Bible Thursday 1/4: Behold

Studying this morning's four readings from the St. James Daily Devotional Guide (click to subscribe), I examined myself with these questions. Where is your self-examination leading today?

Psalm 85:1-13. Verse 10 KJV, how can mercy and truth be a "both and," not a tradeoff? Same with righteousness and peace? Where do I need God's help applying this right now?

Deuteronomy 7:1-26. Verse 2, contrast with the above, why must Israel show no mercy to these seven nations? Toward whom or what does God want me to be merciless and uncompromising?

Hebrews 4:11 - 5:4. Verse 12, on a scale of 1 to 10, how fully am I experiencing these operations of God's word, the Bible? How can I ascend on the scale in this new year?

Luke 3:1-6. Verse 3, is repentance a one-time act or a way of life? If the latter, am I to repent in a generalized way or with detailed self-scrutiny? How can I do this daily?

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To go deeper, see interpretive notes by Bible scholar Patrick Reardon for many of this week's readings.