The Daily Lectionary
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Seeking Divine Guidance
With Expository Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Seeking Divine Guidance
in Times of Uncertainty
Psalm 4; Daniel 9:1-19; 1 John 2:18-25
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 3)
Introduction
Psalm 4; Daniel 9:1-19; 1 John 2:18-25
(Revised Common Lectionary Year B)
(Easter 3)
Introduction
Psalm 4 is an evocative and comforting prayer that resonates with the faithful seeking God's guidance and support in times of distress. This psalm, attributed to King David, serves as a night-time prayer, reflecting a deep trust in God's providence and protection. It opens with a heartfelt plea for divine mercy, acknowledging God as a source of righteousness and a responder to prayers. Throughout, the psalmist contrasts the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits with the enduring peace found in God's presence. It's a compelling message of finding solace and joy in God's unfailing love, even amidst life's uncertainties and challenges. This timeless prayer thus speaks to the enduring human search for divine comfort and moral integrity.
Psalm 135 is a vibrant hymn of praise that invites worshippers to glorify the Lord for His greatness and mighty acts. This Psalm stands as a profound testament to God's sovereignty, emphasizing His power over all things, both in the heavens and on earth. It serves not only as a call to worship but also as a reminder of God's enduring faithfulness and mercy towards His people. Through a litany of reasons for praise, including God's creation, deliverance, and enduring love, Psalm 135 inspires believers to reflect on the majesty and enduring presence of God in their lives.1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
You gave me room when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?
How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.
4 When you are disturbed, do not sin;
ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the LORD.
6 There are many who say, “O that we might see some good!
Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!”
7 You have put gladness in my heart
more than when their grain and wine abound.
8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
Expository Commentary
Verse 1: This verse is a direct appeal to God, emphasizing the psalmist's confidence in divine justice ("God of my right"). It reflects past experiences where God provided relief ("room") during times of distress, establishing a foundation for the current plea for grace and attention.
Verse 2: Here, the psalmist addresses his adversaries, questioning the duration of his unjust suffering. This rhetorical question underscores the futility ("vain words") and deceitfulness ("lies") of his opponents' actions, contrasting with the psalmist's pursuit of truth and honor.
Verse 3: This verse reassures believers that God distinguishes and values the faithful. It reaffirms the psalmist's belief in God's responsiveness, serving as an encouragement to maintain faithfulness amidst opposition.
Verse 4: This advice is a call for self-reflection and restraint. The psalmist advises that in times of agitation or distress, one should avoid sin and instead reflect inwardly, promoting a sense of calm and contemplation.
Verse 5: The psalmist emphasizes the importance of sincere worship ("right sacrifices") and trust in God. This verse implies that genuine religious practices, combined with faith in God, form the foundation of a righteous life.
Verse 6: This verse reflects a common yearning for God's favor and presence. It encapsulates the desire for divine blessing and guidance, acknowledging that true goodness and enlightenment come from God.
Verse 7: Here, the psalmist expresses a joy that surpasses material abundance. The gladness derived from God's presence and blessings is depicted as greater than the joy from worldly prosperity.
Verse 8: The psalm concludes with an expression of profound peace and security under God's protection. This serene trust allows the psalmist to rest, free from fear, assured of safety in God's care.
Psalm 4, therefore, is a blend of personal lament, wise counsel, and unwavering faith. It encapsulates the struggle against external adversities and internal turmoil while affirming the supreme solace and security found in a relationship with God.
Daniel 9:1-19 is a profound and introspective passage where the prophet Daniel, recognizing the profound suffering and desolation of his people, turns to God in prayer and supplication. In the first year of King Darius's reign, Daniel discerns through the scriptures the prophecy of Jeremiah regarding the seventy years of Jerusalem's desolation. This realization leads him to don sackcloth and ashes, a traditional sign of mourning and penitence, and to offer a fervent prayer of confession and petition on behalf of his people. His prayer acknowledges the sins and iniquities of Israel, admits their failure to heed the prophets, and implores God's mercy and forgiveness. Daniel's heartfelt plea exemplifies a profound faith in God's steadfast love and righteousness, even in the midst of suffering and punishment. This passage is a powerful reflection on the nature of confession, the importance of understanding scriptural prophecies, and the enduring hope for divine mercy and restoration.9 1 In the first year of Darius son of Ahasuerus, by birth a Mede, who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah, must be fulfilled for the devastation of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
3 Then I turned to the LORD God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying,
“Ah, LORD, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.
7 “Righteousness is on your side, O LORD, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. 8 Open shame, O LORD, falls on us, our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. 9 To the LORD our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, 10 and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
11 “All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. So the curse and the oath written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against you. 12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers, by bringing upon us a calamity so great that what has been done against Jerusalem has never before been done under the whole heaven. 13 Just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us. We did not entreat the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and reflecting on his fidelity. 14 So the LORD kept watch over this calamity until he brought it upon us. Indeed, the LORD our God is right in all that he has done; for we have disobeyed his voice.
15 “And now, O LORD our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made your name renowned even to this day—we have sinned, we have done wickedly. 16 O LORD, in view of all your righteous acts, let your anger and wrath, we pray, turn away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because of our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors, Jerusalem and your people have become a disgrace among all our neighbors. 17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his supplication, and for your own sake, Lord, let your face shine upon your desolated sanctuary. 18 Incline your ear, O my God, and hear. Open your eyes and look at our desolation and the city that bears your name. We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of your great mercies. 19 O LORD, hear; O LORD, forgive; O LORD, listen and act and do not delay! For your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people bear your name!”
Expository Commentary
Verses 1-2: These verses set the historical context. Daniel realizes, through the study of Jeremiah's prophecies, that the desolation of Jerusalem is to last seventy years. This realization occurs during the reign of Darius, providing a chronological anchor for the narrative.
Verse 3: Daniel responds to his understanding with action—turning to the Lord God in prayer and supplication, fasting, wearing sackcloth, and putting ashes on himself. This reflects traditional signs of mourning and repentance in Jewish culture, indicating the seriousness of his prayer and confession.
Verses 4-6: Daniel begins his prayer by acknowledging God's greatness and righteousness, juxtaposed against the disobedience and rebellion of the people of Israel, including the kings, princes, ancestors, and all the people.
Verses 7-8: These verses continue the theme of confession, recognizing that shame belongs to the people of Israel because of their unfaithfulness to God. Despite their covenant relationship with God, they have sinned and turned away from His commandments.
Verses 9-10: Despite Israel's faithlessness, God's character remains unchanged—He is merciful and forgiving. However, the people have not obeyed God or lived by His laws as given through His servants, the prophets.
Verses 11-14: Daniel acknowledges that the entire nation has sinned, bringing upon them the curses written in the Law of Moses. He notes that God did not hesitate to bring disaster upon them because they did not seek to turn from their iniquities or understand God's truth.
Verse 15: Here, Daniel recalls the historical event of the exodus from Egypt, highlighting God's mighty acts and reputation. He draws a parallel between God's past acts of salvation and the current need for deliverance.
Verses 16-19: In these final verses, Daniel's prayer culminates in a passionate plea for mercy and forgiveness. He asks God to turn away His anger and wrath from Jerusalem, not because of any righteousness of the people, but because of God's great mercies. Daniel's appeal is for the sake of God's reputation and for the restoration of His sanctuary which lies in ruins.
Throughout this passage, the themes of confession, the righteousness of God, and the need for divine mercy are interwoven. Daniel's prayer is a model of humility, acknowledging sin, and seeking God's forgiveness based on His character rather than human merit. This passage challenges readers to consider their own relationship with God, the importance of understanding and responding to biblical prophecy, and the power of sincere, humble prayer.
In this passage from 1 John 2:18-25, the author addresses the Christian community about the challenges and confusions they face, particularly concerning the coming of the "antichrist" and the many antichrists already present in the world. The passage serves as a warning and encouragement, emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful to what the believers have heard from the beginning. The author reassures them that if they maintain their faith in Jesus Christ, they will remain in the Son and in the Father. This section of the scripture is pivotal in underscoring the themes of truth, deception, the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ, and the assurance of eternal life, all of which are central to Christian faith and practice.2 18 Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge. 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth. 22 Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.
Expository Commentary
Verse 18 — Antichrists and the Last Hour: This verse speaks of the urgency and the critical times the early Christian community faced. The term "antichrist" refers not only to a singular eschatological figure but also to anyone opposing Christ's teachings. The "last hour" symbolizes a period of significant spiritual conflict and a call to vigilance for believers.
Verses 19-20 — Departure of the Deceivers and Anointing by the Holy One: These verses differentiate between true believers and deceivers. The deceivers are described as having left the Christian community, indicating a fundamental disagreement or deviation from Christian beliefs. The "anointing" symbolizes the Holy Spirit, which imparts true knowledge and discernment to believers, setting them apart from false teachers.
Verse 21 — The Purpose of the Writing and the Knowledge of Truth: Here, the author reaffirms the community's knowledge of the truth of Christ. This verse underscores the confidence the author has in the community's understanding of the Christian message, while also stressing the incompatibility of lies (false teachings) with the truth (the message of Christ).
Verses 22-23 — Identifying the Liar and the Denial of the Son and the Father: These verses are central to the Johannine understanding of heresy and truth. Denial of Jesus as the Christ is equated with lying and is a hallmark of the antichrist. This denial also extends to the relationship between Jesus and God the Father, emphasizing the essential Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
Verses 24-25 — The Promise for Abiding in the Son: The final verses return to the theme of abiding in the teachings received from the beginning of their Christian journey. This abiding is linked with a relationship with both the Son and the Father and the promise of eternal life. It's an encouragement to hold fast to the core Christian beliefs amidst challenges and false teachings.
Overall, this passage emphasizes the distinction between truth and falsehood, the importance of recognizing and adhering to true Christian teachings, and the assurance of eternal life for those who remain faithful to Jesus Christ.
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 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM, aided by ChatGPT. The biblical commentaries provided here are intended for educational and spiritual enrichment purposes only. The interpretations and insights offered are based on the authors' understanding and perspective of the Bible, which may be influenced by their theological training, denominational background, and personal beliefs.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 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 Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentaries are by Kenny Sallee, ThM, aided by ChatGPT. The biblical commentaries provided here are intended for educational and spiritual enrichment purposes only. The interpretations and insights offered are based on the authors' understanding and perspective of the Bible, which may be influenced by their theological training, denominational background, and personal beliefs.
The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2023 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
