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Reading
January 3
First Lesson
Isaiah 65:8-16
8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster,
and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will
I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
9 And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah
an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it,
and my servants shall dwell there.
10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor
a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have
sought me.
11 But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy
mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish
the drink offering unto that number.
12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all
bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not
answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine
eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
13 Therefore
thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye
shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall
be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be
ashamed:
14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall
cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for
the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another
name:
16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself
in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall
swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten,
and because they are hid from mine eyes.
QUESTIONS - Isaiah 65:8-16. In the worst of times, there is always a remnant that love and serve God. Which is larger in our day - the remnant or those that, in the end, will be hungry, thirsty, ashamed? (V. 13) RESOLVE.
Second Lesson
Hebrews 4:14-5:14
14
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed
into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that
we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for
men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts
and sacrifices for sins:
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are
out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for
himself, to offer for sins.
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is
called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest;
but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten
thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever
after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers
and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that
was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though
he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation
unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered,
seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For
when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that
one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles
of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern
both good and evil.
QUESTIONS - Hebrews 4:14-5:14. Am I holding fast my profession? (V. 4:14) Does Hebrews 5:8 mean that I, too, must suffer in order to learn obedience? Which am I fed with, in the faith - milk or strong meat? (V. 12) RESOLVE.