Day 85 One-Year Daily Bible Passages – Deuteronomy 5:1–6:25; Luke 7:11-35; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 11:29-31
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A Tree of Life
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. – Proverbs 11:30
We must die to self to bear fruit that we might then plant a seed that would win a soul. The Bible uses the image of seeds and fruit for a reason. The seed is the Word, and it is planted and grows in our lives. If it is nurtured and watered, and pruned when necessary, it grows until it bears fruit. Fruit is ripe in its season, but it has to die for the seeds it bears to be planted again and bear more fruit. We must die to our desires and yield to death that we may have seeds gathered and planted that they might be harvested in the coming days. The harvest is coming from a tree of life. He that winneth souls is wise but before there is a tree of life there is a death.
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And He that was Dead Sat Up and Began to Speak
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judæa, and throughout all the region round about. – Luke 7:11-17
Art Thou He that Should Come? Or Look We for Another?
And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. – Luke 7:18-23
What Went Ye Out into the Wilderness for to See?
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. – Luke 7:24-27
No Greater Prophet
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. – Luke 7:28-30
We Have Piped Unto You, and Ye Have Not Danced
And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children. – Luke 7:31-35
John was great. Jesus said here that there was not a prophet greater than John. But as great as John was, this verse tells us that it is better to be the lowliest worker in the Kingdom than even the greatest of those that announce it.
We can take that as a lesson for today. As far as modern-day prophets, it is greater to take what that prophet speaks to you and walk it out for Kingdom purposes, even if it seems to be the most menial of tasks than to be the one that only speaks it.
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He Loadeth Us With Benefits (Every Single Day)
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. – Psalm 68:19
This verse says that not only does the Lord give us benefits daily, but that He gives them in loads – he loadeth us with them daily.
Loadeth – to supply in abundance or excess
The God of Israel Giveth Strength and Power
To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; Lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, And his strength is in the clouds. O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. – Psalm 68:33-35
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Hear, Oh Israel
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
The Hebrew word for hear is “Shema.” This word doesn’t stop at meaning “hear,” though. The meaning goes further to not only hear but to act because of the hearing.
Many of the Psalms begin with the word Shema. And the prayer in this passage is so important that it is not only called by the name Shema, but these verses are taught, recited often, and many even put them into a mezuzah and attach it to their front door.
Israel was not commanded to hear the Words of God only but to act on the Words as well. We are too!
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God, thank You for Your salvation and thank You for Your many daily benefits. Amid this day that will surely be busy, please help me to remain aware of Your presence in my life. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
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