May 23, 2022
1SAMUEL 11-12:
Yesterday we heard of the way God arranged for
Saul to meet Samuel, and how God revealed amazing details to Samuel
about what would happen to Saul in the short term. Saul became
king. It is such a shame that Saul fulfilled the earlier prophecy
given by Samuel a few chapters back, rather than continuing to be
humble like he was at the start of his reign.
PSALM 96:
EC
Olsen’s chapter on this psalm is entitled, “A Psalm which ought to
give every living person a thrill!!” He’s right. This psalm is like
vitamins for the soul. This is one of the most loved of all
psalms.
ROMANS 4a:
Yesterday Paul arrived at the first explanation
of his main point in 3:23-31. This happens to be a difficult
passage to translate. GNT and NLT do a great job making many
difficult concepts clear. You might particularly compare verses 23
and 26 with a literal translation.
NLT Translation notes:
Rom.
4:3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God
counted him as righteous because of his [fully
believing//faith].”
4
When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they
have earned.
5
But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but
because of their [believing//faith] in God who forgives
sinners.
9 Now, is this blessing only for
the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised
[non-Jews//Gentiles]? Well,
we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God
because of his [fully believing//faith].
11
Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had [believed//faith]
and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be
righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the
spiritual father of those who have [believed//faith] but have not
been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their
[fully believing//faith].
12
And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been
circumcised, but only if they [believe the same way Abraham
did//have the same kind of faith Abraham had] before he was
circumcised.
13
Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his
descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a
right relationship with God that comes by [fully
believing//faith].
14
If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then
[believing//faith] is not necessary and the promise is
pointless.
16
So the promise is received by [believing//faith]. It is given as a
free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we
live according to the law of Moses, if we [believe like Abraham
did//have faith like Abraham’s]. For Abraham is the father of all
who believe.
[Here is my new attempt at
rendering the meaning of this verse:] So the promise is received by
[believing//faith]. It is given as a free gift. And if we
become Abraham’s spiritual children by
believing like
Abraham did, we are certain to receive it— whether or not we live
by the Law of Moses. For
Abraham is the father of all who
believe.]
19
And [Abraham did not weaken in his belief//Abraham’s faith did not
weaken], even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his
body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s
womb.
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s
promise. In fact, his [believing//faith] grew stronger, and in this
he brought glory to God.
21
He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he
promises.
22 And because of [Abraham fully
believing God’s promise//Abraham’s faith], God counted him as
righteous.
25
[Jesus/He] was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was
raised to life to make us right with God.
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.