5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Matthew 16:21 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
The greatest injustice and act of evil the world has ever known took place when the holy, perfect, Son of God was nailed to a cross and crucified. Of all people who walked this earth, Jesus (the God/Man) should have been revered. He should have been recognized as the long-awaited Messiah. He should have been able to sit on David’s throne and receive the worship of His people.
But, that didn’t happen. Instead, we mocked Him. We spit on Him. We beat Him. And then we killed Him.
This truly was the greatest evil ever committed on planet earth.
Yet, if Jesus had not died on that cross and then rose from the grave 3 days later, you and I would still be in our sins. There would be no forgiveness. We would be on our way to Hell and nothing could stop that unimaginable, inevitable doom.
So, we see in Scripture that God decreed that Jesus would die. He determined that an act (which was evil) would occur. But, He would overrule it for good.
Acts 2:23 (CSB): “Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him.”
We could apply this truth to our lives in a thousand different ways. But, let me apply it to how we perceive the really bad things that happen to us in life.
Friend, anyone who tells you that life will be easy either has their head in the sand or is lying. Life is hard. We live on the wrong side of Genesis 3. We live in a cursed world that awaits a New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21-22).
But God, who overruled the greatest act of injustice the world has ever known, can overrule any bad thing that happens in your life as well. You can rest assured that He had to either actively will it to happen or passively allow it to happen. While we may not understand what God was doing, we can rest assured that He is good, that He will work it out for His glory and our ultimate good, and we will understand it one day in Heaven.
My word of encouragement to you this morning is to simply call you out of doubt and into trust. When life doesn’t make sense, when bad things happen and you are hurting, trust Him. He’s got this and He loves you! He’s working it out for good (Romans 8:28).
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Lord Jesus, sometimes life doesn’t make sense. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes, it seems completely evil. But, I trust You. I know You’re in control and You are working out Your will. Oh for grace to trust You more!
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“Taking a Trip to Israel:
Pictures, Videos, Reflections and Tips from a Trip to the Holy Land”
A trip to Israel can bring the stories of the Bible to life! It is unfortunate that most people will never be able to afford such a trip or fit it into their busy schedules.
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Making your way through the pages of this book will help you to ultimately get more out of your time in the greatest Book of all, God’s Word.
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Matt’s Musings 