"A Remnant of Grace" August 21 Readings: Ecclesiastes 11-12, Romans 11:1–10, Psalm 98, Proverbs 20:29–30
Reading the Bible in 2023
Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!
NOTE: if you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!
Bible Readings: Ecclesiastes 11-12, Romans 11:1–10, Psalm 98, Proverbs 20:29–30
Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version
Daily Devotional: A Remnant of Grace
I was preparing to graduate from college in 1978 when I began to hear rumblings about a fiery preacher from Lynchburg, Virginia, and the new Christian political organization he was advocating - the Moral Majority. Who knew at the time what a political force Jerry Falwell and the religious right would become. Ronald Reagan and his revolution. The pro-life movement. The culture wars. The last 40 years have been a unique time in the history of the church.
Unfortunately, it is clear that those with biblical values are not the majority in this land - likely never have been, even when we thought they were. We are learning to live as a prophetic minority. That has been a real struggle for a lot of Christians who are used to having the upper hand in political and cultural matters.
The church was born as a small minority. On the day of Pentecost, there were 120 disciples gathered to worship the Risen Lord. The church was always a small minority, often neglected and ignored, sometimes repressed, and even persecuted. But the church of Jesus Christ did not know what it was like to live as a cultural majority for more than 300 years after the time of Christ. But that small minority, that faithful remnant of followers of Jesus Christ turned the world upside down in 30 years. God has never needed a majority to accomplish his work. He's never needed a large army. He sent Gideon into battle with 300. The Israelite slaves defeated Egypt's powerful chariots. David defeated Goliath. One Elijah was all it took against hundreds of false prophets.
Romans 11:5 mentions the concept of the remnant. After talking about Elijah and his sense that he was all alone, God told him that there was a faithful remnant of 7000 in Jerusalem that had not bowed the knee to Baal. A remnant. A faithful remnant. That is all God needs. Look at verse 5.
God doesn't need an army, he just seeks a remnant of grace. A small group of blood-bought believers who will put themselves in his hands and serve him with all their heart and soul and strength. He doesn't need a majority, he just desires fidelity. The Bible is filled with stories of amazing things that God did through one person or a small band of ordinary folks who were willing to serve God faithfully. It's the remnant principle.
Folks, we don't have to bemoan the loss of the moral majority in America. We just have to be willing to be part of the faithful remnant. God doesn't need majorities to do miracles!
Unfortunately, it is clear that those with biblical values are not the majority in this land - likely never have been, even when we thought they were. We are learning to live as a prophetic minority. That has been a real struggle for a lot of Christians who are used to having the upper hand in political and cultural matters.
The church was born as a small minority. On the day of Pentecost, there were 120 disciples gathered to worship the Risen Lord. The church was always a small minority, often neglected and ignored, sometimes repressed, and even persecuted. But the church of Jesus Christ did not know what it was like to live as a cultural majority for more than 300 years after the time of Christ. But that small minority, that faithful remnant of followers of Jesus Christ turned the world upside down in 30 years. God has never needed a majority to accomplish his work. He's never needed a large army. He sent Gideon into battle with 300. The Israelite slaves defeated Egypt's powerful chariots. David defeated Goliath. One Elijah was all it took against hundreds of false prophets.
Romans 11:5 mentions the concept of the remnant. After talking about Elijah and his sense that he was all alone, God told him that there was a faithful remnant of 7000 in Jerusalem that had not bowed the knee to Baal. A remnant. A faithful remnant. That is all God needs. Look at verse 5.
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.We are Americans and we are used to majority rule. Get out and win the vote. But this verse reminds us that our God doesn't work that way. When Abraham prayed, God was willing to save Sodom if there was a faithful remnant of only 10 people. Ten. I don't know how big Sodom was but that is a small percentage, a small remnant in that wicked town. But God said that if he had a remnant he could do marvelous things.
God doesn't need an army, he just seeks a remnant of grace. A small group of blood-bought believers who will put themselves in his hands and serve him with all their heart and soul and strength. He doesn't need a majority, he just desires fidelity. The Bible is filled with stories of amazing things that God did through one person or a small band of ordinary folks who were willing to serve God faithfully. It's the remnant principle.
Folks, we don't have to bemoan the loss of the moral majority in America. We just have to be willing to be part of the faithful remnant. God doesn't need majorities to do miracles!
Father, thank you for you amazing power through ordinary folks like me.
Consider God's Word:
Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one?
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages?
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to?
Do you find yourself thinking that we need a majority to accomplish God's work?
Are you willing to serve God faithfully even when you are in the minority - to be God's faithful remnant?
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