The Daily Lectionary with Commentary
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
The Radiance of Divine Glory: A Journey from God's Presence to Personal Transformation
Psalm 97; Exodus 33:1-6; Philippians 3:13—4:1
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
The Radiance of Divine Glory: A Journey from God's Presence to Personal Transformation
Psalm 97; Exodus 33:1-6; Philippians 3:13—4:1
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
(Semi-continuous Reading Plan)
Introduction
In a world replete with challenges and spiritual complexities, the human heart often yearns for guidance, reassurance, and transformation. The Biblical passages of Psalm 97, Exodus 33:1-6, and Philippians 3:13—4:1 offer a harmonious blend of perspectives that delve into the essence of God's glorious presence, the consequences of disobedience, and the transformative power of forward-focused faith.
In Psalm 97, we encounter a vivid description of God's awe-inspiring sovereignty and righteousness, painting a portrait of a God who reigns over all the earth, a Light that banishes all forms of darkness. Exodus 33:1-6 recounts a sobering moment in Israel's journey, a moment filled with the tension of God's presence, distance, and a call to repentance. Philippians 3:13—4:1 brings us to the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to forget the past and press forward toward the goal of divine calling, concluding with an encouragement to stand firm in the Lord.
Together, these passages offer a rich, multi-faceted view of the Christian journey. They challenge us to live in the awe of God's majesty, heed His divine directives, and constantly strive for a transformed life that reflects His glory. This compilation aims to explore these themes in depth, enabling readers to grasp the significance of living in God's radiant glory and apply these eternal truths to their daily lives.
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 97
Light springs up for the righteous
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 97
Light springs up for the righteous
Psalm 97 is a stirring celebration of God's majestic sovereignty, filled with imagery of a world that rejoices at the reign of the divine King. This psalm is often associated with the collection known as the "Enthronement Psalms," emphasizing God's rulership over both the natural world and human societies. The text captures the awe and wonder of God's righteousness and justice, inviting all who read it to join in the rejoicing of creation and to partake in a life of righteousness. This psalm serves as a profound reminder that God is both powerful and just, offering solace to those in distress and motivation to live in alignment with divine principles. As you delve into the richness of this text, consider what it means for God to be sovereign in your life and how His righteous rule impacts your everyday decisions and interactions.1 The LORD is King;
let the earth rejoice; *
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, *
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
3 A fire goes before him *
and burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, *
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images
and delight in false gods! *
Bow down before him, all you gods.
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments, O LORD.
9 For you are the LORD,
most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 The LORD loves those who hate evil; *
he preserves the lives of his saints
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, *
and give thanks to his holy Name.
Heavenly Father, we come before You in awe of Your majesty, Your power, and Your righteousness as beautifully depicted in Psalm 97. Lord, You are King over all the earth; Your reign extends from the highest heavens to the depths of the sea.
We acknowledge Your glory that illuminates the world and dispels all darkness. Father, let Your light penetrate our hearts, driving out any remnants of sin, confusion, or despair. May we, like the Psalmist, rejoice in Your reign and find peace in the assurance that You rule with justice and mercy.
We thank You for Your righteousness that is evident throughout the universe. May we continually be awed by Your deeds, O Lord, and let this awe inspire us to live lives that are pleasing to You. Help us to be conscious of Your presence in all that we do, remembering that You are a God who loves justice and righteousness.
Lord, Your word says that those who love the Lord hate evil. Give us the courage and strength to turn away from the things that displease You. May our lives reflect Your holiness, as we seek to honor You in all our actions, thoughts, and words.
We pray for those who do not yet know You, Lord. May Your light shine in their lives, revealing Your glory, so that they too may rejoice in Your kingdom and come to know the saving power of Your grace.
As the mountains melt like wax before You and the heavens proclaim Your righteousness, may our lives be a testament to Your overwhelming glory and love.
Be with us today and every day in Jesus Christ, Who taught us to pray:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
Exodus 33:1-6 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites' journey from bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land. This passage stands as a testament to the consequences of disobedience and the severity of God's judgment, all the while illuminating His mercy and guidance. As the story unfolds, we witness a divine tension between God's holiness and humanity's unfaithfulness, which demands a response.33 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
4 When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” 6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.
Commentary
The Divine Command:
God instructs Moses to lead the people to the Promised Land, keeping His promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It's noteworthy that God would still keep His promise despite the Israelites' repeated acts of disobedience, underscoring the unchanging nature of God's faithfulness.
The Absence of God's Presence:
The most startling aspect of this passage is God's declaration that He will not accompany the Israelites personally on their journey. Instead, an angel will go before them. This is in stark contrast to the pillar of cloud and fire that had led them earlier, symbolizing God's intimate presence with His people. This change is due to the Israelites' "stiff-necked" nature, a term suggesting stubbornness and resistance to God's will.
The People's Mourning:
The Israelites' reaction to God's words is one of immediate grief. Their mourning indicates a realization of the gravity of their sins, especially in the wake of the Golden Calf incident (Exodus 32). Their relationship with God had been damaged, and the potential absence of His presence was deeply distressing.
The Ornaments:
The removal of the ornaments, usually worn for beautification or distinction, can be seen as a sign of humility, repentance, and mourning. God's command to remove them might signify a call to simplicity, humility, and a return to genuine reverence. It's a physical manifestation of an internal state of heart, representing the Israelites' recognition of their need for atonement and their desire to be right with God.
In essence, Exodus 33:1-6 encapsulates the tension of God's holiness, His promises, and the human propensity to stray from divine commands. It's a reminder of the consequences of sin, but also of the grace and patience of a God who still guides, even when direct fellowship is broken due to human disobedience.
The passage from Philippians 3:13 to 4:1 captures the Apostle Paul's relentless focus on spiritual growth, heavenly goals, and Christian unity. Written while he was in prison, these verses highlight his unwavering commitment to the cause of Christ, revealing the inner workings of a mind completely surrendered to God. Offering timeless wisdom, this section is not just autobiographical; it serves as a guide for all believers to adopt the same mindset of pressing toward divine calling and standing firm in the faith.13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
Commentary
Forgetting What is Behind:
Paul emphasizes the importance of not dwelling on the past—either past failures or past achievements. The focus is on ongoing growth and spiritual maturity. Forgetting what is behind is not about denying the past but about not being entangled or hindered by it as one moves forward in spiritual growth.
Straining Toward What is Ahead:
The Apostle describes the Christian life as a race that requires active, strenuous effort. The language of "straining" denotes intensity, singularity of focus, and a desire for what lies ahead, which is life in Christ.
The Goal and the Prize:
Paul is pressing toward a spiritual “prize,” an ultimate fulfillment in Christ. This prize is not earned but is the culmination of a life spent in relationship with Jesus, a life of responding to the high calling of God.
Maturity and Clarity:
Paul urges those who are mature to adopt this forward-looking, heavenward mindset. He acknowledges that some may think differently, but he's confident that God will clarify any misunderstandings in time.
Living Up to What We Have Attained:
He urges believers to live consistently with the spiritual progress they've already made. This could mean adhering to ethical guidelines, communal practices, or deeper spiritual disciplines.
Enemies of the Cross:
Paul laments that some live as "enemies of the cross," focusing on earthly things. Their way of life is incompatible with the calling of a Christian, which is heavenly citizenship and the hope of bodily transformation at Christ's return.
Our Citizenship in Heaven:
Contrary to those who focus on earthly things, Paul reminds the Philippians that their true citizenship is in heaven. This is a strong call to orient life, priorities, and values around this eternal perspective.
Standing Firm:
Paul closes with an emotive plea to stand firm in the Lord. In the face of external pressures and the temptation to conform to the world, standing firm is an act of resistance and faithfulness.
In summary, Philippians 3:13—4:1 serves as a profound call to keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate goal: a full and eternal life in Christ. It urges us to leave behind anything that hinders, to press on vigorously in our faith, and to live as citizens of heaven, eagerly awaiting the return of our Savior.
Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]
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. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789). Commentaries are by Rev. Kenny Sallee, ThM.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. 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 on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Daily Lectionary with Commentary for Tuesday, October 17, 2023
The Radiance of Divine Glory: A Journey from God's Presence to Personal Transformation
Psalm 97; Exodus 33:1-6; Philippians 3:13—4:1
In a world replete with challenges and spiritual complexities, the human heart often yearns for guidance, reassurance, and transformation. The Biblical passages of today's readings offer a harmonious blend of perspectives that delve into the essence of God's glorious presence, the consequences of disobedience, and the transformative power of forward-focused faith.… Together, these passages offer a rich, multi-faceted view of the Christian journey. They challenge us to live in the awe of God's majesty, heed His divine directives, and constantly strive for a transformed life that reflects His glory. This compilation aims to explore these themes in depth, enabling readers to grasp the significance of living in God's radiant glory and apply these eternal truths to their daily lives.
