YouVersion Reformation Reading Plan, day 236

I Corinthians 7 §

Listen up, men. Title of the chapter (at least in ESV): Principles for Marriage.

…Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

I Corinthians 7:4

I do not own my body. God owns it. He has given it to my wife. Whatever I do with my body then should have my wife’s approval.

It is weird to think that marriage is not the default state in New Testament Christianity. The default state is celibacy, and marriage is only for those who lack self control (a.k.a. me). But in the next life, we will be like angels in heaven, who neither marry nor are given in marriage. And that will be wonderful. For now, being married is wonderful!

What does it mean when Paul writes that the unbelieving spouse will be made holy because of the believing spouse? What does he mean about the children being made holy? Oh, LORD, that you would make my children holy!

Paul is much more urgent in his view of eternity and the Kingdom of God than I am. He writes that we should not act upon any of our worldly conditions, but simply submit in love to Christ. The things of this world divide our interests from Christ. How can I overcome this divided interest?

II Chronicles 18 §

It is crazy to me that the prophet Micaiah, after having told the king’s messenger that he cannot speak anything but what the LORD tells him, lies to the king in predicting victory. It is even crazier that the king of Israel — who is apparently onto Micaiah’s trick — then orders him to quit wasting time and give the real prophecy. And the prophecy is negative, and the kings of Israel and Judah ignore it to their ruin. They knew that Micaiah’s negative prophecy was from the LORD. They knew that his positive prophecy was bored sycophancy. And yet they ignored it. What did they think? That God wasn’t God? What am I thinking when I choose deliberate sin?

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” …

Psalm 14:1

II Chronicles 19 §

I really do like Jehoshaphat. First the education program, now a campaign to build an upright civil service of judges and community leaders!

II Chronicles 20 §

… “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Meanwhile all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

II Chronicles 20:12-13

Let that be my prayer in all uncertainty. Father, I do not know what to do but my eyes are on you. Let that be the prayer of my family and my church. LORD, we do not know what to do but our eyes are on you. I stand before You with my little ones, my wife, and my sons. God, I do not know what to do but my eyes are on you.

How glorious it must have been to be appointed by the king to go before the army and sing to the LORD, praising Him in holy attire (verse 21). It is the duty of the angels, and one I will take up in heaven one day.

II Chronicles 21 §

How evil do you have to be to kill all your brothers the moment you get a chance? It seems like Jehoshaphat did well in setting up each of his sons to want nothing, and in educating the people of Judah, yet he failed to educate his own sons in love and morality. Jehoram gets what he deserves; it is tragic to read that man can be so awful to his fellow man.