Daily Bible Reading

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In today’s reading in Judges take note again of the anarchy and rebellion found in the community that does not carry a sense of accountability and submission to the God who sees all we do and to whom one day we will all answer. May our Old Testament reading drive us to echo the humble content in the model prayer of Jesus in Luke 11.

— Pastor Mike

Judges 20-21

Israel’s War with the Tribe of...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Judges 18 begins with a refrain that is repeated throughout the book of Judges. It is a comment that goes beyond a simple reference to their political situation. The statement that Israel “had no king” carried with it the subtle indictment that they had rejected the lordship of Yahweh over their corporate and personal lives. Even when there is no godly proxy leadership, the triune God would have us conduct our lives with him as our King and Guide to avoid the rebellion and moral collapse we see in the pages of Judges.

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Be careful how you picture Samson. He may not have looked like a huge “muscle man.” The remarkable thing about this deliverer was that his strength was beyond natural. God’s Spirit endowed him to do what he otherwise was unable to do. Perhaps our flannel-graph cutouts of this character need to be revised – maybe more the look of a Clark Kent.

— Pastor Mike

Judges 15-17

Samson Defeats the Philistines

15 After some days, at the...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance continues in Judges (and in most places around the world today). And we begin the narrative of Samson. In Luke, Jesus foretells his death, reminding us that he always knew full well what his costly mission was. Let us rejoice that the eternal oppression that our sins deserve has been obliterated by the substitutionary death of Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Judges 12-14

Jephthah’s Conflict with Ephraim

12...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

A short account of Tola & Jair, and then on to the dubious Jephthah and his foolish vow. If taken at face value, this curious and tragic account shows us just how dark these 335 years of the Judges were. It seems that even Israel’s deliverers were mirroring the heinous and pagan rituals of their corrupt neighbors (cf. Dt.12:31).

— Pastor Mike

Judges 10-11

Tola and Jair

10 After Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola th...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Some dramatic and tragic events follow in the wake of Gideon’s defeat of the Midianites. May we learn to keep in step with God’s Spirit each time we come to God’s word – learning even from the narratives that include false worship, jealousy, and betrayal. In Luke 8 we are reminded of our perennial need to trust Christ regardless of how difficult our circumstances may be.

— Pastor Mike

Judges 8-9

Gideon Defeats Zebah and Zalmunna...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read of Gideon, the unlikely deliverer of Israel who gets more coverage in Judges than any other “judge” (with Samson coming in a close second). We can learn a lot from God’s use of this reluctant servant who is employed to do something so important for God’s glory.

— Pastor Mike

Judges 6-7

Midian Oppresses Israel

6 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and th...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The intriguing statements that open the third chapter of Judges remind us that in a fallen world even good and noble governments will need to know how to be able to defend themselves. We too cannot be under the delusion that the Christian life will be tranquil and peaceful. For not only do we live in a hostile world, but as God’s children we are the specific targets of the spiritual enemies of our Father. We need to be ready to “suffer hardship as good soldiers of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3). We know too...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we begin reading about the dark and protracted period of cyclical rebellion against God’s authority. May the 335-year record of the Judges (or “Deliverers”) be a warning to us that one generation’s loyalty to Christ does not always translate to the next. May we pray more for the upcoming generation of Christians who will be challenged to abandon their loyalty to Christ under the varied pressures of the culture and the creative temptations of our spiritual enemies.

— Pastor Mike

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Joshua’s parting charge to those who would remain after his death is a good reminder of our need to commission the next generation who will be here when we are gone, fighting the good fight of faith in a world increasingly hostile to the truth of God’s word. May they “be very strong to keep and to do all that is written” (Josh.23:6). Or in the words of Christ from our reading in Luke, “Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them… is like a man building a hou...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In Joshua 21:45 we are reminded again that all we are reading in these Old Testament chapters is a testament to God’s faithfulness —”Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” We count on the God who keeps his promises. From his promise that in the end he will work everything out in our lives for good, to the reality that trusting in Christ gives us a full entrance into the New Jerusalem. God will always do what he...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We may want to skim these descriptions of the allotment of land to the tribes of Israel, but consider how significant this was—for God was literally fulfilling his promise to Abraham, which he made way back in Genesis 12. God specifically said that he would settle Abraham’s descendants in the land through which he was taking Abraham as a sojourner. God keeps his promises. (And this was only “phase one” as Hebrews 11:12-16 tells us!)

— Pastor Mike

Joshu...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

A reading of the calling of the disciples is both a comfort and a challenge. It is comforting to see that God uses the simple things to shame the wise. May he utilize each of us to do something great for his glory. It is also a challenge to think about the great privilege and responsibility of being someone commissioned by Christ to do work for him. May we never be slack in representing him, serving him, and speaking for him in this generation.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We read lots of names and geographical directives in Joshua today. While these details may seem distant and disconnected from our modern lives, let us all seek a heightened anticipation of the allotment of lands that will one day take place when the curse is lifted, our bodies are glorified, and Christ is seated on his rightful throne, leading us all in the New Jerusalem. That day is coming. May it come quickly.

— Pastor Mike

Joshua 14-15<...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Luke 4 is rich with insights regarding temptation, sin, and Christ’s sinlessness. May we read these verses with care today and find great comfort in a perfect Messiah, as well as motivation and wisdom in learning to stand strong against the schemes of the Tempter.

— Pastor Mike

Joshua 11-13

Conquests in Northern Canaan

11 When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shi...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Neglecting our due diligence in prayer, planning, and investigation is regrettably brought to the forefront in our reading of Joshua 9. May we never be presumptuous in our lives. God would have us seek him to discern his wisdom in every circumstance. In Joshua 10 we are reminded that the God who made the world and its laws has the ability to suspend them at will. The God who animates every molecule in the universe can easily put any combination of them on “pause” at his pleasure. While he rarely breaks nature’s laws, let us n...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

After such a great victory at Jericho comes the devastating defeat at Ai in Joshua 7. At the outset of God’s work in the land of Israel the people are dramatically reminded that God is a God who detests compromise, just as he showed the church at the outset of her missions work in the New Testament when he broke out against Ananias and Sapphira. May we avoid compromise and deception at all costs.

— Pastor Mike

Joshua...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

There is so much going on in today’s chapters from Joshua. God is preparing this new generation to do the work he has called them to ceremonially, spiritually, and practically. The Lord shows his strong provision for his people in the way he brings the fall of the stronghold of Jericho. The battle is clearly the Lord’s. In Luke 2, we see God sending Christ for us to do what we are incapable of doing—namely, fulfilling all righteousness and perfectly satisfying the justice of God.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

It is hard not to be motivated by the heartening words of God to Joshua as he is commissioned to take the reigns of leadership in the face of the daunting task of the conquest of the promised land. May we take hold of the divine strength and courage to face whatever challenge God has called us to, as we all work to spread the knowledge of God and the lordship of Christ in this world.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read familiar words in Luke 1, which I trust will help us relive the humble deference shown by Mary when she was told of God’s plan for her life. We should also praise God when we read the final chapters of Deuteronomy, knowing that the culmination of God’s work through Moses is the arrival of Jesus, the son of David and the son of God.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 33-34

Moses’ Final Blessing o...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Our Old Testament reading shows us that God always has a succession plan. God will not leave his work without the resources and personnel it will require. Sometimes it is helpful for us to think and pray about what will happen when we are called home. God wants his earthly work to move forward when each of us is gone. May God richly bless those who will one day take our place in life, work, and ministry.

— Pastor Mike

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today we read Mark 16, the ending of which is one of the few places in the Bible where multiple verses of the ancient manuscripts are significantly conflicted. Virtually every edition of the Bible transparently declares this. May this exception remind us that unlike other ancient works the New Testament is blessed with a massive body of ancient manuscripts, which in almost all cases bring to us a crisp and agreed-upon record of what the authors penned.

— Pastor Mike

D...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In Mark 15 Jesus recites the words of Psalm 22 as he is being crucified. Christ is echoing this important psalm and not crafting a question to which he doesn’t know the answer. Christ knows that he is the Lamb of God and that he is incurring the penalty for our sins as our substitute. And yet he is joining in with the pain of the psalmist in Psalm 22. Our salvation was costly. Let us live today as though it is.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Reading the “cursings” of Deuteronomy 27 is a sobering exercise. May it help to guard us from joining in with our world in praising those who do evil. Let us remember that godliness includes “despising the vile person” (Ps.15:4). While the world is busy heaping “approval on those who practice” sinful things (Rom.1:32), may the “cursings” in today’s Old Testament reading help us perceive the sinfulness of sin.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 26-27

Offerings of Firstfruits and Tithes...

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Today in Mark 14 we are in the thick of the unfolding drama of Christ’s crucifixion. Please take time to thank God for his orchestration of our redemption. Thank Christ for his humble willingness to endure the scorn and pain we deserve. Thank the Holy Spirit for his active involvement in seeing it all through, and for his indwelling presence that makes our thanksgiving possible.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 23-25

Those Excluded from the Assembly

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Don’t be afraid of them (Dt.20:1). How many times does God have to tell his people this basic truth? The fear of anyone or anything except God is nothing but a losing proposition. God would have us fear him alone. We should wake up each day wanting to please the Lord, with little concern for what people think. Trust in the care of your heavenly Father and live fearlessly in the face of a threatening world.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

We should be inspired by the extravagance of the woman with the alabaster flask in Mark 14. While prudence and thrift can be important general principles, there are appropriate times to seek to bring glory to Christ by pulling out all the stops and going over the top. We have many great examples in church history of resolute men and women who produced extreme and amazing works of art, music, and architecture for the glory of God.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

In the book of Deuteronomy we read a reiteration of the dietary restrictions for the Old Testament Israelites. When Christ came he rescinded this ceremonial set of rules (as we recently read in Mark 7:19). Acts 10 sheds light on the role these food regulations played in distinguishing the Jews of the Old Testament and that the abolishment of these rules should remind us of our need to reach the world for Christ.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 14-16

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Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

Our reading today starts with the simple and oft repeated principle that if we love God we will purpose to do what he asks. As John wrote in the New Testament, how can we say we love him and not do what he says? May this truth be made even more urgent in our hearts as we read of Christ expounding on the signs of the end of the age in Mark 13.

— Pastor Mike

Deuteronomy 11-13

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

What a terrific text today in the eighth chapter of Deuteronomy. God’s people are told that when things are going well they should never be tempted to think that their progress and prosperity came to them simply because they worked hard or were so talented. God is the giver of all good things. How often we must be impressed with the fact that we are only humble recipients of God’s varied gifts and blessings. Without him we can do nothing.

— Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike Fabarez’s Commentary

The word “Deuteronomy” means the “second” giving of the “law.” And in chapter five we have the restatement of the central commands that God himself inscribed for his people on tablets of stone. Let us always remember that God is a Father who cares greatly about the holiness of his people. And as we read the Gospel of Mark let us also be thankful for the way Christ provided us with the perfect human template of holiness, which is applied to all of us who trust in him.

— Pastor Mike