his holiness. The holiness is expressed a counter-culture living style- from eating, cleaning to purifying hearts and minds, from how to take care of household to how to serve God in his court, from how to balance their life and work to worship God, from personal realm to societal and communal realm, and from intrapersonal relations to interpersonal relations.
Later, we know that God has called them to be mindful of this identity and mission throughout their history journey on the earth - in the time when they were number one world power, in the time when they exiled in foreign lands, in the time when they were rich and wealthy, and in the time when they were poor and destitute. In the New Testament, to the Christians wondering in the land and in facing fiery suspicion and possible persecutions, Peter exalted them that: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Remember, the children of God have a forever identity and mission. Wherever we are, whatever we do, remember our identity. Jesu did not call us out of the world, but in the world. Remember, with that identity, we have a mission in the world. Be the light. Be the salt in wherever you are placed. Declare his excellences by what you do and how you do it.
Prayer Suggestions-
What will I be in new year? Be more powerful? Wealthier? Popular? Beautiful? Handsome? But, what is our true and fundamental identity and mission in this life journey on earth? Do we have the vision of doing all with the vision that identity and mission?
Dear God, you have such a clear and firm vision for us. You are the reason that we are here. Oftentimes, we forget this very basic fact. By your words, we are reminded of our precious role in your eyes in this beginning of the new year. Keep this identity and mission before us. Come to teach us, transform us and use us- at home, in the school, in the office; in public, in private; in the church, in the community; in good time, in not so good time; in our youth time, in our aging years; in relation with self, others, God and creation; at indoor and at outdoor. Help us walk with you, for you are our pleasure. In the name of you son Jesus Christ, we pray, amen.
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