January 30

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR JANUARY 30, 2025: JUDGES 6, JOHN 20, PSALM 149                                     JOSHUA 6 When we read the Old Testament today, consider it to be very condensed in time. We read a chapter about Israel’s falling and God’s rescue. Then we read the next chapter describing the same cycle. We might not consider the brief transitional verse stating 40 years of peace had transpired (5:31). Lots can change in 40 years, even 30 years. This chart below reflects the past 30 years (1993-2023) of the UMC: 

Yes, cultures change, but the need for faith in Jesus hasn’t. Fortunately for Israel, after they did evil again, God gave them over to Midian for seven years.  Finally, Israel cried out to God.  God sent them a prophet who reminded them who God is. That’s always humankind’s big problem. Let’s allow the Bible to show us who God is.  Perceptions easily get warped due to cultural whims. Space doesn’t allow for a retelling of this familiar chapter. Note, though, that once again, God approached a humble man hard at work—not scholar or a priest—to be Israel’s deliverer. 

Gideon knew of God’s miracles in the past and lamented Israel’s demise. Despite his low view of himself, God said Gideon would defeat Midian because God would be with him. And so, after some signs of confirmation (the consuming of meat and the two fleece miracles). The unlikely Gideon took action and obeyed God.  What can we do if we know God is with us? ”Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20).

JOHN 20 In chapter 19, we learned that everything changed when with Jesus’ dying cry, “IT IS FINISHED.”  The evidence of the complete work of redemption comes in this chapter when the disciples discover the empty tomb. In the resurrection, the finished work was shown to be completer – life conquered death, love conquered hate, light conquered darkness. John, in writing about himself, says, “He saw and believed.” (v 8) John was so convinced of the resurrection; he wanted everyone to believe. So, this chapter ends where we began in chapter one…John’s purpose for writing this gospel: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (20:31) From the first 

READING FOR JANUARY 30, 2025 CONTINUED: JOHN 20, PSALM 149

verses, John has tried to convince his reader that Jesus truly is the risen Christ, and one can have life in his name. His writing is full of what could be called, “one-sentence-gospels.” Take some time to slowly read and meditate on these sentences from John’s gospel:

  • Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (1:12)
  • For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (3:16)
  • Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. (3:36)
  • I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (5:24)
  • Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty (6:35)
  • For my father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.  (6:40)
  • I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.  (6:47)
  • Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.  (7:38)
  • I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (8:12)
  • If you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.  (8:24)
  • I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  (10:9)
  • My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (12:28)
  • I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (11:25)
  • I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (12:46)
  • I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (14:6)

PSALM 149 This is the fourth of five Psalms that begins and ends with the words, "Praise the Lord.” Each has a different angle. This one commands us to praise God both as assembled believers and individuals at home, even lying in bed. If we have no other reason to praise God, we can always praise Him for our existence. It’s His idea that we’re here now.  We are told to praise Him joyfully, with instruments and even dancing. Verse four should put us in a good mood for the rest of lives: God takes pleasure in us if we are His people! The last part of this Psalm is militant, because God’s people had lots of militant enemies seeking to destroy them.  After Jesus died and rose again, we still have enemies, but they are not people or countries: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness.” Eph 6:12. And Hebrews redefines the Psalmist’s literal two-edged sword to be the Bible: “the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12).