It is Written

January 13

(Acts 1:15-20 NIV) "In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) {16} and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus-- {17} he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." {18} (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. {19} Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) {20} "For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, "'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, "'May another take his place of leadership.'"

(Psalms 69:25 NIV) "May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents."

(Psalms 109:8 NIV) "May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership."

Peter emerged as an early church leader. He stood up, and he spoke up. He addressed the growing number of Christ followers with a message regarding Judas the betrayer. As a leader with integrity, he didn’t sweep failure under the rug. As a godly leader, he set an early precedent -- when he spoke, he spoke from the authority of Scripture. Peter found verses in the Psalms that applied to the betrayer, along with a word about what to do next. The Bible is not just for moral teaching. It can help us make sense of events that happen in our lives, and give us direction about what to do in times of loss, trouble, stress, and betrayal. But we cannot know “it is written”, unless we read the word and become intimately acquainted with it. Read the Bible daily in large and small doses. Ditch the excuses and distractions and make knowing God’s word a priority in your life. It is written! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day