Digging Deeper Devotional Week of May 27th

Digging Deeper Devotional Week of May 27th

Day 1:

God’s faithfulness is evident in His covenant with Abraham.

Read: Genesis 17:1-19 (Focus on verses 1-8)

Background:

In Genesis 17, God reaffirms His covenant with Abram, changing his name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations.” Despite Abraham and Sarah’s old age, God promises that Abraham will be the ancestor of many nations and that Sarah will bear a son. This covenant demonstrates God’s unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.

Key Words:

1. Covenant (H1285): “a pact, compact, or agreement.”

2. Everlasting (H5769): “duration, perpetual, without end.”

Theological Truths:

1. Matthew Henry comments on Genesis 17:1, emphasizing God’s faithfulness: “The covenant was founded in an act of God’s grace; it was a covenant of promise; the promise was confirmed by the divine oath.”

2. John Calvin reflects on Genesis 17:7, highlighting the eternal nature of God’s promise: “The covenant made with Abraham is a pledge of the grace of God for all generations.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does God’s covenant with Abraham illustrate His faithfulness?

2. What can we learn about God’s promises when circumstances seem impossible?

3. In what ways have you seen God’s faithfulness in your own life?

Application:

Reflect on a promise God has made in Scripture that you find particularly meaningful, and write down how He has been faithful to that promise in your life.

Day 2:

God’s faithfulness is displayed in His protection and guidance of the Israelites.

Read: Exodus 14:1-31 (Focus on verses 13-22)

Background:

In Exodus 14, the Israelites face a seemingly insurmountable obstacle as they are trapped between the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian army. Moses reassures them of God’s deliverance, and God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This event underscores God’s faithfulness in protecting and guiding His people through impossible situations.

Key Words:

1. Deliverance (H3444): “something saved, i.e., deliverance.”

2. Salvation (H3468): “liberty, deliverance, prosperity.”

Theological Truths:

1. Charles Spurgeon comments on Exodus 14:13, emphasizing trust in God’s faithfulness: “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. These words contain God’s command to us whenever we are reduced to great straits.”

2. John Wesley reflects on Exodus 14:21, highlighting God’s miraculous intervention: “God made a way for His people where He had a mind to lead them.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the crossing of the Red Sea demonstrate God’s faithfulness?

2. What does this passage teach us about trusting God in difficult situations?

3. How can you apply the lesson of God’s deliverance in your current life circumstances?

Application:

Identify a current challenge or obstacle in your life, and spend time in prayer, asking God to help you trust in His faithfulness to guide and protect you.

Day 3:

Jesus demonstrates God’s faithfulness through His fulfillment of prophecy.

Read: Matthew 26:36-56 (Focus on verses 47-56)

Background:

In Matthew 26, Jesus is betrayed and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. This event marks the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah’s suffering and betrayal. Despite the pain and betrayal, Jesus remains faithful to His mission, demonstrating God’s unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan for humanity.

Key Words:

1. Betrayed (G3860): “to deliver up, to give into the hands of another.”

2. Scriptures (G1124): “a writing, thing written, the Scripture.”

Theological Truths:

1. Matthew Henry reflects on Matthew 26:56, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy: “Christ did thus voluntarily surrender himself because it was the hour when the scriptures must be fulfilled.”

2. John Gill comments on Matthew 26:47, emphasizing Jesus’ faithfulness: “Christ, who was faithful to him that appointed him, and faithful to the souls of men.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does Jesus’ arrest and betrayal fulfill Old Testament prophecy?

2. What does Jesus’ faithfulness to His mission teach us about God’s commitment to His promises?

3. How can you emulate Jesus’ faithfulness in your own life?

Application:

Reflect on an area of your life where you need to demonstrate greater faithfulness, and commit to following through, trusting in God’s example and strength.

Day 4:

As recipients of God’s faithfulness, we are called to live faithfully.

Read: Hebrews 10:19-25 (Focus on verses 23-25)

Background:

In Hebrews 10, the author encourages believers to hold fast to their faith and to stir up one another to love and good works. This exhortation is grounded in the faithfulness of God, who has promised eternal life and salvation through Jesus Christ. Believers are called to live faithfully in response to God’s unwavering faithfulness.

Key Words:

1. Hold fast (G2722): “to hold down (fast), i.e., retain.”

2. Faithful (G4103): “trustworthy, sure, true.”

Theological Truths:

1. Albert Barnes comments on Hebrews 10:23, emphasizing the importance of holding fast: “God is faithful to all His promises, and we should be unwavering in our confidence in Him.”

2. John Owen reflects on Hebrews 10:24, highlighting mutual encouragement: “Mutual provocation unto love and good works is a great duty, which believers owe to one another.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the faithfulness of God inspire us to hold fast to our faith?

2. What role does community play in helping us remain faithful?

3. How can you encourage others to live faithfully in response to God’s promises?

Application:

Identify a fellow believer who may need encouragement, and reach out to them with words of support and a commitment to pray for their faith journey.

Day 5:

As recipients of God’s faithfulness, we are called to reflect His faithfulness to others.

Read: Galatians 5:16-26 (Focus on verses 22-23)

Background:

In Galatians 5, Paul outlines the fruit of the Spirit, which includes faithfulness. As believers, we are called to walk by the Spirit, displaying qualities such as love, joy, peace, and faithfulness. This passage emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, enabling us to reflect God’s faithfulness to those around us.

Key Words:

1. Faithfulness (G4102): “conviction of the truth, trustworthiness, reliability.”

2. Fruit (G2590): “that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result.”

Theological Truths:

1. John Stott comments on Galatians 5:22, emphasizing the character transformation: “The fruit of the Spirit is the moral portrait of Christ, and faithfulness is a key part of this character.”

2. F.F. Bruce reflects on the practical aspect of faithfulness: “Faithfulness is that steadfastness which is the characteristic of God’s own Spirit, and which He expects from His people.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the fruit of the Spirit, particularly faithfulness, manifest in a believer’s life?

2. Why is faithfulness an essential aspect of our Christian witness?

3. What practical steps can you take to cultivate faithfulness in your daily life?

Application:

Reflect on one area where you struggle to be faithful, and make a concrete plan to improve, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen you.