Romans 7

Bound!?

WEEK  17                                       Romans 7     

THURSDAY  Reflections

When most people look at Romans Chapter 7 it is with hopelessness. This is where they believe we as Christians live. We want to do good, but we can’t. This chapter has been used to prove that the carnal man is always part of our lives and that we will sin in thought, word, and deed every day.

However, the problem with this thought is what we read in Romans chapter 8. Which talks of the victorious life of those who walk in the Spirit. It also seems to contradict what Paul just said in chapter 6, so there must be another explanation.

I will admit that I have struggled with this chapter myself for a long time. In a review of John Wesley’s Notes on the New Testament, I saw the answer. The answer is considering the entire context of what Paul was talking about the purpose and usefulness of the Law.

Paul at the beginning of this section of the book is discussing that though the Law is good it doesn’t help us do what is right. Verse 14 is the key, “We know that the law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.” Following this verse, Paul explains what it means to be a slave to sin. As a slave to sin under the Law, you want to do what is right, but you find yourself still doing wrong. It is a depressing place ending with Paul’s cry, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (verse 24).  However, Paul answers with what he has said for the whole book: Jesus. This is why Paul can end saying “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”(verse 25a) and then reaffirms what he has been trying to teach by saying, “So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin” (verse 25b).

The answer to how we live in Christ as Paul talked about in Chapter 6 is described in chapter 8.

Rom 7:1-25
(1)  Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
(2)  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
(3)  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
(4)  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
(5)  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
(6)  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
(7)  What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
(8)  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
(9)  For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
(10)  And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
(11)  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
(12)  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
(13)  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
(14)  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
(15)  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
(16)  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
(17)  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(18)  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
(19)  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
(20)  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
(21)  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
(22)  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
(23)  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
(24)  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
(25)  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Psalm 142

WEEK 17                                             Psalm 142

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Scholars aren't positive if the cave David wrote this psalm in was in 1 Samuel 22, in 1 Samuel 24 or if it was just a time of depression. For me, it feels right in connection with 1 Samuel 22. David starts out without any real support and yet he still trusts God.

As with so many of the psalms of deliverance, it starts with the complaint and the problems but ends in a determination to trust God. Reading this reminds us we are not alone others have traveled hard roads also and God isn't angry when we call out to Him in our despair. 

Psa 142:1-7
(1)  Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
(2)  I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
(3)  When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
(4)  I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
(5)  I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
(6)  Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
(7)  Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Psalm 52

WEEK  17                                         Psalm 52      

TUESDAY  Reflections

David after hearing of the strategy of 1 Samuel 22 writes this song. David is reminding himself and us that those who do wicked deeds will be punished. They do mischief/destruction for ungodly gain.

This is a reminder to us when we see people sell out others for gain, but God is keeping track. God will bring justice to these people. Our responsibility is to trust God and serve Him faithfully. 


Psa 52:1-9
(1)  To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
(2)  Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
(3)  Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
(4)  Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
(5)  God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
(6)  The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
(7)  Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
(8)  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
(9)  I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

1 Samuel 22

Beware an angry man.

WEEK  17                                          1 Samuel 22

MONDAY  Reflections

I find it interesting the discontents gathered to David. From among these God would raise up some great men, but at this point in their lives, they could have been called the dregs of society. This couldn't have been an easy group to work with, but they saw something in David which gave them hope. Just as the outcast of Jesus' time saw hope in him.

 

David realized because of Saul's jealousy, David wasn't the only one in danger. His parents and their family wouldn't be safe. David did what he could to give them a place of safety outside the country. It was safer for David to stay outside of Israel, but when the prophet told David to return he immediately did. 

 

David was correct about Saul's anger. When Saul was told by Doeg the Edomite that the priest had helped David, he ordered the priest killed. When none of his Israelite guards would kill God's priest, Doeg the Edomite did the job, probably hoping he would be rewarded.

 

When David heard this, he was heartbroken. David put the priest in that situation and now did what he could to protect the final member of that family.  

1Sa 22:1-23
(1)  David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.
(2)  And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
(3)  And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.
(4)  And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.
(5)  And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.
(6)  When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)
(7)  Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;
(8)  That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
(9)  Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
(10)  And he enquired of the LORD for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
(11)  Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
(12)  And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.
(13)  And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
(14)  Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
(15)  Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more.
(16)  And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house.
(17)  And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD.
(18)  And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
(19)  And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
(20)  And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
(21)  And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.
(22)  And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.
(23)  Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

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Jeremiah 28

WEEK  16                                             Jeremiah 28

SATURDAY  Reflections

How could Hananiah's breaking of Jeremiah's wooden yoke make the yoke/servitude under the Babylonians more severe? It may seem that God is punishing the nations for Hananiah's actions but he isn't. 

Jeremiah already told the nations to submit to Babylon. He told them to become Babylon's servants thus coming under their yoke(servitude). Jeremiah warned if they didn't then they would still come under Babylon's power but it would be after they lost in battle.

 

Hananiah gave the people a false prophecy to believe in. Yes, the nations still made their own decisions, but part of the reason they came to that decision is because of the false prophecies of Hananiah. Hananiah would die, but his influence meant the people would face the horror of military defeat and harsh servitude. 

Jer 28:1-17
(1)  And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
(2)  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
(3)  Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
(4)  And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
(5)  Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,
(6)  Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.
(7)  Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;
(8)  The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.
(9)  The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
(10)  Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it.
(11)  And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.
(12)  Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
(13)  Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
(14)  For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.
(15)  Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
(16)  Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
(17)  So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

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1 Samuel 21

WEEK  16                                            1 Samuel 21

FRIDAY  Reflections

Many times David calls on God for wisdom to know what to do. Here David seems to do what he thinks is best to save his life, even if it involves deception. Ahimelech's reaction gives us the impression he knew something was wrong. One could argue that the deception of the priest could have been done by David for their protection. The priest didn’t have to choose to aid Saul’s enemy. It is impossible to say what David's ultimate motive was.

 

Even after it had been removed from the tabernacle, God’s command was the shewbread was only for the priests. However, God showed no displeasure in it being given to David. Jesus referred to this incident in Matthew 12:1-7, referencing Hosea 6:6. God is more interested in mercy than the ceremonial law. 

1Sa 21:1-15
(1)  Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
(2)  And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.
(3)  Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.
(4)  And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.
(5)  And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.
(6)  So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
(7)  Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
(8)  And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
(9)  And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
(10)  And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
(11)  And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
(12)  And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
(13)  And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
(14)  Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me?
(15)  Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

Romans 6

WEEK  16                                               Romans 6

THURSDAY  Reflections

God's plan wasn’t for us to be forgiven from sin but never have victory. God didn't plan for us to continue living in sin. Paul's response to the idea that Christians have to continue to live in sin is, GOD, FORBID! To say it today, NO WAY!

 

God's plan is for us to be dead to sin. Freed from it and live in a new life. If we live in sin now it isn't that we can't help it, but we surrender to it. We have the power in Christ to overcome it. Sin doesn't have to reign in us (note the term reign, control us). It may sneak in at times but falling isn't the same as staying down. 

Rom 6:1-23
(1)  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
(2)  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
(3)  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
(4)  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
(6)  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
(7)  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
(8)  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(9)  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
(10)  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
(11)  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
(13)  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(14)  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
(15)  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
(16)  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
(17)  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
(18)  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
(19)  I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
(20)  For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
(21)  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
(22)  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
(23)  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Psalm 56

Trapped

WEEK  16                                            Psalm 56

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

In 1 Samuel 21, David is trapped and yet he is singing. Things have gotten so bad he is hiding with the enemies of Israel. Yet even here, David is writing songs and praising God. Yes, he is fully aware of his danger, yet he is trusting God will deliver. He knows God is keeping a record of everything even his tears.

God knows and records our tears. He knows our pain. He will deliver His people. 

Psa 56:1-13
(1)  To the chief Musician upon Jonathelemrechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.
(2)  Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
(3)  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
(4)  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
(5)  Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
(6)  They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
(7)  Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
(8)  Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
(9)  When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
(10)  In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
(11)  In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
(12)  Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
(13)  For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

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