The Daily Bible Readings for Thursday, March 31, 2022

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Psalm 126; Isaiah 43:1-7; Philippians 2:19-24
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Introduction & Summary

Sowing with Tears Reaping with Joy (Psalm 126)
God will Gather Through Fire and Water (Isaiah 43:1-7)
Apostolic Visits are Promised (Philippians 2:19-24)

In today’s lectionary readings, our psalm recalls God’s past acts of restoration and the emotions of joy and celebration of laughter that accompanied those saving acts. The temporal clause with which the psalm begins, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,” most likely has in mind the return of the people to the land following the Babylonian exile. The people ask God to restore them once again so that they may rejoice yet again.

Like other prophetic writings, our reading in the book of Isaiah aims to change people’s minds. God lovingly tells the people of Israel that he has already redeemed them. They can pass through rivers and fire without drowning or being burned.

Our reading in Philippians was a letter from the apostle Paul to the church at Philippi. The letter is being taken to Philippi by Epaphroditus, who had visited Paul and, becoming ill, stayed with Paul until he recovered. Timothy, a trusted friend of Paul’s, would likely be visiting the church at Philippi soon. However, this was not intended as a one-way trip. Paul’s expectation of receiving good news as a result of this visit meant he intended Timothy to return with news of their situation.

For all of us who have trusted Christ as Savior, the poignant words in our verse of the day can pierce our own hearts, as we begin to understand that the sinless Son of God was willingly afflicted; bruised; pierced and crushed with wounds that we merit—dying a death that we deserve as the burden of our sin was laid upon the sinless Son of Man—our kinsman-Redeemer.

Today’s Verse of the Day:
Isaiah 53:5-6

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all of the prophecies about the Messiah, like this one that was written hundreds of years before He was crucified. On the Cross, He willingly became our substitute. Jesus, “who had no sin…[became] sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). He was pierced and crushed because of our sin, and by His sacrifice we are healed.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Psalter
Psalm 126
Sowing with Tears Reaping with Joy

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
     we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
     our tongues with songs of joy.
  Then it was said among the nations,
     “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
     and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
     like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow with tears
     will reap with songs of joy.
6 Those who go out weeping,
     carrying seed to sow,
  will return with songs of joy,
     carrying sheaves with them.

Commentary

Those returned out of captivity are to be thankful (vv. 1-3); Those yet in captivity are encouraged (vv. 4-6).

Verses 1-3: It is good to observe how God's deliverances of the church are for us, that we may rejoice in them. And how ought redemption from the wrath to come, from the power of sin and of Satan, to be valued! The sinner convinced of his guilt and danger, when by looking to a crucified Savior he receives peace to his conscience, and power to break off his sins, often can scarcely believe that the prospect which opens to him is a reality.

Verses 4-6: The beginnings of mercies encourage us to pray for the completion of them. And while we are in this world there will be matter for prayer, even when we are most furnished with matter for praise. Suffering saints are often in tears; they share the calamities of human life, and commonly have a greater share than others. But they sow in tears; they do the duty of an afflicted state. Weeping must not hinder sowing; we must get good from times of affliction. And they that sow, in the tears of godly sorrow, to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting; and that will be a joyful harvest indeed. Blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be for ever comforted. When we mourn for our sins, or suffer for Christ's sake, we are sowing in tears, to reap in joy. And remember that God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows that shall he reap (Galatians 6:7-9). Here, O disciple of Jesus, behold an emblem of thy present labor and future reward; the day is coming when thou shalt reap in joy, plentiful shall be thy harvest, and great shall be thy joy in the Lord.

From the Prophetic Books of Major Prophets
Isaiah 43:1-7
God will Gather Through Fire and Water

1 But now, this is what the Lord says—
     he who created you, Jacob,
     he who formed you, Israel:
  “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
     I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
     I will be with you;
  and when you pass through the rivers,
     they will not sweep over you.
  When you walk through the fire,
     you will not be burned;
     the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
     the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
  I give Egypt for your ransom,
     Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
     and because I love you,
  I will give people in exchange for you,
     nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
     I will bring your children from the east
     and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
     and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
  Bring my sons from afar
     and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
     whom I created for my glory,
     whom I formed and made.”

Commentary

God's unchangeable love for his people.

God's favor and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All who are redeemed with the blood of his Son, he has set apart for himself. Those that have God for them need not fear who or what can be against them. What are Egypt and Ethiopia, all their lives and treasures, compared with the blood of Christ? True believers are precious in God's sight, his delight is in them, above any people. Though they went as through fire and water, yet, while they had God with them, they need fear no evil; they should be born up, and brought out. The faithful are encouraged. They were to be assembled from every quarter. And with this pleasing object in view, the prophet again dissuades from anxious fears.

From the Epistles
Philippians 2:19-24
Apostolic Visits are Promised

2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

Commentary

Paul writes about Timothy and his soon anticipated visit (vv. 19-22); Paul repeats his desire to come to the Philippians in person, not only to send Timothy to them (vv. 23-24).

It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretense only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good.

Today’s Lectionary Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.

The Lenten Prayer for Thursday, March 31, 2022

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 26 — Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Merciful Father, I know that the tiny sacrifices I make this Lent can never serve as a real penance in my life. But help me to make my whole life one of following your Son. I am filled with your love. Let your love shine out from within me and guide my life in this sacred journey toward the Easter joy you offer me. Amen.

The Morning Prayer for Thursday, March 31, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Thursday, March 31, 2022

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
1 John 5:20, NIV

Lord our God, we turn our faces to you and plead with you to come to us earthly and often tormented people. May we find strength in the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom redemption is promised to us all. May your kingdom at last be revealed and everything change for the better even though we do not see it yet. May we always honor your name above all others, for you are our Father and we want to hold fast to your grace that lets us call you Father. In our troubled times we want to have enduring faith that you can bring a new time when good shall at last emerge from all the distress. Grant that every broken and needy person may experience your help, your grace, and your salvation, and may know that these always surround us, if only our eyes are open to see and recognize them. So we want to thank and praise you at all times, and at last know the joy of eternity, to your glory and honor. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Thursday, March 31, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Thursday, March 31, 2022

Isaiah 53:5-6

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all of the prophecies about the Messiah, like this one that was written hundreds of years before He was crucified. On the Cross, He willingly became our substitute. Jesus, “who had no sin…[became] sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). He was pierced and crushed because of our sin, and by His sacrifice we are healed.

Read the Full Chapter

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Our Daily Bread — God’s Embassy

 

God’s Embassy

When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Luke 14:13–14

READ Luke 14:7–14

LISTEN ONLINE

Ludmilla, a widow aged eighty-two, has declared her home in the Czech Republic an “Embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven,” saying, “My home is an extension of Christ’s kingdom.” She welcomes strangers and friends who are hurting and in need with loving hospitality, sometimes providing food and a place to sleep—always with a compassionate and prayerful spirit. Relying on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to help her care for her visitors, she delights in the ways God answers their prayers.

Ludmilla serves Jesus through opening her home and heart, in contrast to the prominent religious leader at whose home Jesus ate one Sabbath. Jesus told this teacher of the law that he should welcome “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind” to his home—and not those who could repay him (Luke 14:13). While Jesus’ remarks imply that the Pharisee hosted Jesus out of pride (v. 12), Ludmilla, so many years later, invites people to her home so she can be “an instrument of God’s love and His wisdom.”

Serving others with humility is one way we can be “representatives of the kingdom of heaven,” as Ludmilla says. Whether or not we can provide a bed for strangers, we can put the needs of others before our own in different and creative ways. How will we extend God’s kingdom in our part of the world today?

By Amy Boucher Pye

REFLECT & PRAY

How do you think the Pharisee reacted when Jesus told him to act differently? How do you like to make people feel welcome?

Jesus, thank You for looking out for those in need. Help me to be more like You, that I would care for others, showing them Your love.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

In his gospel, Luke often highlights the event behind Jesus’ telling of a parable (see Luke 12:13; 15:1–2; 18:9; 19:11). In chapter 14, we read that “[Jesus] noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table” (v. 7). Ancient dining protocol dictated that the two places of highest honor were on the right and left of the host (Matthew 20:21). This parable teaches us that it’s better to humble oneself than to be humiliated by others, which is Jesus’ constant warning (Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14). Pointing to Christ as our model, Paul teaches us to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5) who—though He was God—became a human servant.

The Daily Bible Readings for Wednesday, March 30, 2022

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Psalm 53; 2 Kings 4:1-7; Luke 9:10-17
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Introduction & Summary

Restoring Our Fortunes (Psalm 53)
The Widow Saved (2 Kings 4:1-7)
Jesus Feeds 5000 (Luke 9:10-17)

Our psalm is arranged for use in music or worship in today’s lectionary readings. It is similar to Psalm 14 and is quoted in part in Romans 3. Here David depicts the human race as evil and incapable of producing any truly good deeds in God’s sight. David, the psalmist, longs for the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. When the kingdom arrives, there will be great joy.

In the book of Second Kings, Elisha’s prophetic ministry clearly demonstrates that God cares for His people and that He sometimes works in sovereign and mighty ways that extend far beyond what we can do or think as He reaches out to meet needs according to His will. Such was the case with the widow in our passage. She was evidently a believer, and her husband had been a prophet, a man of God who was involved in the ministry and teaching of Elisha.

In our reading in the gospel according to Luke, the feeding of the five thousand, God, in the person of Jesus, takes responsibility for meeting the crowd’s need for food. He does it because they are hungry. Exactly how Jesus works this miracle is not stated. He uses ordinary food—the five loaves of bread and two fish—and by God’s power, a little bit of food becomes enough to feed so many people.

The very focus of the passage in our verse of the day is the beating heart of the gospel of Christ Jesus, Who God sent to be the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the whole world.

Today’s Verse of the Day:
Isaiah 53:3-4

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

Isaiah called the coming Messiah “a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Is. 53:3), and in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced sorrow like He had never known. Truly, He “has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Heb. 4:15). He understands our pain and afflictions, which is why He is our perfect Savior (Heb. 2:14–18).

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Psalter
Psalm 53
Restoring Our Fortunes

1 The fool says in his heart,
     “There is no God.”
  They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
     there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven
     on all mankind
  to see if there are any who understand,
     any who seek God.
3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
     there is no one who does good,
     not even one.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

  They devour my people as though eating bread;
     they never call on God.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
     where there was nothing to dread.
  God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
     you put them to shame, for God despised them.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
     When God restores his people,
     let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Commentary

David complains of the malice of his enemies (vv. 1-3); Assurance of the Divine favor and protection (vv. 4-7).

This psalm is almost the same as the 14th. The scope of it is to convince us of our sins. God, by the psalmist, here shows us how bad we are, and proves this by his own certain knowledge. He speaks terror to persecutors, the worst of sinners. He speaks encouragement to God's persecuted people. How comes it that men are so bad? Because there is no fear of God before their eyes. Men's bad practices flow from their bad principles; if they profess to know God, yet in works, because in thoughts, they deny him. See the folly of sin; he is a fool, in the account of God, whose judgment we are sure is right, that harbors such corrupt thoughts. And see the fruit of sin; to what it brings men, when their hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. See also the faith of the saints, and their hope and power as to the cure of this great evil. There will come a Savior, a great salvation, a salvation from sin. God will save his church from its enemies. He will save all believers from their own sins, that they may not be led captive by them, which will be everlasting joy to them. From this work the Redeemer had his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins, Matthew 1:21.

From the Historical Books
2 Kings 4:1-7
The Widow Saved

4:1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”

3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”

5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”

But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.

7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

Commentary

Elisha multiplies the widow's oil.

Elisha's miracles were acts of real charity: Christ's were so; not only great wonders, but great favors to those for whom they were wrought. God magnifies his goodness with his power. Elisha readily received a poor widow's complaint. Those that leave their families under a load of debt, know not what trouble they cause. It is the duty of all who profess to follow the Lord, while they trust to God for daily bread, not to tempt him by carelessness or extravagance, nor to contract debts; for nothing tends more to bring reproach upon the gospel, or distresses their families more when they are gone. Elisha put the widow in a way to pay her debt, and to maintain herself and her family. This was done by miracle, but so as to show what is the best method to assist those who are in distress, which is, to help them to improve by their own industry what little they have. The oil, sent by miracle, continued flowing as long as she had empty vessels to receive it. We are never straitened in God, or in the riches of his grace; all our straitness is in ourselves. It is our faith that fails, not his promise. He gives more than we ask: were there more vessels, there is enough in God to fill them; enough for all, enough for each; and the Redeemer's all-sufficiency will only be stayed from the supplying the wants of sinners and saving their souls, when no more apply to him for salvation. The widow must pay her debt with the money she received for her oil. Though her creditors were too hard with her, yet they must be paid, even before she made any provision for her children. It is one of the main laws of the Christian religion, that we pay every just debt, and give every one his own, though we leave ever so little for ourselves; and this, not of constraint, but for conscience' sake. Those who bear an honest mind, cannot with pleasure eat their daily bread, unless it be their own bread. She and her children must live upon the rest; that is, upon the money received for the oil, with which they must put themselves into a way to get an honest livelihood. We cannot now expect miracles, yet we may expect mercies, if we wait on God, and seek to him. Let widows in particular depend upon him. He that has all hearts in his hand, can, without a miracle, send as effectual a supply.

From the Gospels
Luke 9:10-17
Jesus Feeds 5000

9:10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Commentary

The multitude miraculously fed.

The people followed Jesus, and though they came unseasonably, yet he gave them what they came for. He spake unto them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ fed five thousand men. He will not see those that fear him, and serve him faithfully, want any good thing. When we receive creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that we receive them from God, and that we are unworthy to receive them; that we owe them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of Christ, by whom the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a great way. He fills every hungry soul, abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in Christ.

Today’s Lectionary Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.

The Lenten Prayer for Wednesday, March 30, 2022

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 25 — Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Loving and merciful God, I am so aware of my sins and weaknesses. But as painfully aware of my faults as I am, Let me also remember your tender love, your gentle and limitless forgiveness.

I come before you filled with pain and guilt but look into your eyes and see the forgiving love I so long for in my life. Help me to forgive the same way. Teach me to love as you love. Amen.

The Morning Prayer for Wednesday, March 30, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Wednesday, March 30, 2022

We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:20–22, NIV

Lord God, we thank you for having revealed yourself on this earth in the midst of sin, need, and oppression. We thank you that we can have joy in all you have done both before and since the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior in everything. To you be praise and thanks. Our hearts leap up with joy in you and in your deeds. Grant that we may be faithful to the end, victorious in all things through your Spirit, who helps and blesses us on our way. Grant your help to all who call to you and who long to rejoice in you. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Wednesday, March 30, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Isaiah 53:3-4

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

Isaiah called the coming Messiah “a man of suffering, and familiar with pain” (Is. 53:3), and in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced sorrow like He had never known. Truly, He “has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Heb. 4:15). He understands our pain and afflictions, which is why He is our perfect Savior (Heb. 2:14–18).

Read the Full Chapter

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Our Daily Bread — God Cleans the Stains

 

God Cleans the Stains

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

READ Isaiah 1:10–18

LISTEN ONLINE

What if our clothes were more functional, having the ability to clean themselves after we dropped ketchup or mustard or spilled a drink on them? Well, according to the BBC, engineers in China have developed a special “coating which causes cotton to clean itself of stains and odors when exposed to ultraviolet lights.” Can you imagine the implications of having self-cleaning clothes?

A self-cleaning coating might work for stained clothes, but only God can clean a stained soul. In ancient Judah, God was angry with His people because they had “turned their backs on” Him, given themselves to corruption and evil, and were worshiping false gods (Isaiah 1:2–4). But to make matters worse, they tried to clean themselves by offering sacrifices, burning incense, saying many prayers, and gathering together in solemn assemblies. Yet their hypocritical and sinful hearts remained (vv. 12–13). The remedy was for them to come to their senses and with a repentant heart bring the stains on their souls to a holy and loving God. His grace would cleanse them and make them spiritually “white as snow” (v. 18).

When we sin, there’s no self-cleaning solution. With a humble and repentant heart, we must acknowledge our sins and place them under the cleansing light of God’s holiness. We must turn from them and return to Him. And He, the only One who cleans the stains of the soul, will offer us complete forgiveness and renewed fellowship.

By Marvin Williams

REFLECT & PRAY

When the Holy Spirit reveals your sins to you, what’s your response? How does John describe the process of bringing your sin to God and repenting of it (see 1 John 1:9)?

Father, forgive me for ignoring or trying to get rid of my own sin. I know only You can clean the stains of my soul. I acknowledge and repent of my self-sufficiency and turn to You.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The book of Isaiah is a vision the prophet received from God addressed to Israel, a people in rebellion (1:1–2). God was incensed at their wickedness and sin (v. 4). As commentator Barry Webb writes: Their “worship had been divorced from justice, and the fatherless and the widow had become the chief victims” (see v. 17). Their sacrifices were merely a means to an end. The prophet Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, states what God requires: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Yet despite His righteous anger, God extended this loving invitation: “Turn to me and be saved” (Isaiah 45:22).

The Daily Bible Readings for Tuesday, March 29, 2022

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Psalm 53; Leviticus 25:1-19; Revelation 19:9-10
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Introduction & Summary
Restoring Our Fortunes (Psalm 53)
The Jubilee Celebration (Leviticus 25:1-19)
Blessed are Those Invited to the Marriage Supper (Revelation 19:9-10)

Our psalm is arranged for use in music or worship in today’s lectionary readings. It is similar to Psalm 14 and is quoted in part in Romans 3. Here David depicts the human race as evil and incapable of producing any truly good deeds in God’s sight. David, the psalmist, longs for the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. When the kingdom arrives, there will be great joy.

In the book of Leviticus, God told Moses to remind the Israelites about the land He was giving them. He said that they should allow the land to rest every seven years so they could honor Him during this time. During the seventh year, they were not to plant any seed or work on the land. However, He said they would still have plenty of food to feed everybody, including their cattle, despite not growing anything that year.

In our reading in Revelation, the “mighty angel” tells John to let all Christians know of the blessings they receive as recipients of an invitation to become a member of the Lord’s Church. Yet, we (Christians) are not to get high-minded despite this glorious position. Paul says this well in Romans 12:3: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, under the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

In our verse of the day, Paul writes to the church in Corinth that God acted out of His love to make it possible to remove the separation between Him and us: our sin. To accomplish this, God made Christ, who had never sinned during His life on earth in any way, to become our sin. Jesus’ death, then, paid the price for our sin, removing our guilt and removing the obstacle between God and us. Instead of “being sin” ourselves, those who come to God through faith in Christ are credited for Christ’s righteous, sinless life. We “become God’s righteousness” and are reconciled in our relationship with Him.

Today’s Verse of the Day:
2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Habakkuk 1:13 says of God, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil.” This means that the Lord will not allow sin in His presence. So on the Cross, Jesus Christ took the iniquities of the whole world upon Himself—even though He never committed a single sin—so that we would not have to bear the penalty of our transgressions, which is death and separation from God for eternity (Rom. 6:23). He gave His life so that we could receive His righteousness and therefore have a relationship with Him forever (Rom. 8:1–4; 1 Pet. 2:24).

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Psalter
Psalm 53
Restoring Our Fortunes

1 The fool says in his heart,
     “There is no God.”
  They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
     there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven
     on all mankind
  to see if there are any who understand,
     any who seek God.
3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
     there is no one who does good,
     not even one.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

  They devour my people as though eating bread;
     they never call on God.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
     where there was nothing to dread.
  God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
     you put them to shame, for God despised them.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
     When God restores his people,
     let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Commentary

David complains of the malice of his enemies (vv. 1-3); Assurance of the Divine favor and protection (vv. 4-7).

This psalm is almost the same as the 14th. The scope of it is to convince us of our sins. God, by the psalmist, here shows us how bad we are, and proves this by his own certain knowledge. He speaks terror to persecutors, the worst of sinners. He speaks encouragement to God's persecuted people. How comes it that men are so bad? Because there is no fear of God before their eyes. Men's bad practices flow from their bad principles; if they profess to know God, yet in works, because in thoughts, they deny him. See the folly of sin; he is a fool, in the account of God, whose judgment we are sure is right, that harbors such corrupt thoughts. And see the fruit of sin; to what it brings men, when their hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. See also the faith of the saints, and their hope and power as to the cure of this great evil. There will come a Savior, a great salvation, a salvation from sin. God will save his church from its enemies. He will save all believers from their own sins, that they may not be led captive by them, which will be everlasting joy to them. From this work the Redeemer had his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins, Matthew 1:21.

From the Pentateuch
Leviticus 25:1-19
The Jubilee Celebration

25:1 The Lord said to Moses at Mount Sinai, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the Lord. 3 For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. 4 But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. 5 Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest. 6 Whatever the land yields during the sabbath year will be food for you—for yourself, your male and female servants, and the hired worker and temporary resident who live among you, 7 as well as for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. Whatever the land produces may be eaten.

8 “‘Count off seven sabbath years—seven times seven years—so that the seven sabbath years amount to a period of forty-nine years. 9 Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land. 10 Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan. 11 The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields.

13 “‘In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to their own property.

14 “‘If you sell land to any of your own people or buy land from them, do not take advantage of each other. 15 You are to buy from your own people on the basis of the number of years since the Jubilee. And they are to sell to you on the basis of the number of years left for harvesting crops. 16 When the years are many, you are to increase the price, and when the years are few, you are to decrease the price, because what is really being sold to you is the number of crops. 17 Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God.

18 “‘Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land. 19 Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety.

Commentary

The sabbath of rest for the land in the seventh year (vv. 1-7); The jubilee of the fiftieth year, Oppression forbidden (vv. 8-19).

Verses 1-7: All labor was to cease in the seventh year, as much as daily labor on the seventh day. These statues tell us to beware of covetousness, for a man's life consists not in the abundance of his possessions. We are to exercise willing dependence on God's providence for our support; to consider ourselves the Lord's tenants or stewards, and to use our possessions accordingly. This year of rest typified the spiritual rest which all believers enter into through Christ. Through Him we are eased of the burden of wordly care and labor, both being sanctified and sweetened to us; and we are enabled and encouraged to live by faith.

Verses 8-19: The word "jubilee" signifies a peculiarly animated sound of the silver trumpets. This sound was to be made on the evening of the great day of atonement; for the proclamation of gospel liberty and salvation results from the sacrifice of the Redeemer. It was provided that the lands should not be sold away from their families. They could only be disposed of, as it were, by leases till the year of jubilee, and then returned to the owner or his heir. This tended to preserve their tribes and families distinct, till the coming of the Messiah. The liberty every man was born to, if sold or forfeited, should return at the year of jubilee. This was typical of redemption by Christ from the slavery of sin and Satan, and of being brought again to the liberty of the children of God. All bargains ought to be made by this rule, "You shall not oppress one another," not take advantage of one another's ignorance or necessity, "but you shall fear your God." The fear of God reigning in the heart, would restrain from doing wrong to our neighbor in word or deed. Assurance was given that they should be great gainers, by observing these years of rest. If we are careful to do our duty, we may trust God with our comfort. This was a miracle for an encouragement to all neither sowed or reaped. This was a miracle for an encouragement to all God's people, in all ages, to trust him in the way of duty. There is nothing lost by faith and self-denial in obedience.

From the Apocalypse of John
Revelation 19:9-10
Blessed are Those Invited to the Marriage Supper

19:9 Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

Commentary

The church in heaven and that on earth triumph and praise the Lord for his righteous judgments.

The promises of the gospel, the true sayings of God, opened, applied, and sealed by the Spirit of God, in holy ordinances, are the marriage-feast. This seems to refer to the abundant grace and consolation Christians will receive in the happy days which are to come. The apostle offered honor to the angel. The angel refused it. He directed the apostle to the true and only object of religious worship; to worship God, and him alone. This plainly condemns the practice of those who worship the elements of bread and wine, and saints, and angels; and of those who do not believe that Christ is truly and by nature God, yet pay him a sort of worship. They stand convicted of idolatry by a messenger from heaven. These are the true sayings of God; of Him who is to be worshiped, as one with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Lectionary Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.

The Lenten Prayer for Tuesday, March 29, 2022

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 24 — Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Joyful praise in Lent? I'm not sure I always feel that. I ask you to help me prepare to understand and embrace the paschal mystery in my life. I don't always see the beauty and mystery of this season and often I run from the pain.

Help me to see how your saving grace and your loving touch in my life can fill me with joyful praise of the salvation you have sent to me. Amen.

The Morning Prayer for Tuesday, March 29, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Tuesday, March 29, 2022

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16, NIV

Lord our God, dear Father in heaven, we turn our hearts to you, for you know all our need. We turn to you, for you are ready with your help when we are at our wit’s end. You have paths we can follow joyfully because we have a Lord who rules and who reigns over us to make us glad. May we praise your name at all times. May your help be always before our eyes so that we can be your true children, to the glory of your name on earth. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Tuesday, March 29, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Tuesday, March 29, 2022

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Habakkuk 1:13 says of God, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil.” This means that the Lord will not allow sin in His presence. So on the Cross, Jesus Christ took the iniquities of the whole world upon Himself—even though He never committed a single sin—so that we would not have to bear the penalty of our transgressions, which is death and separation from God for eternity (Rom. 6:23). He gave His life so that we could receive His righteousness and therefore have a relationship with Him forever (Rom. 8:1–4; 1 Pet. 2:24).

Read the Full Chapter

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Our Daily Bread — Past the Boundaries of Knowing

 

Past the Boundaries of Knowing

We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

READ 2 Corinthians 4:7–18

LISTEN ONLINE

It was a hard day when my husband found out that, like so many others, he too would soon be furloughed from employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We believed that God would meet our basic needs, but the uncertainty of how that would happen was still terrifying.

As I processed my jumbled emotions, I found myself revisiting a favorite poem by sixteenth-century reformer John of the Cross. Entitled “I Went In, I Knew Not Where,” the poem depicts the wonder to be found in a journey of surrender, when, going “past the boundaries of knowing,” we learn to “discern the Divine in all its guises.” And so that’s what my husband and I tried to do during this season: to turn our focus from what we could control and understand to the unexpected, mysterious, and beautiful ways God can be found all around us.

The apostle Paul invited believers to a journey from the seen to the unseen, from outward to inward realities, and from temporary struggles to the “eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Paul didn’t urge this because he lacked compassion for their struggles. He knew it would be through letting go of what they could understand that they could experience the comfort, joy, and hope they so desperately needed (vv. 10, 15–16). They could know the wonder of Christ’s life making all things new.

By Monica La Rose

REFLECT & PRAY

When have you experienced God’s glory in ways you couldn’t understand? In what areas of your life might you experience God beyond the “boundaries of knowing”?

Loving God, there’s so much heartbreak and uncertainty in our world. Help me to learn to follow You past what I can understand to the wonder of Your life breathing new life all around me.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

In fulfilling his call to preach the gospel, Paul endured great dangers, persecutions, and hardships (1 Corinthians 4:9–13; 2 Corinthians 1:8–9; 6:4–10; 11:23–29). He chose to see these as “light and momentary troubles” achieving “an eternal glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Paul persevered, energized by God’s mercy (v. 1), the greatness of the gospel (vv. 2–6), and the power of Christ’s resurrected life (vv. 7–14). His confident refrain is, “We do not lose heart” (vv. 1, 16). Such confidence isn’t rooted in himself, but in God’s “all-surpassing power” (v. 7) and all-sufficient grace (12:9).

The Daily Bible Readings for Monday, March 28, 2022

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Monday, March 28, 2022
Psalm 53; Leviticus 23:26-41; Revelation 19:1-8
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Introduction & Summary

Restoring Our Fortunes (Psalm 53)
Days for Confession and Celebration (Leviticus 23:26-41)
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1-8)

Our psalm is arranged for use in music or worship in today’s lectionary readings. It is similar to Psalm 14 and is quoted in part in Romans 3. Here David depicts the human race as evil and incapable of producing any truly good deeds in God’s sight. David, the psalmist, longs for the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. When the kingdom arrives, there will be great joy.

In the book of Leviticus, we read about the Day of Atonement—a commanded feast of God. God emphasizes this day’s solemnity by threatening death to those who fail to afflict their souls or who do any work on this day. Nothing is more important than being at one with Him!

Our reading in the book of Revelation describes the victorious second coming of Christ, His victory over the Antichrist and the False Prophet after the fall of Babylon. The purpose of His second coming is judgment and the establishment of His reign on earth. Jesus’ second coming begins the millennial kingdom, leading up to the final judgments and the appearance of the New Jerusalem.

Our verse of the day is a Bible passage that gives all glory to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for the salvation of our souls. It points to Jesus Christ as the one and only mediator between God and us when it says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all….” The rebellious act of sin created a huge gulf in our relationship with God, and the only One Who could fill the gap was His Son. No other man or name can reconcile us back to God the Father, except Christ alone.

Today’s Verse of the Day:
1 Timothy 2:5-6

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

When Paul writes there is one God, he is referring back to the Shema—Israel’s statement of faith (Deut. 6:4–9). As believers in Jesus Christ, this foundational belief is not replaced—it is deepened. Jesus is not another deity, but God Himself, who has also become our Mediator. A mediator is like a priest—one who brings two parties together in peace. As our High Priest, we can “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16) because we know He will faithfully represent and lead us in His way (Heb. 2:1–18; 4:14, 15; 7:22—8:6).

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Psalter
Psalm 53
Restoring Our Fortunes

1 The fool says in his heart,
     “There is no God.”
  They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
     there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven
     on all mankind
  to see if there are any who understand,
     any who seek God.
3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
     there is no one who does good,
     not even one.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

  They devour my people as though eating bread;
     they never call on God.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
     where there was nothing to dread.
  God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
     you put them to shame, for God despised them.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
     When God restores his people,
     let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Commentary

David complains of the malice of his enemies (vv. 1-3); Assurance of the Divine favor and protection (vv. 4-7).

This psalm is almost the same as the 14th. The scope of it is to convince us of our sins. God, by the psalmist, here shows us how bad we are, and proves this by his own certain knowledge. He speaks terror to persecutors, the worst of sinners. He speaks encouragement to God's persecuted people. How comes it that men are so bad? Because there is no fear of God before their eyes. Men's bad practices flow from their bad principles; if they profess to know God, yet in works, because in thoughts, they deny him. See the folly of sin; he is a fool, in the account of God, whose judgment we are sure is right, that harbors such corrupt thoughts. And see the fruit of sin; to what it brings men, when their hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. See also the faith of the saints, and their hope and power as to the cure of this great evil. There will come a Savior, a great salvation, a salvation from sin. God will save his church from its enemies. He will save all believers from their own sins, that they may not be led captive by them, which will be everlasting joy to them. From this work the Redeemer had his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins, Matthew 1:21.

From the Pentateuch
Leviticus 23:26-41
Days for Confession and Celebration

23:26 The Lord said to Moses, 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves, and present a food offering to the Lord. 28 Do not do any work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the Lord your God. 29 Those who do not deny themselves on that day must be cut off from their people. 30 I will destroy from among their people anyone who does any work on that day. 31 You shall do no work at all. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. 32 It is a day of sabbath rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath.”

33 The Lord said to Moses, 34 “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. 35 The first day is a sacred assembly; do no regular work. 36 For seven days present food offerings to the Lord, and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the Lord. It is the closing special assembly; do no regular work.

37 (“‘These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing food offerings to the Lord—the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day. 38 These offerings are in addition to those for the Lord’s Sabbaths and in addition to your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give to the Lord.)

39 “‘So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the Lord for seven days; the first day is a day of sabbath rest, and the eighth day also is a day of sabbath rest. 40 On the first day you are to take branches from luxuriant trees—from palms, willows and other leafy trees—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. 41 Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month.

Commentary

The Day of Atonement (vv. 23-32); The Festival of Tabernacles (vv. 33-41).

Verses 26-32: The Day of Atonement was the ninth day after this; thus they were awakened to prepare for that day, by sincere and serious repentance, that it might indeed be to them a day of atonement. The humbling of our souls for sin, and the making our peace with God, is work that requires the whole man, and the closest application of mind. On that day God spake peace to his people, and to his saints; therefore they must lay aside all their wordly business, that they might the more clearly hear that voice of joy and gladness.

Verses 33-41: In the Festival of Tabernacles there was a remembrance of their dwelling in tents, or booths, in the wilderness, as well as their fathers dwelling in tents in Canaan; to remind them of their origin and their deliverance. Christ's tabernacling on earth in human nature, might also be prefigured. And it represents the believer's life on earth: a stranger and pilgrim here below, his home and heart are above with his Savior. They would the more value the comforts and conveniences of their own houses, when they had been seven days dwelling in the booths. It is good for those who have ease and plenty, sometimes to learn what it is to endure hardness. The joy of harvest ought to be improved for the furtherance of our joy in God. The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; therefore whatever we have the comfort of, he must have the glory of, especially when any mercy is perfected. God appointed these feasts, "Beside the sabbaths and your free-will offerings." Calls to extraordinary services will not excuse from constant and stated ones.

From the Apocalypse of John
Revelation 19:1-8
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

  “Hallelujah!
  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2    for true and just are his judgments.
  He has condemned the great prostitute
     who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.
  He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

3 And again they shouted:

  “Hallelujah!
  The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.”

4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

  “Amen, Hallelujah!”

5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

  “Praise our God,
     all you his servants,
  you who fear him,
     both great and small!”

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

   “Hallelujah!
     For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
     and give him glory!
  For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
     and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
     was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

Commentary

The church in heaven and that on earth triumph, and praise the Lord for his righteous judgments.

Praising God for what we have, is praying for what is yet further to be done for us. There is harmony between the angels and the saints in this triumphant song. Christ is the Bridegroom of his ransomed church. This second union will be completed in heaven; but the beginning of the glorious millennium (by which is meant a reign of Christ, or a state of happiness, for a thousand years on earth) may be considered as the celebration of his espousals on earth. Then the church of Christ, being purified from errors, divisions, and corruptions, in doctrine, discipline, worship, and practice, will be made ready to be publicly owned by him as his delight and his beloved. The church appeared; not in the gay, gaudy dress of the mother of harlots, but in fine linen, clean and white. In the robes of Christ's righteousness, imputed for justification, and imparted for sanctification. The promises of the gospel, the true sayings of God, opened, applied, and sealed by the Spirit of God, in holy ordinances, are the marriage-feast. This seems to refer to the abundant grace and consolation Christians will receive in the happy days which are to come.

Today’s Lectionary Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year C. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2022, we will be in Year A. The year which ended at Advent 2021 was Year B. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org. The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible.