Read Psalm 18 verses 1-24. Next Monday, you'll read the rest of Psalm 18. Hey friends, We completed our first book of the Bible! Genesis ✅! Only 65 more to go ! In the Gospels this week, I was struck by how Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure and how Jesus and his kingdom interact with earthly political leaders like Pontius Pilate. Jesus is on trial, but is it really Pilate who is on trial? In Psalms, I was struck by the corruption and lack of compassion of the world and the gifts of protection, provision, peace, joy, contentment, strength that the world can’t supply or steal away but are given graciously and generously by God when we need and in response to our prayers. In the Old Testament, I was blown away again by how much I see Jesus in the life of Joseph. Favored by his father, betrayed, abandoned, and sold by his brothers. Thought to be dead, went to prison, “rose again” and was seated at the highest place. God blessed him and the Spirit of the Lord was on him. “God sent me here. He made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:8). He wept in grief and love. He was the forgiving prince, forgiving his brothers for how they treated him. He saved many lives through his suffering. He trusted God’s plan. He pledged to provide for them. He died, but in dying he also promised God’s visitation. Fascinating to read about Moses and Aaron and Pharaoh alongside Jesus and Pilate. Certainly already in our readings we witness a contrast and confrontation between different types of power, different types of kingdoms. Success, wealth, and power in and of themselves are not inherently bad. When that power leads you to protect your own status and privilege, to reject Jesus, and neglect a life of compassion for the vulnerable and suffering, problems quickly arise. Pride leads to the fall. Towers like Babel inevitably crash to the ground. Redemptive love endures, the most powerful and durable force in the universe. I’m marking up a bible for my youngest, Ezra, as I read this time. I’m using a variety of colored pens and highlighters. What exactly am I marking? In each of the readings I’m highlighting names & titles for addressing God. I’m keeping track of mentions of numbers and times. Eg. “On the third day” In the Gospels, I’m keeping track of how often Jesus asks questions. A LOT! In the Psalms, I’m underlining what David is actually asking for in prayer verses what is mere description of the evil of the world or the goodness of God’s character. In the Old Testament, I’m marking places where I see Jesus, love, and God’s mission for the world. Here’s my usual lineup of Jesus sightings in this week’s readings: NEW TESTAMENT John 14 Jesus, the place prepared, the way, the truth, and the life, seen me seen the Father, Helper, Spirit of Truth, Holy Spirit, peace giver John 15 Jesus, the true vine, Father the vinedresser, Jesus the vine, we are the branches, joy giver, commanding love one another, laying down his life for his friends, servant, master, Helper, Spirit of Truth, Father John 16 Jesus, one with the Father, going away, sending the Helper, Spirit of Truth, turning sorrow to joy, full joy, came from the Father, going to the Father, peace giver, overcome the world John 17 Jesus, Son of the Father, the Christ, sent from the Father, Holy Father, Righteous Father John 18 Jesus of Nazareth, I am he x3, drinking the Father’s cup, King of the Jews x2, king x2, kingdom not of this world, innocent, truth PSALMS 14 Jesus, The Only Righteous One, who does good and seeks after God, Salvation for Israel 15 Jesus, Blameless One, Dwelling 16 Jesus, Holy One, my refuge, my Lord, my good, my portion, my cup, my lot, path of life, fullness of joy 17 Jesus, Savior of those who take refuge, the face of God 18 Jesus, my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my shield, horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my support OLD TESTAMENT Genesis 40-42 Jesus, dreamer/prophet, prisoner like Joseph, Spirit of God in him, discerning and wise, “resurrected” to new life and the highest place, prince of Egypt, all the earth came to him, provider, testing his brothers, loving the betrayers Genesis 43-46 Jesus, like Judah, the pledge of safety, like Joseph, weeping, having compassion, like Judah, the protector and substitute, like Joseph, sent by God to suffer and save, father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, ruler over the whole land, provider, Lord over all Egypt, Jesus, line of Judah, Jesus, the good shepherd Genesis 47-50 Jesus, the good shepherd, the priest, God Almighty, the offspring/seed/promise, God of my fathers, my shepherd, the angel, redeemer, God with you, the lion of Judah, the scepter of Judah, the salvation of the Lord, the Mighty One of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel Jesus, like Joseph weeping in grief, God of your father, the goodness of God, the saving of many lives, the forgiving prince, provider, God with us, God’s visitation Exodus 1-4 Jesus, Judah in Egypt, God’s promise through hardship, the spared Hebrew child like Moses, prince, judge, the well, the shepherds, the angel, the burning bush, God of your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, God with us, I am who I am, the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, the firstborn son, the bridegroom of blood Exodus 5-8 Jesus, the Lord, God of Israel, God of the Hebrews, I am the Lord, God Almighty, that Pharaoh and the Egyptians would know I am the Lord, there is no one like the Lord our God, the finger of God, I am the Lord in the midst of the earth God’s blessings on your continued journey through God’s word! I pray you keep discovering what great joy, an absolute delight it is to meditate on God’s word day and night! Peace in Christ, Karl