Thursday, May 6, 2021

The Daily Bible Readings for Friday, May 7, 2021

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Friday, May 7, 2021
Psalm 98; Isaiah 42:5-9; Acts 10:34-43 (NIV)
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
For us to be able to thank God in all things, we must be able to see Him in every detail of our lives. Our hearts should be grateful toward Him, even when we face difficulties, because we know He is intimately involved in our circumstances and will work everything for our good if we have faith and obey Him (Rom. 8:28).

Today’s Readings:
A Reading from the Book of Psalms
Psalm 98
Shout With Joy to God


1 Sing to the Lord a new song,
     for he has done marvelous things;
  his right hand and his holy arm
     have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known
     and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
     and his faithfulness to Israel;
  all the ends of the earth have seen
     the salvation of our God.

4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
     burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the Lord with the harp,
     with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
     shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
     the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
     let the mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the Lord,
     for he comes to judge the earth.
  He will judge the world in righteousness
     and the peoples with equity.


Commentary
Verses 1-3 — A song of praise for redeeming love is a new song, a mystery hidden from ages and generations. Converts sing a new song, very different from what they had sung. If the grace of God put a new heart into our breasts, it will put a new song into our mouths. Let this new song be sung to the praise of God, in consideration of the wonders he has wrought. The Redeemer has overcome all difficulties in the way of our redemption, and was not discouraged by the services or sufferings appointed him. Let us praise him for the discoveries made to the world of the work of redemption; his salvation and his righteousness fulfilling the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. In pursuance of this design, God raised up his Son Jesus to be not only a Light to lighten the Gentiles, but the glory of his people Israel. Surely it behooves us to inquire whether his holy arm hath gotten the victory in our hearts, over the power of Satan, unbelief, and sin? If this be our happy case, we shall exchange all light songs of vanity for songs of joy and thanksgiving; our lives will celebrate the Redeemer's praise.

Verses 4-9 — Let all the children of men rejoice in the setting up the kingdom of Christ, for all may benefit by it. The different orders of rational creatures in the universe, seem to be described in figurative language in the reign of the great Messiah. The kingdom of Christ will be a blessing to the whole creation. We expect his second coming to begin his glorious reign. Then shall heaven and earth rejoice, and the joy of the redeemed shall be full. But sin and its dreadful effects will not be utterly done away, till the Lord come to judge the world in righteousness. Seeing then that we look for such things, let us give diligence that we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.


A Reading from the Old Testament
Isaiah 42:5-9
God Declares New Things


5 This is what God the Lord says—
  the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
     who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
     who gives breath to its people,
     and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
     I will take hold of your hand.
  I will keep you and will make you
     to be a covenant for the people
     and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
     to free captives from prison
     and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
     I will not yield my glory to another
     or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
     and new things I declare;
  before they spring into being
     I announce them to you.”


Commentary
The work of redemption brings back man to the obedience he owes to God as his Maker. Christ is the light of the world. And by his grace he opens the understandings Satan has blinded, and sets at liberty from the bondage of sin. The Lord has supported his church. And now he makes new promises, which shall as certainly be fulfilled as the old ones were. When the Gentiles are brought into the church, he is glorified in them and by them. Let us give to God those things which are his, taking heed that we do not serve the creature more than the Creator.


A Reading from the New Testament
Acts 10:34-43
God Shows No Partiality


10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Commentary
Acceptance cannot be obtained on any other ground than that of the covenant of mercy, through the atonement of Christ; but wherever true religion is found, God will accept it without regarding names or sects. The fear of God and works of righteousness are the substance of true religion, the effects of special grace. Though these are not the cause of a man's acceptance, yet they show it; and whatever may be wanting in knowledge or faith, will in due time be given by Him who has begun it. They knew in general the word, that is, the gospel, which God sent to the children of Israel. The purport of this word was, that God by it published the good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ. They knew the several matters of fact relating to the gospel. They knew the baptism of repentance which John preached. Let them know that this Jesus Christ, by whom peace is made between God and man, is Lord of all; not only as over all, God blessed for evermore, but as Mediator. All power, both in heaven and in earth, is put into his hand, and all judgment committed to him. God will go with those whom he anoints; he will be with those to whom he has given his Spirit. Peter then declares Christ's resurrection from the dead, and the proofs of it. Faith has reference to a testimony, and the Christian faith is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, on the testimony given by them. See what must be believed concerning him. That we are all accountable to Christ as our Judge; so every one must seek his favor, and to have him as our Friend. And if we believe in him, we shall all be justified by him as our Righteousness. The remission of sins lays a foundation for all other favors and blessings, by taking that out of the way which hinders the bestowing of them. If sin be pardoned, all is well, and shall end well for ever.



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 Daily Bible Readings are selected from the Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, a three-year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year B. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2021, we will be in Year C. The year which ended at Advent 2020 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 what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

The Morning Prayer for Friday, May 7, 2021

 

The Morning Prayer
Friday, May 7, 2021


We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
l John 4:13 (NIV)

Dear Father in heaven, we thank you with all our hearts because we know you are holding us by your hand and leading us on all our ways, in spite of all contradiction, strife, distress, and confusion within ourselves. What are all these compared to your love, which does not let us go but watches over us and finally brings us to what is good? Release us from our many burdens. Free our spirits and our souls more and more until we can do nothing but give praise and thanks with heart, soul, and strength for all you are to us. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Friday, May 7, 2021

 

Verse of the Day
Friday, May 7, 2021


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
For us to be able to thank God in all things, we must be able to see Him in every detail of our lives. Our hearts should be grateful toward Him, even when we face difficulties, because we know He is intimately involved in our circumstances and will work everything for our good if we have faith and obey Him (Rom. 8:28).

Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5

Listen to 1 Thessalonians 5


Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®