Day 15 First Plan

Psalm 14 is quite provocative from a modern point of view. Science has found a way to dismiss God by finding purely materialistic ways to explain how the universe came into being, how life came into existence, what has happened to life since it came into being, etc. Behaviorists like B. F. Skinner try to explain human behavior based upon purely materialistic theories. Some atheistic scientists try to discredit and marginalize scientists who believe in God, even when belief has no direct connection to what the scientist is doing.


I think there is a danger in practicing science in a godless vaccuum. For years, women were told that an embryo was just a blob of tissue, but sophisticated imaging is revealing the truth: how soon after conception we start to look and act like human life. Premature babies are surviving in greater numbers and at smaller sizes. Even though scientific advances are showing the fallacies behind abortion, the technology to abort came before the technology to testify the truth of what life is. We also have technology to identify potential genetic diseases and make decisions about abortion early. And, yet, how many families chose to keep the child, only to find out that their baby was born healthy and without the diseases predicted by the tests. How many children died under false pretenses? These examples illustrate of the fool who denies God, “They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.”


Genesis 15 lines up well with the ponderings that hit me as I reflected on Psalm 14. Here is Abram, childless, who very much wants the one thing the people in our day destroy: life growing inside of the womb of his wife Sarai. God promised him a son and heir, even though they had remained childless all of these years. He promised offspring as abundant as the stars in heaven. Then God makes a very special covenant with Abram and a prophecy about the people of Israel in Egypt and about Abram himself. None of these predictions would have been possible without God’s miraculous intervention that produced life, which is precious.


The readings from 1 Chronicles 15 and 16 illustrates psalm too. Once David turned to God and correctly transported the ark of the Lord to its place, they had a joyful celebration. They played loudly on musical instruments like horns, harps, lyres, and cymbals and the singers sang. Priests blew trumpets before the ark. Seven bulls and rams were sacrificed and David wore the ephod and linen, dancing before God. He danced with such gusto that his wife despised him. After making burnt offerings, they distributed bread, meat, and raisin cakes to the people.


Jesus gave the disciples verify unusual instructions for their journey to spread the Gospel. I told them to take nothing but the clothes on their back and to stay where they were welcome and leave when they were not. Why? I think Jesus wanted them to learn to depend upon God so they had absolutely no doubt that God is very real and He is the source of every good thing from the physical to the spiritual. I find it interesting that Herod, one of the biggest fools of his day, is sandwiched between these examples of greatness from our living God.


Just as David fed the people in their celebration of the return of God (for He sat with the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant once a year), Jesus fed the people miraculous bread. His miracle was so great that plenty of food remained.


Their travels and miracles of Jesus or themselves convinced Peter of the diety of Jesus. Peter must have been completely confused by Jesus’ reply. Why would the Messiah suffer? If He came to free God’s people, why would God let Him be killed? If God is going to raise Him, why let Him be killed? What a confusing puzzle? Then Jesus throws in even more confusion about saving a life to lose it and vice versa, about shame and glory. Eight days later, Peter goes up to the mountain with James and John and sees Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus. He heard the voice of God confirm what Peter had already confessed. Of course, they told nobody for who would believe them. The transfiguration must have perplexed Peter and reassured him at the same time, if that is possible.


Jesus proves again how great He is when he cast out the demon in the boy, a feat which the disciples failed to do. He reminds the disciples of what would happen to Him, but the disciples were confused and afraid to ask more. Peter must have wondered how Jesus could think something horrible was going to happen with Him since He was God’s own son. In thinking of the greatness of Jesus, they couldn’t help but think of their own greatness. After all, they had performed miracles too. It is ironic, they were afraid to ask Jesus to clarify His comments about being delivered into the hands of those who would kill Him, but were brave enough to ask who was the greatest? Vanity must make people stupid!

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