The Day of Preparation

Take Note

Taking a bit of a detour from our regular reading plan, with a switch in format, just for today. To get the most of today’s note, please consider listening to the Audio Version below.

The Audio Version of today’s note

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241017 - The Day Of Preparation

Verse of The Day

Malachi 3:10 KJV

[10] Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Reading for Today

Psalm 107:1-43 KJV

[1] O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever. [2] Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; [3] And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, From the north, and from the south. [4] They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; They found no city to dwell in. [5] Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. [6] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses. [7] And he led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city of habitation. [8] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! [9] For he satisfieth the longing soul, And filleth the hungry soul with goodness. [10] Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron; [11] Because they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High: [12] Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; They fell down, and there was none to help. [13] Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses. [14] He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And brake their bands in sunder. [15] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! [16] For he hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder. [17] Fools because of their transgression, And because of their iniquities, are afflicted. [18] Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; And they draw near unto the gates of death. [19] Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, And he saveth them out of their distresses. [20] He sent his word, and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. [21] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! [22] And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with rejoicing. [23] They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters; [24] These see the works of the LORD, And his wonders in the deep. [25] For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof. [26] They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: Their soul is melted because of trouble. [27] They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end. [28] Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, And he bringeth them out of their distresses. [29] He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still. [30] Then are they glad because they be quiet; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven. [31] Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men! [32] Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, And praise him in the assembly of the elders. [33] He turneth rivers into a wilderness, And the watersprings into dry ground; [34] A fruitful land into barrenness, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein. [35] He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, And dry ground into watersprings. [36] And there he maketh the hungry To dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; [37] And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, Which may yield fruits of increase. [38] He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; And suffereth not their cattle to decrease. [39] Again, they are minished and brought low Through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. [40] He poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way. [41] Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, And maketh him families like a flock. [42] The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: And all iniquity shall stop her mouth. [43] Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, Even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

Note for 20241017

This may seem strange to some, and for those who follow along on the YouVersion Bible App, please note that this is scheduled to be sent off tomorrow only on all other platforms. Yes, that means that what is written here today, is prepared by the Lord, the day before. Further, tomorrow will also be the day of preparation for the Sabbath for our Jewish friends. So, their meat (and bread) is prepared for the Sabbath, a day before too. In the wilderness, when GOD brought them out of Egypt, the LORD instructed them to collect a double portion that would not spoil, so they could rest from their labor on the Sabbath.

Yes, it is quite a bit to read in one sitting, even though this comes instead of our usual progressive reading of the parables of Christ. When the Lord sends us out, we must be mindful and attentive in our hearing, for some times, He may just call us back in. If we usually would turn right, so too must we listen carefully for when the Lord says to carry on straight or turn around. May it be that the Lord is calling us to consider our way this day? To wait upon Him?

What is it that the LORD is calling you to pay attention to? It will not be the same for all in all regions of the world. Not on this day. What is it that you must prepare, on this day of preparation? Look and see, listen and hear; where are you standing on this day?

The Lord reminds me of the disciple Thomas again now, for whom hearing of the Risen Christ was not enough. No, he had to see Christ for himself, that He is risen. So, how do I know that today is not for reading from the parables of Christ? First, there is a "catch-up with what you have fallen behind in" day, scheduled in the reading plan. There is a break in form, for I was brought to read the verse of the day first, when usually it is read last. And still, the Spirit refrained me from writing there. So, I prayed and was brought to the Psalm. So, pay attention to this, but also to the verse of the day, because the Holy Spirit is bringing special attention to both. For some it might seem strange, but for a few, this is standard operations; to go where the Spirit leads us.

What is faith? What is Trust? Consider that. Selah.

What do you not have time for? What is due, which you haven't gotten to yet? What is outstanding? What has brought complaints to your thoughts and lips? Have you remembered to remain thankful for all the LORD our GOD has done for us? Have you sung His praises, with thanksgiving in your heart, or is it all complaints?

Have you tithed from your time? To whom have you given the first fruits of your day?

Today is a day of preparation, give thanks to the LORD your God, that He may remember you in a time of famine. That He may pour out on you of His treasures in Heaven.

Be still and know that He is GOD. (from Psalm 46:10)

Psalm 27:14 KJV

[14] Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Go to the LORD in silence, wait on Him.

Shalom

The House of Bread

Additional Scriptures

Galatians 5:25 KJV

[25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Romans 8:28 KJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:1 KJV

[1] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Psalm 23:1-4 KJV

[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. [3] He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.