Bible verses for week commencing Sunday, 31 December 2023.
Introduction
The Sceptre of God’s Righteousness was stretched out to us at Calvary.
Theme
The Sceptre of God.
Sunday
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures for ever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and for evermore.
Psalm 125:1-2.
Monday
But with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breadth of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash round his waist.
Isaiah 11:4-5.
Tuesday
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Psalm 103:20-22.
Wednesday
When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?
The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence he hates.
Psalm 11:3-5.
Thursday
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke 4:18-21.
Friday
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help others and ourselves in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16.
Saturday
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Conclusion
The LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the sceptre of the rulers, which in anger struck down peoples with unceasing blows, and in fury subdued nations with relentless aggression.
Isaiah 14:5-6.
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
Psalm 45:6.
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1.
She gave birth to a Son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron sceptre. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.
Rev 12:5.
Let us remember that the Sceptre of God’s forgiveness and infinite love has been stretched out to us at Calvary.
Amen.