Notes from my Bible Study for March 4, 2010

Today's Reading: Psalm 63, Exodus 7:14‐8:19, 2 Chronicles 35:20‐27, Romans 2:17‐3:8

Psalm 63 - There is a beautiful picture that emerges in Psalm 63 about the love and craving that David had for God. He paints a picture of desperation for God and things of God. Nothing on this earth, not even life could satisfy David the way that God could. Is God your everything? Does your soul thirst for Him more than anything else in the world? I want that type of love for God. I want to love Him more than I love myself or the things of this world. What is it about temporary pleasures that hold the human heart so hostage? May we run to the things of God.

Exodus 7:14-8:19 - And so it began! God commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh to ask for the Children of Israel to be released from their bondage, and Pharaoh refused. So, the first three plagues came. First came blood. The Nile was turned to blood. All the fish died. The water was undrinkable. A stench came over the land. You would think that would be enough for any leader to release the slaves. But, Pharaoh's heart was hardened. The next plague was the frogs that came all over the land. They were hopping everywhere. The frogs covered Egypt. But, that did not soften the heart of Pharaoh. Then came the gnats. Oh what a terrible bother the gnats must have been, but Pharaoh's hardened heart would bring no mercy on his people or the children of Israel. May we learn from Pharaoh's heart.

2 Chronicles 35:20-27 - The death of Josiah is a sad one. God was speaking through an Egyptian Pharaoh, but Josiah didn't listen. Instead, Josiah did what seemed right to him. He died in a battle that God wanted him to have nothing to do with.

Romans 2:17-3:8 - Have you ever been around someone that could talk a good talk, but didn't walk the walk? If so, you know that their talk falls flat when it isn't accompanied by practice. We should be a people who practice what it is that we say we believe. Paul accused many Jews of saying one thing and doing another. He said that God would judge those who behaved in such ways. It is the same way with Gentiles. God cares more about what we do than what we say. May our actions be the actions of people who truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He expects His children to walk like Him.