Read To Me Daily Semester 3Намуна

1KINGS 13-14:
We’ll start out again today in 1st Kings. Scripture tells us that Solomon was the wisest of men. So how could he make such stupid choices?! Part of the answer is the corruption caused when one has too much power. And there is something truly sticky about sexual sin. The Lord’s judgment is evident in what happened later with the division of the country, and what happened in the northern kingdom. Note also how the people of Judah followed all the bad parts of Solomon’s example, which again will lead to judgment.

PSALM 119:145-160:
Returning to Psalm 119, I like the last three verses of yesterday’s reading:

Ps. 119:142 GNT Your righteousness will last forever,
and your law is always true.
143 I am filled with trouble and anxiety,
but your commandments bring me joy.
144 Your instructions are always just;
give me understanding, and I shall live.

JOHN 8a:
As we heard yesterday in John 7, the temple guards were ordered to arrest Jesus. But when they came back empty handed they simply said, “We have never heard anyone speak like this.”

There is a fascinating little detail I just saw in John 7:37-38 as translated by GNT. Jesus said, 

7:37 GNT “Whoever is thirsty should come to me, and
38 whoever believes in me should drink. As the scripture says, ‘Streams of life-giving water will pour out from _his_ side.’” 

First I want you to know that the word translated ‘side’ can be translated as belly or intestines. But since that word was also used as the seat of emotions, it can also be translated in English as ‘heart’— which is the word we English speakers use for the seat of emotions. But for now, let’s keep the word ‘side’. Streams of life-giving water will pour out from ‘his side’. Whose side is Jesus meaning?! Here’s one of those double meanings I mentioned as a feature of this Gospel. As most often understood and translated, streams of living water will flow from the believer’s inner being. But when Jesus was stabbed by the spear in chapter 19, John made a big deal that he saw both water and blood flow out. The ‘his side’ that Jesus could be meaning in this OT quote could be his own side! Jesus could have meant either, or He could have intentionally given one of the most precious double meanings of all! In either case, the water is a sign pointing to the Holy Spirit.

Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, we worship You, and we could say along with the guards, “Nobody has ever talked the way this man does!” We thank You that You gave an offer to the Jews in your day that You now have graciously extended to everyone, to ‘Whoever is thirsty’. And who is there who could rightly say that they have never been spiritually thirsty? Lord, You planted that thirst in every human, and You are the only One who can satisfy it. That is why all humans everywhere and from all times have shown their spiritual thirst through all the ways they have searched for You. But now that You have revealed Yourself, no one should seek again in vain in all those wrong places. You generously offer that life-giving water without cost. And we don’t receive just eternal life, but the Holy Spirit living within us. This gift has now been given to us, and the condition You gave in this passage is to simply believe in You. Yes, Lord Jesus, please, let the water of the Spirit bubble up, overflow within us, and spill out from us today.