Tuesday, February 8, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings for Tuesday, February 8, 2022

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Psalm 115; 1 Samuel 9:15—10:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-9
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Introduction & Summary

In today’s lectionary readings, our psalm addresses a question that concerns all religious people. Who will God honor to live in his presence? This psalm was, and still is among the Jews, the first of those traditionally read or sung following the Passover meal. It is a song expressing communal confidence in God to help and bless His people.

In our reading in First Samuel, God tells Samuel that Saul is the man who will be king. We do not volunteer ourselves, but God appoints us. The call refers to the time when the Lord lets us know what He wants to do through our lives.

Our epistle reading is a list of qualifications for leaders in the church, including both elders and deacons. These men must be capable teachers with a good reputation, known for their patience and fairness.

Our verse of the day continues Jesus’ teaching on love and humility, a part of the Sermon on the Mount. After commanding believers not to seek revenge in the face of insults, Jesus expands the idea of love to include one’s enemies.

Today’s Verse of the Day:
Matthew 5:43-45

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Sometimes when we look around us, it seems as though God makes no distinction between the righteous and the ungodly—“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” However, we must take the long view—not judging what He will do through us by how our circumstances appear right now.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Psalter
Psalm 115
God Blesses the Chosen People

1 Not to us, Lord, not to us
     but to your name be the glory,
     because of your love and faithfulness.

2 Why do the nations say,
     “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
     he does whatever pleases him.
4 But their idols are silver and gold,
     made by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
     eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
     noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
     feet, but cannot walk,
     nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
8 Those who make them will be like them,
     and so will all who trust in them.

9 All you Israelites, trust in the Lord—
     he is their help and shield.
10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord—
      he is their help and shield.
11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord—
      he is their help and shield.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
      He will bless his people Israel,
      he will bless the house of Aaron,
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord—
      small and great alike.

14 May the Lord cause you to flourish,
      both you and your children.
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
      the Maker of heaven and earth.

16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
      but the earth he has given to mankind.
17 It is not the dead who praise the Lord,
      those who go down to the place of silence;
18 it is we who extol the Lord,
      both now and forevermore.

   Praise the Lord.


Commentary

Glory to be ascribed to God (vv. 1-8) by trusting in him and praising him (vv. 9-18).

Verses 1-8: Let no opinion of our own merits have any place in our prayers or in our praises. All the good we do, is done by the power of his grace; and all the good we have, is the gift of his mere mercy, and he must have all the praise. Are we in pursuit of any mercy, and wrestling with God for it, we must take encouragement in prayer from God only. Lord, do so for us; not that we may have the credit and comfort of it, but that they mercy and truth may have the glory of it. The heathen gods are senseless things. They are the works of men's hands: the painter, the carver, the statuary, can put no life into them, therefore no sense. The psalmist hence shows the folly of the worshipers of idols.

Verses 9-18: It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to trust in the living God, for he is a help and a shield to those that trust in him. Wherever there is right fear of God, there may be cheerful faith in him; those who reverence his word, may rely upon it. He is ever found faithful. The greatest need his blessing, and it shall not be denied to the meanest that fear him. God's blessing gives an increase, especially in spiritual blessings. And the Lord is to be praised: his goodness is large, for he has given the earth to the children of men for their use. The souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burdens of the flesh, are still praising him; but the dead body cannot praise God: death puts an end to our glorifying him in this world of trial and conflict. Others are dead, and an end is thereby put to their service, therefore we will seek to do the more for God. We will not only do it ourselves, but will engage others to do it; to praise him when we are gone. Lord, thou art the only object for faith and love. Help us to praise thee while living and when dying, that thy name may be the first and last upon our lips: and let the sweet savor of thy name refresh our souls for ever.


From the Historical Books
1 Samuel 9:15—10:1
The Call of Saul

9:15 Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”

17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”

18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”

21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”

22 Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. 23 Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”

24 So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

25 After they came down from the high place to the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of his house. 26 They rose about daybreak, and Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get ready, and I will send you on your way.” When Saul got ready, he and Samuel went outside together. 27 As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here for a while, so that I may give you a message from God.”

10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance?

Commentary

Samuel told concerning Saul (vv. 9:15-17). Samuel's treatment of Saul (vv. 9:18-27). Samuel anoints Saul (v. 10:1).

Verses 9:15-17: Though God had, in displeasure, granted Israel's request for a king, yet he sends them a man to be captain over them, to save them out of the hand of the Philistines. He does it, listening graciously to their cry.

Verses 9:18-27: Samuel, that good prophet, was so far from envying Saul, or bearing him any ill-will, that he was the first and most forward to do him honor. Both that evening and early the next morning, Samuel communed with Saul upon the flat roof of the house. We may suppose Samuel now convinced Saul that he was the person God had fixed upon for the government, and of his own willingness to resign. How different are the purposes of the Lord for us, from our intentions for ourselves! Perhaps Saul was the only one who ever went out to seek asses, and literally found a kingdom; but many have set out and moved their dwellings to seek riches and pleasures, who have been guided to places where they found salvation for their souls. Thus they have met with those who addressed them as if aware of the secrets of their lives and hearts, and have been led seriously to regard the word of the Lord. If this has been our case, though our worldly plans have not prospered, let us not care for that; the Lord has given us, or has prepared us for, what is far better.

Verse 10:1: The sacred anointing, then used, pointed at the great Messiah, or Anointed One, the King of the church, and High Priest of our profession, who was anointed with the oil of the Spirit, not by measure, but without measure, and above all the priests and princes of the Jewish church.


From the Epistles
1 Timothy 3:1-9
Qualities Needed by Church Leaders

3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

Commentary

The qualifications and behavior of gospel bishops (vv. 1-7). And of deacons (vv. 8-9).

Verses 1-7: If a man desired the pastoral office, and from love to Christ, and the souls of men, was ready to deny himself, and undergo hardships by devoting himself to that service, he sought to be employed in a good work, and his desire should be approved, provided he was qualified for the office. A minister must give as little occasion for blame as can be, lest he bring reproach upon his office. He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are put together in Scripture, they assist one the other. The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to all other families. We should take heed of pride; it is a sin that turned angels into devils. He must be of good repute among his neighbors, and under no reproach from his former life. To encourage all faithful ministers, we have Christ's gracious word of promise,
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age, Matthew 28:20. And he will fit his ministers for their work, and carry them through difficulties with comfort, and reward their faithfulness.

Verses 8-9: The deacons were at first appointed to distribute the charity of the church, and to manage its concerns, yet pastors and evangelists were among them. The deacons had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave, serious, prudent men.



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 Tuesday, February 8, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Tuesday, February 8, 2022


For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:14-16, NIV


Dear Father in heaven, you are among us and we can call you Abba, dear Father. In the joy of being your children we want to lay our lives into your hands to be made good and happy. Care for us like a shepherd pasturing his flock so that we can have community with one another. Help us to realize that you have many children here and everywhere, and that again and again you take a child by the hand saying, “You are mine. I am caring for you.” We thank you that your eyes watch over all the world. We thank you that your rule is over all humankind and will bring good to all people, wherever they may live. May this happen soon through our Savior. We call to him, “Lord Jesus, come. Come soon! May your hand keep us all close to the Father in heaven.” Amen.

Verse of the Day for Tuesday, February 8, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Tuesday, February 8, 2022


Matthew 5:43-45
You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Sometimes when we look around us, it seems as though God makes no distinction between the righteous and the ungodly—“He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” However, we must take the long view—not judging what He will do through us by how our circumstances appear right now.

Read all of Matthew Chapter 5

Listen to Matthew Chapter 5


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

Our Daily Bread — Success and Sacrifice

 

Success and Sacrifice

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16

READ 1 John 3:11–18

During a summer study program, my son read a book about a boy who wanted to climb an Alpine mountain in Switzerland. Practicing for this goal occupied most of his time. When he finally set off for the summit, things didn’t go as planned. Partway up the slope, a teammate became sick and the boy decided to stay behind to help instead of achieving his goal.

In the classroom, my son’s teacher asked, “Was the main character a failure because he didn’t climb the mountain?” One student said, “Yes, because it was in his DNA to fail.” But another child disagreed. He reasoned that the boy was not a failure, because he gave up something important to help someone else.

When we set aside our plans and care for others instead, we’re acting like Jesus. Jesus sacrificed having a home, reliable income, and social acceptance to travel and share God’s truth. Ultimately, He gave up His life to free us from sin and show us God’s love (1 John 3:16).

Earthly success is much different from success in God’s eyes. He values the compassion that moves us to rescue disadvantaged and hurting people (v. 17). He approves of decisions that protect people. With God’s help, we can align our values with His and devote ourselves to loving Him and others, which is the most significant achievement there is.

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
REFLECT & PRAY


How has the quest for success affected your life? Why is it sometimes difficult to align our values with what matters to God?

Heavenly Father, I want to be successful in Your eyes. Teach me how to love others the way You love me.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

John is sometimes referred to as the apostle of love. Much of the gospel that bears his name as well as his letters focus on the topic of love. Today’s passage has elements of both identification and application. Love in action—that takes concrete steps to express itself—identifies believers in Jesus, those who have “passed from death to life” (1 John 3:14).

To show what love looks like, John gives examples of love in action from the Old Testament, the life of Jesus, and the teaching of Jesus. Love doesn’t behave like Cain, who killed his own brother (v. 12; see Genesis 4:1–16). Instead, it emulates Jesus who gave up His life (1 John 3:16). Finally, love provides for the physical needs of others, as shown in the story of the Good Samaritan (v. 17; see Luke 10:25–37).

J.R. Hudberg