January 29 ▪ Day 29

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 10:3
Isaiah 7–8
Romans 1–2
Psalms 29

Verse Focus (Proverbs 10:3)

The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,
     but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

Meditation

Our verse focus today, Proverbs 10:3, says, “The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.” Food is one of our most basic needs, but the second half of the verse makes me think this Scripture is talking about more than food. What do the wicked crave? Power? Wealth? Violence? I’m so very grateful that the LORD thwarts the craving of the wicked!

It occurs to me that perhaps we should discuss whether or not Proverbs are “promises” from God. Is this verse saying that those who love Jesus will never lack food to put on the table? What about those that do go hungry? Do we simply say, oh, well, clearly they weren’t righteous people? I listened to one Bible teacher earlier this summer who was endeavoring to communicate that the book of Proverbs is collected wisdom from godly people — general principles and rules about how the world usually works. But he was clear in his belief that we should not be interpreting verses from Proverbs as specific promises for our lives.

I both completely agree and disagree with this Bible teacher. All Scripture is God’s word to us. And, in some senses, all Scripture can be interpreted as God’s promises to us. Genesis, though, has many stories of people behaving badly. Simeon and Levi, after the provocation of Dinah’s rape, massacred the men of Shechem. Yet I don’t think any godly person would interpret that to mean that massacres are the appropriate response to rape. So, is it okay to take Proverbs as promises for you? I think yes: these are God’s promises.

I think the problem comes when we tie very specific applications to Bible verses that can have more than one interpretation. Sometimes it is the Holy Spirit whispering something in your ear. Other times, though, it can simply be how you read this verse — which may be completely accurate, or completely inaccurate. Although the obvious meaning of today’s proverb is that the righteous don’t go hungry — meaning they won’t starve — the verse does not actually specify food. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” We need to recognize that this verse may be about something other than our physical needs — especially considering how the second half of the verse hints that it is talking about things other than food for the table. And we also must remember that God frequently makes us wait before He answers us — and many times His answers do not come in the form that we expected.

However, I also think God takes particular delight in us when we pray Scripture back to him. So, if you are struggling financially, and wonder where food for the table is coming from, I think it’s very appropriate to pray: Father, you have said that you see me as righteous in Christ Jesus. Your word also says that you do not let the righteous go hungry. Father, I don’t see where the money is going to come from to buy food this week. But I know that you have promised to provide for us and you have promised to be with me through every trial. Please provide food and don’t let me or my family go hungry. I pray for your grace and encouragement this day, in Christ Jesus, Amen.

Our chapters in Isaiah today feature a number of interesting verses as well as important prophecies. In Isaiah 7, the prophet reassures King Ahaz, a king of Judah, not to worry about a threat of war from Israel (also referred to Ephraim or Samaria) and their ally Aram. I loved how the LORD’s words to King Ahaz begin: “Take heed, be quiet, do not fear. (v. 4)” The LORD goes on to say that what Ahaz fears won’t happen. The message ends with a striking comment: “If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all (v. 9b).” I’m not sure if this verse is saying that without faith, what Ahaz fears will come to pass, or whether it’s simply a way of saying how crucially important it is to have faith. Either way, the Holy Spirit highlighted this verse for me as I was reading today and so this is a word that we should take to heart. If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all.

After this message for Ahaz, the LORD has another message for him: the king is to ask the LORD for a sign. But Ahaz refuses and says that he will not put the LORD to the test. This is good, right? Didn’t Jesus refute the devil by saying you should not put the LORD to the test? Well, not so much. To begin with, it was the LORD who told Ahaz to ask for the sign in the first place. Isaiah comments on how the house of David is making the LORD “weary,” but then he goes on to prophesy: The young woman (virgin) will have a child, a son, and his name shall be called Immanuel (v. 14). Obviously, we know this as one of the great Messianic prophecies. However, this also was a prophecy for Ahaz. Before the child even knows “how to refuse the evil and choose the good,” both Aram and Samaria will be deserted because the King of Assyria will be coming against them.

Chapter 8 continues with the prophecy about Assyria, but makes it even more personal. There is a child that will be born to Isaiah and his wife (fascinating that Isaiah calls her “the prophetess”!); before the child can speak the King of Assyria will come against Aram and Samaria. The coming Assyrian invasion is likened to the floodwaters of a great river. However, the prophecy does not end with the upcoming threat against Aram and Samaria. It goes on to say that these waters will also come over Judah. In both verse 8 and verse 10, Isaiah mentions “Immanuel,” although in this context it seems to be referring to the land of Judah.

I was particularly struck by verses 12 and 13: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what it fears, or be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy; let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” Perhaps this verse resonated to me because of recent events and threats from the far right. It is as true for us today as it was for the the people of Judah in Ahaz’ time: we should not fear conspiracy or any threats from humankind; God alone is to be feared. The section concludes by saying that he [God] will be a sanctuary and a rock that causes one to stumble (v. 14-15); Paul cites this passage later on in the book of Romans when he speaks about the Jews (Romans 9:33). But it also reminds me of the Messianic prophecy of the cornerstone that the builders rejected (Psalm 118:22).

The chapter concludes with an instruction to “Bind up the testimony, seal the teaching among my disciples. (v. 16). Verse 17 is a call to hope and faith: “I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.” The people, however, do not wait in hope while the LORD hides — they consult mediums in the absence of the LORD and they are distressed: in anguish, and in darkness.

Today we begin Paul’s letter to the Romans. This is, of course, an extremely significant book in the Bible. Romans is often suggested as something that new Christians should read because of how well it communicates the gospel. This is the book that caused a breakthrough for Martin Luther. 🙂

If you remember the story of Paul’s life, he made a number of missionary journeys and then, when he was in Jerusalem, he got arrested on false charges. Because of Jewish threats against his life, he was forced to appeal to Caesar and was then taken to Rome. He was a prisoner for a number of years. This letter to the Romans was written before he was imprisoned, and before he ever went to Rome.

Part of me quails at the idea of writing anything helpful about these chapters we will be reading in Romans. Paul’s letters are always jam-packed with things to both consider and do. But I remind myself that I am not trying to write an exhaustive commentary. I am merely trying to highlight some of what the Holy Spirit accents to me in my reading of these chapters today. And so, let us begin.

Today, one of the first verses that popped out to me was verse 2. Paul, speaking of the gospel, says, “which he [God] promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures.” I don’t think I ever paid a lot of attention before to all the prophecies the Bible carries. But it sure seems like we’ve had prophecies coming out of our pores in the reading we’ve done so far this year! Matthew certainly put a lot of effort into helping us realize just how many prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus’ story. Even today we had Messianic prophecies in our reading in Isaiah.

I also noted a phrase in verse 5: Paul writes of “the obedience of faith.” Doesn’t that perfectly embody both the believing and the doing that is characteristic of genuine faith? I suppose I particularly love this phrase because too much of our Christianized culture has diluted the idea of faith to be only something that you think is true.

The reason why Paul wants to visit the Romans also resonated with me today. He wants to visit “so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you — or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith (v. 11-12).” As 2020 has turned into 2021, and as the pandemic has raged on, the need for encouragement has become clearer and clearer to me. Both because I desperately need it myself, but also because I see how dispiriting this past year has been on everyone around me too. I don’t think I ever realized before this year just how important the ministry of encouragement is. And I am trying — with God’s grace — to be more proactive and intentional about encouraging others.

Paul’s descriptions of the wicked are both telling and damning. They are “without excuse” because God’s invisible qualities are plain to see in creation, but by their wickedness they “suppress the truth” (v. 18). In fact, “they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator (v. 25).” The types of wickedness listed in verses 29 through 31 are difficult to read all the way through because it is so all-encompassing (and because if we read too closely we’re bound to see a reflection of ourselves).

In fact, chapter 2 goes on to tell us that those who judge are actually passing judgment on themselves as well because the judges do the very same things. I know that I’ve recognized this principle in myself when I get upset at someone’s behavior — the people that upset me the most are those displaying the same type of flaws that I have. Paul gives a number of examples of this kind of self-hypocrisy.

Verse 16 is interesting, too, because of a more-recent insight. Paul is talking about the gospel, but he talks about the gospel as being when Jesus Christ “will judge the secret thoughts of all.” This is mildly shocking, because I don’t think of the gospel in terms of judgment. I should, I suppose, but I don’t. I think of salvation as in terms of salvation from death, not salvation from hell. But clearly I need to revise my definition of the gospel. It’s always been a part of the gospel but by highlighting certain passages and phrases, the Holy Spirit has been showing me that I’ve let my understanding of the gospel become a little too “feel good.”

Other verses that stood out to me today were verse 4b, “Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Also verse 11, and verse 29.

Psalm 29 is fairly majestic. The voice of the LORD is described using the imagery of a powerful storm. Because we get so much drizzle all the time here in the Pacific Northwest, we can forget what a thunderstorm is like. We forget the huge claps of thunder and the dazzling lightning, the pounding rain, howling wind, and swaying trees. But remember the last time you were in a storm, and imagine being without shelter in that ruckus. Think of how enormous it is and how very small you are. And then perhaps we can catch a glimpse of the might of the LORD. I especially like the last phrase in verse 9 — “and in his temple all say, Glory!” The psalm ends is a beautiful benediction — a prayer for the LORD to give the people strength and peace.

Father God, I do pray for you to bless your people with strength and peace. You are glorious and majestic. You are the one we should fear. I like to think of you as “Abba,” and forget that you are also the righteous Judge. Thank you for your kindness to us. I pray for wisdom and understanding as I read and meditate upon your Scripture, in Jesus’ name, Amen.