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February 25

Reading 1 - Exodus 38

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v.8 - The laver was for washing - ceremonial washing ordained by God - not like the washing of the Pharisees and the idolaters, whose attitude was wrong (Heb.9:10) but the washing of the word, the washing of baptism, the grace of God washing our sins clean away. Ps.26:6, Zech.13:1, John 13:10, Tit.3:5,6, Rev.1:5.
Peter Cresswell
When it comes to numbers in scripture, I am, as I have said before, somewhat sceptical of the great significances that some folk place on each one, but here you cannot escape the numbers. Everything seems to be described by how many there were, whatever other description then ensues. I am forced therefore to wonder about the significance of this numerology.
Peter Cresswell
:8 In making the laver of the looking glasses there is a beautiful contrast. The looking glasses would be used by the women - and doubtless the men - so that they could see whether they looked presentable or not. Maybe even to pride themselves in their appearance. In using them to make the laver God was showing them that unless they were 'washed' according to His provision they would not be acceptable to him. Likewise, unless we are washed by the word [Ephesians 5:26] we will not be acceptable to our Father no matter how fashionable we are in our and the world's eyes.
Peter Forbes
:21-31 In recording the amounts of material that were given and what they were used for in the tabernacle we are being shown that the tabernacle, even though designed by God, is made up of the free will offerings of the ecclesia. Likewise in our day. The ecclesia is 'of God' but is built up of our free will offering. If we hold back in our service the ecclesia is lacking. In the wilderness there is no other source for the material other than the members of the ecclesia.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Psalms 100 & 101

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100 v. 3 - The two hebrew words for 'sheep' (tsown 06629) and 'pasture' (mir'iyth 04830) occur together on a number of other occasions, referring to God's people and his care for them. Here are the others: Ps.74:1, 79:13, 95:7, Jer.23:1, 25:36, Eze.34:31.
Peter Cresswell
101 v.2,3 - Is this a statement of David's intention for what is left of his life? Well, it surely is, as it is for all of us, even though we know we fail, but more than that surely it is a statement of what he knows will be the case beyond this life when Jesus returns. We need to try to develop the same confidence in our own redemption and the fact that we will be in this situation too, as long we continue to hate that wich is evil.
Peter Cresswell

Psalm 100 The sheep of God's pasture (v3) should praise God because of His goodness. This contrasts starkly with the 'sheep of His pasture' (Psalm 95:7) who complained at His provision in the wilderness. For more details see the notes on Psalm 95

Psalm 101 David sets himself a high standard of life. To help him to achieve it he will keep good company. So he will not entertain 'deceit' in his house (verse 7). Whilst we may be very careful who we invite into our homes are we so discerning about the things we watch on the TV or listen to on the radio or the music we listen to?
Peter Forbes
100:1 In speaking about serving God 'with gladness' we are shown that our service to God is not a drudgery. Nor is it to be viewed as a chore. Sadly Israel did, at times view their service as a weariness' [Malachi 1:13]. This attitude serves as a terrible warning to us.

101:1 In speaking of both 'mercy' and 'judgement' David is speaking of two of God's attributes which we find extremely difficult to manifest together. Either we are too merciful or too judgemental. Our God has the perfect balance all the time. For this reason we should sing of His mercy and judgement. Once we have recognised these wonderful characteristics of our Father we should then try to manifest them together in our lives. By avoiding those who 'practice deceit' :7 we are avoiding those who, by their very nature, cannot balance mercy and judgement.
Peter Forbes

100:3 In reminding his readers that we are made by God and not by ourselves the Psalmist is restating something we have notes in earlier Psalms. That man can be so arrogant that he does not even acknowledge that he has been made by a supreme being! Of course we can give intellectual assent to the truth that there is a creator and then live lives which deny this.

101:1-3 Maybe David wrote this Psalm after the incident with Bathsheba. He now says that he will walk in his house without setting wicked things before him - this contrasts with how he was when he saw Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2)
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - 1Corinthians 8 & 9

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8 v.3 - Here is a simple truth and yet one on which we can pin our hope. This chapter is still in the context of the preceding ones - pointing out the futility of the inclusion of the ways of the world into our worship, and this short verse is a very succinct way of saying it all. It is a very privileged position in which to find ourselves. ch.2:9, Rom.8:28,29, Jas.1:12, 2:5, Ex.33:12,17, Ps.139:1,2, John 10:14, Gal.4:9, 2Tim.2:19, Rev.2:9,13,19 etc.
Peter Cresswell

8:1 Another indication that the Corinthians trusted in their own wisdom. 'Knowledge puffeth up'

9:2-3 Again the apostle Paul is defending himself against criticisms from the Corinthians about his status as an apostle. It is common, when one cannot fault a person's argument, to criticise the person. We must take care that we do not do thins ourselves.
Peter Forbes

RUN

At the Olympics the worlds best athletes gather to compete for the honor of winning and wearing the gold medal. Many of the athletes are professional and they spend all day training every day. They employ the best coaches and tone every muscle to get every last little bit of speed or strength from their bodies. They sacrifice social events, rich foods, time, energy and money - and it is all for the short lived pleasure of a medal. The point is, that for an Olympic competitor, nothing is too much to sacrifice to win that medal.

Paul says that we are in a race too. In the same way that an athlete trains and sacrifices, we need to train and sacrifice as Christians. We have to put as much energy into our training as the athletes do. We, like many of those athletes are professional Christians. We are supposed to be training to be like Christ 24 hours a day, 365 days a year no matter what our job, hobbies or circumstances. We must be aiming to constantly improve our lives aiming for the high standard of Christ. And in the end there will not be just one winner - everyone who runs for Christ will win the prize of everlasting life. What a race! On your marks, Get set, GO!
Robert Prins