Reading for today
Old Testament: Proverbs 9, 10, 11
New Testament: Hebrews 9
Thoughts from today’s reading
Proverbs 11:9-11. The words of our mouth have the power to destroy, but also to build up. When the wicked speak words to harm us, we can neutralise it by the knowledge God gives. Jesus reveals that knowledge to us when He said, Bless those who curse you and do good to those who treat you badly (Luke 6:28). We must practice this on a personal level, but also on a much greater level, speaking blessing to our communities, cities, governments and nations. If we do this, the city will be exalted, if we don’t, the mouth of the wicked will prevail and the city will be overthrown.
Hebrews 9:11. The sacrifices for sin that the high priest performed under the old covenant ensured that the nation of Israel had access to God’s goodness for a year. Jesus Christ’s priesthood however grants us unlimited and eternal access to God’s goodness. Everything ever promised in the old covenant and in the new covenant belong to us now through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
1. Thank you Father that you are committed to delivering your sons and daughters from the hands of those who seek their harm. You said to Abraham, I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. Today we speak blessings over our lives, families, friends, communities and nations. We also speak a blessing over those who have spitefully treated us. We know that life is released when we speak your word and you will exalt our cities as we fill the atmosphere with your blessing which is able to supress an atmosphere of destruction released by the wicked.
2. Thank you Jesus for being our High priest of all good things that are to come. Today we receive of your goodness is every sphere of our lives. We receive divine health, a sound mind, protection, provision, love, joy, peace, understanding, wisdom and the fullness of expression of life. Thank you for paying the price to secure this for us now and eternally.