Bible Reading Plan

Author: Jon Green

  • Genesis 6

    Genesis 6

    Read Genesis 6

    Wickedness in the World

    1 When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.”

    4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

    5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

    Noah and the Flood

    9 This is the account of Noah and his family.

    Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

    11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high. 16 Make a roof for it, leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. 17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you. 19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them.”

    22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

    Go Deeper

    Genesis 6 provides some interesting history of Noah and his family tree with God allowing people hundreds of years of life in those ancient days, and earth’s population had grown. With some deeper study, we see that Noah descended from Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. We also read about giants called Nephilim, who were mighty warriors in the land. Some argue that Goliath descended from these. In Genesis 6:3, God declared that man would now live 120 years. Theologians comment that this declaration could have been a warning from God to avert the devastating judgment of the flood that was to come. However, humanity did not appear to listen. We read of God’s judgment over man and creation, but we will also see His mercy and love.

    It is heart wrenching to read God’s words in Genesis 6:5-7: “I am sorry I have made man, and he has grieved my heart.” God made man with the purpose of a vibrant, loving relationship with him, the earth, and all creation. Humanity had turned this purpose against all God had desired. However, the good news in verses 8-9 is spoken through one man, Noah, who “found favor with God because he walked with Him.” We read that God entrusted Noah telling him of the coming destruction of man and creation, but promised salvation for Noah, his family, and animals. The details given by God are remarkably  detailed in this chapter! Thankfully, Noah did everything according to all that God had commanded.

    There are many lessons for us to learn through the faithfulness of Noah. First, we know that Noah faithfully walked with God. We can only imagine the continuous ridicule and rejection by his extended family, friends, and foes. He surely had many days that were discouraging and full of doubt. Even through the insults of his community, Noah built the ark adhering to every detail while he waited for God’s perfect timing. If we find ourselves in a similar place, keep waiting on and trusting in God. These periods of waiting allow us to dig deeper into the treasure chest of God’s love and faithfulness. Keep seeking and asking God for His help as well as support from others in our lives that love God. This will serve as a life boat through and past our storms. We can trust God who is always faithful.

    Second, God grieves today over our disobedience as we turn our backs on Him and His righteous ways. To keep our hearts from grieving the heart of God, we can follow the blueprint of examining our lives in Psalm 139:23-24 which says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” This is the prescription to not grieve our Lord, but, if we have, He will still work at drawing us back to Him. His love and mercy over us never ends. Only a heart of love can be grieved.

    Finally, Noah and the ark are a representation of Jesus Christ. In obedience to God at great cost to him, Noah built the ark and saved mankind and the animals. May the courageous and unwavering heart of Noah, and the sacrificial love of Jesus move us to walk more closely every day with God in Christ.

    Questions
    1. What sticks out to you about the story of Noah? Why? 
    2. How hard do you think it was for Noah to wait on God while building the ark? Discuss this with your Life Group.
    3. How have you most recently grieved the heart of God? Confess to Him with a repentant heart ready for change and let His forgiveness free you as only Christ can.
    A Quote

    George Williams, an early 1900’s commentary writer said, “Jesus is as sure a personal Savior to a sinner as the ark was for Noah, his family and creation.”

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  • Genesis 5

    Genesis 5

    Read Genesis 5

    From Adam to Noah

    1 This is the written account of Adam’s family line.

    When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created.

    3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died.

    6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father of Enosh. 7 After he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived a total of 912 years, and then he died.

    9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 After he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived a total of 905 years, and then he died.

    12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel.13 After he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived a total of 910 years, and then he died.

    15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared.16 After he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Altogether, Mahalalel lived a total of 895 years, and then he died.

    18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 19 After he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived a total of 962 years, and then he died.

    21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. 24 Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

    25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech.26 After he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Altogether, Methuselah lived a total of 969 years, and then he died.

    28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah and said, “He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the Lord has cursed.” 30 After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Altogether, Lamech lived a total of 777 years, and then he died.

    32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.

    Go Deeper

    In the last chapter, we read about how Cain murdered his own brother Abel. It’s hard to imagine anything more painful for a parent than for one child to murder the other. After losing Abel, God gave them another son, Seth, and Eve said “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him” (4:25). The genealogy of chapter 5 shows that it is through Seth that eventually Noah is born. Then it is through Noah that eventually Abraham is born (Genesis 10-11), and it is through Abraham that eventually Joseph is born, who was the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus (Matthew 1). Right in the midst of gruesome family violence and grief, we see God is still working his plan of salvation. Cain’s evil murder of his brother did not thwart God‘s plan through the generations to save us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. 

    God fulfills his plans. Nothing can stop him–no violence, no evil, no dysfunction, no death. We may endure painful things on earth, but God will always see his plan through to the end. He has total purposeful control over every person‘s lifespan, the family they are born into, the kids they might have or lose, the genealogies from one generation to the next through all of history. Who you are, the family you grew up in, the family you might grow, and what God is doing in and through each of us through all of time. None of this is by accident. Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” and Psalm 138:8 says, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever…”

    What does this mean for how we live? We trust. We trust when facing family conflict, infertility or miscarriage, the loss of loved ones, or other painful circumstances, knowing that even then somehow God is still going to see his plan through the generations–His good plan for us, for our children, and for the world. He is in control of genealogies and every other detail.

    We trust as we share the gospel and minister to others. We know that nothing can stop God’s plan of reconciliation, so we can take risks to share the gospel. We rest assured that no matter how we stumble over our words, we won’t stop what God is going to do in other people’s lives. We are bold and at peace no matter how things seem to be going at the moment.

    Questions
    1. Where in your family life is God calling you to more fully trust him to fulfill his purposes and plans?
    2. How can you live more boldly in ministering to others, trusting God to accomplish his plans regardless of your abilities or the current circumstances?
    3. Where in your life do you try hardest to control the outcome? Spend some time savoring the greatness, power, wisdom, and love of a God who carries out his plans through all generations.
    Did You Know?

    The Hebrews passed on their beliefs through oral tradition. Stories were told to their children, who passed them on to their children. Genealogies were used to provide an outline to remember the stories of God’s faithfulness. These lineages were a reminder that God has been present in each and every generation.

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  • Genesis 4

    Genesis 4

    Editor’s Note

    As we said on Sunday in our “Christian to the Core” series, we’re inviting the entire Harris Creek family to read the Bible over the next four years, one chapter per day, from cover to cover. If you’ve been following along with us, you know we read Genesis 1-6 last week. We’re going to repeat those chapters this week, then move on to 7-12 next week so we’re all on the same page.

    Be on the lookout for our new Family Guide coming on Sunday so you can recap and discuss the previous week’s readings with your kids! 

    Read Genesis 4

    Cain and Abel

    1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

    Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering,5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

    6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

    8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

    9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

    “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

    10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

    13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear.14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

    15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

    17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.

    19 Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah.20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. 22 Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah.

    23 Lamech said to his wives,

    “Adah and Zillah, listen to me;
        wives of Lamech, hear my words.
    I have killed a man for wounding me,
        a young man for injuring me.
    24 If Cain is avenged seven times,
        then Lamech seventy-seven times.”

    25 Adam made love to his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.” 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh.

    At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.

    Go Deeper

    Many of us may know the tragic story of Cain and Abel. Two brothers—same gene pool, same upbringing, same opportunities. Yet, very different in their personality and professions. Both maintained some kind of worship of God because both bring offerings to the Lord. 

    Abel brought an offering that was bloody and messy as he sacrificed the very best he had as worship to God. Cain, whose offering might have appeared pleasing, sacrificed “some” of what he had (Genesis 4:4). Scripture doesn’t tell us how the brothers knew that one offering was accepted and the other rejected. We only know they knew because Cain responds with anger and jealousy. Hebrews 11:4 says that “By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did.” Eventually Cain, consumed with rage and bitterness, kills his brother Abel. And we all collectively sigh because we know it was never supposed to be this way for the first siblings born into the world. Genesis 3 describes the fall of humanity and quickly on the heels we see the first murder in Genesis 4.

    All throughout Genesis God’s character and kindness are repeatedly on display. Contrast God’s character with the plight of humanity in sin. Cain deserved death but God gave him life—God’s grace and mercy on full display. What’s true for Cain is also true for us. God promises us life through Jesus even though we don’t deserve His grace. 

    God’s character is unchanging. His promises are true. His precepts are for our good and His own glory. He expects us to give Him our very best offerings—time, talents, gifts, finances. How will we respond? How will you respond? Will we give Him all we have like Abel or will we withhold the best from God like Cain? 

    In Romans 12:1 Paul writes, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Our true and proper worship is to offer God everything we have. Abel gave God the best he had, whereas Cain withhold the best. May we be people who worship God by offering Him everything we have.

    Questions
    1. Abel’s offering represented what was most costly, and he showed his love for God above all else by giving a costly gift. When was the last time your offering to God cost you something (money, time, talent)?
    2. In Genesis 4:7, God lovingly confronts Cain. What do you learn about the character of God in this exchange? 
    3. Why do you think Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain’s was rejected?
    Did You Know?

    Genesis 4:19 tells us Lamech marries two women. This appears to be the first example of polygamy in the Bible. While polygamy is common in the Old Testament, it’s clearly a violation of God’s created design and order as seen in Genesis 2:24. Lamech’s decisions provide further evidence of the downward spiral of humanity.

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  • Genesis 3

    Genesis 3

    Editor’s Note

    As we said on Sunday in our “Christian to the Core” series, we’re inviting the entire Harris Creek family to read the Bible over the next four years, one chapter per day, from cover to cover. If you’ve been following along with us, you know we read Genesis 1-6 last week. We’re going to repeat those chapters this week, then move on to 7-12 next week so we’re all on the same page.

    Be on the lookout for our new Family Guide coming on Sunday so you can recap and discuss the previous week’s readings with your kids! 

    Read Genesis 3

    The Fall

    1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

    2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

    4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

    6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

    8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

    10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

    11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

    12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

    13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

    The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

    14 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,

    “Cursed are you above all livestock
        and all wild animals!
    You will crawl on your belly
        and you will eat dust
        all the days of your life.
    15 And I will put enmity
        between you and the woman,
        and between your offspring and hers;
    he will crush your head,
        and you will strike his heel.”

    16 To the woman he said,

    “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;
        with painful labor you will give birth to children.
    Your desire will be for your husband,
        and he will rule over you.”

    17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’

    “Cursed is the ground because of you;
        through painful toil you will eat food from it
        all the days of your life.
    18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
        and you will eat the plants of the field.
    19 By the sweat of your brow
        you will eat your food
    until you return to the ground,
        since from it you were taken;
    for dust you are
        and to dust you will return.”

    20 Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

    21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the groundfrom which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming swordflashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

    Go Deeper

    Think about the most beautiful place you have ever been–one of those places in nature that still feels “natural.” When this chapter begins, everything is that way. Birds are chirping in the sky, Adam and Eve are married, and there’s a beautiful garden for Adam to tend. Literally, nothing has ever gone wrong! By the end of this pivotal chapter, everything has changed. Things aren’t perfect anymore. Humanity now has to start dealing with the ramifications of sin (which we’re still dealing with today). 

    How did we get here? According to the passage, Satan (the serpent) knew exactly how to tempt Eve: he promised her the opportunity to be like God. And from that moment on, this has been the tool that Satan has used time and time again. It plays out a number of different ways, but at the root of most sin is our pride. Our pride tells us that we, not God, know best, and so we’re going to do whatever we want to do. Instead of this making us like God, it drives a wedge further and further between us. 

    As sobering as this chapter is, we also have two reasons for hope. First, notice God’s approach towards Adam and Eve towards the end of the passage. Yes, there are repercussions for their sin, but at the same time we still see God’s provision for them. He provides them with animal skins to cover themselves (which is also the first time we see the blood of an animal shed to cover their sin). 

    Second, this is also the first time that we start to see the promise of a Savior to come. God tells Satan that someone will be born that will crush his head (even though he will wound His heel). It is going to take a while to get there, but this is the first reference we have to Jesus coming to redeem what has now been broken. Let us never forget that in spite of the brokenness around us, Jesus came to put it all back together.

    Questions

    1. How does Satan go about tempting Eve? How have you seen Satan tempt you in similar ways? What is the modern-day version of you being like God? 

    2. What do you notice about Adam’s response in this passage? What sticks out to you?

    3. What do you learn about the gospel in this passage? What hope do you feel as you read it?

    Did You Know?

    The end of chapter 3 is the first of over 90 references to cherubim angels in the Old Testament. They almost always serve to protect what belongs to God or even to protect God’s presence. Here, the cherubim is tasked with guarding the way to the Tree of Life.

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  • Genesis 2

    Genesis 2

    Editor’s Note

    As we said on Sunday in our “Christian to the Core” series, we’re inviting the entire Harris Creek family to read the Bible over the next four years, one chapter per day, from cover to cover. If you’ve been following along with us, you know we read Genesis 1-6 last week. We’re going to repeat those chapters this week, then move on to 7-12 next week so we’re all on the same page.

    Be on the lookout for our new Family Guide coming on Sunday so you can recap and discuss the previous week’s readings with your kids! 

    Read Genesis 2

    1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

    2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

    Adam and Eve

    4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

    5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

    8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

    10 A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Ashur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

    15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

    18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

    19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animalsand all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

    But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

    23 The man said,

    “This is now bone of my bones
        and flesh of my flesh;
    she shall be called ‘woman,’
        for she was taken out of man.”

    24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

    25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

     

    Go Deeper

    Genesis 2 leads us to the end of the creation account and to the introduction of Adam and Eve. For a brief moment in time, all is as it should be in the world. Modern-day chapter and verse designations wrap up the creation account in Genesis 2:1-3 when God finishes creation and designates the seventh day as holy. Interestingly, there is no mention of an evening or morning on the seventh day, implying that sanctifying His creation was ongoing and personal. In John 5:17, Jesus explains, “My father is working until now…”. Rather than needing a break, God’s focus shifts from creation to governance of his creation.

    Genesis 2:4 introduces the generations of the heavens and earth, marking a focused retelling of creation’s why (not necessarily the sequence) explaining the results of creation. While Genesis 1 culminates in the creation of humanity, and all is good, Genesis 2 reorders the sequence, explaining that there was no one to work the land (v. 5), so he created humanity and planted a garden in the barren land of Eden (v. 8), with two prominent trees–including one to be avoided (v. 9, 17): the Tree of Life (immortality) and the Tree of Knowledge (of good and evil). Genesis 2:10-14 describes a river of life (Revelation 22:1) in the garden, a paradise in a wilderness. Genesis 2:15-20 assigns humanity shared dominion in paradise, allowing him to eat from all but the forbidden trees. 

    In Genesis 2:21-25, God states that it is not “good” for humans to be alone and creates a companion, made of one flesh, designed to be one flesh (1+1=1), and they were without shame. Imagine living with God in paradise, walking with God in the cool of the day, with fruitful work and dominion over all creation, without sickness, fear, or temptation; the same idyllic paradise Jesus is coming to restore (Revelation 21:3). We worship in the “not yet.”

    Questions
    1. What stuck out to you on your first read through this chapter? Why? 
    2. How does this chapter foreshadow the gospel? What do you learn about God’s character in this passage?
    3. Why would God withhold immortality and the knowledge of good and evil from humanity?
    Listen Here

    Listen to the song “So Will I” from Hillsong United as you reflect on the creation story. 

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  • Genesis 1 + Preview

    Genesis 1 + Preview

    Editor’s Note

    As we said yesterday in our “Christian to the Core” series, we’re inviting the entire Harris Creek family to read the Bible over the next four years, one chapter per day, from cover to cover. If you’ve been following along with us, you know we read Genesis 1-6 last week. We’re going to repeat those chapters this week, then move on to 7-12 next week so we’re all on the same page.

    Be on the lookout for our new Family Guide coming on Sunday so you can recap and discuss the previous week’s readings with your kids! 

    Genesis Introduction

    The book of Genesis sets the foundation for the unfolding storyline of Scripture. God created everything through His powerful and life-giving Word. He put the moon and stars in place. He created the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything in between. He declared it good. He created mankind in His image with the design to be in perfect relationship with Him and with each other. This sets the stage for what goes wrong. Man chooses to sin and break a relationship with a good and holy God which brings death and destruction. Immediately after man sins, God promises to send a rescuer to redeem and restore the broken world back to Himself. We see the beginning of God’s rescue plan through Jesus within the first few pages of this book. B.B. Warfield, an American theologian, famously described the Old Testament as a “richly furnished room, dimly lit.” Everything is there in the Old Testament, we just see it more clearly in the light and revelation of the New Testament. We see glimpses of the Savior to come starting in Genesis. 

    The word “Genesis” means origin or beginnings. The book of Genesis covers four major events and four main people. In Genesis 1-11 we see Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel. God creates the world, sin enters the world, God enacts judgment towards sin, and God scatters the people and creates nations and people groups. In Genesis 12-50 we see the story continue to play out through the Patriarchs. This includes Abraham, known as the father of the Hebrew people, Isaac considered the second father of the promise, Jacob who is called the father of the nation of Israel, and Joseph who is a leader in Egypt. In Genesis we also see God’s promises to a man named Abraham, which is known as the Abrahamic Covenant. God calls Abraham in order to make a great nation out of him. He promised Abraham: land (the Promised Land), seed (descendants more numerous than the stars in the sky), and blessing (all nations of the earth will be blessed through his family). Understanding the Abrahamic Covenant is essential to understanding the Old Testament, and really the entirety of the Bible. This forms the basis of God’s relationship with His people.  

    As we read through Genesis, look for shadows of the Savior to come. Take note the character of God and the character of people. How do people fail to trust and obey God? Where does God bless the obedience of man? How do these stories impact the rest of Scripture? Join us through the book of Genesis, as we see the Creator reveal Himself to His creation and the beginning of God’s big story!

    Read Genesis 1

    The Beginning

    1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep,and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

    3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

    6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.”And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

    9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

    11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

    14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times,and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night.He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

    20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

    24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

    26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness,so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky,over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

    27 So God created mankind in his own image,
        in the image of God he created them;
        male and female he created them.

    28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

    29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

    31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

    Go Deeper

    In the beginning, God in His sovereign will and good pleasure created the world. He turns chaos into order. He takes what is formless and empty and makes something out of nothing. Genesis 1 gives us a zoomed-out view of the creation of the “heavens and the earth.” The act of creation tells us about the character of God, it tells us about ourselves, and about the world we live in. Creation is both a free act and a triune act. It is not only the work of the Father, but of the Son, and the activity of the Spirit. Colossians 1:16, talking about Jesus tell us, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” All of creation was made for the glory of our triune God!

    In Genesis 1, there are various acts of creation that take place in the first six days. God forms the first three days and then He fills the next three. Day one connects to day four with the creation of lights, day two connects to day five with the waters being separated, and day three connects to day six with the making of vegetation and creatures. He creatively made thousands of different species, plants, and animals. The same God who designed all of these things, is mindful of each one of us, and knows the very number of hairs on our head. In Psalm 8, David says, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” Our Creator wants to intimately know His creation.  

    God created people and gives us value and purpose in our identity and in our work. God ascribes greatness to humanity by creating us in His image. Genesis 1:27 tells us that “God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This is the type of language used for royalty. The word “image” in Hebrew is selem which essentially means statue or resemblance. In the ancient world, statues were put in the temples so that worshippers could see what their God was like. The phrase “image of God” originated from ancient Egypt where the pharaohs were considered rulers on behalf of the gods. What makes our worldview unique is that God made His creation in His image to be reflections of Him to the world. We are the means in which people see what God is like. We are representatives as image bearers. This tells us that God created equality in all human beings, making each person with dignity, value, and worth. 

    Along with the value we have as image bearers, we have incredible purpose in our work. Genesis 1:28 tells us that God made humanity, blessed them, and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” This command gives us the authority to have dominion and to reign. Before the world was broken, God made us to work and gave us purpose in it. Work is not a curse but a blessing. In his book Garden City, John Mark Comer says that our work is a “core part of our humanness.” He says, “You are made in the image of a working God. God is king over the world, and you’re a king, a queen, royalty ruling on his behalf.” We were made to rule or subdue. We were made “good” to do good. We were made to reflect His glory and goodness to the world. 

    Questions
    1. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? How does knowing you are made in the image of God affect how you see yourself and others? 
    2. God made us to work and gives us purpose in it. How can your work bring glory to God?  
    3. God made everything with intention and purpose and declared it good! What is something that God created that you could praise Him for today?
    Watch This

    Check out The Bible Project’s video overview of Genesis 1-11! 

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  • Psalm 119: Part Six (v. 161-176)

    Psalm 119: Part Six (v. 161-176)

    Read Psalm 119 F (v. 161 – 176)

    ש Sin and Shin

    161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
        but my heart trembles at your word.
    162 I rejoice in your promise
        like one who finds great spoil.
    163 I hate and detest falsehood
        but I love your law.
    164 Seven times a day I praise you
        for your righteous laws.
    165 Great peace have those who love your law,
        and nothing can make them stumble.
    166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
        and I follow your commands.
    167 I obey your statutes,
        for I love them greatly.
    168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
        for all my ways are known to you.

    ת Taw

    169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
        give me understanding according to your word.
    170 May my supplication come before you;
        deliver me according to your promise.
    171 May my lips overflow with praise,
        for you teach me your decrees.
    172 May my tongue sing of your word,
        for all your commands are righteous.
    173 May your hand be ready to help me,
        for I have chosen your precepts.
    174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
        and your law gives me delight.
    175 Let me live that I may praise you,
        and may your laws sustain me.
    176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
        Seek your servant,
        for I have not forgotten your commands.

    Go Deeper

    We have come to the final stanzas of what ended up being the longest chapter in the Bible, and the Psalmist eloquently sums up how much he loves God’s Word. Verse 161 says, “…but my heart stands in awe of your words.” Verse 167 says, “My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.” Verse 174 proclaims, “I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.” These statements should cause all of us to think about, “What do we stand in awe of?”; “What do we love exceedingly?”; “What do we long for?” Is it the Word of God?

    We also get a glimpse into where the Psalmist’s awe, exceeding love, and longing stems from.  The beginning of Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law.” This is a simple cause and effect equation: IF you love God’s Word, THEN you will have great peace. The writer of this passage has adoration for the Word of God because amidst persecution, it is where he has found refuge. We know from earlier verses in this chapter that the Psalmist was literally on the verge of death, yet despite fear, he found hope in the promises of God. All 176 verses of this psalm are a personal testimony to us that no matter what we are facing, we can find refuge, hope, and peace by loving God’s Word.

    The entirety of Psalm 119:165 reads “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” The second half of the verse has also been translated as “…and nothing shall offend them (KJV)” or “…and nothing can defeat them (NCV).” In a world full of stumbling blocks, offensive topics, and situations to feel defeated by, we are given the promise that God’s Word will protect us and give us peace. 

    So as we come to a close on our study of this chapter, we can reflect on what we have learned from the whole: the Word of God is true; the Word of God is sufficient; and the Word of God is powerful. This is a chapter that we can refer back to and learn from when we need to be reminded of these truths. As a team, we are grateful that you have taken the step to join us in the Bible Reading Plan. It is our prayer that as you continue reading God’s Word with us you will stand in awe of God’s promises, your love of God and His Word will grow exceedingly, and that you will long to know more of our gracious Father’s testimonies.

    Questions

    1. List a few things that you love exceedingly. Compare that with your love for the word of God.
    2. When you find yourself fearful, persecuted, or hopeless, what do you turn to? 
    3. Are you easily offended or often irritated? Commit Psalm 119:165 to memory and repeat it to yourself when you find yourself in those situations.

    Listen Here

    Now that we have completed this passage, listen to this commentary on Psalm 119 from Tara-Leigh Cobble and The Bible Recap.

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  • Psalm 119: Part Five (v. 129-160)

    Psalm 119: Part Five (v. 129-160)

    Read Psalm 119 E (v. 129 – 160)

    פ Pe

    129 Your statutes are wonderful;
        therefore I obey them.
    130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
        it gives understanding to the simple.
    131 I open my mouth and pant,
        longing for your commands.
    132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
        as you always do to those who love your name.
    133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
        let no sin rule over me.
    134 Redeem me from human oppression,
        that I may obey your precepts.
    135 Make your face shine on your servant
        and teach me your decrees.
    136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
        for your law is not obeyed.

    צ Tsadhe

    137 You are righteous, Lord,
        and your laws are right.
    138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
        they are fully trustworthy.
    139 My zeal wears me out,
        for my enemies ignore your words.
    140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
        and your servant loves them.
    141 Though I am lowly and despised,
        I do not forget your precepts.
    142 Your righteousness is everlasting
        and your law is true.
    143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
        but your commands give me delight.
    144 Your statutes are always righteous;
        give me understanding that I may live.

    ק Qoph

    145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
        and I will obey your decrees.
    146 I call out to you; save me
        and I will keep your statutes.
    147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
        I have put my hope in your word.
    148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
        that I may meditate on your promises.
    149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
        preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
    150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
        but they are far from your law.
    151 Yet you are near, Lord,
        and all your commands are true.
    152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
        that you established them to last forever.

    ר Resh

    153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
        for I have not forgotten your law.
    154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
        preserve my life according to your promise.
    155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
        for they do not seek out your decrees.
    156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
        preserve my life according to your laws.
    157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
        but I have not turned from your statutes.
    158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
        for they do not obey your word.
    159 See how I love your precepts;
        preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
    160 All your words are true;
        all your righteous laws are eternal.

    Go Deeper

    If you were to ask a group of nominal Christians how they would describe the Bible, you might not have to go very far before you heard the response, “God’s rulebook.” For many people, the Bible is just a list of God’s do’s and don’ts. He doesn’t want you to cheat, steal, lust, lie, etc. These rules typically keep you from fun, but as long as you begrudgingly follow along then you get to go to Heaven.

    Not only is this an uninspiring view of Scripture, it’s just not accurate. God’s rules are not to determine who is “in or out”, but rather are a guidepost to the best available life for us. Since God is the creator of life, He knows how it is best meant to be lived.  In verse 140 the psalmist writes, “Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.” This isn’t how Christians typically think about God’s commands! However, the author loves God’s word because it has been tested and proven to be the path of life.  

    One of the most noticeable things about this passage is the genuine joy that this writer has in following God’s commands.  It is like he has found the best way to live and eagerly desires to walk in it, while also grieving for those who are still lost. Yet many times modern Christians have the opposite reaction.  They grieve over having to follow God’s word and think they are missing out on some better way of life in which the world gets to participate.  This is just not true! As evidenced in this psalm, God’s word is wonderful (v. 129), giving light (v. 130), fully trustworthy (v. 138), righteous (v. 144), and true (v. 160).

    As followers of Jesus we don’t have to do what He says, rather, we get to. We’ve been given good commands from a loving Father who wants the very best for His children. Today, use Psalm 119 as a reminder that it is a delight to follow the laws of the Lord. These commands aren’t meant to keep you from joy, but rather provide it. As verse 133 says, may we eagerly desire that God would “Direct [our] footsteps according to [His] word”.

    Questions

    1. What most stood out to you from this passage?
    2. What keeps you from loving God’s commands?
    3. In what area of your life have you been disregarding God’s word?

    Pray This

    God, I admit that many times my life doesn’t look like this section of Psalm 119. Rather than eagerly following Your Word, sometimes I ignore You or just don’t trust You. Would You change me so that I may grow to love Your commands for me?  I want to be a person who seeks after Your heart. Show me that Your path is better than anything else this world has to offer, and give me the courage to walk in it. I ask that even today You would bring Your promises to mind and that I would find great delight in them. Thank You for being a good Father whom I can trust to guide me into paths of righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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  • Psalm 119: Part Four (v. 97-128)

    Psalm 119: Part Four (v. 97-128)

    Read Psalm 119 D (v. 97 -128)

    מ Mem

    97 Oh, how I love your law!
        I meditate on it all day long.
    98 Your commands are always with me
        and make me wiser than my enemies.
    99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
        for I meditate on your statutes.
    100 I have more understanding than the elders,
        for I obey your precepts.
    101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
        so that I might obey your word.
    102 I have not departed from your laws,
        for you yourself have taught me.
    103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
        sweeter than honey to my mouth!
    104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
        therefore I hate every wrong path.

    נ Nun

    105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
        a light on my path.
    106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
        that I will follow your righteous laws.
    107 I have suffered much;
        preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
    108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
        and teach me your laws.
    109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
        I will not forget your law.
    110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
        but I have not strayed from your precepts.
    111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
        they are the joy of my heart.
    112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
        to the very end.

    ס Samekh

    113 I hate double-minded people,
        but I love your law.
    114 You are my refuge and my shield;
        I have put my hope in your word.
    115 Away from me, you evildoers,
        that I may keep the commands of my God!
    116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
        do not let my hopes be dashed.
    117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
        I will always have regard for your decrees.
    118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
        for their delusions come to nothing.
    119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
        therefore I love your statutes.
    120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
        I stand in awe of your laws.

    ע Ayin

    121 I have done what is righteous and just;
        do not leave me to my oppressors.
    122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
        do not let the arrogant oppress me.
    123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
        looking for your righteous promise.
    124 Deal with your servant according to your love
        and teach me your decrees.
    125 I am your servant; give me discernment
        that I may understand your statutes.
    126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
        your law is being broken.
    127 Because I love your commands
        more than gold, more than pure gold,
    128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
        I hate every wrong path.

    Go Deeper

    It is clear by now that the author of Psalm 119 loves God’s Word. Throughout today’s reading, he states its many benefits: God’s word makes us wise (v. 99), teaches us how to live (v. 102), keeps us from going down the wrong path (v. 101), gives understanding (v. 100), and lights our way (v. 105). The author loves God’s Word because of how it enriches and blesses his life.

    But he doesn’t utter these words without trial. The words he says here aren’t empty phrases; they’ve been tested by fire. Verses 110-128 talk about the writer’s desperate situation. He is oppressed by the wicked and overwhelmed by evil-doers who disregard God’s way. Everywhere he looks, people are walking down the wrong path. When he finds himself alone in his pursuit of God, he looks to God’s Word to sustain him (v. 116), deliver him (v. 117), and provide refuge (v. 114).

    What do you do when you feel alone? What do you do when your back is against the wall? Where do you turn? The world around us is dark. At times, it’s easy to feel alone in our faith. When we do, we should follow the example of this psalmist and turn to God’s Word. Let God’s own voice remind us of who He is and who we are in Him. When we can’t find our way, let’s find comfort in the fact that what was true thousands of years ago, when the author penned this psalm, is still true today: God’s word is a lamp for our feet, a light on our path (v. 105).

    Questions

    1. What benefits of reading God’s Word have you seen in your own life? How does it enrich and bless your life?
    2. Have you ever felt alone in your faith? Have you ever felt oppressed by people around you who disregard God? Where do you turn when you feel like that?
    3. Let God’s voice speak to you today. Using Scripture, write down 5 attributes of God and then 5 things that God says you are in Him.

    Listen Here

    Listen to this song based on Psalm 119 from Ellie Holcomb. 

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  • Psalm 119: Part Three (v. 65-96)

    Psalm 119: Part Three (v. 65-96)

    Read Psalm 119 C (v. 65-96)

    ט Teth

    65 Do good to your servant
        according to your word, Lord.
    66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
        for I trust your commands.
    67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
        but now I obey your word.
    68 You are good, and what you do is good;
        teach me your decrees.
    69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
        I keep your precepts with all my heart.
    70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
        but I delight in your law.
    71 It was good for me to be afflicted
        so that I might learn your decrees.
    72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
        than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

    י Yodh

    73 Your hands made me and formed me;
        give me understanding to learn your commands.
    74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
        for I have put my hope in your word.
    75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
        and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
    76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
        according to your promise to your servant.
    77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
        for your law is my delight.
    78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
        but I will meditate on your precepts.
    79 May those who fear you turn to me,
        those who understand your statutes.
    80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
        that I may not be put to shame.

    כ Kaph

    81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
        but I have put my hope in your word.
    82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
        I say, “When will you comfort me?”
    83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
        I do not forget your decrees.
    84 How long must your servant wait?
        When will you punish my persecutors?
    85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
        contrary to your law.
    86 All your commands are trustworthy;
        help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
    87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
        but I have not forsaken your precepts.
    88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,
        that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

    ל Lamedh

    89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;
        it stands firm in the heavens.
    90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
        you established the earth, and it endures.
    91 Your laws endure to this day,
        for all things serve you.
    92 If your law had not been my delight,
        I would have perished in my affliction.
    93 I will never forget your precepts,
        for by them you have preserved my life.
    94 Save me, for I am yours;
        I have sought out your precepts.
    95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
        but I will ponder your statutes.
    96 To all perfection I see a limit,
        but your commands are boundless.

    Go Deeper

    Although we don’t know the exact situation this psalmist was in, we know it was dire. In verse 87 and 92 the author references he was close to death because of the affliction he was facing.  Even though he could possibly die at the hand of these afflictions, he declares in both verses “…I have not forsaken your precepts.” The author of this Psalm is so devoted to the word of God even the threat of death would not cause him to ignore its wisdom and promise.

    The Good News Translation of verse 82 says, “My eyes have become strained from looking for your promise.”  Our current culture understands eye strain. Digital eye strain is a very real condition that we have all likely experienced as a result of working too long at a computer or scrolling too long on a phone. We are familiar with the blurred vision, dry eyes, or even headaches we’ve had after staring at a backlit screen for too long. But how many of us have experienced these symptoms as a result of searching diligently for promises in God’s word?

    It’s the diligence of the Psalmist in not only searching for these promises, but also in believing that they will keep him afloat amidst the tumultuous battles he is facing. In these 32 verses of Psalm 119, we are given the picture of a person who is fragile and weak but:

    • “but now I keep your word.” (v. 67)
    • “but with my whole heart, I keep your precepts.” (v. 69)
    • “but I delight in your law.” (v. 70)
    • “but I have not forsaken your precepts” (v. 87)

    The author is modeling 2 Corinthians 4:8-10. He is “afflicted in every way, but not cursed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” May we follow the example of this psalmist, and be a people of faith whose eyes are strained from reading and believing the promises of God’s word and whose eyes are fixed on Jesus, even amidst the battles we face.

    Questions

    1. When you are faced with affliction, what is your initial response?
    2. Psalm 119:17 says “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”  Would you say that you highly value God’s word?  Why or why not?
    3. Re-read Psalm 119: 89-96 and spend some time thanking God for the unchanging nature of his word.

    A Quote

    Psalm 119: 89 says “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” In a time when things tend to be ever changing and never settled, be encouraged by Charles Spurgeon’s thoughts on this verse:

    “After tossing about on a sea of trouble the Psalmist here leaps to shore and stands upon a rock. Jehovah’s word is not fickle nor uncertain; it is settled, determined, fixed, sure, immovable. Man’s teachings change so often that there is never time for them to be settled; but the Lord’s word is from old, the same, and will remain unchanged eternally.”

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