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Shofar Day 15 Listen For The King

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Shofar Day 15 Listen For The King

Gloria Ponman

February 6, 2026

Captivating,Faith,Glory,Kingdom,Lord

Read His Words Before Ours!

Philippians 2:5-11
Revelation 4-5
Psalm 47

“Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:22)

Have you ever become so familiar with a sound that you stopped noticing it?

An alarm clock. Church bells. Even a loved one’s voice calling your name. What once captured your attention can slowly fade into the background.

Could the same be true of our hearts?

Throughout Revelation 2–3, Jesus speaks to seven churches. Each letter carries the urgency of a shofar – a trumpet calling God’s people to pay attention. Some were called to repent, others to persevere, return to their first love, reject compromise, or wake from spiritual complacency. 

Yet every letter ends with the same invitation:
“Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:22)

This is more than a call to hear; it is a call to respond.

It’s possible to sit through sermons, read Scripture daily, and still remain unchanged. But Revelation reminds us God’s Word was never meant merely to inform us; it was meant to transform us. John begins his letter with a blessing, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3) The blessing belongs not only to those who hear God’s Word but to those who keep it.

So, what will we do with what we’ve heard?

The seven churches were different, but the King’s heart was the same. He wasn’t impressed by reputation or outward activity. He was pursuing wholehearted devotion. Every warning was an invitation to return. Every rebuke reflected the heart of a Savior who delights in restoring His people.

That invitation reaches us today. The Spirit is still speaking. The King’s shofar is still sounding. Rather than asking, “Which of the seven churches am I most like?”, perhaps the better question is, “Lord, what are You saying to me?”

Maybe He is calling you to return to your first love. Maybe He is inviting you to repent of hidden compromise, persevere through suffering, or strengthen what remains. Whatever His call, don’t ignore His voice. The King who speaks knows exactly what His Church needs, and His words always lead to life.

As John’s letter continues, something remarkable happens.
The letters end, and heaven opens.

John writes, “After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.‘” (Revelation 4:1)

Did you notice whose voice it is?

The same voice that sounded like a trumpet now calls John into heaven. Before John sees judgments or the unfolding of history, he sees a throne.

Not chaos.
Not fear.
A throne.

“Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it.” (Revelation 4:2)

What comfort this brings! Our world may seem uncertain, but nothing has moved the King from His throne. He reigns now just as surely as He will forever.

Then John’s attention turns to a sealed scroll. No one is worthy to open it, and John weeps, but an elder says, “Do not weep. Look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered so that he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5)

John turns, expecting a Lion.
Instead, he sees “one like a slaughtered lamb[.]” (Revelation 5:6)

What a glorious King!

The One who sounds the shofar is the Lamb who gave His life to redeem sinners. Heaven erupts in worship: 

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slaughtered,
and you purchased people
for God by your blood
from every tribe and language
and people and nation.” 
(Revelation 5:9)

This is why responding to the King’s call matters. We do not obey to earn His love; we obey because the Lamb has already loved us, redeemed us, and now reigns on the throne. The shofar calls us to the feet of the One who is forever worthy of our worship.

So, what will we do now?

Will we return to business as usual, or will we allow the King’s voice to shape our worship, our choices, and our witness?

How we live now matters because the King reigns now. The Lamb is worthy now. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2:9–11) Until then, we have the privilege of responding to His voice today.

Can you still hear the shofar, my Friend?

The King is still calling His people to Himself.

Let’s not simply admire the sound of the trumpet. Let’s answer it with joyful obedience, unshakable trust, and wholehearted worship. The King who calls us is faithful, the Lamb who redeemed us is worthy, and the throne John saw is still occupied.

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!” (Revelation 3:22)

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Christ,King,Return,Revelation,shofar
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Shofar, Day 15
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After this I looked, and there in heaven was an open door. The first voice that I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it. 3 The one seatedA there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne.
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Shofar Day 5 Dear Believers In Smyrna

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Shofar Day 5 Dear Believers In Smyrna

Gloria Ponman

January 23, 2026

Awake,Fervent,Jesus,Justice,Lord,Persevere,Power

Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 2:8–10
Isaiah 44:6-8
James 1:12-15
Matthew 10:26-31
2 Timothy 4:6-8

Self-Revelation
“Thus says the First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life:” 
(Revelation 2:8)

What a weighty way for Jesus to introduce Himself to the church in Smyrna! He doesn’t begin with comfort or promises; He begins with identity. He is “the First and the Last”—a title belonging to God alone. (Isaiah 44:6) He reminds the Church He holds eternity in His hands. 

Then He adds, “The One who was dead and came to life.” (Revelation 2:8)

This isn’t just a statement of resurrection, it’s an anchor of hope. Jesus has passed through death itself and emerged victorious. For a church facing intense suffering, this self-revelation says, “I know. I’ve been there. Death does not win.”

As women today reading this letter, this opening reminds us: our Savior knows the weight of suffering. When we go through fire, we do not walk alone. The One who faced death—and conquered it—is walking with us. This sets the tone for everything that follows.

Stirring Us Up
“I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” (Revelation 2:9)

Jesus sees. Not just the actions, but the hidden pain, the injustice, the scarcity. He sees the tears we cry in secret, the exhaustion we mask with smiles. And He does not belittle it; He honors it. In a world measuring success by possessions and popularity, Jesus redefines riches: faithfulness, endurance, and unwavering loyalty to Him.

When I think about this, I remember my mother, a true example of faithful endurance. She went through so much in her marriage, yet she never gave up. She stayed. She raised us. She worked tirelessly to provide for us, often carrying the weight of provision alone. My father was present, but my mother bore the burden of holding the family together.

Even when things were tough, she made sure we knew God. She was the priest of our home. Her life was (and still is) one of sacrifice, prayer, and perseverance. Watching her shaped my understanding of what it means to be a woman after God’s heart. Her faithfulness stirred me up to love Jesus more deeply, to hold on when it hurts, and to keep trusting when the way is hard.

Shofar’s Call
“Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

The Shofar’s call is a call to fearless faithfulness in the face of suffering. It’s not a call to comfort but to courage. It’s the rallying sound of a King preparing His people for battle, not with weapons of the world, but with unwavering devotion.

To the first hearers in Smyrna, this call would have landed with gravity. Smyrna was a hub of emperor worship. To declare Jesus as Lord was not just unpopular, it was dangerous. The Shofar’s call meant risking reputation, livelihood, even life. But the King was worth it.

This same call echoes today. Be faithful. Don’t fear what’s coming. Even when our suffering doesn’t make sense. Even when the world mocks our faith. Even when darkness seems to win.

Scripture echoes this call elsewhere:

  •     James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who endures trials because, when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
  •     Matthew 10:28 – “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
  •     2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight […] There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness[.]”

But what if we’re not strong enough? What if we don’t feel faithful? 

This is where the Gospel meets us.

We cannot heed this call on our own. Our hearts wander. Our courage fails. But Jesus did not. He was faithful to the point of death; death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-11) He rose again, and by His life, we don’t need to earn the crown; we receive it by grace.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

This is the ultimate Shofar call: repent and believe the Gospel. Surrender to the King who faced death and came to life. Let His Spirit empower us to endure, to be faithful, to love Him more than life.

Let us remember the One who sounded the Shofar.
The First and the Last.
The One who died and lives again.

He is worthy of our faithfulness. He is worthy of our suffering. He is worthy of our lives.

Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

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follow,King,persevere,Revelation,shofar,worship
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Shofar, Day 5
Digging Deeper

In just a few words, the Creator, the One through whom all things were and are and will be, the First and the Last, again showed His incredible love for His people by showing them they were seen in a merciful act of true encouragement.

I know your affliction and poverty, but you are rich.
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Shofar Day 1 Hearing The Shofar

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Shofar Day 1 Hearing The Shofar

Brenda Earley

January 19, 2026

Hope,Lord,Mercy,Redemption

Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 1:4-16
Genesis 22:1-13
Psalm 98:6-9
Psalm 150
Romans 8:1-4, 29-34, 36-39 

“Abraham!” God said. 
“Here am I,” replied Abraham.
“Take up your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and offer him as a sacrifice. I will lead you to the place.”

So Abraham rose early the next day to prepare for their travel and took Isaac to the place God would reveal.

As they journeyed, Isaac asked, “We have the rocks and wood for our altar, but where is the lamb for our sacrifice?” Abraham’s reply, “God will provide,” must have puzzled Isaac, but he did not waver as they continued. 

Then, binding Isaac, Abraham laid his only son upon the prepared altar. Raising his knife for Isaac’s slaughter, Abraham was interrupted by an angel calling, “Do not lay a hand on your son. Because I have seen your obedience, I know you love God.”

When Abraham heard this, a ram whose horns were caught in the brush appeared; 
God provided a substitutionary sacrifice.
(Genesis 22:1-13)

In ancient Israelite culture, the shofar, or ram’s horn, was used as a “shout” of victory, remembrance, and celebration. In Joshua 6:4-20, the shofar was blown as Joshua waged war against Jericho. The walls came tumbling down when the blasts were heard.

On top of Mount Sinai, the ram’s horn echoed in the thunder as God spoke to Moses. (Exodus 19:16-19) At this time, God gave the Ten Commandments to Israel. Today, when the shofar blows, it is in remembrance of that Law. 

The shofar is still used during the celebration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah (Yom Teruah) is the beginning of the new year and the ten days of repentance leading to Yom Kippur, which remembers Moses upon Mount Sinai. It is often called the Day of Atonement (the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar). 

The shofar has many uses; its powerful sound is noted in Scripture 72 times. Blowing a shofar provided a physical, embodied representation of God’s voice. God’s directive voice within creation portrays His creative power. As the Creator of the universe, His authoritative commands remind us, “He is Ruler over all!” (Psalm 33:8-9; Matthew 28:18) 

The shofar also foreshadows the second coming of the Messiah. He will reign for all eternity and will be pronounced our forever King. (Psalm 29:10; Zechariah 14:9)

This does not mean we should back away from God’s voice. 

Yes, He is all-powerful, but He is Love and wants us to love Him. 
Yes, He is all-knowing, but He does not condemn us. 
Yes, He is all-sufficient, so He can offer us grace in our times of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)  

Like many people in Scripture, when we fall face down in fear when confronted with God’s awesome presence, we can feel His touch and hear His voice say, “Do not be afraid.” (Matthew 17:1-7) 

The shofar’s blasts should be music to the ears of God’s followers, calling us to His side, drawing us near, and teaching us to hear His voice and heed His call. (Isaiah 43:1)

To hear shofar’s blow is to hear God’s voice. While powerful, it is not always loud. God’s voice is in the quiet stillness as He beckons our hearts to Him. (1 Kings 19:11-14) He gently calls us to accept His sweet biddings. 

Oh, sweet ladies, if you are searching for Him, please reach out to someone who can lead you to the saving knowledge of God (Deuteronomy 4:29), or leave a comment below and a member of our team would love to talk with you. If you will hear His gentle voice and open your heart, He will come to you! (Matthew 11:28)

Because God loved us, He sent His only Son to this earth to be a substitutionary sacrifice for us all. Our sins were many, but He became the Ram in the thicket, our Provision. He died for ME! For you! 

“And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain–
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, My God, shouldst die for me?
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head.
And clothed in righteousness divine.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.”
(And Can It Be?, Charles Wesley) 

We, who are in Him, will hear the shofar again at the Second Coming when all His children, dead and alive, will be resurrected to our eternal home! No need for dread and fear, then, for we will be like Him! (1 John 3:2)

The message of the shofar remains the same. It’s the Sound Heard of Freedom and Repentance. Are we listening, my sisters? Will we heed the call? 

“Wake up! the shofar screeched! Pay attention! it cried. I am here!” 
(theplenitudes.com)

Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

*****

For further worship, check out “In Christ Alone” by Keith and Kristyn Getty

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Shofar, Day 2
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From Joshua (Joshua 6:2-5) to Nehemiah (Nehemiah 4:16-20), the shofar was a ready tool for alerting the people of what was ahead.

Central to the book of Revelation is the essential message about the King of all kings: He is coming! (Revelation 1:5, Daniel 7:13-14)

Sound the Amen!
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King Day 4 Fit For A King: Digging Deeper

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King Day 4 Fit For A King: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

January 1, 2026

Discipline,Fear,Follow,Holiness,Lord

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Fit For A King"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 1:10-13

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest.
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The Original Intent

1) What is the meaning of the seven golden lampstands in John’s vision? (verse 13)

In a letter to seven churches in Asia that had sprung up after Jesus’ death and resurrection, John detailed the vision he had of the risen Jesus, standing in the midst of seven golden lampstands. (Revelation 1:13) In the Jewish tabernacle, there was one lampstand and seven lamps. (Exodus 25:31-37, Zechariah 4:2) In his prophetic vision, John sees not one but seven lampstands, indicating that each lampstand represents one of the churches John addressed in his letter. (Revelation 1:20)

The vision illustrates that each church should play the part a lampstand plays in making the light of the lamp more visible. Each church, and ultimately the global Church as a whole (1 Corinthians 12:27), plays a part in shining the Light of Christ before others. (John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16)

Matthew Henry explains, “The churches receive their light from Christ and the gospel, and hold it forth to others. They are golden [lampstands] . . . their light should so shine before men, as to engage others to give glory to God.” The lampstands are not the light, but just the way to display the light.

The fact that in this vision Jesus stands amongst the seven churches was “an image of great comfort for the first readers of Revelation, many of whom were experiencing persecution. Jesus is not apart from His church, but He stands in its midst. He does not leave His people alone to make it on their own in this world, but He is with us”. (Learn.Ligonier.org )

This is a comfort to God’s church today as well to know that Jesus stands in the midst of His followers, promising to be with us always (Matthew 28:20) as we shine the Good News of His love for others to see. (Mark 16:15)

The Everyday Application

1) What is the meaning of the seven golden lampstands in John’s vision? (verse 13)

One of my favorite places to visit is the US state of Maine with its fragrant pine trees, colorful lupine, clear blue sea, and rocky coastline. The small state of Maine’s rugged seascape boasts sixty-five lighthouses, reflecting the importance of maritime travel and trade in the state.

The first time I saw a lighthouse up close, I thought about a Gospel hymn titled The Lighthouse that compares Jesus to a lighthouse who saves us from the rocks of sin. It is a powerful comparison when you see for yourself just how dangerous the rocky shore would be to a ship in the dark.

Encountering a lighthouse also made me consider how Jesus calls His followers to be a light themselves. (Matthew 5:14) In Revelation 1:13, John describes a vision from Jesus that represents seven churches as seven lampstands with the Son of Man standing among them. Dr. Tony Garland suggests, “The central shaft joining these seven lamps and providing the oil for their continued illumination is Christ Himself.”

Just as Jesus Himself is the Light (John 1:4-5), He calls His disciples to reflect His life and light to the world. (Ephesians 5:8) John saw Jesus standing amidst the seven lampstands, giving us a picture of Jesus standing with His Church (Romans 8:37-39) as His people make His name known among the world. (Matthew 5:16) Take courage, fellow believer, your Savior stands with you!

The Original Intent

2) What is the significance of the Son of Man wearing a robe? (verse 13)

When John describes the Son of Man standing among the seven golden lampstands, he notes that He wears a robe. (Revelation 1:13) A robe is not the same as a tunic or cloak that men would have worn for everyday tasks or even special occasions. The Greek word for this robe, according to Dr. Bruce Hurt, is poderes, which means “reaching to the feet”.

This suggests the priestly robes of the Old Testament. (Exodus 28:4) Besides priests, the Bible also describes royalty using this same word, poderes, for King Saul’s robe (1 Samuel 24:5) and in describing princely robes. (Ezekiel 26:16) John’s vision of the Son of Man clothed in a robe shows us Christ as our High Priest and King.

Charles Ellicott describes Jesus as “arrayed in the apparel of kingly and priestly dignity.” God shows us this picture of Jesus as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) because He took our sin upon Himself on the cross, doing away with the need for the priest to put people’s sin on a lamb and sacrifice the animal. Jesus paid for our sins in full by His sacrifice on the cross (Romans 5:8), once and for all atoning for the sins of the world. (1 John 2:2)

John’s vision also reinforces the truth of Jesus as our King (1 Timothy 6:15), enthroned on high, Whose train of His robe fills the temple. (Isaiah 6:1) John shows us Jesus as our Redeemer who will reign forever and ever. His portrait of our loving High Priest and King give us valuable insight into the character of our Savior and His faithful love toward us.

The Everyday Application

2) What is the significance of the Son of Man wearing a robe? (verse 13)

To me, our church’s large cache of Bible-time costumes are just a jumble of long coats, wide belts, and square scarves; when I design costumes, it is difficult to tell a wise man from a shepherd. We are blessed, however, to have an amazing volunteer with extensive theatre experience who takes those shapeless tunics and bits of fabric and transforms our little actors into priests, prodigals, angels and kings.

She can drape a head dress that won’t fall over a student’s eyes mid-production and expertly layers the precise garments to turn a restless 5th grader into a stately king!

When John describes Jesus as wearing a robe while standing amidst seven golden lampstands (Revelation 1:13), the significance may not be immediately obvious to us, which is why we must take the time to slow down and understand the first audience. Once we do, the fact that Jesus is wearing something only a priest (Exodus 28:31) or king (Revelation 19:16) would wear is of paramount importance!

Jesus isn’t wearing travel clothes or daily garments John was accustomed to seeing Jesus in when He walked the earth. He is wearing a long robe, clothing that set Him apart as someone dignified or important.

With his description of Jesus that played out literally in front of his eyes, John helps his readers grasp the reality of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (1 Peter 2:24) and His sovereignty (Revelation 15:3) in their lives. Those seven churches would have taken seriously their obedience to the One true King and rested with great assurance because they had direct access to Him at all times for He was their perfect priest. This picture of reality is just as true for us as it was the believers who first read John’s letter! Let’s be intentional in living out these truths today!

The Original Intent

3) Of what importance is the golden sash around the Son of Man’s chest? (verse 13)

Jesus wears a robe “with a golden sash wrapped around His chest” in John’s vision in Revelation 1:13. Similar to the robe, the sash also indicates that Jesus is High Priest and King. Marvin Vincent describes the belt as “an Old Testament symbol of power, righteousness, truth. (Isaiah 22:21, Job 12:18, Isaiah 11:5)” Additionally, each of these strong ties to the Old Testament spoke volumes to the first audience that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah.

The fact that the belt is gold, argues C. H. Spurgeon is “to declare the superiority of His service, the royalty of His person, the dignity of His state, the glory of His reward.” The placement of the sash across the chest rather than around the waist indicates that Jesus holds the greatest authority. Dr. Thomas Constable explains that the belt “placed about the shoulders or breasts indicates a magisterial function. (John 13:2-5, Revelation 15:6)

The sash placement symbolizes Jesus’ reign as King of Kings; none holds higher authority than He. (Revelation 11:15) The Revelation vision of Jesus is similar to the vision found in Daniel 10:5-6 of a glowing figure dressed in a robe with a golden sash. Both Daniel and John had a vision of God’s glory that reinforced the truth that the God who serves and reigns was with them, strengthening them, and enlightening them. Imagine how emboldening this was for the first recipients of John’s letter!

The Everyday Application

3) Of what importance is the golden sash around the Son of Man’s chest? (verse 13)

When my daughter graduated from college, one of her university’s treasured traditions was a ceremonial walk down “the hill” toward the ceremony site in the stadium. Friends and family stood on either side of the walkway while students, dressed in their gowns and regalia, walked to their graduation ceremony.

While waiting for my daughter’s school of study to walk past my spot, I observed hundreds of black caps and gowns strolling by, some wearing cords from organizations and some wearing stoles to indicate military service or nationality. Scattered throughout the bachelor degree candidates were students receiving their Master’s Degrees. They were obvious because they wore academic hoods, around their necks that draped over their shoulders and down their backs in the colors of their academic discipline. One look at these hoods told onlookers that these students had completed a degree above those walking down the hill with cap and gown only.

When John saw Jesus in a vision in (Revelation 1:13), he knew that the glowing figure in the long robe and golden sash was Jesus just by what He was wearing. That golden sash indicated Jesus’ elevated position as High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and King (John 18:36) without contest.

The gold sash “affirms His dual role as King and Priest, who reigns with all authority and intercedes with compassion. For believers, the golden sash is a symbol of hope and assurance, pointing to the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death.” (Biblehub.com)

We can rejoice knowing that Jesus reigns on High (Hebrews 1:3) and ever lives to make intercession for us as our Great High Priest. (Hebrews 5:7-10) Your life is not randomly maintained by a cosmic force or by your own abilities; it is held by the King of All who loves you with the richest compassion fathomable!

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King, Day 3
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During Jesus’ earthly lifetime, the people of Israel were desperately awaiting a Messiah to rescue them from Roman oppression.

They expected a conquering king; when Jesus came as the Son of Man, a humble servant who lovingly sacrificed Himself to bring rescue from sin and death, they refused to recognize Him as their Messiah.
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King Day 1 Reigning King

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King Day 1 Reigning King

Rebecca Adams

December 29, 2025

Christ,Clothed,Kingdom,Lord

Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 1:1-8 
Psalm 24:1-10 
Hebrews 11 
Habakkuk 1:1-5  

“Lift up your heads, you gates!
Rise up, ancient doors!
Then the King of glory will come in.” 
(Psalm 24:7)

At fourteen, I boarded my first flight. Flying alone, I was attentive to all instructions, reading along on my placard, and trying to memorize emergency protocol. Quickly, I became aware I was the only vigilant flyer scrutinizing images and reading fine print. What was wrong with these people?! How could they know how to respond in an emergency if they didn’t prepare?!

The microphone switched off, and I turned my attention out the window where I was immediately captivated – streams of red and golden light shone as the sun rose and its light swirled and cascaded around pillowy tufts of perfectly white clouds. I quickly pulled my Bible from my bag and spent the remainder of the flight caught between the Scriptures’ description of God’s glory and the ever-changing wonders outside my window. While most around me dozed, I was ensconced in amazement. I couldn’t help but worship!

Despite my interest in reading emergency placards while flying, for most of my life, I’ve feared reading Revelation. Knots would curl in my stomach as I thought of scholarly debates I couldn’t follow, complex timelines and charts, vehement monsters and horns erupting from the sea, and, well, fear.

Imagine my shock and immediate, pressing conviction when, well into my adult life, I read the opening lines of Revelation,

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy,
and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy
and keep what is written in it, because the time is near.”
 (Revelation 1:3, emphasis mine)

The emergency placard had been calling out to me all this time, and I had refused to read even its introduction out of fear. In transparency, I confess that until a couple of weeks ago – after reading Revelation for months on end, mind you!  I counted its songs and was astonished to discover there are over twenty. In avoiding Revelation, believers miss out on our Victory Hymn Book! (More coming on that later with Journey Into Coda releasing later this year!)

Ironically, while it was fear that kept me from reading Jesus’ own revelatory words to His beloved disciple John, it was fear that propelled believers far and wide to read John’s letter, copy it down, and send it along with urgency to believers in other parts of the world. They realized the blessing of reading, hearing, and keeping the words of Revelation because when they looked around at the oppression, injustice, and powerful control of evil in the world, they were afraid. Revelation held the antidote to that fear.

Jesus had come and gone. Though the first believers had expected Jesus’ return in their lifetime, when He didn’t come and persecution grew more intense, they began to wonder and doubt.

Was He still coming?
Would they, like the faith heroes who had gone before them,
die without seeing their Victory? (Hebrews 11:13-14)
Didn’t the Lord see the violence and cruelty? (Habakkuk 1:2-4)
How long, Lord?! (Psalm 13:1-4)

John’s vision turns the collective eye of the Church to the one, true Reigning King, the Lord Jesus Christ. As we study Revelation we must remember that the believers who first read its words were comforted, encouraged, and emboldened to keep following Jesus despite the cost. If we read its words and walk away with anything less, we’ve missed its most important message. May we come to the pages of Revelation, not in dread for all we may not understand, but seeking a resounding answer to one all-important question,
“Who is this King of glory?”

Revelation opens with a stunning description of the King of Glory and His identity, but centuries prior, King David asked the same question and his answer was emphatically confident.

“Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle. […]
Who is He, this King of glory?
The Lord of Armies,
He is the King of glory!”
 (Psalm 24:8, 10)

In studying Revelation, our confidence in the identity of the King should surpass even King David’s! Consider – when our human eyes meet brilliant white light, we are blinded, unable to see anything but white and spots of rainbow-like blurs. 

With this reality in mind, we are stunned to realize John was given the ability to see all he did. His hazy white vision at the beginning of Revelation gave way to many sights, including a Lamb who stood though it looked as if it had been slaughtered. (Revelation 5:6) Despite all odds, John looked upon the very glory of the Ancient of Days, and he neither died immediately (Exodus 33:20) nor was stricken immovable, incapable of comprehending anything else.

Why would the King of Glory allow this mercy to John or us as readers?

Simple:
King Jesus loves His people and wants to encourage, comfort, and embolden them to remain faithful despite the cost.

As we open Revelation’s vision, let’s refuse to slumber while the world’s timeline propels forward to its determined end. May we each be encouraged to read, hear, and keep the words of Revelation so we might receive the blessing Jesus would give, and live alert, in worship of the Reigning King of Glory! 

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follow,Jesus,King,Revelation
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King, Day 2
Digging Deeper

Rich wealth awaits us as we launch Journey Into King and mine the precious words of the Lord in Revelation!

Before going further, I implore you to stop and read John 1, John 14, John 17, and Ephesians 1. The riches of Revelation will be all the sweeter if we have His Words fresh in our mind so the Spirit can deepen our understanding!

Now, read verses 1-3 again. Ready?! Let’s go!
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Come Day 1 Come To See

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Come Day 1 Come To See

Brenda Earley

February 10, 2025

Believe,Captivating,Follow,Identity,Lord

Read His Words Before Ours!

John 1:43-47
Psalm 46
Habakkuk 3:16-19
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Isaiah 40:25-26

It’s hard to stand on God’s promises when it feels like we’re sinking! His promises are firm and His Word is true, but when life’s circumstances shake, we feel the ground beneath us shift. 

Recently, my own “quicksand” circumstances have felt far from firm. 

This morning, I realized the truth again, “Everyone’s HARD is different, but it’s still hard!” Everyone experiences hardships, but these “sinking circumstances” don’t keep God’s Presence from our lives. 

During a devotional meeting, I noted,
“In our suffering, we have to see the God Who sees us!”

God is a very present help (Psalm 46:1),
 He sees our needs and inclines us to see Him.
God doesn’t ask us to handle circumstances on our own,
but calls us to confidently trust Him, even in our desperation! (Psalm 112:7)

In January of 2024, our world turned upside down. Our 11-year-old daughter was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This leukemia presents itself quickly, without forewarning, but is treatable and curable. Doctors often say, “If you want your child to have leukemia, it’s this type you want them to have!”
How about, we didn’t want this at all? 

Still, God invited us to come and see…. because “when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.” (Trust His Heart, NewSong) Easy to say, but much harder to live; for me, trusting is an issue! 

We stayed in the hospital after the diagnosis, while numerous tests were administered, and treatments began. Hours of waiting turned into days, while worries turned into fears. My stomach was constantly in knots. Questions were insurmountable. I wanted to pray a line from a movie, “Dear God, make me a bird so I can fly far, far away”, over and over again. 

How do we find comfort in such fear? (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.”  (Psalm 56:3, KJV)

Trust is hard. 

In wrestling with my feelings, I was reminded, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

During this time, I also grappled with applying wisdom to my trust in God. As I clung to His Word, I was reminded some promises are for a specific person, in a specific context, rather than a blanket promise for all Christ-followers. 

When my little girl asks, “Am I going to die?” I desperately want to paraphrase Psalm 118:17, assuring her, “You will not die, but will live to proclaim what the Lord has done.” At the same time, I know that until Christ returns, every human will experience death at some point. How can I reconcile these? It is hard!  

When I brush my baby girl’s hair and strands fall into my hand, I want to claim God’s rescue of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego from fire, without even a single hair singed. (Daniel 3:8-30) While I know this specific promise was for these men, what deeper truth in the story could apply to our circumstances? Wrestling is hard!

When my little girl’s medicine hurts her stomach, and I remember Psalm 91:10, “no harm will come to you,” and my heart aches for a broken world in which we’re both grateful for a treatment while mourn its necessity and the additional suffering it brings. It is hard!

As God deepened my trust in Him, He began to show me how to stand on His promises in a way that transcended my circumstances. 

In the hospital, I was reminded by my favorite psalm to “be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, ESV, emphasis mine) Even though my “mama heart” felt crushed and I could not “fix it,” God called me to come. (Matthew 11:28) 

Psalm 46 has many precious treasures; come and see, let’s dig together. 

Did you know this psalm was written at a time of war? God was calling His people to stop fighting long enough to see and know Who He was.

Promise #1: God is a refuge and strength. (verse 1)
The writer of this psalm had been through difficult times. Can you relate? Still, he saw God as his Shelter. 

Promise #2: God is a present help. (verse 1)
With confidence, he saw God as his Helper. God wants us to know He is in the midst of our struggles. We can run to Him! 

Promise #3: God is our Peace. (verses 2-3)
The writer knew God was his Peace, even during crisis. Why should we fear if He goes before us, and alongside us? (Psalm 16:8)

Promise #4: God is our Provision and Presence. (verses 4-6) 
The writer acknowledges God as a peaceful river that “delights the city of God.” Because of His Presence, we “will not be toppled.”  We do not have a spirit of fear because God’s presence is in us! (2 Timothy 1:7)

In the remaining verses (7-11), the writer shows God’s character. He is the Lord of Armies, the God of Jacob, and the Creator of the universe. In essence, God is showing us a glimpse of Who He is, as well as what He can do. We can have confidence in a God who is with us! 

Sweet friends, our invitation, just like Jesus’ disciples, Phillip and Nathaniel, is to follow the One who sees us and bids, come and see. (John 1:43-51)

The hard reality of my daughter’s cancer is a hurdle we will jump, every day, for the next two years. We will continue to accept His invitation to come and see how He is with us through this suffering, and to trust in His heart!

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come,Explore,identity,Jesus,see
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Come, Day 2
Digging Deeper

After Habakkuk humbly sees and acknowledges the LORD, he is then able to remember what He has provided and will provide.

The prophet sees the future doom in the light of the present and able LORD.
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Lowly Day 10 Self Selected Exclusion: Digging Deeper

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Lowly Day 10 Self Selected Exclusion: Digging Deeper

Rebecca Adams

December 20, 2024

Alive,Community,Faith,Gospel,Grace,Legacy,Lord,Loss,Ordinary,Remade,Time

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Self Selected Exclusion"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Deuteronomy 31:14-23

14 The Lord said to Moses, “The time of your death is now approaching. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting so that I may commission him.”

When Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the tent of meeting, 15 the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood at the entrance to the tent. 16 The Lord said to Moses, “You are about to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will abandon me and break the covenant I have made with them. 17 My anger will burn against them on that day; I will abandon them and hide my face from them so that they will become easy prey. Many troubles and afflictions will come to them. On that day they will say, ‘Haven’t these troubles come to us because our God is no longer with us?’ 18 I will certainly hide my face on that day because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods.

19 Therefore write down this song for yourselves and teach it to the Israelites; have them sing it, so that this song may be a witness for me against the Israelites. 20 When I bring them into the land I swore to give their ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. They will turn to other gods and worship them, despising me and breaking my covenant. 21 And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because their descendants will not have forgotten it. For I know what they are prone to do, even before I bring them into the land I swore to give them.”

22 So Moses wrote down this song on that day and taught it to the Israelites.

23 The Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I swore to them, and I will be with you.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why would the Lord commission a new leader on the heels of re-telling the story of Israel’s failure to be faithful? (verses 14-17)

Looking to give yourself a Christmas gift? Read Deuteronomy. If you start today, reading just one chapter at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ll finish on New Year’s Eve with just one chapter left to start off your new year! About 9 minutes a day total to reap a benefit of glimpsing God’s incredibly rich compassion exceedingly outweighs the cost. Always choose #HisWordsBeforeOurs

Deuteronomy tells the story of Israel’s history as Moses prepares to pass the baton to God’s pick for a new leader, Joshua. Why spend a whole book retelling the dark tales of Israel’s enslavement and their blatant rebellion against the God who single-handedly freed them? Their selfish, complaining, faithless rebellion resulted in the emancipated slaves dying in the desert before reaching the reward.

If this was your past, wouldn’t you prefer its stories remained buried in the sand along with your deceased, faithless relatives? I would. Some tales are best left untold.

Was the Lord so cruel as to dedicate an entire book to parading the sins of the past before a new generation? Or maybe, the spotlight wasn’t intended for Israel. Perhaps the brilliance of God’s mercy and compassion were meant to take center stage as the stories were rhythmically read aloud for generations to come. (Deuteronomy 31:10-11)  

Merciful compassion has a way of coloring even the darkest sins and offering something we all desperately need, hope. (Proverbs 10:12) Not only did the Lord provide for His people during their rebellious wandering, He lovingly led them, and provided a leader who worshipped Him fully to care for and guide His people as they entered the Promised Land.

Yes, Israel’s rebellious past was pocked with wretchedness, but still, He provided by compassionately commissioning Joshua. The Lord would not leave His people, even though they were faithless. (2 Timothy 2:13)

The Everyday Application

1) Why would the Lord commission a new leader on the heels of re-telling the story of Israel’s failure to be faithful? (verses 14-17)

In the face of a kindness that stoops so low as to ensure that the soles of even the most defiant were protected from scorching sand, our attention shifts from ugly sin to stunning, lowly love. (Deuteronomy 8:4) It takes our breath away, captivating our attention, holding our faces to stare in astonished amazement at beautiful, undeserved love.

Our justice hungry hearts cry, “They didn’t deserve for you to care about their feet, God! Their clothes never wore out?!” (Deuteronomy 29:5) What kind of love is this that the God who holds every galaxy in His palm would care for the details of protecting vulnerable skin against a desert sun?

The God of Israel cared. The God who reigns and rules today cares for you. The God who knows when every sparrow dies, who counts every hair on every head of every person across every generation, the God who daily stoops low to bear our burdens, HE invites us, in every moment, to come, “cast your burdens on Me” for He “cares for you.”  (1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 68:19, Matthew 10:29-31)

This God cares.

I know, I know, you don’t feel it, right? You can’t see it. If I knew your circumstances, surely, I would hold my tongue. But that’s the thing about truth, it remains true even if feelings don’t align. The proof that He is the God who cares is seen in an animal’s rough feeding trough holding silky newborn skin, crafted to encompass the God who came to save us from the filth of our sin.

Sisters, does it get lower than placing your newborn infant in a place where animals drool and chew their food?! Yes, it does. Hanging naked on a cross to pay a debt He did not owe so we would see the gracious, loving compassion of the God who cares.

The Original Intent

2) If the Lord knew Israel would be so rebellious, why does He persevere with mercy and good gifts? (verses 17-21)

Not convinced you should read Deuteronomy for the next 11 days? I submit Deuteronomy 7:7-9 as further evidence of God’s vast love waiting to be explored.

““The Lord had His heart set on you and chose you, not because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the Lord loved you […] He brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you […]. Know that the Lord you God is God, a faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant […].”

What does God’s goodness, kindness, mercy, and compassion not depend? His people. The ones He chose. He knew full well they would break covenant with Him (verse 16), but His love didn’t hinge on their performance.

It wasn’t because they were many in number, produced the finest offspring, or could be a superpower in the ancient world, it was simply because the Lord loved them. He made them, He called them His own, He gave them His law, He entered into covenant with them, and He chose to love them on His own accord.

Verse 20 brilliantly tells of the faithfulness of God, which shines in extraordinary contrast to the previous verses detailing how Israel would break faith with the Lord and sin against Him. Centuries prior, the Lord promised to give Abraham’s descendants land of their own where they would flourish and prosper. Never, not once, does the Lord break a promise. Ever.

As Moses is about to die, the Lord gives him the opportunity to see the Land that was Promised and says to Moses, ““This is the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’”’ (Deuteronomy 34:2, emphasis mine)

Faithful and true is the Lord and His steadfast love. (Deuteronomy 33:27-28, Revelation 19:11-13)

The Everyday Application

2) If the Lord knew Israel would be so rebellious, why does He persevere with mercy and good gifts? (verses 17-21)

By the time Jesus arrived as a baby, Israel was a disaster. They were no longer recognized as a nation, and though they technically lived in the Promised Land, Roman occupation oppressed and overtaxed them. Poverty replaced promised prosperity. The Lord hadn’t spoken through a prophet in 400 years. Had God abandoned them? Had His love run out?

As Mary’s screams of labor pain pierced Bethlehem’s hillside one night, they ended in a newborn’s trembling wail and the Lord God of Israel shouted, “I AM is here!”. No, God had not abandoned His people. No, His love had not run dry. It was as fresh and vibrant as the scent of life Jesus wore as He nestled next to Mary’s warmth.

Israel was rebellious, but God persevered with kindness, humility, and the gift of His Son. Lavish Love, Sisters. Lavish.

Transparently, just today, I’ve been selfish and angry. I’ve grieved the brokenness so evident around me, and I’ve asked the Lord, “Do you see?! Do you care?!”. To my own desperate heart, truth persists, “I AM is here.” No, His love has not run out. Yes, His promises are trustworthy. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

I need only glance at the impossible love, that should have never come, because we, each of us, have given the Lord endless reasons to abandon His love for us. Lying lips, lustful eyes, hands that hurt, and words that mock are just the start of our sin.

Jesus didn’t choose that manger, or the cross, because we deserved rescue. He didn’t lay helpless or hang naked because we brought anything but sin to the table of His holiness. He chose to bring us Himself because He Loves Us.

He knows all about our rebellion. He’s still holding out forgiveness and love, just like He promised He would. (Isaiah 53:4-6)

The Original Intent

3) Why would the Lord go to the work of writing a song, asking Moses to sing it, and intend for His people to memorize it? (verses 19-23)

The Lord compassionately provided Joshua as Israel’s new leader as Moses was nearing death, and then He gave Moses a final leadership privilege, singing over Israel.

Much about Moses’ story brings me to tears as I glimpse the tender heart of God toward him, but this aspect of God’s song being passed to Israel through Moses is spectacular to behold! Can you imagine? The Lord calling Moses away to Himself at the Tent of Meeting where He had met with Moses, face to face (Deuteronomy 34:10) all throughout Israel’s 40 years of wilderness wanderings.

In this tent, Moses had come to know the Almighty as, wait for it, friend. (Exodus 33:11) Doesn’t that just thrill your insides and make your lungs take in air?! In this place of shared friendship, the Lord sings to Moses. Do tears fill your eyes at the thought?!

Moses had just completed the monumental task as the Lord’s scribe, writing down every word of the Law from Genesis to this scene in Deuteronomy. (Deuteronomy 31:9) Moses draws near to the Lord, who instructs, “Therefore write down this song for yourselves and teach it to the Israelites; have them sing it, so that this song may be a witness for me against the Israelites.” (verse 19) 

Moses obeyed, as evidenced by the preserved song (Deuteronomy 32), but when it came time for Moses to sing over Israel, Scripture doesn’t use the Hebrew verb pronounced “qara” for “read aloud”. The Hebrew verb pronounced “dabar” is translated in English as “speak conversationally as if through song”. (Studylight.org) Here in the CSB translation it’s written as “recite”.

“Then Moses recited aloud every single word of this song to the entire assembly of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 31:30)

As if from memory, from the secret places of his heart where God had sung to him, Moses recited God’s Song.

For bonus exploration, I give you Revelation 15:3; you do the rest!

The Everyday Application

3) Why would the Lord go to the work of writing a song, asking Moses to sing it, and intend for His people to memorize it? (verses 19-23)

The lyrics of God’s song, “every single word”, were already implanted in Moses’ heart from God’s voice through the Holy Spirit. Consider the emotion and gusto with which Moses must have sung!

These aren’t ordinary words and the purpose of this song wasn’t entertainment but was intended as a testimony against Israel’s sin and as a portrait of God’s steadfastness to His character. The lyrics would tell the truth of Israel’s rebellion and corrupt acts (Deuteronomy 32:5 and 15), but it would sing plainly of the goodness of God despite Israel’s atrocious idolatry (Deuteronomy 32:4, 6, 8-10).

Today, we can’t access the specific melodies sung by Moses, but we can sing God’s Word back to Him in worship. We can study and memorize Scripture so it becomes written on our hearts and knit to our souls, becoming the very language we use to speak to each other and the Lord God.

We can even craft a song, making melody in our hearts to God so we can speak to each other in hymns, songs, and spiritual songs. (Ephesians 5:19) Every time we do, we’re repeating the same gospel truth woven into Moses’ hymn. We are sinful, stuck in our rebellion, but God, who is rich in mercy and compassion and whose steadfast love never fails, stooped low to bring us into relationship with Him so we might become the friends of God!

I sure hope you decide to take on the Christmas challenge of reading Deuteronomy until the New Year dawns. Your unexpected gifts will spill over as you peer into the gracious goodness of God who invites us to sing His song!

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Lowly, Day 10
Journey Study

The men, women, and children who will take possession today are not the original freedom-bearers or land owners.

Those were our parents, our grandparents, the ones who had survived the slave labor, and bore the calloused scars of whip marks across their backs.

They were the first to shelter under the blood of an innocent lamb, and though they tasted of freedom, heard the promise of land with their own ears, saw the produce with their own eyes, and 12 of them, myself included, set sole to sod on fertile Canaan, the blessing was removed from them.
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Dec 9 - Dec 27, 2024 - Journey Theme #135

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Lowly Day 9 An Upside Down Gospel: Digging Deeper

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Lowly Day 9 An Upside Down Gospel: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

December 19, 2024

Christ,Community,Faithfulness,Gospel,Humility,Lord,Mercy

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "An Upside Down Gospel"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 1:51-53

51 He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. 53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why does Mary sing that God scattered the proud with His arm? (verse 51)

When Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited her cousin Elizabeth, she broke out in a song of praise to God known as the Magnificat. (Luke 1:46-55) Her song was filled with praise, prayer, and prophecy about her unborn Son, Jesus.

In her song she proclaimed, “He has done a mighty deed with his arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts.” (verse 51) Ray Pritchard explains, “Mary is using what the grammarians call the prophetic aorist. Sometimes the prophets would look into the future and be so certain of what they saw that they would use the past tense to describe what was for them an absolutely certain future event.”

Mary believed so strongly the angel Gabriel’s words about her Son being the Messiah that she spoke of His scattering the proud as if it had already happened, referencing language referring to the Lord in Psalm 89:10. (Luke 1:26-38)

Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer asserts that Mary prophesies because “she bears in fact the Accomplisher of it already in her womb, and thus the work of God, which He is to execute, is before her enlightened gaze already as good as completed…“

Mary realizes that her Son is also her Savior (Luke 1:47), and she rejoices that He will one day defeat pride and sin as prophesied by Isaiah. (Isaiah 2:12)

The Everyday Application

1) Why does Mary sing that God scattered the proud with His arm? (verse 51)

Every parent has aspirations for their children’s future. Almost as soon as they find out they are pregnant, moms start hoping, dreaming, and planning for their baby’s life. Some parents play classical music in-utero to develop intelligence, and others start college funds so their kids can go to university someday. They imagine their little one becoming a doctor, a lawyer, an Olympian, or President, all with bright futures brimming with promise!

Jesus’ mother, Mary, didn’t need to imagine what her Son’s life would look like. When Gabriel told her she was chosen to carry the Messiah (Luke 1:35), she knew what His future held. Because of the many prophecies about the Son of God, which Mary clearly was deeply familiar with, Mary could boldly proclaim, “He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts.” (verse 51)

Of the prophecy, Ray Pritchard says, “In time, it is yet future; in Mary’s mind, it is an accomplished fact because God has willed it to happen.” Mary had more than hope alone that her Son would be great, she had faith in the Word of God and His promises about the Messiah.

She knew He would bring an end to sin (Daniel 9:24), set captives free (Isaiah 61:1), and defeat death (Isaiah 25:7-8). Mary’s joy would be mixed with sorrow because her Son was the sacrificial Lamb of God (John 1:29), but ultimately she sang with gratitude to God for allowing her to be the mother of the Christ.

We can be encouraged by Mary’s example of faith anchored in God’s Word. She could sing confidently, for she had made Scripture her focused study. Are we so familiar with God’s Word that we can lean on it with clarity and secure confidence?

The Original Intent

2) How has God toppled the mighty and exalted the lowly? (verse 52)

Mary’s song proclaims that Jesus “has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.” (verse 52) Adam Clarke proposes that her declaration “alludes to the removal of Saul from the throne of Israel, and the establishment of the kingdom in the person and family of David. And as Mary spoke prophetically, this saying may also allude to the destruction of the kingdom of Satan and his allies, and the final prevalence of the kingdom of Christ.”

Mary also echoed the words of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 2:7-8), knowing that Jesus would one day fulfill the will of His Father God by turning people’s conceptions of God upside down. (Matthew 20:28) The Pulpit Commentary asserts, “Mary here describes the Messianic reversal of man’s conception of what is great and little, as though the unborn Babe had already lived and done His strange mighty work in the world.”

The fact that God chose Mary, a poor and unknown girl, to be the mother of Jesus, proved Mary’s declaration to exalt the lowly as already unfolding. Ashley Hooker suggests that Mary “sees her situation as God exalting the lowly. God has seen fit to use a poor girl to bring the greatest gift to mankind.”

Here is the Good News of the Gospel! Anyone, man or woman, rich or poor, can have access to God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus! (Revelation 22:17) Mary was delighted to declare that God was fulfilling His Word and allowing her, an unlikely vessel, to play a part.

The Everyday Application

2) How has God toppled the mighty and exalted the lowly? (verse 52)

The movie Hoosiers is based on the true story of a small Indiana town’s high school basketball team and their unlikely rise to become 1954 State Basketball Champions. All the other teams in the finals had flashy uniforms, multiple coaches, a deep bench, and competed in large, modern gymnasiums.

The team from Hickory had none of these advantages and could barely field a team. No one could believe they were in the championship race. Yet against all odds, their coach taught them the fundamentals of the game and team work that led them to the finals and garnered them the trophy.

It is a classic underdog story and is reminiscent of part of Mary’s song from the Magnificat, when she declares Jesus “has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.” (verse 52) In true underdog fashion, Mary foretells how Jesus will up-end the conventional wisdom of the day, echoing into our own time.

Ray Pritchard notes, “The coming of Christ brings about a great reversal of fortune in society. The proud are brought low and the humble are lifted up.” From His humble birth (Luke 2:7), and His itinerant ministry (Matthew 8:20), to His public crucifixion (Mark 15:25), Jesus did not live the life expected of a King.

Surprisingly, this was His purpose as He went about establishing His “right-side-up” Kingdom (Luke 17:20), shockingly opening it up to all who would trust in Him, regardless of social standing, gender, or cultural background. (Revelation 5:9)

God chose to use the humble peasant girl, Mary, to bring His Son into the world as a Servant King. (Philippians 2:7) May we follow in the footsteps of this humble King who came to serve rather than to be served and celebrate Christmas with humble, “right-side-up” love in an “upside-down” world. (Mark 10:45)

The Original Intent

3) What good things has God given to satisfy the hungry? (verse 53)

Mary sings that Jesus “has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty”, as she echoes Psalm 107:9 and confidently proclaims Jesus as the perfect fulfillment of this prophecy. Of course, Jesus literally fed people with loaves and fishes at the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:16-17) and at the institution of the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19), but Mary was speaking metaphorically of a spiritual hunger only Jesus could satisfy.

God satisfies the spiritually hungry with what we most need, Himself. Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life in John 6:35 because He can satisfy the spiritual hunger of those who seek righteousness, peace, and joy.

Jesus has provided access to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), freedom from shame and fear (John 8:36), and the peace of God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). These are some of the good gifts Jesus gives to satisfy us. He tells those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that they are blessed because they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Lisa Robertson writes, “Jesus fulfills the soul’s longings for God. He promises that only He Himself will satisfy (…) Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus imparted to us the Holy Spirit so that we will never be without God, not even for a second!” The more we encounter God and the good things He has for us, the more we desire to continue experiencing Him more deeply.

Dieudonne Tamfu purports, “An unrelenting pursuit of God defines believers (…) Our longing is not to re-experience the joy we had when we first beheld Him, but to experience new joy through a greater knowledge of Him.” When we hunger and thirst for more of Him, He promises to satisfy our longing.

The Everyday Application

3) What good things has God given to satisfy the hungry? (verse 53)

One summer day, I spent several hours making batches of salsa from our bountiful supply of tomatoes and peppers. Once the mess was cleared and the kids put to bed, I returned to the kitchen to sample my wares only to discover there was not a tortilla chip to be found in the house!

I pulled out a sleeve of crackers but couldn’t convince myself they were an acceptable alternative to tortilla chips. I ended up noshing on something else, but it wasn’t the chips and salsa I desired. My salsa snack-train was derailed!

In Luke 1:53, Mary wasn’t speaking of literal food when she sang that God “has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty”, but she was speaking of an unfulfilled, hungry desire.

Wendy Speake observes, “All day long we stuff our mouths and stuff our eyes and ears and stuff our minutes and our days with just about anything we can get our hands on. But nothing else, save the Word of God, can save us; and nothing else can satisfy or sanctify us either.” God knows we are searching for something to satisfy our deeper longings, and He knows only He can give us the good things that will fulfill us. (Ephesians 3:19)

Consider the ancient worship leader, Asaph, as he tells of God’s good instruction, “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10)

He longs to satisfy our hunger for more of Him! (Psalm 37:4) He promises that when we seek Him, we most certainly will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13) If you are hungry for more life than what you have, take heart! He longs to satisfy you and bring you delight in ways far grander than any number of gifts beneath the tree!

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Lowly, Day 8
Journey Study

An early Church apostle and preacher, Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae, reminding them of the foundational truths of the Gospel.

The Colossian church, comprised mainly of Gentiles but including a faction of Jews, were being drawn by prevailing cultural philosophies into believing in salvation through works, rather than through faith in Christ.

Paul needed to remind the Colossian church in Whom lay their salvation; followers of Jesus often call this message the “Good News.”
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The GT Weekend! ~ Done, Week 3

Katelyn Palmer

May 25, 2024

Alive,Faith,He,Lord,Love,Prayer

Rest your soul through reflective journaling,
praying Scripture,
and worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

This Week's Journeys

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday's DD

Pray His Words Back To Him!

Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Read More Of His Words

Prayer Journal Entry

Yahweh,

We have traveled through Your Word in just three chapters of Ephesians to remind our hearts of the wondrous work Your Son has Done on the cross for our grand redemption and for Your glory!

We have revisited characters of old, like King David and the prophet Isaiah who foretold of the coming Messiah. (Acts 2:22-36, Isaiah 53) We have studied the rich gifts offered from Jesus’ death and resurrection. (Galatians 4:4-7, Ephesians 1:3-14) We examined the evidence of lives changed by Jesus’ words and sacrifice. (1 Corinthians 15:9-11, Acts 1:25-2:46).

In the end, Lord, all Your finished work points to Your loving heart as our Creator.

I ask that every reader, every heart, remembers You, the One who is love, loves each and every soul, including theirs, so much that He sacrificed His only begotten Son on the cross to reconcile us to Himself for all time. Eternity.

We need not fear any longer. We need not seek worldly protection. We need not submit to our flesh. We need not cower before the prince of darkness and the death he represents.

For Jesus has conquered the world! (John 16:33)

In Your Son’s beautiful name I pray this, Lord. Amen!

Worship Through Song

Journal Prompts

JOURNAL ONE

Prejudice and division have been an ugly part of every culture throughout human history, including biblical times. Christ came to redeem humanity by bringing unity under the banner of Christ. (Ephesians 2:11-14, Galatians 3:28)

One of my favorite Scriptures is James 1:19-20, which says, “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” It’s a favorite because I’m so bad at following it and need the constant reminder!

Sisters, what happens when we remove all the labels and sit at the table with those different from us, dropping our agendas so we can simply listen? Jesus did not affiliate with any political party, nor did He seek to humiliate or attack His opposers. Yet so often in today’s world, especially in the west, conversations are dominated by political affiliations and the desire to be right at any cost.

Rarely is anything in this world so black and white, but when we close off our hearts and our ears to what others are saying and experiencing, we miss grace, and we miss Christ’s heart.

This, unified sisters in Jesus, is where we find hope and unity despite the tempting allure of division. In humility and willingness to listen, we find empathy and love. It’s where we find unity. We must stop pursuing “our rights” and start pursuing truth and grace.
JOURNAL TWO

“God’s plans are good because His purpose is good.” This breathtaking line from Bethany in Wednesday’s study, Follow in Full, goes hand in hand with Jesus’ work on the cross.

God’s plans for Jesus’ life on earth were not always enjoyable, certainly not easy, and oftentimes lonely. Yet Jesus obeyed even unto the point of death (Philippians 2:5-11) because He understood the purpose of his Father’s plans were greater than His physical experiences.

Paul, as Bethany mentioned, also maintained this focused perspective in challenges. (Philippians 1:12-21, Ephesians 3:1-13). Paul thrived in his suffering because he saw the eternal picture rather than focusing on the moment right in front of him; his attention hung unswervingly on Jesus.

When the crowd at Pentecost experienced the Holy Spirit, their whole lives changed. The good news is they didn’t change by their own willpower and neither do we; true change into the image of Christ is accomplished only by the power of the Spirit. When we let go of our plans and pursue God’s, we no longer need to rely on our own strength. (2 Timothy 2:1-13)

We don’t need to fear the afflictions of this world because we know our labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) We can remain anchored in the character of God who brings good from the bad (Romans 8:28) and will never abandon us (Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:8).

JOURNAL THREE

To close this theme, we studied Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21. He emphasized the importance of prayer and prays specifically for his fellow brothers and sisters. Notice how prayer softens our spiritual posture and humbles our physical one, whether it be from our knees on the floor, a bowed head, or a face raised to the heavens.

Consistent and frequent prayer allows us to maintain a gentle affect and respond to the world’s unkindness with God’s patient kindness. The Holy Spirit  , not the least of which is our Teacher and Source of conviction when we sin. When we come to the Lord in the humble heart posture of prayer, we become open to God’s rule and reign in the whole of our lives.

King Solomon teaches us that our hearts are wellsprings of life. (Proverbs 4:23) Who better to safeguard and direct them than the source of ALL life Himself? Lastly, aligning ourselves with God through prayer means a surrendered will to walk according to the leadership of God’s Spirit.

When we walk in submission to the Spirit, He holds out the good fruits of peace and gentleness and abundant life through our everyday life choices instead of what the sinful flesh offers, which is death, hostility to God, and division. (Romans 8:5-6)

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