Notes from my Bible Study for March 7, 2010

Today's Reading: Psalm 66, Exodus 11:1‐12:30, Ezra 2, Romans 4

Psalm 66 - There is a beautiful verse tucked away in Psalm 66 that shows the passion that the psalmist had for sharing the wonderful things that God had done in his life.

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

When we share what God is doing in our lives, it encourages others. It builds God up. It helps restore the faith in people that God is alive and well, and working on behalf of His people. Sharing a testimony of God's working power is such an important part of the Christian life. If it has been awhile since you have shared what God is doing in your life, take some time to do it this week. When we look for God's hand, we are often times surprised at just how much He is doing, and how much we have missed.

Exodus 11:1-12:30 - The final plague that was pronounced against the Egyptians was the death of all of the firstborn children and livestock in the land of Egypt. God gave specific instructions for the Jewish people on how to prepare their homes so that the angel would pass over the homes and spare them. God also gave them specific instructions on how to prepare their meal.

This final plague was so severe that not one Egyptian home was spared. There was death everywhere. What a harsh punishment for the hardening of Pharaoh's heart.

This was the genesis of the Passover celebration that continues to this day.

Ezra 2 - Oh happy day! What an incredible day it must have been for the exiled peoples of Judah to be able to return to Jerusalem and their home towns after spending years of captivity in Babylon. Ezra's second chapter is a list of all of the family units represented in the exiles.

Romans 4 - Romans 4 answers an important theological question. How were Old Testament saints saved? Was it because of their works, or because of their faith?

Paul answers in no uncertain terms that Abraham, the father of the great nation of Israel, was justified by faith and nothing else. Just like you and me, Abraham was justified by faith in the Messiah. While he didn't know that Jesus would be the Messiah, for Jesus would not come for thousands of years, Abraham was aware of the fact that Messiah would come. He chose to place His faith in Messiah, long before the prophecy of Messiah was fulfilled. Abraham was justified by faith, just like those of us who have trusted in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.