Friday, March 18, 2022

The Daily Bible Readings for Friday, March 18, 2022

 

The Daily Bible Readings
Friday, March 18, 2022
Psalm 63:1-8; Daniel 12:1-4; Revelation 3:1-6
with commentaries from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

Introduction & Summary


O God Eagerly I Seek You (Psalm 63:1-8)
God Sends Michael (Daniel 12:1-4)
Warning to the Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)

In today’s lectionary readings, the psalmist takes refuge in the place where he feels truly loved and secure—in the shadow of the wings of God.

Our reading in the book of Daniel is the conclusion of the vision of the Scriptures of truth. The reading describes the final events of human history paving the way for the second coming of Christ, the defeat of His enemies, and the establishment of His kingdom. They sum up for Daniel the destiny of Israel as a nation, the saints, and the wicked. The last verse contains Daniel’s instructions to conceal what has been revealed to him.

In our reading in Revelation, the Lord Jesus informs the church in Sardis that it has a reputation for being alive, but in fact, it is dead. There was the outward appearance and the public reputation of life, but the Savior perceives that the church was spiritually dead in reality despite the public image. It appears that the church in Sardis had become just like the city of Sardis: Sardis had been a very wealthy commercial center known for its woolen goods and wool-dying industry. Still, it was a city that was living off of its past; it had seen its heyday and was now in decline.

Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Rome found in our verse of the day is often used in churches today as a closing benediction. It is a powerful statement about what God can do in the heart and mind of every Christian.

Today’s Verse of the Day:
Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Christian life is to be characterized by hope, joy, and peace. As we grow in His grace, God wants us to experience each of them in increasing measure. If they’re lacking, we know something has gone wrong.

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Psalter
Psalm 63:1-8
O God Eagerly I Seek You

1 You, God, are my God,
     earnestly I seek you;
  I thirst for you,
     my whole being longs for you,
  in a dry and parched land
     where there is no water.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
     and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
     my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
     and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
     with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
     I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
     I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
     your right hand upholds me.


Commentary

David's desire toward God (vv. 1, 2); His satisfaction in God (vv. 3-6); His dependence upon God, and assurance of safety (vv. 7-8).

Verses 1, 2: Early will I seek thee. The true Christian devotes to God the morning hour. He opens the eyes of his understanding with those of his body, and awakes each morning to righteousness. He arises with a thirst after those comforts which the world cannot give, and has immediate recourse by prayer to the Fountain of the water of life. The true believer is convinced, that nothing in this sinful world can satisfy the wants and desires of his immortal soul; he expects his happiness from God, as his portion. When faith and hope are most in exercise, the world appears a weary desert, and the believer longs for the joys of heaven, of which he has some foretastes in the ordinances of God upon earth.

Verses 3-6: Even in affliction we need not want matter for praise. When this is the regular frame of a believer's mind, he values the loving-kindness of God more than life. God's loving-kindness is our spiritual life, and that is better than temporal life. We must praise God with joyful lips; we must address ourselves to the duties of religion with cheerfulness, and speak forth the praises of God from a principle of holy joy. Praising lips must be joyful lips. David was in continual danger; care and fear held his eyes waking, and gave him wearisome nights; but he comforted himself with thoughts of God. The mercies of God, when called to mind in the night watches, support the soul, making darkness cheerful. How happy will be that last morning, when the believer, awaking up after the Divine likeness, shall be satisfied with all the fullness of God, and praise him with joyful lips, where there is no night, and where sorrow and sighing flee away!

Verses 7-8: True Christians can, in some measure, and at some times, make use of the strong language of David, but too commonly our souls cleave to the dust. Having committed ourselves to God, we must be easy and pleased, and quiet from the fear of evil. Those that follow hard after God, would soon fail, if God's right hand did not uphold them. It is he that strengthens us and comforts us. The psalmist doubts not but that though now sowing in tears, he should reap in joy. Messiah the Prince shall rejoice in God; he is already entered into the joy set before him, and his glory will be completed at his second coming. Blessed Lord, let our desire towards thee increase every hour; let our love be always upon thee; let all our enjoyment be in thee, and all our satisfaction from thee. Be thou all in all to us while we remain in the present wilderness state, and bring us home to the everlasting enjoyment of thee for ever.


From the Prophetic Books of Major Prophets
Daniel 12:1-4
God Sends Michael

12:1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

Commentary

The conclusion of the vision of the Scriptures of truth.

Michael signifies, "Who is like God," and his name, with the title of "the great Prince," points out the Divine Savior. Christ stood for the children of our people in their stead as a sacrifice, bore the curse for them, to bear it from them. He stands for them in pleading for them at the throne of grace. And after the destruction of antichrist, the Lord Jesus shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and He shall appear for the complete redemption of all his people. When God works deliverance from persecution for them, it is as life from the dead. When his gospel is preached, many who sleep in the dust, both Jews and Gentiles, shall be awakened by it out of their heathenism of Judaism. And in the end the multitude that sleep in the dust shall awake; many shall arise to life, and many to shame. There is glory reserved for all the saints in the future state, for all that are wise, wise for their souls and eternity. Those who turn many to righteousness, who turn sinners from the errors of their ways, and help to save their souls from death, (James 5:20), will share in the glory of those they have helped to heaven, which will add to their own glory.


From the Apocalypse of John
Revelation 3:1-6
Warning to the Church in Sardis

3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.


Commentary

Epistles to the church at Sardis.

The Lord Jesus is He that hath the Holy Spirit with all his powers, graces, and operations. Hypocrisy, and lamentable decay in religion, are sins charged upon Sardis, by One who knew that church well, and all her works. Outward things appeared well to men, but there was only the form of godliness, not the power; a name to live, not a principle of life. There was great deadness in their souls, and in their services; numbers were wholly hypocrites, others were in a disordered and lifeless state. Our Lord called upon them to be watchful against their enemies, and to be active and earnest in their duties; and to endeavor, in dependence on the grace of the Holy Spirit, to revive and strengthen the faith and spiritual affections of those yet alive to God, though in a declining state. Whenever we are off our watch, we lose ground. Thy works are hollow and empty; prayers are not filled up with holy desires, alms-deeds not filled up with true charity, sabbaths not filled up with suitable devotion of soul to God. There are not inward affections suitable to outward acts and expressions; when the spirit is wanting, the form cannot long remain. In seeking a revival in our own souls, or the souls of others, it is needful to compare what we profess with the manner in which we go on, that we may be humbled and quickened to hold fast that which remains. Christ enforces his counsel with a dreadful threatening if it should be despised. Yet our blessed Lord does not leave this sinful people without some encouragement. He makes honorable mention of the faithful remnant in Sardis, he makes a gracious promise to them. He that overcomes shall be clothed in white raiment; the purity of grace shall be rewarded with the perfect purity of glory. Christ has his book of life, a register of all who shall inherit eternal life; the book of remembrance of all who live to God, and keep up the life and power of godliness in evil times. Christ will bring forward this book of life, and show the names of the faithful, before God, and all the angels, at the great day.



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 Lenten Prayer for Friday, March 18, 2022

 

40 Days of Lenten Prayers
Day 15 — Friday of the Second Week of Lent


Loving God, Caring parent, I am a child who so often turns my back on your love.

Please accept my small acts of sorrow today and help to release me from the self-absorption that closes my heart to you.

As I journey through Lent, let me remember the feast you have prepared for me in the resurrection and let me be filled with thanks to you. Amen.

The Morning Prayer for Friday, March 18, 2022

 

The Morning Prayer
Friday, March 18, 2022


…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:11–14, NIV


Dear Father in heaven, we thank you. We want to be ready to thank you at all times. We look forward with joy to your kingdom and await the redemption that will free us to the very depth of our being, to the praise and thanks and honor of your name. Be with the many people who come hungering and thirsting to you. Bring deliverance to those whose hearts are true, and let them know that the power of your kingdom is truly present here on earth in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Friday, March 18, 2022

 

Verse of the Day
Friday, March 18, 2022


Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Christian life is to be characterized by hope, joy, and peace. As we grow in His grace, God wants us to experience each of them in increasing measure. If they’re lacking, we know something has gone wrong.

Read the Full Chapter



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

Our Daily Bread — Little Foxes

 
 

Little Foxes

Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards. Song of Songs 2:15

READ Song of Songs 2:3–15



A pilot couldn’t fit his tea into the cupholder, so he set it on the center console. When the plane hit turbulence, the drink spilled onto the control panel, shutting off an engine. The flight was diverted and landed safely, but when it happened again to a crew from a different airline two months later, the manufacturer realized there was a problem. The plane cost $300 million, but its cupholders were too small. This seemingly small oversight led to some harrowing moments.

Small details can wreck the grandest plans, so the man in the Song of Songs urges his lover to catch “the little foxes that ruin the vineyards” of their love (2:15). He’d seen foxes climb over walls and dig out vines in search of grapes. They were hard to catch as they darted into the vineyard then melted back into the night. But they must not be ignored.

What threatens your closest relationships? It may not be large offenses. It might be the little foxes, a small comment here or a slight there that digs at the root of your love. Minor offenses add up, and what once was a blossoming friendship or passionate marriage might be in danger of dying.

May God help us catch the little foxes! Let’s ask for and grant forgiveness as needed and nourish our vineyards in the soil of ordinary acts of thoughtfulness as God provides what we need.

By Mike Wittmer
REFLECT & PRAY


What “little foxes” are damaging one of your close relationships? What can you do to seek forgiveness and a fresh start in Christ?

Father, may Your extraordinary love flow through me in ordinary ways.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The Song of Songs is a collection of love poems that both celebrate and warn about love, particularly the physical intimacy that flows from it. Some view the book as a collection of poems that express godly desires in keeping with the way God made us at the time of our creation—desires that are met in the “two becoming one flesh” marriage relationship instituted in the garden.

But the Song may also speak about God and our relationship with Him, especially when we read it in the context of the whole Bible, where we see a frequent comparison made between our relationship with God and human marriage.