May 4, 2011

Psalm 98 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Mark 10:35-45, 2 Corinthians 3, 1 Samuel 7-8

Journal Entry

Scripture

1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

9b he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Observation

What a time of celebration it will be when all peoples of all nations will know the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Lord has made known this salvation to all the nations (including Gentiles) through His love and faithfulness to His people, the Israelites, whom God chose to receive His Word and His Son. Therefore all the earth will be jubilant over Jesus' coming as King and as the Righteous Judge.

Application

Now is the time of grace when we can accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior before He returns as the Righteous Judge. Recognize our great shortcomings before the Holy and perfect God. Ask for forgiveness of our ways that displease Him. Recognize that our punishment of death for sin has been met already through the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus was raised by God giving Him all authority in heaven and on earth. He is the King forever. By believing in God's way of giving us new life through Jesus Christ, we have no fear when Jesus returns as the Judge instead we will be celebrating Jesus as King!

Should I be satisfied because I am saved from God's punishment for sin? Who around me doesn't know the way of being saved from God's judgement? Who can I tell today about the free gift of new life God offers?

Prayer

Dear Perfect and all Powerful God, thank you for saving me through your great sacrifice of your Son. May I never take it for granted how I gained the everlasting, new life. It was free to me but it came at a great price to You. I am truly thankful. I am looking forward to the celebration as you reign as King! But Lord, I pray for those who have not yet come to know you as their Savior. People in different parts of the world, in our nation and within our church. I pray that you would never give up on any one of them but that you would continue to pursue them with your love. May they hear you calling them, wanting them to be your son or daughter. That they would accept your generous free gift of an everlasting, new life also. Lord, I pray especially for my close friends who needs to know about your free gift of a new life. It would be a tragedy if they faced your judgement because I am a coward to speak up. Please give me boldness and courage to share the love Jesus Christ has for them. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

--Kathleen Hong