READING FOR AUGUST 5, 2025: PROVERBS 16, LUKE 1, PSALM 77:1-9 PROVERBS 16 Solomon seems to differentiate between what humans can and should do and what God alone does. God is always superior but there is a measure of partnership involved: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). Solomon thought we should plan based upon God as the final source of truth and righteousness. We might think we have the right motives for our plans, but we so clearly need to seek God’s evaluation of our hearts: “Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139: 23-24). If we truly commit our lives and plans to God, He will establish them. We also learn here that God is a purposeful God; He does nothing by chance. He has already established the punishment for those who are evil and proud of heart.
Of course, as fallen human beings, we all sin. So just as surely as the proud will be judged, only those who receive by faith the salvation offered through the atoning work of Jesus will experience God’s mercy. As we continue to fear God, we have His promise that evil will not defeat us. Then we will have God’s perspective on life, such as a modest income with righteousness is better than wealth with injustice. We will plan with the assurance that God is directing our steps. We will respect the leadership of our countries. Even if they are unbelievers, they still are representatives of God: “Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God” (Rom. 13:1-2).
Of course, these leaders will also be accountable to God, themselves. It matters to God if our leaders are righteous or not. We should elect leaders of high character whenever possible. All of us, though, need to examine ourselves for the sin of pride. It is so deceptive and destructive. One tool to help us is always the Word of God: “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16). Without such direction, we are in mortal danger: “There is a way which seems right to a person, but its end is the way of death” (vs.25). And for all of us in this culture that celebrates youth, keep in mind what the world’s wisest man thought: “A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness” (vs.31).
LUKE 1 This is a massive chapter in terms of length and importance. It requires more space than has been our normal practice. The opening is significant in what it tells us about the accuracy of the Gospels. Luke’s Gospel was written after others. He mentions the other accounts were written by people who witnessed the events from the beginning (not hearing about them generations after the fact) and who were servants of the word (concerned with the truth not opinion). Luke’s unique contribution to this existing literature was to be more
READING FOR AUGUST 5, 2025 CONTINUED: LUKE 1, PSALM 77:1-9 comprehensive (investigated everything) and chronological (not often the case with ancient histories). His purpose was so that Theophilus (a Greek Christian) would know the exact details of events about which he had been taught. This introduction is astounding for what is says about the trustworthiness of the Bible and about the extraordinary effort that Luke expended so that one person could know the truth of Jesus. How much effort would we make for one person to know the truth of Jesus?
We learn that both Elizabeth and Zechariah were descendants of Aaron (Moses’s brother), faithful believers, and old. Some of us fall into one or more of those categories. We also read that Elizabeth was unable to have children, which in those days was considered a great tragedy. It was Zachariah’s priestly duty one day to offer incense on the incense altar (Ex. 30:7). While he was doing this, a crowd was outside in prayer. This is exciting and similar to the prayer group that meets every Sunday before the service at our church. As is so often of case (e.g., Moses, Gideon, James, John, and Matthew), a person busy at work is interrupted and called to a special task for God. As is almost always the case, the appearance of an angel causes great fear. (These beings must not look like Hallmark Greeting Card angels.)
What is the first good news the angel brings? Zechariah’s prayers have been heard. Do we believe God has heard our prayers? Zechariah, like Isaac centuries earlier (Gen. 25:21) prayed on behalf of his wife to have children. Husbands, might it possibly be God’s will to pray for your wives about matters important to her? We know God responds to these kinds of prayers. The angel continues with amazing details. Elizabeth’s boy will be great in God’s sight, abstain from wine, be named John, be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, turn the hearts of fathers toward their children, turn Israel back to God, and prepare for the coming of the Messiah in the manner of the great prophet Elijah. Talk about an answer to prayer. Do we believe the follow verse: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingabundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20)?
Most, if not all of us, would have responded as Zachariah did: uncertainty. In this case and in every case, God’s words are true and His plans for the future will take place, no matter how unlikely we in our little cultural bubble believe them to be. “If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? Far from it! Rather, God must prove to be true, though every person be found a liar” (Rom. 3:3-4).
Gabriel felt compelled to discipline the righteous priest Zachariah just as God did with Moses for hitting the rock instead of speaking to it. If these giants of the faith were disciplined, none
READING FOR AUGUST 5, 2025 CONTINUED: LUKE 1, PSALM 77:1-9 of us should expect or really desire to avoid God’s discipline when it is for our own good—no matter how unpleasant in the short run. The praying crowd was sensitive to God’s moving among them as only praying people can be. Elizabeth and Zachariah then faithfully behaved in such a way as to facilitate the fulfillment of Gabriel’s prophecy. God took away her disgrace as He does for all who trust in Him.
Six months later, Gabriel is on another mission--this time to Mary in Nazareth. She was a virgin, betrothed (more than engaged but not yet married) to Joseph. Who among us would not love to hear we have found “favor with God”? Here is one way the Bible gives to obtain this: “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So, you will find favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man” (Prov. 3:3-4).
Gabriel graciously explains some of the characteristics of this child she, a virgin, will soon be carrying. One stands out: “The Holy Child will be called the Son of God” (vs. 35). Often in these studies I have referenced Bart Ehrman, perhaps America’s most famous Bible scholar and atheist. This is from a 2014 network interview: “During his lifetime, Jesus himself didn't call himself God and didn't consider himself God, and ... none of his disciples had any inkling at all that he was God.” If Dr. Ehrman had read the Book of Acts, he would see Luke was a ministry partner of Paul and contemporary with Peter and others of the 12 disciples. We should hesitate to judge but know Dr. Ehrman has done well selling his books to his niche audience of skeptics.
Other belief systems that look like Christianity on the surface also differ from Luke’s account:
- Latter Day Saints: “Those who overcome by faith and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise receive the fulness of God’s glory and be gods, even sons of God... the saints shall be filled with his glory and receive their Inheritance and made equal with Him. Latter-day Saints use the term exaltation.”(www.churchofjesuschrist.org)
Christian Response: The statement above is taken from the Church of Jesus Christ’s (AKA Mormons) website. Another quote from the site: “As man now is, God once was: As God now is, man may be.” Mary found favor with God but considered herself a bondservant. She exalted God not herself or any future divinity. Zachariah blessed the Lord God of Israel because his son would be a prophet of the Most High not be equal with Him. In fact, John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
READING FOR AUGUST 5, 2025 CONTINUED: LUKE 1, PSALM 77:1-9
- Jehovah Witnesses: “Scriptural evidence indicates that the name Michael [the angel] applied to God’s Son before he left heaven to become Jesus Christ and also after his return.” (JW.org) Christian Response: The above excerpt is from the Jehovah Witnesses’ website. Hebrews 1:6-8 refutes this view: “’Let all the angels of God worship Him [Jesus].’ And regarding the angels He [the Father] says, ‘He makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire.’ But regarding the Son He says, ‘Your throne, God, is forever and ever.’”
- Freemason: “God is often referred to as the Great Architect of the Universe. It is a descriptive title that allows each member to think of the Supreme Being according to his own beliefs and convictions, uninfluenced by but respectful of those around him.” (freemason.com) Christian Response: The above is the official position of the Freemasons on God from their website. John 14:6 disagrees: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”’
This has gone on too long; the following are brief points about the rest of the chapter:
- The baby, not a collection of fetal tissue, leapt for joy in Elizabeth’s womb.
- In verse 47, Mary calls Jesus her Savior. She acknowledges she is not perfect and needs to be saved.
- In verses 54-55, Mary sees this birth as the next step of God’s covenant with Abraham.
- At John’s circumcision, Zachariah’s voice returned with a bang and praises to God. What a moment.
- Zachariah agrees with Mary that they are witnessing a new stage in God’s covenant with Abraham.
- Zachariah’s prophecy is especially on target regarding the redemptive plan that will emerge.
- For some reason, John’s pre-ministry life will be in the desert, away from the general public.
PSALM 77:1-9 This, like many of the Psalms, shows a believer honestly wrestling both with God and with his own competing realities of trust and pain. The three-way struggle is revealing and maybe even a model for us. Asaph says he directs a heartfelt audible expression toward a God he is confident is listening. He stretches his arms toward God in physical expression, as Paul later recommends: “I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands” (1 Tim. 2:8). And he does this day and night. Ever notice the seriousness of intent conveyed whenever a Muslim prostrates himself in prayer or when an Orthodox Jew sways back and forth while praying. This is more the approach toward prayer of all the Psalms rather than a quick and casual request.
Despite this, Asaph is restless, especially when he contemplates God. It seems he recalls much earlier times when God was comparatively more responsive or blessed him more visibly. Clearly, he believes God exists and is entirely capable of rescuing him, but he wonders if God will. So, what’s Asaph’s plan? Keep singing in the night, keep meditating in his heart, and keep pondering with his spirit. Yes, that leaves him with serious questions, but that’s where we are at this stage of this particular ordeal—halfway through this Psalm.
