Welcome to the 103rd day of the year! Day 103 is the fifth day of the fifteenth week, the Day 5 of the third 49 days; or the fifth day of the first week of the third seven weeks. It is April 13 in a Clear yeat; and April 12 in a leap year. The Bible patterns for understanding Day 103 are 1) the fifth day of creation narrative, 2) the 8th chapter (fifth section) of the 15th book of the Bible, 3) Psalm 103, and 4) the first 9 books of the New Testament.
Day 103 is a fifth day of creation day in the fifteenth week. On the fifth day, God blessed the waters, the earth, and the firmament, with moving life; by putting abundance of living creatures in it. On the fifth day, God began the creation of flesh – birds, fish, and sea creatures. On the fifth day, God blessed His creation, for the first time. The fifth is a season of grace and generosity. It is the season of the Lord’s abundant mercies. It is a season to remember the goodness of God. In the fifth book of the Bible, Israel was taught and warned to not forget the Lord. The fifth season is for concentration (focusing attention) on the Lord – the Giver of things.
Day 103 is Ezra chapter 8 day in the 15th week. There are two accounts of returns to Jerusalem in Ezra, the 15th book of the Bible. The first return in Ezra 1-6 was to rebuild the physical temple. The second return (Ezra 7-10) led by Ezra was to rebuild the people, the spiritual temple. The 8th chapter of Ezra is about those who returned with Ezra and the things they returned with. The book of Ezra is just like the Bible. It has an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first 10 books of the Old Testament is about the key players (Adam-David) in the Old Covenant. The first nine books of the NT is about the key players (Jesus and John – Paul) in the New Covenant. Ezra 8 is a new beginning in the book. It is the beginning of spiritual restoration – turning the people back to God. It is the beginning of the ‘New Testament’ side of the book of Ezra. A type of Christ, Ezra was the leader of a new movement in the 15th book of the Bible. This fifth day of the 15th week is critical new beginning in the week. May it be so in your life.
Day 103 is a Psalm 103 day. There are over 40 references to the Lord in this 22-verse psalm. This psalm indicates that Day 103 is for preoccupation with God’s grace.
A. Psalm 103 is a call to bless the Lord for His benefits of forgiveness, healing, protection and deliverance from destructions, lovingkindness and tender mercies, provision of food and drinks. Psalm 103:1-5 says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! [2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: [3] Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, [4] Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, [5] Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s”.
B. This psalm also focuses on God’s attribute of righteousness, justice, and mercy. Psalm 103:6-18 says, “The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. [7] He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. [8] The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. [9] He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. [10] He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. [11] For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; [12] As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. [13] As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. [14] For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. [15] As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. [16] For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. [17] But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, [18] To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them”.
C. Thirdly, the psalm looks at the Lordship (supremacy) and dominion of God. His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19-22 says, “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. [20] Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. [21] Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. [22] Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!”
Day 103 is a Matthew – Galatians day in the 15th week. It is a day of the compassionate intervention of God. Every week is like a journey through the Bible having an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first four days of the week belong to the Old Testament side and expresses the 39 books of the Old Testament. The remaining three days of the week constitute the New Testament side and express the 27 books of the New Testament. The fifth day of the week is the beginning of the New Testament side of the week; and expresses the first nine books of the New Testament. The first 9 books of the NT are about Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Church. In these books, God came closer to men in the person of Jesus Christ. People felt God through healings, deliverances, miracles, signs and wonders, mercy and love, and diverse interventions. Day 103 is a day to feel the presence and goodness of God. The books are about the love and grace of God granting salvation and justification to humanity by faith. This is a day to enter experientially into the New Testament side of the week. It is a day of answers to prayers, fulfillment of prophecies, and delivery of promises. The New Testament side is the spiritual and deeper side. The New Testament side is the side of manifestation. The old has passed away; and the new has begun. Dreams for the week are expected to come to pass and promises should be fulfilled. Expect deliverance and divine intervention.
DECREE AND DECLARE: At creation, God spoke His will into each day. He made us in His image and likeness; and expects us to release His will into each day. Decree this day that the flesh will not overtake the spirit in your life, family,, organization, and nation. Decree a change in the week and declare that today is the beginning of the New Testament side of the week. As a Book-of-Matthew day, decree that Emmanuel (God is with us) takes over. As a New Testament type day, decree that the love of God will overtake human error and failure. Today, submit to the spirit against the flesh. Walk in the spirit and make no room for the flesh. The fifth season is a season of giving spiritual interpretations to earthly manifestations. Today, make it your watchword to walk in the spirit and obey God’s Word. Walking in the spirit is the key to gaining all. Birds (representing the spirit) fly above and eat from the land, the sea, and the air. Today, cry out to God against oppression and for the pains in your life. Speak out also. Trust Him to intervene in your affairs and in the affairs of people around you. Determine to make a next-level move. It’s time to shift base in the spirit! Today, put yourself on the side of blessing by choosing obedience instead of curses by choosing disobedience. Have a happy 103rd day!
PRAYER: Lord, on this day 103 of the year, keep my mind and heart on you – who you are, what you have done for me, and what you do for all. Let thoughts of your Grace fill and preoccupy my heart. Amen.
Learn more about this day in history: http://timelines.ws/days/04_13.HTML
