Week 2: God's Faithfulness

Now that the Christmas tree is out of the house, and ornaments, lights, and assorted decorations are stowed neatly in their places, the New Year is starting to feel "normal." And we hope that "normal" includes daily Bible readings as you make your way through 2011.

This time around, to keep things interesting, we will be jumping each day to different sections of Scripture. Scholars often construe the Bible along the lines of seven distinct literary genres: (1) epistles, (2) the Law, (3) history, (4) psalms, (5) poetry, (6) prophecy, and (7) gospels.

The readings each week will follow the same order, starting with a reading from the epistles on Sunday and ending with a gospel reading on Saturday.

This week's readings are as follows:

*Sunday (epistles): Romans 3-4
*Monday (the Law): Genesis 4-7
*Tuesday (history): Joshua 6-10
*Wednesday (psalms): Psalms 3-5
*Thursday (poetry): Job 3-4
*Friday (prophecy): Isaiah 7-11
*Saturday (gospels): Matthew 3-4

One key theme that appears in this week's readings is the faithfulness of God.

Though none of us is without sin (Rom. 3:23), God faithfully and freely justifies us "by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (3:24).

When human sin reached the point of no return, God faithfully devised a way to preserve the human race through Noah and his offspring (Gen. 4-7).

When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God faithfully went before them, toppling the walls of Jericho (Josh. 6).

No matter how many foes stood against him, David could proclaim, "You are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill" (Psa. 3:3-4).

Job is at the front end of his sufferings in this week's readings. But when we get to the end of the story, we will see a faithful God restoring Job's estate.

Isaiah promises a deliverer: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (7:14). We know who that is!

And in our Gospel reading, we see Jesus faithfully enduring temptation after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11).

What these readings show us is that God loves us unendingly. He wants us to trust him with every part of our lives...even those parts that require his grace and forgiveness (especially those parts!).

As you read through these sections of Scripture, remember that God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. God is in the saving, healing, forgiving, and loving business. And you are the object of his greatest affection!

O Lord, thank you for being faithful to us...even when we falter. Thank you for making us your children through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Thank you for sending Christ to face temptation and endure the cross...all to give us the gift we could never deserve: the gift of everlasting life with you. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck