October 22, 2020 8:00 pm
When Walt Disney’s Bambi was re-released, moms and dads relived childhood memories with their sons and daughters. A young mother, whose husband was an avid outdoorsman with an impressive trophy room, was one of those parents. With her little ones at her side, she experienced with them the gasp and groan of the moment when Bambi lost his mother to a hunter. To this day she’s reminded at family gatherings of her embarrassment when, in all innocence, her little boy shouted out in the theater, “Nice shot!”
In time, we laugh at the embarrassing things our children say. But what are we to say when the people of Psalm 136 do something similar? Israel, God’s chosen and rescued people, celebrate a love that endures for all creation and for themselves—but not for their enemies. The psalm sings the praises of “him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt” (v. 10; see also Exodus 12:29–30).
Doesn’t that sound a bit like a shout of “nice shot” at the expense of someone else’s mother, sister, father, brother?
That’s why we need the rest of the story. Only when the lights come up in the resurrection of Jesus can the whole world be invited into the joy of one family’s stories, tears, and laughter. Only when we receive Jesus as our Savior and are made alive in Him, can we share the wonder of a God who loves everyone—at His own expense.
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Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading was written by Mark DeHaan, and he titled it Nice Shot. When Walt Disney's Bambi was re-released, moms and dads relived childhood memories with their sons and daughters. A young mother, whose husband was an avid outdoorsman with an impressive trophy room, was one of those parents. With her little ones at her side, she experienced with them the gasp and groan of the moment when Bambi lost his mother to a hunter. To this day, she's reminded at family gatherings of her embarrassment when, in all innocence, her little boy shouted out in the theater, Nice Shot! In time, we laugh at the embarrassing things our children say, but what are we to say when the people of Psalm 136 do something similar? Israel, God's chosen and rescued people, celebrate a love that endures for all creation and for themselves, but not for their enemies. The Psalm sings the praises of Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt.
Doesn't that sound a bit like a shout of Nice Shot! at the expense of someone else's mother, sister, father, brother? That's why we need the rest of the story. Only when the light come up in the resurrection of Jesus can the whole world be invited into the joy of one family's stories, tears, and laughter. Only when we receive Jesus as our Savior and are made alive in Him can we share the wonder of a God who loves everyone at His own expense.
Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 136, verses 10 through 26. To Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, His love endures forever and brought Israel out from among them. His love endures forever. With a mighty hand and outstretched arm, His love endures forever. To Him who divided the Red Sea asunder, His love endures forever and brought Israel through the midst of it.
His love endures forever, but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His love endures forever. To Him who led His people through the wilderness, His love endures forever. To Him who struck down great kings, His love endures forever and killed mighty kings. His love endures forever. Sihon, king of the Amorites, His love endures forever.
And Og, king of Bashan, His love endures forever and gave their land as an inheritance. His love endures forever, an inheritance to His servant Israel. His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate. His love endures forever and freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Son to save us from the horrors of sin that enslaved us. Thank You for the gift of restored relationship and eternal life with You. Lord, as we go through our day, please point out people who need You and give us the courage to tell them about Your love and forgiveness. May our lives shine in such a way that they see You in us and are convinced that You are their only hope. Thank You, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2024-02-02 10:41:18 / 2024-02-02 10:43:04 / 2
