Psalm 137

“By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion” (1). The Jewish exiles in Babylon wept when they remembered the land of promise - “Zion” or Israel. Their enemies had invaded, destroyed the Temple, and taken people to Babylon. They wanted the Lord to “remember” them and execute justice (7-9). They were exiled because they had broken God’s laws, but in a foreign land, they realized Jerusalem was their “highest joy” (6).

“How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” (4). In many ways, God’s people are always in exile, longing for His kingdom. But be

Ezekiel 26-27

“I am perfect in beauty” (27:3). The ancient Mediterranean city-state, Tyre, traded with nations all over the world to build her wealth. Natural resources and intricate crafts came through her ports: turquoise, gold, oak and cedar, fine embroidered Egyptian linen, honey and olive oil, blue fabric and multicolored rugs (ch 27). But Tyre’s pride led her people to attack other nations (26:2) and dishonor human beings (slave-trade, 27:13). God promised to make them “a desolate city” (26:19) instead of paradise.

Rather than letting greed or pride strangle our hearts, God calls us to use His resources for His glory. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord ...” (Col 3:23).

Ezekiel 23-25

“... the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day” (24:2). Ezekiel prophesied throughout the time in which Babylon invaded Judah, and he used dramatic metaphors to explain how God saw the disaster (587 BC). God compared Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah to adulterous, promiscuous women whose admiration for foreign empires and armies led them to their deaths. God had promised to love, protect, and provide for His people, but they had chased other sources of power and satisfaction. In the end, God gave them up to what they desired.

The world’s promises of happiness on our own terms lead to emptiness, and eventually ruin. But God, our “stronghold, joy and glory”, calls us to seek His kingdom and find life (24:25).

Ezekiel 15-16

“Your older sister was Samaria, who lived to the north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister ... was Sodom” 16:46-47). God compared His faithless people to fruitless vines (ch 15), an adulterous wife (ch 16), “Samaria”, and “Sodom” (famous for sinning). Israel had defined themselves against these cultures, thinking they were superior, but God said their behavior was “even more depraved” (16:47). Though they would experience judgment, these groups still had a future (16:53).

The exile, loss, and shame experienced by Israel (the result of sin) was voluntarily born by Jesus on the cross. Instead of judgment, through faith in Christ we receive mercy and become part of God’s “everlasting covenant” of grace (16:60).

Ezekiel 21-22

“See how each of the princes of Israel ... uses his power to shed blood” (22:6). Israel’s God-given power was, tragically, being used for evil. They had “treated father and mother with contempt; in you they have oppressed the foreigner and mistreated the fatherless and the widow” (22:7). Rather than creating a righteous, life-affirming community, Israel had “brought doom” on themselves through idolatry, sexual sin, and profiting from the poor (22:3). God looked for someone to mediate on behalf of his rebellious people, but there was no one (22:30).

The Messiah, Israel’s rightful ruler, came to use His power for blessing, not destruction (21:27). He “stands in the gap” for all humanity, giving us a chance to become the people God intended (22:30).

II Peter 1:11-20

“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power ...” (16). To believers wondering if the stories about Jesus were true, Peter assured them that what they had learned was based on “eyewitness” reports. Peter and others were there when the Father declared from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (17). Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection took place among many witnesses. “We ourselves heard this voice,” Peter said (18). Their faith in Christ had a firm foundation.

All of Scripture (the “prophetic message”) is “completely reliable” and points to Jesus. For those who pay attention, it lights up the darkness (19).

Ezekiel 13-14

“Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!” (13:3). Ezekiel declared God’s judgment against prophets who lied about God and “whitewashed” the sins of Israel instead of declaring God’s truth. They covered up sin instead of exposing it, promoting a false “peace” for the sake of profit (13:19). Even the “elders of Israel” had “set up idols in their hearts” (14:3), so they could not hear or understand God’s Word clearly.

God allowed Israel to experience hardship so that He could “recapture the hearts of the people” (14:5). The “idols of our hearts” bring pain and bondage, but the rule of Christ brings freedom and joy.

II Peter 1:1-10

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life” (3). Peter assured believers who were struggling with inner and outer pressures that God had great purposes for them. God had called them by His own “glory and goodness” and given them “great and precious promises”; through faith in Jesus, they became part of God’s family and even participated in “the divine nature” (4). Knowing all this, believers were empowered to turn their backs on sin and embrace transformation.

“Make every effort”, Peter says, to grow in faith, knowledge, self-control, and love (5). Instead of trying of fix ourselves, spiritual growth comes from cooperating with God’s “divine power” at work in us through the Spirit.

I Peter 4

“If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed ... (15-16). Peter made it clear that getting into trouble because of our own actions is different than suffering because “of the name of Christ” (14). He challenged believers to let go of behaviors that belong to a dying, godless world (7) and instead have the courage to live for God’s future (5-6).

When we face hardship because we are truly living for Jesus, Peter says, we are “blessed”. “The Spirit of glory and of God” rests on us, and the world can see Jesus clearly (14).

1 Peter 3

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (15). Peter taught that believers have no reason to fear anyone (6,14). Rather than act out of self-protection and defensiveness, he urged wives (1- 2) and everyone else (8) to behave with “gentleness and respect” toward unbelievers in all circumstances. Secure in our identity that Christ is our Lord, we even have power to “repay evil with blessing” (9).

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (18). As God’s redeemed children, we don’t have to “fight for what’s ours” but can live peacefully, confidently for Him.

I Peter 5

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (5). Peter urged spiritual elders to shepherd God’s flock willingly, with right motivations, and for young people to “submit” to their elders. But rather than simply echo the typical hierarchical relationships of his culture, Peter called everyone to humility. Humble people know how to give and receive help, and because they reject false self-sufficiency, they are open to God’s favor and support (5).

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because He cares for you” (7). Our society encourages us to disrespect each other and ‘depend on ourselves.’ But God calls us to be interconnected members of one Body, under one Lord who cares for us.

Psalm 136

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever” (1). The psalmist declared that God’s goodness and love are revealed through His “great wonders” (4). We know what God is like because we see the goodness of His amazing creation – sun, moon, stars, and earth (4-9). Israel testified that the Creator’s goodness was also revealed through saving acts: He rescued them out of Egypt, across the Red Sea, and “led his people through the wilderness” (16).

“He remembered us in our low estate; His love endures forever” (23). We can rejoice that God’s love endures through all generations, even to us. The One who “by his understanding made the heavens” hears our prayers and acts on our behalf today (5).

Psalm 135

“I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods” (5). The false ‘gods’ of the ancient world, like the idols of our society, shine beautifully but cannot speak, hear, or do anything for us (15-17). Chasing these false gods leads to lifelessness, becoming “like them” (18). The true God is alive and “does whatever pleases him” (6). Rather than condemn us, our Creator calls us His treasured possession (4) and acts powerfully on our behalf, as He did for Israel (8-11).

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good” (3). Through Christ, we become God’s treasured possession and have the right to call on His active, redemptive, powerful goodness.

Ezekiel 19-20

“Have you come to inquire of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me, declares the Sovereign Lord’” (20:3). The elders of Israel came to Ezekiel the prophet to “inquire” of the Lord – to get the Lord’s guidance and favor. But God refused to answer them, because they, like their ancestors in Egypt and later in the wilderness wanderings, continued “to defile themselves with idols until this day” (20:31). God had already given the Israelites His life- giving laws and the Sabbath, which they had disobeyed (20:11).

“I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees” (20:19). God calls us, like He did the Israelites, to follow His heart and obey His ways. Then we can hear His voice clearly.

Ezekiel 17-18

“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent!” (18:30). God gave a counter-cultural word of hope to Ezekiel. In ancient societies, a person’s identity and future was mostly determined by their family, yet God declared that parents and adult children were free to choose their own paths. They were not responsible for one another’s spiritual choices (18:4). Also, individuals could change their ways: repentance was possible and God would welcome them (18:23).

“For everyone belongs to me ...” (18:4). Family background, culture, and past choices do not have to define us. God knows our names and calls us personally to follow Him.

Ezekiel 15-16

“Your older sister was Samaria, who lived to the north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister ... was Sodom” 16:46-47). God compared His faithless people to fruitless vines (ch 15), an adulterous wife (ch 16), “Samaria”, and “Sodom” (famous for sinning). Israel had defined themselves against these cultures, thinking they were superior, but God said their behavior was “even more depraved” (16:47). Though they would experience judgment, these groups still had a future (16:53).

The exile, loss, and shame experienced by Israel (the result of sin) was voluntarily born by Jesus on the cross. Instead of judgment, through faith in Christ we receive mercy and become part of God’s “everlasting covenant” of grace (16:60).

Ezekiel 13-14

“Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!” (13:3). Ezekiel declared God’s judgment against prophets who lied about God and “whitewashed” the sins of Israel instead of declaring God’s truth. They covered up sin instead of exposing it, promoting a false “peace” for the sake of profit (13:19). Even the “elders of Israel” had “set up idols in their hearts” (14:3), so they could not hear or understand God’s Word clearly.

God allowed Israel to experience hardship so that He could “recapture the hearts of the people” (14:5). The “idols of our hearts” bring pain and bondage, but the rule of Christ brings freedom and joy.

I Peter 4

“If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed ... (15-16). Peter made it clear that getting into trouble because of our own actions is different than suffering because “of the name of Christ” (14). He challenged believers to let go of behaviors that belong to a dying, godless world (7) and instead have the courage to live for God’s future (5-6).

When we face hardship because we are truly living for Jesus, Peter says, we are “blessed”. “The Spirit of glory and of God” rests on us, and the world can see Jesus clearly (14).

I Peter 3

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (15). Peter taught that believers have no reason to fear anyone (6,14). Rather than act out of self-protection and defensiveness, he urged wives (1- 2) and everyone else (8) to behave with “gentleness and respect” toward unbelievers in all circumstances. Secure in our identity that Christ is our Lord, we even have power to “repay evil with blessing” (9).

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (18). As God’s redeemed children, we don’t have to “fight for what’s ours” but can live peacefully, confidently for Him.

Psalm 135

“I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods” (5). The false ‘gods’ of the ancient world, like the idols of our society, shine beautifully but cannot speak, hear, or do anything for us (15-17). Chasing these false gods leads to lifelessness, becoming “like them” (18). The true God is alive and “does whatever pleases him” (6). Rather than condemn us, our Creator calls us His treasured possession (4) and acts powerfully on our behalf, as He did for Israel (8-11).

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good” (3). Through Christ, we become God’s treasured possession and have the right to call on His active, redemptive, powerful goodness.