2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34, Romans 9:25-10:12 , Psalms 20:1-9, Proverbs 20:2-3
Today is the 26th day of July, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian and it is a pleasure and an honor to be here with you for another day as we take another step forward through the Scriptures on our journey this year. So, as is customary every day, we’ll pick up where we left off yesterday and that will take us back into the book of 2 Chronicles. Today we’ll read chapter 17 verse 1 through 18 verse 34. And we’re reading from the New Living Translation this week.
Commentary:
Okay. So, as we’ve been following the path that Paul has been leading us on as we move through the letter to the Romans, we can see that Paul wasn’t attempting to throw the religion he was raised in, which was Judaism, out the window in favor of some kind of new belief system that he was inventing that would one day be called Christianity. That’s not what he was going for it all. He was attempting to reveal that Jesus was the continuation of a story that came through Abraham’s children so that the people of the whole world might find their way to God. Right? Because Paul had been a deeply devoted Pharisee. So, he had done everything humanly possible in his own strength to obey the law. And he had that attempted to find his way to God that way only to discover that it’s impossible, like, there was no way to become perfect in his own strength. So, Paul began to realize the essence of Jesus teachings, that God’s people had lost the plot of the story and they were trying to obey a set of rules that were no longer connected to the spiritual realities underpinning it all. And, so, for Paul, realizing this, had to realize that the law had become a shell of what it was supposed to be. In his own words he said, the people of Israel tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in Him. So, for Paul, as it had been for Jesus, this is this is where the train came off the tracks. The law was to be a continual reminder of what God had brought them out of and to lead them into complete dependence on and true intimacy with God. Instead, the law had become a source of power and control that lead people to believe they could achieve righteousness before God on their own if they just obey it perfect, which no one could. And, so, again Paul said, I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal, for they don’t understand God’s way of making people write with Himself. Refusing to accept God’s way they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. Paul was trying to reveal that Jesus was somebody that needed to be a paid attention to because He was the first person actually fulfill the law, the first portrait of a person who was perfect. And it didn’t happen through strict adherence to ritual. It happened through utter dependence on God and intimacy with God. And that can only happen as Paul continues to point out, through faith.
Prayer:
Father, we come into Your presence by faith. And all of the good news of the gospel, we receive it by faith. But because of their faith it becomes a reality. Our eyes open. We wake up to what is really going on around us, and it’s better than we had ever hoped for. You have drawn near, and You have invited us into Your family that we might draw near as Your sons and daughters. And we receive this by faith. So, come Holy Spirit, strengthen and engage our faith in this reality today as we navigate the issues of life. We ask for Your counsel and direction in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Community Prayer and Praise:
Hi brothers and sisters with the Daily Audio Bible, this is Rich from Arkansas. Many of you may have recalled my calling in for prayer requests in a state of bondage to alcohol. I just…I felt…you know…the need to share with you guys and I’ve been sober eight months. I ended up checking into a facility that was Christian-based, involved members of the military that were dealing with PTSD and things like that. And I have a whole lot of root issues. The Lord I felt like guided me down there and, you know, maybe, Blind Tony and some of you guys I’ve been in touch with. And Brian, it happened around the time your mother passed. But praise God, I have a whole new direction. My voice is different, obviously. But the Lord…I mean the Lord Jesus has been my guide and my friend through this whole process. And job opportunities are opening up for me again. You know…it’s just…I can imagine or begin to explain how my life has changed. And it’s all, you know, I feel like this is a done deal with me. It’s hard to even imagine ever being in that state. But, you know, He can use me now and I have every one of you to thank as far as your fervent prayer. And I covet that still because it is a daily battle. But praise God. We have a reason to rejoice. If any of you out there have family relatives with addictions, I can give what I’ve taken and I’ll be online on Facebook and, of course, listening in. God bless you guys. I love you. Thanks.
Good morning DAB family. This is Walking by Faith from New York City. Asia from Munich, I heard you today. I’m a little behind, today’s the 22nd…nope the 23rd…and I think you called last week but you’ve been on my mind and I’ve missed you and I so understand what you talking about. It’s like…we’re all walking by faith. And I just wanted you to know you’re in my thoughts and prayers and I will continue to pray for you and your family. And it is what the Lord has told us about in the Scriptures, things will only get better and he’s coming soon. And Cherry Chase Cherry pie, I needed to hear that, that you loved me and I love you back. We don’t say it enough and not enough people say it. You know, I guess I’m so grateful that you put that out there and I needed to hear it today. I love you. God bless you family and we’ll talk to you soon but my prayers are for all of you. And again, Asia, I love you. God bless you. Bye from New York City. Walking by Faith.
Good morning this is Stephen from Alabama. This is July 23rd. I’m on my morning walk. I called a couple of weeks ago encouraging all of us to keep doing this…this walk. And I just want you to declare this with me. I kind of personalized Romans…couple of verses…Romans 8:11 and 8:14-16 today. The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in me and just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead He will give life to my mortal body by the same Spirit living within me. I am a lead by the Spirit of God and I am a child of God. I’ve not received a Spirit that makes me fearful slave. Instead, I received God’s spirit when He adopted me as His own child. Now I call him Abba Father for His Spirit joins with my Spirit to affirm that I am a child of God. Lord, I thank You so much for Brian and this ministry. The words that he said today, the encouragement, so many days, I’m so thankful for that. Always live by this decree more and more every day in Jesus’ name. Amen. Mark this day down. Save it on the app. You’ve got a star there. Save it for those days when you doubt or you fear. Love you. God bless.
Dear Lord, we pray for our brother who called, I believe his name is I Choose Jesus who is going to have an exam on August 4, which is an act of Your sovereign grace to change that date for him. Lord, thank You that You’ve revealed for him by Your Holy Spirit who You are. And, so, he chooses You. We thank You that, even more amazing, You have chosen us who are completely undeserving of it. And yet You rejoice over us and love us so dearly. Thanks Lord for Your attention to every detail of our lives. I pray that this dear brothers anniversary with his wife will be completely without distraction, a time of just complete enjoyment Lord, of this marriage that’s ordained by You and that You want him to participate in completely, freely, and undistracted, filled with Your love. Thank You Lord Jesus for everything You’re doing and may this exam go exceptionally well. Help them to look to You, to rest in You, to believe You for all things. I pray that You will just bless him Lord from the top of his head to the tips of his toes and that this path that he is on will come to great, great good for him, for his family, and for everyone in his life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.