May 26, 2022
1SAMUEL 15:
Jonathan saved the day! He and his faithful
armor bearer kind of took a leaf out of Gideon's play book and
agreed on a sign that would show what God wanted them to do—
although they didn't ask for confirmation like Gideon did. They
took the adventure God set before them and won an amazing victory,
and God worked with them by causing panic among the Philistines.
After lapses and dithering at the beginning, Saul went on to be a
great military leader. Note that Ahijah, the priest, is Eli's
grandson.
PSALM 99:
Take
off your sandals, because this ground is holy! Enjoy this psalm
proclaiming God’s majesty and holiness.
ROMANS 5—6:4:
God’s ways are always counter-intuitive for
humans. One would think that if one is right with God and at peace
with him, that everything would be smooth sailing from then on,
with health, wealth, and prosperity. God shows his love for us by
treating us like sons and heirs— meaning, He gives us problems and
trials to cause us to grow and better reflect his glory. There is a
wonderful side to Christ's dying for us and being resurrected: He
lives now and is deeply involved in continuing to help us. At the
end of the chapter Paul draws important comparisons and contrasts
between Adam and Christ.
NLT Translation notes:
1Sam. 15:27 As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried
to hold him back and tore the hem of [Samuel’s//his]
robe.
====
Rom.
5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by
[believing//faith], we have peace with God because of what [Christ
Jesus//Jesus Christ] our Lord has done for
us.
2 Because of our
[believing//faith], Christ has brought us into this place of
undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and
joyfully look forward to sharing God’s
glory.
3 We can [even]
rejoice[ 0//, too,] when we run into problems and trials, for we
know that they help us develop endurance.
7 [PET: Now it is very difficult for someone to
sacrifice himself to save someone else— even if that person is good
and honest. But a person might sacrifice himself and die to save
his close friend.//Now, most people would not be willing to die for
an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die
for a person who is especially good.]
9 And since we have been made right in God’s
sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s
condemnation [at the final judgment].
10 For since our friendship with God was
restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies,
we will certainly be saved [because God’s Son now lives and watches
over us!//through the life of his Son [now that we are his
friends].]
13 Yes, people
sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin
[(as such)] because there was not yet any law to
break.
17 For the sin of
this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even
greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for
all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through
this one man, [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ].
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for
everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right
relationship with God and new life for everyone [who
believes].
19 Because one
[man/person]* disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one
other [Man/person] obeyed God, many will be made
righteous.
[*This is
gender sensitivity taken to the extreme in the NLT! And it is
inconsistent, since previously in verse 15 they used ‘man’ to
translate ‘anthropos’.]
20 God’s law was given so that all people could
see how sinful they [are/were]. But as people sinned more and more,
God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.
21 So just as sin ruled over all people and
brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead,
giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life
through [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ] our Lord.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.