Day 78- Leviticus 22; John 16; Psalm 83

So, in case we need a better reason to be Christian everyday and not just some days, Henry points out the difference between priests and sojourners,

"Note, Those only are entitled to the comforts of God’s house who make it their rest for ever, and resolve to dwell in it all the days of their life. As for those who for a time only believe, to serve a present turn. They are looked upon but as sojourners and mercenaries, and have no part nor lot in the matter."

Henry describes in plain words the scene that I think we can all imagine as we read John 16,

Among other glorious things God hath spoken of himself this is one, I wound, and I heal, Deu. 32, , 39. Christ’s discourse in this chapter, which continues and concludes his farewell sermon to his disciples, does so.

And finally, the historical perspective on the Psalm 83,

This psalm is the last of those that go under the name of Asaph. It is penned, as most of those, upon a public account, with reference to the insults of the church’s enemies, who sought its ruin. Some think it was penned upon occasion of the threatening descent which was made upon the land of Judah in Jehoshaphat’s time by the Moabites and Ammonites, those children of Lot here spoken of (v. 8), who were at the head of the alliance and to whom all the other states here mentioned were auxiliaries. We have the story 2 Chr. 20:1 , where it is said, The children of Moab and Ammon, and others besides them, invaded the land. Others think it was penned with reference to all the confederacies of the neighbouring nations against Israel, from first to last. The psalmist here makes an appeal and application, I. To God’s knowledge, by a representation of their designs and endeavours to destroy Israel (v. 1-8). II. To God’s justice and jealousy, both for his church and for his own honour, by an earnest prayer for the defeat of their attempt, that the church might be preserved, the enemies humbled, and God glorified (v. 9-18). This, in the singing of it, we may apply to the enemies of the gospel-church, all anti-christian powers and factions, representing to God their confederacies against Christ and his kingdom, and rejoicing in the hope that all their projects will be baffled and the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church.A song or psalm of Asaph.

I thought that both John 16 and the Psalm were motivating to be a better person and Christian.  I think I will try to remember those as I continue.