Thursday, May 26, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings for Friday, May 27, 2022

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Friday, May 27, 2022
Psalm 97; Exodus 33:12-17; Revelation 22:6-9
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Today’s Verse of the Day:
Acts 20:24

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Paul found his life by losing it and loved his life by not counting it dear (Matt. 16:24, 25; Phil. 1:21–24; 3:7–12). He had learned to love God’s will over everything else, and he realized that obeying his Savior yielded the greatest joy and fulfillment. The Lord wants us to be like the apostle Paul, being so devoted in our love and service that nothing could ever keep us from obeying Him wholeheartedly.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Psalter
Psalm 97
Light Dawns for the Righteous


1 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
     let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
     righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
     and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
     the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
     before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
     and all peoples see his glory.

7 All who worship images are put to shame,
     those who boast in idols—
     worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and rejoices
     and the villages of Judah are glad
     because of your judgments, Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
     you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
      for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
      and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines on the righteous
      and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
      and praise his holy name.


Commentary
The Lord Jesus reigns in power that cannot be resisted (vv.1-7); His care of his people, and his provision for them (vv. 8-12).

Verses 1-7: Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Christ's government, though it might be matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some; but it is their own fault that it is so. The most resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the Lord Jesus will ere long come, and put an end to idol worship of every kind.

Verses 8-12: The faithful servants of God may well rejoice and be glad, because he is glorified; and whatever tends to his honor, is his people's pleasure. Care is taken for their safety. But something more is meant than their lives. The Lord will preserve the souls of his saints from sin, from apostasy, and despair, under their greatest trials. He will deliver them out of the hands of the wicked one, and preserve them safe to his heavenly kingdom. And those that rejoice in Christ Jesus, and in his exaltation, have fountains of joy prepared for them. Those that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Gladness is sure to the upright in heart; the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. Sinners tremble, but saints rejoice at God's holiness. As he hates sin, yet freely loves the person of the repentant sinner who believes in Christ, he will make a final separation between the person he loves and the sin he hates, and sanctify his people wholly, body, soul, and spirit.


From the Pentateuch
Exodus 33:12-17
Moses Prays for the People


33:12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

Commentary
Moses desires to see the glory of God.

Moses is very earnest with God. Thus, by the intercession of Christ, we are not only saved from ruin, but become entitled to everlasting happiness. Observe here how he pleads. We find grace in God's sight, if we find grace in our hearts to guide and quicken us in the way of our duty. Moses speaks as one who dreaded the thought of going forward without the Lord's presence. God's gracious promises, and mercy towards us, should not only encourage our faith, but also excite our fervency in prayer. Observe how he speeds. See, in a type, Christ's intercession, which he ever lives to make for all that come to God by him; and that it is not by any thing in those for whom he intercedes.


From the Apocalypse of John
Revelation 22:6-9
A Trustworthy Testimony


22:6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”

Commentary
The truth and certain fulfilling of all the prophetic visions, The Holy Spirit, and the bride, the church, invite, and say, Come.

The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God. They are things that must shortly be done; Christ will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's interpreter. He refused to accept religious worship from John, and reproved him for offering it. This presents another testimony against idolatrous worship of saints and angels.



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 Morning Prayer for Friday, May 27, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Friday, May 27, 2022


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14, RSV


Lord our God, our Father in heaven, we thank you for letting us receive so much that is good in all circumstances on earth. We thank you that we can have joy in life in spite of our shortcomings, mistakes, and worries. You bless us with heavenly gifts, so that rejoicing, we can walk on earth as if in heaven. Keep the gifts of your Spirit alive in us. Keep alive in us everything that Jesus Christ was, everything he is, and everything he will be on earth for all people. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Friday, May 27, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Friday, May 27, 2022


Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Paul found his life by losing it and loved his life by not counting it dear (Matt. 16:24, 25; Phil. 1:21–24; 3:7–12). He had learned to love God’s will over everything else, and he realized that obeying his Savior yielded the greatest joy and fulfillment. The Lord wants us to be like the apostle Paul, being so devoted in our love and service that nothing could ever keep us from obeying Him wholeheartedly.

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