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Monday – 18 November 2013
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Verses:
1
Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
Psalm
119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158
Luke
18:35-43
1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
10 The
wicked ruler Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus the Third of
Syria, was a descendant of one of Alexander's generals. Antiochus
Epiphanes had been a hostage in Rome before he became king of Syria in
the year 137.
11 At
that time there appeared in the land of Israel a group of traitorous
Jews who had no regard for the Law and who had a bad influence on many
of our people. They said,
Let's come to terms with the Gentiles, for our refusal to associate with them has brought us nothing but trouble. 12 This proposal appealed to many people, 13 and some of them became so enthusiastic about it that they went to the king and received from him permission to follow Gentile customs. 14 They built in Jerusalem a stadium like those in the Greek cities. 15 They had surgery performed to hide their circumcision, abandoned the holy covenant, started associating with Gentiles, and did all sorts of other evil things.
Let's come to terms with the Gentiles, for our refusal to associate with them has brought us nothing but trouble. 12 This proposal appealed to many people, 13 and some of them became so enthusiastic about it that they went to the king and received from him permission to follow Gentile customs. 14 They built in Jerusalem a stadium like those in the Greek cities. 15 They had surgery performed to hide their circumcision, abandoned the holy covenant, started associating with Gentiles, and did all sorts of other evil things.
41-43 Antiochus
now issued a decree that all nations in his empire should abandon their
own customs and become one people. All the Gentiles and even many of
the Israelites submitted to this decree. They adopted the official pagan
religion, offered sacrifices to idols, and no longer observed the
Sabbath.
54 On the fifteenth day of the month of Kislev in the year 145, King Antiochus set up
The Awful Horror on the altar of the Temple, and pagan altars were built in the towns throughout Judea. 55 Pagan sacrifices were offered in front of houses and in the streets. 56 Any books of the Law which were found were torn up and burned, 57 and anyone who was caught with a copy of the sacred books or who obeyed the Law was put to death by order of the king.
The Awful Horror on the altar of the Temple, and pagan altars were built in the towns throughout Judea. 55 Pagan sacrifices were offered in front of houses and in the streets. 56 Any books of the Law which were found were torn up and burned, 57 and anyone who was caught with a copy of the sacred books or who obeyed the Law was put to death by order of the king.
62 But many people in Israel firmly resisted the king's decree and refused to eat food that was ritually unclean. 63 They preferred to die rather than break the holy covenant and eat unclean food—and many did die.
Psalm 119:53
53 When I see the wicked breaking your law,
I am filled with anger.
I am filled with anger.
61 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
but I do not forget your law.
but I do not forget your law.
134 Save me from those who oppress me,
so that I may obey your commands.
so that I may obey your commands.
150 My cruel persecutors are coming closer,
people who never keep your law.
people who never keep your law.
155 The wicked will not be saved,
for they do not obey your laws.
for they do not obey your laws.
158 When I look at those traitors, I am filled with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
because they do not keep your commands.
Luke 18:35-43
35 As Jesus was coming near Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the road, begging. 36 When he heard the crowd passing by, he asked, “What is this?”
37 “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him.
38 He cried out, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
39 The people in front scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
40 So Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Sir,” he answered, “I want to see again.”
42 Jesus said to him, “Then see! Your faith has made you well.”
43 At once he was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving thanks to God. When the crowd saw it, they all praised God.
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INSIGHTFUL WISDOM
YES
“What do you want me to do for you?” – Luke 18:41
For weeks, I wrestled with a decision: to accept a call to more
responsibility, more accountability. The idea terrified me no end, not to
mention that in involved speaking before a crowd.
In my heart, I knew it was the Lord calling me. But my flesh and my
fears prevailed. Until it was time to make the decision, I sought signs from
the Lord, secretly hoping that He would change His mind and assign somebody
else.
“What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41) floored me. It was
the answer to my questions. If I said yes, He would make sure I was equipped to
fulfill my new assignment. If I said no, He would address all my questions and
make up for my inadequacies. Besides, it was His work; I was merely a vessel.
With me “cornered,” I could not say anything but yes. Dr Charles
Stanley said, “When you fully surrender, you place the consequences of your
decision into the hands of an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful God who
holds the past , present and future.” – May
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, grant me the grace to always surrender to the Father’s
will, knowing that He is in control over every detail of my life. Amen.
Wise Words:
“Never say to God: ‘Enough’; simply say, ‘I am ready.’” Blessed
Sebastian Valfre.
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Sources:
verses from Good News Translation
Insightful Wisdom and Prayer from Living Water 2013
