majesty of God – Be Still…

Hebrews 2:1-18 – Are You Adrift?

Do you ever feel far from God? It’s in those moments when we have drifted away for some reason, distracted from focusing on God’s grace and power. The author here reminds us how easily we can drift away from God if we aren’t careful. God’s message never changes, and we need to cling to it. When coming off a faith “high,” we can be especially prone to these drifts when reality starts to close in around us.

Pondering over how God could care for us, mere mortals, continues for us. As quoted here from Psalm 8, this wonder extends to the majesty of God and his creation. We are blessed to be made by God, loved by God, and instructed by God. If you ever need a dose of awestruck wonder about who God is and what he has done, read Psalm 8. Continue reading “Hebrews 2:1-18 – Are You Adrift?”

Psalm 8 – God the Creator

Read Psalm 8

As we embark on our “Discovering the Bible Challenge,” we’ll focus first on Our Majestic and Gracious God. Each reading has been carefully selected for our Bible adventure together. Our opening theme helps introduce us to who God is. What does our psalm speak to your heart about God’s character? Have you ever thought about God like this?

For me, I am comforted in knowing I was not created and then left to fend for myself. We all know this world to be a dark, cruel place underneath all the beauty and glorious display of God’s hand. There is peace knowing God created me to be in a relationship with him. His instructions are available for all of us. Continue reading “Psalm 8 – God the Creator”

Job 38:1-41 – God Answers Job!

Read Job 38:1-41

Don’t rush past verse 1. “Then the Lord answered Job.” There is a lot of power packed into these words. The word “then” stops us in our tracks as if someone just turned on the light so we can finally see. How climactic! After all the time Job longed to hear from God, God now speaks and tells Job to “Brace yourself.” Hold on and get ready to be wowed!

The whole book of Job hinges on this moment of truth. God’s words are important, but the simple fact that God answers from the whirlwind is huge! It proves God is always present with us, listening to our prayers. After the last 35+ chapters, we’ve heard from Job and his friends, all spinning their wheels, spouting off misguided theology while trying to figure out what is happening. Continue reading “Job 38:1-41 – God Answers Job!”

Daniel 11:2-20 – North vs. South

Read Daniel 11:2-20

The messenger from our last reading continues to share with Daniel in this passage. And there will be still another reading to finish up this one vision. Can you believe the detail Daniel is receiving from this angel from God?

I’m not really a history buff, but when I read this vision, I very much wanted to figure out who these people were from the north and south. I tried drawing a diagram of what we know from Daniel’s vision but felt even more lost. Continue reading “Daniel 11:2-20 – North vs. South”

1 Chronicles 16:37-43 – Worship Assignments

Read 1 Chronicles 16:37-43

Interesting that David wanted all of Israel to be part of the celebration around the Ark as well as witness his appointment of priests and Levites in both Jerusalem and Gibeon. All of that before “all the people returned to their homes, and David turned and went home to bless his own family.” It makes sense that tradition holds that the Chronicler was from the Levite clan, possibly even the priest, Ezra.

What stood out to you in this reading? Other than assigning seventy (yes 70!) gatekeepers to watch over the Ark, being a worship leader myself, I was drawn to David’s assignment of musicians. They were commissioned to give thanks to God with their instruments. What a great assignment!