S – Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!

Mark 2:12 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Jesus commanded the paralytic to get up (a test of his faith), take his mat, and go home (demand of obedience). The man was enabled to do this immediately (euthys; cf. 1:10) in full view of them all, including Jesus’ critics. They were forced to recognize that the man had received God’s forgiveness. This showed the character of salvation Jesus brought, namely, healing whole persons. Everyone (probably including the scribes) was amazed (existasthai, lit., “out of their minds”; cf. 3:21; 5:42; 6:51) and praised (ascribed glory to) God because of Jesus’ display of supernatural power.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When we walk in the authority God has given us, it opens up the door for God to work in us and through us.  It is a catalyst for others to grow in their faith.  It silences the critic because it is authentic and undeniable. After all, you can’t do this yourself.  All ascribe glory to God. (critic included)

R – Heavenly Father, I want to walk in your authority today. Through the power of the cross and Jesus’s sacrifice for me, I am adopted into a relationship with you.  I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me in humility and authenticity today.  And, full of your power and courage to accomplish your will as well. 

S – The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 

Exodus 40:34–35 CSB

O – Commentary:

The climax of the Exodus occurred when the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. God’s goal from the outset was not merely to deliver his people from their bondage, but to bring them into a relationship with himself. Their real need was to know God personally in their lives. Without that, the Promised Land would not be a land of promise. Now it would be, because the glory that had been on Mount Sinai was in Israel’s midst; it would not be left behind, but would travel with them wherever they might go.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – We are the “modern-day tabernacles.”  God doesn’t dwell in a tent but His Spirit lives in us.  The question we face – “Does the glory of the Lord radiate out to others?”  The word “glory” means “weight, splendor, distinction and honor.”  Do we allow His glory to work through us and do we demonstrate His qualities and character?

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that you live in me today.  I invite your Holy Spirit to work in me so that my thoughts, words and actions align with you.  May Your presence in me be seen outwardly and that Your glory will be real to others.

S – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding

 Proverbs 9:10 CSB

O – If we have a healthy terror or awe of God, it will cause us to trust in Him as our source.  The more we get to know Him,the more we see His plan.

A – The fear of the Lord can be terror fear or awe. When you stand next to twenty-foot waves by the ocean, you have “terror fear” recognizing their power and ability.  Or, you are amazed and in awe of them.  Same with God, you acknowledge His unlimited character and abilities.  This leads to both responses.  You also understand more of Him when you spend time with Him in His word and prayer.

R – Lord, thank you that you have no limitations and yet know us intimately.  We acknowledge you are the one and only God.  We humble ourselves and surrender all that you have given us back to you.  We worship you as our God.  Thank you for revealing more of your character to us today.

S – In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him and said, ⁴² “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him

Matthew 27:41–42 CSB

O – The leaders mocked him for not being able to do a “miracle.”  He saved others but couldn’t replicate the power for himself.  He couldn’t come down from the cross.  

A – God’s ways are counterintuitive to ours.  Jesus is exalted as the Son of God because He went to the cross and was crucified.  He saved the world by not saving Himself. (Demonstrating more power than humanly possible because He died sinless for a world of sinful people).   He came down from the cross dead but rose three days later.  Everything the leaders hurled at Him while on the cross, He answered in a different way.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for the cross.  Thank you for Jesus valuing us so much that He endured all of the pain on our behalf.  We can trust You because your ways are higher than ours.  We invite Youto work on our behalf and You are good.

S – We wait for the Lord; he is our help and shield. 

²¹ For our hearts rejoice in him because we trust in his holy name. 

²² May your faithful love rest on us, Lord, for we put our hope in you. 

Ps 33:20–22 CSB

O – Commentary: The conclusion of the psalm is a reassertion of faith in the Lord. God’s people demonstrate their faith in three ways. First, they wait in hope for deliverance from the Lord as their Help and Shield. Second, they rejoice in Him whom they trust (33:21). Third, they pray for His unfailing love to rest on them. So they are confident (hope) He will consummate His program of salvation

 “Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

yâchal, yaw-chal’; a prim. root; to wait; by impl. to be patient

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words

A – Waiting is often a challenge as we grow our faith in God.  It isn’t easy being patient.  Yet, while we wait, God works for us and protects us.  We can rejoice in Him and his character.  Our love for Him grows as we see His character and actions.  

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you do for us.  We are blessed in many ways.  Thank you for your protection and help – we need it.  We will patiently wait for you to reveal more of your character.  Our faith is in You.

S – He said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name ‘the Lord’ before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” ²⁰ But he added, “You cannot see my face, for humans cannot see me and live.

Exodus 33:19–20 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Moses asked to see the glory of God (v. 18). This request was fulfilled as God allowed Moses to have a deeper vision of His glory (33:19–23). Proclaiming God’s name (v. 19, His revealed character) to Moses, God allowed him to see His goodness (v. 19) and His back, but not His face (cf. 3:6 and see comments on 33:11; John 1:18). This passage demonstrates that while people truly can know God, they can never know Him exhaustively

“Exodus,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – There is always more with God.  As we continue in our relationship with Him, He reveals mysteries in our lives, His character and the essence of who He is.  We must continue to grow in our relationship so that we can grow our faith, trust and intimacy with Him.

R – Heavenly Father, You are limitless.  In our relationship, help me to grow in my understanding of You and Your character.  Thank you for unveiling more of Yourself so that I can grow in my faith in You.

S – So immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 

⁵⁰ “Friend,” Jesus asked him, “why have you come?”

Matthew 26:49–50 CSB

O – Commentary:

Judas had arranged a sign with the officials. The One he kissed would be the One to arrest. As he approached Jesus, he said, Greetings, Rabbi! (cf. Matt. 26:25) and kissed Him. Jesus’ response to Judas indicated that He still loved him, for Jesus addressed him as Friend (hetaire, “companion” or “associate,” used only three times in the NT, each time in Matt. [20:13; 22:12; 26:50]

“Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Knowing what Judas was doing, he still addressed him as He was in a relationship with him.  He still called him a friend.  No matter what we do, God still seeks a relationship with us.  

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that your love for us far exceeds our expectations.  You love us right where we are and desire so much more for us.  Give us the courage to grow closer to you by leaving our own ways to follow yours.

S – “The Lord acquired me at the beginning of his creation, before his works of long ago. 

²³ I was formed before ancient times, from the beginning, before the earth began. 

Proverbs 8:22–23 CSB

O – Commentary:

8:22 created The Hebrew word used here, qanah, has a wide range of meanings. It can describe buying (Gen 47:22; Exod 21:2; Prov 20:14), acquiring (Ruth 4:8; Isa 11:11; Psa 78:54; Prov 1:5; 4:5, 7), bringing forth or giving birth (Gen 4:1), and creating (Gen 14:19, 22; Deut 32:6; Psa 139:13). However qanah is understood here, it is clear that wisdom is being utilized at the beginning of the world.

the first of his ways If the Hebrew word qanah in the previous line is taken as “created,” this line refers to wisdom as God’s first act of creation, before all other things. But if the word qanah is understood as “brought forth,” this line portrays wisdom as an instrument of God during creation. Wisdom then would be the first primary instrument used in the act of creation and pre-existent before the world (compare Prov 8:23–24). This second interpretation aligns well with the nt depiction of Jesus as the agent of creation (Col 1:16; 1 Cor 8:6) who is referred to as “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24, 30; compare Matt 23:29–36; Luke 11:45–52; Heb 1:1–3).

8:23 I was set up The Hebrew word used here could be related to the Hebrew verb nasakh or sakhakh. If it is related to nasakh, then the Hebrew text could indicate that wisdom was put in place or established, not created.

from the first Wisdom has existed for a very long time—this could even imply that wisdom has always existed.

from the beginning of the earth The interpretation of this phrase depends on how the first part of this verse and Prov 8:22 is understood. This line could be understood as referring to wisdom being created and put together before the creation of the earth—as the first act of creation (see note on v. 22).

Faithlife Study Bible

A – A lot of commentary – personally, I really love Proverbs 8.  The character of wisdom has intrigued me for a long time.  I ask for godly wisdom daily.  If it is that important that God would establish it into the fabric before his creation, it must be a critical part of his character.  I want to walk in that character.

R – Heavenly Father, I thank you for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.  I ask that it lead and guide me today.  I ask for Your wisdom today.  As I face all that comes my way, I desperately need it in my thoughts, words and actions.  Help me to be a vessel of your wisdom for myself and those I come in relationship with today.

S – To fear the Lord is to hate evil. I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. 

Proverbs 8:13 CSB 

O –  Commentary:  

The fear of Yahweh Wisdom does not stand alone. It is closely connected with fearing Yahweh, which means having a proper attitude of respect for Him and obedience to Him. See note on 1:7.

pride, and arrogance Pride is a characteristic of the fool (12:15) and scoffer (21:24).

an evil way Refers to a disposition; wisdom rejects evil dispositions or behaviors. The wise do not exhibit an evil disposition. See v. 20.

perversity The Hebrew phrase used here describes speech that is dishonest or wicked.

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – The more awe and respect we have for God, the more we want to become like Him.  This transformation allows us to see pride, evil conduct and perverse speech in our own life.  We desire to move away from these behaviors and move closer to godly character.

R – Lord, I confess that I am a sinner and I struggle with my own behavior.  I desire to become more like you.  Help me to recognize the areas where I need to surrender and change to be more like you.  Thank you for your grace and mercy.  Give me the courage to walk with you today.

S – Into your hand I entrust my spirit; you have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth. 

Psalms  31:5 CSB

O – Commentary: 

I entrust my spirit into your hand: Whether he lives or dies, the psalmist will trust his Lord. Jesus uttered these words on the cross just before he died (Luke 23:46).

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – The are many instances where the OT points to the NT.  The fact that Jesus actually quotes this verse while He is on the cross is amazing.  Everything Jesus did was intentional and in line with God.  We will not be perfect but we want to be that aligned with God.

R – Heavenly Father, I ask for your Holy Spirit to be in every aspect of our day.  We want to align with You and Your will.  We surrender our own words, thoughts and actions and step into what Your purposes today.  We trust and put our faith in You