The life of Jacob by Steven Day; flickr CCL
Meditation
Friday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 dealt with choice: God’s choice and ours. God called Abraham with a promise of a great nation. He would father a chosen people to follow the Ten Commandments. The promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob started first with the chosen people but expanded to include those ‘adopted’ into the family of God.
The Old Testament lesson in Isaiah reminded us of the words that formed the hymn, “How Firm a Foundation.” When chosen by God, they would have nothing to fear because, as their God they would be strengthened and upheld by God’s omnipotent [all powerful] hand.
The Psalmist cried to the Lord and received the blessing for being a chosen people, protected from the enemy.
The New Testament lesson in Romans outlined a distinction of the chosen people. While God extends a call to all, not all are a part of the choice. There were Jews in the New Testament period with Christ—some of the Pharisees—which Jesus pointed out were not true believers, but people who only pretended to be the chosen ones, but were inwardly very evil; those people, even though they may have a blood line to Abraham but they wouldn’t be considered truly a part of the family because of their choices. On the other hand, a Pharisee like Paul or Nicodemus, who clearly followed Christ and believed, would be part of the family.
The emphasis was on choices. God choosing us. Our choosing God. We are responsible for our choices and we must get our relationship with God in good shape. To be certain that we are included in the family of God, we must seek to obey God’s will in all that we do and say. Then, we can claim like the Psalmist the protection for believers.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary
Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for Ordinary 18, Proper 13 .
Ordinary 18, Proper 13
How Firm a Foundation – Sovereign Grace Music
Jacob’s Family
Image from page 86 of “The Life of Jacob and his son Joseph” (1836), Internet Archive Book Images flickr CCL
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Here O God I See Thee Face to Face – Clyde McLennan
Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2017:1-7,%2015;Isaiah%2041:8-10;Romans%209:6-13&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV
(multiple versions)
Friday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Single Bible Study chapter to study
King James Version (KJV)
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Sailor’s Widow with Children Seeking Aid/Protection from God/ Image from page 308 of “Christian herald and signs of our times” (1891) Internet Archive Book Images
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, thank you for choosing us. Help us to make good choices, as well. Be with us in all we say and do that we might honor your name. Protect us from the enemy. In Jesus name, Amen
Ordinary 18, Proper 13
Music
Great is Thy Faithfulness – Chris Rice
Ordinary 18, Proper 13 Humor
God the Eternal –stays anonymous sometimes
©Jeff Larson, Used by permission
The Jubilee – Jamie Rivera
I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in Ordinary 18, Proper 13.
Conclusion
Friday, Ordinary 18, Proper 13 simplified the family of God to those whom God chose and those who chose God. Some may find it strange if God is choosing, how there could be freedom of choice for the person.
From my youth, I heard the story about a man walking up to a door and seeing a sign saying, “Whosoever will may enter” and takes the step to walk through. On the other side of the door, the words were, “Chosen from before the foundation of the earth.”
Actually, the struggle of who chose whom only existed because humans think in a linear time frame. God exists outside of space and time. Being eternal meant that there was/is no before or after. C. S. Lewis explained it as an ever present now.
The important thing is that God made a choice and we are responsible for making a choice, too.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. Please like if it was meaningful. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.Please like if you are blessed and don’t hesitate to comment or contact me. I love hearing from you.
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