Bible In A Year with Jim McCracken: Recent Episodes
Alamo Ranch Community Church
A daily podcast hosted by Jim McCracken. We will be walking together through the Bible in a year using the ESV chronological bible reading plan. Each day we post a new episode where Jim shares insights, encouragements, prayers, and all kinds of good stuff from that day's reading.
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December 31st
Our bible reading today is in Revelation 19-22...the last day of the year ushering in something new, something Praiseworthy, something hopeful is our prayer...
And we come to such a passage in our reading as we finish our Bible in a Year journey.
Before we get into the text I want to thank each of you who have made the journey with me in 2020. You had plenty of choices as to bible reading programs and devotional thoughts to go along with your time in the Word. You chose the ARCC Bible In A Year schedule and podcast to guide you in your bible reading. And you have blessed me and encouraged me along the way by your participation.
I want to thank the elders of ARCC for asking me to do the daily podcast this year. Little did they know that I needed the challenge as much as any member participating.
Because reading and thinking through the bible texts regularly isn't easy. The enemy will do everything that he can to keep us out of the bible. And I for one fell to those temptations many times this year.
Reading through the Bible requires not just a love and respect for God’s word but also a desire to hear from God. And some days that is easier said than done. O but the reward is great.
By the way, I had an advantage friends. And that advantage was James Evans our producer. His kind encouragement and spot-on suggestions for excellence pushed me just when I needed it. Thanks, James.
Now...New Years...and something hopeful ahead...it’s in our reading today.
In John’s God-given vision we read of such a glorious day to come..." the marriage supper of the Lamb”...the party of all parties...where all the church experiences the fullness of happiness and joy in the perfect union with her Savior and Lord, Jesus...together (think on it...all the church...down through the ages), in heaven together with the God of salvation, Jesus!
“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,”
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December 30
The bible reading today is in the book of Revelation chapters 12-18.
From chapter 4-19, John was showing the 7 churches of Asia what God’s future work on earth looked like from heaven’s vantage point.
Over the years, I have read what my spiritual mentors had to say about the unveiling of future events found in Revelation. Some differed widely. But one thing that they all had in common was how important it was to understand that heaven shows us “what” happens and not necessarily “when”.
So I have tried to concentrate on the occurrences themselves and not lose their significance by getting bogged down in a timeline. Sometimes the occurrences and a timeline fit perfectly. But sometimes they don't.
Spurgeon told his church family that his messages on Revelation came from his Spirit-filled heart. But...He had no doubt that there were deeper meanings to the visions of earth from heaven than he understood at the time of his life and ministry.
And I say Amen and Amen to that!
Now to the text in chapter 12...“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.”
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December 29th
The bible reading is in Revelation chapters 6-11.
“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.”
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December 28th
The bible reading today is Revelation chapters 1-5.
The word Revelation comes from a Greek word meaning apocalypse. That makes sense because The Revelation is a book of disclosure and unveiling of events in the future.
Tradition says that Roman authorities took elderly John into custody...tried him...found him guilty and put him into a pot of boiling oil to execute him.
But God intervened and miraculously saved him, like he did with the three Hebrew children who were thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebechadnezer for their refusal to deny their Lord.
So the Roman authorities exiled John to the Isle of Patmos. It was there that John received visions from God around 95 AD. John wrote them down and sent them to seven churches in Asia...beginning with the church in Ephesus where he served the last years before Patmos.
Spirit inspired John begins The Revelation with prophetic words to the pastors of the seven churches. “
“To the Pastor and the church in Ephesus write:...I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance"...In other words...You are Heroes to your children...your courageous lives during suffering...commendable indeed.
"And...I know...how you cannot bear with those who are evil, those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.”
I know how you seek to protect your church family from false doctrine...not tolerating evil in the church to go unchecked...Yes, you have a testimony of being bold and brave...
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December 27th
The bible reading today are two short, one chapter letters from the apostle John...2 John and 3 John.
“The elder to the elect lady and her children, The elder is the apostle John...a leader and missionary in the church from the beginning...The elect lady and her children could refer metaphorically to the church in Asia. And her children could refer to church members in particular.
I lean toward the literal “Christian lady” and her sons and daughters...so John was writing to a friend in the faith whom it appears was a friend for some time.
Whom I love in truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,”
John expressing his love and appreciation for this sister and her testimony of faith.
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December 26th
The bible reading today is in 1 John 1-5.
There is no doubt in the general theological community that the apostle John wrote 1,2,3 John. And I believe that too.
The gospel of John and these three epistles have many similarities...but the main ones that I see are the eternal life that is in Jesus and the love of God that is seen through Jesus and those who believe him.
There doesn't seem to be a particular recipient of 1 John. However, we have reason to believe that this letter was written in the early 90s...about the same time he penned Revelations to 7 churches in Asia.
Some commentators believe that it's possible 1,2,3 John were written to those same 7 churches and some individuals in them.
We will ask John when we get to heaven.
Now to the text...1 John 1:1,2
“That which was from the beginning, Who was that? from the beginning? God...Father Son Holy Spirit...which we have heard.
Who was that? Jesus...which we have seen with our eye.
Who was that? Jesus...which we looked upon and have touched with our hands.
Who was that? Jesus...concerning the “word of life".
Who was the Word of life? Jesus... the “life” was made manifest, and we have seen it.
Who was that? Jesus...and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life.
Who did they testify of? Jesus...who was with the Father and was made manifest to us—Jesus.
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December 25th
The Bible reading today is in 2 Peter and Jude.
We will start with an introduction to 2 Peter.
Since Peter’s first letter, Paul had learned that there were false prophets in the region of Pontus, Galatia, and Capodicea in western Asia Minor north of Lystra and Derbe.
Peter wrote the church leaders in that region calling them to be alert to that insidious ploy by Satan to disrupt the church families and corrupt their sound doctrine.
“...false prophets arose among the people...and the result, if left unchecked, will eventually be” false teachers among you,”
Right in the church...“secretly bringing in destructive heresies”, that is...Opinions and beliefs that are contrary to God’s word...“even denying the Master” even denying Jesus as Lord...the one who supposedly saved them according to their initial confession of faith...bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”
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December 24th
The bible reading today is another pastoral letter...2Timothy.
By the time Paul wrote this encouraging letter to the young pastor, Timothy had been pastoring in Ephesus for over 4 years.
Timothy received Paul’s first letter some 3 1/2 years before this one.
Timothy left his home in Lystra over 10 years before to join Paul on his second and then his third missionary journeys. And Timothy ministered alongside his mentor Paul in Ephesus for about three years at the end of that third missionary journey.
At the end of the third missionary journey, Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to serve the growing church there. Four years into his ministry in Ephesus Timothy was facing trials and difficulties and uncertainties inside his church. Thus, Paul wrote to encourage and inspire the young pastor.
Paul was in a cold and damp cell in a Roman prison when he wrote this letter. Paul had been out of prison for a season. But somewhere along the timeline, he was apprehended by Nero’s persecution squad. Shortly after Paul sent the 2nd letter to his young protege’ he was beheaded by Roman officials...
This letter was sort of a “state of the church” address. Paul let Timothy know some of the things that God was up to in other churches. Paul was hoping to build faith in his young friend.
Paul knew that his time on earth was short and he wanted to instruct Timothy in such a way that he could continue with courage the ministry God called him to in Ephesus...especially when the aged apostle was gone to heaven.
Let us hear and feel the passion of Paul for his beloved student...“I charge you, Timothy, He was saying...This is important, my young friend...listen...and recognize where I get my authority to charge you...I charge you Timothy...in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, This is not frivolous...this is not extracurricular...this is as important as anything the Lord has laid on my heart to teach you...And I don't carelessly say this because God the Father and Jesus are watching and listening...And they judge the living and the dead...so here it is...“preach the word”...The words of God...for they are God-breathed and not just man spoken...
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man and woman of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
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December 23rd
The bible reading today is in the final chapters of Hebrews...chapters 11, 12, and 13.
To this point in our reading, we heard the case that...
Jesus is better...and...that is what I'm going to tag Hebrews with...“Jesus is just magnanimously Better than everything else.
We read that Jesus was and is greater than Moses. Moses was a rescuer...rescuing Israel from Egyptian bondage. Moses was the lawgiver from Mt Sinai...Moses was the covenant agent for Israel with God...And Moses was the warrior prophet and chosen intercessor with God for God’s chosen ones...He led Israel through the wilderness and to the entrance of the promised land. Moses was a great man.
But Jesus is better!
Jesus rescues people, Jews, and Gentiles, from something much worse than Egyptian abuse. Jesus rescued and rescues sinners from the jaws of hell to the Kingdom of heaven.
Jesus did not give the law of sin and death. He, through his atoning death, gave a different law...the law of the Spirit of life...grace and truth and mercy!
Moses sat on a hillside and raised his staff during Joshua’s battle with the Amalekites in the wilderness journey to the land of promise. As long as Moses held his hands up Joshua prevailed.
Jesus stretched his arms and hands and feet on an old rugged cross. He chose the help of Roman spikes driven through his hands and feet to keep his arms raised. And for 6 hours he battled hell on a hillside called Calvary and won salvation to the fullest for his followers.
Yes, Moses was great, but Jesus was and is better.
“By faith, Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than his brother, Cain...And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”
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December 22nd
The bible reading is in Hebrews chapters 7-10.
Jesus is better. Jesus is a better Priest than Aaron and his line of sons who became High Priests after him. Let us listen...
“And the lineage of Aaron indeed have been made priests...as God commanded Moses to bestow the High Priest office upon his brother Aaron and his sons after him. There were many in number...in the hundreds up until the time of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem...because by death they were hindered from continuing:
Just like Aaron died so did his sons...they were all mortal...“but he...”Jesus...“because he lives forever, his priesthood is forever unchangeable.”
Jesus was mortal and immortal in the same body...every bit man and every bit God...Jesus suffered and died on the cross in his mortality and was raised from the dead to live forever...never to die again...showing his immortality.
“Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost (even to the guttermost) them that draw near unto God through him,”
The priests in Aaron’s order could only present sacrifices to save in their short lifetimes. There was bound to be Israelites who mourned Aaron’s death because they were now without an intercessor between them and God...forever how long that may be.
But Jesus is better...the better High Priest because...“He ever lives for us." That phrase, he ever lives for us, thrills my soul...it doesn't say that the one who went to extraordinary measures to save me from my sins lives for me until he doesn't...he died for me and now lives for me forever. Praise his name.
And in particular, Jesus ever lives...to make intercession for us who believe!.”
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December 21st
The bible reading today is in Hebrews chapters 1-6.
60 years after the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ this letter to the believers on the western front of the spread of the gospel was received and accepted as worthy to be apart of the Biblical record.
The authorship of the letter is certainly God, but who he used to pen this scroll is still a mystery.
Many believe the author of Hebrews was Paul. Still, others thought it was Apollos. And still, others thought it was Clement of Rome, a disciple of Paul and Peter before their deaths. Imagine learning of Jesus at the feet of Peter and Paul. Well historians say that Clement, mentioned in Philippians, and who became the leader of the church in Rome, he was that person of that tutelage privilege.
So who penned Hebrews? I don't know. I want to lean toward Paul. All I really know for sure is that its message is from heaven for Jewish believers in Jesus, most likely in Rome.
The author writes...“Since we have a great high priest...The one who makes sacrifice for sinners...who has passed through the heavens, Not the Tabernacle...not the Temple made with human hands...but our high priest came from heaven...not an earthly high priest, but a heavenly one...Jesus, the Son of God, Not Aaron or any of the sons of Aaron...but Jesus, God the son, is our high priest who made the perfect sacrifice for our sins...So...let us hold fast our confession. Let us not be intimidated or made fearful and doubting...say it out loud...Jesus is Lord...our perfect high priest who makes the way for sinners to fellowship with God and worship Him...justified and sanctified unto God forever!
And we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, Our high priest was/is perfect...but he was and is human...and understands our temptations and our spiritual challenges in our flesh and blood. Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Since we have a high priest who saves sinners like us through his perfect sacrifice, let us also be confident that he saves and “keeps” his own with abundant grace for every other need that we have on our journey from earth to heaven."
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December 20th
The bible reading today is in the book of 1 Peter. Yes, all five chapters...but it’s worth the read.
The apostle Peter wrote to a group of disciples, Jews, and Gentiles, scattered through the northern mountain ranges of Asia...modern-day Turkey.
Peter wrote quite a lot about persecution aimed at Christians. By tradition, Peter spent his final years ministering in and around Rome. More than likely, Peter wrote his epistles from Rome just before Nero began all-out destruction of Christianity, including mass murdering of the followers of the way.
Peter wrote a message preparing the believers for suffering.
“For this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God...what is?...suffering unjustly just as the savior suffered for you and me without bitterness...that is a thing only accomplished by the grace of God...pray for it...
What is that gracious thing? It’s when a believer endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a “gracious thing” in the sight of God.”
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December 19th
The bible reading today is in the three chapters of Titus.
“To Titus, my true child in a common faith:"
No one is absolutely sure about the nature of Titus’ relationship with Paul. Most believe that he was converted to Christ during one of the missionary journeys of Paul. And that he served alongside of Paul on parts of his first missionary journey.
However, Paul calls Titus his “true child” in the faith. Perhaps Paul got to lead Titus to Christ in a one on one witnessing experience. I wouldn't doubt it.
It is obvious that Paul held Titus in great respect. Paul called him a friend and a fellow worker in the Gospel ministry.
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December 18th
The bible reading today is the book of 1 Timothy...Paul’s first letter to his disciple from Lystra, young Timothy.
1 Timothy along with 2 Timothy and Titus make up Paul’s final letters...we call them the pastoral letters of Paul...offering practical pastoral counsel from the Holy Spirit...to these young pastors.
Paul had recruited young Timothy to accompany him on his second missionary journey alongside Silas. Timothy would be much-needed refreshment for Paul since his recent split with friend and partner, Barnabas. Maybe Paul learned something from Barnabas’ heart for training young John Mark.
The book of Acts ends with Paul sitting in prison awaiting an audience with Caesar Nero. Paul was expecting to be released. Perhaps he was. And from there, perhaps Paul took a fourth missionary journey. Perhaps this was when he visited Ephesus again...placing Timothy over the church there. And then Paul winds up back in a Roman cell awaiting his death. And this would be where the aged Paul wrote Timothy and Titus pastoral letters. Just my accumulative info on when Paul died.
Why is 1 Timothy so important? Perhaps it is because it is the most complete instruction on pastoral leadership for the church in our New Testaments.
We read where Paul by the Spirit made it clear that order for worship and living was essential for a healthy church. He gave instruction on the qualifications and duties of elders and deacons.
Paul was trying to help Timothy to understand the importance of the purity of heart and life for leaders in the church. And he was also giving guidelines for the gatherings that Timothy would oversee.
Paul knew that Timothy’s youth would be a blessing and a curse for his pastoral ministry. Let us listen to Paul’s encouragement.
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
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December 17th
The bible reading today is in the four-chapter letter of Paul to the church at Philippi...probably the last of the four prison epistles written during his first imprisonment in Rome.
The Prison Epistles from Rome..? Philemon was a letter to a personal friend in the church of Colossae...concerning victory that comes through forgiveness.
Colossians was a letter to a church that dealt with the divinity of Christ that had been denied by some teachers in that church.
Ephesians was a formal letter to the church at Ephesus dealing with the doctrines and applications of such doctrines in the daily disciple life of doing church together as the Holy Spirit-filled body of Christ.
And now Philippians...A brother in the Lord from the church in Philippi, Epaphroditus, came to Rome to see Paul. He was delivering a financial love offering from the church. Paul’s heart was lifted and the joy of the Lord became his renewed strength for carrying on while in the custody of Rome.
Paul’s letter was a thank you to the church for their timely gift. He wanted to encourage them as they encouraged him. He wanted to give them something that would make their hearts glad forever. And he did.
Now for some of my favorite texts in this letter of joy.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
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December 16th
The bible reading today is Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus.
For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey and for over two years during his third missionary journey, Paul ministered the gospel in Ephesus.
Paul wrote this letter about the same time as the letters to Colossae, Philemon, and Philippians...60-61 AD...making them the 4 prison epistles in our New Testaments.
While Galatians and 2 Corinthians abound in personal bits of Paul’s life, the good and the stressful, Ephesians is on the opposite end of the spectrum. The letter to the Ephesian church is quite formal.
Paul addressed a particular problem in Galatians and how to deal with the trend toward legalism. In Ephesians, Paul addressed what it meant to be a Christian, regardless of what the problems were in and around the church. Paul dealt with core convictions and the practical living out of those basic beliefs no matter what.
So what was the big idea in Ephesians? God creating a holy community by his grace through the death burial and resurrection of His son, Jesus, and blessing them with that same grace to live well for God’s honor.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,"
Wow...a fact...one to base our life and faith upon...The Ephesian friends in Christ were blessed by God...
HOW?...with “every spiritual blessing” in heaven.
O come on....could that be true? Could that be true for us in Christ?...for us in the church today?
YES!
That means that we don't have to wait until we get to heaven to know and fellowship and work with the God of heaven. We don't have to wait till heaven to be benefited by heavenly dwellers...God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, angel beings, and angel armies at our prayer and call...And...saints already in heaven interceding for us (Revelation 6:10)... “
And Paul writing...“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom “every family” in “heaven and “on earth” is named,
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December 15th
The bible reading today is in the letters Paul sent to a friend named Philemon, and the church in Colossae.
Paul was in his first Roman imprisonment, around 60AD when he wrote these letters.
He asked his friend, Tychicus, to deliver the letters for him and take a newly converted slave named Onesimus with him.
Onesimus belongs to Philemon’s letter. Onesimus was a runaway slave from Colossae. He made his way to Rome to get lost in the big city and start a new life. There he met Paul and Jesus. His life would never be the same. He did indeed start a new life...a life on mission with Jesus.
Question: What about his runaway slave status? Paul told Onesimus that he needed to go back to his master and ask for forgiveness. And trust God with the results.
Maybe God would work in the heart of Philemon and Philemon would send him back to Rome to serve the purpose of God as a new brother in Christ, there with Paul.
And what was the message to Philemon? “Forgive Onesimus and treat him as a brother in the Lord...and if Onesimus owes you anything, put it on my account, I'll cover it later. And if you could, please send Onesimus back to me. He could serve me and Christ in your absence.
Paul is best known for his letters to the churches. But he had more than a passing interest in the individual believer...especially those who came to Christ under his ministry. Philemon was one such brother.
Paul called him, “my fellow worker in the gospel”...friends in the faith for sure...but Paul spoke straight with his friend...” as Christ forgave you, you must forgive the debt Onesimus owes you.”
Thank’s Lord for this personal snapshot of what forgiveness looks like. May we never forget it!
On to the Colossian letter...A brother named Epaphras, probably the pastor of the church in Colossae, made his way to Rome to visit his mentor, the Apostle Paul.
Epaphras was probably converted to Christ in Ephesus during Paul’s 3rd missionary journey. He knew that if anyone could shed some light on the church’s struggles in Colossae, it would be Paul.
Epaphras told Paul that there were some “so-called” Christians in Colossae, teaching that Jesus was not God. After Epaphras’ visit, Paul penned a letter to the church regarding the false teachers.
“Make no mistake, Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
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December 14th
The bible reading today is in Acts 27 and 28.
“And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.”
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December 13th
The bible reading today is in Acts chapters 24-26.
We finished yesterday’s reading at the end of the Apostle Paul’s three-year third missionary journey.
Eight men joined him on the mission, including Paul’s disciple Timothy. They visited the churches in Galatia again, encouraging the fellow followers of Jesus there.
They visited Ephesus again. The church was blessed with many converts. It was also tested. Riots broke out against Paul and the gospel he preached.
Paul and his friends revisited Macedonia and Greece and the churches Paul had planted there. Then Paul and his friends sailed back home...to Caesarea and then to Jerusalem.
And that brings us to today’s text.
“And after five days the high priest Ananias came down from Jerusalem to Caesarea with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.”
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December 12th
The bible reading today is in Acts chapters 20-23.
“After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.”
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December 11th
The bible reading today is in Romans 14-16.
Paul closes this letter of Romans with a picture of the church there. Did Paul create a drawing of the building where this church met for worship? No. Paul greeted over twenty people by name that made up the church at Rome. That wasn't all the followers of Christ there, just people that Paul knew.
The followers of Christ were the church.
So Paul painted a picture of the church by naming people and what they were doing in the name of Christ there. “
I commend to you “our sister Phoebe”, a “servant of the church at Cenchreae”, that you may “welcome her in the Lord” in a way “worthy of the saints”, and “help her in whatever she may need” from you for she has been a “patron of many and of myself” as well.”
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December 10th
The bible reading today is in Romans 11-13.
It was Paul’s pattern to start his communication with the churches with solid doctrinal content. Then he usually ended his teaching with exhortations about how to live the Christian life.
Dr. Leon Morris, professor, and writer of New Testament commentaries at Oxford University in London believed Paul was showing his readers that living the Christian life well was dependent upon good sound doctrine. I agree.
Now to Chapter 12...“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers..."
God used Paul to appeal to the will and the spirit of the disciples in Rome. He wanted his chilidren to make a choice in the way that they would live for him.
"I appeal to you brothers...by the mercies of God,"
Such as...Mercifully Justified before God through Jesus Christ. Mercifully Adopted into the family of God. Mercifully Placed under grace and not under the law. Mercifully Indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Mercifully Helped in and through our afflictions. Mercifully Assured of our election by God.
So...In light of these mercies...Paul begs the church members...to present their bodies as a “living sacrifice”, holy and acceptable to God.
Paul beseeches the church members: “present your whole life”...upon the altar of God...saying to Him...”I'm all in...do with me as you will for your honor and your glory.” With the desire to be always dedicated to the Lord... which is your reasonable service of worship.” Romans 12:1
And we thought worship started with a song and a prayer at church.
Our Reasonable Service of Worship of God starts with humbly yielding our lives to him as completely as we know how.
From there, something else happens...in verse 2...“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
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December 9th
The bible reading today is in Romans 8-10.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
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December 8th
The bible reading today is in Romans 4-7.
“What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.”
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December 7th
The bible reading today is in Romans 1-3 and Acts 20:1-3.
Some noteworthy facts about the book of Romans...
- The writer of the book of Romans was Paul...he wrote it from Corinth during his third missionary journey.
2.The church in Rome was experiencing a season of peace since it would be several years before Ceasar Nero would burn Rome to the ground and blame the followers of Jesus for the crime...which led to murderous persecution of the church in Rome. Obviously, God would use the letter to strengthen the church for what lay ahead.
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The church in Rome was probably started by some of Paul’s converts during his three missionary journeys.
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By the date of Paul’s writing, the church in Rome was made up of Jews and Gentiles...primarily Gentiles.
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Some have said that Romans was a survey of Paul’s theology. And if it was, it was not complete. Nowhere in Romans does Paul teach on Communion, the Resurrection, or the Last Days and Second Coming of Christ. However, Paul’s teaching on the doctrines of sin and judgment and salvation in Christ is unequaled in detail and thorough explanation.
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The impact of Romans on spiritual leaders of the past is also notable...
In May of 1738, a failed missionary to the American Colonies reluctantly went to a small bible study where someone read aloud Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans.
The failed missionary was John Wesley...and the Roman’s reading particularly dealt with the change that God wrought in the heart of a man who placed his faith in Christ. John Wesley felt his heart “strangely warmed”.
That night, in London, John Wesley trusted “in Jesus alone” for his salvation, and an assurance was given to him that his sins had been taken away. “
Martin Luther’s spiritual life was greatly impacted by the book of Romans too. The monk, Luther, taught biblical studies at the seminary in Wittenburg Germany. One day he meditated in Ps 31:1...”In thy righteousness deliver me.” This puzzled him. How could a righteous God deliver sinners? Sinners deserve condemnation at the hands of a righteous God.
Then Luther kept thinking on Romans 1:17 ”...he who through faith is righteous shall live.”
That passage from Paul became the gate to heaven itself for Luther. The monk Martin was saved that night and the reformation was begun in his heart...by way of the message of Paul to the Romans.
Continuing in the reading...“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”
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December 6th
The bible reading today is in 2 Corinthians 10-13.
“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
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December 5th
The bible reading for today is in 2 Corinthians 5-9.
“For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”
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December 4th
The bible reading today is in 2 Corinthians 1-4.
By the time Paul wrote this second letter to the disciples in Corinth, most of the issues that had divided the young church had been resolved.
However, the years of selfish behavior and false judgments against one another had left deep wounds. So deep that some members of the family probably said that relationships would never be the same. How sad.
So Paul gave the following admonition... “Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you.
For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.”
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December 3rd
Today's Bible reading is in 1 Corinthians 15 & 16.
The Apostle Paul finished up his first letter to the young church at Corinth by emphasizing the seriousness and weightiness of the gospel message. There is no other message given under heaven whereby one may be saved from their sins. Therefore, we might struggle with the meanings of the spiritual gifts. We may even debate the best forms of church worship. We can even get sideways with each other over the different views and applications of Biblical church leadership. But we must all agree on the gospel message that saves. That was true in Paul’s mind and it must be true in ours today.
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you..."
Paul preached the good news of God’s forgiveness and adoption and redemption in and through God the Son, Jesus Christ. It wasn't Paul’s gospel. It was God’s...the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
"which you received," Which many in Corinth received and believed...“in which you stand,”
I'm reminded of a time in my childhood...when my little sister and I stood in mama’s clean kitchen. We were soaking wet. We had been playing in the rain. “Look at you”, mama said with a shy grin and sparkle in her eye. “You're making a puddle on my clean kitchen floor.”
Yes, we were and we were stomping our feet in it and splashing each other with it. We were completely drenched with the water of the rain.
And in Christ, we are completely drenched with the gracious water of the word of God’s gospel of salvation...” in which we stand”....playfully and joyfully and gratefully.
“and by which you are being saved”...from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light in Christ...unless...you believed in vain.”
Sadly, there are so many, even in church, who have changed their minds about religion, but who have never truly desired Jesus from their hearts...
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December 2nd
The bible reading today is in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14.
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
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December 1st
The bible reading today is in 1 Corinthians chapters 9-11.
In our reading today Paul reminds the church that it was God who planted the church in Corinth, and that God used him in that process. But Paul also addressed some church members who had their doubts about him...doubting his leadership and doubting his call from God as an apostle of Christ.
Sometimes I forget that Paul was just a man. Yes, he was probably Spirit-filled most of the time, but he was still just a man doing life with Jesus.
I believe that when some people in the church spoke against him, it had to sting. I also believe that when some that Paul led to Christ began to doubt him and disrespect him, it had to be crushing to Paul.
But perhaps the Spirit reminded him of Jesus’ sermon on the mount...and thinking upon that, perhaps the Spirit infused him with renewed faith in Jesus and a measure of courage to keep up the good fight and go with the Lord no matter what.
“Blessed are you when men utter all kinds of evil against you falsely...Jesus said to his disciples...Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
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November 30th
The bible reading today is in 1 Corinthians chapters 5-8.
God used Paul to teach the young Corinthian church several things in our reading today.
For instance...
1. How was the church to deal with immorality inside the church family? The Holy Spirit led Paul to write his brethren in Corinth...“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.”
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November 29th
The bible reading today is in 1 Corinthians 1-4.
Paul begins his letter to the Corinthian church by reminding who they are in Christ.
“To the church of God that is in Corinth,". They are the church of God himself...not the church of any man or organization...but the “church of God". That title trumps any other title that anyone can hang on it. It’s from God...to God...it’s for God and his glorious purposes. To those sanctified in Christ Jesus...(set apart for God’s use only)....called to be saints...(“the called out” ones...” the church” of Godly men women and children abiding in Christ)...who...“together” ...“in every place” call upon the name of our Lord”..... Jesus Christ...
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November 28th
The Bible reading today is in the last half of Acts 18 and all of 19.
Paul was still in his second missionary journey and he spent a little over a year in Corinth of Achaia. There he partnered with Aquilla and his wife Pricilla. Tradition says that this couple was a part of the 70 disciples mentioned in Luke 10 that Jesus sent to the towns and cities that he would be visiting...they would prepare the way for Christ’s ministry.
Apparently, Aquilla and Priscilla became Christ’s missionaries to Achaia...in particular, Corinth...a tough place to evangelize, even as Paul would find out. There was a measure of spiritual fruitfulness. And that led to the establishment of the Church at Corinth.
From there, Paul traveled 350 miles to Ephesus...a seaport city on the Aegean Sea of modern-day Turkey.
There he found some disciples...“And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus."
There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
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November 27th
The bible reading today is 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
“We give thanks to God always for all of you (O church of Thessalonica), constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of “faith” and labor of “love” and steadfastness of “hope” 1 Thessalonians 1
Paul wrote this letter and the letter to the Galatians during his second missionary journey. It probably hadn’t been more than a year since he had visited Thessalonica.
Paul wrote how that their faith, hope, and love encouraged him and other churches who had heard of their living testimony to Christ.
Their faith was the real deal because it produced good works that glorified Jesus. Their love was the Jesus kind of love...they loved one another even when it was hard. And their hope and confidence in the Lord produced a patience that waited upon God to answer their prayers as well as a patience that endured dry seasons of little recognizable God activity.
O Holy Spirit, work that kind of faith, love, and hope in us and throughout our church family and friends.
Paul went on...“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,”
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November 26th
The bible reading today is in Acts 17 and 18.
We were in Acts chapter 16 three days ago. There, Paul and Silas and young Timothy were on Paul’s second missionary journey.
“And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
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November 25th
The bible reading today is in Galatians 4-6.
Now when we read Galatians, let us keep in mind that most likely some of the recipients of the original letter were apart of the Jew and Gentile mob that stoned the writer, the apostle Paul, just a few years before in Lystra of Galatia.
Paul was preaching that the Gentile gods were no gods at all and that the Jewish scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem were just as lost and in need of a savior as the Gentiles. No wonder a riot broke out in Lystra against Paul.
Paul survived the attack and finished his first missionary journey. And apparently, some Jews and Gentiles that came under the courageous ministry of Paul and Barnabas were converted to Christ and began to gather as a church and spread the good news of Jesus throughout the region.
And other churches sprung up across Galatia. And all of those who believed the message of Jesus would have had the inspiring and exciting reunion with their spiritual father, Paul, a few years later.
More than likely, after the Galatian reunion of Paul’s second missionary journey with Silas this time, Paul found out that some of his converts there had begun to blend Judaism with Christianity...retreating back under the law instead of thriving in the salvation of Christ.
It’s to this other gospel being spread that Paul writes to....quote...“I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,”
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November 24th
The bible reading today is in Galatians 1-3.
Galatians is perhaps the first of Paul’s many letters in our New Testaments. And many a scholar dates it in the early ’50s, perhaps during his second or third missionary journey.
The primary message of Galatians deals with how a person gets saved...by the works of the law or by faith?
Paul says there is “...not another gospel of salvation, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”
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November 23rd
The bible reading today is in Acts 15 and 16.
Paul and Barnabas spent the better part of three years, 46-48, on their first missionary journey. The church of Galatia was started in the region of Lystra and Derbe. And during their time in Lystra, Paul was stoned by locals...almost killed.
And what did Paul do? He convalesced in Derbe for a while and then he and Barnabas finished their missionary journey and returned to Antioch Syria.
After a short trip to Jerusalem to share their experiences with the church elders there, Paul suggested to Barnabas they go back to the Mediterranean and strengthen the churches they planted on their journey.
Barnabas was good with the suggestion and suggested that they take John Mark with them again. Paul balked at the suggestion and the two missionaries went their separate ways.
Question...Who sinned? Paul or Barnabas?
All that we know from the scriptural record is that Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement. And a disagreement is not a sin unless we disagree with God.
By the way, Paul took Silas and Barnabas took John Mark. And they all took off to spread the gospel in their God-given directions and God-given ways.
Now to today’s text...“Paul came to Derbe and to Lystra again. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.”
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November 22nd
The bible reading today is the five chapter book of James.
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.”
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November 21st
The bible reading today is in Acts 13 and 14.
Paul and Barnabas were on their first missionary journey...having been sent out by the elders of the church at Antioch Syria.
Some notable things happened in the beginning of that missionary journey. One had to do with an opportunity to preach the gospel to the governor of the island and to a demon-possessed magician who was opposing Paul’s preaching. I'm sure that was scary, especially to young John Mark who was accompanying Paul and his uncle Barnabas. The Spirit used Paul to strike the demonic magician blind. And the Governor was smitten and began to believe the gospel of Jesus from then on.
One curious thing happened. When the three missionaries sailed from Cyprus to Perga of Pamphilia, John Mark decided to go back home to his family in Jerusalem.
There is nothing in the record that gives us any clue as to the reason for John Mark’s leaving the team at that time. Remember, John Mark would be apart of several missionary journeys in the future...at least one with his uncle Barnabas and another with Peter to Rome. And remember...at the end of Paul’s life while in Roman imprisonment he asked Timothy to visit him and to bring John Mark with him...Paul said of John Mark...”He is profitable to me.”
Well, today’s reading is Paul and Barnabas in Antioch Pisidia...and Paul has been given permission to preach in the synagogue there.
“So Paul stood up and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.”
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November 20th
The bible reading today is in Acts 11 and 12.
“Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.”
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November 19th
The bible reading today is in Acts 9 and 10.
So who was this Saul that was instrumental in the killing of Stephen...that deacon who was full of grace and power...whom Jesus used to demonstrate the presence and supernatural power of God in and around Jerusalem?
“But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”
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November 18th
The bible reading today is in Acts 7,8.
The church in Jerusalem was growing by leaps and bounds. The apostles could not have imagined that the numbers of converts would multiply so rapidly. So how would the apostles handle it?
They did two things...They recommitted themselves to the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, as well as to prayer. Then they asked the church in Jerusalem to choose, from among them, seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to tackle a very pressing matter in the infant church...someone needed to stir up service to the many and diverse widows in the church. The seven men were chosen and on purpose service to church members began big time.
And one of those serving heroes was Stephen...not only one of the first official deacons in the church, but also the church’s first martyr for the faith...and before he was stoned to death, he refused to recant...Jesus is Lord...and he asked the Father to forgive the ones who were putting him to death...just like Jesus did from the cross.
And Stephen, full of grace and power?...Well, he died.
He did not have a long ministry...but it was fruitful...because he yielded the sail of his life and faith to the wind of the Spirit and was excited about going in the direction of the Spirit’s blowing...which turned out to be loving on widows one day and standing his ground, even unto death, the next.
“Thanks, Stephen..”
And Lord, make us excited servants...servants of You, Jesus Christ...servants to our church...servants who will be willing to give our lives away for the sake of the gospel...a Jesus way of life that can be ours even as it was for Stephen.
And guess who authorized the execution of Stephen. Then Saul, who after his own conversion to Christ, became the great Apostle Paul. More grace and power...
Have a great day
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November 17th
The bible reading today is in Acts 4-6.
On the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the Ascension of Christ, close to a million Judeans (probably) gathered on the Temple Mount to worship the God who brought forth the fruit of the harvest for them.
Peter, by the Holy Spirit, stood and preached the gospel of Christ to the crowd. The Holy Spirit came upon 120 disciples of Jesus in that great crowd. They were given the spiritual gift of languages by the Holy Spirit in order to translate Peter’s message to the many different people groups, from all over the world, surrounding Solomon’s porch that day.
Three thousand men, women, and children repented and believed Jesus that day. Oh, what joyful baptismal services they must have had in the days and weeks that followed.
In those days and weeks, Peter and the followers of Jesus preached and testified of the good news of God’s salvation in the resurrected Christ. And hundreds of people every day were coming to faith in the Lord Jesus.
One day, as Peter and John were going to Temple at the hour of prayer, they met a lame beggar at the gate called Beautiful. He asked for money, but instead, he received a complete healing from Jesus at the hands of Peter and John.
You and I would have been amazed at that miracle. But the religious leaders who had Jesus killed were not amazed, they were enraged. So much so that they had Peter and John arrested.
In just a few weeks, the Holy Spirit moved upon Jerusalem. And the numbers of Christ-followers increased from 3,000 to 5,000 men...probably tripling those numbers if family members were counted.
The city council, led by Sanhedrin and Pharisee members ramped up their threats and intimidation strategy. But the new believers stood courageously for Christ and the salvation he bought for all who believed Him.
Peter and John set the tone. Instead of being filled with fear for their lives, they boldly preached Jesus to their captors.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
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November 16th
The bible reading today is in the first three chapters of Acts.
“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.”
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November 15th
The bible reading today is in Luke 24, and John 20 and 21.
Jesus had died on a cross just as he said. Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb just as it was prophesied. And Jesus rose from the dead on the third day just as Christ told his disciples. And over the next 40 days, Jesus showed himself alive to his disciples...to his disciples “only”.
In the last chapter of John, the Spirit used the apostle to tell the story of one of those post-resurrection appearances of Christ. One of my favorites.
Peter takes the lead again.
“Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”
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November 14th
The bible reading is in Matthew 28 and Mark 16 today.
“And Jesus came and said to his disciples (before his ascension to heaven...) All power is given unto me both in heaven and on earth.”
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November 13th
The bible reading today is in Luke 23, and John 18 and 19.
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.”
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November 12th
The Bible reading today is in Matthew 27 and Mark 15.
Jesus had been arrested by Temple guards on Thursday night of the Passover Festival. Jesus and his disciples had retreated to the Garden of Gethsemene right after they participated in The Last Supper.
When the guards asked who the leader was, Jesus said “I am!” ... God Almighty. And immediately the hundreds of Temple guards that had been dispatched to take him into custody fell down on their backsides.
The angels must have smirked from nearby. “So you came to take God the Son into custody, did you? And you have lived, on the ground, by the power of his words. Wake up fools. You do the bidding of the God who just prayed, “Not my will but Yours be done, Father.”
Jesus submitted to the puppet guards. He was led away to Caiphas’ High Priest’s quarters. There Jesus was tried by self-righteous priests who were out to save their own religious positions. And they would lie and murder Jesus in order to safeguard their high positions...and they were doing all of that in the name of God...talk about “taking the Lord’s name in vain...”
By sun-up on Friday, Jesus was standing in front of the merciless Roman Governor of Judea, Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. Jesus answered, “You have said so...” And Jesus answered him no more. As prophesied, Jesus was silently going to his death as a lamb to the slaughter.
Pilate gave the order to crucify Him...but before he did, Pilate said to the thousand bloodthirsty opposers of Jesus, “I find no fault in Him.”
So Jesus was flogged with a cat of nine tails by 2 Roman guards who were proficient at their job of tearing flesh and doling out suffering just short of death. Then the cross was laid on Jesus’ shoulders and he began his “walk of blood” through the people lined streets of Jerusalem. This was apart of his time of glory...to Golgatha’s hill...where he was nailed to that cross and hung between two thieves.
Many of the people of Jerusalem mocked the savior...threw things at him...spat upon him...and cursed him. Little did they know that he was going through this for them, for those who would believe him later with tears.
Six hours later, Jesus hollered out saying “Tetelastai”...it is finished. And he breathed his last.
“It was finished”. His glory was to pay for our sins and to purchase us a place in heaven. That payment and that purchase took place in his death on the cross. He paid with his life’s blood and purchased our home in heaven with his perfect sacrificial death for our sins.
Now, what happened?
“And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”
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November 11th
The bible reading today is in John chapters 14-17.
“Let not your hearts be troubled.”
The hearts of Jesus’ friends were troubled. Jesus had just added some troublesome words to his message about his impending death.
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
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November 10th
The bible reading today is in Luke 22 and John 13.
“Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, “having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end”.”
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November 9th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 26 and Mark 14.
Jesus was in Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem. He and his disciples were staying with friends there during the Passover festival.
Let’s just listen to the following piece of today’s reading.
“And while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.
There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.”
And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her?
She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.
She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”
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November 8th
The bible reading is in Matthew 25.
This chapter is a continuation of Christ’s teaching to his disciples from the Mt of Olives after his final visit to the Temple.
Jesus had already told his friends that he would be killed soon, be buried, and on the third day, he would rise to live again. Jesus had already told them that he would ascend to heaven one day and that he would send them the Holy Spirit to empower them for kingdom life and work.
Jesus was now teaching them, in this Olivet discourse, about His second coming...how to wait for it and what to do in the meantime. Jesus used parables to teach those lessons.
“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.”
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November 7th
The bible reading today is in Matthew chapter 24.
“As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus told them, “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake."
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”
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November 6th
The bible reading today is in Mark 13.
“And Jesus began to say to his disciples, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.”
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November 5th
The Bible reading today is in Matthew 23 and Luke 20,21.
“And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
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November 4th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 22 and Mark 12.
“And again Jesus spoke to them in parables at the Passover Feast, saying,“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son...Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good.
So the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.
Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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November 3
The bible reading today is in Mark 11 and John 12.
These chapters and the following chapters in these two gospel records reveal the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
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November 2nd
The bible reading today is in Luke 18:15-19:48.
“Now the people in the Judean and Galilean regions were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
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November 1st
The bible reading today is in Matthew 20 and 21.
Jesus is still on his way to Jerusalem. And he is teaching his disciples another very important lesson on the kingdom of heaven and what the grace of God looks like.
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”
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October 31st
The bible reading today is in Matthew 19 and Mark 10.
In these two chapters, Jesus crosses from Perea back into Judea. In Jericho, he teaches God’s very words on marriage, divorce, riches, and service. But he also tells his disciples what awaits him in Jerusalem, without one fear or one hesitation.
Even after three years of powerful ministry of love and sound teaching and many signs and wonders accomplished in fulfillment of messianic prophecy, Pharisees took turns to dog his steps and craft questions intended to make what he has said and done look like opposition to the law.
“And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”
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October 30th
The bible reading today is in the book of Luke chapters 17:11 - 18:14
“On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”
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October 29th
The bible reading today is from John chapter 11. This chapter is about many things and touches my heart on many levels. Such as...” the sickness of Lazarus”. Sickness was common then as it is in our day. Sickness afflicted even the friends of Jesus and their loved ones, even as it does in our lives today.
“The appeal to Jesus for help...” A friend reached out to friend...something in common...an otherworldly fellowship of the heart.
“The death of Lazarus” Death happened to the friend of Jesus, but it wasn't the end for him and it is not the end for us...from death unto life with our eternal Lord and friend.
“The heart brokenness of the family and Jesus...” Humanity and divinity on display in tears.
“Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead...” The “Omnipotent One”, Jesus, showed unequaled power over the last enemy of humankind.
“And the Jewish religious leaders came together to revisit the plot to kill Jesus...” They thought that was their plan...but they were only playing their part in God’s plan of redemption. The glory of God that they could not see or believe...in the death of the rabbi at their longing.
All of this chapter is God speaking right to me today. Especially the shortest in the text...“Jesus wept.”
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October 28th
The bible reading is in Luke chapters 16 and 17.
“The poor man Lazarus died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.”
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October 27th
The bible reading today is in Luke chapters 14 and 15.
The podcast today will come from one of my top two or three messages of Jesus to his disciples and the scribes and Pharisees.
It’s about “mercy” for “sinners and the “joy of God” in saving them. It reaches my heart in two simple ways. First: I’m a great sinner in need of the forgiveness of God...just as seen in the parables today.
And Secondly: Upon being saved through the gracious and merciful life and work of Christ, I’ve been commissioned by Christ to seek the lost for their salvation...and get in on the joy of heaven when sinners turn to Christ.
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.””
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October 26th
The bible reading today is in Luke chapters 12 and 13.
Jesus was in the first days of his 3-6 month Perean ministry, east of the Jordan River in what would be Lebanon today. He was traveling from village to village, city to city and the countryside in between preaching and teaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
During that time he was teaching his 12 disciples and the thousands of seekers (some say 10,000) who were in the large crowds following him. Jesus taught them, “to pray”.
Let us listen to Jesus...“If “you” then, who are “evil”, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
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October 25th
The bible reading today is in Luke 10&11 and John 10:22-42.
“...and Jesus was walking in the temple...perhaps to warm himself on this cold rainy day. Not teaching, but walking in the Temple during the wintertime feast of Dedication...like he was just another visitor. He was walking in the colonnade of Solomon. (The porch just off the eastern side of the court of the Gentiles...covered over and looking over a deep valley...very white...supported by walls of four square stone precisely quarried and stacked two football fields high.)
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense?
Or in the Latin Vulgate translation...”How long dost thou take away our soul...depriving us of the knowledge of thee?...or Nonnus translation, “How long will you hide yourself from us...stealing away our hearts?”
Almost sounds like genuine seekers at first. But we know the end of this story. These were not just out to ensnare Jesus by twisting his words. They were out to kill him.
It was an ambush. Angry religious leaders who were out to destroy him encircled him. They were out to separate him from friends. They were out to find him alone without backup. They were out to intimidate the carpenter/rabbi and hoped that he would confess that he was not the Messiah for fear for his life, but Jesus was far from intimidation...he was bold and courageous.
Then the confrontational crowd asked this question...”If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
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October 24th
The Bible reading today is in John chapters 9 and 10.
It sounds strangely human to say that Jesus was in danger after He preached from the Temple stairs that final day of the feast of booths. And I quote...“So they picked up stones to throw at Jesus...(and Jesus walked by them and away from them....)
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October 23
The bible reading today is in John chapters 7 and 8.
“Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?”
And the Jews said to Jesus, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
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October 22
The bible reading today is in Matthew chapter 18.
“As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.”
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October 21st
The bible reading today is in Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9:28-62.
Yesterday, we read these words of Jesus...“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
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October 20th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:18-27.
After Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter to life, Jesus was praying alone. Makes me wonder if he stuck around for the family celebration. I'm sure he did, for a while at least. But what is recorded is that Jesus was praying alone.
Apparently...”There’s a time for celebrating...and there’s a time for praying.” Jesus did both.
And all of a sudden, the disciples were with him. Did the disciples interrupt Jesus’ prayer time with the Father? Or...Did Jesus invite the disciples to join him in prayer? Or...Did Jesus finish his praying and wanted to talk with his friends?
Perhaps any one or all of the three were true. But one thing is for sure...Jesus, on purpose, spent time with the Father and with the disciples.
Well, Jesus asked his friends a question. “Who do people say that I am?”
Some say that you are John the Baptist...some say, Elijah. And then Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?”
Peter said, “The Christ...the Messiah of God!”
And then Jesus strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
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October 19th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 15 and Mark 7.
Religious leaders came from Jerusalem to Gennesaret to accuse the disciples of Jesus concerning the breaking of Jewish tradition.
Interesting the devil uses the same ploy today. Seeking to disrupt the ministry of Christ by taking aim at his followers. Let us be alert to the schemes of the devil and trust Jesus every day to save us from temptation.
So Jesus intervened on behalf of his friends and told a parable about washings and foods. The Jewish religious leaders were there to declare publicly that those who followed Jesus, instead of them and their traditions, they were “unclean”...no longer accepted at Temple for the worship of Yahweh God.
Temple worship was huge for the Jewish people. Satan was using the Pharisees to accuse Jesus’ followers of great spiritual crimes.
I'm sure it was upsetting to most in the crowd of seekers. So Jesus got right to it. Worship was from the heart...not from practicing ritual traditions made by man.
That was a big step of faith for the Jews in the crowd. They had been brought up on those religious traditions for years and years. They were taught that those traditions were way to God.
Jesus came saying, “I am the Way...” In more ways than one, Jesus was making claim to be the Messiah. “Make sure that your heart is right with God by believing Me.
And Jesus says one more thing to seal his fate with the Jewish religious elite...“And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
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October 18th
The bible reading today is in John 6.
Jesus was always teaching...in word and in deed. The crowds seemed to grow in number daily.
“Jesus said to the crowd..Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me,"
The crowds were made up of some new believers, but mostly “seekers”....thus Jesus said, “you are seeking me.”
Some were just “curious”. They wanted to verify what they had learned from others. Some were “thrill seekers”. They had seen miracles take place through the rabbi. It was exciting to be in that environment...so they kept attending the events. Some of the seekers were genuinely wanting to know and follow Jesus. They knew in their hearts that He was more than just a teacher. Could he possibly be the Messiah?
But Jesus judged his crowd rightly, many sought him not for eternal salvation but for a way to have plenty to live on without working.
“You seek me, not because you saw miracles befitting of God, but you seek me because you ate your fill of the loaves.”
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October 17th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9:1-17.
One more time great crowds of people gathered to listen to Jesus preach and teach. The setting is on a hill just outside Capernaum. Jesus has been teaching all afternoon and into the evening.
The disciples went to Jesus and told him as if he didn't know, that it was getting late...it was time to let them go home for supper. Let’s listen to what Jesus said.
“...Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
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October 16th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 9,10.
“Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.”
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October 15th
The bible reading today is in Mark 4,5.
When I began to read this part of Jesus’ story, a couple of things dawned on me.
First, Jesus was always on mission. For instance...a walk on the seashore became an opportunity to bear testimony to the good news of God. Did he ever have solitude?...being alone with his thoughts?...relaxing and not on stage at the insistent request of others?
Sure, Jesus rested, Jesus retreated, Jesus stole away to be by himself and recharge for the mission on which the Father sent him. But, more times than not, even those hours were interrupted with new mission demands.
Yes, Jesus was always on mission...always alert to one more opportunity to share the gospel.
The Second thing that dawned on me in this part of Jesus’ story, is how creative Jesus was in and on his mission. For instance, one day he was beside the sea of Galilee again, just a short walk from his house in Capernaum.
More and more people began to drop what they were doing and get close to the rabbi so that they could hear what he was saying.
And what did Jesus do? This time he didn't lead the crowd to a nearby mountainside. He chose another pulpit...a fisherman’s boat just cast off from shore.
There he would take advantage of the good acoustics and the beautiful, and peaceful backdrop of the sea.
Now, how creative was that?! And from there, Jesus taught the crowd onshore.
“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””
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October 14th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 13 and Luke 8.
By the way friends, when I'm reading, I not only desire to see what God is doing, but I also love to especially remember God’s words through the prophet Isaiah...“My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” Is. 46
That’s so awesome!
Jesus only accomplishes what He sees the Father doing and accomplishing.
Let’s listen to Jesus again...“So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
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October 13th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 12:22-50.
Jesus is in Jerusalem. The reading today is another window into the conflict between the religious leaders of Israel and Jesus. We are going to look through one window.
Before today we have read that the ark of the covenant was not in the Temple. The Urim and Thummim of the High Priest’s garments were not in the Temple. The Shekinah glory was not in the Temple. The Holy fire from heaven was no longer in the Temple.
Jesus said that He was greater than the Temple. He was saying that the things missing from the Temple were just shadows and types pointing toward the coming Messiah. Jesus was saying that He was the Throne of the Presence/the Ark...that He was the very Presence of Yahweh...that He was the High Priest that would deal with sin and death by bringing mercy and grace. Jesus was saying that the Holy Fire of God’s judgment was upon Him for the salvation of guilty Israel.
He was saying that He was the Messiah. And the religious leaders rejected His message and His works. And were plotting to kill him.
Jesus performed miraculous works on the Sabbath. And He was condemned by the religious leaders. Jesus quoted the prophets and said, “God requires mercy over sacrifice/ritual...” Jesus went on to say that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath like the Pharisees taught.
Yes, a battle royal was heating up in Jerusalem...not by the pagans, but by the religious Israelites. Not good and not God.
Then Jesus cast out demons and it was spectacular. But instead of giving him any credit, the Pharisees charged that His work was really Satan. Then Jesus proved it wasn't Satan and brought truth to bear...“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
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October 12th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 11.
“Now when John the baptizer heard in prison about the “deeds of the Christ”, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
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October 11th
The bible reading is in Matthew 8:1-13 and Luke 7.
“When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him.”
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October 10th
The Bible reading today is in Matthew 5-7...Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.
“Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain”,
Early in Jesus’ earthly ministry, word of His teachings and His miracles traveled fast around Judea, Samaria, and Galilee...and beyond. Crowds of people sought him out. Most were at least curious. But many of began to believe him and to follow him and the twelve.
Jesus would choose twelve as apostles to eventually be sent out with the gospel message as missionaries and church planters. But for now, the 12 stayed with Jesus wherever he went.
We read that Jesus saw the crowds and went up on the mountain (just outside of Capernaum). We shouldn't assume that Jesus was trying to dodge the multitudes. More than likely he knew that it would be better to address the crowd on the mountainside, so he led them there.
By the way, according to the gospel accounts, Jesus would often retreat to a mountainside for conversations with the Father. He desired that “alone time”. But today, from earth’s housetops, Jesus was teaching anyone and everyone on the mountain.
“and when he sat down”, his disciples (the crowd of seekers and believers) they came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them...
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October 9th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 12:1-21, Mark 3, Luke 6.
“Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, “so that they might accuse him”. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “ Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.”
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October 8th
The bible reading today is in John chapter 5.
“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.”
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October 7th
The bible reading today is in Mark chapter 2.
“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.”
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October 6th
The bible reading today is in John chapters 2-4.
Jesus had lived on the earth for 30 years and had worked no miracle. There was the hiding of His power. He had lived and worked with His parents and brothers and sisters in Nazareth. Basically, Jesus lived a normal boy to young man life. Including, taking care of His mother after His dad’s death.
Now He has broken through the obscurity and has begun his ministry by performing a miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding celebration.
“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
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October 5th
The bible reading today is in Matthew 4 and Luke 4-5 and John 1:15.
Let’s hear from the apostle John...“John the Baptist bore witness about Jesus, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me."
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October 4th
The bible reading today is in Mark 1 and Matthew 3 and Luke 3.
“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
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October 3rd
Today’s bible reading is in Matthew 2 and Luke 2.
Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus. This ancestral home of King David would become the first earthly home of the King of Kings...Jesus. Bethlehem was a small town, about 6 miles south of Jerusalem. In olden days, the town was called Ephratah. It meant “fruitfulness”. And the most beautiful fruit of Ephratah was the Christ child.
Now Bethlehem, in Hebrew, meant the “House of Bread”. Remember this? Jesus speaking to a great crowd in Capernaum?...“For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger..."
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October 2nd
The bible reading today is in Matthew 1 and Luke 2:1-38.
I believe the purpose of Matthew’s gospel was to reveal Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, King of Kings of Israel, and the rest of the world.
I believe Matthew’s purpose for writing also included a forever reminder from Jesus to His disciples... “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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October 1st
The bible reading today is in Luke 1 and John 1:1-14.
These two gospel records begin with accounts about the births of John the Baptist and the Messiah, Jesus. What a tandem, the announcer of the King’s coming and the King Himself.
Luke was a physician who followed Jesus. He was probably a Gentile. He accompanied Paul on some of his missionary journeys. He wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Being a doctor, he was full of academia and was a scholar no doubt. But when he wrote, he wrote for the “man on the street”...the common man...so that “everyone” could have the best opportunity to understand the gospel of Christ and believe.
Now the gospel of John was written by the Apostle John. He and his brother James were two of the first that Jesus invited to follow Him. John was identified as the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” God would use him to write the Gospel of John, 1,2,3 John, and the book of Revelation. No one had a closer relationship with Jesus than John. And remember at the cross? The dying Jesus placed his mother in John’s arms, saying.. ”Mother, here is your son”...speaking of John. Let’s remember that when we read John’s love letter/book about Jesus!
Several things in our reading today move my heart. First, Priest Zacharias, the baptizer’s father, was given a second chance to respond to God ”in faith” rather than unbelief.
When the angel told Zacharias that he and his wife would have a son that would prepare the way of the Messiah, Zacharias asked for proof...displaying his unbelief. Today’s reading shows Zacharias, publicly supporting his wife’s answer that “John” would be their son’s name. How gracious of God to bless this man with another chance to testify “in belief” of God’s word.
Oh, friends, that’s our Savior God. The same gracious One. May we repent of our unbelief and believe Him once again.
A second thing in our reading touches my heart. John the Baptist had a simple and yet very important assignment from God.
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.”
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September 30th
The bible reading today is in Malachi chapters 1-4.
Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi were the three post-exilic prophets to Judah in and around the time of rebuilding the Temple and the wall of Jerusalem.
We don't know much more about Malachi besides the fact that he was the last messenger from God to the people of God’s promise...1000 years after Moses and 400 years before the coming of the Messiah, the Christ child. After Malachi, there would be the 400 years of silence...where God chose not to speak to His people until the ministry of John the Baptist...preparing the way of and to Jesus.
So who did God target for the message from Malachi? The priests first, and then the people of Israel.
The people in Israel did have personal responsibility to follow the Lord. But so did the priests, only with a higher accountability to God.
Oh, friends, God blessed Israel with the Levitical priesthood for a purpose...to lead the nation in their reasonable service of worship to the one and only God, Elohim Yahweh...the Great I Am...and they would come to know Him as Jesus, one day. God blesses his church with “God called” Pastors on purpose. To shepherd the disciples of Christ under their charge toward their reasonable service of worship of their Savior God...the Great I Am, Jesus Christ.
Satan took aim and attacked the priests in Israel. Many fell to the temptations of the old serpent. And Israel lost spiritual leadership along the way. Satan is doing the same thing in our day, taking aim at our pastors with the intent of taking them down too.
None of the priests were perfect and none of our pastors are. Israelites of faith were responsible to pray for their spiritual leaders. And so are we. Friends, let us not forget to pray for our pastors.
So what did God require of His Temple priests and the nation? Let’s listen to God through His messenger...“From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from “my” statutes and have “not” kept them.
You have turned aside from My word, so you have turned aside from Me...“friends, remember the words of Jesus?... “
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”
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September 29th
Our bible reading today is in Psalm 126 and Nehemiah 11-13.
The Babylonian captives from Judah, after 70+ years, have come home. Jeremiah prophesied it and it came true.
They are a small number compared to the millions exiled by King Nebechadnezer, but they followed Zerubabbel, Ezra, and Nehemiah back to their ruined cities to rebuild their promised land way of life. They worked on the Temple in Jerusalem. But they were soon intimidated by Tobiah and other godless neighbors so they slowed the Temple work down to a crawl.
Ezra came to set a spiritual tone and set a fire of desire in their hearts to get back to work. To finish (to a measure) the House of God’s Presence. But the wall around Jerusalem was another matter. It was still torn down beyond recognition.
So God raised up a man for the job. His name was Nehemiah. Was he in the construction business? No. But the Bible says God’s hand was upon him...that would be more than enough. Nehemiah inspired 50,000 people to work with him and God on the wall. And the job was finished in record time...52 days.
It is thought by some that Psalm 126 was written by Ezra for the workers on the Temple and the wall. Let’s read the 6 verses...“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” (We could hardly believe it. We were home and it was beginning to look like home. It was like we were “in” a dream.)
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter” (the kind of laughter that’s good like a medicine...we became like Isaac, children of laughter. Spurgeon said to his congregation: “sometimes the loftiest, holiest expression of all is laughter”...” and our mouths were full of it...” said Nehemiah.
"and our tongues were enlivened with shouts of joy"...singing. When our tongues were set free, speaking was not enough to declare our gratitude to God. Our hearts were filled with the joy that is our strength.
Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things....The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb!
And to end the song Ezra wrote to the workers...“Those who sow in tears “shall reap” with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”
You have sown seeds of faith in our Savior God...not just when your circumstances were happy ones. You have sown seeds of trust in God even when suffering brought tears. ”You sowed in tears” when you were exiled in Babylon and now on the wall, and what God promised He has done. He brought you home for rejoicing and He will do much more for your joy in the days ahead.
Wow, what a promise keeper our Savior God Jesus is.
Have a great day
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September 28th
The bible reading today is in Nehemiah 8-10.
The building of the wall around Jerusalem was completed. Now Nehemiah led the people in a dedication and a celebration pointing to what great things the Lord had done. He opened all the gates in the wall just after noon and the people poured into the city.
“And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And Nehemiah told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.”
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September 27th
The bible reading today is in Nehemiah chapters 6 and 7.
What do I see God doing in our reading today? I see Him “Keeping His promise”. The promise He gave to their forefather Jacob, when he was scared and feeling alone and wondering about the future....“Behold, I am with you and I will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
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September 26th
The bible reading today is in Nehemiah chapters 1-5.
1000 years after the time of Moses and some 400 years before the birth of Jesus, the nation of Israel was in a desperate condition. Both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah were completely destroyed.
Continuing in review, 70 years after Babylonian captivity, 50,000 Jews out of the 3,000,000 Jews deported, took advantage of King Darius’s offer of allowing God’s kids to return to their promised land to rebuild Jerusalem, especially their temple.
That’s only about 2% of the Israelis that were exiled to Babylon, but they went “anyway. They went “home”. They went home to “devastation”, but they went home “to rebuild” their homes, their cities, and their promised way of life.
There was a second wave and a third wave of Jewish exiles that would leave their homes in the Persian provinces to return to their homeland in Israel. Nehemiah would be a part of that third wave.
Apparently Nehemiah’s brother, Hanani, had returned to Jerusalem for a short period of time. After his visit to Judah, Hanani came back to his home in Susa. There he talked with his brother about the dire circumstances that plagued the people of Israel after their return from exile.
“And Hanani said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
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September 25th
Today’s bible reading is in Ezra chapters 7-10.
“And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel....
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September 24th
The Bible reading today is in Esther chapters 6-10.
When I read through the book of Esther, I certainly see Godly character (flawed, yes), but overall I see the righteous character of God in the life of Mordecai and his younger cousin, Esther.
For instance, Mordecai took responsibility for raising and caring for his orphaned cousin. He not only knew what God was expecting of him, He was determined to do it by God’s strength.
In Esther, I see a Godly truthfulness and courageousness that came forth for the benefit of others, even when it meant her own hurt. Yes, I see God’s righteousness in and through their lives, especially when the pressure was on.
As I read through the book of Esther, I see that it is more than a moral tale of how we must stand tall and firm in the midst of difficult circumstances. I see the foreshadowing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I see our need to totally depend on Jesus...“the intercessor/mediator", that Esther pictured in small measure, who stood in the gap for those who desperately needed saving like you and me.
Jesus our perfect intermediator. Our perfect intercessor who hung on a cross in our place, between heaven and hell, between righteousness and sinfulness, between judgment and mercy. He took hell and gave us heaven. He took our sinfulness and gave us His righteousness. He took our judgment and gave us God’s merciful salvation.
Yes, Esther played the intercessor for the Jewish people of her day. But Jesus, You are always better. Thank You!
There is one more thing that captures my attention in our reading of Esther chapters 1-10...God’s complete sovereignty over the affairs of life.
Hammon was a key figure in the court of Persian King, Ahasuerus. Hammon hated Mordecai and the nation of Israel. Hammon was out to hang Mordecai and totally destroy and annihilate the Jewish people across the world. Hammon persuaded the king to command his armies to make preparation for the murderous attacks on Jewish men, women, and children.
The slaughter was coming. Fear and panic seized the Jewish nation.
Was God wringing His hands in worry? No!!!
Did it cross His mind that the annihilation of his people would interfere with the lineage of the promised coming of the Messiah Jesus? No!!
Why not? Was it because He was counting on coincidence? Such as...A Jewess named Esther was chosen by the Persian king to be his queen...and it would be her Godly appeal to the king that would correspondingly save her cousin from the gallows and her Jewish countrymen from the bloody sword.
Was all of that just a coincidence? Did the planets just align themselves perfectly for all that to happen? No and No!
God Himself ordained and carried out everything that we read in Esther.
Why do I see it that way? Let’s listen to Solomon teaching his children and grandchildren...“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
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September 23rd
Our bible reading today is in Esther chapters 1-5
“Esther had not made known her people or kindred, for Mordecai had commanded her not to make it known.”
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September 22nd
The bible reading today is in Zechariah 8-14.
In Zechariah’s day, not many people came to Jerusalem. It was still in a ruined state, downtrodden and broken to pieces.
But...God promised a great restoration. A great and marvelous redemption for Israel and especially Jerusalem. One day the peoples of the nations will come to the glorified city, seeking the Lord of angel armies...
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.”
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September 21st
The bible reading today is in Zechariah 1-7.
If all we had was the prophecies of Haggai, one might think that God was more interested in His Temple than His people who had just returned from Babylonian exile. Zechariah gives us more of the story. He shows us that God is interested in the lives of His people as well the House of God’s presence.
The prophecy of Zechariah is noted for his use of visions, pictures, and symbols. And we will look at some of them in today’s podcast. But before that, let us look at God’s main request of His people.
“Therefore say to them, Zechariah, “Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. Don't be like your fathers...
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September 20th
The bible reading for today is the short 2 chapter book of Haggai.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.”
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September 19th
The bible reading today is in Ezra 4-6 and Ps 137.
In Ezra chapter 4, the Samaritans, .made up of Assyrians who married Israelis for several generations since the Assyrian defeat and capture of the northern kingdom, made an offer to help build the Temple. But the Judeans refused their offer.
The Samaritans wrote a letter to the king of Persia full of accusations against the Judeans. The king of Persia responded commanding the Jews to cease building the Temple.
The text...“The Samaritans approached Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ houses and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Ezzerhaddon king of Assyria who brought us here.”
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ houses in Israel said to them, “ “You have nothing to do with us...in building a house to our God; but we “alone” will build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.”
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September 18th
The bible reading today is in Ezra 1-3.
By the time of our reading, the first wave of exiles had returned to Judah under the leadership of Ezra.
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.”
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September 17th
The bible reading today is in Daniel chapters 10-12.
The 10th chapter of Daniel includes a close-up picture of Daniel before the Lord in prayer and fasting. An appearance of Christ to Daniel, and the effects it had upon him...including spiritual and physical strength and encouragement along with an anticipation of what the future held for Israel.
“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river ( that is, the Tigris)
Daniel was with friends down by the riverside. The banks of the fast-flowing Tigris. I can imagine food and drink and conversation about the Savior God who saved their ancestors from Egyptian bondage. It was the time of year when the Judeans used to observe the Passover feast.
Then...“I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.”
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September 16th
Today’s bible reading is in Daniel chapters 7-9.
The first 6 chapters of Daniel describe the life and times of Daniel. Chapters 7-12 describe visions Daniel had in order of the events.
This first vision was the most comprehensive. But I have wondered if Daniel could have given me a little more. But either way, the Holy Spirit only wanted him to write the main facts.
“Daniel declared, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.”
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September 15th
The bible reading today is in Daniel 4,5,6.
At the end of yesterday’s reading in Daniel chapter 3, the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, took a huge step back from his public declaration that Daniel’s wise God was God of all. Let’s read his declaration
“The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
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September 14th
The bible reading today is in Daniel chapters 1-3.
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, laid siege to Jerusalem. We have already read about this in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles and in Jeremiah.
But in the book of Daniel, we are introduced to some new details of the exile to Babylon. Some eye-opening details of God working in and through some young men of Judah while in Babylonian captivity.
These stories inspire my faith in God our Savior. These stories motivate me to courageous obedience to God’s word. These stories enlighten me on God’s plans for making all things right and all things new. Now to the text.
“The king assigned the young captives a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time, they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.”
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September 13th
The bible reading today is in the three chapters of the small book of Joel. Joel prophesied to Judah during the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah, 835BC, 200 years before the northern kingdom of Israel was defeated by Assyria and taken captive to Nineveh, and 300+ years before Judah was defeated and taken into captivity by the Babylonians.
“Awake, you drunkards, and weep, and wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it is cut off from your mouth. For a nation has come up against my land, powerful and beyond number; its teeth are lions’ teeth, and it has the fangs of a lioness. It has laid waste my vine and splintered my fig tree; it has stripped off their bark and thrown it down; their branches are made white.”
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September 12th
The bible reading today finishes up our reading through the book of Ezekiel...chapters 46-48.
“A River Runs through It”, a film by Robert Redford, about brothers, their father, and a Beautiful River that ran through their lives.
Today’s reading is about a literal, Miraculous River that will “run through Jerusalem” all the way to the Dead Sea bringing healing...even turning a lifeless sea into a living body of freshwater teeming with fish...all of this in the Millennial Kingdom...of Messiah/Jesus’ 1000 yr reign on earth before the new heaven and new earth.
“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side.”
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September 11th
The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 44,45.
“Then he brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary, which faces east. And it was shut.”
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September 10th
The bible reading today continues the prophet’s visionary trip to Jerusalem and the guided tour by Jesus of the new Temple that would house the very presence of God again...Ezekiel 42,43.
Jesus shows Ezekiel the Holy Chambers within the Temple that were for the priest’s fellowship meals with each other and with God being the host of honor.
The priests had a right to eat of certain offerings.
“Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”
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September 9th
The bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 40,41. This final and great vision of the prophet is recorded in Chapters 40-48... to the end of this Old Testament scroll. It’s dated as the 25th year of the 70 years of Judah’s exile in Babylon. 14 years after the final assault on the city and Temple of Jerusalem.
This final vision/prophesy from God to Ezekiel took place at least 10 years after the preceding oracles. That must mean that God was using the prophet to preach old sermons (during that decade ) that still had application to the children who were growing to a maturity to understand God’s words and act upon them.
From the dating in the text, it seems possible that this vision was introduced to the congregation on the day of Passover. Whether they were actually observing the feast or not, the people would have at least been thinking about their deliverance from Egypt at the mighty hand of God. And that would have been of great encouragement to the Judeans, giving them a boost in faith that God would fulfill His purposes for their exile and complete His will for the nation of Israel in the messianic kingdom.
In our reading today Ezekiel makes his second visionary visit to Jerusalem. We read of his first in chapters 8-11. He saw the Temple profaned by God’s people and he saw the spiritual glory of God depart the Temple Mount.
At this visionary visit to Jerusalem, at the end of Ezekiel’s ministry, he saw the actual Temple, and the glory of God return to Mount Zion.
And Ezekiel said...“When God brought me there, behold, there was a “man” whose appearance was like bronze, with a linen cord and a measuring reed in his hand. And he was standing in the gateway.”
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September 8th
The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 38,39.
Here Ezekial prophesied that there would be a great battle one day between Israel and the nations of the world. And Israel’s God would make sure that Jacob’s children won...big time.
“Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord God: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely...at rest from conflict...You...Gog...and the other nations in the world...will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. “In the latter days” “I will bring you against my land”, that the nations may know me, when through you, O God, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.”
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September 7th
Our bible reading today is in Ezekiel 35-37.
“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.”
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September 6th
The bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 32-34.
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.”
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September 5th
The bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 28-31.
Our text and the power of the Holy Spirit reveals to us the scope of God’s Word, to prophet...to Israel, to prophet...to foreign nations, to prophet...to cities, to prophet...to foreign country’s kings and princes.
Early on in my faith walk with Jesus, I learned that God speaks to His church. So being in Christ and in His church, I knew that I could expect the Lord to speak to me in and through His words, the Bible.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
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September 4th
The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 24-27.
Some of the reading is about God’s judgment upon Judah and Israel. Most of the reading concerns God’s judgment upon several foreign nations that applauded the destruction that Babylon brought upon Judah.
Now to the text...“The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke;
God was telling Ezekiel that his wife (the delight of his life) was about to die. It’s one thing for God to tell Ezekiel that someone else's wife was going to die back in Jerusalem in the months to come. It must have been a far harder message to receive about his “own wife” who was going to die tomorrow night.
Warren Wiersbe observed that a least in some way the wife of a prophet was attached to his mission and message.
Sarah trusted God even when her husband, Abraham, struggled with faith. Abraham would be called, later in life, the Father of the faithful...and I'll bet that he gave credit for that tribute to his wife.
Ezekiel’s wife made the trek to Babylon with her husband. I would venture to say that Ezekiel loved his wife very much as they did life together in Babylon. Why do I think that? Because God was going to use their relationship in life and death to foreshadow a hard prophetic truth.
“Your wife is going to die tomorrow...” “yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down.
Moses forbade his brother, Aaron, to mourn over the death of his two sons. It was indeed a unique situation. Otherwise, weeping and mourning was a common and accepted practice among God’s children.
Same in the day of Ezekiel. When God commanded the prophet not to weep, not to shed tears over the death of his wife, it was a unique situation. God had a message for his people. And Ezekiel and his wife’s death and funeral would be the visual aid.
“Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Ezekiel was not forbidden to be sorrowful. Even Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, but the prophet would not be allowed to be overly demonstrative and manifest any loud wailing as was customary.
“Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet;” Go to the funeral like you would be going to work...working with Me and for Me and My people. Do not cover your lips, because I have a message I want you to deliver to My children...“And on the next morning, I did as I was commanded. “
O friends, see how obedience must be yielded by us to our Savior God? Especially when the duties are difficult?
And the people said to Ezekiel...“Will you not tell us what these things mean for us, that you are acting so strangely?”
So Ezekiel spoke “Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul, and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword.”
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September 3rd
The Bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 22,23.
“And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “And you, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Then declare to her all her abominations.”
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September 2nd
The Bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 20,21.
“In the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the Lord and sat before me. And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God, Is it to inquire of me that you come? As I live, declares the Lord God, I will not be inquired of by you.”
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September 1st
The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 18,19.
“What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel.”
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August 31st
The bible reading is in Ezekiel 16,17.
“Again the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations,”
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August 30th
The bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 13-15.
“For my will is that there be no more (any) false vision or (ocultish) flattering divination (concerning the future) within the house of Israel.”
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August 29th
The bible reading for today is in Ezekiel 9-12.
So much of the first 24 chapters in Ezekiel's prophesy relates to God‘s judgment upon Judah and Israel as a whole. Today’s animated prophesies were given to the already exiled Judeans telling the message that the rest of Israel would soon be judged also.
The people mocked the prophesies....“We’ve heard all of this before...” So God spoke...“Ezekiel, son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who have eyes to see, but see not, who have ears to hear, but hear not, for they are a rebellious house.”
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August 28th
The bible reading today in Ezekiel 5-8.
“The king mourns, the prince is wrapped in despair, and the hands of the people of the land are paralyzed by terror. According to their way, I will do to them, and according to their judgments I will judge them, and they shall know that I am the Lord.”
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August 27th
Our bible reading today is in Ezekiel chapters 1-4.
We will read about God’s calling of Priest Ezekiel to the office of Prophet to the whole of Israel in Babylonian exile. Ezekiel was one of hundreds of Levitical priests that were deported to Babylon from Jerusalem.
Many in the priesthood had been corrupted over several generations. That’s why God told Jeremiah to stand in the Temple court and prophesy against the evil that had slowly but surely crept into the worship practices of Judah and Israel.
But apparently, Ezekiel was one of the faithful Temple priests in Jerusalem. And he would have been among the priests singing psalms of faith and hope in the Lord as the people walked from Jerusalem to Babylon.
Oh friends, praise God for those who have answered the call of God to lead the people of God in song...songs about our God...songs of praise and thanksgiving to our God...songs that revive our faith in God again...songs that remind us that we are on this journey of faith together with a whole church of believers, a whole world of believers in Jesus who face the same struggles, trials, and sin that we do.
Thanks, James Evans, for faithfully leading our church in spiritual songs. Songs upon our lips and songs that help us speak from our hearts to each other and to our God.
A mighty whirlwind comes from the north and a dark cloud appears in the heavens. In the midst of the cloud is a dazzling brightness surrounded by flames. From inside the encircling flames, there is seen a mysterious and strange vision of four beings. Below their feet are four wheels and above their heads, a throne...upon which sits the dim form of a man issuing forth a message to the humbled Ezekiel.
So who was the main character in this scene? Without a doubt, it was God Himself.
Ezekiel saw the “likeness of the glory of God”...bright light...fire...lightning...darkness...clouds...each marking God’s power and presence in creation.
I also like Barnes Notes on this glorious vision to Ezekiel...” the ox”...the animal of sacrifice and suffering...” the lion”...the Lord of the jungle; the king of beasts...the ruler...” the eagle”...of keen eye and soaring wing...limitless imagination...” the man”...his spiritual capacity...which actuates all the rest.”
This vision given to Ezekiel finds its consummation and fulfillment in the person of Christ...the “All Powerful and Ever Present Creator”...the “Sufficient Suffering Sacrifice” for sinners...the “Lord of lords” and the “King of kings”...and Jesus is the “Strength of Eagle’s Wings” that carry us through and above the storms of life.
That is so awesome. What a picture. What a vision to and for Ezekiel two and a half thousand years ago...all the way to us. Thank You, Jesus!
Have a great day
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August 26th
The bible reading today is in Lamentations 4&5.
Right to the text...
“How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street. The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands!”
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August 25th
The bible reading today is in Lamentations 1-3.
These poems, these songs of sorrow, are attributed to Jeremiah by most. Written during Jerusalem’s fall to the armies of Babylon.
We read descriptive words like pain, darkness, broken bones, desolations, arrows...words used in the psalms and in Job’s testimony describing sorrow, suffering, and the horrors of dying and death in warfare. Israelis in Babylonian captivity would listen to the singers and resonate with the pictures of suffering painted in the song.
Let us listen...“I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of God’s wrath; and I say, “My endurance has perished...my glory is gone...so has my hope from the Lord.””
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August 24th
The bible reading is in Jeremiah 51,52, the last two chapters of the book.
“I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea before your very eyes for all the evil that they have done in Zion, declares the Lord. “
“Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, declares the Lord, which destroys the whole earth; I will stretch out my hand against you, and roll you down from the crags, and make you a burnt mountain. No stone shall be taken from you for a corner and no stone for a foundation, but you shall be a perpetual waste, declares the Lord.”
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August 23rd
The bible reading comes from Jeremiah 49,50.
Judah and Israel had been taken captive by the Babylonians. This prophecy of Jeremiah is about God’s judgment upon Babylon for sure. Just like His judgment upon Egypt for their unbelief and their brutality toward His people. Within this prophecy, God would give his exiled people hope for their deliverance from the power of Babylon and their restoration to the promised land.
Now...These Judean exiles lived far away from their homeland, but they cried day and night when they remembered Zion. Listen to the text...“In those days and in that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come, and they shall seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, saying, “Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.’”
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August 22nd
The bible reading today is in Jeremiah chapters 46,47,48.
The text today is a prophecy about God’s judgment upon the nations. We remember the anguish in Habakkuk’s QandA with God...”How long will it be before you bring justice upon the nations that have terrorized and brutalized Your people?”
Well, the prophet Jeremiah was about to answer Habakkuk’s question. And to begin with, Egypt was going down by the arm of Babylon...at God’s direction.
Right about now, I remember, not only the 400 years of Egyptian cruelty placed upon Jacob’s children, but I remember from our last week of reading in Jeremiah that many in Judah relied upon Egypt’s trade and muscle instead of God’s wisdom and supply. Thus, the prophecy against Egypt was correspondingly going to affect the unfaithful in Judah.
“Draw near to battle Pharoah Necro...get your war machine ready...get all you have and take the highest ground...and be as confident as you can be in your horses and chariots and gleaming spears and swords and armor that is supposed to strike fear into the enemy...but know this...at the end of the day, all of your military fanfare and strategic advantage is in vain. Babylon will win the day. The battle will cost you greatly in death and destruction. And I God will see to it.”
And Jeremiah saw the prophetic vision and further described the coming battle of Egypt and Babylon saying... “Egypt, your confidence will quickly leave you. Your faces will tell of your own fear and panic and consternation. As the battle begins, you realize that the Babylonian armies are not just in front of you, but are circled all around you. There is no way out. You will try to retreat, but only a few will escape the Babylonian sword. You're finished."
“That day is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood. For the Lord God of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.”
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August 21st
Our Bible reading today is in Jeremiah chapters 41-45.
Most of the citizens of Judah were taken captive by the victorious Babylonians. Only a handful of the defeated Judean military were left in hiding in Judah. Most of the older adults, along with the physically infirmed were left in the countrysides and burning villages and cities.
How long was it going to take for Judah to get back to normal? Or better still, get back to God? Well, it wasn't going to be any time soon.
A Judean named Ishmael convinced 10 other Jews to join him in assassinating the new Governor of Judah. His name was Gedaliah. He was somewhat famous among the faithful. He stood up to Zedekiah and his crooked city councilmen and saved Jeremiah’s life. Gedaliah was leading the survivors to obey Jeremiah’s message of submitting to Babylon’s demands. Ishmael had a different plan...and it included murder.
Self-centered evil was still resident in Judah. After the murderous massacre of the governor and his men in Mizpah, fear and outrage led a man to gather the scattered soldiers of Judah to hunt down Ishmael and his raiders. That leader was Johannon.
He and his men found Ishmael at the waters of Gibeon, just north of Jerusalem. Ishmael and eight of his conspirators escaped with their lives and went down to Amnon. Then a couple of “firsts” happened.
“Then all the commanders of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and “all” the people (in Judah) from the least to the greatest, came near and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Let our plea for mercy come before you, and pray to the Lord “your God” for us, “for all this remnant”— because we are left with but a few, as your eyes see us— that the Lord your God may show us the way we should go, and the thing that we should do.”
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August 20th
The bible reading today is in the three chapters of Habakkuk.
“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?”
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August 19th
The bible reading today is in 2 Kings 24,25 and 2 Chronicles 36.
Before we move on from the Babylonian captivity of Judah, we read some more content for application.
150 years before now, Judah watched Assyria totally defeat and destroy the 10 tribes of Israel’s northern kingdom. The land and the cities were laid waste and plundered of anything of value. Thousands upon thousands of Israelites lost their lives in that war. And twice that many were led to Ninevah as slaves.
The prophets reminded Judah of God’s judgment upon their northern kinsmen. Judah was given years to repent of their own sins against God. Judah was warned time and time again to turn from their willful, wicked ways and back to their God Savior.
But backslidden Judah would not repent. And God’s promised judgment came upon them. Death and destruction touched every part of Judah...from the countryside to the fortified cities.
The king of Babylon struck Judeans down and put them to death in brutal ways. For instance, Judah’s King Zedekiah tried to run from Nebuchadnezzar's army. But they caught up with and his family in the plains of Jericho. The Babylonians murdered each member of his family while making Zedekiah watch the butchering. Then the king’s captors put his eyes out and bound him in shackles and took him to Ninevah to suffer and die in the darkness.
All of this happened to the nation of God’s promise because kings in Judah, including Zedekiah, refused to listen to God, and instead chose to shed the innocent blood of God’s faithful. Oh, how all of Israel needed a spiritual awakening.
Oh, friends, I cannot help but think of our own nation and the innocent blood that is shed in our streets through cold, self-centered lawlessness. I think of the 1 million unborn children that were legally aborted on demand in America in 2018. And that’s only the ones reported.
Judah had blood on her hands. And so does our nation.
I'm sure that there were believers in Judah that went to Temple to pray and worship and beg God to revive their nation...to save their nation before it was too late. Let us be those believers in America that worship and pray and beseech the Lord for His holy fire from above that will revive the church to a life of repentance and a first love for Jesus and people again. A revival of the fresh oil of the Holy Spirit upon the churches so we can be salt and light once again. Living in our towns and cities and neighborhoods to preserve life and expose the darkness and the destruction that comes from there upon our land.
Jeremiah the prophet wept over the sin of Israel...Jesus shed tears for Jerusalem...Lord give us broken hearts for the salvation of our nation too.
Have a great day.
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August 18th
The bible reading today is in Jeremiah 38-40 and Ps 74 & 79.
“Then the officials said to the king, “Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm.”
King Zedekiah said, “Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you.”
So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the court of the guard, letting Jeremiah down by ropes. And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud and Jeremiah sank in the mud.”
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August 17th
Our bible reading today is in Jeremiah chapters 35,36,37.
“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the Lord.”
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August 16th
Our bible reading is in Jeremiah 32-34.
My dad would oftentimes quote the British born American poet, Edgar A Guest. Known for his 24 line poems written in the first half of the 20th century. The one that I remember the most was “I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.”
Basically Jesus was saying that to his disciples...”Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Jeremiah would do this in his day. He would preach with his words, but he would also preach faith in his God Savior with his life. In the days just before Babylon captured Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah prophesied that one day Judah and Israel would come back to their promised land. Build new homes, plant new vineyards, and repair broken down walls and live in Jerusalem again.
It seemed far fetched to most of the Judeans. They were beaten and beat down. Faith was nowhere to be found among the leadership of the nation of Judah in those days. They just couldn't believe the preacher’s hopeful words.
They saw the smoke from fires that destroyed their homes, their fields, and their cities, and their countryside. Going from beauty to ashes, from faith in the future to overwhelming pain in the present. Dark days to be sure.
And to make it even darker, Judah’s King Zedekiah judged Jeremiah a traitor and put him in the dungeon in Jerusalem. What would happen next?
God would make his preacher a living illustration of his own message. Jeremiah’s cousin came to visit him in prison. But it was more than a visit. Cousin Hanamel offered his land to Jeremiah for seventeen shekels of silver. Why the land had been confiscated by the Babylonians, and it was virtually worth nothing to Jeremiah...”unless “God was going to keep his promise” of giving that land back to the Judeans one day.
Jeremiah bought the land in front of many witnesses...”You think I'm a fool...Well, I'd rather be a fool trusting God and His promise than a man who preaches one thing and lives another.
There had to be faithful men and women of God in Jerusalem. Some must have been discouraged, especially with their spiritual leader, Jeremiah, in prison for preaching the truth. What is to become of us, they must have cried. And then someone would tell the story of Jeremiah’s faith purchase of a land God was going to keep for him no matter what.
I want to skip ahead in today ‘s text to try to answer the possible struggle with faith by the faithful in Jerusalem...“After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, “I prayed to the Lord”, saying: “Ah, Lord God!” (A sigh of possible doubt creeping into Jeremiah’s heart)...It is “you” who have made the heavens and the earth by “your” great power and by “your” outstretched arm! “Nothing is too hard for you.”
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August 15th
Our reading today is in Jeremiah 30 & 31.
“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.”
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August 14
Our Bible reading today is in Jeremiah 26-29. The reading begins with a very hard sermon by Jeremiah.
I remember some hard sermons that Jesus preached. One to his hometown, and one he preached on the Temple mount. Most in his audience would be confused, and many would be offended.
“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.””
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August 13th
Our bible reading today is in Jeremiah chapters 23-25.
I was discipled to expect God to speak to me from His Word, the Bible. This morning is no different. After I repeat John’s request, Revelation 22:20, “Come Lord Jesus”, I repeat David’s song verse, Ps 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things from thy word.
Jer 23: “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.”
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August 12th
Our Bible reading today includes some of my “sugar stick” passages that God has brought to my mind in very timely fashion over the years Jeremiah 18-22.
“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:”
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August 11th
Our Bible reading today in Jeremiah chapters 14-17.
A strange command from God to His prophet Jeremiah...“The Lord said to me: “Do not pray for the welfare of this people.”
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August 10th
The bible reading today is from Jeremiah chapters 10-13.
“Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them,”
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August 9th
The bible reading today is in Jeremiah chapters 7,8,9.
God used Jeremiah to speak to kings and government counselors and city councilmen as well as ordinary citizens in the countryside and in the town market places. But today God sends him to Solomon’s Temple at the time of a national holiday of feasting and worshipping. Perhaps the feast of the Passover when tens of thousands of people were in Jerusalem to worship at the Temple.
During his 40 year ministry, Jeremiah would preach publicly in towns, villages, countrysides, and fortified cities. But scripture only records two times where Jeremiah publicly preached at the Temple gates. Today’s passage is the first mentioned.
Jeremiah was to preach to the priests and scribes and Levitical Temple servants as well as the local and tribal worshippers of Yahweh that would have come in for the festival. And Jeremiah’s message was not a happy sermon for the “Temple goin’” folk.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place.”
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August 8th
The bible reading today is in Jeremiah 4-6.
God had an assignment for Jeremiah that would span the entire divided kingdom of Judah and Israel. His message might have been entitled: Unfaithfulness and The Repentance that Brings Restoration.
Jeremiah compared unrepentant Israel to broken cisterns of polluted water in yesterday ‘s reading. Wow, Jeremiah said that God’s people had “turned away” from the streams of living water and “gave their energy and devotion” to building broken cisterns that could not hold any refreshment for their thirsty souls.
Israel was doing life “away and apart” from God their Savior. And over and over, God sent his preachers to turn their hearts back to the Lord of life-giving drink. And they refused to turn back to God.
Did God still love them? Absolutely. That is why He continued to woo her back. “If you return, O Israel, declares the Lord, to “me” you should return. Return to Me...He begged. Stop your backsliding ways and “return to me...”
And what would that look like? “If you “remove” your “detestable things” from my presence, and do not waver,”
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August 7th
The Bible reading today is in Jeremiah 1-3, the beginnings of the ministry of a tender young man named Jeremiah.
Listen to what God said to him early on...“But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”
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August 6th
Our Bible reading is in the three chapters of the book of Zephaniah.
“Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city!”
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August 5th
Our bible reading today is in 2 Kings 22,23 and 2 Chronicles 34,35.
The text...“Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
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August 3rd
The bible reading today is in 2 Chronicles 32,33.
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. Wow, if he reigned that long, surely God was all over him. He was the son of the godly king Hezekiah. He only knew his dad for 12 years, but he was discipled in the faith early on by his grandfather and prophet Zecheriah. And he reigned as king in Judah longer than any king in Israel’s history. As an outsider looking in, Manasseh had every advantage for a Godly life and kingship.
But so much for the seeming advantages and the blessings of God that surrounded Manasseh...Manasseh turned out to be the worst king in Israel’s history, except at the end of his life.
Let us listen to the text for today...“And Manasseh did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the “abominations of the nations” whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.”
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August 2nd
Our Bible reading today is in 2 Kings 20,21.
Judah is under siege by Assyria. God would deliver Judah from the hand of Assyria, only to give them into the hands of the Babylonians eight years later. These chapters major on the end of King Hezekiah’s reign in Judah and God’s promises to him before he died.
“In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death.” The king was 39 years old. And he was very sick. Isaiah the prophet came to him and told Hezekiah that his death was near...” get your house in order.”
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August 1st
Our bible reading today is in the last three chapters of the book of Isaiah...chapters 64, 65, 66.
In chapters 63,64, the prophet is praying. Isaiah is interceding to God on behalf of himself and the whole of God’s people.
“Oh that you Lord would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—”
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July 31
Our Bible reading today is in Isaiah chapters 59-63.
During the years of Israel’s discipline at the hands of their loving, all-powerful God, many in Israel wondered if God still loved them. And many others wondered if the strength of God had diminished. Some believed that God’s hearing had become dull and that He had lost interest in His covenant people.
And then Isaiah speaks...“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;”
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July 30th
The bible reading is in Isaiah chapters 54-58.
In our reading today, the Holy Spirit had a message for the Judean exiles in Babylon and the dispersed of Israel living throughout Assyria. It was sweet to the taste and energy for their faith in the Lord. In this reading, I too feel like Jonathan, Saul’s son, who dipped his speer into the honey of the forest and had his eyes brightened and his resolve to serve God and his father strengthened. I hope you find the same today dear friends.
To the text...God’s words to His treasured ones. Ones who weren't feeling very treasured at the moment... “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?”
God’s people were feeling far from “satisfied”. They were captives now and worried about their futures. “We have lost our independence. We have lost our wealth and security. We have lost our husbands and children and friends. We've lost our life’s work. We've lost our life’s identity.”
And God hears them...Let us repeat it out loud...God “hears them” fellow friends of Christ who may be living with loss today, Our Lord hears us. And then He asks his children to consider what “truly satisfies”. And the short answer? The only answer...! God our Savior!
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
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July 29th
The bible reading today is in Isaiah chapters 49-53.
Our reading is God using Isaiah to prophesy about the coming Savior...the Messiah...Jesus Christ.
I agree with CH Spurgeon when he said, “There is no greater declaration of the gospel of Christ in the Old Testament than what we find in Isaiah’s writings...especially Isaiah 53.” But before we get there, let’s look in chapter 49 and learn of Christ’s mission, from heaven to earth and back.
“Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver, he hid me away.
Then the Father says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
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July 28th
The bible reading today is in 2 Kings 18 & 19 and Psalm 46, 80, 135.
The 2 Kings passages reveal the history of God dealing with rebellious Judah. The Psalms reflect a faith in God that Judah would need in turbulent times that would come upon them.
To me, the teaching in the biblical texts, especially in the songs, compel us to faith in God our Savior for every situation and circumstance. Some have called Ps 46 a “song of confidence in the midst of war”. They tie it to the days of Hezekiah when Assyria was seeking to run over Judah like they did Syria and the ten tribes of Israel.
Perhaps this would be a song sung by Judah even 8 years later when Babylon captured Jerusalem and took a half a million Judeans into exile for 70 years.
People were suffering from the loss of loved ones, loss of their homes, the loss of their lands, and the loss of their Temple. To some, it felt like the loss of God Himself.
And then, most possibly, the sons of Korah. Temple servants of the Lord who were apart of the mass exodus from Jerusalem. Perhaps they began to sing their faith out loud to encourage the broken and the fearful and the lonely as they left for slavery in Babylon.
Let’s listen to the song...“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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July 27th
The Bible reading today is in Isaiah 44-48.
My personal Bible reading includes a habit created from the first week of my conversion to Christ, 50 years ago. It is the habit of taking a pen or pencil or colored marker with me to my quiet place for reading.
As I read, I'm expecting the Holy Spirit to speak to me from the Word of God. And when He does, I circle, underline, or color those particular verses that stand out to me, particular phrases, and particular words. And if there is particular meaning and application to my life seen in the text, Ill note it in the margin or in the note app on my phone or laptop.
For instance...Isaiah. 44:1,2 “But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.”
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July 26th
Our bible reading today is in Isaiah chapters 40-43. The podcast will come primarily from chapter 43, a powerful old testament “gospel message” preached to Judah and yes...to us too... every day in Christ.
God saved Judah from the Assyrians. But He still planned on disciplining rebellious Judah. The same thing can be said of His children after the cross. Our Father disciplines us when we rebel. This time He would use Babylon to draw Judah back to Himself.
But in preparation of said judgment, God speaks to them as “Their Creator”. God had a special claim on Judah because He made them. The same thing applies to us, fellow Christians. He has created us and rejoices in all that He made. When we fail to love Him, we are failing at the very basic level of our existence.
But there was a better reason for Judah to respond positively in faith to God. And God said it...“I have redeemed you...” God bought Judah out of physical slavery and spiritual bondage as displayed in the Exodus.
But Judah owed their soul’s salvation to a blood promise that God made to their father Abraham, that looked forward to the perfect blood promise paid by Jesus on the cross. Awesome. Abraham was good but Jesus was better. And all of us who believe Him, hears His voice when He says...” I made you...and I have redeemed you...” You are twice mine!
The same way that God had ownership of Judah, He has ownership of us who believe. And it’s personal. He says in today’s text, “You are mine.” Think about it, friends. We belong to Jesus the Creator and the Savior. He loves us. He all powerfully protects us, holds us, guards, and cares for us. Isn't that wonderful? We don't have to stay afraid of anyone or anything now that we are His.
It gets better. Listen to the gospel of God through Isaiah...“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush, and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, Fear not, for I am with you.”
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July 25th
The bible reading today is in Isaiah 37-39 and Ps 76.
Isaiah had already prophesied that God would come through for the Judeans in Jerusalem. They were happy to hear that. But then the intimidating presence of the Assyrian armies scared them big time. And to add to that, a threatening letter was received by Judean king Hezekiah from the Assyrian leader mocking Jerusalem and Jerusalem’s God.
What happened next is a perfect picture of what to do when overwhelmed by threatening circumstances.
King Hezekiah took the letter to the courts of the Temple. There he laid it before the Lord. And how he laid it was awesome. He sang a song. Hezekiah sang his faith out loud, a great war hymn to the God who saves them.
“In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel. His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains full of prey.”
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July 24th
The bible reading for today is in Isaiah chapters 35 & 36.
I was taught in my early years as a Christian to read and study the bible with first an eye toward how the passage related to the direct audience of the prophet or apostle speaking and writing. Then I could better apply it to myself and the church. That is what I am doing today.
Isaiah’s audience was Judah during the reign of Godly King Hezekiah. The big bully on the block was Assyria. They had already defeated and captured Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel as well as the countryside and fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. Wherever they conquered, towns, cities, camps, fields, and orchards were burned and laid waste. It was truly a wasteland. Now Assyria was going in for the kill by surrounding Jerusalem.
Isaiah ‘s message was hard on some but full of hope for the believing. Great Egypt would not help. But God’s grace and mercy would save them.
There was death and great destruction already at the hands of the Assyrians. Judeans in Jerusalem were afraid and panicking. But Isaiah’s picture of the near future for the promised land people, for the faithful and the unfaithful, had to encourage them.
Let us listen...“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.”
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July 23rd
The bible reading today is in Isaiah chapters 31-34.
Isaiah tells Judah that God will give them victory over the Assyrians. The victory would not come from their cunning, their skills, their sharpened swords, or their hired mercenaries. God would save them. “He would do all that was necessary to save them”.
I can't help but remember conversations that I had with Bev during high school and college about eternal life. I knew that I needed forgiveness of my sins, which were many. Bev said that forgiveness comes with eternal life. So I immediately began to try to quit sinning, at least trying to be a better person. Hopefully, that would somehow gain points with God so that He would give me His eternal life. But over and over I failed to sustain a good life. I just kept on sinning and feeling so guilty.
Then one day I read a gospel tract that Bev and her mom gave me in my freshman year of college. The author, through bible verses, explained that sinners could never earn eternal life by trying to be good, better, and best. He explained that eternal life was a gift from God that His son Jesus bought for me with His sacrificial death on the cross. The author explained further, that Jesus did all that was necessary for me to receive eternal life, even to the sorrow in my heart for my sinning and even the desire to believe and follow Him.
Isaiah said to Judah...”You can't save yourself. You must totally and only depend on God for your salvation. God used Isaiah to bring the truth to Judah. He used my girlfriend (later my wife) Beverly to bring it to me. Thanks, Jesus...Thanks, Miss Ann.
Isaiah included in his message to Judah that besides the blessing of salvation from the approaching armies of Assyria, God would also give them the blessing of a coming righteous king. Some believe that King was Josiah. I tend to lean toward Hezekiah the righteous. But I wouldn't lose fellowship over it.
What I really lean toward is that this part of Isaiah ‘s message related to a greater blessing for Judah and Israel. The coming of The Righteous One, the Prophesied Messiah, King of kings, The babe in a manger Jesus.
Let us listen to today’s text and the description of the coming Messiah King. “Behold, “a king will reign in righteousness”, and His princes “will rule in justice”. And will be like a “hiding place” from the wind, a “shelter” from the storm, like “streams of water in a dry place”, like the “shade of a great rock” in a weary land.”
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July 22nd
The bible reading today is in Isaiah 28,29,30.
“Ah, stubborn rebellious children,” declares the Lord to Judah, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!”
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July 21st
The bible reading today is in Hosea chapters 8-14.
“Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture (Assyria) is over the house of the Lord (Israel) because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law.”
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July 20th
Our Bible reading today is in Hosea chapters 1 thru 7.
“When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.”
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July 19th
The Bible reading today is in 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 48.
The reading today speaks to my heart. It talks about spiritual leadership. Some inspiring and some not so much.
For almost 50 years, I've been a husband to Bev. In Christ, God has given me the role of spiritual leader in our marriage and family. For 48+ years I've been a pastor in the local church. In Christ, God gave me the role of spiritual leader in 6 churches.
A spiritual leader at home, and a spiritual leader in the church. Some of it good. Some of it not so much.
Let us listen to God’s testimony of Judah’s young king Hezekiah...and then we will listen to God’s testimony of some of the priests.
“In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was “Abi the daughter of Zechariah”. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. He “removed” the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).
“He trusted in the Lord”, the God of Israel, so that “there was none like him” among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him. For he “held fast” to the Lord. He “did not depart” from following him, but “kept the “commandments” that the Lord commanded Moses.
And the “Lord was with him”; wherever he went out, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and “would not serve him”. He “struck down” the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.”
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July 18th
Our Bible reading today is in Isaiah 23-27.
In the middle of that reading, in Chapter 25, we read about God’s people praising and believing God in and through great tribulation.
We have all experienced difficult times in our lives. Stressful times, painful times, times of great loss, times of deep sorrow, times of desperation and fear-filled anxieties. We have all known, to some extent, the dark nights of our soul. But rarely have we heard people singing their faith at midnight.
“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”
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July 17th
The bible reading is in Isaiah chapters 18-22.
In the midst of God judging the nations, we read some hard sayings against God’s people. Perhaps God was using Isaiah to preach messages that would stir the hearts of His people and motivate some soul searching by His careless ones. How? By couching the convicting words with a softness.
In Chapter 22 Isaiah entitled his sermon, “An oracle concerning the valley of vision”. His God-given message was directed to the city of Jerusalem.
Wasn't Jerusalem built on a mountain? Yes. But it was a mountain surrounded by mountains, many taller and much larger. So, from some mountain tops, Jerusalem could be considered “ down below”...in a “valley” of sorts. The prophet called Jerusalem, “the valley of vision”.
The “Vision of God” God’s powerful and majestic presence upon the temple. And within the veil of the Holy Place. Between the cherubim on the bloody mercy seat.
The “Vision “from” God” to prophets, for multiplied hundreds of years for the sake of the people of God.
Jerusalem...the valley of vision. Could it mean "God “seeing” everything...God “watching” over His own people of faith. I believe so.
Listen to one of my favorite Old Testament verses in 2 Chronicles 16. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, seeking to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are completely His.”
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July 16th
The Bible reading today is in Isaiah chapters 13-17.
It is my conviction that God has “always” made good decisions. It is my belief that God has “always” been a good judge for the world He has made.
As human beings, we were made in the image of God like our ancestral parents, Adam and Eve. We were given minds to think with and hearts to love with and souls to respond to God with. But remember, sin came to the garden. And every son of Adam and every daughter of Eve would be born in sin. With a sin nature, with minds that would think evil thoughts, with hearts that would love “selfishly”, and souls that would be dead spiritually.
What man and woman and boy and girl would desperately need would be a do over...a new birth...with a Godly mind that could make good decisions like God. With a Godly heart that could love “selflessly” for a lifetime, and a God soul that could desire to walk together with the Lord.
And by the way...in Christ, we have been born again, with brand new hearts, brand new souls, and the very mind of Christ.
One of my constant prayer requests to God is that He would empower me to think His thoughts and make decisions in harmony with His. You and I are called upon every day to make decisions. Many small ones and some pretty big ones. For the most part, we trust our decision-making abilities. The sad thing is, we find ourselves not trusting in our Savior God’s decision-making abilities. And why is that? Because some of His decisions concerning us have been hard, painful.
In the world in which Isaiah ministered, primarily Israel and Judah, the people had rightly experienced the sting of God’s warnings and judgments. Many turned to the Lord with a contrite heart, “so sorry” for the forgetting of their Savior. Others just refused to turn back to the Lord.
Is there any good news, Isaiah? We know that we have blown it. We know that we have broken the law and we know that we have broken God’s heart. Is there any more mercy and any more grace for God’s chosen ones?
Let us listen to Isaiah...not just for Israel and Judah, but for us in Jesus.
“For the Lord will have “compassion on Jacob” and will “again choose Israel”, and will “set them” in their own land...
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July 15th
The Bible reading today is in 2 Chronicles 28 and 2 Kings 16,17.
To the text...“Yet the Lord “warned” Israel and Judah by every “prophet” and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments...” 2 Kings 17:13
In love, God sent preachers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel and to the Southern Kingdom of Judah and Benjamin.
God “sent them”. You know, God still has His preachers today. He still calls them. He still speaks to them. He still trains them, and He still sends them.
I remember it like it was yesterday, a Sunday evening worship service at Highland Baptist Church in Denton Texas. Beverly and I were newlyweds. And the first thing we did after moving to my college town was to start looking for a church that taught and preached the Bible and had a passion to reach the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
That Sunday night, Jack Boggs, our pastor, shared his testimony of God calling him to preach. Bev and I had been praying that God would show us what He had in store for our lives. Brother Jack said that God was still calling people to preach the gospel all over the world. He challenged our church family that night to listen for that special call from God.
I bowed my head and heart that night and told the Lord that I would be His witness and share Christ with everyone He brought across my path. I thought that conversation with God would take care of the butterflies in my stomach. But it did not.
So I told the Lord that I didn't know much about preaching, but if He was calling me to preach the Word to His people, would He then give me a sign, like He did with Gideon.
“Lord, this call upon my life will include my wife. If You’re calling me, then please have Bev to grasp my hand”. Almost immediately Bev clasped my hand. I whispered to her that I believed that God was calling me to preach. She said, “then you need to go forward to speak with Brother Jack. I'll go with you.”
And the rest is history. 49 years a witness of Christ and a preacher.
God sent prophets/preachers to Israel in the days of Ahaz, king of Judah. The text says that the preachers shared God’s message with God’s people. But the people would not listen. Their hearts were stubborn, they would not turn from their evil ways and back to God.
G. Campbell Morgan said, “Israel’s sin was first against law, but finally it was against patient love.”
God sent preachers to Judah for 16 years, during the reign of wicked Ahaz of Judah. And for 16 years, for the most part, the hearts of God’s people were divided and hard toward God. It was God’s love that sent the preachers to call His people back to Himself.
There was a need for a spiritual revival among God’s people. They needed to be broken before God, humbled, repentant, and in love with God again.
Oh Lord Jesus...revive Your church...make Your preachers mighty in Spirit...they will need You to burn hot and passionately in their hearts...inorder to light the fires of revival in America and around the world...so be it!
Have a great day.
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July 14th
Today we are in the 7 chapters of the book of Micah.
Like Amos, Micah was a “country preacher”. More than likely, a bi-vocational preacher. One day herding his flocks and cattle, the next preaching God’s message to God’s people.
Amos, in addition to preaching to his own people, prophesied a great deal to the nations surrounding Israel and Judah. Micah’s ministry, however, was primarily to the divided kingdom of God’s people of promise, Israel and Judah. His message would include a warning about God’s dealing with His unrepentant people.
Was it straight forward? Yes. Was it cold and surgical? No way! Micah preached some and cried some. He was in agony over the careless sinning of his people. He called them to repentance. To turn back to following God.
Let’s listen to the text...“For this, I will “lament”(agonize) and wail; I will go stripped and naked; I will make lamentation like the jackals, and my mourning like the ostriches. For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah; it has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem.”
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July 13th
Our bible reading today is in 2 Chronicles 27 and Isaiah 9,10,11,12.
Straight to the text...“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time, he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
For to us, a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace, there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
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July 12th
Today’s bible reading is in Amos chapters 6,7,8,9. 5 visions that God gave Amos.
We will look at the three visions in Chapter 7 for today’s podcast.
But just a brief introduction...Already Amos has called the nations, including Judah and Israel, “to prepare to meet God.” Wow. By the reaction of the vast majority of his audience, we can conclude that “meeting God” was not immediately thought of as a happy meeting with Nana and Granddad for Baskin & Robbin's ice cream. No, Amos’ audience was shocked and made very angry...very uncomfortable.
What an ominous declaration to give to a generation that had pretty much either denied the existence of God or refused any rationale that made them responsible to their creator and covenant maker. No wonder Amos was threatened by priests and kings across his mission field.
Amos predicted an earthquake that would affect 8 nations. Scriptural words like the land melted, the trembling, the shaking, the bones and deaths inside and under buildings, the violent crashing sounds, the sea flooding lands, beyond coastlands. God was going to judge unrighteousnes, and that “death and destruction bringing earthquake” would all happen before the other prediction of Amos. Israel’s invasion by Assyria.
One more thought before the visions...When I read Amos’ words, “prepare to meet your God Israel” in chapter 4, I thought a minute, maybe longer, and became humbly grateful in my mind and heart for Jesus and the salvation He “bought for me” with His death on the cross and His prophesy fulfilling resurrection.
I will meet my God, Jesus, one day...either at my death on earth or in the air at the rapture of the church and all those who have believed Him down through the ages.
I have told people for years that I am not afraid to meet my Savior. He has already saved me from the penalty of my sin. I look forward to the day when I can personally thank Him at the judgment seat of Christ, face to face in the presence of all the saints, for the glorious gift my salvation and so many other gifts.
Now...Three visions of the coming judgment upon Israel.
Locusts after the first harvesting, before the final harvesting. Leaving nothing in the fields. Total complete devastation. Amos prayed that God would not totally destroy Israel. And God relented, only a part of Israel would be destroyed.
Fire...a wildfire of judgment that would not discriminate. A fire that would eat up all of Israel. Amos prayed again that God would not completely destroy Israel. And God relented, only a part of Israel would be affected.
And then a Plumb Line. In the midst of Israel that common and most effective tool for measuring, building and destroying. God was going to measure the hearts of the Israelites. He would determine the “unrighteous heart” and destroy it. He would determine the righteous heart and save it.
And just who is the righteous heart?
“For our sake, God made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin, so that “in him” we might become the righteousness of God.”
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July 11th
The bible reading today is in the first 5 chapters of Amos.
“For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: “ “Seek me and live” ...really live...The same thing Jesus was saying in Mark 1:15 and Matthew 6:33
“Jesus saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; (it’s right in front of you...the kingdom is Me...because I'm the king) repent and believe the gospel.”
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July 10th
Our bible reading is in Isaiah chapters 5,6,7,&8. God blessed me today from the reading of His Word.
God used the prophet Isaiah in skillful, poetic verse to remind His people of His love and just what that looks like in these days. Who knows, perhaps the song was entitled...“A Love Song About God’s Vineyard”...And like other love songs that God wrote, this one will have some bitter and some sweet it seems.
“Let me sing for my beloved”...Isaiah writes. I want to sing, and I want to sing for the One who loves me the most...for My Savior God, Elohim...we would say Jesus.
Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: “My beloved had a vineyard”...His prized possession...Judah who believed and you and me.
And what did His love look like? “Gave his best to his vineyard...Jesus...on a very fertile hill”...the perfect place to produce life...Golgatha comes to mind...the hill outside of town where Jesus was put to death...that from that death, life would spring eternal for all who believed Him.
“God dug it and cleared it of stones”...hard work just for the love of His vineyard...that’s love...and planted it with choice vines...” chosen” ones...like you and me who believe him...he built a watchtower in the midst of it...The Holy Spirit...for around the clock protection from the little foxes that spoil the vines...and hewed out a wine vat in it...to crush the grapes and for storing of the sweet wine...reminding me that God’s love for me will always include a crushing...”If any man will come after me let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” and he looked for it to yield grapes...the luscious kind...
Reminds me of the words of Jesus in John 15...“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
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July 9th
The bible reading today is in the first 4 chapters of Isaiah.
These prophecies of Isaiah are recorded in this book by his name. And Isaiah’s prophesies are quoted in the New Testament more than all the other prophets in scripture combined.
Isaiah ministered for 60 years. For 20 years he ministered in both the northern kingdom of the 10 tribes and the southern kingdom of Judah and Benjamin. For his final 40 years, Isaiah ministered exclusively in Judah.
He was a contemporary of Hosea and Micah. And by the time of Isaiah’s ministry, the prophets Elijah, Elisha, Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, and Amos had all come and gone.
As Isaiah’s ministry began, Assyria was about to besiege Israel.
Finishing up this overview, Isaiah was a great man of God.
Some say that Isaiah had the courage of Daniel, the tears of Jeremiah, the persuasive skill of Hosea, and the righteous anger of an Amos. Others have written that Isaiah left the other prophets behind by a long way when it came to the art of bold, holy mockery of ungodliness.
Now to the text of Isaiah’s message from God to rebellious Judah during the reign of the evil king, Ahaz.
“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me.”
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July 8th
The bible reading today is in 2 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 26.
In these mirror chapters today, the text is filled with the evil of 5 kings of Israel, including murders, assassinations, and rampant idolatry from the throneroom throughout the 10 tribes.
Over and over the following phrase is found in the text describing these 5 kings...” he did not depart from the sins of Jereboam.”
So what were the sins of Jereboam? He had two golden calves made. Set one in Bethel and the other in Dan. Then he ordered the worship of those idols throughout Israel.
The 5 Israeli kings in our text today continued to order the people to worship the golden calves as their God. Wow...kings not only guilty of idol worship themselves but leading their people to do the same. That’s evil indeed.
One more time our texts in Kings and Chronicles boldly show what Samuel prophesied about Israel wanting a king over them like other nations. They traded God’s righteous rule for men’s sinful selfish and satanic rule. And it would not end well for them.
Before I wrap up this podcast there are a couple of lessons to be learned in the 16-year reign of young Jotham in Judah. “In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok. “And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”, according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Nevertheless, the high places were not removed. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the Lord.”
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July 7th
Our bible reading today is another one of my favorites. The 4 chapters of Jonah.
Shortly after I was saved at age 19, I fell in love with the Bible. “When my teammates in college would ask me what I found “so interesting” in my Bible reading, I would say, “Why, these are devine words just for me, from the One who saved me from my sins. Why wouldnt I want to hear what he has to say?
Invariably, someone would say, “You dont really believe that a guy was swallowed up by a whale and three days later was regurgitated upon the land alive, do you?” And I would say, “Since my Jesus believed it, so do I.”
“But Jesus answered the Pharisees, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
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July 6th
The bible reading today is in 2 Kings 14 and 2 Chronicles 25. Why is the record of all the kings of Israel and Judah included in the Bible?
Into the text...“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign in Judah, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. ( And his father was the determined reformer, Joash.) And Amaziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, “yet not with a whole heart.”
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July 5th
The bible reading today is in 2 Kings 12 & 13 and 2 Chronicles 24.
“His servants arose and made a conspiracy and struck down Judah’s King Joash in the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla. It was Jozacar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, who struck him down so that he died. And they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Amaziah his son reigned in his place.”
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July 4th
Our bible reading today is in 2 Kings chapters 9,10,11.
“Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and murdered all the royal family.”
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July 3rd
Good day, Henry. Thank you for joining me and others on our Bible in a Year reading journey. We are halfway through. Greet your mom and dad for me. May the Lord continue to speak to our hearts from his Word.
Think about it, we are actually meeting with the God of our salvation when we open the book of books, the Bible. Kind of wonderful isn't it?
Our Bible reading today is in 2 Kings 5-8.
The podcast will focus on two events in the life and ministry of the young prophet Elisha, probably in his late twenties, early thirties.
“Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.”
Elisha took over the leadership of the school of the prophets from Elijah. In just a few short years, the number of students sensing God’s call to preach increased a great deal in Israel, even in the days of wicked kings.
O how the spiritual influence of Elisha was spreading. God was using the young man to inspire others to seek the Lord. The students appealed to their young teacher for approval in building a larger place for them to live and to study and learn about God and His calling upon their lives. Elisha said, “Yes...Go for it.”
“Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And Elisha answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.”
Did you notice the relationship between the prophet and his students? Respect and no fear. The young students knew who their leader was. And there was an openness to ask questions and to make suggestions and to work together.
“But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.”
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July 2nd
The Bible reading today is in 2 Kings 1-4...God using Elijah (at the end of his ministry in Israel) and Elisha (at the beginning of his) for His glory!
The king of Israel, Ahaziah, was on his sickbed in Samaria. He had fallen from the second-floor balcony onto the ground below. He was worried. So he sent for the Philistine seer, Baal Zebub...used in the New Testament for Satan.
Elijah intercepted the king’s entourage. He gave the king’s representatives a message from the God of Israel. “‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’”
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July 1st
The bible reading today is in Obadiah 1 and Psalm 82,83.
The prophet Obadiah had a vision from God about God’s judgment upon the Edomites the sons of Esau, who acted in opposition to God’s chosen, who terrorized Israel during their 40 years of wilderness wandering, and who joined forces with the likes of the Moabites and Ammonites to attack Judah during the times of the divided kingdom of Israel.
This shortest book in the Old Testament was a message of judgment “entirely” pointed at a foreign country. All of the other prophets of God, except for Obadiah, Nahum, and Habbakuk, directed their messages primarily to Israel or Judah.
Obadiah’s message is direct and plain. Anyone who touches God’s people of faith will be judged without mercy. Obadiah accused Edom of a pride and arrogance that went way beyond the measure found in other opponents of Israel. A prime illustration of Solomon’s wise declaration from God...“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
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June 30th
The Bible reading today is in 2 Chronicles 19-23.
At the end of yesterday’s reading, we saw the sovereignty of God very clearly. God sovereignly chose to save Jehoshaphat in battle and not Ahab.
Let us listen to Psalm 75...“For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, “but it is GOD” who executes judgment, “putting down one” and “lifting up another.”
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June 29th
The Bible reading today is in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 18.
I will focus on the faithful prophet Micaiah. The setting...
The Syrians held a Levitical city east of the Jordan River named Ramoth Gilead. Ahab, king of the ten tribes, wanted to retake the city for his kingdom. Ahab invited the godly Jehoshaphat, King of Judah and Benjamin, to assist in the battle for Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat allied himself and his kingdom with Ahab by marrying one of Ahab’s daughters, perhaps the most glaring sin of disobedience to God that we read concerning Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat requested that Ahab inquire of the Lord concerning the battle. So Ahab called upon 400 prophets in Israel to give him counsel. They all said, “Go up, engage the Syrians and God will give you the victory.”
Jehoshaphat asked if there was any other prophet nearby that they could ask to enquire of the Lord about the battle. Ahab said, “Yes, but I hate him. He never prophesies good for me only evil.” But Ahab called for him anyway.
“Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.” And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what my God says, that I will speak.”
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June 28th
The Bible reading is in 1 Kings 20,21.
Yesterday we read about the prophet Elijah going toe to toe with the wicked Ahab and his even more wicked wife Jezebel. He even went altar to altar against the 400 prophets of Baal and 450 prophets of Ashera on Mt Carmel.
For half a day Israel watched the prophets and priests of Baal cry, holler, and cut themselves trying to get their gods to act upon their altar. Nothing happened. Then it was Elijah’s turn. Or should I say Jesus’ turn?
Elijah spoke to the multitude on the mountain. “How long will you halt between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him. If Baal be God, follow him.”
Reminds me of the apostle Paul saying, “Follow me as I follow Christ...” Then Elijah prayed...”O Lord, show Israel today that You are God and that I am Your servant.”
Fire from heaven fell upon the altar, consuming the sacrifice, the rocks, and the trench full of water. The people fell on their faces saying, “The Lord, He is God.” The hand of the Lord was upon Elijah.
Then something happened. The joy and exaltation of the Lord were Elijah’s strength on Carmel. But days later, the brave Elijah was running for his life. From faith to fear. From standing against 850 opponents one day to running from the evil threat of the wicked queen the next.
What happened next? We read about Elijah hiding out in a cave in the wilderness. All the way to Mt Horeb. Depressed and scared and feeling all alone.
Do we roast Elijah there? Not me, I've gone from hero to zero too many times. What’s important to me is what happened during Elijah’s “dark night” of his soul. “There” God met him. Not in a strong wind, not in an earthquake, not in the fire, but in a still small voice.
And more times than not, that is where Jesus meets me. A quiet place, in silence, listening, and then that’s when God tells me that I'm not alone and that He is not through with me yet...” just like he said to the old prophet yrs ago.”
Next, Elijah’s nemesis, King Ahab and Jezebel, show up in today’s reading. Bullies and murderers of God-fearing Israelites. And then we read how God gives them a victory over an even bigger bully, the king of Syria.
Why in the world would God show His grace upon a nation that had turned it’s back on the God that had blessed them so? God’s people all across America today are asking the same question? What is holding back the judgment of God upon the idolatrous nation that we have become?
My belief? “The grace and mercy of God”.
Oh Lord, there are still so many of our loved ones who are not yet believing You, Jesus. We want you to come in one prayer, in another, we thank You for holding off your judgment awhile longer for the sake of the salvation of millions more!
Love you, friends. Have a great day!
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June 27th
The Bible reading today is in 1 Kings 17,18,19...looking into the godly life of the prophet Elijah.
To me, these chapters make up some of the most encouraging revelation in the Bible. So it starts with the sacrificial giving of a faithful woman. Don't miss this.
God spoke to Elijah saying..."Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you." So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." And she said, "As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die."
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June 26th
The bible reading for today is in 1 Kings 15:25-16:34 and 2 Chronicles 17.
Asa, the great-grandson of Solomon, was king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the days of the divided kingdom. He ruled 41 years and was known for being used of God in bringing spiritual revival to Judah.
Asa’s father, Abijam, had a divided heart toward God. He trusted God sometimes and trusted himself most of the time. Because he refused to eliminate the high places of worship of foreign gods, he laid a spiritual stumbling block before the people he was to lead. He died. Then Asa his son took the throne of Judah.
“The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”
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June 25th
The bible reading today is in 1 Kings 15 and 2 Chronicles 13,14,15,16.
Two kings in Judah and two kings of Israel...the rebellious ten tribes. The podcast today will focus on Abijam, who followed Rehoboam, his father, as King of the states of Judah and Benjamin for three years.
“Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam began to reign over Judah. And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father.”
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June 24th
2 Chronicles 12,13,14 is our bible reading today.
For the first five years of Rehoboam’s reign, he followed the words of God given to him by his father Solomon. He assembled 180,000 choice warriors for Judah’s and Benjamin’s defense against Jereboam and the 10 tribes of the divided kingdom. He built and fortified 15 cities, including Bethlehem. He supplied them as fortresses ready for war...with mighty men and commanders to lead them. He made space for all of the Levitical priests that Jereboam evicted from the 10 tribes. That would imply that Rehoboam provided them with common lands to build upon and live upon.
From a distance, it would seem that Solomon’s son was ruling well. But a closer look would reveal the opposite. The high places for the worship of foreign gods that his father built were still intact still competing for the hearts of the sons and daughters of promise. Rehoboam should have torn them down. Instead, he turned away from God.
“When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was “strong”, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and so all Israel with him.”
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June 23rd
The bible reading today is in 1 Kings 12,13,14.
The story of a man of God, a preacher of Judah. His bravery and his fall catch my attention.
Why? “Because” I am a preacher too. A preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ for fifty years. Because my son is a preacher. Because my brother in law is a preacher. And because many young men over my years of ministry have received the call of God to preach the Gospel.
The bible has been my sword of the Spirit. It has also been my food for faith’s nourishment and my drink for soul refreshment. I am taught the mind and heart of God by it. I am warned and corrected by it. I am thoroughly furnished unto good works by it. And my heart is strangely warmed by it.
However, my heart was chilled by it this morning. The preacher of Judah was given an assignment by God. A hard one, a life-threatening one. And he accepted it with bravery. I only wish that his story could have ended in honor the way it began.
Why was it a hard assignment? Because God called him to go to the wicked king of the ten tribes, Jereboam. The preacher was to deliver a confrontational message. Prophesying God’s judgment upon Jereboam and his house. A message about God tearing his kingdom from him and his sons. A message about dogs and birds eating his and his family’s flesh. Yes, I would call that a hard assignment.
But the preacher went and delivered God’s message boldly. May all of God’s preachers be so brave to accept God’s mission for them. No matter how hard, for the sake of the gospel, the building up of Christ’s church, and the salvation of people around the world.
I can't help but remember another preacher in the Bible Jonah. God gave him a dangerous assignment and Jonah refused. He ran from it thousands of miles from it. God had to use a “near drowning” and a “whale” to bring that man of God around. I am grateful for the grace of God displayed on Jonah’s life. God’s arm is never to short to reach his people and turn them around.
Back to today’s reading...So what happened to the courageous preacher after he spoke God’s message to the evil king? He didn't finish his mission and wound up being attacked by a lion and killed.
So what chilled my heart...well, that’s the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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June 22nd
The bible reading today is in Proverbs chapters 30,31. The final two records/chapters attributed to the Biblical texts known as the Proverbs were written by two “other” wise men of Solomon’s day, Agur and Lemmuel. Neither man is mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.
Agur seems to have been a public teacher and Lemmuel a pagan king converted to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Both indicate that their message was not of human wisdom but of God.
I like what Agur said about God and His word.. “Every word of God proves true, and he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
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June 21st
The bible reading today is in 1 Kings 10,11 and 2 Chronicles 9.
“....the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.”
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June 20th
The bible reading today finishes up The Preacher’s message of truth among lies...Ecclesiastes chapters 7-12.
“And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful...”
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June 19th
The bible reading today is in the first 6 chapters of Ecclesiastes.
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
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June 18th
Our bible reading today is in Proverbs 27,28,29.
Straight to the text...some of my favorIte verses, from a long time ago.
“Boast not yourself of tomorrow; for you know not what a day may bring forth.”
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June 17th
The bible reading today is in Proverbs 25 and 26.
These proverbs of Solomon were some of the last to be included in the scripture collection. They were added by King Hezekiah some 270 years after Solomon’s death.
Two things get my attention here. First, it is interesting to me that this “wisdom of God” was recognized by King Hezekiah during a season of spiritual revival in Judah. “May the Lord send a spiritual awakening in our nation soon. And may our “our leaders” be the first ones affected by it.
Secondly, it is interesting to me that God used Solomon’s records to influence a generation of Israelites to spiritual renewal. Because the last years of Solomon’s life were not exactly stellar, spiritually speaking. He tried to worship God “and” the gods of his hundreds of foreign wives. Scripture says that his “idol-worshiping wives” turned his heart away from God.
No wonder the apostle Paul warned the church at Corinth against becoming unequally yoked with unbelievers in marriage. God judged Solomon and his kingdom for it with a civil war that would split the nation forever.
So what is it that awesomely encourages me? Even though Solomon did not finish his life with the same spiritual passion that he began with, God still used him to write down God’s wisdom for generations to come. In a way, in a “strange” way I concede Solomon walked with God, not because he deserved such company, and not by his own power or prowess, but especially by God’s mercy and grace that is afforded to God’s chosen ones...repenting sinners all.
Now to the text...“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter...” 25:2
There are many mysteries in the universe. Both material and spiritual. Over time, God has pulled back the curtain on some of those mysteries. Solomon tells his grandkids that among those mysteries is why God hides a matter, especially from His own.
God says through Solomon...”You are amazed at what you see and know of My handiwork across creation. Now looking at the stars and moon and closest planets, you say, “that is “God’s glory” peaking through the night covering of darkness.” And I say to you...” what I have hidden from you...what you cannot see and know right now is even greater glory by far.
That’s a wow!!
I say to the scientists, “Keep looking above, below, and inside the mysteries of the universe. I say to the theologians, “By the power of the Spirit, keep studying God, His ways, His words, and His will.
Perhaps in His providence, God will pull back the curtain one more time on more of His concealed glory, more of His hidden blessing for us and our children to follow...and we will be quick to say thank you, Lord.
More of the text...“The heart of kings is unsearchable...”
According to scripture, man has a hard time searching and knowing his own heart, much less the hearts of others. Listen to Paul as he addresses the “unsearchables”. “...As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, even the deep things of God.”
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June 16th
Our bible reading today is in 1 Kings 9 and 2 Chronicles 8.
Solomon has been on the throne of Israel for 24 years. The last 20 years he has given all of his “desire” and strength to build the Temple and his palace there in Jerusalem. In some contexts, that measure of determination could be admirable. But knowing the end and the beginning of Solomon’s life and reign as king, this might have been the beginning of Solomon’s fall.
The word “desire,” in the beginning of 1 Kings 9, signifies the wholehearted, single-minded devotion that a young bridegroom has for his bride. Some might say that Solomon became “obsessed” with his work. In our day, counselors tell us that “obsession with the job” is second or third on the list for separations in marriages...just behind: “we never talk”...and “he just doesn't understand me”.
Solomon’s work of building the Temple was important. And his work of building a house for his family was commendable. However, God never intended Solomon to find his desire and contentment and satisfaction in his work. Solomon’s “greatest desire” was to be found in fellowship with God...not in personal fame acquired.
But I'm getting ahead of the text. God speaking to Solomon...“And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules, I will establish your throne over Israel forever...”
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June 15th
The bible reading today is in Psalms 134, 146-150. Songs of Ascents sung by worshippers entering Jerusalem and by the worshippers as they left for home after their season in the city of David.
“Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!” Psalm
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June 14th
2 Chronicles 6,7 and Ps 136 is our Bible Reading today.
We are still reading about the dedication of Solomon’s Temple. Look and listen to what God does...“As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven...”
Remember Moses at the “burning bush” in the Midian desert? Fire came down from heaven. Remember when God delivered Israel from Egypt? Fire came down from heaven. Remember when Israel reached Mt Sinai? Fire came down from heaven. Remember when Moses and Aaron built and furnished the Tabernacle in the wilderness? Fire came down from heaven. Remember when some of the Israelites rebelled against Moses’ leadership? Fire came down from heaven.
And now, at the Opening Ceremonies of Solomon ‘s Temple, “fire came down” from heaven. What was the fire? In all of the above instances, the fire was God. His presence, His power, His goodness, His justice, His love, His kindness, His righteousness, His mercy, His glory, and His wonderful grace!
Fire came down from heaven with certain timing and “on” purpose direction. Look at the Timing...”When Solomon finished his prayer”... A prayer of dedication for the Temple. A prayer of intercession for the people.
God came down upon the prayer of Solomon. Let’s remember our bible reading...God came down in the blood path ceremony on the prayer of Abraham. God came down at the Red Sea crossing on the prayer of Moses. God came down in the fiery furnace on the prayer of Shadrach Meshach, and Abednigo. God came down in the lion’s den on the prayer of Daniel.
Are you moved in your spirit yet? I am. Jesus taught his first disciples to pray. The Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to exhort the church to pray without ceasing. The apostle John taught the church to cry out to heaven...Come, Lord Jesus!
Prayer was more than a religious exercise to the above mentioned. Prayer was something empowered by the Spirit...our participation in the miracles of God.
I learned early on in my Christian life, that in Christ, prayer on earth, and an answer in heaven are made for each other.
One more thing from the text...At the end of the glorious celebration of the Temple’s opening for worship, Solomon went home to rest in the night. “That night God visited Solomon “again...”...Not in fire from heaven, but in a voice that said, “I have heard your prayer...I have chosen this place for Myself.”
Wow...that’s just what Jesus said to you and me when we repented of our sin and began to follow Him..”I have heard your prayer...and I have chosen you for myself.” Halleluiah
Have a great day
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June 13th
Our bible reading today is in two mirroring passages...1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 5.
“Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God.”
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June 12th
Our bible reading today is in 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 2
“Solomon built his own house thirteen years...and then he was finished.”
Before he started his palace, Solomon built the Temple...the “House for God’s Name”. That sounds good, first things first. However, Solomon spent 7 years building the Temple, but here we learn that he spent 13 years on his own house.
The Temple was magnificent. The best master builder was employed. The finest skilled laborers inside and outside the kingdom were employed. And the best craftsmen for working with gold, silver, and precious stones were employed in building the Temple. Seven years they worked on the Temple.
Our reading says that Solomon hired those same exemplary workmen to build his house. But they spent almost twice as much time and effort on Solomon ‘s house as they did on the House for God’s Name. The Temple was glorious. But it seems that Solomon wanted his own house to be more glorious.
Wow...to me, that says much about the spiritual values of the new King. What was he thinking? His actions revealed where his heart was. His lifestyle showed the people that he was more interested in promoting his kingdom, his fame, and his splendor than he was in making God famous.
The Bible says that Solomon finished his work. That reminds me of a couple of things.
Before Jesus took his last breath on the cross, He said, “It is finished.”...meaning...” it is paid and it is purchased...speaking of His salvation work on behalf of all who believe Him. Paying our sin debt with His death, and purchasing us a home in heaven that we could never purchase on our own.
Solomon finished his work and gave a Temple of worship to his people. That was good. Jesus finished His work through His death and resurrection, and gave eternal life to His followers...That was way better!
One more thing about Solomon finishing his work on the Temple in 7 years, and finishing his work on his house in 13 years. That is twenty years in all of dedicated, persistent, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year work on purpose good works.
I'm reminded that my work of spreading the gospel of Christ throughout the world will not be finished until I die. But hopefully, those I've led to Christ over the years will carry on where I have left off.
Back today’s text...Solomon’s palace was called “The House of the Forest of Lebanon”. With the paneled walls and the 45 cedar pillars, walking in the palace was like walking in a majestic forest. The writer of our text says that some of what we might see in the palace was also seen in the Temple. Implying that the Temple was beautiful, but Solomon’s house was better.
O fellow followers of Christ, fellow lovers of His church, may our story show that we spent twice as much time, money, and effort on His church than we did on our own houses and lands.
Have a great day
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June 11th
Our Bible reading in Scripture today is in 1 Kings 5,6 and 2 Chronicles 2,3. It’s all about the preparations and the building of Solomon’s Temple.
David had a desire to build such a testament to the glory of God, but God had another plan. David ‘s son Solomon was God’s choice to build a house for His name. And that was exactly what Solomon called the Temple...” the House for God’s name!”
All the other world religions of that day built temples, but they called such temples the place where their God resided. Solomon knew better. Yahweh could not be contained in the earth’s universe and the million others, much less a stone house on this planet. So, this house would be a testament for God’s Name! And His name is Wonderful. His name is El Shaddai. God Almighty, the One who does what He purposes to do. No matter what. Some interpret it the “Conquerer” of every obstacle that man could invent. Nothing thwarts the purposes of El Shaddai.
Some others translate Shaddai as the “sufficient One”. The Almighty is sufficient for every need. The El Shaddai is enough for us no matter what comes.
And still, others have translated Shaddai as “the Mountain”. Power and provision from Egypt to Mt Sinai to the Promised Land.
I can see in my mind’s eye a grandfather, in Jerusalem, with several young grandchildren, sitting at the base of the Temple Mount looking up at the majestic Temple built by Solomon. The House whose glory spoke to the wonderful name and eternal being of God. Does God live in that house, granddad? No child. God dwells above the heavens. But every year on the Day of Atonement He comes to the House and meets the High Priest inside the Holy of Holies, between the golden angels upon the mercy seat which covers the ark of the covenant. There He accepts the blood of the sacrifice on behalf of Jacob’s children. The sacrifice was sufficient for atonement...for forgiveness...for another year.
Grandfather, what does the temple say to you? Our God, El Shaddai, the sufficient supplier, is enough for us, whatever our need, for our bodies when we are sick and our souls when we are sad. We can trust Him “with everything” that is going on in and around us. We can count on Him to “fulfill His good purposes” for us, for our benefit and for His honor and glory.
Granddad, what else does the house on the mountain tell us about God? He loves us darlin. He calls us His treasured ones. His children of promise. And one day He will send the Messiah to save His people from their sins once and for all...once and forever.
Friends in Christ, we are that temple. We are the house. Not only bearing witness to the Messiah Jesus’ Name. And when children ask their parents about us, they will say...they are the house of God Himself 24-7. Speaking of the good news of Jesus and His love, the cross the resurrection and his coming again.
Have a great day
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June 10th
Our Bible reading today is in Proverbs 22, 23, 24.
“By wisdom, a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs
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June 8th
Our bible reading today is in Proverbs 16, 17, 18.
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the body.”
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June 8th
Our bible reading today is in Proverbs 16, 17, 18.
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, and health to the body.”
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June 7th
Our bible reading today is in Proverbs 13, 14, 15.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
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June 6th
The Bible reading today begins a new section of the proverbs...chapters 10, 11, &12.
This section begins 12 chapters of a particular arrangement where one proverb theme is grouped in 2, 3, or 4 verses.
Now to the text...“The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”
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June 5th
The bible reading today is in Proverbs chapters 7, 8, &9.
“Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
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June 4th
The Bible reading today is in Proverbs 4,5,6. Some practical warnings from a father to his children.
“Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.”
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June 3rd
Our Bible reading today is in Proverbs chapters 1,2, & 3.
God breathed Proverbs. God inspired Solomon to pen them to his children. God has used these principles of wisdom and understanding to guide all who believe Him. Let us listen to Solomon’s reason for passing this collection to his kids and grandkids...“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—”
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June 2nd
Our Bible reading today is the Song of Solomon. To summarize, the song is a “picture window look” into The God View of Marriage and how the relationship between a husband and wife should be a window to the Gospel of Christ.
Now to the text...“He brought me to his banqueting table...”
A banqueting table is an environment of gratefulness for the blessings of God upon those who surround the table. It’s a place of happiness and joy among family and friends. It includes talking and laughter and partaking of the finest food and drink. It’s a time for exalting and paying tribute to a special loved one. It’s a place of peace and love and smiles and hugs.
And to be invited to the banqueting table?!?! Well, that was and is a great honor. The husband shows this same “honor” to his beloved wife every day. The husband bestows this kind of abundant generosity toward his wife every day. The husband toasts and praises his wife in front of family and friends all the time. The husband throws parties for his wife, especially in times of stress and affliction, to encourage her and lift her spirits. The husband creates opportunities for family get-togethers which especially blesses his wife.
“She” left her father and mother to cleave to her husband. But the wise husband always invites his wife’s loved ones to the banqueting table, and strengthens the whole family bond.
Yes, the wife referred to in this song was loved by her husband. The banqueting table was appreciated. But this wife’s main message was “And his banner over me is love.”
The word banner was a military term. It was the “flag” that united the army in battle that motivated a commitment to inspired fighting for one another until the end. That banner over the wife was her husband’s life long commitment to her and their marriage. That flag of husband love said to that wife, ”No matter how hard the battle rages...no matter how long the battle continues, I'll keep on fighting for you snd our marriage until I die.”
This song by Solomon highlights the definition of “love for a lifetime”. And the most pronounced part of the definition is...“Commitment”. “I promise by the power of God, to love you and protect our marriage for as long as we live.”
And do you see the parallels to the gospel of Jesus? “Come and dine” were Jesus' words to his disciples during one of his resurrection appearances. He invites us to his banquet table too, church. To be loved...to be satisfied with the food that he gives. Even that which we know not of. To be refreshed and empowered by the drink of the Spirit’s filling.
Yes, we are his servants but he calls us “friends” around that table and shares with us all that He is going to do and invites us to join Him in it. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them...they know not what they do.” Wow. His banner over those first believers was indeed love. That banner?!. The Cross... where He suffered and died for all who would believe Him.
To this hour that flag of the Cross reminds us of God’s commitment to us. Fighting for us. Our salvation, our sanctification, and our glorification in heaven. Fighting sin, fighting death, fighting hell. For as long as we both shall live. Meaning everlasting life together.
Enjoy the rest of the story.
Have a great day.
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June 1st
Our Bible reading today finishes up Psalm 119 from verse 89 to verse 175. It’s my belief that David wrote this long poetic expression of the glory of God and His Word.
Years ago I was purchasing Bev a new wedding ring for our 40th wedding anniversary. The jeweler showed me several stones and I looked at them under a microscope. It was quite a revelation to me. To my naked eye, each diamond looked similar to the others. But under the high-powered microscope, as the stone was slowly turning, the kaleidoscope of shapes and colors defined each stone uniquely.
To me, God used David to reveal the “WOW” of His Word. Its beauty, its clarity, its immensity, its greatness, its power, and authority, it’s “Very” Godness. And all of it for you and me who believe Him.
What an “awesome” gift God has given to us in our Bibles. And that’s the God who loves us in that very same immeasurable way!
Now to the stanzas...“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”
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May 31st
The beginning of Solomon’s reign as King of Israel. We are reading 1 Kings 3,4 2 Chronicles 1 and Psalm 74.
God revealed Himself in a dream to Solomon. God told him that He would give him anything for which he asked. What an amazing promise.
We might wish that God would come to us in a dream with such an offer until we remember that we have something better in the written Words of Jesus. To the humblest believer, not just the king of a nation...not just for some random slumber in our life...but every single day... all day...just open the bible and believe Him.
Matthew 7:7. ”Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto You.” Jesus.
John 15:7 “If you abide in me and my word abides in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be given unto you.” Jesus.
So Solomon made his request to God as soon as he woke up. “Therefore give to Your servant an “understanding” heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours? And God was pleased.”
Solomon asked for more than just knowledge. He wanted understanding...and he wanted it in his heart...not merely in his head. The Hebrew word for understanding comes from the root word for “seeing”. Solomon desired a “ hearing heart”, one that would listen to God. Wow...no wonder God was pleased. May He give us “heart ears” also to hear God speaking to us.
Paul put it this way in Ephesians 1:18...”I pray that God would open the eyes of your understanding...” (to recognize and hear the Lord speaking to your heart.)
This reminds me of a retreat where Henry Blackaby shared the main message of his book, “Experiencing God”. “If we cannot hear God’s voice in our hearts, then there is something wrong. For hearing God is central to our Christian life.”
Then he sent all the participants at the retreat on a walk with God...reading a passage of scripture and listening as we strolled the East Texas Camp grounds. It was amazing. God gave me “heart ears” that night. And I heard the voice of the Spirit clearly that night and for years thereafter to this very day! Thanks Henry and thanks Lord Jesus!
God gave Solomon what he asked for that night. And he also gave him much more.
God made Solomon...the Wisest man...richest man in the world of his day. People came from the world over to see the buildings and the cities that he built. Perhaps Solomon was the most popular man in the world as well.
We will see much of this son of David in our reading to come. But today’s reading reveals the chink in his spiritual armor that would come back to haunt him and trip him up at the end of his days. He married an Egyptian princess to solidify an alliance with that nation...after God’s Word prohibited being unequally yoked with unbelievers.
And how did that work out for him? Well that’s the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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May 30th
Our bible reading today is in the first 88 verses of Psalm 119. The longest psalm. The longest chapter in the bible. The author of the song is not mentioned in the title, but I believe David penned it. Not in one sitting, but perhaps over most of his life.
There are 22 sections. One section per letter in the 22 letter alphabet of the Hebrew language. Each section has exactly eight verses in it. And at least 171 of the 176 verses refer directly to the glory of God’s written words to His children of faith.
Before we look at some of the text, I want to share some rare testaments to the splendor of this song.
Martin Luther said that he would not take the whole world for one leaf of Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon said that it was the great length of this song that captured his own wonderment of the immensity and ever greatness of Scripture. And so he memorized it.
Some other notable people memorized this great psalm.
William Wilberforce...(a personal friend of the John Newton who wrote the hymn, Amazing Grace), and a 19th-century British politician who fought for the abolishment of the slave trade in the British Empire. Henry Martyn, 19th-century pioneer missionary to India. Dr. David Livingston, pioneer missionary to Africa. And Matthew Henry, the great 18th-century Bible commentator.
Matthew’s father, Phillip Henry, had each of his children memorize and meditate upon one verse of Ps 119 each day...covering all 176 verses twice in a year. He told his children that devouring psalm 119 would cause them to fall in love with the rest of scripture. And it sure hit that mark in Matthew Henry’s life.
George Wishart, the 17th century Bishop of Edinburgh, was condemned to death for his faith. When he was on the hangman’s scaffold, he was allowed the singing of one psalm before his death. And he began to quote the 119th. Before 2/3 of the song had been sung, his pardon arrived and his life was providentially spared.
Now to some specific text from the reading.
Verse 1...Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.”
Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” He very well may have had this psalm in mind. Blessed are the pure, the holy, the undefiled in life.
God through David and the triune Godhead through the Lord Jesus was speaking of a blessed life...a happy life...a joyful life to be had...to be experienced in the here and now.
And that happy life would be a life walked in harmony with God’s very words. Yes, that kind of life is the Spirit-filled life...trusting in the Holy Spirit for the determination and for the everyday desire to walk in God’s will and ways.
Some teachers have taught that it’s possible to worship the bible and not the author of the book of books. I can see where students of the bible can fall to the temptation of being in love with the “reputation of learnedness” that eventually leads to being puffed up. But “this” psalm about the glory of God’s written revelation, moves believers in my estimation toward God not away.
David tells the Lord how he “loves God’s laws”, God’s testimonies, God’s statutes, God’s commands, God’s promises, God’s rules, all of God’s words. “I love them”, David says.
I don't believe that David was telling God that he was trusting in the rules to save him eternally. I believe David was telling God...”I Love your Words...because they help me see You...the only One who deserves my worship.
Enjoy the rest of the song...Have a great day
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May 29th
The bible reading today takes us to the death bed of David. 1 Kings 1-2, Palms 37,71,94.
David calls for his son Solomon, the new High Priest, Zadok, the prophet Nathan, and the head of David’s army, Benaiah...king, priest, prophet, and military leader.
David was still making preparations for the kingdom going forward after his death. It wasn't sentimentality that drove this meeting. It was the direct call of God involved that directed it.
What call? Solomon’s call to follow his dad as King in Israel. This call deviated from the norm. Normally the oldest living son was next in line. That would have been Adonijah. But according to scripture, David failed to let Adonijah know that his little brother, Solomon was God’s choice.
So when Adonijah finally found out from outside sources that Solomon would be the next king in Israel, he went ballistic. He rallied key people to help him to take the throne without David’s knowledge.
Abiathar the High Priest pledged alliance with Adonijah. Joab, King David’s former leader of the mighty men, sided with Adonijah. And Nathan the prophet stayed with David and Solomon.
Let me take a “literary” aside and address something very interesting to me. The one that stayed with David in this heated family positioning was the prophet. Some might be surprised that David accepted his support because it was the prophet Nathan that revealed the moral scandal to Israel between David Bathsheba and Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah...culminating in David’s ordering of Uriah’s death.
Some today...Or may I say “most” today would say that “telling the truth” is overrated. It hurts people’s feelings. They say it puts many at risk. They say telling the truth can destroy relationships they claim. I believe that the reason why David secured Nathan as a part of Solomon’s inner council, was because he knew that Nathan would tell young Solomon the truth no matter what. David knew first hand the grace of God in and through the truthtelling of Nathan.
Give me a truth-teller over every other godly characteristic of men. For loving me means telling me the truth. It leads to trust. Without which relationships are hard and impossible to navigate and sustain.
Before we close let us think about Jesus in this passage. Adonijah exalted himself and destroyed his life and his family’s life.
Indeed a word to the wise. May we fight hard with the power of the Holy Spirit against exalting ourselves. Paul would say, “Let God do it”!
Paul to the church in Phillipi...“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
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May 28th
Our Bible reading today is in Psalms 111-118.
“Who is like the Lord our God? “ Who is like Him who dwells high above the heavens and rules over all the nations? Who is like Him whose glory and splendor and power and wisdom and love endures forever? Who is like the Lord our God?
He is not only seated on high, looking down upon the heavens and the earth, but by His Spirit, He dwells in our hearts who believe the Son, Jesus.
Who is like the Lord our God? What ails you O “Red sea” that you flee?
Was it Moses? Was it his staff that caused you to stop and rise up and make a pathway for Jacob’s sons out of Egypt? No...it was not...it was God...God was there...what else could I do?
O “Jordan River, what caused you to turn back? Was it Moses’ successor, strong Joshua? No...it was not...it was God...He was there...what else could I do?
O mountains and hills of Sinai, what caused you to tremble one moment and rejoice like skipping lambs the next? Was it a wildfire...was it a devastating desert windstorm? No...it was not...it was God...His presence in the wind and fire and smoke...God came down...what else could I do?
Who is like the Lord our God? He saved His chosen ones from the bondage of Egypt all the way to and into the land of promise...He kept His promise.
God is still saving His “believing ones” today. Saving “us” from the bondage of sin and death...all the way to glory...all the way to glory land...He still keeps His promise!
Who is like the Lord our God...?... Nothing! No One! Halleluiah...” praise His name”. That was David’s often-repeated invitation to God’s people...praise Him...by yourself...and especially in the company of the congregation. He inhabits the praises of His people.
“Great are the works of the Lord, (worthy to be praised) and studied by all who delight in them.”
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May 27th
The bible reading today is in 1 Chronicles 26-29 and Psalm 127
We continue to read today of David’s last days as King in Israel. It’s obvious that David thought long and purposeful about the transition necessary for Solomon’s coming reign. In the preparations that David made we see God teaching a nation what it will take to build and sustain the kingdom of Israel.
Now in Psalm 127...“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
God had taught David and Solomon the value of good old fashioned hard work. Building a house, building a marriage, building a family, building a city, building a worshipping community would take some hard work on behalf of the people.
So the people of Israel...God’s people...understood that the work of man had its place. But God would remind them in a song that without God’s work and blessing, they labor in vain who build it. And unless the Lord watches over the city, man’s precautionary measures are useless. To build and sustain the Kingdom of Israel, God would have to be at the center of it...all of it!
A Latin motto says, “Nisi Dominus Frusta”...meaning...”Without the Lord, Frustration.”
By the way it is the motto of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. Found on its crest and the official city documents to remind her citizens to seek the Lord about building and expanding the city.
“First things first!” When frustration mounts in our life pursuits, perhaps we need to consider our work. “and make sure” that “God” is at the center of it. To make sure that we recognize Him and thank Him for opening the door to the work...thank Him for the privilege of getting to work with Him...whatever the job...and trust Him for the strength and guidance in the work.
Paul said it like this to the church in Corinth...”Therefore My beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the “work of the Lord”...knowing that your “labor” is not in vain in the Lord.”
In Christ, our labor will never be in vain! So let us abound in working with the Lord. It will be a good tired.
Back to the text...another lesson on what goes into building and sustaining the nation of Israel.
The work of the temple...“These divisions of the “gatekeepers”, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the Lord.”
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May 26th
We are back in the Songbook today...Psalms 131, 138, 139 ,143-145.
David wrote of his conviction about the presentness of the God of his salvation. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?”
David believed that there was no corner of the universe that was hidden from God. Heaven was not too high and hell too low for God not to see there or be there. God was and is omnipresent...everywhere present. We believe right along with you, David.
Some spiritual views say that God is everything...” he’s that tree and stream and star and planet”...thus they make idols of “everything”...
The Creator is a Person, Jesus is His name...he’s not the creation, but there is no part of his creation...anywhere and everywhere, that He is not present. David knew that and praised God’s all-knowingness and all-presentness. So do we!
“Where can I flee from Your presence, Lord?” The word “presence” shows up a lot in our bible reading. It’s the word for “many faces”. And what are those faces? I tend to lean toward the “face of the Father”, “face of the Son”, and “face of the Spirit”...they are everywhere, especially when I need them!
I'm comforted in that truth...for myself and my family and friends. It is good for my soul to be reminded that God is already here...already there...everywhere! He is with us, never to leave us nor forsake us...
So now, more of my prayers are like,” Father remind my loved ones that Thou art there...knowing, seeing, protecting, supplying...Help them recognize Your presence and live in that faith reality.
I like what Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote and preached about the presence of God. He said...“The presence of God’s glory is in heaven...” The presence of God’s power is on earth...” The presence of God’s justice is in hell...” The presence of God’s grace is with His people.”
Amen and amen!
Moving on in Psalm 139...David speaks of God’s presence with a picturesque phrase...“Wings of the morning...”
This may refer to the speed of light as it spreads across the morning sky from east to west. Perhaps David thought, “even the flight of light cannot outrun the presence of my God”...Halleluiah...what a Savior!
David said, “Surely the darkness will fall upon me...even there Your hand will lead me...Your right hand shall hold me...” Meaning with You where I am, even in the darkness of dying there will be the light of Your presence...casting away the shadows of fear.
Praise Your Name Father...Thank You Jesus...Thank You Holy Spirit for being ever-present with us, Your chosen vessels of Your promise and glory.
Enjoy the rest of the song...
Have a great day
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May 25th
Our Bible reading today is in 1 Chronicles 23,24,25.
In the last months of David’s life, he was busy. The bible reading today says that he was old and his days were full. He may have reached his golden years but he made good use of his time and energy.
That should be inspiring to the “old heads”...the “grey beards”. God used David even when he was old. That’s good news...Praise the Lord!
Continuing in the text...He led his mighty men in war against Edom. Srs. Let us wage spiritual warfare in prayer every day that we have left for the souls of people around the world.
He prophesied and wrote songs of the Greatness and the Holiness of God. Srs. Let us prophesy/proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as God gives us opportunities as long as we live.
He laid in store much material for the building of the Temple. Srs. Let us lead the way in our church land and building programs. Giving sacrificially over and above our regular tithes and offerings. The younger will follow our example.
He made Solomon king over Israel. Srs. Let us acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King of our own lives every day that God gives us breath.
Sr Adult David appointed leaders, overseers to help Solomon run the country and lead the nation spiritually. And Srs. Let us invest what we have learned as disciples of Christ in our family and our church family.
Let’s draw some parallels from today’s text of David’s organization of the Levites for Temple duties. Every Levitical family was set apart to serve God by serving The Chosen People of God in the work of the Temple. Though only the family of Aaron would be priests, every family of Levi would have their special God-given function concerning the Temple and the worship of God.
Every believer and follower of Jesus is set apart to serve God by serving God’s kingdom kids in and through the church. Peter said it...in his first letter chapter 4. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:”
Peter charged the church in the Cilician region to be who they were saved to be...Spirit-filled. Spirit gifted servant/guardians of the church on her mission to make disciples Christ around the world.
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May 24th
Our Bible reading today is in Psalms 108-110. These songs about “trust” were written by King David. Most likely in the “spring” when kings went out to battle.
David was the warrior king. He was also the tender songwriter. But he was also a prophet. Seen throughout the Psalms, especially in Psalm 22. Perfectly describing the crucifixion of the Christ a thousand years before it happened. Perfectly describing the effort of the followers of Christ to preach the gospel message to the ends of the earth. Just like we read in Matthew’s gospel and the book of Acts. And there is another scriptural reason to believe David was God’s prophet.
The writer of Hebrews, probably Paul, in the “faith chapter,” lists the “hall” of faith. In that list, Paul lumps the faithful prophets, together...putting David, ahead of Samuel and the rest. Obviously the great apostle believed that God gifted and used David to prophesy the message of God to His people. We definitely see that in the reading today.
“Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom, I cast my shoe; over Philistia, I shout in triumph." Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.”
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May 23rd
Our Bible reading is in 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chron. 21,22, Psalm 30.
In the last months of David’s life, he wrote a song that declared the glory of the Lord. Secondly, He fell to the heart idol of pride that not only affected him but also brought the judgment of God upon his nation. And finally, David prepared many materials for the building of the Temple there in Jerusalem, and handed the job of building the Temple to his son, Solomon...just like God said.
Yesterday we read about that new song of worship. We learned that it included glad shouts and robust thanksgivings to God, and fresh lyrics and tune to inspire hearts for joyful singing. The new song also included three declarations that God was “holy”. The one-word description of God that is found most often in the Bible. More than love, more than good, more than righteous, more than faithful, more than powerful, more than any other description. All of the other descriptive words or pictures of God are summed up and beyond in the word Holy.
Holy means “set apart...separated”. Nothing gets close to describing His nature, His character, or His essence...unless it’s Jesus incarnate.
Sometime after David called the nation to sing a new, fresh song of devotion to God he was tempted by Satan with the heart idol of Pride. David’s song was about how great God was. Then later, the devil whispered to the king...”What a job “you” have done. Just look at how the nation has grown and the economy has prospered. And it has been a long time since your last military victory. Why don't you take a “census” of your military might? No king can match your imposing strength.
Instead of believing God and deflecting praise to Him, David believed the devil’s whispers, praised himself, and ordered a census. All the way back in Exodus we read about God’s instructions on “Accountings”. They were to be done at God’s directing because the counting of people or stuff reflected who owned the people and stuff. Moses taught the Israelites that they and their stuff belonged to God...not to themselves.
David’s prideful counting of the Israelis exposed his thinking...”Look what I've done and look how many people belong to my kingdom.”. It was David instead of God. David’s kingdom rather than God’s...sounds a lot like me. God help us.
Worship God one day and sin against him the next. It sounds like a familiar pattern. Even when we are at our best we forget to be on guard. We forget our enemy is relentless and that he hates us and wants to destroy us.
And finally our reading reveals that “David’s heart was struck and he confessed his sin to God. And God disciplined the king. But with a heart after God’s own heart, I believe that what hurt David the most were not his stripes, but rather the stripes of his people that were included in God’s judgment of the king.
Wow...sometimes we forget that our careless sinning against God brings His discipline. And often that discipline hurts those we love.
One more thing...David had a dream to build an appropriate house for the ark of God. A Temple grand enough to remind worshippers that they belonged to a Great and Holy God who Loved them lavishly.
God appreciated the thought but told David that it would be his son to build the “house of God”. Right before David died, he passed that dream on to his son. And a magnificent Temple was built to the glory of God.
Father to son...David to Solomon...Solomon ‘s Temple.
God the Father to the Son, Jesus. And The Son did all that was necessary at the cross and his resurrection to build the Temple.. The Temple of the Holy Spirit...you and me who believed Him...” we” are that Temple...And God sits on the throne of our hearts! Halleluiah!
Have a great day.
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May 22nd
Our Bible reading is in the Royal Psalms of David. Each will identify God in His Royalty over everything...creature and creation. Psalms 95,97, 98, 99.
“Come... let us “sing” to the Lord. Let us “shout” joyfully unto the Lord...the “Rock” of our salvation. Let us come into His presence with Thanksgiving. Let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise. For the Lord is Great God and great King over all...”
David was compelled by the Spirit to call the people of promise to the worship of their Great God and King. He said, “Let us honor Him...not ourselves...but Him.
“Let us begin our worship in our hearts...on our way to tabernacle... with thanksgiving for His blessings...” “Let us worship with declaration “shouts” of “Who He is” and “whose He is”...as a community. “And let us with joy, fresh from His presence, sing songs of praise to Him!”
Twenty years ago, I spent fifteen days with Ray Vanderlann in Israel and Turkey, the land of the 7 churches of Revelations. One of the Jewish Rabbis taught us about the “shout” in tabernacle and temple and synagogue worship.
Jewish community worship always began with the recitation of the “Shema”...a portion of Deut. 6:4...”Hear, O Israel, the Lord ...our God...the Lord is one. And “they” would “shout” it. “Hear”...(listen to this) “O Israel”...(God’s treasured ones). Shouting as if their words could reach the farthest place where Israelis lived and toiled, to remind them of their Great God...their Holy God...their Good God...their Covenant God. He is One (One and only God!)
David was saying in these songs...Let’s worship Him...O you who are His.And friends, that includes us who believe the Messiah Jesus.
Jewish parents for generations have taught their children to recite the Shema every night at bedtime...”Hear O Israel, the Lord our God...not somebody else's God...Our God...the Lord is One.”...Let us forever worship Him.
And I learned from a Messianic Jew on my trip to Israel, an inspiring testimony. When he and his brothers and sisters would recite Shema as children, their parents would speak of the Messiah to come as the One. And later when he heard the gospel and began to read the New Testament, and heard Jesus saying “I am the Way”...the “One” Way...he and many of his friends recognized “Shema” in the Gospel of Jesus...O Israel...The Lord...God...the One...Wow....could this be the Messiah?
Now just a bit more of the text...“The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He dwells between the cherubim.”
Picture the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant within the vale of the Holy Place. The lid on the chest was called the mercy seat of God. On each end of that lid an angel stood cherubim. Not the harp picture of an angel in our mind, but Ezekiel’s Warrior Angels. Strength and power of all earthly creatures and heavenly ones.
David knew in His heart that God not only lived...but He ruled. He reigned over His Kingdom in heaven and on earth. Friends, that’s what we know in our hearts from the Bible record. That’s a wow!!
And from His throne, whether in heaven or in the tabernacle in David’s day, He would command Mighty Angel Armies without number to assist Him in carrying out His righteous judgment.
No wonder David said, “Let the peoples tremble and the earth be moved.”
People in the world for generations have ridiculed the Quakers for trembling when under the power of the Holy Spirit. Had the naysayers been able to understand the “Majestic otherness” of God, they too would have quaked in His Awesome presence.
May we truly get it...that God is so Set Apart and Above us in essence and nature and character...that His attentiveness to wretches like us is mercy and grace beyond our understanding...thus we worship and even humbly tremble in his presence too.
Have a great day
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May 21st
The Last Words of a King...David...not his death bed words to his wife and children, but his last poem put to music, expressing his heart thoughts and soul’s longings. 2 Samuel 22,23 and Psalm 57.
David was thinking on God’s wondrous benefits. Humbly confessing his own sins. Professing his own faith in the Lord. Comforting himself with thoughts of his covenant relationship with God. And one last time pronouncing a warning of destruction coming for those who would choose not to believe the Lord.
As Christopher Trapp put it, “Oh how much.... in so little.”
I'm older now than David was when he died. If he was inspired to sit down and write the most important thoughts in his mind and heart as a part of his legacy...so might I.
What a life was David’s. Son of a humble farmer, raised up by God to lead a nation. Anointed by God and then men. With a beautiful gift to express his innermost devotions for God to others.
David’s life was not perfect. He and his brothers couldn't get along. He and his wife struggled. He suffered repeated family crises, including an attempted insurrection by one of his sons. So-called friends bailed on him when things looked darkest. And yet, David recognized the grace and mercy of God upon his life.
He certainly had downtimes, that’s for sure. But even in the midst of the bad and the hard, God was drawing him ever closer to Him. And David knew it. And thus he repeatedly declared, “Bless the Lord O, my soul...”
David’s son, Solomon, reigned in Israel for 40 years after his father’s death. He blessed his father’s name and God used him to pen parts of our bible. His reign seemed perfect. He enjoyed a reign of peace and prosperity and glory in the world.
Yet the Bible has far more praise for David than Solomon. What made the difference. Well...Perhaps it had to do with their personal relationships with God. Perhaps the difference lay in spiritual desire...just guessing.
David desired fellowship with God...”For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than dwell in the fine tents of wickedness...” Ps 84.
Solomon desired personal improvement from God. Including wisdom, which was honored by God. However, David wanted to worship God. Solomon wanted to impress God.
The biblical record shows another difference between David and his successful son. David endured to the end. Loving and serving God through the final chapters of his life. Solomon forsook God in his later years.
This so reminds me of Paul’s commentary on fellow disciple, Demas...found in his second letter to Timothy. “...because Demas has loved this world, he has deserted me...and gone to Thessalonica.”
Demas and Solomon both had good starts on their missions with the Lord. And sadly, they both failed to finish well.
Lord, help us to be of a mind and heart, above all else, to love and worship You...to the end of our days.
Have a great day
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May 20th
Our reading today is in Psalms 5,38,41,42.
David is praying for his own healing. Let’s listen...“As for me, be gracious O Lord...heal me for I have sinned against You...”
All through the songs, we hear David interceding for Israel...the sons of Jacob...and their children. But today he prays for himself.
“He is sick”...“in his body”. And he is praying to the Lord...“for “healing mercy” and grace.”
There we have it...in the psalms...our invitation to pray as David...for our own healing. Certainly, the Holy Spirit can direct our praying just as He did with David, what exactly to pray and if and when we should stop.
David is not making an appeal for justice. Not once does he say “give me what I deserve”...He prays for mercy. David knows that his “sinning” deserves discipline...even physical illness should God choose it.
But without pause, David prays for healing mercy. It is indeed revelatory to me that “inside” David’s appeal for healing for his body, he includes an appeal to God “to forgive his sins”. “...heal me for I have sinned against You!”
Saul and Judas each said, “I have sinned.” David said, “I have sinned against you...” A simple, honest soul confession of his sins. All of which he knew were actually against God.
It was a confession without excuses. It was a confession without any qualifications or explanations. It was a heart-rendering confession...not a superficial one. Thank you, David Guzik.
David’s enemies knew that David the King was on his sickbed. Instead of offering their head of state condolences, they spread even more evil lies about him. Some would even say that it would be good if he just died. How cruel.
Consider fighting your own battle against disease. That’s hard. Then add reports that say that your religious or political opposites are hoping for your death.
“When will he die and his name perish?” They want his whole family dead.
David is sick. He not only wants to be well so that he can combat the lies against him. David prays for God to heal his body so that he can be strong to protect his loved ones from the evil in their world.
Thank You, Lord, for the revelation of You. We see it and hear it in a humbled David...not perfect David...but a trusting one, after your own heart.
Have a great day.
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May 19th
The Bible reading today shows David returning to his throne in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 19-21.
The “big” thing I noticed is how King David pardoned his enemies and sought to unify Israel once again. David forgave the men who rebelled against him. He forgave long time friends who deserted him in self-serving. He even pardoned the one who killed his son.
Remind you of anything? Let us remember this...”Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus forgiving you and me even when we were his enemies. Thank You, Lord.
Yes, David “forgiving his enemies” was the “big” one. I also saw “perspective” in the reading today. David mourning the death of his son Absolom was every bit Ok. But his “excessive” mourning was not. David’s extended, excessive mourning was “selfish” in some ways. Men and families that stayed loyal to David were the most affected by David’s over the top grieving.
There would be wives whose husbands bravely fought and died to save the king, who became confused and embittered. It’s been many days since the victory over the rebels. But instead of David giving grateful recognition to his mighty men and their families who sacrificed greatly for him, David could only see the loss of his rebellious son...the same one whose actions cost the lives of so many.
Someone needed to give David a wake-up call. His behavior showed a nation not what he knew, but what he had forgotten. He knew he had lost his son. And David was sensitive enough to know that he played a role in his son’s tragic death. And that’s sad.
But David had “forgotten” what he had...God’s gifts. His faithful mercy and grace. His always good sovereign control and wonderful loyal friends who were there to support him. David understood his loss. But he had forgotten Heaven’s perspective for a while.
So the big takeaways...Forgiving one’s enemies. A God thing to be sure. Lord help me. And Remembering “God’s perspective” in the midst of life and death...such as...” it’s not always about me...”
And one more thought...I am especially drawn to Biblical characterizations of old people. You can grin...your time is coming.
Do you remember the old saying, “A friend in need is a friend indeed...?” Well, “old” Barzillai was such a friend to David. He supplied food for David and his mighty men in Mahanaim while they waited for what was coming next.
The Bible says Barzillai was very aged and very rich. So if he couldn't join the military fight, he “could” at least use the wealth that God blessed him with to aid his king's agenda. And that’s exactly what he did. And he did something else that was noteworthy. He turned down the king’s reward for his help.
Barzillai was very appreciative of the gesture. But he let his king know that it was his pleasure to serve his king in any way that he could. In Luke 12 we hear Jesus teaching about a “foolish man” who laid up treasure on earth for himself...and was not rich toward God.
Barzillai was wise enough to use his resources to lay up treasure in heaven, and he was rich toward God. Yes, there is plenty for golden years saints to do in the building up of the church and the expanding of the Kingdom of God...touching hearts...one heart at a time.
May our motives in serving our King Jesus be as pure as Barzillai’s....” the reward is in the serving and not in the recognition”.
Enjoy the story
Have a great day
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May 18th
Our reading today is found in the Songs...Psalm 26,40,58,61,62,64.
These songs were written by David in days of trial and trouble. Some are prayers to God. Others are songs unto the Lord concerning David’s neediness for God’s intervention.
Like the Centurian in Luke 7, whose faith in Jesus was observed by his humble neediness, so was King David’s faith. Thus David prayed for God’s help often. But when we read Psalm 62 we see an obvious difference. David is in trouble, but nowhere in the song is David “begging” God for help.
So let’s listen to the text...“For God “alone”, O my soul, “wait” in silence...for my “hope” is from him.”
Instead of petitioning God, David is “gospeling” his own soul...for faith in his God.
O “my “soul” is David’s address. At this time of writing, David’s complete expectation was from God...alone. Not God and something else...but God alone!
“Wait soul”...” trust in God and in Him alone for what we need”. David urges on “himself” to trust God more completely than ever before. “Wait my soul on God”.
I liked what Christopher Trapp wrote about trusting God alone. “They trust not God at all when they don't trust Him alone.” I believe David would say Amen to that!
And David writes...“my hope is from him.”...or said a better way, “From God comes my salvation” (YES...especially in the midst of my fear and confusion and trouble...both in the present ordeal and for what lies ahead in eternity.) From God comes my salvation.
I love Spurgeon’s comments here...“Our natural mind is ever prone to reason...to figure it out...to make sense of it all, when we ought to simply, deeply, and passionately believe Jesus!
Our natural disposition is to be at work doing something when we ought to be quiet. “
Oh my soul, believe God...He is always faithful for us. Oh my soul, be silent...lay aside “your business” and listen for His. Oh my soul, let us trust Jesus as “the way”, instead of ourselves.
David reminds himself that “only God” is his “strong as a rock” courage...David doesn't have it in himself to be courageous. It was God not him...only God is his salvation from everything bound to harm him. Only God is his defense against all comers. Only God is his glory now and forever. Only God is his refuge from enemies without number.
I love it when David, inspired of the Spirit, says that God is not just his defender...“He” is his ever-present protection.
And I love the progression from verse 2....that says...“and therefore I shall not be “greatly” shaken. To verse 7... “and therefore I shall not be moved.”
David’s faith and confidence in the salvation of God has grown. David has done plenty in his life trusting in prayer and in his own strong arm....and was still shaken.
Now he testifies that standing on the Rock with both feet...trusting in God alone...he has not been shaken in his faith, nor his steadfast love for the Lord and God’s people.
“Oh, my soul...let us by the Holy Spirit trust ever more completely in God alone who is our hope...whatever comes.
Have a great day
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May 17th
The Bible reading today reveals the sad, the bad, and the ugly of men. But sovereignly above all of that, God is seen at work to fulfill His divine purposes....2 Samuel 16-18.
Ahithophel, long-time family friend, and counselor of David chose to desert David and stay in Jerusalem with David’s rebellious son Absolom. Word got back to David that Ahithophel counseled Absolom to give him 12,000 men and he would leave immediately to engage David and kill him.
For David fans, that turn of events by David’s trusted counselor was a shock I’m sure. For David himself, that had to hurt...that was BAD.
Speaking of David fans, Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son, whom David took under his roof after Jonathan’s death, was certainly in David’s camp when it came to the Absolom rebellion. This is where the Ugly comes into the story.
Days after King David made his strategic retreat from Jerusalem to the east bank of the Jordan river, Mephibosheth’s servant, Ziba, showed up at David’s encampment with food and drink for the king.
David asked Ziba, “Where is your master?” speaking of the crippled Mephibosheth. Ziba proceeded to weave a tale of lies about Mephibosheth’s plan to use the rebellion to separate himself from David for good...with a scheme to place himself on David’s throne.
It will be a few chapters later when David will reenter Jerusalem victoriously. At that time, he will get the truth. Ziba betrayed his master. Instead of making preparations to help Mephibosheth join David’s band of brothers, as he was instructed, he took advantage of his disabled charge, took the animals and the stores of food, and left Mephibosheth to die under the sword of Absolom.
Ziba was looking for a reward from the king at the expense of the life and reputation of the king’s young friend. And to add to that grievance, Ziba’s lies would have most certainly taken what was left of David’s heart. Now that wasn’t pretty...it was the Ugly in the story.
And now the SAD. When David’s mighty men went out to fight Absolom and his army, David made it clear to his men that they were not to kill his son. However, David’s commander, Joab, killed Absolom with 3 javelins hitting their mark in the young warrior’s heart. But to make sure that the king’s enemy was dead, Joab commanded his 10 armor bearers to strike his body as it hung in a tree.
When David learned that his son died in battle, he returned to his chambers over the gates of Mahanaim. There he wept bitterly...”O Absolom my Absolom, that I could have died in your place...my son, my son.” So SAD.
But where David could not die in his son’s place to save him...our Jesus did die in our place on the cross and was raised from the dead to save us who believe Him. That’s the AWESOME of our story!
Have a great day.
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May 16th
Psalms 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55. Songs of David written during times of increasing troubles. Psalm 3 has been a favorite of mine for a long time. So I will major on these verses in the podcast today.
50 years ago I read where Dawson Trottman, Founder of the Navigators and good friend of Billy Graham, spent time regularly in reading and meditating on the Psalms of the Bible...especially when he was going through difficult times. So I decided to follow his example.
Now to the text...“O Lord...how they have increased who trouble me...or...Lord, my troubles have multiplied recently.”
We’ve all been there. We’ve all felt like the guy who said, “...and the hits just keep on coming...” Speaking of bad news, mounting pressures, and overwhelming stressors. Wave after wave of trouble.
Well, that was David’s disposition when he learned that his son was a traitor to his rule in Israel. When he learned that longtime friends had betrayed him with lies and calls for rebellion against him. When previously faithful war and work associates forsook him and joined the ranks of those rebelling. That was enough to cause David to turn to God for help.
And he called using God’s saving name...LORD...Adonai...I AM...sound familiar? When Moses was before God at the burning bush...God told him to tell the Israelites that Yahweh sent him...or I Am....sent me...God... who is everything you need.
When David prayed LORD he was thinking: the One who delivered Israel from their bondage and troubles back then can and will deliver me now. Let us also quickly turn our hearts toward the One whose name means salvation...especially when our troubled souls are weighed down.
David’s situation was so bad that people all over Israel were saying that David was beyond God’s help. Not that God couldn't help David but rather...God was not willing to help such a sinner as David.
They looked at David’s past sin and figured, “This is what David deserves.” That reminds me of a man named Shemmi, a loyalist to Saul, who hated David. As David retreated from Jerusalem, Shemmi shouted curses toward David, saying that he deserved to die. When one of David’s mighty men asked if he could kill the cursing dog, David said, “No...God has a reason for it.”
Let us listen to Spurgeon's thoughts on David’s heart at this troublesome time...“If all the trials that come from heaven, and all the temptations that come from hell, and all the crosses that arise from the earth could be mixed and pressed together, they would not make a trial as terrible as being led to believe that there is no help for us in God.”
This was where David’s head was. But let us listen to where his “heart faith” was...“But You O Lord, are a “shield” about me,...You O Lord are my “glory”, and the ” lifter of my head.” Psalm
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May 15th
Our Bible reading today is in 2 Samuel 13-15.
It had been a hard 6 or 7 years for King David since the prophet Nathan said, “You are that man.”
Let me explain...Those words in themselves don't seem like an ominous declaration to receive. Those could be words related to blessings, victories, and even promotions for David. But they weren't!
That declaration from the prophet uncovered a multitude of sins that David had been trying to hide. Those words turned out to be David’s worst nightmare.
Nathan was saying to the king, “You are the wealthy man who stole from the poor. You are the married man who committed adultery with another man’s wife. You are the man who had your loyal friend killed to cover up your other sins. Nathan was saying to the King of Israel, You are the man who deserves to come under the righteous judgment of God.
David was convicted of his sins by the Spirit...unto a repentance out of sincere brokenness...we read his confession in Ps 51.
God gave David His forgiveness...and he was thankful. But the gravity of his sins were brought before his mind and heart by the Spirit...often! Humbling him before a merciful God who withheld what David deserved and provided grace instead.
Wow...sounds a lot like the gospel doesnt...a merciful God withholding the judgment that our sinning deserved and provided grace in Christ for all who would believe Him Awesome...praise Your name!
David’s son would be born to him and Bathsheba with little prospect of living. David would spend days and nights lying on the ground crying out to God. Fasting...praying for God to save the life of his little boy. But his son died.
David and Bathsheba would have other sons. But songs by David late in life, let us know the pain of his loss...
One lesson...Upon hearing of his infant son’s death, David went to the Tent of meeting/Tabernacle and worshipped. When he was asked about this hard experience, he said, “I cannot have my boy back with me...but one day I will go where he is.”
What else could happen to David? His oldest son, Amnon, raped his half-sister, Tamar. And to add insult to injury, Amnon refused to marry Tamar...a further blemish upon the young woman.
Someone is asking, “What did David do about the situation?” Well, he got angry. But he did absolutely nothing to protect the future of Tamar or discipline his morally impure son, Amnon.
Wow...What next? Two years later, David’s other son, Absolom, had his brother Amnon murdered for raping Tamar. David’s heart was broken. Absolom, fearful of his Father’s banishment ran away to Syria.
Two sons lost to David in one day. What more could happen? While Absolom was in Geshur, he hatched a plan to take the throne of his father. Within a year, Absolom and his army of Israeli dissidents pushed David and his family, along with his mighty men and their families out of Jerusalem.
David wrote some songs about the experience of being “turned on” by his son, Absolom.
But God gave David heart as he left his City. Listen to the voices of those servants going with him. “And the king's servants said to the king, "Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king decides."
And David answered...“You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander about with us, since I go I know not where? Go back and take your brothers with you, and may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you."
“But Ittai answered the king, "As the Lord lives, and as my lord, the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be."
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May 14th
Our reading today is a spiritual progression in the heart and life of King David. From successful highs to sinful lows. And then from remorse over spiritual failures to mountain slopes of forgiveness and renewed joy. In view of beautiful and refreshing running waters flowing in the valleys of contentment below. And in view of the mountain of God above where His peace rains down upon the humble, glad children come to worship together in love.
Psalms 32,51,86,122.
These Psalms by David are songs of instruction and contemplation. That’s what Maskil means in the title of song 32.
When we read through the 51st psalm, we hear David make a promise to God from the restored heart that the Spirit had given him after a season away from the Lord.
“I will teach transgressors Your ways.” Perhaps these songs, these Maskils, were the fulfillment of David’s promise.
G. Campbell Morgan said about these verses, “...songs of penitence...as well as rejoicing in the wonders of the grace of God. Sin is dealt with...sorrow is comforted...and ignorance is instructed.”
And by the way, Psalm 32 was Saint Augustine’s favorite psalm. He had it inscribed on the wall next to his bed before he died. In order to meditate on it in his last days on earth.
David wrote much about the “blessednesses” (plural) of being “forgiven” by God.
“My transgressions are forgiven...My sin is no longer exposed...my sin is covered. David knew what it was to be a sinner. Caught in the act by God and others. He knew the seriousness of sin and how good it was to be truly forgiven.
Spurgeon said...”Oh, the double joys, the bundles of happiness, and the mountains of delight that fill my “forgiven soul.”
David wrote, “When I kept silent my bones grew old...and Your hand was heavy upon me day and night...David said that the consequences of his unconfessed sin were terrible, physically and spiritually.
David knew and thus instructs, that God’s hand is very helpful when He is lifting us up. But it is awful when He is pressing us down. David had come to understand that God loved him enough to press down hard enough to break his stubborn will and then lift his contrite spirit up to new fellowship with Him.
And that brings us to Psalm 122...from self-deceit and the fatigue that comes from running away from God to the summit of God...the House of God on Mt Zion...in Jerusalem, the City of David...the city of Peace...the Prince of Peace.
I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go into the House of the Lord...” David was remembering what it was like as a child when his parents would bring he and his brothers to the “City on a hill” for the several festivals a year that the priests would assemble the Israelites to. Groups of people journeyed together to Jerusalem to worship individually, but most importantly together.
David wrote about how glad he was to participate in those worshipful days inside the gates of peace. Signifying the “peace of God” for troubled souls, and peace with friends and neighbors in the covenant family of Jacob.
But David was also glad to be invited to go with his community. Spurgeon said,”...good children are pleased to go home and glad to hear their brothers and sisters there...”
David, just forgiven....just lifted up out of the mire of his sin...no more deceit necessary...no more running and hiding from God and others...he takes a deep breath of relief...and then he hears...”Let us go”...yes...you David...come to the mountain of peace with us...remember it’s where God comes to meet us at the Mercy Seat...
Thank You, Jesus...Holy Spirit...Father...the picture is not lost on us...You, not Jerusalem, are our forgiveness, our peace and our love and our joy...
Praise Your Name!
Have a Great day
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May 13th
The Bible reading today is in 2 Samuel 11,12 and 1 Chronicles 20.
The reading today is sad and very searching to me. One of the good guys was taken down.
Would he get back up? Yes...eventually. Would he be used of God in the same measure that he was used before the fall? That’s something that only God can really answer.
But some of his songs late in life seem to give insight into the personal pain that he, David, felt, deep in his soul, for his sins and the severe consequences thereof.
Did David feel the burdens lifted with the forgiveness given by the God of mercy and grace? Yes...eventually. Even for taking the wife of one of his friends in arms? Eventually...Yes. And even using his office as king to have that friend placed in such a position in battle that he would most assuredly be killed?
Did David ever feel forgiven for committing that terrible sin against his loyal friend? Eventually...Yes.
Was God disappointed in David? Absolutely. Did the Holy Spirit break David’s heart over his sin? Yes indeed!
How do I know? Well, Let’s listen to David’s prayer in Ps 51...and then answer that question...
Psalm 51 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.”
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May 12th
The Bible reading today is in the Songs again...Psalm 65-67 and 69 and 70.
I have chosen Ps 69 for the podcast today. It’s one of the two most Old Testament passages quoted in the New Testament.
David had many an occasion to sing this prayer that he wrote. “Save me O God...I'm drowning...”
How many times have we felt like we were drowning? How many times have we thought that we were about to be overwhelmed by something bad that we could not change? And all we could say was what David said...”Save me O God!”
Remember with me when the Son of David heard that desperate request from a drowning disciple...“Peter said, “Is that You, Lord...if it is You, command me to come to you on the water...Jesus said Come...and Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water...but when he saw the wind he got scared and began to sink and cried out, “Lord save me!” And he did.”
Jesus, on the night that he was betrayed into the hands of evil men, took his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemene to pray. Like David, the Son of the promise, Jesus, faced his own “deep water with no footing”...and Jesus said to his disciples, “My soul is very sorrowful, even unto death (kind of sorrow)...”
David said that he was completely worn out from his crying and his praying.
Wow...that’s intense!
Reminds us of Luke’s gospel record where Christ’s Gethsemene experience is defined a bit more graphicly. “Being in agony, Jesus prayed more earnestly and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Now that is even more intense.
Jesus could have said the very words of David...”Father, I am weary in body and soul...my throat is parched with my groaning, ...my eyes grow dim with my tears...waiting upon my God.”
And the Messianic tone continues in this song of David...“More in number than the hairs on my head are those who hate me without a cause.”
David was hated by Saul and his entourage. How could that be? David served Saul faithfully and selflessly. Putting his life in danger over and over again for the sake of his king. And still, Saul and his thousands hated him...seemingly without cause. That was hard on young David.
Reformed theologian, Christopher Morgan, wrote the following about undeserved hatred: “Undeserved reproach is a most crushing grief for a sensitive soul.” Yes, that sure lines up with David and Jesus.
It’s hard for us to believe that such a Godly man as David would be so hated. It seems to be human nature...which is even more evident in the hatred without a cause directed toward Jesus...David’s greater Son.
Jesus specifically referred to our reading today when he spoke to his disciples the night before his crucifixion.
“This happened that the word might be fulfilled...They hated me without a cause!” John 15.
Some will say that the Scribes and Pharisees had plenty of cause to hate Jesus. But the fact is there was no cause in Christ...for their hatred. It was the self-righteousness that came from within them...from their own evil hearts... that hated Jesus...all the while that He was loving them with truth and grace.
And one more Messianic point in the text...“Though I have stolen nothing, I am made to restore it...”
This was certainly “Injustice toward David”. Truth was laid aside and judgments were based on lies...yes, injustice increased David’s sense of despair.
Though innocent he was treated guilty. Though David had no share in the plots against Saul, he was held accountable for them. David said, “I have stolen nothing”.
The devil tried to take what was not his...heaven’s throne. Adam took what was not his...forbidden fruit. Moses took what was not his...the the life of the Egyptian. David would take what was not his...the married Bathsheba
But Jesus? He would not take what was “rightfully” his...” the divine privileges of the Godhead”....and Died!.
For me and you so we could have “His eternal life”.
Have a great day
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May 11th
Our Bible reading today is in 2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19 along with Ps. 20.
All three of these passages relate to King David’s early reign in Israel. The song is David’s recollection of Israel’s prayers for him. And the Samuel and Chronicle records mirror each other’s account of David’s leadership and dealings with the Ammonites.
The reading inspired me in several ways. Prayer for our church and national leaders is God’s will. God will use them for His glory and our God-ordained benefit. Just as He worked through the interceeding Israelites in David’s day.
Thanks for “Godly Israelites” who prayed for their king in desperate times. May we follow suit.
David sent a friendly group of ambassadors, representing him, to the new king of the Ammonites, King Hanum. Anytime I see the words embassy or ambassadors I think of Paul’s message to the church at Corinth. He reminds these fellow believers that they are “ambassadors” for Christ with His message of “reconciliation” to God for the city of Corinth.
We are ambassadors for Christ too dear friends. Jesus has entrusted us with His message of the gospel to our neighborhoods and cities. God help us. David sent condolences for the death of Hanum’s father. He was sending mercy and grace to Hanum and the Ammonites.
Did you notice how David used a common occurrence in life as an opportunity to reach out in loving kindness and tender mercies, even to an enemy? Friends, that’s the Gospel of Christ...to us...and for us moving forward in our spiritual lives in Christ.
Jesus reached out to us, even when we were His enemies, in the midst of our everyday living offering grace snd mercy. The cross to reconcile us to God for eternal salvation. At our conversion and for our growing up into Christ. Praise His Name!
The Ammonites had been Israel’s enemies for 400 plus years. Beginning with their refusal to aid in Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. And after they joined the Moabites against Joshua’s army, it became obvious that the Ammonites would never be friendly neighbors to Israel.
But David was willing to put the past bitterness behind him and build a bridge of understanding and common decency between the two nations. Thus he sent an embassy of goodwill to Hanum. But Hanum was influenced by wicked counsel to reject David’s offer as nothing less than a scheme to spy out their own stronghold for future battles.
By the way, when we pray for our leaders, that God would give them wisdom and discernment for decision making, also pray for those who counsel them...that their counsel would be in harmony with God’s purposes.
Back to the text...Hanum and the Ammonites treated David’s ambassadors shamefully, cutting their beards and their robes before sending them home.
In ancient times, a man’s beard was his most valued adornment. It said that he was apart of a community and not a despised, shaven slave.
Friends, do you remember how the Apostle Paul identified himself to the Ephesian church? Let us listen...”we are not men-pleasers...but slaves to Christ, doing the will of God from our hearts...”
He called himself, and all others who followed Jesus, a slave. A slave of Jesus Christ. No longer living as though he were the master of his own fate, but living in humble gratitude to the one who died and rose again to save him from the penalty of his sins. And save him for a home in heaven one day...and save him for significant and fruitful work alongside the loving, powerful and eternal Master Jesus! Praise His Name!
David sent kindness. Ammonites sent shameful rejection and disrespect.
David protected the dignity of his ambassadors. And made slaves of the Ammonites and their compatriots.
Jesus...mercy, and grace
You and I, we receive God’s salvation and discipleship...doing God’s will from our hearts!
Have a great day
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May 10th
Our Bible reading today is in Psalm 50,53,60,75.
Asaph was one of David’s chief musicians and songwriters as well as a singer. According to the chronicler, Asaph was one of three Levites that David put in charge of the singing in the house of God. Yes, congregational singing goes back a long way.
Inspired by the Spirit, Asaph wrote a song about God “coming” to the earth on a day in the future...for judgment!
Paul said to the Roman believers: “God has endured with patience the vessels of wrath...one day He’s coming with destruction.”
Asaph says God is coming...like at the flood?...like at the red sea?...like at Mt Sinai?...no...it will be far more awesome and far more terrible. He is coming...to “judge” the world...” like a devouring fire and a mighty hurricane going before Him.”
The Apostle Paul had the same belief...Ephesians 5:6 “The wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience...upon the sons of the devil.”
BUT....before that happens God is going to judge “His own” at the “judgment seat of Christ”. Not regarding their eternal destiny...but where believers’ works and motives will be judged for the sake of rewards.
Many centuries later the Apostle Peter explained it this way: 1 Peter 4:17 “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God...”
Asaph starts with a trilogy of God’s Names El...”God The Mighty One”, Elohim...”God sufficient in Himself..” Yaweh...”the Lord saves! God very God not number one among many gods...But God alone!
“This One, whose throne is in the heavens will come (to Jerusalem) to judge the world...” “and the judgment will begin with His own...” “God calls to the “heaven above”and to the “earth beneath” all, righteous and unrighteous...will be there to witness the judgment upon the children of God.
And before judgment begins God says to His humbled redeemed...“I am God “your” God“...my faithful ones...who made a covenant with me by a sacrifice...”
In other words, God was “Gospeling” His people. The good news of their position in the Lord...regardless of God’s judgment.
Believing Israelites reading this psalm would remember the covenant of the “blood path” that God made with Abraham and all of his descendants of faith...an everlasting covenant of faith...from God to them.
Today we remember a covenant made by a sacrifice on a cross...that paid our sin debt and purchased us a home in heaven. To hear Almighty God say to our hearts that He is our God is an awesome thing. But one day, all that scoffed at our testimony of faith...will hear God Almighty, Lord Jesus, say out loud, that we belong to Him...Now “that” will be over the top of Awesome!
So what does the prophesy in song say to the Israelites then and the people of faith now?
God to Israel: Your burnt offerings are not the problem. I commanded that those sacrifices be made. They were to remind you that I'm the one who takes away sin. I'm who you worship...im who you trust for forgiveness and eternal life. Now you are counting on the ritual to save you. You go through the motions, but instead of your worship coming from your heart appreciation of Me, now you pat yourself on the back because you performed the ritual just right. You're dotting all the I's and crossing all the T's, but your heart is far from me. It’s always been about Me and your heart.
God to us today: ditto...trust in me...love me...desire me...from your heart. Because you are mine.
Wow...God will use that time with His own...reproving and rewarding...to make the Gospel clear to those who are about to be judged to the lake of fire for eternity.
Rejoice friends...and keep witnessing to family and friends of the good news of Jesus...one day they will thank you.
Have a great day
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May 9th
Our Bible reading today is in 2 Samuel 8,9 and 1 Chronicles 18.
In 2 Samuel 9, we read the account of King David’s relationship with Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. David was settling in as the new king in Israel. In 2 Samuel 7, David asked, “What can I do for God?” He proposed to build Him a Temple. In today’s passage, David asks another question...a question we should be asking...”What can I do for others?”
David’s question showed gratefulness for God’s great kindness and mercy upon his own life. It also showed God’s love and grace toward His own. Meeting the needs of another without expecting anything in return.
David made a covenant with Jonathan years before. They promised care for one another and one another’s family come what may. Well, word got to David that his friend died in battle fighting alongside his father, King Saul. The king and his sons were honored by David. This sounds crazy to most. But we know David’s integrity up to this point. Even after years of torment at the hands of a demonized Saul and his self serving household, David still kept his word to honor the king and honor his covenant with Saul’s son.
Wow, that was good, it sounds a lot like Jesus.
One day David asked if there was anyone left of the house of Saul that he could show kindness to for the sake of Jonathan. A servant of Saul, named Ziba, told David that Jonathan had a son who survived the purge by Ishbosheth. He had been hidden away by friends for his safety.
So David sent for Mephibosheth. David gave Mephibosheth all the land that his father and grandfather had before their deaths. Since Mephibosheth was lame in both feet, David gave him servants to work the land. And on top of all of that, David gave Mephibosheth a place at the king’s table every day for the rest of his life. And that was the beginning of a Gospel relationship.
Let me explain. We are Mephibosheth...we were hiding and unable to save ourselves...when the king came for us. Thank You Holy Spirit.
David showed great grace and kindness to Mephibosheth, foreshadowing the grace and loving-kindness that God showed us and shows us still. Thanks, Father.
The king’s kindness to Mephibosheth was based on a covenant of respect. God’s grace toward us was based on a covenant of blood. Thank You, Jesus.
Mephibosheth was treated as the king’s son. In Christ, we are treated as God’s children.
Way to go David. And like you know, David...Jesus is still better!
A good news story for sure...
Have a great day
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May 8
Our bible reading today is again in the songs of David...25,29,33,36,39.
We will start with Psalm 25. If there is a better testimony of the life of David in miniature God will just have to show me. Until then let’s look at the “heart” of the “man after God’s own heart”.
“O my God, in You I trust...” As a boy, David trusted God and obeyed his father. As a boy, he trusted God to protect him and the sheep that he watched over in his father’s flocks.
When God made David King in Israel, God said, “I watched your faithful shepherding of your father’s flocks. Now I have made you the Shepherd over all the people of Israel.” God saw genuine saving faith in David. Interesting isn't it? God anointed a “faithful boy”...then God worked and watched David’s faith grow for 15 years. David continued to grow in his trust in the Lord.
Did you hear him today? He said to God, 15 years after his anointing by Samuel, “To You O Lord I lift up my soul.” And why did he say that?...why did he do that?
Because for 10 years David’s God saved him day after day from Saul’s 3000 assassins. David knew that God had redeemed him...and made him His own...just like Moses preached!
David said, “Lord You teach me Your truth, Your ways. Lead me in Your paths. I'll wait for You. Please, Lord, I'll wait all the day long...for You...For You are the God of salvation.”
And why would David appeal to God like that? Why would he wait night and days on end for God to teach him and lead him? Because GOD had been the way and the triumph for His son in the faith...conflict after conflict...battle after battle...highs and lows physically and spiritually...God kept leading and showing Himself strong on David’s behalf.
Why did David place his trust in the Lord? Because God was strong in battle? That was one reason, but maybe not the weightiest reason. Listen...“The trouble of my heart is great...forgive my sins...”
Soul deep confessions. Mourningful repentances. And great heart relieving deliverances for David’s afflicted soul by God His redeemer.
Friends that’s the wide lens picture of the Gospel of Christ. God chose David. Jesus chose you and me. David trusted God for his salvation. We trusted Jesus. His life, His death on a cross for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection from the grave...all to secure eternal life for all who believe Him.
David trusted God as a learner. We trust Christ as His disciples, learning of Him, His Will, His Word, and His Ways.
David trusted God when it was hard...especially when it came to his daily sinning. Jesus calls us to trust Him the same way by confessing our daily sins to Him. Let’s listen to the apostle John “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”
God used David to fulfill God’s purposes in David’s generation. May the Lord find “us” willing to be Used by Him in our generation.
Have a great day
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May 7th
The Bible reading today is in 2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17.
The text begins with a conversation between King David and the prophet Nathan. David says to Nathan...I would like to “build God” a house. I live in a nice house. But He lives in a tent.
Nathan thought David’s idea was a good one. And told him to do whatever was in his heart. That turned out to be counsel given too quickly.
Let’s “Think” about it. David...a man after God’s own heart had a desire to bless the Lord. Another man Nathan, who was called of God to be a prophet, told David he ought to act on his good idea to bless God. Or said another way...“Just follow your heart.”
But just hours after two Godly men agreed on a course of action, God intervened. He told Nathan to stop David from following his heart. He told Nathan to tell David that He had another plan.
I'll bet Nathan went away with a new resolve to not speak too quickly...at least not until he could say, “Thus saith the Lord!”
And this record today also tells me that it can be dangerous to tell friends in the faith to “follow their hearts”. Instead, let’s tell them that we will join them in asking God for His wisdom on the matter...and that we will wait with them until the answer comes.
Moving on in the text...God told Nathan to speak “
“God’s plan”...to David...and it was a stunning plan. Overwhelming David. David had to “sit down” to contemplate the weight of God’s mercy and grace toward him, “and” his household to follow ...all the way to the Throne Room of heaven.
David would have a Son who would rule on a “forever “ throne...that could only be God’s Throne...the Messiah would come from the household of David.
It was too much for David to wrap his mind around. So he was silent before God. And then he carefully praised and prayed to God. “What can I say to You after You have bestowed such greatness to me and mine? You are great and there is none like You O God...Your Name be magnified forever.
And Spurgeon’s take on that prayer rings true to my heart...”Lord, may You be Greatened in these days...and Your servants bow before You.”
Amen
Have a great day
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May 6
Our Bible reading today is in the Psalms...89,96,100,101, 105, 132.
I will use the “Old 100th” to grace our podcast together today. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth...”
What kind of noise? A JOYFUL noise...full of gladness...full of joy...the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work...that inner assurance of happy contentment that starts with “ALL is WELL” with our soul and rises from within to an outward expression of thankfulness to God for everything He does for us...from our birth and our rebirth in Christ...all the way to heaven.
Let’s listen to the chronicler...he tells the faithful that God uses the nature that He created to praise Him. 1 Chronicles 16: “The seas roar...the fields exult...and the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord”.
Listen again to Jesus address the scribes and Pharisees upon arriving in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday...”If these people keep silent, then the ROCKS will cry out in praise of what God is doing in your midst.”
The people roared like the seas...they stood in exaltation waving their branches as the wheat waves in the sunny breeze...and they sang joyfully like the trees in the forest anticipating the change in seasons coming.
The Father of English “hymn writing” was Isaac Watts of the early 1700s. The studious son of a reformed pastor in England complained to his father concerning the singing in church. He said, “It’s so sad and the members’ faces are so sad too. The Bible tells us to make a joyful noise, doesn't it?”
The elder Watts told his son, “If you think you can do better, you write a church song.” And he did...750 of them...like Joy to the World and Marching to Zion and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.
Words like “joyful” and “glad” in the psalms reached out to the youngster’s heart and held that heart throughout his 70 years. And Watts testified to his desire to help “ordinary” church members to worship God “extraordinarily” with glad hearts and faces and yes, joyful noise.
“Make a joyful noise” reminds me of what Israel did when Samuel introduced Saul as their king...” the people “shouted”, “Long live the King! Long live the King!”
Doesn't that remind us of the coronation of Jesus as King at His resurrection over death and His Ascension to His throne in Heaven? I think so.
I'm a sinner saved by that King of glory that laid down his life at the cross so that I could have His eternal life...including forgiveness of sin and a right standing before God and a home in heaven when I die. “Long live the King..King Jesus”.
The psalmist exhorts “every land”, “every nation”, “every people group” to raise their voices in thanksgiving and praise to God who made them and sustains them.
And what’s the name of that God? Let’s listen to the Gospel of John...chapter one...“In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
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May 5
The Bible reading today is in the Songs...Ps. 1,2,15,22-24,37,68. I'm excited about hearing from God in these prayers and songs.
Ps.1:6 says...” For the Lord knows the way of the righteous...”
For centuries, there has been the constant contrasting of men...if not by strength and stature, then by wealth and poverty. Men have been contrasted by skin color, nationality, religion, politics, and marital and parental status...and by many more things.
But there is one division of man that has outlasted all the rest. And this Psalm describes it. “The eternal God has contrasted men by their relationship with Him.”
Men either have one or they don't. They are either known by God or they are not. They are either redeemed by God or they are not. They either belong to Him or they don't. They either trust God or they trust something else. They are either called the “righteous” or they are referred to as the “ungodly” as in today’s reading.
I want to focus on the songwriter’s conclusion considering that division. The song ends with a terrible finality for some and an eternal blessing for others. “The Lord knows the way of the righteous...”Ps 1:6
Who are the righteous? “The righteous” are God’s people of faith...and like Abraham, their faith is counted unto them for righteousness...thus they are called “the righteous”. And friends, you and I in Christ are “the righteous ones” on this side of the cross.
Listen to Paul’s message to the church in Rome...” chapter 3 verse 22...Amplified version “the righteousness of God is meant for all who believe with personal trust and confident reliance upon Jesus Christ the Messiah.” That’s us...Halleluiah Thank You, Lord!
So let us listen and remember and rejoice..“The Lord knows...“perfectly...”the way of the righteous. He knows that our way ends in glory, in Heaven with Him and all the rest of the believers in Him down through the centuries. He knows that our way is His life in us...He is the Way...He knows that our way shall never perish, but have eternal life, both now and forever. He knows our way...from here to heaven.
So when we get confused...when we get lost...when we don't know our way...our loving Lord does...we can rest there...in Him!
Let’s do!
And the way of the ungodly? Well....It shall perish!
Is there any hope for the unrighteous, the ungodly, the wicked? Psalm 2 speaks of God setting His Son upon a throne as King above all kings...He is called Anointed...that is the Christ...in other words...our Jesus...Savior of the unrighteous, the wicked and the ungodly.
“Kiss the Son...God says...meaning: humbly surrender to the Lord...and blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”
Oh yes...there is hope in Jesus for all who believe Him!
Have a great day!
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May 4th
The Bible reading for today is in 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23 and 1 Chronicles 13-16.
Question: What do we see God doing today?
A little history first...King David took back Jerusalem from the Jebusites for Israel’s new capital. Our Bible reading recently told us what “GOD did...” “GOD gave David” the city.”
Then the King of Tyre built David a palace to rule from, there in Jerusalem. “GOD gave David” favor among foreign kings.”
Then David planned to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. “GOD gave David” knowledge early on to delight in Him. “GOD gave David” a promise that He would give him the desires of his heart. “GOD” was indeed at work!
For years, the worship of God languished under the kingship of Saul. Our Bible said that...“GOD gave Israel” into the hands of the Philistines...and the ark of the covenant was lost to Israel...“GOD gave the ark” to the Philistines. Then the Philistines gave it back... because “GOD judged them” sorely.
“GOD gave the house of Abinadab” the ark as a stewardship.
“GOD set apart” Eleazar to guard the ark as long as it was in Keriath Jearim.
God was indeed at work!
Twenty years later...David, after consulting with all the leaders in Israel, decides to gather all the people of Israel to Keriath Jearim to escort the Ark to Jerusalem. And it seemed good in the eyes of all the people. There were instruments playing. There were thousands of people singing and praising God. The congregation was excited about being in the presence of God. They were going to worship God all the way to Jerusalem. Ten miles through the highlands to the great city of David.
But not long into the journey of celebration, the music and the singing and dancing stopped. “GOD took Uzzah’s life.” WHY? Was it because Uzzah reached out to steady the ark on the shaken cart...touching the sacred box with his hand? That was certainly part of it.
But there was a bigger reason...a reason that God revealed to David later...and to the apostle Paul much later in the book of Hebrews. Yes, Uzzah died on the road to Jerusalem for irreverently treating the ark of God. But Uzzah also died in David’s place...sounds like the gospel of Jesus.
It was a new cart, pulled by oxen, upon which the ark was being transported to Jerusalem. Surely God would notice and be pleased. It wasn't just any old cart that was convenient, nearby. This was a brand new one that would certainly honor the God of the ark of promise.
Thinking out loud...the Ark of God... close to the “cart” of His covenant people that day. God wanted it close to the “heart” of His covenant people protecting them from going astray.
David and the leaders around him just wanted God to be at the center of Israel’s life. Some would say they retrieved a wooden box with gold on it and planned a great production for a great crowd. But Thinking out loud ...God perceived a wooden cross with Jesus’ bloody body on it and planned to forgive every sinner who believed.
David just wanted the nation to worship God again. He just wanted God to show up for the nation’s sake. And “GOD did show up...” just differently than David envisioned it.
Instead of happy and joyful hearts, shock, sorrow, and sadness prevailed. David was angry...What just happened? This isn't the way it was supposed to play out. David was confused. Until...he went back to the word of God found in the parchments of Moses.
Only Levites from the house of Kohath were to transport the ark...not Abinidab’s family. David’s fault...David’s sin. Only with the poles laid upon the shoulders of the Kohathites, was the ark to be moved...walking...never riding...David’s fault...David’s sin.
And never to be directly seen or touched by anyone, except the High Priest, in the tent or out. David's fault again. David's sin again.
David earned death by his irreverence to God that day. But he received grace and mercy. GOD gave David life that day...and God gave a nation great grace to worship Him for the generations to come.
Sounds just like Jesus. Who gave me eternal life one day...and gave my family great grace for generations to follow!
Have a great day
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May 3rd
The Bible reading today is in Psalms 106 and 107.
“Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have both committed iniquity; we have both done wickedness...we have not remembered the abundance of Your steadfast love toward us...You made the storm and then You stilled it...You made the waves high like heaven and then You hushed them...Whoever is wise let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”
The psalmist David spoke and wrote truth from his mind and heart...“praise to the Lord"...and ” confession of his sins.”
David’s conviction that God inhabits the praises of His people has helped me through the years to visualize God’s presence in my personal and corporate prayer to and worship of “Him”.
So most of my praying begins with thanksgiving and praise to God for His mighty deeds in my life and the life of my loved ones. So we see David begin both of these songs with praise to God.
One of the songs dealt primarily with David’s own struggle with sin as well as the sins of his fathers. But even dealing with the dark nights of his soul, David praised and thanked God. Apparently, to David, there was always reason to praise and worship God.
David had an additional belief. “God is Good, All of the Time”...and “All of the time, God is Good”...and “His Love” endures forever...there is no end to God’s Goodness and no end to His love for those who believe Him.
Even though David would spend multiple verses of his song dealing with his and his fathers’ sins, he sings and worships God...“how?”
Something the Spirit put deep in David’s heart and mind...“God’s steadfast love endures forever.” That’s why David could mourn over sin one moment and praise God in song the next. God loved David, no matter how long David forgot Him.
Remember Psalm 136...David repeats that belief: “God’s love endures forever”...25 times. Wow...a praise song for the “church to sing” repeating one line 25 times.
We complain sometimes when we repeat lines 3 or 4 times in our church worship songs. We might think that it’s too shallow and without depth. Apparently not so with the Holy Spirit and with David.
Why did the Holy Spirit lead David to sing that truth over and over and over again? The Spirit knew that David and us have a hard time remembering and believing God as we live.
“Do this in remembrance of Me...” Jesus said to his first followers during the communion they shared before his death and resurrection. “Don't Forget Me!”
David and us must rehearse true words to our souls...especially...”God is Good all of the time, even during that time when someone I love is hurting.” We must say to each other in our family and in our corporate worship that “God loves us” especially when bad and painful things are happening to us or to our friends.
God loves us even when He disciplines us...even when it seems that He is slow to answer our prayers...God is Good all of the time...and nothing will ever keep Him from loving His treasured ones like you and me.
Enjoy the songs
Have a great day
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May 2nd
Our Bible reading today is somewhat unique. Psalm 133 and its “three” verses. That’s all...just three verses.
Apparently the author of our reading plan found one more song that lined up with David’s coronation as king over all Israel.
Before the coronation, history paints a grim picture. Israelites against Israelites in some very bloody, deadly clashes for seven and a half years.
Now the new King of all the tribes writes a Spirit-inspired message in a song about unity restored. Listen to the beginning with me...“Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity.”
What a grand declaration. Two words stick out to me in the beginning of verse one: “behold” and “how”. Behold means “take notice”....” look at this”.
“How” is a part of the exclamation of David. Not unity among brethren is good and pleasant...but “how” marvelously good...” how” incredibly pleasant is unity among brothers and sisters.
“Behold...Look” at “how” God has “gloriously” brought us together! “Look” at “how” God has powerfully helped us to lay aside our personal preferences for the sake of fulfilling the purposes of God together “Look” at “how “lovingly good” our oneness in the Lord is. Look at “how” “beautifully pleasant” our fellowship together in God is.
David was exclaiming: Why would we ever allow selfish, personal, prideful ambitions to divide us. We were made to stick together. God will use our individual service, but He will sing songs over our labors together...for His glory and not our own.
Friends, Let us remember what Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples in John 17...”Father keep them in Your name that they may be one as we are one....so that the world may believe their message of Me.”
Let us also remember the Spirit-led exhortation that Paul gave the church in Ephesus.
Ephesians 4:3-6 New International Version (NIV) 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Unity among brothers has been a big deal, not just in David’s music, but in Christ’s prayers and Paul’s letters to the churches.
So just how did David describe the goodness and pleasantness of brothers dwelling in unity? “It’s like the oil on the head that is so abundantly given that it rolls into beard and down to the edge of the robe.” Which refreshes the recipient and gives off a pleasant fragrance for all nearby.
Unity among brothers in the faith “abundantly refreshes” the body of Christ and creates a pleasant atmosphere for all to worship and work with God as each are called.
David likened Unity among the believers as the “dew of Herman” falling upon the mountains of Zion. The continued dew upon Mt Herman turned its peaks and slopes and valleys a lush green.
That is how David saw Israel coming together in unity. And that should be our visual aid for praying...praying for unity of Spirit in our church, from dry and fruitless to lush green, of spiritual fruitfulness.
Have a great day
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May 1
The Bible reading for today is in 2 Samuel 5:1-10 and 1 Chronicles 11 and 12.
We notice an overlapping in the record of historical events in our Bible reading from time to time. For instance, our 1 Chronicles reading recently and today’s 2 Samuel reading mirror one another.
They both create a miniature history of David’s rule and reign as King in Israel. Reading both of them side by side will give us more interesting detail of God’s working in that particular 40-year span.
Now Into the text...“Then” all the tribes of Israel came to Hebron of Judah...and the elders anointed David the next King in Israel.”
Before now, there was only one tribe that recognized David as king...and that was Judah. The other tribes recognized Ishbosheth, son of Saul.
Ishbosheth was murdered and “then” the leaders of the other tribes turned to David.
Do you see the self-incrimination in the decisions of the leaders of Israel? Their spiritual discernment, it seems, was next to nothing. Apparently they didn't recognize God at work upon, in, and through the godly young man, David.
Where were they? 22 years before? When the Prophet/Judge Samuel anointed the 15-year-old champion to be king in Israel after Saul? Where were they? Those following five years? when God used David to serve the king and the people so faithfully as a valiant warrior for Israel?
Wherever the leaders were, they weren't “looking” for God’s activity...that’s for sure.
So...they chose Ishbosheth to be their king and not the One that God chose. It’s sad that the tribes only turned to David after their “first” choice was taken away. It’s also sad that Ishbosheth didn't learn discernment from his older brother, Jonathon. If he had, he would have given David his royal robe and sword... just like Jonathon did.
Back to the text...David was 15 when God commissioned Samuel to anoint him, king, in Israel. David was thirty when he began his 40-year reign.
God spent 15 years preparing young David for his ministry as king in Israel. Sound like a long internship? How about Moses’ 40 years in the Midian desert?...How about Joshua’s 40 years in the wilderness of Sinai?
A call to leadership is a call to preparation. James was inspired to write the church to be patient...he said if we give patience her perfect work, we will not lack any good thing. And do you know what David’s first exploit as new king over all of Israel was? It was to “Take back” Jerusalem from the arrogant bullying Jebusites. And make that citadel...that impregnable city on a hill the new capital of the restored nation.
The Jebusites mocked David. They yelled down from the fortress ramparts...” you are so weak, our blind and lame could beat you back.” And God gave David an idea...the army would get inside the tall walls through the water conduit underneath the stronghold of Zion. David’s God...strong and smart...what was His Name...Adonai...Lord Jesus! Praise His name...right along with David.
Have a great day
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April 30th
Our Bible reading today is in Psalms 102,103,104.
Listen to Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s assessment of Ps. 103. “There is too much in this Psalm for a thousand pens to write. It is one of those all-comprehending Scriptures which is a Bible in itself. It might alone suffice for the hymnbook of the church.”
“As in the lofty Alps, some peaks rise far above others. So this Psalm seems to rise above all other Psalms”...not in Divine authorship...but perhaps in Divine inspiration to the hearts and voices Of God’s choir on earth.
Now to the text...The first part of the psalm is David rehearsing some personal mercies that he has received. The way he describes these mercies makes me want to believe that David wrote this song late in his life when appreciation for blessings from God comes from years of experiencing God’s good supply for everything he needed...body and soul!
But before the list of mercies, David speaks to his own heart and soul. “O bless the Lord, O My Soul...and all that is within me...bless His Holy Name!”
David was stirring up his own soul. He was speaking to himself as though he feared the cold clutches of “spiritual dullness” reaching out for him. He was exhorting himself as though “personal slipping away” from God’s fellowship.
Each of which can overcome us as well as David the Aged. Remember when a younger David and his 600 warriors came home to Ziklag only to find their homes burned down and their wives and children stolen by Philistine raiders?
Despair and fear overwhelmed all of these brave men. The Bible says that “David strengthened his own heart” in the Lord and courageously led his men to engage the raiders and take back their families.
Remember when a much younger David stood his ground against all preditors of his father's sheep? And with that same sling, the youthful shepherd became a warrior and champion over fear, intimidation, unbelief, and the giant Goliath.
Apparently David learned, from a young age, to “strengthen his heart in the Lord” and not in man and his clever ways. Apparently David’s “self speak” in today’s psalm was not new to his worship of the Lord.
“Soul...not just voice...but Soul bless and praise God. Sure use my voice to praise God. But He deserves all that is within me to praise and worship Him.
This is what I want from my innermost being...“Soul, use all the intelligence God has put in my mind to bless the Lord. Use all that I have learned from the Spirit...in and through Godly men and women in my life to praise the Lord.”
“Soul, use every determined resolve...every ounce of strength that God has given to me in my spirit and in my body to praise the Lord my God.”
“Soul, use every emotion...my gladness, my sadness, my happiness, my sorrow, my seriousness, and my playfulness...every God-given emotion displayed in smiles and grins and laughters...and also displayed in tears and solitude...to praise my God my Savior Jesus.”
“Bless the Lord O my soul...and all that is within me...BLESS His Holy Name.
David knew that his stirring his soul to worship was a “God thing”...but he couldn't just flip a switch to get to worthy worship of God...he must direct praise to the holiness of God’s Name...Adonai...Lord of all!!! Praise You Lord of all...me included!
So what are those mercies that David was praising God for?
Well, that’s the rest of the story...
Have a great day
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April 29th
We are reading in 1 Chronicles chapters 7-10 today.
Chapter 9 especially arrested my attention. And I must/ we must credit the Holy Spirit because that is what He does. He guides believers into all truth...truth about God...truth from God...and especially the truth that is God...in Jesus Christ.
“Holy Spirit give us “heart” eyes to see and “spiritual” ears to hear...You...teaching us.
“So “all” Israel was recorded in genealogies...” The northern 10 tribes of Israel, as a whole, never returned from their Assyrian captivity. But the few who did in the years after migrated into Judah.
Therefore, when Judah was captured by the Babylonians, people of every tribe was represented in Babylonian captivity for 70 years. So Ezra’s prophesy came true. “There will be a day when the divided kingdom of Judah and Israel will be brought together as one back in the land of promise”. And that’s exactly what happened as the exiles returned home.
What a God thing. And listen to another. “And Judah was taken into exile in the first place because of their “breach” of faith.”
What was the God thing? “God using Babylon” to remove the free Israel into bondage...from “free” to “bound”! Were His people alone in Babylonian bondage. Did God leave them alone? No, remember Ezekiel’s prophesy?...the “God cloud” left the Tabernacle and went all the way to the foreign land with them.
To judge them? No...To bring them back to Him...to to break their stubborn will and bring them to repentance and restored fellowship with Him.
“O, Lord...Holy Spirit...restoring and reviving our spirit of worship of God...that’s what You do because You love us...so sometimes love leads us through trial all the way back to Him! Praise You, Lord!
These were the people of promise. These were the promised land people. These were the “Covenant” people of God...“You will be my people and I will be Your God!”...The Covenant relationship was still intact. But the breach of trust had to be restored and God chose a foreign place to do it. So be it!
“Now the first to dwell in their cities again...were the Israelites...” What a strange fact to record. But not really. The southern kingdom of Judah was no more. The northern and southern kingdoms were one kingdom again. The exiles returned home “Israelites”.
One day, “all believers” will have “one” name...”His”...and be all together in “one” glorious place...new heaven and a new earth.
Another God thing...“The first to dwell in their cities again...included the “priests..” This was a praise to the priests. And who should lead in a spiritual work in the land?...the spiritual leaders in the renewed nation...The priests.
This was also a praise to the people coming home...to bring the priests with them...who better to encourage and inspire their moving forward in spiritual growth. God things recognized! Thanks, Lord...we are excited about what You are going to do in our lives moving forward.
Enjoy the rest of the story
Have a great day
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April 28
Our Bible reading today is in the book of songs and prayers...Psalms 81,88,92,93.
God gave these songs and prayers for the good benefit of believers in Him. And there are 150 of them...some short some long. But all of them are God-breathed to our souls.
Because...God wants to deepen, widen, and fill up our understanding of worshipping Him. Let us not miss this. “Our worship of God is not just God-ordained, it’s God-given...God empowered...and we will see that today.
When our prayers seem dry and emotionless, God beckons us to the sights and sounds of beautiful spiritual waters flowing in and through the Psalms. When our singing is labored...when our singing is just going through the motions...when our voices are locked down...deep... until we are happy...it is then that God calls “to us” in our joylessness to meet with Him in the Psalms...and there He lifts us up...to sing with Him...to the heights of eagles’ wings and great mountain summits of renewed spiritual perspectives and passions.
“Lord that is the worship You deserve...that is the worship we want to give to You. Help us Lord.”
To the text...In Ps. 93:1 Begins with "The Lord reigns”...This songwriter had a conviction...a strong belief that he wanted to proclaim. That is...The covenant God of Israel was infinitely high and above every idol and every so-called god-king clammering for the throne of human affection and allegiance.
Perhaps the writer was one of the returning exiles from Babylon. So many good things to be grateful for were being replaced by the worries and fears of coming home to Persian rule. And so the songwriter sang...perhaps with this probable context...”Persia may sit on earthly thrones and seek to rule over us.
But...Fear not...Our God reigns...our God...the One who delivered our forefathers from Egyptian bondage and kept His promise and gave us a land. He reigns...Our faith and our reverence is not in Persia...but in our great God Who will forever reign over us! Let us Worship Him with all of our hearts.”
Friends, Remember this part of the Lord’s prayer? “Thy kingdom come...” That is another way of saying that we believe that our God reigns. His kingdom is above all kingdoms. And His sovereign will reigns and rules... “Even when it doesn't seem like it is.”
No one...nothing...will ever change that for the people of faith in Him. Our God reigns...He is King over all the earth...He is wise and strong enough to establish and sustain it until He is ready to make all things new...
“O Lord, rule in the affairs of men in such a way that Your people will recognize You at work and praise You freely. Lord, rule in the affairs of earth so that the world will recognize Your Gospel of power and justice, and love and grace and mercy...and turn in repentance and faith to You, Jesus...King of all Kings.”
“Your decrees are “very” trustworthy. Help us trust You more. You know the end from the beginning. You know it all...Help us to always believe Your Words. And You are mightier than the thunder of many waters...mightier than all the waves of all the seas. Why would I ever hesitate to come humbly but boldly into your presence my King, to ask your help in matters of all kinds. Do I really think that my influence and my persuasiveness and my intellect and my experience is more powerful than you O Lord in changing things for Your glory? Lord forgive me! “You reign in power to work Your will on earth as it is in heaven! You reign not me!”
Friends, whatever is happening in my world...whatever is happening in your world...let us take heart...“God is happening”. Let us trust Him who reigns over all and simply seek to calm those about us with our testimony of Christ’s faithfulness...from the cross and resurrection to this very hour...OUR GOD REIGNS!
Have a great day
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April 27th
The Bible reading for today is in 1 Chronicles chapter 6...the genealogy of the Levites.
I figure the Levites were particularly interested, if not concerned about the Chronicler’s record of descendants after the 70 years of Babylonian captivity.
Let us remember that Joshua and Aaron’s son Eleazer “divied up” the “land of promise” among the sons of Jacob. Moses had assigned 2 1/2 tribes to the land east of the Jordan River. And Joshua divided up the land of conquered Canaan among the rest of the tribes...except for the “Levites”.
Their inheritance their portion...was the Lord...and leading the nation in the worship of Him as priests and servants of the Tabernacle. The Levite tribe was divided up among the provinces and given certain cities and pasturelands within the province selected.
This way there would be spiritual leadership spread across the new nation.
But let us remember...God gave Moses a most important message to parents in Israel...but especially to the husbands and fathers. Dad’s were to be the spiritual leaders of their own homes...a trust from God...and accountable to God for such service to the family.
The Levitical priesthood was an important piece of spiritual leadership in the new nation. But father’s were intended to be the most important role model for spiritual life in the family...same to this very day.
“Lord, bless each family in your forever family...especially the dads...make them mighty and mightier in Spirit each day. So they can lead their families to know You and do life with You in these days...with great passion and courage!
Now back to the text...The other tribes coming home from Babylon had a whole province and a choice of places within the province to resettle if need be. Not so with the Levitical tribe.
They had to legitimately prove their descent because all of their privileges and honors were tied to that official chronicle record. No wonder this chapter was so important to them.
Today, the Holy Spirit calls ministers to serve churches. The Levites were divinely called to their ministries also. The difference?... God calls ministers today to serve churches “without” any limit as to the family which they have come from. The Levites were limited by their “family tree”.
One more thing that ministers and believers today have in common with the Levitical priests and servants in the day of our reading. Though Gospel ministers today and Levitical priests of another day have been used by God in serving those who believe God, none but the Great High Priest can atone for sin...Jesus...the Messiah they looked forward to...the Savior we look back at.
His sacrificial atoning death for our sin, His burial, and His resurrection that proved that the cross of Jesus Christ was eternally sufficient to save believers from the penalty of their sin. And assure us of eternal life!!!
Praise God...And thanks, Lord, for giving us our Pastors...serving You by serving us and equipping us to fruitful labors in Your kingdom building. Bless them 4 fold for the blessing they are to us.
Have a great day
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April 26th
Psalms 73,77,78 will be our reading today.
Each of these songs today are attributed to Asaph. He was one of the musicians of King David. Some students of scripture have “reason” to think that David was the writer and Asaph was the singer. However, the weight of tradition gives credit to Asaph for the verse and the music.
So we won't fret. We know that the songs were “God-breathed” from heaven just for us who believe Him. Thanks, Asaph...thank You, Lord, of the Song!
To the text..“Truly God is good to Israel; to those who are pure in heart...” Asaph could have been remembering what Moses wrote 400 years before. “The Lord, the Lord God, is merciful and gracious, longsuffering and “abounding” in goodness” and truth.” Ex. 34
Moses lumped merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abounding, and truth all around “God’s goodness”. Whatever goodness means, it includes an unlimited amount of mercy and grace A more than generous amount of patience and truth that sets people free.
God was “this” to Israel...God was “this” to Asaph. Asaph put his feet firmly on that truth of “God’s goodness”. Truly God “is” good! Meaning...God can never be unjust. But things happen that shake that belief.
Oh, friends, we have all had occasion to ask God the “why” question. Storms in life have had their effects upon us. Things have happened to us that we just can't understand or reconcile. I may not understand why God causes some things to happen, but I know that God is good no matter what.
Asaph almost stumbled..almost slipped from faith trying to reconcile the suffering of the righteous and the prospering of the wicked. But he didn't because of a solid scriptural truth he stood on and held to...”Truly God is good...generously good ...especially to his children...whatever that might look like.
Listen to the expansion of Asaph’s conviction of God’s goodness that protected him from the temptation to stray away from God. “Whom have I in heaven but you...there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail...but God is the “strength of my heart” and “my portion” FOREVER!”
How good was God to Asaph? God was heaven for Asaph. God was strength for Asaph’s failing health. God was Asaph’s “portion” forever...that is...God’s presence and fellowship especially in the darkest and scariest of times of life.
Yes, God is good...very good all the time...especially when life gets hard.
And as Asaph sang, “for me, for us, it is good to be near God...that we may tell of all of your good works...
Sounds like a plan...Sounds just like the gospel of Jesus Christ...our Savior for heaven...our comfort in sickness...our “everything we need” for our darkest hours...Come, Lord Jesus!
Have a great day
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April 25
Our Bible reading today is in 1 Chronicle 3-5.
The Chronicler, by the Holy Spirit, continues to record genealogy listings for the purpose of reminding the returning Babylonian exiles that God has been in control even up to and through their capture by Nebuchadnezzar.
When Israel returned to bleak circumstances in Judah and Jerusalem, God reminded them from whence they had come...the great King David...their forefathers, Jacob, Isaac, and Father Abraham all the way back to Noah and the great flood and Seth and Adam from the beginning of mankind.
God was telling His children of faith that they had noble roots...deep and long roots. They were not an afterthought to God’s planning. They “were” God’s plan... from the beginning...a people of His pleasure and for His glory...a land that would cradle the nation that would bring forth the King of all Kings...the Lord of all Lords...Messiah...JESUS.
Today’s reading begins with the genealogy of David’s kin. He had 19 sons. Not all were upstanding citizens...not all were spiritual men. His firstborn, Amnon, raped his sister. Absolom, David’s third born, murdered his rapist brother and led a revolt against his father the king. He wound up hanging in a tree by his hair with three of his uncle’s spears taking his life during the rebellion.
David’s home life was filled with heartache. Can you imagine your favorite son breaking your trust with a murderous rebellion? David still grieved Absolom’s death greatly with a Father’s love. Wow.
And it was Solomon who succeeded his father David as King of Israel upon David’s death. For all the wisdom that God gave to Solomon, his disregard for God’s plan for marriage, as laid out in the Law of Moses, is infamous...famous in a bad way...700 wives and 300 concubines. So God ripped the Kingdom of Israel in two and gave the larger part to one of Solomon’s servants.
One more time we see God’s mercy collide with God’s justice...reminds me of the cross of Christ...Jesus taking God’s judgment on sin upon his own body on the tree...all the way to death...while colliding with God’s mercy and grace bestowed upon guilty sinners who believe Jesus. Praise your Name, Jesus!
I'm going to wind up this short podcast today with a name: Nathan, one of David’s final three sons. Perhaps David named him after the prophet Nathan the friend who held David accountable for his sinning.
Wow...that is friendship...telling one another the truth from God...which leads to repentance and renewed faith in the Savior.
Perhaps when young Nathan grew old enough to ask about his name...David could answer...everytime I call your name I remember the goodness of God toward me by giving me a friend that took the risk to love me when it was hard...that day my guilt-laden conscience was cleared!
My Beverly and Jesus ...they were my Nathan 50 years ago...friend enough to tell me the truth that led me to eternal life then now and forever...I'm eternally grateful... my love...my Savior.
Have a great day
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April 24th
Our reading is in the Psalms today...Ps 43-45, 49, 84,85, 87.
Sons of Korah penned all of the songs we read today. This is interesting to me.
In the book of Numbers, we read about “Korah” leading a rebellion against his cousin Moses. Apparently Korah felt like he had been passed over for leadership in the tribe of Levi. His pride led to his demise.
God judged Korah for refusing to come under the God-ordained authority of Moses. Remember how the earth opened and swallowed up Korah and his 250 fellow dissidents? Israelites won't ever forget that story of shame. Just like we won't forget the American history story of Benedict Arnold.
The interesting part?... God raised up sons of shame to servants of fame. God does that quite often you know...another episode of the grace of God in action.
A son of Korah tells the story of his own journey from spiritual depression to a procession of spiritual praise to His Lord.
“Send out YOUR light and YOUR truth and YOU lead me...” The son of Korah was in a dark place of confusion and fear. He honestly approached his Lord and told him that he felt lost and abandoned. Then the Korahthite son says,”I will hope in God and sing praises to Him.”
How did he get from depression to praise? The young man prayed to God, and the Lord sent light and truth...light to dispel the darkness and truth to set him free from the lies of his enemies.
Wow...that’s our testimony friends. “Jesus” is light and truth for us... every day all day! “Lord...You light our way and You warm our cold souls and give us confidence in Your promises to replace our confusion and fears.
In Psalm 84 we hear the son of Korah refer to a “loveliness” of the place where God dwells...the Tabernacle in his day...
I've often wondered...just what made the place “lovely”? It was a tent unlike any other tent, Ill give you that...but it was still a tent...not Solomon’s stately Temple...so what made the sight of it beautiful? Then it dawns upon me...Him...only Him...His presence...His eternal magnificent unrivaled glory!...the everlasting life of Jesus made it beautiful.
So it wasn't the curtains and the skilled crafted furnishings that caused the songwriter to long for the courts of the Lord. It was the presence of God there and the subsequent worshipping with God’s people... praising their Savior...that was it...that’s what the young servant of God
Lord, You make where you are beautiful...heaven...and in us we believe You!
Enjoy the rest of the songs.
Have a great day
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April 23rd
Our Bible reading today is in 1 Chronicles chapters 1,2.
Most Jewish theologians name Ezra as the “chronicler” of our reading. He was the priest of Judah during the 70 years of Babylonian captivity. He was also the spiritual leader of Judah upon their return to Jerusalem. He inspired and influenced the rebuilding of the Jewish community around the Torah...the written Word of God.
More background...When the Jews returned to their land from Babylon, (present-day, Iraq), there was no Hebrew King...just a pagan Persian Governor. There was no wall of security for the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah had to rebuild that. There was no temple, so Zerubbabel constructed a rude replica of Solomon’s magnificent structure.
All so sad for God’s chosen people. Those who began the return to their once “promised land” would certainly have been worried about their homes and lands that they had to leave behind.
Would it be their land and their houses to occupy as their parents and grandparents did 70 years before? Those things would have been a natural concern.
But I wonder how many of those 50,000 Jews that returned to Judah truly understood the spiritual concern that they would face.
As prophesied by Ezekiel...“God’s divine presence no longer resided in Jerusalem.”
The vision of the “cherubim throne chariot” with firey wheels within the wheels, surrounded by the cloud of God’s presence, lifted up off the Temple, out of the Holy of Holies, and moved outside the gates of Jerusalem was God’s message to rebellious, unfaithful, idolatrous Judah through Ezekiel.
I wonder how many of the returning exiles came back as repentant believers...when so many that left as captives shouted down Jeremiah’s warnings of the coming destruction of Jerusalem...as God’s judgment against their spiritual whoring with other gods.
The corrupt priests would say things like, “God doesn't care anymore...He cant see what we are doing...and on top of that, “He dwells here in Jerusalem and He can't leave the Temple...therefore, no one can destroy us here, because they can't destroy him.”
Sad and convicting. Oh, what men will do to excuse their unbelief. All of which brings us to our reading in 1&2 Chronicles.
Chapters 1&2 begin God’s words of “hope and faith” for the returning exiled believers. Words of hope for the true believers in the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Words of courage and determination for the true believers in Adonai who promised a land for them forever. .Words for renewed faith for the true believers in Yahweh who promised to make them a nation with the faith of Abraham forever.
God would use the chronicler to give His returning people a new expectation and desire for the God who promised them a King in the line of David whose throne would never be usurped...ever.
That’s Jesus our Savior...praise His Name!
Words of a selective genealogy for His encouraging purpose...such as: Noah’s grandson Madai whose descendants became the Persians. Who let them go from Babylonian captivity? Wow...God arranged that just for His treasured ones...including you and me.
Noah’s grandson Mizraim whose descendants became the Canaanites whom God used to build the cities and the fortresses and to develop the land of milk and honey for His promised land people.
O my...God set it up 1700 years before for His kids...including you and me, friends. Amazing love...amazing grace...and we are the recipients to this day! And on and on the chronicler records...words that reminded the people that they were a part of God’s story...a grand story of life and live with Him...His story...not their own.
So worship Him...only!
Have a great day
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April 22
Our Bible reading today is in Ps. 6,8-10,14,16,19,21...all but Psalm 10 seem to be authored by David.
Words in these songs identify contrasting moods in David’s life. Such as...Languishing sickness and strength in the Lord...troubled soul and gladness in the Lord...wearied in resolve and enduring in the Lord...enemies in body soul and spirit versus the majesty and glory of the eternal Lord.
Weeping in the night and singing unto the Lord. Lost in living and on the path of life in the Lord. Over and over in these songs of David, written at different times and in different seasons of life, the one Word that is repeated most often is LORD.
Translated and spoken by the Hebrew people: “Adonai”...it’s close, but not the actual name. God’s people thought it was too sacred and too holy to be spoken, so they used “Adonai” in their prayers, songs, conversations, and sermons...when addressing or speaking of God...“Lord”...over all things in the heavens and on the earth...all things in nature...all things human...all things spiritual...all things in life and death...all things...period...Adonai...Jesus is Lord!
No wonder David began one song with “How “Majestic” is Your Name! O, Lord.”...How “Kingly” is Your Name O Lord...How “Sovereign” is Your Name O Lord!
Let’s look at one mood of David as expressed before the Lord in Ps 6.
“O Lord...(my translation: “all-knowing “Lord” who knows my beginning and my end and everything in between...” all-powerful Lord” who is wise to decide and powerful to carry out those decrees... “everywhere present Lord”...from eternity past to eternity future “You who sees and directs my path.
“O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me O Lord...I am languishing...my body is troubled...my soul is greatly troubled...”
David is obviously under conviction for his sinning. Wow...the man after God’s own heart troubled with sinning? There is hope for us church.
His soul is greatly troubled, vexed, weighed down with sorrow and remorse. He weeps until his bedding is drenched with tears...he moans over his sense of guilt before his Lord. Charles Spurgeon prayed that God would break his heart over that which drew the blood of Christ on the cross.
Did you notice how David prayed...”Rebuke me O Lord...but not in your anger...discipline me, but not in Your wrath...” David was a child of the promise and he sinned. All of us who are in the Lord by grace and faith sin. But God’s Spirit won't let us get away with a thing.
What strikes me to the core is David’s understanding of God’s way of disciplining his kids physically and spiritually to remove them from the miry pits of spiritual complacency and revive them to the spiritual high places of God Himself.
Even David’s body was affected by his confession of sin and his pleading for God’s grace to right his course for the glory of God.
Wow...David knew that his trouble in his bones was grace from God that lead him to spiritual renewal.
Reminds me of the first great awakening that swept Great Britain and their Thirteen Colonies in the 1730s-1740s.
A series of evangelical revival meetings turned into a spiritual movement of God that was documented by unusual “repentance of sin” and “new dedication” to Christ for His work in the church and His mission beyond...for the sake of the gospel.
George Whitfield of England and Jonathan Edwards and David Brainard of the colonies were major contributors to this spiritual movement.
The Holy Spirit “induced sobs of conviction”, we are told, were so intense in these meetings, that they turned into “guttural” sounds of “moaning” and beseeching of God for forgiveness of sin and the cleansing of all unrighteousness.
This revival of “repentance” changed the course of the American church for 200 years.
May the Lord do it again.
Have a great day
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April 21st
Our Bible reading today is in 2 Samuel chapters 1,2,3,4.
We ended our 1 Samuel reading with David and his small army fighting the Philistines at Ziklag, and Saul and his army engaged in a larger battle with the Philistines at Gilboa.
David and his men had been betrayed by the Philistines. There was a truce made between David and the Philistine king, Achish.
But Achish’s army didn't abide by the truce. Instead, while David and his men were doing a job for Achish, Philistine soldiers burned their town of Ziklag and stole their wives and children.
When David and his men returned home, their hearts melted with grief. Anger and hatred toward David rose among the men. They spoke of killing David for bringing them and their families into Gath in the first place.
They all, including David, feared the death of their loved ones. To say the obvious, they were all “down” emotionally and spiritually. The Bible “record” says that David led his men to retrieve their families and strike down the raiders.
Question. What turned the tide back toward David? One minute the army was looking to execute David. The next, they're following David into battle...at the risk of their own lives and perhaps their families’.
The Bible says...a distraught and discouraged David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
HOW? Maybe Deuteronomy 31:6...(one of the last verses my 13-year-old Grandson, Warren, noted in his spiritual journal before his death six years ago)...that word may have been a Torah selection that David had meditated upon as a child...and perhaps now the Spirit brought to his remembrance. “Be strong and courageous...do not be in dread of your enemies. For the Lord your God goes with you...and He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deut 31:6
Perhaps God had that word for David’s heart...just like He did for our Warren...and just like He did for his family.
So David was strengthened. And his men were too.
Lord, when we are discouraged, remind us to strengthen ourselves “in You” and “Your promises”.
We begin our reading today with David and his men reunited with their wives and children who had been stolen by the Philistines.
In the midst of their celebrating...bad news came. Saul and Jonathan were dead. Killed in action. Now, remember this is the same Saul who had been chasing David for ten years...chasing him to kill him.
Two things strike me in this story.
Jonathon died in battle fighting alongside his dad.
Now Jonathan was best friends with David. Jonathan did not agree with his dad’s hatred for David. But Saul was his father...to love and respect and serve...even unto death.
One more thing...When David heard the news he dropped to his hands and knees and began to sob. In those tears he praised Saul...he praised the one who hated him.
Reminds me of the heart of my Savior...”Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
Enjoy the rest of the story...
Have a great day
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April 20th
Our Bible reading today is in the “Ascent” Psalms once again...Ps. 121, 123-125, 128-130.
Psalms 120-134 are called Songs of Ascent. The Jewish people, on their pilgrimage to the heights of Jerusalem, 2700 ft, would sing these sonnets together. Four are attributed to David, one to Solomon, and the rest are unknown. This string of songs seems to begin with the people far away from Jerusalem...as far as 80 miles between Jerusalem and Eastern Syria.
Ps 120 begins with the words “my distress”. Distress from lying lips Distress from sharp arrows and burning coals of the broom tree. These pilgrims had experienced war...and were looking for peace. Remind you of someone?
Isaiah prophesied concerning the Messiah’s birth...Jesus’ birth...(in chapter 9:6...)” For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest upon his shoulders...and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Looking for peace of soul and mind? Jesus...“that’s” who He is...not just for heaven...but for every day!
The songwriter of Ps 121 begins with an explanation of where his help comes from. He uses an everyday experience in the life of God’s people living in the valleys and plains of Israel. They were easy prey for the marauders east of the Jordan. So those Israelites learned to evacuate their homes and villages and hide in the mountains that were parallel to them. When the raiders were detected by gatekeepers or watchmen...the people headed for the hills.
These people sang songs about raising their eyes to the hills around them...the place from which their help came from. They sang about “longing” to be in those high places away from cruel intruders and the fear of loss and death. And so from this very real everyday life experience, the Israeli pilgrims were reminded to lift up their eyes beyond the hills. All the way to their Lord... who made heaven and earth. He would be their help...far better than any cave on a mountain.
In John 8:24...Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I Am.” Ring a bell? Remember what God told Moses to tell the Israelite people when they questioned Moses’ authority?...when he showed up to deliver them from their Egyptian bondage?
“Tell them “I Am” sent you!” Tell them “I Am everything you need” sent you. Jesus was that I Am that sent Moses. Jesus would be where Moses’ help would come from. Jesus is where our help comes from...He is Everything we need...from here ...all the way to heaven. Can't get any better than that.
Now enjoy the rest of the songs...
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April 19
Our Bible reading today is in 1 Samuel chapters 28,29,30,31...and Ps 18.
Once again Saul is confronted by Achish and the Philistine army...this time at the Mt of Gilboa, south of the Sea of Galilee. The Philistine presence was intimidating. Samuel was gone and Saul was alone and afraid.
So he prayed to God. We would say,” Good call, Saul...” God was silent. Or as others might say,...“God was slow to answer.”...SO...Cant God be silent sometimes? Sure He can!
I recall Zephaniah 3:17...”The Lord your God is in your midst...at times He will exult over you with joy and at other times He will be quiet in His love.” Rejoicing was good...but so was silence.
Can't God be slow to answer sometimes? Sure He can! Isaiah preached to Judah...”They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength...they shall mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint.” Isaiah exhorted God’s chosen ones to “wait”, especially when it seemed that God was slow to answer prayer.
What Saul needed was strength to believe God again...he needed God’s wings to soar above his fears...he needed the Lord’s endurance to hit the wall and push in through to the finish line...Saul needed the courage to walk with the Lord and not quit.
Everything Saul needed would be found in his waiting for God. But instead, Saul sought out a medium...a fortune teller...a necromancer...one who would help him communicate with the dead so that he could know the future of the upcoming battle with the Philistines.
Perhaps Saul forgot what Samuel taught him from the law of God. “Those who seek guidance from the dead...I will set my face against them...and most surely they will be cut off from their people...they will die.”
Perhaps Saul forgot the stories told by his parents and grandparents about how God led and directed His treasured ones...“when the cloud moves, we move...and not before.”
Yes, maybe Saul just forgot God’s Word to His people about His guidance about how HE would lead them. About how HE would tell His people of His plans and secrets when He was ready.
Yes, maybe Saul just forgot...about the discipline of waiting...waiting on the Lord...not waiting until the “time” seemed right...but waiting until “God” moved.
Maybe Saul just forgot...or maybe he was just that conceited...thinking so highly of himself, it became easier and easier to disregard the promptings of God and choose his own plans...even to the death of his three sons. That’s cold.
Question: at the end of today’s reading, Saul dies. Where did he go when he fell on his sword and died? Answer: Samuel appeared to Saul in the medium’s call to the dead. Samuel told Saul that by the end of the battle that he and his sons would die and be with him where he was.
And where was that exactly? Seeing that they lived and died before the death and the resurrection of Christ...Sheol... place of the dead...a place of torment to the soul of the wicked...and a place of no torment and some measure of comfort and rest to the souls of the righteous.
So how much difference did the first Easter weekend make to Samuel and Saul?
That’s the rest of the story
Have a great day
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April 18th
Our Bible reading today is in the Psalms once again...17,35,54,63.
Early in our marriage and ministry, Bev and I led our church to serve in the Billy Graham Crusade in Houston, Texas. One of the highlights for me was a pastors’ meeting with Dr. Graham a few months before the Crusade began. Toward the end of that “day-long” conference, Billy invited “questions” concerning our daily pastoring of our churches.
One pastor asked Dr. Graham how he nourished himself spiritually. Without hesitation, the Preacher of the Gospel to the world said, “Quiet time with my Savior every day is my goal."
How do you fill that time, Dr. Graham? "I try reading 5 psalms...1 proverb...and 4 chapters in the gospels...inspiring me to prayer and praise for the happy and the hard days of my life...a proverb for daily wisdom...and a short walk with Jesus on His way to the cross.”
I believe that David was a "man after God’s own heart" because God drew him to His side...in prayer”.
And just how did God draw him?... Through trials and hardships...and “all” times of need.
Psalm 63 has the heat and smell of the furnace upon it. David was being tried in the furnace of unjust persecution. Our spiritual eyes and ears will recognize Jesus.
David said that he thirsted for God...where?...In a dry and thirsty land...the wilderness of Judah.
Wow...the the Jewish people have always called the promised land...”God’s land”...including the wilderness.
Makes sense...“David thirsted for God in a dry land”...because water would not have quenched his soul’s thirst...” only” God could.
Feel dry spiritually, friends? We say, “Been there and done that”. We dig wells ...we search for springs...we listen to every expert that’s out there.
But “Our thirst” is for God. We might have forgotten that in the midst our battles and our running to and fro. We may have missed the signs...”Jesus is the Way”. He says “come to me, you who thirst...I'll quench your thirst always!”
David said, “I thirst”. So did Jesus...on the cross. They both were certainly in positions to be thirsty for water...but Jesus knew better than anyone that only the Father had what he needed.
David prayed...Lord I have looked upon You in the sanctuary...beholding Your power and glory...my lips will praise you because your steadfast love is better than life. Yes, even in the wilderness dying of thirst...I will see your face one day...I will awaken...and be as You are.
This was David’s way of trusting God...” if this turns out bad...”I'll see you in heaven Lord...for into Your hands I commend my spirit.”
Thanks, David for inviting us into your quiet time.
And Jesus, thanks for the walk to the cross...all the way to heaven.
Have a great day
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April 17th
Our Bible reading today, 1 Samuel chapters 25,26,27, begins with the announcement of the death and burial of Samuel, the last and greatest judge in Israel.
The day of the judges was over. Samuel anointed the “people’s king”, Saul. Then God used Samuel to anoint “His king”, David from whom the King of Kings would come as promised from the line of Judah...Jesus!
Samuel seemed to be unappreciated in Israel during his life. But the whole nation came to Ramah, Samuel’s hometown, to honor him in death. Samuel’s legacy would live on in remarkable ways.
His organizing and dispersing of the Levites into every tribe of the promised land was the cornerstone laid for determining and dispatching servants to the Temple that would represent every region in Israel. It was Samuel who remembered the Passover upon settling into the promised land. And it was him who kept Israel in remembrance of her great deliverance from Egypt by God.
In Jeremiah 15, God spoke to his prophet, Jeremiah, about his interceding for Judah. God told him that great intercessors had come before the Lord for Jacob’s children...such as Moses and Samuel.
Samuel would always be remembered as one of the great intercessors for God’s children in scripture. But not “the” Intercessor...because that is Jesus. Not just his praying...not just his miracle-working power...but his “paying” our sin debt through his suffering and sacrificial death on the cross. Our advocate before the Father taking the penalty for our sins. Dying in our place and giving us his eternal life. Now that’s INTERCEDING!
Plus, when God breathed the divine words of scripture, those words of God included Samuel’s induction to Heaven’s Hall of Faith recorded in Hebrews 11. All of the judges had their God moments...recognizing Him...obeying Him...listening to Him...and believing Him.
But the biblical record on Samuel says he loved and served the Lord his whole life. From early childhood until his heavenly homegoing. Now that’s a spiritual legacy to pass down.
One more foreshadowing of the coming Savior, Jesus.
There was a Godly woman in Israel named Abigail. She was married to a worthless, faithless man named Nabal. Nabal offended David. David rose up to get satisfaction from the arrogant offender. David called his 600 warriors to strap on their swords. And he did the same. And off they went to Nabal’s huge estate/property in keeping with his wealth.
Abigail met David and his mighty men just down the road. She had with her the best of their herds and crops and the finest of their vines and wines...enough for all in the army of David. That day, the righteous judgment of David was satisfied by the offerings of Abigail. She risked her life to save her no-good husband.
Do you see it?... Abigail pictures Christ and his offering on the cross. Jesus satisfied the righteous judgment of God upon me and my no good, sinning life...not by risking his life...but by laying down his life to save me and you.
Abigail, your story definitely belongs in the Bible. You saved your husband’s life, even if but for a while.
But we know you agree that Jesus’ story is far better. Thanks, Jesus!
Have a great day
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April 16th
Our Bible reading today is also in the songs of David...written in the years of his banishment from his home in Bethlehem and service to Saul in Gibeah.
Psalms 56, 120, 140-142.
David has been brought very low during his fleeing from Saul’s hatred. David has his family with him. He has his loyal men and their families with him. Now they are in Philistia...under the watchful eye of their long time nemesis. No real trust is here. No settled security here...just a break from running. Yes, in times of great distress David’s prayers and songs have wings to God’s throne with great earnestness. May our distresses give serious flight to our prayers to God, dear friends.
The Hebrew introduction to these songs gives interesting insight. David is in the territory of the Philistines...hiding from Saul’s 3000. David calls himself “The silent dove in distant places” ...apparently the title of Psalm 56.
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “the Philistines took him in Gath...David was like a “dove” in strangers’ hands.
David had shed much Philistine blood over the years in protecting Israel from their cruel and ambitious neighbors. Now David is there, not for blood, but for peace. David was trading one enemy for another. He was committed to “not fight” his King...Saul. And if he had to fight anyone for a “safe and peaceful” retreat, then let it be a Philistine stranger.
This is a segway to our text...“Be gracious to me O God...” Psalm 56:1
David, in a distant place away from home, in need of God more than ever starts his prayer with the plea for God’s mercy...God’s grace.
And when would a man beg for God’s mercy and grace? When he was feeling guilty and needing forgiveness for his own transgressions...his own sin.
David begins his conversation with God by wrestling with his own conscience. Was it some daily sinning that was bothering him? Or was he feeling guilty for the fact that he chose to seek shelter among the enemies of his people?
Maybe both...back to the text. “All day long many attack me...the fighting is daily...” I believe that David was saying...” there is not a morning that I can awake to the thought that no one is coming against me today.” I believe that David was saying...” there is not a night season that I can lay my head down with the confidence that no one can get to me and mine here.”
Oh, friends, I'm reminded of Jesus and His daily battles with the scribes and Pharisees. I'm reminded of the constant attacks of the devil, day and night, ...temptations and tormentors. His battles were not over until He cried “It is finished” and won our salvation with His death on the cross.
Fellow followers of Jesus, our lives in and with Christ mean opposition and trials and temptations and daily fighting the good fight for the sake of the gospel...even unto death. It’s what we have been called to in Jesus...crucified with Christ, nevertheless, we live, yet not us but Christ lives in us!
In the reading today, David said that as bad as it got he would not be afraid...for God was with Him...what could man do to him...even if he did his worst. To live, to fight, to struggle, to die...all of it for the glory of God. Amen...sing on soldiers of the cross...fight on...rest... on Jesus...He won for us!
Have a great day
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April 15th
Today's Bible reading is in 5 Psalms...7, 27,31,34,52.
David, the warrior and soon to be king, writes verse and sings songs, as prompted by God’s Spirit. These songs teach us about God...about His faithfulness, His greatness, and His Sovereign power to save His people of faith.
These were songs of the personal testimony of David in the midst of great trial. These verses, these songs revealed David’s “heart trust” in his God and Savior. These are songs written during the 10 years that jealous Saul sought to kill David. These were stressful days for David, as he moved from one mountain to another... one desert to another...one hiding place to another...trying to stay out of sight and just ahead of Saul’s 3000 assassins.
Now listen to David...listen to God speak to our hearts through his Spirit-inspired songs...
“O Lord my God, in You do I take refuge...save me from my pursuers and deliver me.” Ps. 7:1
“Lord, save me...deliver me from my pursuers...”
Sounds like a desperate cry...sounds like a very serious circumstance...sounds like a very dangerous, life threatening situation.
Now remember, this is the young man that God called “a man after His own heart.” So?... Do men with a heart for God, like that, get to feeling desperate? Yes! This was the brave man of faith that was mighty in war...putting foreign armies to flight...that obtained promises from God. This was the warrior king...crying out to God for help...for intervention...for a salvation that he couldn't produce.
Do God’s heroes get scared? Yes!
And then what? And so they pray...and...they put their trust in their Savior for what comes next. It’s in His hands...THEY are in HIS hands!
David writes and sings another song...Ps 27 “Though an army encamps against me; my heart will not fear...I will be confident...that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living...”
“No matter how this battle turns out...God will make sure that I’m going to dwell in the house of the living Lord forever!”
“Father, it dawns on me one more time, that it’s not great faith that procures a blessing in our times of trial. It is our great and forever faithfully good Savior that gives faith as our blessing during our trial.”
One more song from David...Ps 34 “I will bless the Lord at all times...his praise shall continually be in my mouth...Magnify the Lord with me...let us exalt His Name forever!”
Is this the David who is being tormented and terrorized by an insanely jealous king with 3000 special ops troops at his command? Yes!
How could he be leading his small army of family members and 600 valiant men in a “praise and worship” service with death lurking nearby with the setting sun? David knew that God inhabited the praises of His people. He also knew that the people needed that sense of His presence more than ever now! So they sang...not to make themselves worthy of God’s presence...they sang and praised God because He had already made them worthy.
Enjoy the rest of the song.
Have a great day
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April 14th
Today’s Bible reading is in 1 Samuel chapters 21,22,23,24.
In our reading today, Saul is seeking another murderous opportunity to destroy David. To his twisted sense of shame, Saul could never find it. Saul was resourceful. Why couldn't he take out David and his few valiant men?
God’s grace.
In this reading today, David is presented with a “fair” opportunity to destroy Saul. To David’s honor, he didn't make use of it. Why didn't he?
God’s grace...God’s grace was “upon” David in the providential protection bestowed upon him by the Lord...as Saul hunted him down. And David understood that “providential grace”. He was trusting God to keep His promise to make David king in Israel. He was trusting God to take Saul out of the picture, not himself. “You've got this, God.” And alertly, rested there.
He understood that God was doing a work “in him” first. That’s why he didn't kill Saul when he had the chance. He knew that “vengeance was God’s”...not his. And he also knew that justice was not in his hands to dish out, but “showing mercy” was.
Yes, David knew that providential grace started “within him” and then it was a work of God “for him”...for his protection and for his provision.
Now to the text. David, his family, and loyal friends made the caves and sheepfolds of Engedi...just west of the Dead Sea...their home, and stronghold...at least for a while. In defense of Saul’s death squad of 3000 that have been chasing David for a year now. Mountains, waterfalls, and valleys of vegetation met the needs of David and his 600.
They had to be tired and somewhat confused. Ten years before, God used Samuel to anoint young David as the next King in Israel. They all believed that. But when was that going to happen? And why keep putting David’s life at risk?
Word got out that David was no longer in Gath, but was now in Engedi. Saul and his men headed that way.
Saul and his army had just gotten back from a several month military campaign against the Philistines. And now, immediately, Saul is chasing down another lead on where David might be?
Wow...forget about his family...forget about his army...forget about his local affairs as king...“This was all about him!”
David and his 600 took to hiding in large caves that were used to house entire flocks of sheep and goats grazing on the mountain slopes. Saul and his band of warriors made it to Engedi. And while they were making camp, Saul went into a cave nearby for relief after the long trip.
The biblical record says that David and his 600 were hiding in the dark recesses of that same cave. David could have killed Saul right then. But he did not. In the shadows, away from Saul, David cut off a piece of the king’s robe.
Let’s leave the narrative for a bit and look at the activity of God here. Saul “just” happened on to the very cave of David and his men. Really? No way this was a coincidence. God put Saul there.
Because God was about to reveal the character of a king. To Saul, THIS was all about him! But what we see in David is so not that. David’s men urged him to seize the moment and strike down the king that was full speed ahead out to kill him.
“Didn't God tell you that you were the next king?" “Didn't God tell you that He was going to deliver your enemy into your hand to do with as you thought was good?”
David could say yes to all of their questions. But other words from God were in His mind and heart. “You will inherit the throne of Israel.” Those words from God meant that Saul would have to die before David became king. And David knew that God was the one who put Saul in the position of king...the place of authority in the land. It would be against God’s law to strike down His king. David knew that It was wrong to justify sinning for the purpose of fulfilling God’s promise.
We can think of Jesus being tempted by Satan to win the world by jumping off the Temple and having angels catch him in the presence of a million people. Jesus refused Satan’s offer. The plan was the cross. Salvation sought any other way would mean disobedience to the Father. Jesus obeyed the Father at the expense of the cross.
Perhaps David...the son of promise...whose throne would one day be occupied by the ultimate “son of promise”...had His words in his heart:
“Love your enemies...do good to those who hate you...”
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
And David, we have all been blessed because you spared Saul’s life at the expense of your own. You lived out God’s grace...What a foreshadowing of The King to come.
Yes, Jesus...we remember!
It wasn't about You...it was about us! Praise Your Name!
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April 13th
Our Bible reading today is in 1 Samuel chapters 18,19,20 and Psalms 11 & 59.
Five chapters of reading. 5 to 10 minutes in God’s faith filling presence for our day.
The Samuel reading tells us that King Saul was jealous and angry at God’s choice for the next king in Israel. Saul was living with a strong determination to be the final decision maker for his destiny and his legacy.
What a memorable beginning Saul had with God...surrendering to his will no matter what. Twenty years later he was bound to be the master of his fate. A grand start...but a very sad ending for a one time hero in Israel.
The rest of the story is the beginning of Saul’s quest to kill David and put his son Jonathan upon the throne in Israel. Right in the midst of Saul’s slide toward murderous infamy, God raised up Saul’s son Jonathan, a mirrored image of the Godly devotion seen in David.
Instead of learning, from his son, a renewed love for God, Saul threw his spear at Jonathan in anger and bitterness toward God. The message of hate and rage in Saul against David was loud and clear...intimidating at least...deadly in promise.
Two things helped David in this critical time of dodging speers and sorting out threats. A “good friend” and “conversations” with God.
The Bible record says that Jonathan stood in the gap between his jealous and angry father and his friend, David. The text says that Jonathan loved David. And that he and David were of the same heart and mind toward God. They both loved the Lord passionately.
Our reading says that the crown prince of Israel removed his royal robe and sword and gave it to David. Jonathan knew that God was upon David to be the next king...not himself. And because of their walk with the Lord, there was no room for awkwardness, just loyalty for each other’s success.
Wow, friends in the Lord forever bound by their one supreme devotion to God. Bound by their single desire to glorify the Lord, in life and death.
So God gave David a faithful friend in Jonathan (for 17 years) who encouraged him and helped him escape Saul’s attempts at killing him. But in addition to a good friend, God called David to Himself in prayer times as testified to by a song that David wrote in Psalm 59.
“O my Strength, I will watch for You...for You O God are my fortress. “My God in His steadfast love meets me and lets me look in triumph over my enemies.” Ps. 59
God gave faith upon faith to His son and servant David that translated into a confidence that saw victory even before the battles were over.
Remember when Jesus said to his disciples that he no longer called them servants but friends? For the master reveals himself to his friends.
Jonathan was exemplary for sure. But Jesus is still way better...when He calls us friends...we remember how he laid aside heaven and laid his life down so that we could have, not just life, but life abundant and life eternal.
Thank you Jesus...enjoy the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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April 12th
Our Bible reading for today is in 1 Samuel chapters 15,16,17.
As always, the main player in this reading is God. We will see His purposes, His heart, and His complexity in relation to Saul and David.
Now to the text. “And the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.”
Some Biblical history. God purposed to judge the Amalekites. He made that clear to Moses some 400 years earlier. He also told Moses that Israel would fight against Amalek in every generation. And Saul’s generation was no different.
Saul would be reminded of the history between God’s people and the Amalekites. Shortly after Israel left Egypt, the wicked Amalek led his merciless army to terrorize and murder the weakest of Jacob’s family. Men, women, and children around the fringe of this “caravaning” nation were targeted and mercilessly tortured and killed.
God had not forgotten the deed nor His promise to judge Amalek. And He chose Saul to carry out the judgment...Saul accepted the assignment.
Then Saul disobeyed God’s command. Instead of destroying all of the Amalekites and their stuff as directed, Saul took their king, Agag, alive...and also confiscated the best of their flocks and herds as well as the best of their valuables as spoils of war.
God told Samuel what Saul had done, and scripture says Samuel grieved. God told Samuel that He was rejecting Saul as King and would be replacing him. And the Biblical record says that God “regretted” that He made Saul King in Israel.
This part of the story leads us to wonder about God and His ways. And by the way ”wondering” is ok...God’s name is “full of wonder”.
If God “regretted” making Saul king wouldn't that imply that God did not have “predestined foreknowledge” of Saul’s disobedience? Thus God was caught off guard by Saul’s actions. Can God almighty really be caught off guard? He created time and everything on that line. It also implies that a Sovereign God could not lament over a state of affairs that He chose to bring about.
My question may sound simple but “Why” not? Why couldn't God do that? Just thinking out loud.
Moses said in the book of Numbers, “God is not a man that He should lie...neither the son of man that He should repent...or regret. Complicated? Yes. Complex? Absolutely He’s God.
Our regrets lead us to desire to “do something over” if we had another chance. God? His plans, His purposes, His declarations, His decisions are all perfect.
He would never have to wish for a do-over. So where does God’s lamenting, His regretting come from?” Isaiah 55...”The Lord says, My thoughts are not your thoughts...My ways are higher than your ways.”
It’s alright for me not to get it. But I do believe Him and want to believe Him more! And when He wants to reveal more of His thoughts and ways to you and me...He will! He’s good at that too!
Have a great day!
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April 11th
Today’s Bible reading is found in 1 Samuel chapters 13 & 14.
But first...an introduction. From yesterday’s reading, we learned that Samuel gave Israel a farewell speech or sermon.
The sermon was short, so he got right to his main points. “Israel, you have done much evil in these days. I’m going to prove it to you.” Did Samuel bring out a documented list of all their sinning against God? No! Did he call on witnesses to verify the convicting list? No!
“Samuel called on God”. And God immediately sent a thunderstorm with such a downpour of rain that the wheat harvest was destroyed before the people’s eyes. And the people “greatly” feared the Lord. And they asked Samuel to intercede to God for them. And Samuel said, “Don't be afraid...serve the Lord with all of your heart. The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake for it has pleased the Lord to make “you” a people for Himself.”
O friends, fellow followers of Jesus, we admit that our sinning is great and maybe we even think that we are far past God’s forgiveness.
But we are not. Let us listen one more time to the old prophet Samuel “don't be afraid...God will not forsake His own...for it has pleased Him to make us (yes us...sinners) a people for Himself!
AMAZING...”Amazing grace” how sweet the sound”...that saved a wretch like me...I once was lost but now I am found...was blind but now I see.”
“Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come. Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far...And grace will lead me home.”
Thank you, John Newton..thank You JESUS.
That is still the best good news ever. Not just for remembering, but especially for living every day!
Now to today’s reading. Many had forgotten God’s amazing grace. But one had not.
The Philistine army had camped just outside of Michmash in the territory of Benjamin. 48,000 foot soldiers and add chariots and horsemen to the mix. Saul had 3,000 on the other side of the ravine. He blew the trumpets to gather more men, but instead of others swelling the ranks, even his 3,000 dwindled to 600 because of dissertations.
Fear ruled the rank and file. Where was faith in God at this hour? Where was courage? Where were the brave men for such a time as this? That faith had escaped King Saul. That courage was nowhere to be found in Saul and his captains. Where was it?
It was in Jonathan, Saul’s son. Jonathan turned to the young man that was carrying his shield and said in faith, “Let us go over to that garrison on the ridge...perhaps God will work for us...for He gives victory whether by many or by few...and Jonathan’s armor-bearer said, “Do all that is on your heart...I’m with you, heart and soul...” In other words, both of these young plebes were all in trusting God to get them through many dangers, toils, and snares.
So what happened? Well that’s the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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April 10th
1 Samuel chapters 9-12 is our Bible reading today.
“Give us seven days to reach out to the territories of Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you (and you can gouge out one of our eyes).”
Nahash, the Ammonite king, besieged Jabesh Gilead. A city in the territory of the half-tribe of Manasseh. Nahash proposed a treaty with one condition...” you’ll be our servants and we will gouge out one of your eyes”. In other words..”You can all die, or be our “one-eyed” slaves.”
Well, that sounds pretty intimidating...and just like a bully picking on the little brother.
So the Gil’ le a dites parlayed an extension. They would see if their big brothers, on the other side of the Jordan, would come to their rescue. But as we read, it sounds like they weren't all that confident that their kin would come through.
To me, that’s sad...in at least a couple of ways. First, “family” is to take care of family. Brothers and sisters must be committed to helping each other...even unto their own hurt...their own sacrifice.
That’s what we saw in our reading of the story of Ruth. She and her mother in law had lost it all...their husbands, their farm, their home, and pretty much their hope. Until they went back to Naomi’s hometown. The family members there reached out to help. Overnight, Naomi and Ruth had a home. They had a family that helped them and God used that to give them hope and gladness in their hearts once more.
Apparently, over the years, Manasseh and his brothers grew apart. Now the Gileadites are wondering if they’re on their own. “If...there is no one to help us, we will give ourselves to you.”
To me, it is sad for a second reason. The Gileadites...afraid for their lives and their families’ lives...did everything they could to save themselves...except “cry out to God”.
I could point a finger of “shame on you”...” you knew better”...but I've been guilty of the same. I too have exhausted my every idea and my every effort to save myself and my loved ones...in times of crisis...only to fail again.
But God has done for me what He did for Manasseh’s children. God gave them what they didn't deserve...“His merciful provision”... His deliverance...one more time.
And how did God deliver them when their brothers were afraid of their shadows...without courage...and without a vision of their God in all of His glory and power? God used His prophet, Samuel, to choose and anoint a leader, a king for Israel...Saul the Benjaminite.
Young Saul was tall and strong. Impressive yet humble...God chose him...The Spirit of God came upon him...and God gave him a new heart...and said: “There is none like him in the land.”
This young man, full of faith and courage called the nation to fight with him to save their brother in Jabesh Gilead. And they did just that. Outnumbered they fought for their family...for the glory of God...and God gave them victory.
God’s victory for Israel was a great way for Samuel to go out. He had been a prophet and judge for 40 years. Now he was going the way of his fathers. His farewell speech was inspiring...the Gospel...of grace and mercy.
I believe you’ll enjoy it. It’s the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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April 9th
1 Samuel chapters 4-8 will be our Bible reading today.
God was going to use the Philistines one more time to teach and train His promised land people. But it would take “more” than one defeat and 4,000 Israeli soldiers “ dead” to turn the hearts of God’s treasured ones back to Him.
Instead of desiring and trusting in God’s word that He would be with them, Israel’s elders looked to their own inventions, “again”, inorder to defeat their enemy. But instead of winning, they lost, overwhelmingly...30,000 more Israeli soldiers died and the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines.
What happened? Israel’s elders decided to bring the “ark of the covenant”, from the Tabernacle to the battle field. I can just hear their justification for this strategy for victory. “Didn't our fathers tell us of Moses directing the priests to carry the ark before the army as they all marched around the walls of Jericho? It worked for them, surely it will work for us as well.”
The leaders of Israel were using the ark as the ultimate “good luck” charm. In the holy place, the ark was symbolic of the throne of God’s presence and power. Israel’s leaders “wanted” that presence and power for “their” victory.
So they moved a “piece of furniture”...Like they could move God at their pleasure...talk about idolatry.
“Lord, our ancestors in the faith forgot that their job was to “do life with “YOU”...as YOU direct...as YOU declare...as YOU work...as YOU fight. Lord, we too can move the furniture...and without realizing it, take the throne, make our plans and then beg You to bless them.” Sorry about that Lord. We still need you big time!”
In reality, Israel was “using” the “ark of God” rather than trusting in the “God of the ark”. Whether they knew it or not, Israel’s leaders were essentially trying to manipulate God to work for them.
“Lord, how many times have I looked to my own ideas and my own strategies to accomplish what I have believed was Your will? I’m sorry Lord. Help me to look first, always first, to You, Your word and Your ways. Let me rejoice and hope in You, first and foremost, for “everything” in my life.”
In the reading today, we see God getting through to His people, little by little...(that’s good news for a slow learner like me)...a little boy...the high priest...the Philistines...and probably the wives and children of the 70 Israelite men whom God struck down because they looked upon and inside the ark of the covenant.
And we also witness a tragedy or two along the way...like a young woman lost her life giving birth to a son. Some would say that the tragedy was that her husband couldn't be there to help and comfort her. Yes. But I think that the real tragedy was her last words...” the glory is gone.”
The young mother died believing that the loss of the ark meant the loss of God Himself. She was suffering and scared I'm sure. It must have been terrible to face death thinking that she was doing it all alone. “ Listen to her last words. “The glory is gone...” Her hope was in a piece of Tabernacle furniture. And since it was gone, God and His presence and power and promise must be gone too.
Oh, that those ladies helping would have said more than “it’s a boy”. Oh, how great it would have been to the soul of the young dying mother to be assured that God was not gone...God was not dead...but alive and well and present and strong enough to take care of her newborn as well as carry her to her reward in heaven.
Now that’s good news. Enjoy the rest of the story
Have a great day
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April 8
We begin our reading of 1 Samuel today...chapters 1,2,3.
All of 1st and 2nd Samuel is a revelation from God of the life and work of Samuel, Saul, and David...a period covering 135 years.
Much of what we will read will foreshadow plainly the life and ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Israel was at a “very” low point spiritually. The priesthood was corrupt. The Ark of the Covenant was not in the Tabernacle. Idolatry was practiced. And the judges were dishonest.
God was about to turn that around. And He would use a young boy, who would grow in his pursuit of the Lord, to expedite the work of God’s righteous power, wisdom, mercy, and grace.
Now to the text...Before we get to boy Samuel, we read about Samuel’s mother who was full of the grace of God. And how do we know that? We see it in her suffering.
She was mocked and spoken evil of because she couldn't give her husband a child. And how did she respond to her tormentors? Quietly...without a word from her lips...Hannah spoke “in her heart” to the Lord...And God blessed her...with a son, Samuel.
I cannot help but remember my Savior...Jesus...” full of grace and truth”...responding to His tormentors with silence...and forgiveness...like a lamb to the slaughter...not a word...except to the Father...for your salvation and mine. Praise His Name!
Hannah was full of the grace of God... God’s power for “faithfulness to God”...even when He did not choose to give her children for so many years.
Was it hard? Sure it was! Even her husband saw her sorrowful countenance at times. But she never lost hope in God...whether it meant He was going to give her children “ or not “.
Please let us remember Jesus praying in the garden on the night that He was betrayed. He was full of grace and truth. Was betrayal by a close friend hard? Sure it was! But what does grace do?
“Father let this cup pass from Me...but not my will but Yours be done.”
Hannah was full of the grace of God. And we see it in her sacrifice to God. She promised God, that if He should choose to give her a son, she would give him back to the Lord for His use only. And she did. After weening the child, she made a trip to Shiloh and gave her son to Eli the High Priest to learn from him and serve God by serving Eli.
Samuel was her offering to the Lord. A living sacrifice indeed. That’s grace. Please let us “Remember” JESUS hanging on the cross...full of grace and truth...giving Himself to the Father and into the hands of His executioners, as a sacrifice for our salvation.
Hannah gave her son to save Israel. God the Father gave His son to save the world of sinners who believe. Hannah showed grace to a nation. But Jesus showed grace to the world!
Jesus is still better...believe Him!
Have a great day
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April 7
Today’s reading is in the “4” chapters of the book of Ruth.
The setting for this book takes place in the last days of the Judges...a 400+ year period of anarchy and oppression in Israel. This would be called the “dark days” in Israel...a “time in which each man did what was right in his own eyes...rather than in God’s.”
Elimelech may have been one of those men. And then maybe not...
He decided to leave the land of promise. He decided to take his family back across the Jordan River. He decided to lead his wife and two sons back to the wilderness of Moab, from which his ancestors had been delivered.
These would seem to be steps in the wrong direction. However, God was about to bring a young Moabite woman into their family. And eventually, she would bare a son into the lineage of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. From our vantage point, God had Elimelech right where He wanted him.
“O Lord, Your will and ways are far higher than our own. What You reveal to us is in Your time and Your purposes...and You will be the judge, not me.”
Friends, we may have counseled Elimelech to stay home...to stay near family and “life long” friends during the harsh famine years in Israel. We may have counseled him to trust God...wait upon the one who is Lord of the rains and the drought, and look for ways to serve others in Bethlehem in those hard days. But whether God directed Elimelech to go to Moab or not, God made sure that His plans were accomplished.
Again, the young Moabitess named Ruth was “His plan”. And He would definitely use “her in-laws” to put her right where she needed to be. Ruth would be loved in this family. She would learn much from this family...especially, she would learn of the One true God...and would be led to faith in that Lord by this family.
It may seem a bit odd, but I have always had an affinity for Ruth’s story. I too was led to faith in the Lord by the loving family of the young woman I was courting. I too would discover my purpose and meaning in life from the ones God brought into my life and heart.
As Beverly and I began to think about marriage...Ruth’s story was included in our conversations...especially her words spoken to her mother in law...words that we borrowed toward each other...”For where you go I will go...where you lodge I will lodge...your family will be my family and your God my God.”
Now another piece of the text.
Many times I have used additional words of Ruth’s heart in my communion with Christ...such as...“All that you say I will do...” Ruth humbling herself before her mother in law, as Naomi instructed her in the traditions of her new and extended Israelite family.
“O, Lord...You have much more to teach us...Speak and we will listen...”All that You say, we will do...by Your grace.”
One more thing...Boaz, a major player in Ruth and God’s story today is a foreshadowing of “The Redeemer”...see if you can see it too...that’s the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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April 6th
The Bible reading for today is in Judges chapters 19-21.
At the beginning of today’s reading we read the following: “In those days, when there was no king in Israel...” True, there was NO “monarchy” in Israel at that time. It was on the people’s mind, but there was none at that point.
I have to believe that something else was meant in that phrase, “no king in Israel”. It is obvious from our reading that in those days, “God” was not king in Israel...either. Israel, as a whole, would not recognize God’s rule in Israel. They only recognized their own rule.
I believe that we can be confident that there were people in every Israeli tribe who believed God. with all their heart....who believed everything that God said...especially everything He said about their covenant relationship with Him. And they were committed to it.
But there would be some like Samson...who believed, but who also forgot...forgot who was King...and his pride put himself on the throne instead...if but for a season.
There would be some who truly believed that their life and their eternal life was a gift from God....and who truly believed that their strength to accomplish God-sized assignments was a gift from God.
But for a time, pride thought more highly of himself than of God. Baptist might say that they were “backslidden”...Methodists might say that they were “unrepentant”. My impatience with their behavior and the downplaying of my own would probably say that most in Israel were lost and without saving faith at that time. You can make your own judgment from the reading. The Holy Spirit is good at revealing God’s will and ways through His Word.
Back to the text...where, there was no king in Israel. A Levite living in the hill country of Ephraim was on his way to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. Today we might say he was going to church.
It was a full day’s walk up and down the mountains of Judea. His concubine was with him. She was not his wife...but the culture of the land (not God culture) made the concubine a legal partner.
They stopped for the night in a city named Gibeah of the tribe of Benjamin. A kind old man invited them to spend the night in his home. Late that night, a crowd of moral reprobates surrounded the house and demanded that the stranger come out so that they could know him in a perverted sense. The cowardly Levite pushed his concubine out the door. The next morning she was found dead on the old man’s porch.
All who saw it and all who heard of it across the promised land spoke with disgust...anger...and murderous hatefulness toward the evil done and the evil condoned. Before it was said and done close to 50,000 Israelites died and a multitude of Benjaminite cities and villages were burned.
Wow...that whole story sounds a lot like what we read and see on newscasts around the world today. What’s the answer to such evil gone wild?
Jesus...the return of Christ to judge this world and make all things new...new heavens and new earth!
Come, Lord Jesus!
Have a great day
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April 5th
Our Bible reading today is in Judges chapters 16, 17, and 18.
I have to admit that early on in my Christian life I was confounded with the Bible story of Samson...God’s chosen Judge of Israel...the God-ordained Champion of the Promised Land nation. Some of his life seemed exemplary but other parts were shameful. Why did God use someone whose life testimony was so inconsistent...so checkered...so sinful? As I grew in the Lord, as I grew in His Word, one thing became clearer and clearer to me.
Everyone that God used was a “sinner”, including me. Everyone that God used in the building of His Kingdom was a “redeemed work in progress”. Therefore, I quit condemning Samson and started praising God for His good work in and through the son of Manoah.
“Father, thank You for being in the business of grace...that is, You make the Samsons and the Jims worthy of Your Kingdom’s workforce. Praise You O Lord!”
Biblical record basically reveals 3 periods of time in the life and work of Samson. First of all...His birth and early years. They were marked by a visit from Jesus, the stirring of the Holy Spirit...and the blessing of the heavenly Father.
Wow...the work of the triune God-head...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That sounds just like my salvation and sanctification. So what happened to Samson next?...early 20s?
Samson went off the rails. He rejected the Godly counsel of his parents and sought to marry outside the faith. He killed 30 Philistines in a prideful reaction to losing a Bachelor party game of riddles. He traded his spiritual conviction on marriage for living with a number of women outside of the commitment and responsibilities of holy matrimony.
And worst of all, Samson was so entangled by his earthly desires and fleshly pursuits, that he didn't even know when God left him. When God left him alone...when God left him powerless...when God left him to be like any other man.
I must stop here for a moment. God did not choose me and you...or save me and you...to be...as “any other man or woman.” He chose us and saved us to be totally new creations...where old things passed away and all things about us became new...that is...like Him...not like any other man...but Him. “Lord help us to remember who we are in Jesus...not by our own making, but Yours!
The last period of Samson’s life was marked by humiliation and glorification.
The Philistines captured a surprised Samson. “Why this can't be happening to me...I’m Samson the Great...You have never been able to defeat me.” “That was then...this is now.”
And the Philistine’s gouged his eyes out...bound his hands and feet with bronze and chained him to a mill, grinding wheat for his enemies...the work of despised slaves was now the legacy of the Great Samson. Humiliating to say the least.
Now, who was it that humiliated him. I believe it was God. Because God was not only out to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines, He was out to spiritually revive His servant and use him mightily one more time.
And what was that “one more time”? How does hope relate to the revelation that his hair was beginning to grow?
Well that’s the rest of the story
Have a great day
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April 4th
Today’s Bible reading is in Judges chapters 13,14,15.
The cycle of sin, and bondage, and repentance, and deliverance, in the life of Israel, is seen once more in our reading today. 40 years in duration...Israel under the cruelty of the Philistines.
The next judge was born at the beginning of this cycle...his name: SAMSON...another favorite Bible character in the story and study of God...
This God-made leader was chosen and set apart for this mission from before he was born. His mother was barren with no prospects for a child when the Angel of the Lord came to her. He told her “that she would bear a son”. He told her that her son would be “a Nazarite from the womb” and be “prepared to deliver” Israel from the Philistine bondage.
Let me take an aside for just a moment...At this point, I am reminded of other women in the Biblical record that experienced God for special intervention in the bearing of a child. Sara, the wife of Abraham...couldn't have children... until a visit from the Angel of the Lord...soon Isaac was born.
Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, couldn't have children...until a visit from the Angel of the Lord...soon Samuel was born.
Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, couldn't have children...until a visit from the Angel of the Lord...soon John the Baptist was born.
And then there was MARY, a virgin, who had not consummated her betrothal, did not have children until a visit from the Angel of the Lord...soon Jesus was born.
Samson and his mother were a part of a very unique club. Mothers and sons who played a decisive role in the coming of the Messiah.
Back to the text. Samson was to be a Nazarite from birth till death. It was not unusual for men of Israel to devote themselves to God for a particular time and work. But it was unusual for an Israelite man to be a Nazarite vowed man for his entire life. “The Angel of the Lord” declared it for Samson. Oh and that special angel in brilliance of glory with the name Wonderful...that was Jesus...The ETERNAL DELIVERER!
Wow, the whole Bible is about Jesus...well, He is the Word from the beginning...no wonder people say “He’s better”!
So what does it mean to be a Nazarite believer? Will you give me another minute?
No cutting of Samson’s hair...Devoted to God’s authority...to God’s will, not his own. No drinking of wine...Devoted to the joy of the Lord, rather than to the artificial entertainments of men. No touching a dead body...Devoted to life in the Spirit of the Lord rather than to life in the flesh and the world.
So what about the exploits of this super-strong Samson? Something about a jaw bone of a donkey?
Well, that’s the rest of the story...Enjoy.
Have a great day
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April 3rd
The Bible reading today is in Judges chapters 10, 11, & 12.
Today we read some of the most terrible words that anyone could ever hear...especially from God...Quote“...you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more.” (God to Israel...His treasured ones.)...you...not someone else...but you, my “prince with God”...you have forsaken me...you have renounced me...you have turned your back on me...Oh, Jacob’s children...you, sons and daughters of promise...you have deserted me...you, my treasured ones, have forgotten and abandoned our covenant...our promise to remain faithful, to you and to you alone, until in death we are parted. You have chosen to serve other gods...who are not God at all...Baal is not God...Asherah is not God...Molech is not God...but you worship them...you love them...but don't you remember...?...we pledged our love to each other... forever...and now you have other loves besides me...
Oh, friends, I hear God the Father say to me...”How could you...be so careless with our relationship...I've been nothing but faithful to you and our promise...but just as Hosea’s heart was broken by his wife’s unfaithfulness, my heart is broken over your unfaithfulness to Me...”
“I love you...” and that will never change...” therefore”...”I will save you no more...”
Wow...Those are indeed terrible words...”I'll save you no more”.
The Philistines and the Ammonites were imposing their cruel will upon the Israelites...for eighteen years...still Israel continued to serve their gods.
What was it going to take? HARD WORDS! Simple words, few words, but hard words. Words that stung, words that burned, words that convicted, words that pronounced GUILT & SENTENCE.
“I'll save you no more.”...And what did God’s people do? The same thing that His disciples do today...from their contrite and broken spirits, they said...unto the Lord, “We have sinned. Do to us what seems to be good to you...only please deliver us this day.” And God did just that.
Did you hear it? At the end of themselves...Admission...Submission...and Petition.
That is what “God’s word” brings about in the heart of His chosen ones. Praise His Name. Jesus is the way...He is also the word...so His powerful word to us is the way to Him and the “way back” to Him. Thank You, Jesus.
And before you finish today’s text, you will be shown why God warns His people not to make vows that arent God given...they come back to haunt us...
Enjoy the rest of the story Have a good day
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April 2nd
The Bible reading for today is in Judges chapters 8 & 9.
The reading begins with a discouraging picture painted by the men of Ephraim...a “self-centered” picture.
They were jealous of the heroic recognition given to Gideon in his leading the 300 to routing the huge Midianite army. Instead of being thankful for the victory over their oppressors, they were selfishly negative and judgmental toward their deliverer. They wanted more recognition for themselves.
Let us remember that the Tabernacle was set up in the city of Shiloh in the province of “Ephraim”. These men lived every day close to the House of God. And yet, they were behaving self-centered rather than God-centered.
Immediately, I think that the men of Ephraim should be reproved for such an ungodly response toward Gideon. And then I remember occasions when I have coveted the praise given to others. And I don't just live near the house of God, by the Holy Spirit in me, I am the house of God. There’s no excuse friends for seeking our own glory...anytime. Lord help us!
Continuing in the text...Gideon...from hero to zero!
The scripture says that Gideon led his men to pursue the fleeing Midianite army. He fought and his men fought until the battle was won. That is Godly persistence. This part of Gideon’s heroic profile reminds me of the greatest Warrior who fought until the battle was won...Jesus...on the cross...”
It is finished”...the battle to win my salvation was fought until victory over sin, Satan, and death was won for me...for us...for all who believe the deliverer, the Lord our God...JESUS CHRIST!
Continuing in the text, the leaders and the people of Israel recognized Gideon’s skill and prowess as a courageous deliverer. So they tried to persuade him to be their king.
Gideon replied, “No..I will not rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” Gideon understood that it was not his place to take the throne over Israel. Only God could be Sovereign over Israel.
As followers of Christ, His disciples, we are often offered the “throne” of our lives. Too many times we accept and begin to rule over our own lives like a god. And then the Holy Spirit within us leads us back to the truth...Jesus...Jesus is Lord...Jesus is King...Jesus rules on the throne of His kingdom of which we are a part.
The Midianite war was over. Gideon had made great decisions on the battlefield...split-second decisions that translated into victories. But now, Gideon at home in Ophra...Gideon the farmer and no longer the general...Gideon makes one poor judgment after another.
He would seek to accumulate a fortune for his service...to live over and above those he served. Bad call. He would create an imitation “High Priest” garment...the “Ephod” vest. And he would display it in his city.
I want to believe that Gideon was only using the display to remind Israelites to seek the Lord. I want to believe that Gideon never intended to compete with the Tabernacle in Shiloh. But scripture says that the Ephod display became a stumbling block to many on their spiritual journey.
Lesson: Even just an inch away from God’s word...God’s ways...God’s will...will always lead to trouble for the believer and his friends.
Praise God...we have something...we have someone who is far better than a golden ephod to inspire our worship of the God of our salvation...JESUS!
Have a great day
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April 1st
The Bible reading today is in Judges chapters 6 and 7.
Yesterday I enjoyed the story of God, Deborah, and ‘Bear Ak defeating Jabin of Canaan and his cruel army commander, Sisera, who harassed, tortured, and killed many Israelites for twenty years.
Sisera got his...(reminding me of another story in scripture about a hammer and a nail that delivered ME from the cruel master of sin and death)...Israel saw God at work one more time...and I searched my own heart one more time.
God disciplined His chosen ones for twenty years. That seems like a very long time, but God knew what it would take to turn His rebellious children back to Him...and NOTHING was more important to God than that. Bringing...THEM...Back...to a close fellowship with God...back to true abundant living...back to the joy of a clear conscience...back to a peace way down in their hearts that would bring true contentment...and back to a faith set upon God for everything.
And after God broke and softened their hard hearts...they cried out to God for His deliverance...and just like the merciful God that He is, God worked a perfect work of deliverance for them. How? Deborah and Barak!
Deborah believed God...Barak struggled to believe God’s word. But Deborah inspired ‘Barak. He sensed God’s presence with Deborah. So he said...”I'll go down to meet Sisera and his 900 chariots of warriors...if you will go with me.”
Deborah agreed. She reproved Commander Barak. She stepped out...alone it seems... believing that God would do what He said He would do. And a great victory was given to them by God. Deborah wrote and sang a song about the victory...giving all the glory and the credit to God.
“Lord, we want to believe You like Deborah...and when we struggle, may we follow a Spirit-filled bro or sister to a deeper love and faith in You...like ‘Barak.”
Now to another one of my favorites...a great story...in today’s text...about God and another farmer...Gideon.
God had given covenant-breaking Israel over to the overpowering Midianites for seven years. The Midianites would sweep down to steal the crop harvests and steal the fruit right off of the Israeli vines. The Midianites were so cruel, that the Israelites had to leave their homes on the plains and in the valleys and make their homes in the caves of the surrounding mountains. Hard times to be sure.
But God was working His plan. He was going to use Gideon. My question is “Couldn't the Lord choose a less reluctant servant for this mission”. Like Moses, Gideon gave Jesus one excuse after another for why he couldn't or shouldn't be God’s man to deliver Israel from the Midianites.
“You say that God is with us...wow...why then has all of this happened to us?”
“God may have been with our fathers...bringing them out of Egypt, but where has He been for us? Why has He forsaken us?”
“Go now in the power that you have...and save Israel from the Midianites...I will be with you...and you will strike down Midian as though they were one man.”
Then like fresh oil being added to an almost empty lamp, the reluctant farmer with doubts and fears about much...believed God’s word lifted a torch and took up his sword for the battle to come.
He had 32,000 men against 128,000 Midian soldiers. God then whittled Gideon’s army down to 10,000 and eventually down to 300. 300 + God!
God gave Gideon a strategy...something about clay pots and torches and 300 trumpets. Guess who won? “For the Lord and Gideon” was the battle cry of the 300!
By the way, Gideon met Jesus in this story...what looked more like an angel at first, Gideon recognized the Lord. “Oh to see You at work in and around our lives Lord Jesus...just like Gideon...and that You would infuse us with faith and courage to do battle right alongside You.”
Have a great day
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March 31st
The Bible reading today is in Judges chapters 3,4,5.
Today’s reading begins with a list of Canaanite peoples who were still living in the promised land.
God never intended to drive out all the Canaanites at one time. Scripture tells us that God intended to do it “slowly”...using each tribe to drive out those that remained after the provincial kings of Canaan had been defeated and killed.
We know of two reasons from scripture why God left Canaanites in the land. One from yesterday’s reading and the second from today’s.
First, God used the Canaanite people to “test” His own. The word “test” in this text means “to prove”...to prove who was legitimate and who was not..it’s the picture of the refiner’s fire..the ore would be fired to great heat and the ore would melt...was it “golden” or not...the fire and the heat would answer that question.
God would use the Canaanites to prove to the new nation that they had not arrived yet. There was a lot of spiritual growing up that needed to be done. God would use the “Canaanite factor” in the promised land to prove which of His treasured ones would follow Him and which ones would be turned away from the Lord by the Canaanite culture and religious practices.
In 1 Corinthians 11, we learn that God tested the members of the Corinthian church so that the church would recognize the genuine believers from the fake ones...and deal appropriately.
One more thought on God’s testing of His people.
Ever noticed how God didn't just instantly change every area of our lives when we first got saved? Yes...Why?...so that He could “prove and improve” us at such a “pace”, that we, who are a bit slow as the Rabbi’s talmadim...disciples, we would come to understand that doing “new life” was first and foremost, doing it with the Lord.
So God used the remaining Canaanite presence to “test and prove” His congregation...proving just who was completely His and just who was not.
But there was another reason for God leaving Canaanites in the land after the initial campaign. Israel needed to “learn war”!
God wanted His people to be “warriors”. And the presence of these dangerous neighbors would give God His opportunity to train all of Israel to fight.
“God” placed Israel in this hostile environment. He knew with Egypt on one side and Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece on the other, His kids would have to fight to survive...not on their own but with God.
I like what David Guzik says...” No one likes the tests and struggles against temptations and sin, but the battle is good for us. “Remember...The symbol of Christianity is a cross, not a feather bed.”
So God began to test His “promised land people” and teach them war...spiritual and military war. God would use His judges to be their professors and their delivers.
Now...Jumping to the end of chapter 3. A short story of one of my favorite “God made” leaders. A man named Shamgar an Israeli farmer who saved Israel from the 5 Lords of the Philistines. By starting where he was...With what he had...To do what he could do...
We’re going to enjoy the rest of the story.
Have a great day.
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March 30th
The bible reading for today is in Judges chapters 1,2.
The title of this book is indeed fitting. It speaks of “God made leaders” that God would use in the life of Israel as they “did life” on “mission” in the land of promise...”God made leaders”...unique?... perhaps. But certainly not altogether exceptional people...some good examples...some not so good.
We will see God calling them...We will see God engaging them...and we will see God empowering them...the ready and the reluctant...men and women...for selfless, heroic kingdom service...not for their resumes but for the purposes and glory of God.
We will be reading of God’s activity over a 350-year span. Believers will stumble and fall to temptation. Believers, not just the young ones, will stop trusting God for a season.
Then God will discipline and test His children...God will raise up and deploy His judges...God will use them to deliver Israel from the consequences of their breaking covenant with God and to restore spiritual life within the tribes of the new nation...at least for a while.
Some have described this book of the Bible as a tragic sequel to Joshua...from victory to defeat. I can concede that thinking...to a degree.
But I hope you will see with me through our reading...our God at work...our God fulfilling His prophecies...our God further testing and preparing a nation to fulfill His plans...and our God teaching and inspiring even us, on this side of the cross of Christ, to a greater faith than ever before.
To the text...God gave the tribes a work to do. That reminds me of the work that God has assigned the church to do...to be witnesses of Christ...and making disciples from here to the ends of the earth.
Our reading tells us that most of the tribes failed to do the work that they were commanded to do...for fear or compromise or spiritual coldness. What’s our excuse? God forgive me.
The tribes were to proceed to drive out the defeated people of Canaan...completely! That was Their God-given job. The tribe of Judah led the campaign with faith in God and a partnership with the tribe of Simeon. And oh the victories that God gave to them...one after another...including “Adoni Bezek”...King over 70 kings and provinces that would have joined him in defeat. Incredible victories for Judah.
And by the way...what an “evidence” of God at work when Simeon left his work to aid Judah and Judah keeping his promise to help Simeon drive out those defeated Canaanites that were still in his province.
The evidence of “God’s covenant love” toward His people grew exponentially in and through the mountains of victory for Judah and Simeon.
And then something happened. Victory was defeated by fear. They failed to trust God’s message...the message that He gave to them through Joshua.
Judah had driven out the Canaanites of the hill country...But...they couldn't drive out the people of the plains...Why? Chariots? Not the basic reason...NO Faith in God...They failed to trust God’s word to the tribes through Joshua...in Joshua 17.
Bear with my license to read the story how I believe it should have played out...Joshua says: “You are numerous and have great power...“O do we? Who says? God says!...well that settles it...the fight’s on then...” “you will drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and are very strong.”
“Oh, I remember now what our fathers told us of how God took out the whole chariot army of Egypt for them...yes...the fight is on...you have a sword speer and chariots but we have the power of the living God of Israel with us.” “Let us take the fight to them, men! CHARGE!
God had given Judah and all of the tribes of Israel more than enough evidence of His power and His faithfulness to keep His word to their benefit.
Sounds like my life friends. How many times does God have to tell me and show me that He can be trusted in every situation of life for my benefit? Apparently, at least one more time.
In chapter two of our reading, Jesus shows up and says to Israel, “I will never break my covenant with you...even though you fail to obey my voice...I will test you...”
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your faithfulness to me, even when I've failed to obey your voice. I'm also grateful for Your tests that lead me back to You when I stray.
Looking forward to the rest of this story
Have a great day
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March 29th
The Bible reading for today finishes up the book Joshua...chapters 22,23,24.
Israeli soldiers from the eastern lands...tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh...kept their promise to help their brothers secure the western territory for their families.
Joshua and all of Israel praised God and praised them for being faithful “promise keepers”. Quote: “Today we know that God is in our midst because you didn't break your word to us.”
Oh, friends, this reminds me just how important covenant relationships are. When I am a faithful “promise keeper” to my wife and family...it helps them to know that God is near...when I am a faithful “promise keeper” to my church family, they will praise God and know that He is in their midst.
Covenant meant “commitment”...God to Israel...Israel to God...and Israel to each other. Covenant also meant cut/blood...sacrifice.
The eastern tribes had their land secured. But they were “covenant committed” to their brothers...to help them...even at great cost or sacrifice if need be.
What a picture of Jesus...and His covenant commitment...His sacrifice...on the cross for us, His little brothers and sisters in the faith. Thank You, Jesus!
Continuing in the text...
The three eastern tribes built an altar on the bank of the Jordan. It was not for offerings or separate community celebrations and worship apart from the Tabernacle in Shiloh. The eastern people of Israel named the altar, “Witness”. It stood as a witness to the forever promise and commitment to follow the Lord right along “with” the rest of the tribes in the promised land, even though they were separated by the Jordan River.
When someone becomes a Covenant member of the Alamo Ranch Community Church, the elders, for the church, give the new members a special coin. The coin is only valuable as a “Witness”. It reminds us of God’s commitment to us...our commitment to Him...and our commitment to each other. In God’s family, we are a family of “promise keepers”... to the glory of God ...and to the support of each other in Christ.
Continuing in the text...Joshua seems to give two farewell messages in our reading. ..one at Shiloh, when the Tabernacle was pitched there...and another at Schehem...north of Shiloh about 15 miles.
In both prophetic occasions, Joshua addressed leaders and the congregation of Israel as a whole. God would lead Israel through these spiritual leaders of the congregation. By and large, the people knew this.
But Joshua was pressing two truths...
- How important it would be for the elders themselves to guard their own spiritual hearts and lives before the Lord.
And...2. How important it would be for the congregation to be courageous themselves in finishing what had been started in establishing the new nation in the promised land.
Why two farewell messages?
Maybe God had more to say through His faithful servant...like...Dear friends....“Choose you this day whom you will serve....And as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Ive enjoyed reading Joshua with you...but there is much more to the story...meet you there
Have a great day
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March 28th
The Bible reading today is in Joshua 19,20,21.
We finish reading about the land allotment to the tribes and families within each tribe in these chapters today.
But before you yawn and close your Bible, listen to these verses...“Thus the Lord gave all the land that He promised to Israel’s fathers years ago.”
In other words, God kept His promise for 500+ years. Doesn't that merit our confidence in Him today?
He was faithful to His treasured ones. Are we not His treasured ones in Christ? Then He must keep on keeping His word to us. Not a word failed of which He spoke. All came to pass! Most of Israel believed Him then. We must believe Him now!
“And God gave them rest throughout the promised land...and no enemy rose up against them...God delivered all the land into Israel’s hands.”
This is where the Israelite nation quit commemorating Passover as though they were equipped to travel. Now they will eat the Passover reclining at rest as described in John 13...” the disciple that Jesus loved reclined at the Passover table at Jesus’ side.”
All came to pass...God keeps His promises...God gives abundant life...God gives rest in the land... but especially God gives rest in the heart of those who believe Him.
Oh, friends if we are inclined to forget the rest that God delivered unto us...remember...all of this was and is a foreshadowing of God’s promises made and kept in and through Christ.
I love the way Alan Redpath put it...“In the light of the cross of Christ is it not true that the enemy has no right to dwell in the land? Is it not true that Satan’s claim to your life was taken from him at Calvary? Is it not true that sin has no right to a foothold in the life of the child of God? Is it not true that Satan has no power in the presence of Omnipotence?
Is it not true that by virtue of His blood and resurrection, Jesus Christ is pledged to destroy the enemy utterly? Is it not true that in the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit there is strength for every temptation, grace for every trial, and power to overcome every difficulty?
The answers are yes yes yes And overwhelmingly YES...not just because we want it to be, but because an eternally faithful, truthful, and ever righteous God says so!!!
Friends enjoy the rest if the story...
Have a great day
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March 27
Today’s Bible reading is in Joshua chapters 16,17,18.
In the middle of the process to divide the land, Joshua must find a more permanent place for the Tabernacle.
For forty years the tent of meeting was set up and torn down and moved over and over...in the direction of the cloud of God...as the priests and Levites served in that occupation.
For all of those years, the Tabernacle was staked down right in the middle of the Israeli camp...denoting: Community and Covenant, Worship, Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, Atonement, Cleansing, Purification, Prayer, Sinfulness, Righteousness, Sacrifice, Scapegoat, Fellowship with God.
The Tabernacle and its positioning in the camp was a constant reminder to the nation, as well as a clear declaration to all of the sojourners in the wilderness, that Israel was a “God-centered” community.
But now, Judah, Ephraim, and Rueben...3 of the 4 squadron/tribe protectors of the Tabernacle while in the wilderness...they were leaving to possess their parts of the promised land.
So Joshua chose a place for her permanent location...and called it Shiloh...the name Jacob used to refer to the coming Messiah in his Genesis 49 prophetic record shortly before he died.
Inside the lot of Ephraim just next to the lot of Benjamin....closer to the “heart” of the country than Jerusalem was...that tent which sanctified the whole of the camp, would now be the glory of Israel at the center of her new land...to stay here for the next 300 years.
And according to Deuteronomy 12:11, ...” it was God who would choose this place for the dwelling of His name...there to bring one’s burnt offerings and sacrifices...tithes and special gifts and all the choice possessions that have been devoted to the Lord.”
So most assuredly God made known His choice of Shiloh to Joshua.
“Oh Lord...may we come “to expect” to hear from You on matters most important to us as this was to Israel.
Now one more revelation from our text for this podcast.
Joshua and the seven tribes who were still encamped at Jericho, made some haste to move the Tabernacle Shiloh. It would be a special occasion for all...a reunion and a celebration at the same time for all 12 tribes.
But once the Tabernacle was set, Joshua spoke most sternly to the 7 tribes who had not yet moved from the great camp to the lands that had been apportioned by God unto them.
They apparently did not share God’s primary conviction for actually possessing the land. It had been promised to Israel for more than just a space for a new nation. That new nation would cradle the hopes and anticipation of the Messiah to come...JESUS!
Therefore the beginning of the life and work of that new nation must include pushing back the darkness of false gods and any number of evil practices...including child molestation, child slavery, and firey child sacrifices to the little “g” gods of Canaan.
Joshua spoke some hard words to the seven irresponsible tribes...words like slothful, sluggards, selfish, disobedient, and dilatory...as close to calling them cowards without saying. All of which were meant to stir them to repentance and new resolve to go “on in” to the land to possess it as God delivered it.
And did they? Well, that’s the rest of the story...Enjoy!
Have a great day.
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March 26th
The Bible reading for today is in Joshua chapters 12-15.
The reading begins with the counting of all the kings and their people that Moses and Joshua defeated...those on the eastern side of the Jordan and those on the western side of that river...33 kings and their provinces in all...two by Moses in a 2-year span and 31 by Joshua in seven years.
The reading for us is a bit tedious because we are not inheriting any of that land. But for the Israelites, the list meant everything...this was their portion from God...they had anticipated this for a long time. This was the land of God’s promise to them. When they read this list to their children, every ear was attentive to names and stories of the battles fought and won for the land.
This list meant that all of this land belonged to Israel...by the grace of God! Praise was given to God for His victories now given to His treasured ones.
We read of an interesting conversation between Joshua and God. “God calls Joshua old...yet there is much land to be possessed.”
The part that interests me the most is...that even though God knew that Joshua was advanced in years, He still told him about another job that needed to be done.
That conversation begs the question for me: “As Christians, sons, and daughters of the promise...the promise of salvation in Jesus Christ...Can we be “too old” to be used by God...? Can we be “too old” to serve God? Can we be “too old” to participate in the building of Christ’s church...for the sake of the gospel...and the salvation of sinners around the world?
NO! There are not any age limitations in God’s kingdom workforce. AND...There IS still much to do!
When we get to Joshua chapter 14 we read another one of my favorite stories...it’s about God and a man with an unusual name. CALEB was his name. In some languages, Caleb means “dog”. In other languages, Caleb means “all heart”.
Put them together and we get the picture...a dog follows his master...come dirt, mud, and mire for many a weary mile...as the master rides his horse and the dog runs close by...even getting clipped by a hoof from time to time that wounds him...the dog stays close to his master.
That’s “all heart”...and that’s Caleb to his master...never half-hearted ...always a wholehearted servant of his God...come what may. Nothing “lukewarm” about Caleb...he either had a holy heat about him that gave courage to others...or he had the spirit of refreshing that gave energy all around for obeying God.
Joshua and Eleazar were dividing up the land by tribes. Judah would be first. And Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, shows up with a bold request of Joshua. “You know the words that God spoke to Moses concerning me...in Kadesh Barnea
“Moses said that because you “wholly followed” the Lord... ”the land upon which your feet have trodden will be your inheritance and your children's’ forever.”
And it was so.
Caleb was another foreshadowing of Jesus found in our old testaments...revealing our earthly ministering Jesus. Caleb too walked not ahead of the Lord. He walked with the Lord...Like Jesus, his way was not according to his initiative...he was an “all hearted” follower...” he only spoke as the Lord spoke, he only worked as the Lord worked, and he only walked where his Lord walked...Sounds like Jesus in John 5:19.
Wow, Caleb did that for his family...for his nation...Jesus did that for you and me...all the way through the cross...all the way through the burial, the resurrection, his ascension, and one day his coming again.
I appreciate the man with the unusual name...especially because he reminds me of Jesus my Lord!
Have a great day
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March 25
The Bible reading for today is in Joshua chapters 9,10,11.
We begin our reading with a deception. The Gibeonites were Canaanites who lied to the leaders of Israel in order to establish a covenant relationship that would protect them from Israel’s army.
By now kings of the provinces in Canaan have begun to talk with each other about this enemy called Israel. They were aware of their power and their victories over Egyptians and Canaanites, especially mighty Jericho.
Gibeon pretended to be a people colony outside of the boundaries of Canaan. They knew of Israel’s “scorched earth” policy of destroying every man woman and child in Canaan. Their plan of deception was to protect their families from such annihilation.
And they got away with it. A covenant was made with Israel that committed each people group to the welfare of the other. Thus, Joshua and the congregation were unable, by their oath in God’s name, to strike the Gibeonites down. So they made the Gibeonite neighbors their servants...their slaves.
How did Joshua miss this evil deception? Our reading today tells us.
“So the leaders of Israel took some offerings from the Gibeonite ambassadors instead of seeking the Lord about the covenant.”
Wow...up to now, Joshua had been so careful to look to the Lord concerning this promised land invasion. But this time he was distracted. So distracted by the actors and their gifts that he forgot to seek God’s counsel. And that spiritual carelessness would cost the Israelites down the road. And that’s a part of the rest of the story.
Back to the text...Five kings in Canaan put a plan together to draw Israel’s army out. They would attack Israel’s new partner, Gibeon...to confuse the foreign soldiers of who was and who was not their enemy.
Those 5 Kings didn't know Joshua’s God. The scriptural record reveals that God commanded and promised Joshua.
He commanded him “to not fear”. He promised him “victory” on the field of battle. To fear would be more than disobedience. It would also demonstrate little faith in God.
So Joshua led his army on a 12-hour march from Gilgal to Gibeon...uphill 3,000 feet...for 20 miles. And the Israelite army, after all of that, was given victory on the battlefield by God.
That sounds like the end of the story. But not quite.
God was giving good success to the Israeli army. But there was still much fighting to be done as twilight approached. So Joshua asked God for a special favor. Speaking in front of his fellow warriors, Joshua said...
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon...and the sun stood still until Joshua’s army could take out God’s full vengeance on the five kings...even to their total destruction.” The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for a whole day. There has been no day like it, before or since.”
Every time I read, “there has been no day like it...”...I think of two things:
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“God stopped the universe for His people”...in my mind, God was showing His treasured ones just how much He loved them and believed in them...stopping heaven and earth to prove it.
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I think of another special day when God reoriented the universe for His chosen ones...when He covered the sun with His hand from noon until three...pitch dark for three hours...while His sinless son took on the darkness and the judgment of God on the sins of all His elect sons and daughters throughout time...so to save all those who believe Him...like you and me...
Without apology, we can say, “...there has been no day like it, before or since.”
Thank You, Jesus
Have a great day
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March 24th
Our Bible reading today is in Joshua chapters 5-8.
So Joshua led the people across the Jordan. Men of Israel took twelve large stones from the middle of the river and stacked them in a mound on the Canaanite side of the same flowing waters.
And you ask why? So that when Israel’s children and their children’s children ask why the stones are piled there, their fathers will tell them a God story of how the Lord stopped the flooded Jordan up stream so that all of Israel could walk across the bed of the river without harm.
And upon their crossing the river, Joshua had the congregation of soldiers and their families set up camp. They called the place where they pitched their tents, Gilgal. And Israel and her army stayed there for weeks.
Why? Why didn't the army proceed to Jericho while adrenaline was running high? The miracle of God dividing the Jordan like He did the Red Sea took the “spirit to fight” right out of the Canaanites. So why didn't Joshua push toward Jericho...taking the fight to them right then? Why not press on and sweep the land clear of the adversaries before them in a single campaign?
Because God is in no hurry. His purposes can be accomplished in His sweet time...no haste...no hurry...” in his eternity”, as Spurgeon wrote, “God can wait...and by His wisdom orders these delays which become far better than our hurries.”
So does scripture tell us why such delay for the advancing Israelites was necessary? I believe so.
Two very important commands to the nation had gone unheeded during the wilderness wanderings...circumcision of the male Israelites and the yearly observance of the Passover feast. God did not visit them with any judgment for this negligence because He understood their condition...no permanent place or land to set up for such ceremony.
But before God would use them He would have them fully obedient to His will...thus the delay for circumcision and partaking of the Passover worship.
Oftentimes we question delays in our lives. Could one reason be that God is waiting for us to obey Him in ways that we know that we have been neglectful? I also think it would be worth asking God to point out any other ways we have forsaken His will and by His power seek to make them right.
Over the years, I have heard church leaders and church members attribute the lack of or “delay” of salvation stories in the church to the sovereignty of God. My pastor taught me to be careful not to use God’s divine sovereignty as the “scapegoat” for my hard heart and neglectful ways. So....“Father, we want You to have full use of our lives in these days for Your glory and for the mission advancement of our church and Your church around the world. Help us to be in full obedience to Your will Father. Thank you...in Jesus’ Name Amen.
And one more thing in the text that encourages me...
It was just about time for Joshua to have the silver trumpets call the army to order. But before that, he walked into the field surrounding the fortress of Jericho. And there he had a vision of a great warrior with sword in hand.
Joshua asked the warrior, “Are you for us or are you for our adversary?” No...“I'm not here to choose sides, I'm here to take over as the Commander of the Lord’s army...”
Wow...what an encouragement to Joshua...Israel’s God was on this battlefield with them...to lead them to victory.
Oh, friends...what do we see when faced with formidable odds against us? When we hear the gospel preached and the Great Commission thundered from the sacred desk...who do we see?
Jesus....... clad for battle with His sword raised and His shield gleaming in the sunlight...saying...” for the sake of the gospel and the Kingdom of God...charge.
Yes...give us eyes to see You O Lord and take our own sword of the Word and our shield of faith into the fray with great confidence of Your victory to come.
Have a great day
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March 23rd
The Bible reading today begins our reading of the book of Joshua chapters 1-4.
The book of Joshua covers the first 10 years of Israel’s life in the promised land...from their entrance to Canaan to the death of Joshua.
God said to Joshua, “Moses my servant is dead...now arise and go over the Jordan River, you and all the people, into the land that I have given Israel.” No man is indispensable...not even the great spiritual and national leader, Moses.
God used him to deliver Israel from 400 years of slavery in Egypt. God also used him to train the young Israelites for the invasion of Canaan. And guess who was with Moses those 40 years? A young warrior named Joshua.
Moses directed Joshua to take command of Israel’s young army against the savage Ammorite raiders. With Moses on the mountain interceeding and Joshua on the battlefield below, God won the day.
Then we read where Joshua went with Moses to Mt Sinai where God gave Moses the 10 Words. Then Moses appointed Joshua and Caleb among ten other tribe leaders to spy out Canaan. Ten spies came back fueling doubt and unbelief into the people of Israel concerning the invasion of Canaan, the land that God promised them. Joshua and Caleb, however, returned in faith saying “Let’s go on in and trust that God will go with us, just like He promised.”
Moses placed his hands upon Joshua in front of the congregation signifying that Joshua would one day be their new leader.
Then...in today’s reading, God commissioned Joshua to take Moses’ place in leading the people of Israel into the promised land. Imagine the pressure upon Joshua as he begins to lead without Moses’ availability. Several million people in the new nation are looking to him for leadership in the face of a daunting war.
Joshua sends two of his finest into Canaan to the fortress of Jericho. There they are recognized and hunted. A prostitute named Rahab reached out to hide them. She told the spies that all of Jericho was “melting in fear” and panic before Israel and their God. That was a good message to the ears of Joshua. But there was a greater message...the message of God to the new leader...a message for true courage.
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Therefore...Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.”
And a message for Godly wisdom and success...
“And this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you will meditate therein day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein...for then you will make your way prosperous and have good success.”
Friends, Joshua reminded the army of how important it was to cross the Jordan in an orderly fashion...following the lead of God...following the Levites... who were carrying the ark of the covenant into the Jordan.
Had they all rushed headlong into the floodwaters of Jordan, many would have been lost...but following the Levites with the ark from 2000 ft away gave God time to stop the water and create a dry path into Canaan.
Joshua had the promises of God...the Word of God ...the presence of God...the power of God..and the people of God...to fulfill the mission of God all the way into the promised land.
And guess what? You and I have all of that in Christ...thanks one more time Jesus...what a Savior!
Have a great day
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March 22nd
The Bible reading for today ends our journey through the book of Deuteronomy ...chapters 32,33,34.
A song and a prophecy are what the old preacher gives to his charges before his death. It reads like a map of Israel’s future. Some verses sound like the present and some the past, but all have importance to what is to come for God’s treasured ones.
You and I will notice a noble and majestic tone in the beginning of the song. All is about the glorification of God Almighty in His dealings with His chosen people. Not one syllable is given to the honor of man...all is presenting the honor of God alone!
Moses’ song exalts the Rock. Some might think that he was glorifying the rock of Horeb from which flowed refreshing water for the thirsty millions at Mt Sinai. But reading on we see that Moses was exalting “God the Rock”...eternal...strong and unchanging.
And then Moses’ song spoke of God’s work...mysterious...often terrible in its powerful effects in the heavens and on earth...but always right and just and perfect. Almost sounds clinical and sterile until...
Listen to this...in chapter 32...“For the Lord’s portion is His people...Jacob is the lot of His inheritance.”
Or said another way...“God, who is perfect and holy and just and right all of the time... is in love with His people...good, bad, or ugly...He loves His own... desperately.
What the Lord delights in “more than anything” is “His portion”...His “anticipated inheritance”...in His “sons and daughters of promise”...all the way from Israel in the wilderness to His church in the world today.
He found Israel in a howling desert place...He led him, He taught him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirs up her nest and hovers over her young, spreads abroad her wings takes them and bears them up on her wings...So the Lord alone did lead Israel...and there was no strange god with him.”
God.....in love with His “portion”...His “people”...His kids...His treasured ones...He saved them from slavery...He trained them to be a nation on mission...pushing back the darkness and bearing witness of the good news God for all who would believe Him.
I love the way Moses used illustrative stories to show us God’s unfailing care of His people. Like a man instinctively raising his hand and arm to shield his eyes from approaching danger, so God was ready at once to protect His children from harmful enemies approaching them.
And like the eagle knowing the needs of her young, so God is near and aware of all the situations that His children find themselves in, and spreads the wings of His everlasting arms beneath them to catch them as they fall. And one more thing...the eagle parent “knows” when the young will fall and are there to help...and so God knows when His loved ones are going to fall and is there ready to help them too.
O friends, God knows better than the eagles that faith is trained not just expected...even to the pushing of the young out of the nest to fly...trusting God’s instructions for flight and His promise to bear them up on eagle’s wings when necessary.
And the scripture says...” the little holy nation”...” the little religious nation”...as the word “Jeshurun” would imply...became “fat”...needing God for nothing...and turned to the altars of plenty...the altars of humanism and worshipped and praised themselves instead of the true God.”
This Moses prophesied concerning the blessed nation of Israel...and we wonder how they could have forsaken such a “lover” as their great God.
Well, that is the rest of the story...and it hits home... doesn't it?
Have a great day.
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March 21st
Today’s Bible reading is in Deuteronomy chapters 30,31.
Jesus said, “Moses wrote of me...” we find that in John chapter 5 of our New Testament. “Moses wrote of me. If you believed in Moses why will you not believe in me.”
The Scribes and Pharisees were known as “Torah specialists” in Israel. They were thought of as being very conservative and very diligent in their work of interpreting scripture. ..especially the first five books in the Hebrew scriptures.
So how did they miss Jesus in the text before us? We may never know...But I believe that we can safely join CH Spurgeon to interpret at least some of Moses’ message, not only from the standpoint of the law but also from the standpoint of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let ‘s read Galatians 3:24...” wherefore the law was our schoolmaster leading us to Christ...” God’s Spirit was speaking through the apostle Paul. Paul was convinced that the major purpose of God giving Israel His laws was to drive them to the gospel.
The law would act as the schoolmaster to help Israel to recognize Jesus when He came from heaven to be their savior from sin. The law and the prophets would tutor Israel to see their desperate need as sinners for a savior and not just a national champion.
Even the laws concerning the Tabernacle, the sacrifices and the purification rites were given by God to help Israel to recognize Jesus one day....recognize Him as the righteousness beyond their own that was sent from glory to save them from the penalty of their own sin.
Wow...who might be that righteous sacrifice for sinning people? Jesus!...for sure! Today’s text is certainly one of those passages where Moses wrote and preached about the Savior yet to come.
Moses preached that the way of salvation was plain as day. He spoke as though it was not locked away in the most secret archives of heaven that kept it from normal people. Moses said that the way of knowing and doing spiritual salvation was not hidden in the dark secret places in the depths of the seas.
No...the way of eternal salvation for the souls of sinners is...“brought to us”...and who brought it?
“Jesus...”...who said, “I am the Way”! He brought it down from heaven to us...right, where we live and love and see and understand ...He brought the gospel right here to planet earth.
My father in law would say, “salvation in Christ was “handy”...near enough to touch it...” there it is...right there in plain sight....in the person of Jesus Christ.”
Moses was prophesying. The congregation knew him to be truthful. This message had to stir the hearts and hopes of many.
Everyone would want a sure and accessible salvation that they could grasp....wouldn't they?
And here their prophet was saying that the wonderful salvation of God was near them......”Moses was saying...” “we can speak it in the language we know...we can understand it in our hearts...a savior for us”
Especially for the simple...the guilty...the needy...the undeserving...the desperate...the “slow” to get it and “slow” to recognize it...a savior for me...the oft too proud to humbly receive God’s grace in front of me.
Moses knew the eternal matter of salvation. But lest that “huge matter” cause some to leave it to the priests and prophets to consider, Moses told his congregation that it was..."not too hard”... for them. He was saying that the truth concerning salvation could be shared with the youngest and the oldest of persons in the congregation.
“It was that simple...” God made it that way on purpose.
And guess what? There is more to this story...hope you enjoy it!
Have a great rest of the day
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March 20th
The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 28 and 29.
One more sermon point on God’s seriousness about Blessing Israel’s faith and Cursing of Israel’s unfaithful. We all want to hear of God’s blessing upon His children. But what will it sound like to us to hear of God’s delight in cursing unfaithful Israelites?
The “unfaithful” ...who are they? They are Israelites in name...but not in heart. They are part of the new national entity called Israel, but their hearts are far from the God who delivered them from Egypt.
There were bound to be faithful Israelites in the army that was about to invade and possess the land of promise. They needed to hear their leader praise God and prophesy of God’s victories to come and His blessings to follow. LIKE...
Genesis 48...when Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel...lay dying, he spoke to Joseph, his son...saying, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in Canaan, and blessed me and said to me, “Behold I will make you fruitful and multiply you and give this land to you and your offspring for an everlasting possession.”
Oh, how those boys must have cheered with confidence and courage and great faith in the Lord their God...the same way that their forefathers of faith, most assuredly responded to crossing the Red Sea on dry ground before a charging enemy of horses and spears and chariots...and then seeing God destroy the mighty Egyptian army in the deep waters of the sea.
But apparently there were many in the 600,000 Israelite army who talked one faith and lived another. Moses prophesied to them what God was going to do in response to their unfaithful lives.
Consider in your soul how the unfaithful sons of Abraham...those that did not want to believe and serve the God of their fathers...would awkwardly listen to Moses’ sharp contrasting of the faith that inspires and eagerly obeys God and the willful disobedience of their own hearts toward anything spiritual and anything God.
Per Deuteronomy 6. “The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession out of all the people who are on the face of the earth.”
“Me His treasured possession...I don't think so. He led my parents and grandparents in circles in the wilderness until they died.”
Genesis 15...”Abraham believed the Lord and God credited that to him as righteousness.”
“This I've never understood. Frankly, I'm as good or better than anyone in this camp. If anyone should deserve the promised land it’s me. I've worked for it my whole life.”
Then Genesis 17...God saying to Abraham, “I will establish my (faith) covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession and I will be their God.”
What does it mean to me when God says that He established an everlasting covenant with father Abraham and his descendants? I'm an Israelite by birth. I deserve my place in the land of promise.”
Now from Romans, 9...the apostle Paul saying...”It is not as though the word of God has failed for not all who have descended from Israel belong to Israel. And not all are children of Abraham...for it is not the children of the flesh that are the children of God, but only the children of the promise are counted as offspring.”
In other words, just being born Jewish doesnt make one an heir to the promise...but rather, it could be Jewish by birth and the necessity of a “genuine faith” that desired to live in harmony with the God of the promise to Abraham Isaac and Jacob...the promise that reached all the way to the Jewish born Messiah...Jesus...1500 years into their future.
In todays reading we learn of a most terrible list of curses that God promised to bring upon the Israelites if they broke His covenant and forsook Him...Moses continued his sermon to the young generation about to enter the promised land...Deuteronomy 28:63...”As the Lord took delight in doing you good and multiplying you, so the Lord will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. And you shall be plucked off the land that you are entering to take possession
I wonder what percentage of the congregation was shocked? I wonder about the whispered conversations that went through the camp after this part of Moses’ message.
...”for to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to percieve...and that’s the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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March 19th
The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 24,25,26,27.
Moses continues to teach the younger generation of Israel the laws of God. Today we will learn what God expects and directs about Divorce and Remarriage. We learn some directions from God concerning the happiness of newlyweds. We learn wisdom concerning loans and paydays and helping the poor.
We also learn that God expected brothers to help each other in life and death...to perpetuate the name and the family legacy of the departed brother...to the glory of God. We also learn about the blessings that flow from tithing...and the curses that come upon the land because of lawlessness. And we can certainly testify to those blessings and curses in our own land all the way into the 21st century.
I do want to go back and take a closer look at the revelation of God’s laws concerning divorce and remarriage. But let me remind us of what we have already read in Genesis about marriage.
“When a man takes a wife...and marries her...According to Genesis 2... 1. He is no longer alone 2. He is in a good place 3. He leaves father/mother and cleaves to his wife 4. He now has a helpmate...one fit for him 5. He is “one heart” with his wife...they are married and become one for a lifetime.
Now back to the text...“if she (the wife) finds no favor in his eyes...because he finds some indecency in her... 1. She feels no forgiveness from her husband... 2. And He feels dissatisfied with his marriage...
Both have expectations that are not being fulfilled...Now do they end their marriage...get a divorce and find someone better to do life with...?
Yes...in this case the do...“so the disappointed husband divorces his wife...sending her out of his house...and she marries another...and her second husband hates her and divorces her...Then what?
Can she remarry her first husband? No. According to our text, that scenario is an “abomination” to the Lord and brings sin upon the land.
What God made good in marriage...much of mankind has defiled...and that’s bad enough...but add “brings sin upon the land”...that doesn't sound good.
Questions: Is divorce the unpardonable sin? No. Not even close. Now...When a man won't believe and follow the cross-bearing Jesus...that’s unpardonable.
What does a Christian do first if he’s already been divorced? Divorce for anything other than adultery and abandonment must be humbly confessed as any other sin.
Then ask God to help you commit to marriage according to God’s word...a love for a lifetime...by God’s powerful grace.
Enjoy the rest of the story
Have a good day
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March 18th
Our Bible reading today is in Deuteronomy chapters 21,22,23.
During the 40 day period before Israel launched their invasion of Canaan, Moses preached his final sermon.
And this sermon included a rehearsal of God’s laws. God had given Israel His laws because He loved them...He gave them for the good of His people...not to oppress them...but to guide them in the wonderful ways of God. He would use His laws to tutor His children in their love relationship with Him and in their love relationship with each other.
Those covenant commands and rules and regulations set Israel apart from every other nation on earth...not because other nations didn't have their own set laws...but because only Israel had God’s perfect laws. .The laws that would restore the soul and make wise the simple...laws that would enlighten the eyes and rejoice the heart...why?
Because they were true and altogether right and good...and more to be desired than gold...yes, than much fine gold!
Now to the text before us...Moses gives instructions for protecting the land from being ceremonially defiled. We remember him giving warnings about God’s people touching a dead thing...particularly a dead human body.
That dead body was to be buried outside the camp, otherwise, it would defile the entire camp and make them unclean for worship. Whoever buried the dead body was declared unclean and had to remain outside the camp for 7 days until the priest declared him clean and acceptable for worship.
Moses answered the question: “what about a person who is put to death on a tree...part of the punishment is the public display of his broken and naked dead body...how long do we leave him on display? For even the sight and the smell of death defiles the air and the land.
Moses told them in his message not to leave him hanging all night...but bury him the same day...so as not to defile the land. Now the man judged to hang between heaven and earth was accursed by God because of his crime.
But he was also shown mercy by taking him down off the tree before twilight....judgment, and mercy came together by the end of the day.
Now what do we see here friends...?...the Apostle Paul by the Spirit, saw a prophetic message from Moses about the gospel of Christ. And what was the good news he saw?
That person who was hung on the tree was Jesus. That person accursed by God for sin was Jesus. That person who hung on public display as part of his punishment for sin was Jesus.
What did Paul see in Moses’ sermon on the defilement of the land by a cursed body? He saw Jesus take the curse of the law for him. Paul saw Jesus hanged to death on the tree in his and our place. I deserved that punishment...I should have been accursed for my own sin.
Jesus was the hanged man...in prophesy...in history...in my story too. Thanks, Lord...And Father, I see judgment and mercy come together by the end of the day...judgment on Jesus...mercy on me. Praise Your Name!
Have a great day
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March 17th
Our Bible reading today is in Deuteronomy chapters 17 thru 20.
“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations that God is driving out before you...such as killing your children and or your elderly parents in an act of worshipping yourself...reject such pure evil when you come into the land that God is giving you. Don't give in to it...fight against it.”
“Oh...but you're concerned because I have told you that God is giving you another leader, Joshua? Do not fear...trust God and trust God with your leaders.”
“You also wonder about who God is going to use to prophesy in my absence. The Lord your God will raise up a prophet like me from among you. And God will put His words in his mouth...listen to him...his voice will remind you of God’s voice...his powerful presence will remind you of the fire that fell on the mountain and frightened you....listen to Him!
Who would be that new prophet like unto Moses?...who would be transfigured on a mountain like unto Moses?...who would be the voice of God that speaking his own name would cause hundreds of soldiers to stumble backward to the ground? Who would be that new prophet?
JESUS....that’s who...Listen to Him...
Moses was prophesying about the Messiah to come...1400 years into the future.
Moses was giving these young believers a “God-sized vision” to fight with...all the way from Canaan to the Kingdom of heaven. Halleluiah and amen!
One more thing...After Moses preached about the new Prophet to come, he gave explanations about the “refuge” cities that would be established in the new land.
Ps 46....”God is our refuge...a very present help in time of need.”
Hebrews 6... “holding fast to Jesus. The hope that is set before us...”
Note the similarities of The cities of refuge and Jesus:
Both are near Both are open Both are a place to live Both are the only alternative for the desperate Both provide salvation inside Both mean full freedom with the death of the high priest The crucial difference: City of refuge only helps the innocent...Jesus saves guilty sinners.
Thank you, Jesus...
Have a great day
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March 16th
The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 14,15,16.
Moses continues his sermon to the young generation of Israelites...on the verge of crossing into Canaan for battle.
“He reminds them of “who they are.”"
Moses starts out by saying, “You are the sons of the Lord your God.” Over 250 times Moses used “the Lord your God” phrase to remind Israel of the peculiar, special relationship that they had to God.
He was the “One” that they belonged to. He was the “One God” that they would do life with. He was the One that they would go to war with...He was the “Only God” that they would worship and serve. Moses was reminding them of who they were.
Moses also reminded them of who they were not. So no wonder the strange “thou shalt not” that God adds to their identity.
“You shall not cut yourselves or make yourselves bald for the dead.” This was a custom of “mourning the dead” that foreign religions practiced. God didn't want His sons and daughters to look anything like or act in way like anyone but Him...
And no wonder Moses follows that sermon point with a list of clean and unclean animals. The reason for these dietary laws that God was setting down for this new generation of Israelites was along the same lines as the warning against copying Canaanite funeral practices. This is not who you are.
The foods that the Canaanites served were associated with the “animals that they worshipped”. God’s diet restrictions would hopefully (three or four times a day) remind the Israelis that they must not be lured into the idolatrous religion of the Canaanites.
And then we read Moses’ reminding his new charges of Who they trust. “And you shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”...another Canaanite superstition related to begging their gods for child bearing fertility and agricultural productivity.
Don't trust in the Canaanite superstitions. Trust in the Lord your God! And to teach them to “trust in the Lord their God”, especially after they took possession of the new land of promise, Moses instructed them in the Levitical tithe...
10% of the yield of the seed planted was to be brought to the priests every year...for the purpose of providing for the priests and their families...and for benevolence toward the poor.
God was teaching them to “trust in the Lord their God” for their livelihoods in the promised land....grateful for God’s supply and generous to others in need...to the glory of God.
One summer, when I was 15 years old, my dad put me on a greyhound bus for Houston and the junior Davis cup tryouts. I had never traveled to a tournament on my own before. I was excited but I was nervous. I think I teared up. Dad slipped a $20 bill in my left hand and shook my right hand with authority. Then he said, “Remember who are, son. You're Jim Mccracken’s son. Don't forget it.”
Moses couldn't shake hands with all 600,000 young Israeli soldiers that day. But I'm sure his voice was strong and his eyes were warm when he said....”Remember who you are...you're the Lord your God’s son.”
Enjoy the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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March 15th
The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 11,12,13.
Moses appeals to the Sr adults in the congregation of Israel for help. They were under 20 years of age when God pronounced His judgment upon their parents and grandparents. They are now the Sr adults within the congregation at age 60-65 years. And Moses wants them to remember what “God” did to deliver Israel 40+ years ago from Egyptian slavery.
And then Moses wants them to tell the younger in the congregation “God’s story” often...“when you get up in the morning, when you walk through the day, when you eat your meals and when you lie down at night.”
Moses emphasized “share what God did”...” tell God’s story”...rather than your own...God’s story of His greatness, His mighty hand, His outstretched arm to save....that is what will build faith in the younger generation for their conquest of Canaan.
God moved Moses to “command” all of Israel to love Him. The Spirit of God would prod the children of Israel and many would choose the blessing of love and obedience for their Master.
Jesus quoted the great commandment in the gospel accounts 1400 years after this text was written. “You will love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.”
Revelations 2:4 reminds us of what the Lord wants from His treasured ones...”Jesus judged the church at Ephesus...”I have this against you...that you have left your first love...for Me.”
“Oh, friends...may we never again hear God pronounce those words on us... “empower us, Lord, to love you greatly...first and forever...with all of our joy and all of our strength!”
Another major part of our bible reading today concerns Israel’s worship of God in the days of war ahead. “Rejoice in the Lord...” is commanded and expected. Worship Him ...He alone is worthy of it.
“Nehemiah (8:10) prophesied...”For the joy of the Lord is our strength.” So keep praising Him...keep thanking Him...keep meditating upon Him...keep loving Him in private and public adorations...“that rejoicing and worshiping Him strengthens God’s army.”
Moses preached about “places” to gather for public worship. In the wilderness wanderings of Israel, people began to worship where and when they thought was best for them. God never taught His people that worship was a “lone ranger...do as you please” worship. God taught that being “living sacrifices” unto God was our worship “together” of God.
Moses preached about God’s people worshiping too much...but not too much of God, but worshiping too much of everything else plus God.
O friends, God was using Moses to further prepare the younger generation of Israel for their mission with God. He was seeking help from the more mature brethren in the congregation.
May the young in our congregation be inspired and energized to step up and join God on mission in the world.
And may the older tell the younger often of God’s powerful activities in their midst through the years...may God raise ARCC to be His army, all the way to the promised Land...Lead us Jesus...we are following!
Have a great day
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March 14th
Today’s Bible reading is in Deuteronomy chapters 8,9,10.
Moses continues to preach his last sermon. He has been receiving messages from God and delivering them to the congregation of Israel for over 40 years.
God made it abundantly clear how important it was for Moses to “tell it like it is”...straight from God’s mouth to the people...no variation...no poetic license or preacher sermonizing...just straight forward God’s words...letting the message do the work not the messenger. When Moses added his own emotions and changed up some of God’s words, he was disciplined for it severely.
So I sense Moses’ passion for “getting it right” for the sake of his young charges. He tells them that they must be “careful” to observe “every word” from God. He tells them that they must remember the “whole way” that God led them in the wilderness.
Moses told them that “man does not live by bread alone...but by every word, that proceeds from the mouth of God.” So be careful not to miss any of it. Those people who think that they are living on bread alone are really the “walking dead”. Only God’s word gives real life.
I like what Spurgeon wrote: “Some believers don't have time “to live” by the words of God”, because they are too immersed in “fighting” with the words of God.
The worst implement to use to knock a man down is the Bible. It is intended for us to live upon it, not use it as our weapon in our controversies...let us make it our daily food upon which we rejoice to truly live.”
I love what God said through Jeremiah about the Word of God...”Let the prophet who had a dream tell it. But let the man who has my words speak it faithfully...for what is the chaff compared to the wheat?”
God was using Moses to arrest the spiritual attention of the young generation of Israel by telling them to try to remember the “whole way” God led you and your parents and grandparents through the wilderness these last years.
Moses told them that God was “humbling” the young nation with hard places and deflated egos that caused the people to finally cry out to God again. Moses said that God was “testing” them...not to help God know what was in their hearts. God already knew.
God was testing them to help them know what was in their own hearts. And when they would see the pride in their hearts and how it sought to glorify them instead of God, they would confess to God and each other that their “overestimation” of themselves had to go...if they wanted to walk in the power of God instead of their own.
Jesus said to His disciples, “follow me...you can be just like me.”
We think on that and immediately we think of the glory of his miracle-working life. We think about the crowds he drew with his power to heal diseases and even raise the dead.
We say, “sign me up...that sounds like a great adventure and lots of perks...Until we see the rejection of his message and who he claimed to be...in word and deed. Exciting until we hear the lies told about him in public and in secret that destroyed his family. His dangerous mission-inspired our sense of loyalty...until the whipping, until the nailing of him to the cross.
Jesus said follow me you can be like me...humbled and tested and tried, not by friends..not by enemies...but by His Father in heaven....And like Moses said in today’s reading...” all that humbling testing and trying is for your good and the glory of God.
It’s getting good friends.
Have a great day
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March 13th
The Bible reading today is in Deuteronomy chapters 5,6,7.
This text is where this old sermon gets its name...” two laws”...or “second law”...or “Deuteronomy” from the Greek translation...
Exodus twenty is the original “ten commandments” record given by God to Israel from Mt Sinai. Here in Deuteronomy 5 and following, Moses gives more explanation of “the law” of God to the young generation of Israelites who are about to cross into Canaan to possess the land of promise...
Before we briefly review these laws, let me tell you how I “don't” read the ten commandments.
I don't read them like a job description on how Israel was to earn the wages of God’s salvation. I don't study them like Moses was giving a “different gospel” than the one we read about in the New Testament...such as...the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus...” for by grace are you saved through faith, not of works (of the law) lest any man should boast...(or any man be “burdened” by the impossible task of perfectly keeping the law.) Paul to the church in Rome who believed Jesus...owe no man anything except to love one another...for he who loves his neighbor fulfills the law.
Watch the progression...Faith in the I Am...Who is everything we need...Who Jesus claimed to be...Savior Lord God and King of the Kingdom of Heaven...that gracious “God-given” faith led to “God-given” love for one another. And that love fulfills the law.
For instance: The first Word: “You will have no other Gods before me”. Why wouldn't all the Israelites have other gods? Why won't we who believe Jesus have other gods? Because we love Him...above everything. Faith...love...keeps the commandments.
2 Another one...”You will not have graven images that you will bow down to and serve...” How would love from our faith fulfill that second commandment? Because we have love for one another...a loving brother or sister in the Lord comes alongside me and tells me the truth in love....and the Holy Spirit in me empowers me to love and serve only One...the living Jesus...not a carved image of Him.
3 “You will not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”...You won't wear His name carelessly. You won't take His name and then live in a manner that dishonors His name. You won't use His name in any profane language and conversation. Why would believers want to take God’s name seriously...?...respectfully?...humbly???...because the faith we have in God produces an abundant love for Him that selects our thoughts of Him...selects our words about Him...and selects our outward testimony for Him...to others... for the sake of the gospel.
Jesus said in Matthew 22....” that the greatest commandment was to love God and love your neighbor...for these summed up all the law and the prophets.”
4 “You will remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”....you will rest in the Lord and His love for you...because you love Him and you love being satisfied with Him.
5 And you will honor your father and your mother...” because faith produced an overflowing love in us for our parents...grateful beyond measure that they gave us life love and big and little brothers and sisters and especially Jesus...
Yes the Love of Christ in us...by grace and faith...fulfills every law...
“You will not murder, commit adultery, steal, you will not lie against your neighbor, neither will you covet your neighbors’ possessions...and how would the young Israelites do that?
And how will we fulfill those laws? Our great God’s love in us and through us to others...for His honor and glory....
Enjoy the rest of the story...have a great day...
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March 12th
The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 3,4.
The text today reveals a few more gracious acts of God prior to Israel’s going up to possess Canaan.
First, God gives the soldiers of Israel a visual aid to inspire their faith one more time. “God fights for you.” Together with God, Israel’s army defeated the giants of Bashan...soundly...all 60 walled cities and many more unwalled villages.
This region...besides the many fortresses, was extremely fertile pasture lands for cattle, sheep, and goats...east of the Jordan River.
They dedicated the cities and villages to God by destroying them, including every man, woman, and child. Israel’s army kept livestock and plunder for the nation. This was a big win. Bashan’s warriors averaged 10 1/2 feet tall...twice the average size of an Israeli soldier... and they had the advantage of fighting from elevated positions on their fortified fortress walls.
God powerfully, graciously gave them a boost in their confidence...their faith in God...as One who always tells the truth and keeps His promises.
Moses continues to preach.
This preaching point reminds Joshua of what God is going to do through him as successor to Moses’ leadership of the nation. Joshua would have a huge job. So Moses commanded him to TRUST GOD. “You have seen that God keeps His Word...by the fruit of victory over Canaanite rulers, in Heshbon and Bashan...very formidable foes. He will continue to “fight for you” as you fight with Him to take possession of the land. “So dont fear God’s enemies, ever...!”
“Friends, God is talking to us too.” The only justifiable fear we have long term is the “fear of the Lord”...not the fear of His enemies...He will handle them...and remember that the fear and awe of God is the beginning of wisdom and understanding...which leads to spiritually fruitful lives to the glory of God.
Continuing in the text...we read how Moses exhorted Israel to obey God...every time...no matter what...when God says it...He is not only giving you “heart ears” to hear Him, but He will also help you to believe and obey...
Moses taught the people one more time that their lives depended upon their enthusiastic obedience to God. And Moses used his personal testimony to nail that point down. He preached how his stubborn, prideful disobedience to God cost him personally a life in the land of promise.
Obedience to God was and still is the proof of one's loving relationship with God.
NOW...Believers on their own will not perfectly keep God’s commands. But the Holy Spirit Who is in us, since our new birth, will prod, convict and faithfully move us toward eager obedience to our Lord as we grow in Him.
By the way, when we get into the Psalms, we will listen to David’s songs where he thanks God for the spiritual tutoring that God had given him from His laws. And we will hear his praise to God for giving him the desire...the want to...to obey the word.
That’s who we are, friends...friends in Christ. God gives us a hungering and thirsting for Him...and it is there that we find our greatest love, and joy, and peace.
Thank You, Jesus...You not only lived out the discipline of obedience to the Father all the way to the cross...You loved Him every moment of it.
Help us to do the same...in life as well as in dying.
Have a great day
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March 11th
The Bible reading for today is in Deuteronomy chapters 1,2.
The new generation of believing Israelites are camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River...They can look across the river and see the promised land. They were so close, that they could pick up a rock and throw it across the river into the land of milk and honey. Must have been an exciting time for all...except for Moses.
Deuteronomy is the old preacher’s last sermon to the congregation. He preaches it with passion because faith has finally been given sight for this young nation of believers. Passionate...yes...But Moses preaches it with a sad heart too. He wouldn't get to complete the task that was given to him by God in the midst of a burning bush 41 years ago.
His angry disobedience to God at Meribah, not more than six months ago, haunts him. God judged His leader...he who exalted himself above God before the people.
Moses would not get to lead the Israelites into Canaan...he, like his brother and sister, would die in the wilderness. Moses would preach this sermon to “remind” this young generation of what put them in the wilderness for so long. Moses was teaching them by rehearsing past mistakes.
As Peter told the church, “I will not be negligent...I “will always” “remind you” of the things that will establish you in the truth.”
Moses’ last sermon is one of particular note...It was quoted by writers of the New Testament over 80 times. Even the Lord Jesus quoted from it...especially in His dealings with satan in the wilderness before He began His public ministry.
On this side of the Jordan, Moses began to “explain” the law for the second time. This made Moses an expositor of God’s words. The word explain means to “dig deeply.” The new generation of Israelites were not even born when the law was first given at Sinai...or were at best very young children. Moses would help them to “mine” the riches of the law and character of God.
Moses used this sermon of remembrances to prepare this young congregation. He mentioned God’s words at Mt Sinai when he and the people had been there for a year...”
“It’s time to move on.”
God never intended for His people to remain at the mountain of the law. He wanted them to now move out in faith to possess the new land.
Paul quoted this part of the sermon in his letter to the church at Galatia. It was important for Christians to spend some time in and under the tutoring of the Law...so that we could learn of the holy character of God and our certain need for a savior.
God never intended the Christian to be under the law...trusting his obedience to the law for his salvation.
God intended us to move on from Horeb to a faith in Christ that saves the breakers of the law like me. Thank You, Jesus.
O, Friends...Hear the old preacher...” It’s time for us to move on with God”...God’s not through teaching us...God is not through using us. It’s not time to retire in our “Doing life with Christ”. It’s time to trust Him more than ever before...sure that may mean a season of rest and renewal...it may mean that we start giving to our church more than ever...stretching us to trust God to take care of our hungers and delights...for the privilege of giving to the purposes of God through His church...it’s time to move on with God...and go in the direction of His leading...no matter what!
That is Promised Land faith. That is Promised Land courage. That is Promised Land living...exciting...dusty...as we follow Christ so closely that the cloud of dust from His sandal walk on the dirt roads of Judea settles on us with pleasure...His!
Enjoy the rest of the story
Have a great day.
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March 10th
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 35,36.
Israel is about to invade Canaan. But before they do He addresses the spiritual leaders of the nation...the Levitical priests and the clan. God came right out and told them that when it came time to divide up the land they wouldn't be getting a portion. Every other clan was promised a piece of land. But the Levites were not!
The Levites’ inheritance was to be....drum roll...“The LORD ALONE!
I have to believe that there were some Levites then that either said, “That’s not fair.”...”Is that all we get for our service to the Lord and to the tabernacle and to the congregation?” or “What does that mean?...”The Lord Alone”?
Some might think, “we might think”, that “the Lord alone” is a consolation prize. But when we take the time to let this word settle into us, I believe we will think much differently.
Isn't God better and greater than everything else...everything else! Sure He is...But still, as believers we find ourselves not living like we believe that.
Maybe it is the word “Alone” that scares us. The believing wife of a sick husband knows in her mind that God has promised to take care of her, with or without her husband. But when she thinks of doing life without her beloved, FAITH that God is and will be enough for her is just hard to come by.
Some Levites probably spoke among themselves...”The land that our brothers and sisters are promised....well, they can see it, and feel it and watch it produce crops and orchards that will feed them and even keep them healthy. I still wish He would give us our own land too.
Why would God choose to do this with the Levites?
From our reading thus far, at least two things are evident. God prepares and God sustains His people...especially His spiritual leaders. This “The Lord Alone” reality in the lives of the Levitical priesthood was not an afterthought of God. This was on purpose.
What God wanted for all of His “promised land kids” would be demonstrated by the descendants of Aaron and Moses and their clan, the Levites.
And that one main thing that the Levites were to exemplify before the people....that is...“The Lord Alone is enough!”...Is exactly what the rest of the nation needed to see worked out before them...Godly priests and their families to look at and be encouraged by to believe God...that He Alone is our portion...and He is enough...no matter what.
Not the Lord and some land is enough...Not the Lord and some good health is enough...Not the Lord and some financial security is enough...Not the Lord and a loving spouse and healthy children is enough...But...“The Lord Alone!” Is enough.
The Lord told Aaron, “I will be your “portion”!
I read the word “portion” here and I think of an interesting side note...bear with me a minute more. In the gospels, Jesus told Peter that if he did not allow Jesus to wash his feet, then Peter would have no “portion” with Him.
And remember that after Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He told them to go and do likewise. Jesus was doing more than cleansing people of the dust around their feet. Jesus came to forgive their sins against Him.
So when He said go and do likewise he was telling them to forgive those who trespassed against them. Only then would they have a “portion” with Christ..only then would they get to share space with Him...and have constant fellowship with Him.
Enjoy the rest of the story
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March 9th
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 33,34.
Our reading starts with a review of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
“And they set out...and they camped ...And they set out...and they camped...over and over and over again...30+ times from Egypt to their entrance into the Promised Land...the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
When we follow the text with a Bible map nearby, we see that the cloud that would lead them in the way, lead them in circles for 39 years. So God was leading them in circles...interesting...we will get to that.
The “first-year” in the wilderness...was a pretty straight shot from Goshen to and through the Red Sea to Mt Sinai for the laws of God...and then to Kadesh Barnea at the edge of Canaan. But a straight shot does not mean that there wasn't any spiritual backsliding in the congregation. In fact, by now, the congregation of Israel had proven themselves “unfaithful”....many, many times...(sounds like me friends)and yet God showed mercy and grace to His treasured ones...(that’s out testimony too).
We could have predicted that 10 out of 12 tribal spies, who were sent by Moses to scope out Canaan, would come back with negative reports. Reports about how Israel could not defeat the armies and strongholds of Canaan....saying that it would be disastrous for Israel if they were to proceed with the invasion of Canaan.
So those faithless spies led the charge to say “no” to God when He had already commanded them to go into the land with His promise to go with them. The fearful majority discouraged the hearts of the people to follow the Lord.
Following the Lord, dear friends, is risky...dangerous...with so many unknowns...but it is glorious to do life with the Warrior King...Jesus!
For instance, the elders of ARCC are convinced that God is leading our church to buy land and build a wonderful children’s wing for our kids and a multi-purpose Worship Center for all...available for 24-7 ministry and missions.
But it’s going to take sacrificial giving on our part. But isn't that risky? We ask. It may be...but we would rather risk with Him for His glory and the spread of the gospel. Let us be filled with faith and boldness to risk “our all” for His agenda...from here to the ends of the earth.
May we encourage the hearts of our fellow members by our faith in our great God.
Back to the text...
We have all wondered why a three-week march to Canaan took 40 years. But is it really a wonder?
39 of those years was God raising up a “faithful congregation” to follow the “deaths” of the unfaithful. God would prepare the new generation to go on in and take possession of the land.
So our text tells us that God insisted that the Israeli army, clan by clan, drive the Canaanites all the way out of the land before them. There was not to be an enemy left to harass and destroy the Israelites in the present or the future. God said, “ If you allow them to live next to you, then I will do to you what I was wanting to do to them...
History has shown that some Israeli clans did not heed God’s instruction. And the immorality of the godless Canaanites infiltrated the clan and drew many away from following the Lord. And History has shown that God did to Israel what they should have done...God drove Israel out of the promised land for a long long time.
O Friends in the faith, promised land living cannot be done with one foot in worldliness and the other in God’s Kingdom. “Love not the world...neither the things that are in the world...if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
Jesus, You loved people who lived in the world..but You didn't love their worldly sinning. And when Your sermons were over, You proved Your love by dying for worldly sinners like me. Thanks, Lord.
Enjoy the rest of the story...Have a great day.
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March 8th
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 31,32.
“Lord, be especially with us today as we read about “Your judgments and vengeance” on sinners.
When our reading is done may our hearts be full of compassion toward those outside of Christ who face the terrible wrath of God. And may our hearts grieve over our own sinning O Lord...not for fear of condemnation but for the knowledge that we have been so nonchalant about our transgressions against Thee.
Lord, This is hard for us who concentrate on Your love and tender mercies toward us and all who are in Christ. Lord, Your Holiness, Your Righteousness, Your Purity, Your Glory, You're Unlike Any Other...ness... is above and beyond our understanding, Lord.
So...Who are we Father, to judge You and Your work when we cant figure it out? May we be humbled today. And May we be terrified at the sight of Your righteous vengeance and wrath on sin and sinners who do not believe You. Turn us into bold evangelists and missionaries for the sake of lost sinners.
And May we be thankful as we think of the full cup of Your wrath that Jesus the Son received in our place on the cross. In Jesus Name we pray.” Amen
God commanded Moses to prepare the Israeli army to attack and kill the Midianite people...everyone... except the baby girls. God didn't have to remind Moses that these nomadic people had joined forces with the Moabite King, Balak, who was out to destroy Israel on their way to Canaan...these partners in war against Israel even used false prophet, Balaam, to try to influence the outcome of the battle in Moab and Midian’s favor. However, Israeli warriors won the day.
But these enemies of Israel were not through. They received counsel from Balaam one more time...a different strategy...” seduce the men of Israel to worship the god of Chemosh through immoral temptations.”
And many men fell to those immoral temptations...destroying marriages and families and unity in the camp. God judged Israel first...24,000 of God’s people died that day. Was it just the ones who committed lasciviousness and adultery at the altar of Chemosh? Could have been but I rather doubt it.
To the question: who was responsible for the deaths? Our text says God was. That is hard for us to comprehend. Why would God do such a thing to His own? Why would He put His own Son on the cross?...for the salvation of sinners and for the glory of God.
God has always been about saving sinners and being glorified. Even if that meant the death of another. Listen to Romans 11: “O the depths of the wisdom and knowledge of God...How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways? For from Him, to Him, and for Him are all things...to Him be glorified.”
No, the question isn't who... even Job knew that...when his 10 kids were killed by a tornado that flattened the house they were in...Job understood that God was in the wind...Job said with grieving heart, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” Why Job? Why his kids? For the salvation of sinners and the glory of God.
The question isn't who was responsible for the plague that killed 24,000 people in the camp...the question is why?
“To God be glorified”? I believe that would be enough. But we can always add: “for the salvation of sinners”.
Now, remember, God is meticulously just...His judgments are always wisely and righteously delivered. Now God was going to judge Midian for their part in seducing God’s people to moral impurity...which was the sensual worship of Chemosh of the Midianites.
“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, sayeth the Lord”...Romans 12. Vengeance was Not Israel’s, not mine, not yours, but vengeance/wrath was and is God’s.
“Leave it to God’s wrath on sinners”...is what vengeance means.” Quoting John Piper. Some evil had been done and needed to be repaid with appropriate anger toward sin and wrath toward sinners.
God’s holy wrath on sin and sinners was about to be meted out on the unrepentant Midianite tribe....the whole tribe, except for the baby girls. They would all die by the “sword of the Lord” wielded by God’s army.
For God’s glory and the salvation of a nation.
Israel’s worst enemy was the one who drew them to sin. A good lesson for all of us.
Enjoy the rest of the story.
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March 7th
Our Bible reading today is in Numbers chapters 28,29,30.
Here God repeats His instructions on the laws of sacrifices and worship.
Now let’s think about this. The “fighting” army of Israel is preparing for war. They are about to experience first hand what their fathers and grandfathers told them about the peoples and armies of Canaan. This will not be a cake walk. Invading the land of God’s promise will be dangerous and costly.
So what does God, through Moses, address first in their preparations for war? “Personal and national worship of and commitment to God Almighty.”
Reminds me of something that Jesus told his “dangerous” disciples...Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
God has a new generation of men...young spiritual leaders for the family unit...as well as spiritual leaders for a military unit.
I like Matthew Henry’s comment: “God read the hearts of these men and knew they were concerned about keeping their peace with God when they were at war with their enemies.”
So instead of God teaching them the ordinances of war first...God taught them where to focus spiritually every morning and every night. The priests were commanded to bring a male lamb to offer to the Lord on behalf of the people every morning and every evening of every day of the year.
Every day began and ended with a vivid demonstration and declaration of the Grace of God and the absolute necessity for atonement for sin by blood sacrifice. Every morning, the silver trumpets’ sound would call the congregation to worship....at 9:am...a one-year-old lamb without blemish would be sacrificed on the bronze altar...atoning for the sins of the people that were committed in the night.
Then at 3:pm in the late afternoon, the trumpets would sound again. Another one-year-old lamb without blemish was being sacrificed to God on behalf of the congregation...atoning for the sins of the people committed during the day.
Soldiers that were included in that congregation would hear those trumpets too...They would be reminded of their Holy God and be in awe. They would be reminded of their Gracious God and be thankful. They would be reminded of their Awesome God and be humbled. They would be reminded of their Faithful Warrior God and be bold in their own faith in His promises...all the way to and through the battle.
God was using Moses to remind the men...” Take your armor and your weapons ready for battle...but don't forget God ...take Him with you into the fray...He goes before us and He is our rear guard...we fight for the people of promise...we fight for the land of promise...we fight for the One to come...who is the Kingdom of God...no greater cause...Jesus.
Have a great day
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March 6th
Our reading in the Bible today is in Numbers chapters 26,27.
This part of scripture deals with “numbers”. Some up...some down...most pretty much the same. I'm talking about comparing Israel’s Sinai census to her Moab plains census.
The two accountings were done 38 years apart. They were both counting available men for military service.
The first counting totaled 603,000 men. The second counting totaled 601,000 men fit for war.
What could these numbers tell us now that we have read about Israel’s 38 years of wilderness wandering?
No growth. No progress. No advancement. No change. And we could be talking about Israel’s spiritual state as well as her population.
No growth spiritually for most. No progress in the faith for most. No advancement in their relationship with God. No change in 38 years: mostly spiritually immature at best. Spiritual stagnation.
Some ask, why did it take 40 years to get to a place that was only a three-week walk away? For God to mercifully replace a generation of unbelief with strong believers...at least a larger percentage of them.
So today we read about this second numbering of the Israeli congregation. The first took place at Mt Sinai, just one year into the journey to the promised land. And now Moses and the new High Priest, Eleazer, number the tribe members in the plains of Moab, 38 years later.
Let’s note a few things about this numbering.
God commanded the census to be taken on both occasions. It wasn't an initiative of Moses. From the beginning of the wilderness march to the southern edge of Canaan, 39 years later, God was teaching the Promised Land people many things. One very important lesson was that they would have to fight. Trust God, yes...but fight at His command.
O how David wished he had paid closer attention to Israel’s history...especially this “numbering” thing. 500 years after this numbering of the congregation, King David ordered Joab to take that same kind of census. Joab counseled him not to take it. But David neglected history and the counsel of a faithful servant...and had the census taken.
And God judged David and Israel severely...with a three-day plague that took the lives of 70,000 men of Israel....(not counting the members of their families....upward to 200,000 most likely). All because of David’s pride...”Look how large and strong “my” army is...”
God would teach David and the people a “hard lesson”...THE King in Israel...was God Himself...and David and Israel had forgotten that.
Taking the count of those fit for war had its logistical purposes...for Moses and David. The organizing of such a force for war was good in and of itself....both Moses and David had that...but... what they would “really” need was a “bold and courageous faith” in God.
Did they have it? Well...That’s the rest of the story.
Have a good day
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March 5th
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 23,24,25.
Yesterday’s reading introduced us to some “strange ministers” of God...that show up in our text today...a false prophet that told the truth...a donkey that talked to men, and an angel of the Lord that demonstrated that less can be more.
That false prophet was named Balaam. He was hired by the king of Moab to curse the Israelites. He was known for his great powers to do such. However, God turned him into “His minister” for the “blessing” of Israel...instead of for the “cursing” of Israel.
And...Listen to the end of one of Balaam’s messages about Israel in today’s reading...about their effect on him...“Who can count the greatness of Israel...Let me die the death of the Israelite..the upright... and let my end be like his...”
A false prophet...arrogant enough to confront the God of Israel....became “A strange minister” of the true God for sure.
That “talking” donkey?... That was Balaam’s ride. God not only gave that donkey prophetic power, but God also gave him spiritual sight. That donkey could see what Balaam could not. And that donkey could explain what God was doing when Balaam could not.
Another strange minister of God indeed.
And that angel of the Lord...right in the middle of that story of Balaam and the donkey...he fulfilled his ministry... by simply “standing in the way”. That angel “with a sword”...was part of the host of God’s “angel army”. He was there to kill Balaam for accepting Balak’s deal... ”you curse Israel so that I can defeat them and I will fill your house with treasures.”
God could have used that powerful heavenly agent to put down Balaam with his sword. But instead, God used him to simply “get in his way”....so that God could speak to him through a donkey.
Strange ministers all!
Moving on in the text...let me show you two more ways this false prophet told the truth that effected Israel and us today. In chapters 24 and 25 we read of another prophesy God directs from the mouth of Balaam. Speaking of Israel...Balaam said...”How lovely are thy tents, O Jacob...Your tabernacles...O Israel.” Or “How beautiful is the place where You are, O Lord.”
Balaam was referring here to how the presence of God made beautiful everything in the camp of Israel where He tabernacled. This text also reminds me of something similar that King David said from his hiding place in the mountain range of Judah.
After months of running from Absolom, a tired but brave David scoped out Jerusalem from nearby cover. He looked at the walls, he looked at the people, and he looked with longing upon the Temple...and said: “My heart longs for the courts of the Lord...how lovely is the place where You are O God.”
There probably was a special sense of God’s presence in the Temple for David. I'm sure he missed worshipping with other believers there. However, David wrote songs about the presence of God going with him even outside the Temple proper...by God’s Spirit.
So when he was tempted to become forlorn and cold of heart in his shadowy retreats, away from Jerusalem, surely he said “O Lord, I am not alone. You are here, with me, your child. And to others’ eyes and several senses, this place seems most certainly despairing. But because I am your “court” and you dwell with me...even this unhappy place is beautiful.” “How lovely is the place where You are!”
Then finally...Balaam prophesied of something/someone to come...when he says...“I see him but not now...I behold him but not near...a Star shall come out of Jacob...a Sceptor shall rise out of Israel..and out of Jacob shall One come having all dominion...Lord of Lords and King of Kings...Jesus is His Name...what a Savior...even a topic of conversation way back in the wilderness!
Enjoy the rest of the story
Have a great day
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March 4th
Our Bible reading today is in Numbers chapters 21,22.
At the end of chapter 20, Israel marched from Kadesh to Mt Hor, still a bit south of Canaan. There they camped. God called Moses and Aaron to the mountain. There God told them to bring Aaron’s son Eleazar to the mountain. God was about to gather Aaron to his people. And ordain Eleazar to take his place as High Priest to God on behalf of Israel.
The people mourned Aaron’s death for 30 days. The normal time set aside for mourning dignitaries was 7 days. Obviously Aaron meant so much to the congregation of Israel.
After the mourning was over, the silver trumpets sounded, in their certain ways, to signal the people to begin to pack up and break camp. It was time to head toward Canaan again. One of the Canaanite kings of the territory next to the border raided the marching Israelites and took some captive.
Moses and Israel vowed to God...”If You will give us victory over Arad...we will devote their cities to destruction...and so it came to pass...Israel’s first “Promised Land” victory.
It’s interesting to me how Israel dedicated their victory to God by “destroying the cities”...in other words, those cities would never be used again...except...“for God’s purposes!!!”
So it was time to move on again...but since God forbade a confrontation with the Moabites, the travel around their borders grew long and tedious to the new generation of Israelites.
Apparently, they did not learn well from their parents’ experiences...especially those of distrusting God by impatience with Moses’ leadership.
So God judged His new generation of treasured ones with fiery serpents. Many Israelites died that day.
Would this new generation repent and turn back to God?
And the people confessed to Moses...”We have sinned against the Lord...and we have sinned against you. Please pray to the Lord that He would take the serpents from our midst. So Moses prayed and God spoke to him...”Make a fiery serpent, set it upon a pole, and everyone who is bitten and looks upon the fiery serpent will live.” And so it happened just like God said.
Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:14,15, referred to the story of the fiery serpents we read about today. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up...and whoever believes in Him may have eternal.”
The Old Testament foreshadowing comes from the phrase “lifted up”... the serpent upon a pole...the Savior lifted up on a cross...the bronze serpent related to physical healing for the bitten Israelites...“belief in Jesus was and is so much BETTER...Eternal life...both now and forever.
Now before you're through with the reading, there will be several more battles fought and won by God empowered Israelites...fighting not for themselves, but for the glory of their Lord.
Enjoy the rest of the story...
Have a great day
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March 3rd
The bible reading today is in Numbers chapters 18,19,20.
The people of Israel had been wandering for years in the wilderness when we get to these chapters today. They are back to Kadesh where their rebellion began...where they said “no” to God. Where they refused to go up into Canaan and fight for their land of promise...right alongside God.
I wonder if anyone, (besides Moses), had a bad dream or a nightmarish flashback when they camped again on the southern edge of Canaan. Well, maybe family members who lost loved ones in the “fire”...the terrible presence of an angry God. ...Perhaps they did.
And the text tells us that it was in Kadesh that Miriam died...and was buried. She was the first of Moses’ siblings to die in the wilderness. I wonder what the brothers talked about at Miriam’s funeral. I kind of think they spoke of regret...sorrowful for Miriam not being able to see and experience the new land that God promised them.
So close...but so far away...she could taste it...(when they ate from the large cluster of grapes brought back by the spies...)but she would never taste it in the land of milk and honey...Miriam’s death must have demonstrated to Moses and Aaron that God would do what He said...
“No one from the generation that left Egypt (20 years old and up) would make it to the Promised Land”...would this prophesy include Moses and Aaron? This was the beginning of the end for this generation of God’s treasured ones.
Cant, you just imagine the conversations among the older Israelites, as more and more funerals take place. “I know that we dishonored our God and our families 38 years ago...we should have courageously gone on up and faced the Canaanites and our fears. God said He would be with us...”oh I wish we had believed Him...and just gone on in with Moses and Joshua and Caleb.”
“Grandson, Granddaughter, learn from Granddad’s mistakes....listen for God’s voice in the words of Moses...trust God always and when Moses is no more, follow Joshua as you would follow God into the new land...no matter what!”
Before we leave this story of Miriam’s death, I want to propose one more lesson.
Miriam, as a young Jewish girl showed great faith and courage and wisdom when she helped her little brother (baby Moses) escape death from the Egyptian massacre of Jewish baby boys.
Little did she know how great an action that was, not just for her parents, but especially for all of Israel.
Later, God made her a prophetess...and she spoke the words of God as she received them from the Torah. Scripture also tells us that Miriam took up a tambourine and led the congregation of Israel in praise to God for His saving them through the Red Sea.
She also assisted her brothers in serving the people. She was highly respected.
Jewish Rabbis say that she was used especially to teach the women of Israel the Torah..the laws of God.
Sounds like a Godly woman. I believe that she was.
But even the most devout people can stumble in their faith. And she did. Miriam disgraced herself before God and others by rebelling against Moses’ leadership. Like that...she had leprosy.
The story is a bit silent about Miriam after God severely judged her. But we do read that Moses interceded in prayer to God for his sister and God answered his prayer and healed her.
Was Miriam’s sin really that bad? God thought it was...
One more part of the text for just a minute.
After forty years of leading Israel from Egypt to the promised land...putting up with the complaining and grumbling and accusing and mutiny of the people, what was Moses’s reward?
God said, “You won't be going in, Moses.”
“Why? “ You ask “Because I told you to speak to the rock...not to strike it,” God said. You did not believe me...nor did you uphold the holiness of my word.”
Wow God was serious about sin...even in the lives of our heroes in the faith.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for sending the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts to convict us of sin and lead and empower us in Promised Land Living.
Have a great day
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March 2nd
Today’s bible reading is in Numbers chapters 16,17.
A very sad story...A Levite leader, named Korah, and three Ruebenite friends, Dathan, Abiram, and On...all of which should have been “humbled” by the way Almighty God was using two of their own...and Korah, especially, should have been “grateful” for how God separated his tribe to assist Aaron and his sons the priests...in holy matters of the tabernacle...but... they were “neither” ...neither humbled nor were they grateful to God for the good state of their lives.
Instead, they were jealous of the elevated positions of influence and authority that Moses and Aaron had in Israel...especially jealous of Aaron and his sons as Priests to God. They cried out...“Why do you exalt yourselves, Aaron?” (They asked, not really wanting an answer).
Korah and his buddies and 250 chieftains of Israel wanted to be priests too. Even though God had made it clear that the priesthood would come from the line of Aaron from the tribe of Levi.
Apparently the cloud by day had little effect on these men. Apparently the fire by night also had little effect on them. Their thoughts had become higher than God’s thoughts. Their ways had begun to outweigh God’s ways.
These men were there when God powerfully delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. These men and their families were a part of the Red Sea crossing...as God’s hand parted the waters. These men were a part of the victory over the Amalekites...given by God as Moses’ raised his staff over the battlefield. These men saw God bring water from a mountain of rock...that quenched the thirst of two million people. These men had been fed from God’s hand with mana in the morning and quail at night for over a year. They had seen the fire and smoke and heard the great rumbling, thunderous sounds of God’s terrible presence at Sinai. And these men had just seen the fire of God consume thousands of unbelieving, complaining Israelites on the outskirts of the camp just days prior to these days.
But apparently, these men had forgotten who was God and who wasn't.
Why...they were there at the dedication of the tabernacle and the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests...and what did they see? They saw the “sign of God”...the “stamp” of His presence...His “holy fire” from the holy place...lit the fire on the bronze altar of sacrifice...His fire of cleansing...His fire of sanctifying...the fire of His presence made this tent and these men His ...His place and His men... among the congregation of Israel.
Korah and his band of brothers were there. But apparently they had forgotten that this was all about God and His glory...not theirs!
Our text today reveals that many in the Sinai days believed that the problems in the camp were based on the fact that they weren't in the leadership of the community.
God had chosen Moses for national leadership and Aaron for spiritual leadership. Were they perfect? No...far from it. At best, we could say that Moses and Aaron were “repentant” men ...God’s men...set apart for God’s use only.
We can also say that God was going to use them to make a “promised land people” ready for the “Promised” land. When Moses and Aaron were verbally abused...when their leadership from God was challenged...What did Moses and his brother do? They humbled themselves and stayed right where God placed them.
What did God do about the uprising in the camp? God made certain that the nation knew who were His leaders on the ground...one more time.
How did He do that? Something about 14,000 casualties...a sinkhole all the way to Sheol...and a staff that blossomed and bore ripe almonds...all pointing to “The” Son Of Promise...Jesus Christ...trust Him...He’s always better.
Enjoy the rest of the story...
Have a great day...
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March 1st
Today’s bible reading is in Numbers chapters 14,15 and Psalms 90.
The twelve spies went up from the wilderness into Canaan. We “read” about that yesterday from chapter 13.
If you recall, after checking out the land of milk and honey for forty days, the spies returned to the camp of Israel. Ten of the spies said that the people of that good land were too great to defeat. Two of the spies said differently. “
“Do not rebel against the Lord. Do not fear the people of the Land...they are bread for us...their protection is removed from them...and the Lord is with us...do not fear them...let us go up at once...”
But the people went with the “faithless” report of the ten. And they denied the strength of God’s promise. They should have gone with the courageous faith and obedience of Caleb and Joshua. These men believed God more than the perspectives and counsel of the other spies. These two feared God more than the giants of Canaan.
These two remembered the promise of God....to give the land of promise to them. The others forgot it. These two remembered the power of God in their deliverance from almighty Egypt. The others forgot it. And so Israel disobeyed God’s command to go to war for the promised land and the glory of God.
Friends, aren’t we glad that Jesus did not balk at the assignment bestowed up him by the Godhead? I'm glad that He didn't think that the Father had a plan to do evil toward him...but rather trusted the eternal purposes of God...to the glory of God...that’s our Savior!
So after the people refused to go up into Canaan, God declared judgment upon the congregation. No one twenty years of age and older would live to see the promised land...except...Joshua and Caleb and their families.
The Israelites would wander in the wilderness for forty years...so that every adult that rebelled against God would die in the wilderness...and only their youngest children would enter the promised land.
The people mourned day and night...but it was not a mourning of repentance. It was a mourning of anger and resentment toward God. They accused God of plotting to do evil against them.
Can you believe that God’s kids would say that about their faithful loving God? I guess we can. We’re looking in a mirror. God had not made everything easy for them. They had experienced hard times. What was God doing?
God was making them into a “Promised Land people”....it was going to take a God-sized faith and courage and determination to overcome what lay ahead. Trials and tribulations would produce in them a steadfastness they would need. If ....they would just trust God.
But instead of trusting God’s good purposes, they became bitter against God for it...openly and secretly.
You know some well-meaning counselors tell their clients...” get it out...Hollar scream cuss at God...let him know how you feel. Quit bottling it up...He understands. He can take it.”
But listen to James... the brother of Jesus...teach the way to healing...“Confess “your own” faults “one to another” and “pray” for each other....“that you may be healed...”
Nothing in there gives license to curse God for anything. And though outsiders looking in may have sympathized with their loud disrespectful anger...that faithlessness was sin...even for God’s treasured ones.
So what did God do? He gave them what they wanted...” to rather die here in the wilderness than to go on with the Lord and what He had planned for them.”
By the way...the stubborn unbelieving Israelites justified their careless words against God based on a concern for their wives and children.
Notice...it was the wives and children of these unbelieving family leaders that would wind up paying for their husbands’ and fathers’ destructive outbursts toward God. Let this be a word to the wise.
And one more thing from the text...God told Moses that He was going to destroy the stiff-necked nation of Israel for their rebellion. Moses prayed for the people...and God listened...quite a prayer...it’s the rest of the story found in Psalms 90.
Have a great day.
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February 28th
The Bible reading today is in Numbers chapters 11,12,13....but before we get there...I want to touch on one of the duties of the priests mentioned in yesterday’s reading. It inspired my thinking.
“The blowing of the two silver trumpets”This duty was for priests alone...and it was for two main purposes...
First... to call the congregation to the tabernacle...”God had something to say.”...And there was “Nothing” more important than that.
In the wilderness of Sinai, God used the trumpets to arrest the attention of the people...to lay aside other things...and “Hear from God”.
On this side of the cross, God the Holy Spirit, living in us, is that trumpet sound to our souls...telling us...” God has something to say.”...
So stay in the Word, stay in the Bible, stay in church...and pay attention to what God has to say. There is nothing more important!
Secondly....the trumpets’ certain sound not only called the Congregation to worship...the trumpets also called the congregation to war.
Friends...God the Holy Spirit sounds the trumpet to our spirits...calling us to spiritual warfare...let us report for duty courageously... every day...in and through prayer...and witness...pushing back the darkness and slaying the demons of unbelief not only for ourselves but for our families and church family...for our nation and the world...
“Thy Kingdom Come Lord...on earth (right here) as it is in heaven (with power)...power to save the souls of those we love. Amen! Let it be!!!
Now to the text of our reading today...
Israel has been organized, sanctified, encouraged, and blessed, instructed how to give, and reminded of God’s faithful deliverance...and on top of that, God lives in their camp...to provide, protect, and empower the nation...all the way to the promised land.
So what happened? A nation so blessed by God...and now they erase the thanksgiving in their hearts and replace it with grumbling, murmuring and complaining against God.
God heard their complaining.
And What He saw? ”They were no longer satisfied with God”. ...
Isn't that common among believers?
Yes...and No...remember, Jesus was and still is totally satisfied in His relationship to the Father and the Holy Spirit....even after the cross...and we are in Jesus...so what is most common for believers is to find our happiness and significance wrapped up in God.
...”Israel forgot what it meant to be His treasured ones...no longer being totally satisfied in Him.”
What an insight God’s own word gives us into the seed of bitterness and complaining in our own lives...it springs up out of no longer being totally satisfied in our relationship with God...”
Our text says that God was so displeased with the faithless murmuring of the people, that the fire of the Lord burned among them and many on the outskirts of the camp were killed.
Wow...destructive doubting and complaining to God by His people brought His severe discipline. But apparently Aaron and Miriam didn’t get it...neither did the leaders of the clans...
You ask, “What happened to them?” Well, that’s the rest of the story. Enjoy.
Have a good day.
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February 27th
The bible reading today is in Numbers chapters 9,10.
A year and some change, after Israel was delivered from the bondage of Egypt, God called for the second Passover observance by the nation.
Let us remember, that the night before the Israelites began to pack up and leave Egypt, God brought the 10th and final plague upon Egypt...” the death of the firstborns.” This one lasted one night.
The first one, the turning all water sources into blood, lasted seven days.
The ninth one, darkness across the land, lasted three days.
The record does not show the length of days that the other seven plagues lasted. However, 30 days of plagues are mentioned in some commentary opinions.
So let’s say that Moses’ appeal for Pharoah to let God’s people go, went unheeded for at least 30 days. And on that final night, God gave Moses some warning and some instruction to the Israelites.
“Gather your families within your houses tonight. Slaughter a lamb and prepare it for a supper together. Before you eat, place blood from the lamb on the doorposts and lintels of your house. At midnight God will send the death angel to the nation of Egypt and kill every firstborn in the nation.
The death angel will see the blood of the lamb upon your doors and “Passover”...withholding the dreaded judgment of God that was being meted out across the land.
This Passover meal was to be eaten by Israelite families every year...first month, fourteenth day. And the people would eat and remember the merciful “passing over” of the congregation, sparing their firstborns, through innocent blood, from death...and opening the way for Israel’s exodus from slavery.
God told Moses to tell the people that their participation in the Passover feast was not optional. In fact, any Israelite or foreign sojourner who was in the camp on the day of Passover...and failed to bring their Passover sacrifice to the Tabernacle...would be cut off from their families...in other words, they would be killed.
But if any Israelite was unclean or on a trip during Passover, they would be expected to observe Passover a month later...clean and heart ready.
Let us take time out to remember that our Savior Jesus fulfilled the Passover sacrifice by His bloody death on the cross...the covering of His blood caused the judgment of God to “Passover” us.
And we are commanded to remember that death of Christ on the cross for us...especially by partaking of the Lord’s supper together.
Before Israel could enter the “promised land”, they were called to remember who got them there. It was God...it was His glorious and miraculous deliverance.
That consistent remembrance by the adults would train the children and the grandchildren of the congregation to look with gratitude to God on their way to the land promised them.
Promised land people must always remind each other
“WHO”...is responsible for their salvation....in our case?... Jesus...the I Am...God the Son...and His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave...
Jesus...today we especially remember Your glorious and miraculous Gospel...Don't let us forget that we are Promised Land people too...in You!
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February 26th
The bible reading for today is in Numbers 7,8.
It has been a year and a half since Israel left Egypt. The Tabernacle has been raised to completion. Now God gives Moses instructions for the dedication of “His Place”...” the Tent of Meeting”...the Tabernacle.
Each chieftain of the 12 tribes of Israel was to bring an offering to the Lord. And it turns out, the offerings were to be exactly the same. “No bragging rights allowed here.”
The people had been generous in giving to the construction of the Tabernacle. Now they showed the same enthusiastic generosity for its dedication. Each clan brought their dedication gift on the day of their God-given order...over twelve consecutive days.
What was God doing? I believe that God, among other things, was turning the Israelites into “Promised Land givers”.
They had been slaves for four hundred years...they had a slave’s mindset...as slaves, they were takers...always unsure of provision.
As Promised Land givers they were assured that God is always faithful to provide for His kids...and Promised land kids are assured that God notices their gifts from the heart...so they gave generously and joyfully and humbly.
Wow...may the Lord transform us into “Promised Land givers” too
One more thing about Promised Land givers is seen in this chapter’s last verse.
“Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord...and he heard the voice of God speaking to him from above the mercy seat.”
Promised land people need promised land leaders...leadership that meets with God and knows His voice.
Faith followers of the Lord...when the congregation dedicated the Tabernacle...giving it into God’s hands for His use...they were giving themselves into God’s hands for Him to use them and their stuff anyway He desired.
What an exciting way to live...with God...receiving...giving..and expecting God to use us every day...in faith-filled ways...in faith stretching ways...in faith challenging ways...in faith risking ways...because He provides exactly what we need.
That sounds like abundant living...O yes You promised us that Lord Jesus...Thanks
Have a great day
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February 25th
The bible reading is in Numbers chapters 5,6.
The people of Israel are a little over one year into their journey to the land of promise. God has already organized and ordered the congregation of 2,000,000 people.
He has “organized” them into clans. And He has also “ordered” them in a particular place for camping and for traveling. Now God is zeroing in on making Israel into a Promised Land people...which means, a purified people....pure in body and soul.
Our reading begins with instructions from God for how to deal with lepers and how to deal with dead bodies. Those lepers with sores that had discharges were to be kept away from the Tabernacle and the rest of the community...until declared by a priest to be clean.
And anyone, especially a priest, who touched a dead body, were considered unclean and must be separated from the Tabernacle and community until ceremonial cleansing could be offered.
“Separate them from the camp...put them outside the camp.”
Some have suggested this may be the first inkling of a hospital and specialized care for infectious disease...that would come from open sores of the leper and from the decayed bodies of the dead.
Could this have also been a way for God to teach the people of the magnitude and gravity of sin’s effect...even upon God’s treasured people...disease and death...all the way from Adam’s fall to Israel’s rebellions?
The wages of sin and sinning has always been and still is death and you can add disease and fear and unbelief and more sinning and on and on.
Even the best of Abraham’s and Israel’s descendants could not overcome death and disease...because they couldn't overcome their nature...the nature they inherited from Adam and Eve....the nature of sin and sinning...which was illustrated at every funeral and every cleansing ceremony and every daily burnt offering sacrificed.
So some impatient Levite hollars...” get them out of the camp...lepers and dead bodies and those that touched them. Get them out of here. I don't want to see them when I come back.
The separation of the clean and the unclean was serious. Why?...
Short answer...“God lived in the camp”. God and anything unholy could not share Holy Ground.
Remember now...God is preparing a Promised Land people. And what kind of thinking/living people would that be?
Remember when God told Moses to take off his shoes?
The ground he was standing on near the burning bush was holy ground...and Moses needed to start thinking that way.
There is something way better....better than having God live in the camp of His people...
How about God living in the heart of His people... That’s where Jesus comes in.
Have a good day
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February 24th
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 3 & 4.
These two chapters deal with God’s work in and through the life of Aaron and his priestly line. Remember our reading in Leviticus 10...God ordained Aaron and his sons as priests. They had not been ordained priests for a whole day before Aaron lost his oldest two sons to the fiery judgment of God right there in the Tabernacle.
That would have been a hard day for any father...especially for one who had been a part of their training.
Aaron was ordained the High Priest. He knew the important job that was given to him by God. He was the intercessor for the congregation before Holy God. And he was responsible to train up his replacement. He knew that upon his death the responsibilities of High Priest would be passed down to his oldest living son.
He must have thought that he had many good years left to train Nadab and Abihu so that one of them could follow him as High Priest. But it didn't work out that way.
“Did I not make sure that they understood God’s instructions? Am I to blame for their death?” Undoubtedly, Aaron was upset and confused about this terrible and sad situation. Was there anyone to comfort him? The boys had neglected the direct instructions of God. They filled their sensors with strange fire...fire other than that from the bronze altar.
And they were about to enter the Holy of Holies...in which only their father was allowed. And the fiery glory of the Lord struck them to death.
Moses was given the job to comfort his older brother...and he gave Aaron....”God’s answer” to the situation...
Quote...“Those who come near me must regard me as “holy”...and before all the people “I” must be “glorified.”
Aaron’s sons were ordained to “come near God”....but instead of regarding God as “holy” with His fire...they regarded God “as common” by using unholy fire in their worship...thus failing to “glorify God” before all the people.
Interesting isn't it...how God dealt with Aaron’s heart with the truth?...and since God is love, God gave this hurting spiritual leader “truth in love” to heal his broken heart.
There was something else that God did for Aaron after the funeral of his boys.
He ordained the tribe of Levi (Aaron and Moses’ clan) to serve Aaron and his two youngest sons in the work of the Tabernacle. They wouldn't do the work of the priest, but they would assist them in any way that was needed.
Aaron lost two sons. But God gave him a host of sons to serve alongside him for the next forty years before he died.
In Exodus, we read where God told Moses that the firstborn male, of every Hebrew family, “especially” “belonged to Him”.
So what did that mean? It meant that the firstborn male was to act as the family priest. But that was about to change. God was transferring the priestly duties of the firstborn sons to the Levites.
Why the Levites? you ask. Maybe it was because of their zeal for God...maybe it was because of a faith that was courageous enough to choose God over their nation.
Remember when Moses came down off Mt Sinai to find the people dancing in worship of a “golden calf”? Remember what Moses said? “Those who are on the Lord’s side come stand by me.” And only the “Levites” gathered around Moses. And God used them in His judgment against Israel as they strapped on their swords and executed 3000 that day at God’s command.
Obviously, God was looking for faithful men...courageous men... to stand with Him...and with those whose hearts were aligned with God’s. As we can see, Israel needed Aaron to intercede with God for them. They were fortunate to have him.
We needed Jesus to intercede with God for us. And we are eternally fortunate to have him.
Have a great day
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February 23rd
The Bible reading for today is in Numbers chapters 1 and 2.
When we read the record of Numbers, we are reading the 4th book of the “Pentateuch”...Pentateuch meaning “5 books/5 scrolls.”
I think that the title, Numbers, is interesting. The English translations call it “numbers”, from Greek and Latin versions. The most common Hebrew title is ”in the wilderness”, more descriptive of almost 38 years of Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness.
But the second Hebrew title grabs me the most:”and he spoke”...not Moses speaking, but God speaking to Israel. The most important thing that happened during the wilderness wanderings of Israel.
The sad part about that title? .Israel was slow to listen to God speaking...and even slower to live in harmony with His words. Which led to 38+ years of wasted living.
That is a warning to all believers, wouldn't you say?
Now to the text...“God spoke to Moses, in the tent of meeting...in the second month of the second year after Israel came out of Egypt....” take a census of the congregation, God said... and assemble the leaders of the twelve clans.”...and Moses and Israel did what God said.”
Again, God invites Moses to meet with Him in the Tabernacle. The cloud of God’s presence hovered over the Tent of Meeting. The people in the camp can see it!!!
“Wonder what God is saying to our leader.” I have to believe that one main reason why God invited Moses to the tent, “to His Place,” was to show the people that God was giving Moses “authority” in the congregation. Not because Moses was so much better than everyone...but because he was God’s choice for the task.
So, when the people “self centeredly” refused to follow Moses’ leadership, God was letting them know that they were refusing His.
Moving on...Let us remember, at this time in our reading, God is preparing Israel to march into Canaan, ready for battle. The census is taken in order to form a roster of fighting men...20 years of age and up.
The book of Numbers looks ahead to the invasion of the land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
So why was the land so important?...because it would be from that land that the Messiah promised would come from there. It would be in that land that the One perfect sacrifice for sin would die to save sinners to eternal life.
The land was important because it “cradled” Jesus...and it “crucified” him...just as God the Father planned. There had to be “this” promised land...because there had to be Jesus!!
Looking forward to hearing God speak to us in Numbers.
And one more thing...a trip, that would only take 2 weeks on foot, lasted 40 years. We will discover why....in the rest of the story.
Have a great day
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February 22
53 days ...Thank you, James, for helping me put the Bible in a year podcasts out each morning. I still think the music you wrote and played for introducing the comments is just right.
The Bible reading today is in Leviticus chapters 26,27...the last two chapters of this book.
These two chapters deal with the blessings and the curses of the relationship between Israel and God per the covenant that God made with Moses at Mt Sinai...
God was going to use His people to spread the good news of His glory throughout the world. And He would do it in His sovereign creative and often demonstrative ways.
Remember, God promised to be their God. And God promised to make them His “faith-filled” people. And God would keep His promises!
And by the way...that is our testimony today of the gospel....”God always keeps His promises.”
So now, in these last two chapters, we get a fuller glimpse of just how God was going to get the message of His glory to the world. He would “bless” His obedient covenant people...not perfect people...but repentant people... every day.
And He would bless them so greatly...so powerfully...so mercifully...so publicly...That the people who lived around them and sojourned in the same wilderness with them...would see...would marvel...would wonder...would pass on to others what they were amazed at...and would come to a place where they would be receptive to the Israelite’s message of the one true God.
But what is the second way that God would use His people to get the message of His glory to the world? God would look upon His unrepentant, rebellious people and “curse” them...curse their plans, curse their families, curse their crops, curse them with fear and panic,...curse them with wasting diseases that would take their eyesight and cause their hearts to fail...curse them with enemies that would show no mercy.
And finally the greatest curse of all: God’s decree that He would set His face against them.
The same people who lived near the Israelites and saw the great and mighty blessings that He was capable of giving His people...Would be the same people that would witness the mighty terrible hand of God that cursed the unfaithfulness of His own people.
“What would this devine, this God do to those outside the congregation of His chosen ones...
What must my family and I do to worship this one true God?
So Even this Mosaic “Conditional” Covenant would be used by God to make a faith-filled people for Himself...And use the blessings and the curses of the covenant to get the message of His glory to the world.
Now, in case this Mt. Sinai agreement between Israel and God confuses us...
...let’s remember our Genesis reading...
600 years before the exodus of Israel from Egypt, God made an “unconditional” covenant/promise to Abraham and his descendants. The fundamental difference between that covenant and the one God made with Israel through Moses on Mt Sinai is expressed by one little word...“If”.
In the Genesis record, we don't find the word “if” in the promise God made to Abraham. It does not say, “If” you and your offspring do this, I'll give you the land. And it does not say, “if” you and your descendants will do that, I'll make you a nation.”...
According to the ancient “covenant-making” procedures of Abraham’s time, two parties to a covenant had to walk between the bloody halves of an animal to seal the deal.
However, it was only the blazing torch of God and the smoking pot of God that passed between the animal body parts...Abraham never walked through.
God walked through the blood path...for himself...and then He walked through the blood path for Abraham and his descendants.
God was saying, “If I don't keep my promise to be your God, give you a land, and make you a nation, then you can kill me and stomp your feet in my blood. And if you don't keep your promise to me to be my people and continue in our covenant relationship, then you can kill “me” in your place and stomp in my blood.
You ask...”Is that the end of the story? Not quite...
This Old Testament Covenant foreshadows the gospel!
Listen...and see it...“ One of the Hebrew priests blew the ram’s horn at 9:am....in the Temple courtyard just outside of the Temple doorway...a signal...
The Passover lamb was offered on the altar...at that very hour, outside Jerusalem’s eastern gate...the blazing torch and smoking pot of God’s presence was hung on a cross...his blood ran down that cross...and his enemies, dressed in religious robes, walked through his path of blood...all of which fulfilled the promise of God made to Abraham and all those who followed God by faith...” you couldn't be faithful to me so I will be faithful for the both of us...I take the death you owe and I give the eternal promised land.
Thanks Jesus...You make sense of it all...
Have a great day
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February 21st
Today’s Bible reading is in Leviticus chapters 24,25.
Today’s text concerns Care for the Tabernacle and Care for the name of God.
The “Tabernacle” was also called “The House of God”...”The Tent of Meeting God”...”The Earthly Dwelling Place of God”...”The Sanctuary of God”...and I like what our Jewish Rabbi guide called the Tabernacle many years ago...” His Place”.
There was coming a day when The Tabernacle of God would be more than an excellent constructed tent. It would be Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. But after that, the House of God was in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ...for 33 years.
And then, after Jesus’ death and resurrection and His ascension to heaven, and following the celebration of Pentecost, the Tabernacle of God was and still is in the flesh and blood of everyone who believed and believes Jesus.
That means that you and I, whom the Holy Spirit lives in, we are His Place. We are God’s House. We are the earthly dwelling place of God. We are the Holy Sanctuary of God. We are the Tent where people meet God. We are His Place.
You think we ought to take care of “His Place”? Me too.......
“Father give us inner resolve...strength, and wisdom to take care of ourselves. Help us do our part to keep our bodies and our minds and our spirits healthy and strong...until they are not.
And then give us courage to trust You even more for Your grace to make us shine especially when we don't feel on top of our game. Because, as long as we live we are still “Your Place” where others can “meet You”.
Back to the text...
Inside the Tabernacle, the priests were to care for the furnishings. Today, God gives instructions on how to care for the Lamps on the Golden Lamp Stand.
“Have the people of God bring pure oil from crushed olives. Make sure the lamps are filled with oil and the wicks are appropriately trimmed each day and night”. This would be the only light for the Tabernacle.
What a foreshadowing of Jesus our Lord....the True Light. What did He say? “I am the light...”...all the time...no wonder the priests kept the lamps burning night and day.
And what did Jesus say about His followers? “You shall be the salt and light of the world...”
He was going to give them and us the oil of the Holy Spirit that would burn bright through our lives. And He would trim the wicks of our faith through trials lived in and trials lived through.
“Thanks for trusting in us Lord...keep helping us to burn bright for Your glory.”
After this...Aaron and his sons would care for the “Table of the Presence”...or...as is translated in other texts...”The Table of the Show Bread”.
This Table and the Bread thereupon and the priests eating the bread of the Presence was a visual aid in remembering the fellowship that God wanted with His people every day.
Enough Bread was baked and offered to the Lord on Friday so that the priests could have 12 loaves to keep on the Table in the Tabernacle from the Saturday sabbath...through the end of the week. The priests would eat in communion with the Lord...around that table of spiritual fellowship...in God’s presence...together!!
The word in Hebrew for our English translation “showbread”...means “face to face.” It is a powerful foreshadowing of something very important that Jesus would provide through His death and resurrection for those who would believe Him.
No more priests...no more veil between God and His sinful people. Now there would be “face to face” fellowship between God and His own treasured ones!
What a picture...kind of reminds you of our monthly times around the Table of Christ...humbly communing with and remembering Him together.
What a fellowship we have and we are in Jesus....from the wilderness of Sinai to right where God has us today.
Have a great day
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February 20th
Our Bible reading today is in Leviticus chapters 22,23.
Today’s text begins with some warnings to Aaron and his boys. God sends them a “death threat”. You would think that the fire of God which came from the Holy place to take the life of two of Aaron’s sons, would have been warning enough for this family. And yet God chooses to warn them again against “spiritual carelessness”. God was serious...dead serious.
Why?
The priests were 24-7 testaments of God, His character, and His will and ways. And if they became careless in their spiritual lives it could cost people their faith and even their lives.
May we remember that the priests were always pointing the congregation to a hope even beyond the land of promise....always pointing the people to the Perfect Priest and Intercessor to come...Jesus...the perfect Sacrifice/the Once and for all Sacrifice (to take away sin) to come...Jesus...!!!!
Speaking of spiritual leaders...at home...in church...on the job...in the classroom. God has blessed us with you. We are praying for you.
In chapter 23, God gives Moses instructions for celebrating “special occasions”...” holy times” for the people to focus on God.
God starts with the celebration of Sabbath Days. Once a week the people of God were to set aside their normal work and instead, rest...remembering who gave them rest from their torturous bondage in Egypt. Rest...remembering who gives them rest from the penalty of sin...God...
And by the way, who is our Sabbath...our rest from everything burdensome?... Jesus!!
I'll mention one or two more of the “holy times” to be celebrated by Israel.
The Feast of Passover...Israelites remembering how God passed over them in Egypt one night...withholding judgment upon the firstborns in their homes...because of covenant blood on their doorposts.
And Lord Jesus...thank You for being our Passover lamb...that took the death we owed...upon yourself...that we might live forevermore with You!
And The Feast of First Fruits. 50 days after the Passover feast...celebrating the goodness of God who gives the harvest to His people...not only to support them but to support neighbors and sojourners passing by.
During the celebration, the congregation would bundle the “first fruits” of grain stalks into what they called “sheafs”. Then they would begin to wave them toward heaven as “wave offerings” of praise to God.
Remember what Paul told the Church at Corinth using the Wave Offering as the illustration? He said, inspired of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus’ resurrection was the “First Fruit” of the entire harvest of believers who will one day rise from the dead at Christ’s second coming.
Every chapter pointing toward the promised son...the promised Messiah...Savior...and Lord..our Jesus Christ!
One more thought...At the end of chapter 22, God reminds Moses of something very important. Important to him and to us...“I am the Lord and I will sanctify you even as I brought you out of Egypt.”
How powerful was God in delivering Israel out of Egyptian bondage? All-powerful. And He promised Moses that He would supply ample grace / ample power to sanctify and transform him into the Godly man he was to be.
With the same power that Jesus saved us, He will change us into Godly men and women.
Now that is quite a salvation...from here to heaven.
Have a good day
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February 19th
Today’s Bible reading is in Leviticus chapters 19,20,21.
Everywhere we read in the book of Leviticus we are confronted with just how important “holiness” must be to God. (“Be ye holy as I am holy.” ...As we find in our text today.)
That doesn't sound optional to me. It sounds like God’s expectation for His children.
“So Lord if holiness is what You want for us, help us to desire it every day in our lives.
So, to begin with, let us look at some definitions of “holiness.”
A holy life is a “separated life”. Like God’s divinity separates Him from everyone and everything else, our union with God, by grace through faith in Christ, separates us from everything not Godly.
A holy life is a “different life”. Different from what you ask? Different from the world....especially in our views of life and God.
Different from whom, another asks? Well, different from everyone who does not have “God-life” in him through Christ. A holy life is a “set apart life”...set apart to God...for His use only. A holy life is a “pure life”...pure in body and soul...free from the contamination of unrepented sin. A holy life is a “consecrated life”...a life dedicated to one main thing...the glory and fame of God. A holy life begins when “God is our greatest love”...when we love Him more than we love the pleasures of sin.
Wow. I can't help but remember Jesus speaking of the greatest commandment...”Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” That is holiness...when God is our greatest love!
152 times the word holy is mentioned in Leviticus...
God was elevating the value of His character to His people. And calling them to desire and display His likeness...His Holiness...in love, in grace, in mercy, in faithfulness, in righteous living, in justice, in generosity, in courage, in boldness, in determination, in fullness of joy....just to name a few.
Time and time again we read in our text that God told Moses to speak to the priests of holy living...to daily consecrate their lives to the glory of God and the fulfilling of His purposes.
And while we are thinking of priests, let’s remember our Exodus reading of God’s intention to make Israel a “nation of priests”...holy unto Him.
Time and time again we hear God addressing Moses about the congregation of Israel being holy even as He is holy...not impure...but “like God”...pure in the thoughts and attitudes and actions of The Lord.
In other words....“a heart that says, “Lord, use me up for Your purposes...Here I am! Here is my body my soul and my mind for You to use in Your Kingdom’s work...as long as I live.”
Do you remember the phrase...”Holier than Thou.”...usually, it was used by one person judging another’s self-righteousness. Maybe it’s phrases like that turn us off to the truth of biblical holiness. “Well, I don't want to come across as being too religious.”
One more phrase...that gives us a hesitation to pursue holiness...”I'd rather be happy than holy any day. Happiness is our God-given right isn't it?”
In Hebrews 12:14 we read...”Strive/fight for peace with everyone, and for the “holiness” without which one will never see God.”
I know that in our union with Christ, we have His holiness, His righteousness imputed to us. That is our position in Christ in the heavenlies. Satan can accuse us all day long, but in Christ, His holiness covers and defends us in the court of heaven...isnt that awesome?!
We have a position of holiness, but there is required a “practical” holiness that believers must strive for in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Many who say they are Christians live as though they are going to see God without a life of holiness. Many on church rolls live such unholy lives, that I fear that they will one day hear the dreaded voice of Christ saying, “I never knew you. Depart from me you workers of iniquity.”
God says Be holy for I am Holy...in Leviticus....and what does that humble heart attitude look like?
1 Peter 4:11 “Whoever serves let him do so as from the strength that God supplies...so that in everything accomplished God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15...”I will not venture to speak of snything except what Christ has accomplished through me.”
Leviticus 19 “Let every one of you that believes Me love and revere your mother and your father as long as you live.” (Respect them. Serve them....love them, as you would the Lord.”)
“Dont strip your vineyards bare at harvest time. Dont gather the grapes that have fallen to the ground. Leave them be...You and I want them for the poor and the sojourner.”
Holiness is important to God. That kind of life for the believer mirrors Him....magnifies Him...glorifies Him! Amen!
Have a good day
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February 18th
The Bible reading today is in Leviticus chapters 16,17,18.
I'm proud of how you have stuck with your Bible reading...even, if like me, you've been interrupted from time to time. But just in case the slow reading in Leviticus has caused you to wonder why...Leviticus?
Well.............
Genesis answers the question of how God provided Abraham with his promised nation.
Exodus answers the question of how God saves His chosen people from slavery and gets them to the land of promise.
And Leviticus answers the question of how God who is holy can relate to sinful people.
And that’s why it is a book for us today...because He is still holy and we are sinful. Iit reminds us of how we need His mercy every day....and...of our faithful mediator, Jesus, who not only atoned for our sins but also lives to intercede for us every day.
Today’s reading reminds us of the High Priest’s duties on behalf of Israel.
Before Aaron could appropriately offer sacrifices on behalf of the people of Israel, he was required to cleanse himself and atone for his own sins. Aaron’s foreshadowing of Christ’s Priesthood was never more than a shadow, especially on this point. Aaron was an intermediary like as Christ...but an imperfect one. Christ was God the Son...perfect in every way...He had no sin...thus He had no need to cleanse Himself as Aaron did.
Another duty of Aaron on the national day of atonement was the offering of two goats. A die was thrown to see which animal was killed and offered on the altar as a sin offering and which was used as the scapegoat.
After the sin offering was made, Aaron placed his hands on the head of the live goat. Then he confessed the sins of the congregation over the goat...as a symbol of God imputing the sin of the people upon the goat. Then Aaron would give the goat to a handler nearby who would then lead the goat away from the congregation...into the wilderness...a picture of how one’s sin was removed far from him...never to judge him again.
These two offerings foreshadowed what Jesus’ death accomplished for believing sinners...the sacrificial substitute to die in our place...and the taking away of our sins...no more to judge us.
Still Good News...
Have a good day.
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February 17th
The Bible reading today is in Leviticus chapters 14,15.
Our reading yesterday and today introduces us to the laws concerning leprosy and the cleansing necessary to re-enter the presence of God at the Tabernacle.
You’ll notice in our reading that it was possible for the disease to be healed, but the healed victim still needed to be cleansed in order to approach the presence of God.
The Bible says, “As long as a person has the disease he is unclean. And as long as he is unclean he must live alone, outside the camp.”
And that means until the leper was pronounced clean by the priest, the leper was forbidden to live among the congregation inside the camp. Also until the leper was pronounced clean by the priest, the leper was forbidden to worship at the court of the tabernacle.
What a high price to pay for one’s leprous condition...for one’s ceremonial uncleanness....especially when it was of no fault of their own. No fellowship with God’s people, and No entering the presence of God for worship at the Tabernacle.
All of this concerning the laws of leprosy and uncleanness had nothing to do with an Israelite’s eternal salvation. This was entirely about a redeemed sinner’s daily fellowship with God and fellowship with the other faith followers of God.
God was saying...”I want my redeemed to come before Me...but I want them to come according to My Holiness....
God was speaking about an attitude of the heart. Let me illustrate. I once heard the story of how England won the world soccer championships in 1966. At the end of the game, the English team captain, Bobby Moore, stood upon a platform and received the World Cup for the team.
When asked later how he felt in that moment, he said,” Quite dirty. With the Queen sitting close by in her pristine dress and hat, all I could think about was wiping my dirty hands and feet off.”
Just like Bobby Moore before the Queen’s majesty, so must God’s people be in their hearts and minds when approaching the presence of God for worship, we must humbly want to be holy for He is Holy, we must not be careless and thoughtless or preoccupied with prideful thoughts of ourselves as we approach His holy presence. We must humbly want to wipe our dirty hands and feet off as we stand on our own platform of victory in Jesus.
The leper had been healed. A wondrous victory over disease had taken place.....Certainly, a wonder-filled accomplishment.
But the miraculously healed leper had to be cleansed and sanctified by the priest outside and inside the camp for seven days before he could approach the presence of God at the Tabernacle.
Wonder why the cleansing ceremony lasted 7 days outside the camp and 7 days inside the camp? I have a thought. Lepers were disgusting to people. People treated them with disdain and total lack of love and personal respect.
Perhaps the priest would know that the healed person’s scars went deeper than their skin...all the way to their souls. Perhaps the fourteen days were to help him get a start on forgiving those who had treated him so terribly.
Yes, he could understand the hygenic laws of separation. But where was the “mercy seat living” by God’s people?
And maybe the fourteen days were to help him in one more way...to begin to get past the “shame” he had lived with for so long.
God had a plan and He was working it...all of it pointing to The Way...Jesus!
Mark 1:40...”If you are willing, you can make me clean.”...A leper to Jesus in Galilee...”I know that you're not obligated to help me, I don't deserve your help. For you see, my kind have no hope. I am” willing...be clean!” (Jesus)....what a Savior...
Have a great day
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February 16th
The Bible reading today is in Leviticus chapters 11,12,13.
I need to pick up a very important message in chapter 10 before we proceed. It’s the story and lesson from the sudden death of two young men...Nadab and Abihu...two sons of Aaron.
For seven days these two brothers, along with their father, went through God’s ordination to the newly instituted priesthood of Israel. Much of the exercise of ordination took place in the presence of the congregation of Israel.
This was a big deal. God was setting these men apart from all other Israelites. They had the privilege and responsibility to represent Israelites before God for His blessing...His favor for the nation.
These men would be dealing with everything holy unto God. This was serious.
How serious?....Dead serious. One day these brothers are elevated to positions only God can give. The next day their funerals are being planned. What happened?
The text in chapter 10 says that the brothers did something in the Tabernacle that God, nor Moses and Aaron assigned them to do.
They chose “strange fire” to burn the incense before the veil in the Tabernacle. In other words, they burned the incense with a fire that didn't come from the bronze altar...as God commanded. And...the fire from God struck them dead right where they stood in the Tabernacle. “Like lightning”, some have surmised.
Wow...many must have asked in secret, “wasn't that an excessive judgment from God?...especially since these new priests were young...and new to their duties...?”
I remember having the same thought...after reading 2 Samuel 6...Where Uzzah reached out to steady the ark when an ox stumbled. And God struck him dead. “No one was to touch the ark in transport” just the poles that 4 priests were to use to lift and carry the ark.
In both instances, men who had been trained to do “God’s will His way” decided to do things “their” way....a serious disrespect to God.
But you say, “Lord, John the Baptist’s father (a Levitical priest) disrespected You and You just took his ability to talk away for 9 months.” Mute...death...big difference.
King Uzziah of Judah disobeyed God....disrespecting Him big time...by allowing the altars of false gods to remain in Judah. That’s a pretty big sin. But God just gave him leprosy for the rest of his days....instead of death. death.
Now those comparisons can stump us...unless we remember our Exodus readings. Where God told Moses, “I will show mercy unto those that I choose to show mercy.” God is God.
Moses comforted Aaron with the very words of God...”By those who are near me, I will be sanctified...before the people, I will be glorified.”
God very God was going to be glorified...through the deaths of the young men.
Maybe it would be a strong wake-up call to their Father and two younger brothers who were ordained with them.
Their being set a part for God’s use only was not a game...it was not for show...it was and always would be for God’s glory...even if it cost their lives.
Wow sounds like Jesus...submitting to the Father’s use...all for the Father’s glory. Yes, even when it cost Him His life on the cross.
Now chapters 11-13 deal with dietary laws, the purification after child birth, and the disease of leprosy. These laws and rules give good insight to healthy living. Though we are not under these laws as Christians, we still see the wisdom in them.
Let me briefly tell you what I see here. The Lord He is God. And He has every right to speak into every area of our lives for His honor and glory.
Just like those faithful Israelites, in Christ, we belong to God as His treasured ones. He is more than just interested in our lives, He wants to use every part of them for His Kingdom’s work.
He made our bodies and He wants us to partner with Him to take care of them. And in Christ, our bodies are the temple (tabernacle) of God. As Paul put it to the church members in Corinth, “Your bodies are the temple of God...anyone who destroys this temple Him shall God destroy...for the temple is holy...which temple you are.”
The way we eat should glorify God. The way we take care of new born babies and their mamas is to bring glory to God. And the way we take care of the diseased among us is important to the glory of God.
Followers of Christ...thank you for wanting to do God’s will His way...
Have a great day
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February 15
The Bible reading for today is Leviticus chapters 8,9,10.
The first part of our reading today is the story of the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests in Israel. These men would be set apart to serve the purposes of the Lord in the Tabernacle, representing the congregation of Israel before God.
Back in our Exodus reading, we learned that God desired to make Israel “a nation of priests”. Priests are allowed into the very presence of God. And God wanted all of His chosen ones to have such access to Him.
However, the sin of the people had not yet been finally dealt with....and thus an “intermediary” (a priest) was required between Israel and God...lest God’s holiness break out and destroy His sinful people.
Only when the wickedness of Israel had finally been dealt with could the people of God become that “nation of priests” with full access into the presence of God.
Well, guess what...sin has finally been dealt with...once and for all...by Jesus...through His sacrificial death on the cross.
Now, all who believe Jesus, Jew, and Gentile, are a part of His “royal priesthood”...His holy nation...1 Peter 2.
You will hear the term, “priesthood of the believer.” That basically means believers in Jesus don't need a priest between them and God. We are welcomed into the presence of God because of what Jesus did for us.
Now that’s quite a perk for the Christian!
As we read, that perk also comes with responsibility...we see that in chapter 9.
As priests, Arron, and his sons had to offer sacrifices for themselves...first. They were not above sinning and they needed constant grace...forgiveness of their sins...and spiritual power for their daily work.
So God made gracious provision for them also through the sacrificial offerings given to the Lord on a daily basis.
I can't help but remember a verse memorized years ago at the beginning of my discipleship with Jesus. 1 John 1:9...”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”
As disciples of Jesus, we must keep our sin list short. The Holy Spirit’s job is to convict us of our daily sins. It is our responsibility to humbly admit our sins, to ourselves and to God, regularly. God promises to follow that Godly sorrow for sin with cleansing that will free us to obey God with a new passion.
One more responsibility we see in the chapter of our reading..." after Arron completed all the sacrifices and all the anointings that God commanded him, he turned toward the congregation, raised his hands and blessed the people.”
This priesthood job was going to be a daily work...for life...to bless God and serve people.
In short, that’s the definition of the daily work of a disciple of Jesus Christ...glorify God and love people to Him.
And after Aaron served the people, a God-thing happened.
What happened was...the rest of the story...enjoy and be blessed by Jesus!
Have a great day
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February 14th
The Bible reading for today is Leviticus chapters 5,6,7.
As some have said, and I smile because they must have read my mail, “Leviticus is a hard read...It is as untraveled as the wilderness in which Moses wrote it.”
People have said, “Who cares about sacrifices that no longer matter...who cares about diet codes that are no longer in effect?”
Can this record teach us anything? The Short answer: Plenty!
It’s God’s word... “all scripture is God-breathed and is profitable”...2 Tim.3:16.
Solomon told his grandkids “to seek wisdom like they would silver...seek understanding like you would for hidden treasures...then you will find the knowledge of God.”
So hang in there with me friends...God has some spiritual riches for us in Leviticus.
God gave the book of Leviticus to a people already redeemed...Israel...those whose faith in the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob had been counted unto them for righteousness sake.
God wasn't trying to get them spiritually saved again through the laws of the different offerings...as though they could lose their salvation by sinning. Through the offerings, God was giving His people gracious provision for “sustaining” their fellowship their love relationship with God.
That my friend is a part of the “plenty” that God has for us in this book.
Next up...These first seven chapters give us details about the five major offerings presented by the priests unto the Lord for His glory on behalf of the worshippers during the days of the Tabernacle.
First THE BURNT OFFERING it was the most common offering. The offering of a lamb or an ox (or turtle doves or pigeons by the poor) as atonement for the worshipper’s sins. So where do “atoned for” sins go...away from the sinner...as far as the east is from the west.
The offering was completely burned up. An offering given completely to God.
The priest didn't get a part of it. The worshipper didn't get a part of it. The burnt offering ascended to God only.
No glory for the priest. No glory for the worshipper. Only God!!!
People close by could certainly smell it. And people not so close by could see the smoke rise. And in those moments, even their senses told them that God, their God, deserved to be worshipped. He was and is the God of deliverance and atonement for sin...indeed the God of forgiveness.
It’s like us in our minds remembering the scriptural picture of the cross, the cross of our suffering servant, our wonderful Lord Jesus.
Just as those early Israelites went back to the altar of the tabernacle every day...either literally or just in their minds...so must we go back to the old rugged cross every day.
“...And I hear my Savior say Thy strength indeed is small... Child of weakness watch and pray... Find in me thine all in all.”
“Jesus paid it all All to Him I owe... Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”
And what did the worshipper do when his sin or sins were atoned for in the morning “burnt offering?....”
Often the worshipper would return to the Tabernacle as soon as he could put the “grain offering” together.
And what was he doing?
Thanking God, with all of his heart and all of his produce, for such merciful forgiveness.
Wow...we see You, Jesus...even and, especially in Leviticus.
Enjoy the rest of the story friends...we will get to the other offerings in the days to come...
Have a great day
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February 13th
Our Bible reading for today is in Leviticus chapters 1,2,3,4.
The text starts out with instructions concerning the sacrificial system to be followed by the Israelites...
In particular the burnt offering.
The worshiper brings the offering to the entrance of the court of the tabernacle. It is there that a priest checks the offering for acceptance.
Note, it’s not the worshiper that is checked for acceptance at the entrance. It’s the “offering” that is checked to see if it is blemish-free. If it is not, then the worshiper is turned away until he brings a worthy sacrifice.
Wow...what a foreshadowing of Our Perfect Sacrifice...“Jesus”....not turned away at the gate, but accepted by God to the altar of the cross to make perfect atonement for my sin and yours....right there!
Lord, we worship You today. Thank You for being our offering without blemish.
Friends, the evil one continues to tell us lies. He tells us we can't come to God in worship. He tells us that we are not worthy.
May we boldly and forcefully tell him to get out of the way. We are not here to worship on the merit of our own worthiness. We’re here because of The Perfect Sacrifice’s worthiness. Jesus has checked through the gate and we are with Him!!! Isn't that awesome?!
Fellow followers of Christ, I believe that there is yet another picture in this God story.
Israel’s worship was to be a consecration of their whole lives to God.
Consider the illustration...
The whole “life” of the offering on the altar was consumed by the fire. No part of “the life” of the offering was given to something besides the fire.
So it was to be for the life of an Israelite. And so it must be for us...” all in”...lives consumed by God!
The apostle Paul, 1500 years after this recorded part of scripture, used similar terms...not to describe God’s offering for our salvation...but to describe our discipleship with Jesus.
Listen: “I beseech you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service of worship.”
Paul was “all in”...and he exhorted Roman believers to be the same...even unto death.
One more thing about the burnt offering, Friends. It was an experience not soon forgotten by the worshipper. His animal offering was accepted at the gate of the tabernacle. Then with some bridle, the worshipper led the animal to the altar...killed the animal...and put it on the altar one-piece piled upon another.
Who put the animal on the altar at the Tabernacle? The worshipper in need of forgiveness. Who put our offering on the altar of the Cross? We did...sinners in need of forgiveness...in need of eternal salvation!
Jesus, You were and are our offering for atonement...I'm afraid that Your Cross has become to easily forgotten by Your worshippers. We’re sorry Lord...forgive us.
Friends...let us not forget Jesus today... let's praise Him and go “all in” as His disciples.
Have a great day
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February 12th
The Bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 39,40.
The text says that “Moses finished the work.”
I remember Jesus using similar words. The setting was Galgatha, a Roman crucifixion, and Jesus was the centerpiece of three accused criminals worthy of execution. Except, Jesus was perfectly innocent. He wasn't dying for His own sins. He was dying for mine and yours.
Right before He breathed His last breath on the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.” Jesus had completed the work that the Father had sent Him to do...He satisfied the just and righteous judgment of God upon sin by dying in our place.
The text says Moses “finished the work”. But that was only in reference to the Tabernacle. When Jesus “finished the work”, it was in reference to the eternal salvation of all who would believe Him above all else.
One more time we see just how much better Jesus is than everyone and everything else. Thank You, Jesus.
Now a flashback...“Show me Your glory...” Back in Exodus 33, we read that Moses asked God to show him His glory. For days...and into months...Moses had been talking and listening to God...through the cloud, through the smoke, through the fire of heaven which had settled upon the mountain.
“Show me Your glory...” I want to say, “Moses, you saw His glory in the burning bush...you saw His glory in the plagues...you saw His glory in the Red Sea crossing. You saw His glory in the victory over the Amalakites. You saw His glory when you struck Mt Horeb and freshwater supplied a thirsty nation.
But maybe Moses meant something else entirely.
By the way...I do believe that the “glory of God”, at least in part, is seen and experienced in His powerful works and His sufficient and ever active presence...in my life, yours and around the world.
God told Moses that He would not allow him to see the “glory of His face”, but He would hide Moses in the cleft of a rock there on Mt Sinai. Then pass by him and put His hand over him.
And guess what happened...the “glory of God’s bright and amazing presence” shone from Moses’ face for days.
Tell Moses, that from where we’re sitting, he got a great dose of the glory of God. I'm sure he wasn't disappointed and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Maybe that was what Moses was asking for from God, to see the glory of His face with his earthly eyes...I don't blame him...not one bit.
Reminds me of an old old hymn written by Fanny Crosby and music by William Kirkpatric in the year of 1890. “He Hideth My Soul”
I love these lyrics...
“A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord...a wonderful savior to me...He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock...where rivers of pleasure I see.”
“He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry thirsty land. He hideth my life in the depths of His love, and covers me there with His hand.
She didn't have earthly sight from 6 weeks after birth, but Fanny Crosby, in Christ, was apparently given spiritual eyes to see the glory of the Lord like most never do until heaven. Thank you Miss Crosby.
Now back to the text to close...
Moses finished the work of the Tabernacle. And soon after, the cloud of God’s presence, which led the congregation by day, covered the tent and the glory of God filled the tabernacle.
From that day forward, the presence of God was always in the house!!!
That was Good!
Then Jesus came...the Glory came down...not in a cloud or fire...but in the person of Jesus. Then He left for a while but sent the Holy Spirit to us...the glory of God to live within us...that’s better!
Have a great day
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February 11th
The Bible reading for today is in Exodus chapters 36,37,38.
These three chapters, along with the final two chapters of Exodus, tell us what “God activity” was going on at the Sinai encampment in the last weeks and months before they broke camp to proceed on their wilderness journey toward the promised land.
In these last months, Moses certainly communicated with his Tabernacle contractors, Bezalel and Oholiab. Moses kept them up with how God was stirring up the people to give toward the Tabernacle build. His contractors kept Moses informed about the spirited and excellent work that was being done on the Tabernacle. They gave credit to Moses for his discernment to choose heart and talent over just talent...when it came to workers.
Friends, two things catch my attention here. God not only commanded the building of the Tabernacle, to get it up and running, but He also worked to stir up the “hearts” of the congregation.
The building program was on the agenda. Absolutely. It was a God-thing to be sure. It would have its purpose....to the glory of God!
But God was just as interested in working on the hearts of His people.
And how do we know that He did?
Our text today says that skilled workers with hearts for the Lord and hearts for the work came from every segment of the congregation. It also says that the people in this spiritual community gave freewill offerings that went over and above what was needed for the project. In fact, Moses told the people to stop giving. That’s a heart thing...a God-thing!
And how did that Tabernacle build turn out? Well, the rest of that story is in tomorrow’s reading.
But there is one more thing...the Court of the Tabernacle.
The “tent of meeting”...the Tabernacle, sat on the west end of the court. The east end of the court included the bronze altar for burnt offerings, and the brass laver for ritual washings by the priests that signified spiritual cleansing and community dedication to God and each other.
The entire court was fenced in by a white linen cloth wall. The approaching worshiper would see the barrier of white that separated him from God’s presence in the tabernacle.
“An approaching worshiper asks under his breath...”How am I to get to God?... I am told that He is here...the cloud and the fire says it.”
Another answers the whispered words...”I heard someone say that it’s through that colorful screen gate.”
There was a twenty-foot wide gate made of white purple blue and red woven cloth. It was known as the Entrance gate.
How would a sinful Israelite get to meet with God and worship Him...
Through the gate...through the altar...through the priest...through the tabernacle...
Remember...Jesus said that I am the way...
We find out that Jesus is also the gate...
We continue...and where the altar was we see the cross...
Continuing...we see the High Priest...why...that’s Jesus...
And the Priest takes blood from the sacrifice...why...that’s Jesus’ blood from His bloody death on the cross. And the priest/Jesu .takes his own blood through the vail and placed on the mercy seat...Where God the Father accepts it as atonement for our sin .and saves us forever.
Now that’s an Exodus story to beat them all.
Thank you, Jesus!
You are always the rest of the story!
Have a great day!
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February 10th
Our Bible reading today comes from Exodus chapters 33,34,35.
The departure of Israel from Mt Sinai...
Some scholars say that the congregation of Israel stayed at Mt Sinai for close to two years.
Then God told Moses that it was time to depart.
The Ten (Words) Commandments, written on stone tablets by the “finger” of God, have been given from God to Moses and to the people of Israel.
The Tabernacle has been completed...the tent and the furnishings to God’s detailed specifications.
The priesthood was established, beginning with Aaron and his sons....from what they wore, to what they did on a daily basis on behalf of God’s covenant people.
The sacrificial system was established....for one grand purpose. “To point all Israelites to THE GREAT SACRIFICE that was to come....the eternal sacrifice that God would offer for the salvation of those who believe in the coming Messiah...Yeshua...Jesus!
Now, God and Moses are conversing at the tent of meeting.
The people see Moses heading toward the tabernacle...they see him walk into the courtyard, and they see the cloud settle on the Tabernacle. The people know that God is speaking with their leader. So they worship God in awe at the door to their own tents.
“What’s God saying to him?”...most will wonder.
“Do you think He will ever forgive us for forgetting Him and feasting and worshiping a golden calf instead of Him?”...others would whisper.
Then Moses hears God say that He will send an angel to go with them the rest of the way to the promised land.
Then the Bible says that Moses came right back and asked, “Are You not going with us?”
And God said...”If I go, I would consume you ..you stiff-necked people.”
Moses responded to God...”If You are not going...if Your presence is not with me...don't send us out from here.
Our testimony to those we meet has centered around You and our covenant relationship with You.
You promised to take us to the promised land...You promised the cloud of Your presence in the daytime and Your pillar of fire by night. You promised to go with us and we with You!
Moses once again pleaded with God for the people...Moses was their intercessor. And God said, “I will go with you...and give you rest.”
Moses was many things for Israel. A prophet to some inside and outside the camp Moses was probably thought of as a new king in town, a deliverer who loosed the chains that bind. But today’s reading, Moses was indeed an intercessor...the go-between guy...one who steps in between the accused and accuser and brings reconciliation.
“Way to go Moses”!
And then we would hear Moses say, “But Jesus is better...and not just to Canaan...but all the way to heaven!
Have a good day.
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February 9th
Our Bible reading for today is in Exodus chapters 30,31,32.
What does it mean when scripture speaks of something or someone “being most holy to the Lord?”
Our text today says that Aaron would anoint the corners of the incense altar, once a year, with blood from a burnt offering....”
Making the incense altar “most holy to the Lord”. The word holy is related to the word “saint”.
The apostle Paul called all believers in Christ, saints. What did he mean? He meant that all who believe Jesus are “set apart” for God’s use only....not for our own use, but for God’s...
The apostle Paul also taught the believers in Thessalonica that it was the will of God for them to be “sanctified”...that is: made holy unto God...set apart for God’s use...not God’s use and someone else's use, just God’s ....at home, at work, at school, at play, at church.
So, once a year, Aaron went through a ritual to remind himself and all the other priests that the furnishings related to the tabernacle were “most holy to the Lord”. Set apart for God’s use only.
So Aaron would say to his fellow priests, be careful to never allow the tabernacle or it’s furniture to be used for any other purpose, but God’s.
Remember, God chose Israel and his descendants to be His treasured ones..His people by God’s grace and the God-given faith of the people.
God made them holy.
So the tabernacle and the furnishings and the priests and the sacrifices...were to be constant reminders to the congregation of Israel that they, in covenant relationship with God, had been made most holy unto the Lord. So set your mind and heart to live that way...to the glory of God.
Listen to the lyrics of a song by my friend, Scott Underwood Holiness...I just wish he was here to sing it...
Holiness, holiness is what I long for...Holiness is what I need...Holiness, holiness is what you want from me.
So take my heart, God So take my heart and form it Take my mind transform it Take my will conform it To Yours, to yours o Lord!
Now to the next part of the text...
Before the work on the tabernacle was started, God chose a talented man to oversee it. That sounds reasonable....but something else impressed me most.
“ I filled him with the Holy Spirit,” God said.
God was saying...”I filled the sails of his life with my wind...so that he will go in the direction of my blowing”.
And God gave all available men and women in the congregation abilities that could be used to build the tabernacle.
So, God was choosing to use Spirit-filled leadership and the availability of congregational members to build the tent of meeting for the worship of God. Sounds like a good recipe for success.
But not good enough.
You say “what happened”?
Well, that’s the rest of the story...
Have a great day.
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February 8th
Our Bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 28,29.
Today, I see one more visual aid to my growing understanding of God’s covenant with Israel and with me and you.
Please bear with my introduction...it’s not to conceal our text, but to reveal it...I hope.
God’s covenant with us (that is His promise to us) is huge.
God promised eternal life to us...which is His life...He promised us His life, not just a better one of ours.
God promised us His life... for us...taking the penalty of our sins upon his own body on the tree...so that we wouldn't have to die for our sins...
God promised us His life.... in us...the life of amazing fruitfulness...(listen to Jesus speak to this in John 15...” I am the vine and you are the branches, he that abides in Me and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit.”) God promised...
And God promised us His life ...with us...which means that He will never leave us nor forsake us...no matter what...from here to heaven and back.
From the night of my conversion to Christ...the cross of Christ and His empty tomb became the “central visual aid” for my thanksgiving to God for His promise to save me from the penalty of my sin.
Today's reading offers us, I believe, another visual aid for thanking God for His covenant promise to His people.
I'll be right back...
Yesterday’s reading introduced us to the visual aid of the Tabernacle, its very presence...in the middle of the camp...said “God’s presence here”...”Central to who we are!” loud and clear.
Even its furnishings spoke the message of God’s covenant with Israel..”You are going to be my people...and I am going to be your God”...”
“I Am” has made provisions for your true worship of Me and your daily fellowship with the congregation.
For instance, true worship began with a covering for sin. That’s why a lamb’s lifeblood was shed on the altar, in the court of the tabernacle, to cover the sins of the approaching worshiper.
Without the shedding of blood, there was no remission of sin, and without that blood covering, there was no reasonable service of worship.
So God provided the altar as the doorway to a worship relationship with Him. And God would also provide a beautiful picture of preparation for community worship.
The priests would dip their hands in the water of the brass laver that stood before the entrance of the tabernacle. Then they would touch their head, their heart, their hands and their feet...dedicating all of their life to serving God by serving His people.
God put a laver of clean water before the tabernacle to remind priests and congregation that worship was singular and in community. Unrighteous thoughts, feelings, and actions toward one another must be put away, must be cleansed...for if not they would disqualify themselves as true worshipers of God...and be a stumbling block for other’s worship of God.
They must forgive each other...and they must be willing to ask for forgiveness when they have hurt another.
Yes ...even the priests in their daily work were a visual aid to worshipping Israelites in covenant with God and each other.
Today’s reading reveals God’s instructions about the office and function of the priesthood. All of which was related to the worship of the one true God who, like Moses sang, “reigns over all the earth.”
Yes, Today’s passage about the priesthood is one more overhead projection, one more smartboard presentation, and one more multiple screen video in vivid technicolor, of Jesus...the tabernacle with us...the priest who intercedes for us to the Father even now...and the perfect sacrifice to cover our sins and give us eternal life. Awesome savior
Have a great day
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February 7
Our Bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 25,26,27.
Today we are still camped at the foot of Mt Sinai with the congregation of Israel.
Moses is still on the mountain with God. God is giving him detailed instructions about a “mobile sanctuary” to be built for the purpose of the worship of God.
In the years to come, around 40 of them, people would pass by the different encampment sights of Israel in the wilderness.
Rabbi’s say...% that they would see the cloud...they would see the fire in the sky above the “tented-palace” and would ask out loud, “What’s that?”
The older travelers would respond, “That’s the house of Israel’s God...the God who defeated all of “MIGHTY EGYPT.”
Wow...I kind of think...that if I was passing through that way, I believe that I would at least respect the place, and perhaps even give serious consideration to finding out more about such a powerful God.
Well, just like God came down on the mountain to meet with His people at Sinai, He would come all the way down on this tabernacle every year...not for the giving of the law, but to atone for the sins of the people who had broken the covenant laws that year.
Now to today’s text...
Question.....Who was going to build the Tabernacle? This House of God?
Answer....The people of Israel! They would fund it and build it, inside and out, through their own personal resources.
This “tent of meeting”, which is translated “tabernacle,” would be a rectangular structure...framed in with acacia wood...45’ long...15’ wide...and 15’ tall.
The grounds outside, just adjacent to the tabernacle, were called the “court of the tabernacle.” That’s where the common people would gather for worship regularly and specially.
Now, do you remember in our earlier Exodus readings how the people were warned not to go on the mountain...or even touch it?....in order to meet God?
They needed a representative to intercede for them for God’s favor. That representative was Moses.
Now...think of the tabernacle...placed at the center of two million Israelites encamped in the wilderness of Sinai...
...Could the people just go right into the tabernacle to worship and fellowship with God?
No!
They would need a representative to intercede for them for God’s favor. Those representatives would be the priests of Israel.
They would aid Moses in teaching the people the law outside the tabernacle. ##But primarily, they assisted Aaron in pleading to God on behalf of the people...and they would do that inside the House of God...another name for the tent.
So, let’s get this straight...the Israelite people could not get to God...on the mountain...or in the Tabernacle...on their own...They had to have someone go for them.
O what a foreshadowing of the ministry of our Saviour Jesus. We couldn't get to God on our own. So Jesus came all the way down to earth for the purpose of getting sinners to God. That happened at the cross that He suffered and died on...1500 years after Mt Sinai and the Tabernacle.
Right before Jesus died in our place, He cried “it is finished”....that moment, the veil in the Temple, that separated the people from God in the Holy of Holies, was rent into two pieces...opening the way for believing sinners to see and know and worship up close, the God of their salvation...THANK YOU JESUS!
Have a great day
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February 6th
Our Bible reading for today is in Exodus chapters 22,23,24.
The people of Israel knew where Moses was. They watched from afar as Moses made his way to the slopes of Sinai. The fathers and mothers were, I’m sure, trying to explain what their children were seeing.
You can imagine the questions.
“Is that mountain a volcano that is about to explode?”
“Are the elders going with Moses?”
“Is God going to hurt us?”
“I thought you said that no one could see God and live. Is Moses going to die?”
“Is this the promised land?”
Is God in the fire and smoke?”
“What do you mean we can't touch the mountain or we will die?”
“I'm afraid...God is scary.”
We know that toward the end of the Exodus record, the Bible says that Moses spent 40 days and nights on the mountain with God. Some suggest that number of days were consecutive days and nights. Others say Moses went up and came down several times in that 40-day span.
I'm not going to lose any sleep over that discussion.
What we do know from today’s text is that God spoke to Moses on the mountain and Moses, sometime after that, he came down and told the people “all the words” (that is the 10 commandments) and many other rules for living.
The people responded, “All that the Lord has spoken, we will do.”
By the way...how many times, in my Christian life, have I responded to God exactly like the congregation of Israel did at Sinai? Hundreds of times at least.
“O Lord...whatever You say, I'll do it...” only to find myself days later guilty and discouraged for disobeying Him. Praise God for 1 John 1:9...My father in law’s favorite verse...”If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”
So sometime after “this congregational” meeting, our text today says that God called Moses to come back...and bring Aaron Nadab Abihu and the 70 elders. Only Moses would come up to the Lord. The others would worship from afar.
Question: Why did Moses get to go on up the mountain and converse with God while the other elders did not.
Was Moses better than his leadership team? No!
Did the others just not love God enough? No.
Short answer: “God said so.”
Couldn't Moses worship from afar AND couldn't God speak to him from afar? Sure! So why did God have Moses to come closer? God said so.
He sovereignly put one above the others. They all had God-given significance and value. They all were privileged to worship God and do life with him. But God called and invited Moses. Short and simple.
Was Moses a good spiritual leader? I believe so...but he couldn't have influenced so many without the Godly men around him.
So what about those rules that God gave to the congregation?
They would give important parameters for the life of the new nation. But those same good rules could not give them eternal life. Only blood from the perfect sacrifice could do that...
And that is the rest of the story
Have a good day!
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February 5th
Our Bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 19,20,21.
It has been about four months and 200 miles since Moses and Israel left Egypt for the promised land.
The people have crossed the Red Sea...drank sweet water at the settlement called Bitter...and in the Wilderness of Sin, God added to His powerful and gracious work for His treasured ones by beginning to give the people quail every evening and mana every morning.
Days later they would reach Rephidim and now the congregation would grumble and quarrel with Moses about the lack of sufficient water.
At the instruction of God, Moses struck the “rock” at Horeb and water flowed from the rock for the people.
That had to be amazing...Horeb was a mountain made of massive stones...Moses struck it in the presence of the people.
Some must have said, “Why is he hitting a mountain? Why isn't he organizing a well digging crew?
And all of a sudden, the mountain’s belly opens up and freshwater flows to the people...God works again...we can visualize children splashing in it...women and men filling all kinds of containers with it...and others standing still, in awe of what Moses and God just did.
Now...God was fixing to do something else at Rephidim. He was about to use Israel’s farmers and shepherds and masons to win a decisive battle against a relentless enemy.
And His strategy?...have an old man with a stick sit on a mountainside overlooking the battlefield below...then have the old man raise the stick...as long as it is raised, Joshua’s men prevail in battle. And to make sure the stick is held high for Joshua and the men to see it and gain courage and strength in faith that God was with them...the strategy included two other men stationed on the mountainside with the old man...to raise his arms for him when he wearied from the exercise.
It wouldn't be the last battle...but God gave them a story to tell...and that story would encourage future warriors to fight for the glory of God.
And that brings us to the text for today.
Moses and the people have made it to Mt. Sinai. Here is where God calls Moses to the mountain. Here is where God gives ten words/10 commandments for Moses to give to the people.
Before we look at a few of the 10 commandments, let me tell you why the 10 commandments matter to me.
1. They tell me something of what doing life with God looks like...such as...loving parents...loving neighbors...loving my spouse...loving God!
2. They show me something of how different God followers are from the rest of the world...such as...loving the one true God...sacrificially loving my wife and kids....loving my neighbors...loving my church...and loving my parents.
Stay with me...the 10 commandments matter to me because...I love Jesus. And because I love Jesus I want to obey His commands...not so I can get saved, but because I already am saved.
Back to the text...God gave His words to Moses. And told Moses to give them to the people. And he did.
“Tell them that they shall have no other gods before Me.”
“Tell them that they shall not make any graven image to worship.”
“Tell them that they shall not take the name of the Lord their God in vain.”
“Tell them that they shall remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.”
“Tell them that they shall honor their father and mother.”
Tell them not to commit adultery...not to murder...not to steal...not to bear false witness against a neighbor...and not to covet what his neighbor has.
Were the people excited about God’s coming down to them? Let’s listen to a little bit more of the story before we are through...
“The mountain rumbled. Dark smoke and fire came down upon the mountain. It was God! And the people backed up and away...they trembled and were afraid that they might die by God’s hand that very day.
Now move forward...It was another day....a different mountain...and God showed up, not with laws that we had broken, that condemn us, but with grace that forgives us...
When did that happen? Well, that’s the rest of the story......
Have a great day!
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February 4
Our Bible reading today is in Exodus 16,17,18.
It will be obvious in our reading today that God is ever listening to His own...ever watching what we are doing as His witnesses, His servants...His children.
That truth can be comforting at times...and we praise Him for His alertness to our needs...knowing us so intimately...that He responds with ample help, and sufficient grace ...to meet our needs right on heaven’s time... even before we direct our sober prayers heavenward.
But sometimes...the fact that our God knows...everything...that I say and do ...that is disturbing.
But... that “disturbance” is a good thing...a GOD-THING.”
God sees when we are choosing to leave Him, for a little bit or for some time. And by the work of the Holy Spirit, “God disturbs” us, convicts us, to a “healthy fear/awe/and love of the Lord” that turns us back to Him...not just getting back to religious duty...but rather getting us back to rending our hearts instead of our cloaks.
NOW to the text...A little over a month into the exodus journey, we read that the “whole congregation of the people of Israel” grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness”...that was a congregation of over 600,000 Israelite men complaining about Moses and Aaron’s poor leadership.
That’s a lot of grumbling in church. Maybe the Pastor and his associate should have resigned...except, that wasn't in God’s plan.
Let’s listen and learn.
The Bible says that the people were thirsty and hungry. (Maybe the snacks for the kids were all gone and the “sweet water” of Mara was getting low.)
Just guessing.
And the congregation blamed Moses and Aaron for their uncomfortable condition.
Perhaps their stores were depleting...perhaps some had not been as disciplined in the wise consumption of the food they had brought from Egypt.
Or, more than likely, self-absorbed worry and anger was moving in to take the place...of faith in God’s providing.
“Been there...done that!”
SO...Moses firmly taught the people that their grumbling had been understood by God as “nothing less” than their calling “His faithfulness” into question.
Oh friends...May the fear of the Lord in us guard us always from accusing our Savior of unfaithfulness to us.
He has been more than faithful to you and me and ours...even when we were the unfaithful ones...He stepped up for us.. Praise His Name!
And what else could Moses and Aaron have said to those 600,000 who grumbled and questioned their motives?
“Did not God send me to be His instrument for deliverance? Did not God give Aaron to aid me in this redemptive work? Isn't God still leading the Israelite procession with His cloud by day and His fire by night?
And were we God’s appointed servants for this part of His work with His people? Yes!
Not perfect servants...absolutely not....but entirely God’s...for His use only.
They had put themselves “out there” for the people. Moses and Aaron had left their spouses and children to come to Egypt...Which was not a “Jewish friendly” place to be.
...and yet...
They were willing to intercede for Israel before Pharoah...who had already proven to be arrogantly and murderously against the Israelite people. But God’s servants walked right into the way of danger for the sake of their countrymen and the glory of their faithful God.
What a picture of a great deliverer Moses makes. But better still...what a great Foreshadowing of the greatest deliverer...Jesus Christ...the bread of life for the hungry...the refreshing water of life for the thirsty...Come eat...Come drink...I give eternal life...to those who believe me.
Enjoy the rest of the story.
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February 3rd
Our Bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 13,14,15.
“Moses said to the people. “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt...” 13:3
This was more than a request for Israel’s people to pay tribute to the God who saved them from Egyptian enslavement.
This was more than just giving God a place on the Jewish calendar. Surely such a salvation would call the people of Israel to make much of God. And celebrating God was good.
But when God had Moses to tell the people to “Remember this day”...He was saying...”Don't Forget IT”...use the remembrance of what happened on this day to strengthen you and your family’s faith ...
....and to help you meet and overcome the challenges that you most certainly will face on your journey from here.
Anything come to mind? Communion?...partaking of the Lord’s Supper? Yes...”
“Do this in remembrance of me...Jesus told His disciples...when you eat the bread and drink the cup, you show the value of my death until I come again.”
How valuable a death? Our eternal life, that’s all...”We remember Lord...and we don't want to forget You and the great salvation You bought for us at the cross.
Continuing in today’s text...
“When Pharoah let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, (even though that was the shortest route to the promised land )...God led them by way of the “wilderness” “on the way to the Red Sea.”” 13:17,18
God did not choose the shortest route to Canaan...He chose a longer way...He chose the wilderness way...instead of the Philistine way.
Why?
We read that perhaps the history associated with barbaric Philistia might have struck fear in Israel’s heart and they would have been tempted to turn back to Egypt.
I believe God was teaching His people lessons the whole way. I believe God was saying “My way is not always what you might expect.” I believe God was saying “You don't have to figure me out...just stay with me..I'm good at leading my people.”
Listen to the following...
“And Israel moved to the edge of the wilderness, and the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud in order to show them the way....and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light.”
God was saying with the cloud and the fire...” Trust me...stay with me...I Am the Way!” (Exactly what Jesus said 1400 years later to the twelve.)
Continuing in today’s reading...
“Pharoah and his special forces followed the Israelites and caught up with them at the Red Sea...the Israelites cried to God and cursed Moses for bringing them to this place to be murdered by Pharoah.”
“Moses told the people that God would fight for them....they must only be quiet...And God told Moses...” stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it...I will get glory over Pharoah...and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” 14:14,16,17,18
God acts again on behalf of His people...even a people who doubted Him...a people who doubted that He would fulfill His promise to get them to the promised land.
What God does that for His servants?...for those who have nothing to benefit Him?
What God pours out His life of mercy and grace upon those who do not appreciate Him?
What God does that?
Our God...!!!
The Great “I Am all you will ever need” God...
Jesus Christ...who went on to take the “exodus deliverance” to the ultimate deliverance...saving all who believe Him, Jew and Gentile...not by way of the “Red Sea”, but by way of the “blood-red Cross.”
Enjoy the rest of the story friends
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February 2nd
Our Bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 10,11,12.
God has sent 7 plagues upon Egypt so far...and Pharoah continued to refuse to let the people go.
God spoke to Moses. “I have hardened Pharoah’s heart against your request...so that... I may show my signs/wonders among the people of Egypt...
God had predetermined that a full cup of His righteous judgment would be seen and felt all across the “man worshipping” Egypt...all ten judgments!
Obviously, the judgments were not obscure. They were neither small nor hard to recognize...water turned to blood everywhere...millions of frogs everywhere...gnats, flies, diseased cattle, everywhere...sores, and running boils on everyone, everywhere...hail beat down vegetation in the fields and orchards, everywhere....and there are three more judgments to read about...the worst saved for last...everywhere throughout Egypt.
Nothing was left to chance! God was sovereignly at work.
I have wondered on occasion how many Egyptians repented and turned from worshipping Pharoah to worship the true God of Israel? That would have been a great part of the story...
EXCEPT for one thing...
The Exodus was all about God’s glorious redemption of His chosen vessel, Israel....the son of promise.
God would make sure Israel would know, going forward, that He was their God and they were His people.
God also told Moses that there was another reason for His terrible judgments in Egypt...He was giving Israel a story to tell to their children and their grandchildren...a story of God’s presence, power, and deliverance so that their children would know without a doubt that their Lord...He was and is God.
Oh, friends...let us not miss this...what God is doing in our midst today is not to be forgotten.
God has worked in mighty ways so that... we will have a story to tell tomorrow...especially to our families so that they will be strengthened spiritually for whatever comes.
One more part of the text in the podcast today...”Thus says the Lord, (Moses speaking to Pharoah on behalf of God) “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go that they may serve me.”
Remember, we are reading the Bible text that God wrote for us who believe Him.
It is my belief, that what God did in hardening Pharoah’s heart did not erase his personal responsibility to the God who made him. Long before Moses stood before the head of Egypt, the Pharoah owed God his life of worship. But Pharoah chose to be God instead of submitting to the one true God.
So after 7 plagues in the land...7 rejections by Pharoah...God STILL extends another opportunity for Pharoah to turn to Him.
So how does the hardening by God go with His invitation?
I believe...along with Spurgeon, Calvin, and MacArthur...that what we see here is God’s grace operating in parallel with His sovereign purposes.
God purposed to pour out all of His judgments upon Egypt. AT THE SAME TIME...He offered grace for humility and repentance to the hardened Pharoah. Questions?...Me too...
But let us remember, He’s God. And we are not. His Word says that His ways are far above our own...especially above our own understanding at times. Surely we will understand it more completely by and by.
Thank You, Jesus...You are the Word!
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February 1st
Our Bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 7,8,9.
The long and the short of our Bible reading today is summed up in chapter 7 verse 5...”The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.”
God was “going to work” in Egypt...He was going to deliver Israel...and He was going to deliver a message to Egypt.
To begin the text...God told Moses,” I have made you like God to Pharoah, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.”
“I have made you like God to Pharoah....” “...or...when Pharoah sees you, I want him to see Me.”
Friends, I’m reminded of what the apostle Paul told the church in Corinth....” men, remember that you are the image and glory of God to those around you.” Or...” when your family sees you when your church family sees you when your neighbors see you, I want them to see Me.”
“Thanks, Lord for the reminder...of WHY we want to be like Jesus...WHY we desire to do life with Jesus...Because... He is the perfect picture of Who You are, in all of Your glory, Father.”
“And your brother, Aaron, shall be your prophet.”
Doesn't that sound just like the relationship between Paul and Barnabas spoken of in Acts?
Moses AND Aaron were important to the purposes of God. Paul AND Barnabas were essential to the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
Yes...however...Moses and Paul were the “point of the spear”. Aaron and Barnabas held their partners’ wearied arms heavenward as the battle raged below.
God had a particular work for Moses. And God had a particular function for Aaron to fulfill. They were both servants of God...first and foremost. To get their jobs done, they would need each other. There was no place for envy, resentment, or careless disrespect toward one another.
Now, comparing the two “duos”?...
It would seem that both tandems butted heads in the middle of their ministries. (It’s called LIFE among saved sinners), but both sets of partners seemed to finish well...
...for one, a golden calf had to be destroyed and a perk refused...for the other duo, two new partners were added and ministries were changed.
May the Lord have plenty of “dynamic spiritual duos” at work in His Kingdom endeavors.
Now to the crux of our reading...
God wanted the Egyptians
“to know” something....” to be instructed” about something...the truth...
“The Truth That He was the true God of Egypt!”...not Pharoah!
And how was God going to teach them?...with hard lessons!
They had not learned from the easier lessons...by watching and listening and respecting the life message of God through the Israelite people..for 400 years...
So what were those hard lessons? Well, that’s the rest of the story.
But I will point out one general fact...The Egyptian people would suffer God’s judgment greatly in the days of our reading because Pharoah couldn't come close to being the god he claimed to be and the god the people needed.
This is what makes Jesus Christ so much better than all the other “so-called” gods. He took the judgment of God’s wrath that we deserved to receive....and he satisfied God’s righteous judgment so we could be forgiven and receive eternal life instead. What a Savior. Pharoah? No comparison!
Have a great day!
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January 31st
Our bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 4,5,6.
Look at what God is going to do.
Chapter 4 *God speaks to Moses...
...we are not surprised. He spoke to Adam...He spoke to Noah...He spoke to Job...He spoke to Abraham...He spoke to Isaac...He spoke to Jacob...He spoke to Joseph...and now He speaks to His servant Moses...about how He is going to use him... for His people, the nation of His promise...
That nation? is Israel...that promise? is the eternal Savior...Jesus Christ!
May we not be surprised when God speaks to us. Let’s stay in the Bible...the inspired words of God to us who believe Him...and let’s expect the Spirit of God to speak to our hearts...at any place, at any time. Sometimes the voice of God will sound like your spouse...sometimes like your friend, even sometimes like your children, sometimes like your pastors, or sometimes like your favorite songwriter. So like a young Samuel, may we say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:9.
*God tells Moses to be alert...to be watchful...to be expecting God to work. Why?
Let’s learn from Jesus...“The Son can do nothing of his own accord...only what He sees the Father doing.” John 5:19...
“Moses...Jim...Beverly...every believer...I'm not calling you to do something on your own or of your own creating. Just stay with me, listen for me...watch what is already going on...and then join me in it.”
“Ok, Lord...By the grace of God, I'm staying “dusty”...so close to you that I won't miss a word you say or a good work you do...and the dust from your walking sandals will rise to settle on me.”
*God is going to do wonders through Moses...that Pharoah will see...in Egypt!!!
“Go for it Moses...you and Aaron and God...it will be mysterious at times we are sure...
faith stretching, absolutely...and this is going to get dangerous...
...but we are learning from our reading that most “God adventures” are. And you couldn't be in better company...a brother that respects you, and God Almighty...Jesus Christ the “I Am!”
Listen and watch.
“What’s that in your hand, Moses?... God asked. “A staff Lord,” Moses responded. “Throw it on the ground”, God demanded. Moses threw it down. Immediately the staff turned into a snake. God said to Moses, now pick it up by the tail. And he did. And the snake turned back into the staff.
Then God said, “This and other wonders will I do through you. And you will say to Pharoah, “God says Let my people go!” Israel is my firstborn and I wish for them to worship me.” If you refuse Me, I will visit your firstborn child and put him to death.”
God was going to use Moses and Aaron to make a serious impression in Egypt...from the Palace to the Pyramids. God was going to deliver His people and get grand glory in the process.
How? you ask.
Well, that’s the rest of the story...and we will enjoy it.
Oh, did I mention that God hardened Pharoah’s heart against Moses’ request? Wouldnt that make Moses’ job of rescuing Israel harder? From Moses’ perspective, for sure. But what I believe?... It’s all about God’s magnificent glory...God’s big and Egypt is not.
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January 30th
Our bible reading today is in Exodus chapters 1,2,3.
As we begin the book of Exodus, let us remember the last recorded event in Genesis...the death of Joseph. Today’s reading shows us just how big his death was to Israel.
Today we read about a radical change in Israel’s history...going from a time of favor with Pharoah and the people of Egypt, to 300 years later, to a time of disfavor and enslavement in Egypt...going from 70 men to over 600,000 men and a combined population of over 2,000,000. Things had definitely changed since Joseph’s death...but one thing had not changed...”
“The faithfulness of God” to his chosen people!
He promised Jacob, 300 years prior to these verses, that He would make a great nation out of his family...” while in Egypt”...not just a larger extended family, but a great nation. And He did just that.
Isn't it impressive to our souls that God kept His promise from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob for over 400 years...He would be with them...He would be working to protect them and provide for them...He would be making them great before men...He would be making them into a formidable nation. And He was and He did.
When we look back at God keeping His promises for so many years, we must ask, “why can't we trust Him for our 70 or 80?”
And by the way, doesn't this teach us to wait on the God who saved us and destined us to fruitfulness in His Kingdom’s work? Say it with me...”He always keeps His promise!”
Let us remember that He is at work...perhaps not on our time table, but He is at great work none the less. Let’s just stay close together and close to Him.
Now to this text...In chapter one, the record shows that Egypt’s leaders and people felt that the burgeoning population of the people of Israel made them a threat to the national security of Egypt. So they persecuted them and brutalized them. Not a pretty picture.
What in the world was God up to? The Bible says...“The Israelite people cried out to God.”
Well, there you go...God used persecution pressure upon His people this time...Why?...simple answer?...to turn their hearts and eyes toward Him...to turn their cries toward Him and not just toward their oppressors...to prompt them to keep placing their hope and trust in their Savior...no matter what comes.
Let’s listen to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob speak through the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth 1400 yrs later:
“Paul said, “God put a thorn in my flesh...a messenger of satan to buffet me, lest I exalt myself above measure...I begged God to deliver me...three times pleading for Him to take this from me. And He said to me, No”...“ My grace is sufficient for you...my power is made perfect through your weakness...”
The strength of the Israelites was on empty...
And then one of my favorite pieces of scripture...Exodus 2:35: “And God knew.”
God knew that He had them (the people He loved) right where He wanted them...to a place of total dependence on Him, His power...and God was about to show His power... again...Power to save the life of a poor baby boy from the River Nile to the Pharoah’s Palace...Power to speak through a warrior angel from the midst of a burning bush...Power to change a fearful man into a courageous ambassador of God Almighty.
And you ask...”Any more power where that came from?...for us?.., today...?...and the One who gave it says...” My Name is still “I Am”...meaning...”I Am all the power you will ever need!”
Did He have another name? YES
JESUS!
In John 8:58...The Pharisees said to Jesus...You are not fifty years old yet...how can you say that you have seen Abraham? “
“Jesus said...”Before Abraham was “I Am.”
Awesome...Our Savior Jesus...from Exodus to the cross and back...Halleluiah...What a Savior.
Let’s enjoy the rest of the story.
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January 29th
Our Bible reading for today ends the book of Genesis... the Book of Beginnings...we are in chapters 48,49,50.
In our readings up to now, we've seen Life and many of its joys and struggles...Death and many of its pain and mystery...the good, the bad, and the ugly...
**But mainly, we've seen God working in and Through It All...
Perhaps as Andre Crouch would sing...about himself...about you and me...he would also say about...
Abraham and Sarah... had many tears and sorrows...Isaac... had questions about tomorrow...Jacob...had times when he didn't know right from wrong...but in every situation...God gave blessed consolation...and the trials were there just to make them strong.
Through it all...through it all...We've learned to trust in Jesus we've learned to trust in God...Through it all...through it all...we've learned to depend upon God’s Word.”
Well, let’s get into the text.
Joseph was told that his father, Jacob, was ill. So Joseph took his two sons to see their grandfather. I can't tell you exactly how Joseph and his boys felt as they made their way to the bedside of Jacob.
But the scripture tells us plainly how Jacob felt when he heard that they were coming.
“Jacob summoned all of his strength and sat up in bed.”
My translation? Jacob was more than glad...Jacob was excited...Jacob could hardly wait...and he wanted to present himself strong for them!
Do you have an aging parent or grandparent that is struggling in mind or body...go see them...be sure to let them know that you're coming...the anticipation is as good as the visit for them. If you cant get to them...call them...that thoughtfullness does count big time.
Next...in the reading...Jacob...sensing the end of his days drawing near...called his sons to his bedside in Goshen...and said, “Let me tell you what is going to happen to you.”
He blessed them with the truth...and what we have come to understand about the truth is that it can hurt sometimes...oh yes, truth can make our hearts glad, but it can also sting.
This father was trying to prepare them...give them a heads up about things that they would encounter. He took the risk because he loved them. He knew that he wouldn't be there to bail them out. But the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be. Jacob reminded his sons of their tendencies, good and bad. He apparently thought they needed to face them and learn from them for their futures.
“Lord, blessing my kids at the end of my days would be good. Help me to do that...but also help me to bless them regularly...now...that their hearts may be glad!
And finally...” it takes time and crazy love to heal”
Jacob’s sons buried him alongside his fathers in Hebron...back home in the land that God promised him.
Seventeen years have passed since Joseph saved his family from “death by famine” in Canaan. Seventeen years of family meals together. Seventeen years of simply doing everyday life together.
Was it enough time to erase guilty feelings from the minds and hearts of brothers? Was it enough time for trust to take over where fears and resentments and distrust had grown for so long?
Apparently not...most of the brothers were still afraid and guarded...however, one brother, Joseph, was willing to reach out and keep on building that bridge of hope between them.
Which reminds me of Jesus. He keeps reaching out to me and you, especially when we are afraid of our broken fellowship with Him. When we are guarded and defensive about our sinning against Him, He keeps on building that bridge of hope and grace between us. Awesome isn't it!
Now enjoy the rest of the story.
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January 28th
Our bible reading for today is in chapters 46 and 47.
Eleven sons are back home. After greetings were exchanged, the young men told their father that Joseph was alive. And......that Joseph was the new governor of Egypt...and...all the wagons loaded with supplies were from Joseph’s hand and goodwill.
And Jacob’s spirit was revived...and he said...“It is enough that my son Joseph is alive...”
I must stop for a moment...
For twenty years, Jacob has lived and grieved over the supposed “death” of his son Joseph. He has seen the wagon load of stuff...and he says...” It is enough that my son is alive.”...Implying that the stuff is good...and if I never see him on earth....”It is enough to know he lives.”
I can't help but wonder about the spirit of a brokenhearted mother named Mary...when word reached her that her son, Jesus, was not dead, but alive. Certainly, her spirit was revived. Surely she would try to brush away the pictures of her son’s crucifixion...but if they would not all disappear, I believe, like Jacob, she would think and say, “It is enough to know that my son lives.”
Julie Dawn...your son lives...Pansy Black, Your son lives...Lisa Black, your son lives...
And Jacob and Mary and all believers who have walked through the valley of the shadow of death...here is a chorus that we can all embrace: Written by Bentley Ackley 1933.
“I Serve a risen savior...he’s in the world today...I know that he is living whatever men may say...I see His hand of mercy...I hear His voice of cheer...and just the time I need Him He’s always near.”
“He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today...He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way...
“He lives, He lives salvation to impart...You ask me how I know He lives...He lives within my heart!”
Your words resonate with us, Jacob...as it was with you and Joseph...it is even more with us and Jesus...He is enough because He Lives.
I could stop right here, but there is one more scene in the reading I would like to point out today.
After living in Canaan for 40 years, Jacob and all of his family were leaving home. Jacob wasn't just moving anywhere. He was moving to Egypt. Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham, lived there for a while...and his own dad, Isaac, lived there for a while. Both of them had some difficult experiences there...Bad times!
Now note...Even at the age of 130 years old, Jacob was afraid.
How do you know that?
Because right before Jacob’s clan crossed into Egypt, Jacob stopped and waited before the Lord. God spoke to him in a vision that night...
“Jacob, Jacob...I am Almighty God...Don't be afraid to go down to Egypt...I'm going with you...And I am going to make you a great nation there.”
What a confirmation to have...whatever and wherever the next God adventure takes us.
Thanks Lord
Friends have a good day
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January 27th
Our Bible reading for today is in Genesis chapters 43, 44, 45.
“The road toward repentance...”
Two things immediately get my attention at the beginning of today’s bible reading......that cause me to shake my head.
The record says Jacob sent his boys back to Egypt for more food. And it’s strange to me that this father doesn't mention his second-born, Simeon, who has been an Egyptian prisoner for months now as a pledge for the family...and if the family in Canaan doesn't come through, then forget more food and forget Simeon coming home. And remember, Simeon has a wife and six children at home worrying about him.
And all this dad can do is direct an angry question at his other sons: “Why did you tell the man that you have another brother?”
The family climate of favoritism...created years ago by a selfish father...raises it’s ugly head again. No wonder there is no attitude of godly sorrow for sin in the lives of Jacob’s 10 sons before him.
...Everyone looking out for himself...starting with dad. Not good! But maybe God has these boys and this father on a road to repentance.
I kind of think so.
Listen to how Jacob ends his back and forth with Judah about taking Benjamin to Egypt with them.
“May God have mercy on you before the man...may the man send your brothers, Simeon and Benjamin, back with you...”
A good sign.
Another thing caught my attention in the argument between Jacob and his fourth born, Judah. This young man left the homestead...hooked up with Canaanite guys for friends...and married a Canaanite woman. Obviously, Judah decided to take a different path.
Now, years later, he is back home, fighting for his family...not just himself...his dad, his brothers, and their families, and especially imprisoned Simeon and his dad’s last-child, Benjamin...even vowing to take care of Benjamin and to bring him back home safe and sound...and if he couldn't, God and Egypt could take his life.
Interesting...Judah and his brothers, twenty years before, threatened and carried out the betrayal of their father’s first favorite son...causing so much family heartache.
Now, these same brothers are putting this present favorite son, Benjamin, of first and foremost consideration...and themselves last...even unto death.
Yes, I'd say that God has this family on the road to repentance.
And reconciliation? Well, that’s the rest of the story.
Have a good rest of the day.
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January 26th
Our Bible reading for today is Genesis chapters 41 and 42.
**This is the beginning of one of my favorite God stories in the Bible. Why? Because Joseph is a type of Christ in the sense that he is a sort of savior. You could say that Joseph saved an entire nation from starvation. So that is why some would call him a savior. Where Christ saved a world of believing sinners from the judgment of God. And that makes Him the ultimate savior. Joseph was given power over Egypt as their savior. Jesus was given all power in heaven and on earth as the all-powerful savior. Joseph was not recognized by his brothers. Jesus was not recognized by most of his Jewish brothers as the Messiah/Savior He was. Joseph was a good savior for a nation who needed food. Jesus was and is a great and sufficient savior for a world who needs the living bread of eternal life.
**There is another reason why I'm drawn to this story.
For thirteen years Joseph has served as slave and prisoner in Egypt. And there is no record in scripture of Joseph’s bitterness toward his brothers who betrayed him. Instead, he says, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good.”
Joseph believed in the hidden providence of God. Instead of saying, “Why me?”...Joseph said, “Why not me...God’s up to something good...just show me how to get in on it Lord.” Joseph believed in the God who brings good out of evil for His people.
Yes, I too believe that no matter how dark things can get, God’s hand is always in control...for His glory...even beyond me...beyond my comfort...beyond my understanding...Why?
Listen to William Cowper...poet and Christian hymn writer...contemporary and good friend of John Newton, who wrote Amazing Grace...
“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace.
Behind a frowning providence, it is a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour,
The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower.”
Amen William!
And there is one more reason why this Bible story inspires my heart.
“God is using a young man greatly.” Oh that God would raise up more young believers to use and older ones to aid them!
That young man in our reading is Joseph. He has dreamed dreams that will come true in his day. He has been betrayed by his own brothers. He has been sold to be a servant of the Captain of the Guard of Pharaoh. He has been convicted and imprisoned for ten years for a crime he never committed...all for God’s purposes...Not just for Joseph, but for his whole family.
While Joseph was in an Egyptian prison, God used him to help a man. He interpreted his dream and it came true. Two years later, where we are in today’s reading, Joseph is interpreting the Pharaoh’s dreams...which led young Joseph to say.....
“God is showing Pharaoh what He is about to do.”...not what he, Joseph, was going to do, but what God is going to do.
Upon telling the Pharaoh the meaning of the dreams, Joseph added how the Pharoah could cooperate with God in saving his nation from severe famine. Pharoah was more than impressed with young Joseph.
He was driven to make Joseph the overseer of God’s plan to protect and provide for Egypt and the world from the devastating famine to come.
Pharaoh made Joseph second in command in all of Egypt, just behind the Pharoah.
Joseph as a boy was favored. Joseph as a teenager was destined for God’s use. Joseph as a young adult was tested.
What was God doing?
He was getting Joseph right where he wanted him to be...
....from prisoner in Egypt to governor over all Egypt.
A strange journey to say the least...but it was God’s, all mapped out before it began.
What a story Joseph would have for his kids and grandchildren.
What’s your journey like friend? Whatever it is, let’s say yes to God...
And then we too will have a “rest of the story to tell.
Have a great day!
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January 25th
Our bible reading today is in Genesis chapters 38,39 40.
We start out learning a little more about Jacob’s fourth son, Judah. We already know that his name means “to be praised.”
We also, already know...that he joined Rueben in saving young Joseph from the other brother’s murderous plot against the dreamer.
Though Judah resented his little brother for his obvious favor with their dad, Judah wasn’t up for murder. Perhaps Judah should be praised for his rescue effort, but what happens next does not live up to his name.
According to the text, Judah leaves his brothers in Mamre and moves to the Canaanite town of Adullam. Hirah of Adullam becomes Judah’s new best friend...At least friend enough to persuade Judah to take Shua, a Canaanite woman for his wife.
Already, Judah has broken away from his family, which was not customary for Jacob’s clan...
and he has integrated with Canaanites, which Abraham, Isaac, and his dad, Jacob warned the family not to do. (Even missionary dating would have been frowned upon).
Today we learn that Judah had three sons by Shua. Wonder which one of those sons would join the divine lineage of the promised Messiah.
None of them!
By the names given to the boys, Er, Onan, and Shelah, we know that Judah and his wife raised the boys as Canaanites, not Israelites. And that means the boys would have been raised at the altars of Baal, Asherah, Dagon, or a host of other false gods instead of Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Apparently the two oldest boys lived the pagan lifestyle...rampant immorality and godlessness.
When Judah’s oldest reached the age of marriage, he chose a Canaanite woman, Tamar, for Er’s wife. Er was wicked in his heart, the bible says. God killed him. Was God saving Tamar?
Next, Tamar married Er’s younger brother, Onan...he was just like his older brother...wicked and selfish and.... unwilling to raise up a child to the memory and legacy of his dead brother. Onan refused the ancient custom. And God put him to death too.
For most of us, passages like these cause us at least some pause. Most of us pass over it without much thought. Most of us hope that we don't get the “Why” question from our children or friends.
But as sincere readers of the book that God authored for us, we must ask the same question we ask in every chapter...every passage...”What’s God up to in this portion of His story?” “What is it that we are to understand from His activity here?”
We know, from the genealogy of Jesus Christ found in Matthew’s Gospel account, that Tamar is mentioned in that genealogy....and why?...because her son, by Judah, Perez, is in the line of Christ.
So what do we see in the reading of God’s Word today?
Some rebellion...some evil...some life...some putting to death...some justice...some mercy...
some Jews...some Gentiles...
And governing all?!...not in the same way...but sovereignly fulfilling His divine purposes...
is our Almighty God...
“In whose hands is the life and death of all mankind.” Job 12
“...Working all things together for good...to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”
And who is a sinner today...you and me...
and when justice was served, who took our place...
and when mercy and grace was poured out on us, who gave us repentance and faith to believe...who forgave our sins and gave us his eternal life?...
JESUS...He is always better!
Have a good day!
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January 24th
Our Bible reading is in Genesis chapters 35,36,37.
God spoke to Jacob again.
He said, “Get up and go...”Which implied...”Jacob, you and your family have been here in Shechem long enough. My purpose for you now lies in Hebron, where your father is.”
Some commentators concentrate primarily on Jacob’s activity...And pretty much say, “Don't follow Jacob’s example. Much trouble came to him and his family because “he stayed in Shechem too long.”
Fellow follower of Christ, believer in and reader of the Bible, always remember, the Bible is God’s story. When we read, we must always frame man’s activity by God’s activity...FIRST!
Instead of first seeing Jacob’s trouble as something he brought on himself, by his poor judgments, let us first see what God was up to in and through the trouble that was Jacob’s to bear.
God had more lessons to teach Jacob and his children...lessons that would protect them and lessons that would forever guide them and their descendants to Him.
*And God chose trouble for His classroom there in Schechem.
“Now get up and go...God said to Jacob. “Go to Bethel and dwell there. And make an altar there to the God that appeared to you as you fled from your brother Esau.”
God was getting Jacob and his family back together...in Mamre/ Hebron. There would be more trouble to bear on this trip. God was calling Jacob and His family to the altar in Bethel...the place where Jacob first encountered the God of heaven and earth...remember the ladder?
The family would dwell there for a while, maybe a few months. Living in Bethel would give them some rest and some spiritual perspective. And then it was time for them to leave.
After 40 miles and more than a week’s difficult travel through the Judean mountains, not quite to Ephratha (Bethlehem)...Jacob’s wife of 20 years, Rachel, died in childbirth...Jacob’s first love...for whom he worked 14 years...for her hand in marriage. That would be hard.
And then, not long after that challenge, Jacob and his family would finally reach their destination after 5 years. Finally, after 25 years, Jacob would see his father again. And then the Bible says, Jacob’s father, Isaac, died. At least Jacob got to be there and say goodbye to his dad. But that was hard too.
Not many months later, after perhaps the hardest year of Jacob’s life, his sons stood before him with a bloody robe. “What is this? Isn't this the robe of my youngest son? Has an animal ravaged his body? He has been devoured.”..This, Jacob said before he tore his robe and began to mourn for days. That was hard.
God was up to something in the life of Jacob and his family...something that would shape their life message forever. And what God was up to
“is the rest of the story...”
And By the way...Jesus Christ, God the Son, came from the lineage of this bunch. And in Christ, we are in the lineage of their faith walk with God. It really gets interesting from here. Let’s keep reading.
Have a great day.
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January 23rd
Our bible reading is in Genesis chapters 32,33,34.
Jacob and his large family and servants and cattle and flocks left the wilderness of Paddan Aram (northeast, in present-day Turkey) heading toward Canaan, the “promised land”, given by God in a promise to Abraham and his descendants...which included Jacob and his family.
Just a few miles into the journey, Laban and his sons and servants caught up with Jacob’s tribe. After an exchange of heated words and accusations, Jacob and Laban agreed to a friendly parting...confirmed by two piles of stones. In the days and years to come, when the children would ask about the stones piled up there, those that knew the story would tell of the promises that Jacob and Laban made to each other for the sake of their families.
The promises that were made between Jacob’s family and Laban’s...they were made and they were broken, many times, over many generations. We could say that the stones lost their meaning.
But there was a promise made and a stone nearby to testify to the keeping of it...a promise made by a young stonemason/carpenter in Judah years after Jacob and Laban died.
...a promise that was made and not broken...
...and there was a rather large stone that pointed toward an empty grave and the promise kept...for all who believed.
Jesus Christ said,
“I am the resurrection and the life, he that believes in me, though he should die, yet shall he ever live.” John 11:25
Obviously we can't say it any better than the very words of Jesus as recorded in John...But maybe... a few lyrics of a song by Dallas Holm, written in 1978, will help you, just like it has helped Bev and me, for 42 years, to remember this promise and strengthen your faith for the days to come.
“Go ahead, drive the nails in my hands...Laugh at me, where you stand. Go ahead and say it isn't me, The day will come and you will see...
Cause I’ll rise...again Ain't no power on earth that can tie me down... Yes, I’ll rise....again, Death can't keep me in the ground.
Go ahead and mock my name...My love for you is still the same... Go ahead and bury me... But very soon I will be free
Go ahead and say I'm dead and gone...But you will see that you were wrong... Go ahead... try to hide the son But all will see... that I'm the One.
Cause I’ll come... again Ain't no power on earth can hold me back Yes, I’ll come... again... Come to take my people back.
Thanks, Lord...Your cross and Your empty grave...promise made and promise kept so we are inspired to believe that you're coming back...just as You have promised...halleluiah!!!
Some introduction right?
But the rest of the story is too encouraging to pull up now.
Back to the text...Jacob and his family continued toward home. There should have been excitement, but instead, there was great fear. Jacob feared that his brother still held a murderous grudge against him...and perhaps against his whole family.
Now, look what God did.
A band of angels...God’s warrior host... met Jacob on the way. Jacob was encouraged. He even named the next place where they stopped for the night...
Mahanaim...” two camps “...ours and God’s together.
Did that take all the fear away? No, didn't seem to...
So...look what God did next...
God Himself wrestled with fearful, confused, desperate Jacob all night....bringing Jacob to the humble end of himself...touching Jacob’s hip...dislocating it for the rest of his days...causing a limp of continual repentance for pride and belief in God’s strength and promises. God wrestled with Jacob until Jacob admitted his need for God. God blessed him with a limp and a new name...Israel...from selfish deceiver to prince with God.
And guess what happened after that...that’s the rest of the story. Thanks for being on this journey of Bible in a Year.
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January 22nd
Our Bible reading for today is Genesis chapters 30 & 31.
At this time in biblical history, Jacob was a grown man in his early forties. He has been living near the city of Haran in the wilderness of Padann Aram for the last twenty years. His father Isaac sent him there to find a wife from the family of his mother. (Behind the scenes, Jacob’s mother was strongly suggesting the same trip, but with a slightly different motive: to hide from his angry brother, Esau, who vowed to kill Jacob because he stole His “firstborn” blessing.)
Well, Jacob made it to the region of his mother’s birth. He wound up working for his mom’s brother...and marrying two of his uncle’s daughters.
And so we’ve come to today’s reading.
At first, I thought...”Wow, this is ugly. Two sisters, sharing the same husband, at the same time, competing for his attention and devotion. And they use their children by Jacob to make their case for superiority in their separate relationships with Jacob. That had to be a dysfunctional situation.
“Me against you. Yours against mine.” How was all that going to work?
Answer: God...He was working His plan and using imperfect people to accomplish it.
I cannot help but see the sovereign activity of God in this portion of scripture.
Cutting to the chase, Jacob had 12 sons from his marriages to Leah and Rachel. From these sons would come the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. From those 12, God chose one tribe from whom the Messiah would be born.
Surely God would choose one of Rachel’s sons since Rachel was Jacob’s, first love. Surely God would choose Joseph since he was Jacob’s favorite son out of the twelve.
But it didn't happen like that. God chose Leah and her fourth-born son, Judah.
Listen to the Messianic Psalm 78...
“God rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves” (vv. 67–68).
God chose...God elected...God sovereignly determined the lineage of Jesus Christ.
Go back with me...Before Jacob left home, his dad blessed him...told him of his God-given destiny. “God chose you, to be the son of the promise given to Abraham...through you, a great nation will come forth...You will have the land God promised your grandfather.”
Did you see it? Did you hear it? God chose Jacob, not Esau. That choosing came before the twins were born. That declaration...that prophetic decree... that the older will serve the younger...was made by God long before the boys could have been shaped by their experiences. God elected and chose the path and the people that He would use to fulfill His sovereign purposes.
And Jacob’s dad, Isaac, ....most surely told his son...” my brother Ishmael came before me...but God chose me to be the son of the promise that God gave my dad...a promise about a great nation and a great land...and now it has passed down to you...Jacob...you’re the chosen....and some nights in Haran 20-30 years later....yes dad...dysfunctional family and all.”
God promised that Jacob would become a great nation...and he did. God promised that from that people all the families of the earth would be blessed...and they have been through the coming of Jesus Christ...his life, his death, and his resurrection...unto eternal life for all who believe Him.
Enjoy the rest of the story.
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January 21st
Our Bible reading today is Genesis chapters 27,28,29.
These three chapters are full of “Important Characters” in the story of God’s work of redemption for a world of people who would believe God...until they didnt...until they did again.
There’s old Isaac. There’s zealous Rebecca. There’s careless Esau. There’s wimpy Jacob. There’s deceptive Laban. There’s selfish Leah. And there’s patient Rachel.
I want us to think back a couple of chapters (and 20 years) where pregnant Rebecca converses with God and more importantly, God talks to her. She was having twins. Rebecca told God that the twins seemed to be fighting in her womb. God said in a prophecy, “The two boys represent two competing nations.
“And the older will serve the younger.”
Now back to today’s reading... (when the twins were in their early twenties)...where we listen to a conversation between Isaac and his firstborn, Esau. Dad told the “son he loved” to go hunting...then prepare my favorite meal...bring it to me...we will feast together...and then I will bless you before I die.
Over the years, I've wondered if Rebecca was more in tuned to God’s will than her husband, Isaac. It was certainly a possibility.
We could all tell the story of a wife and mother who proved to be wiser in spirit than her husband. I'm not so sure that’s the case here.
But Isaac was the “son of promise” to his parents and a coming great nation that God would raise up through his descendants.
Surely he was aware and spiritually alert to God’s will for one of his sons to be the “son of the promise” that God had given Abraham for a great blessing....on a great nation...that would prove to bless all the families of the world...which was and is Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
Apparently, from our story today, Rebecca was worried that her husband was about to make a big mistake. So she took things into her own hands.
“She” would make sure that God’s prophesy came true...that the older would serve the younger and not the other way around.
That would mean (to Rebecca) that Isaac’s intention to bless his oldest had to be changed...even if Jacob had to lie.
So she convinced Jacob to go along with her deceptive scheme. Together they would trick Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn, Esau.
**By the way, young Jacob did voice a concern to his mother before her plan was put into action. “But mom, what if dad recognizes that I'm not really Esau...then instead of him blessing me, he will curse me.” Rebecca answered, “if that happens then the curse is on me...don't worry...everything is going to be fine...do what your mother says.”
Rebecca’s plan worked...she and Jacob deceived Isaac into giving firstborn blessing to Jacob instead...both averted the curse.
Or did they?
The son Rebecca loved had to run and hide from Esau for 20 years. Esau had vowed to kill his brother for stealing his birthright blessing. Rebecca never saw Jacob again. The curse was upon her, at least partly.
And the son that Rebecca loved, did he get away scot-free? Not hardly. He had to leave his home and parents. He had to hide in a foreign land. ...Every day, wondering if his angry brother and his friends would find and kill him. And most of all, he had to leave the promised land that was tied to his achieved blessing.
Hearing Rebecca say “The curse is on me”...” everything is going to be fine”...she couldn't pull that off. Jacob had to bear his own. This is where Jesus is completely better. He bore the curse of our sin upon Himself and died on the cross so we wouldn't have to pay for our sins and have eternal life instead.
Friends, there is so much more to the story. Enjoy the rest of it.
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January 20th
Our Bible reading for today is Genesis chapters 25 & 26.
Let’s jump right in.
Abraham married again after the death of his wife, Sarah. Sarah died at age 127. Abraham would have been 137. Three years later, their son Isaac married Rebekkah. And It was after that wedding that Abraham married again.
He and Keturah were married 35 years and had six sons.
Some have said that Keturah was Hagar by another name. But there is no biblical evidence of that.
In the Chronicles, Keturah is called Abraham’s concubine. So the Genesis record refers to Keturah as Abraham’s wife and the Chronicles, a concubine. I'm stumped too. But background study of the times makes it clear that men had a primary wife, that they lived with until death. But men could also legally have a secondary wife for childbearing.
My educated guess is that’s where Hagar came in. And perhaps Keturah was like a secondary wife per custom whom Abraham married after Sarah died.
I want to believe that maybe Sarah got sick and Abraham needed help caring for her...and that Keturah was promised a lifelong commitment from Abraham should Sarah die before Abraham did. And I want to believe that Abraham kept himself pure unto Sarah and only had relations with Keturah after Sarah died and they became husband and wife.
I suppose we will understand it better bye and bye.
Abraham died at age 175.
Before Abraham died, he did some interesting things.
First...Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.”
That meant that Isaac became the head of the family...spiritually, financially, politically, and business-wise. And with this revelation, any thought that Abraham’s 1st son, Ishmael, by Hagar, might just be in the covenant picture going forward....that thought was dashed when Isaac took the keys from his father.
He owned the land and all that was on it...final decisions about family matters were his...and when his Dad wished to bless Isaac’s 7 brothers with gifts from the family wealth, Isaac would have had to sign off on it...(and apparently he did).
Now...let’s look at the “second interesting thing” Abraham did right before he died.
Since two sons, Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham next to Sarah his wife in the cave of Machpelah...
“Abraham must have worked to bring the young men together”...
...to ask them to oversee his burial.
Abraham had plenty of loyal servants and friends that would have seen to every detail of Abraham’s burial and funeral. But in Abraham’s last days, it wasn't pomp and circumstance that was on his mind...it was FAMILY.
Whatever it was that separated the family...it must be overcome...whatever it was, that separated these brothers, pride or prejudice or anything else...it must be dealt with and put away forever going forward. Good dads want that for their children.
**Now just me thinking out loud...Maybe Abraham was trying one more time to make sure both of these sons shared their father’s faith with the assurance of eternal salvation.
“Good job, Abraham.”
One more interesting thing that Abraham did before he died... “He gave gifts to his 6 sons by Keturah and sent them away to the land of the east.”
Why? Only an educated guess. Midian was one of Abraham’s sons by Keturah. The Midianite people came from Midian. And guess who spent 40 years in exile in the desert of Midian....the same guy that married the daughter of the priest of Midian...Moses...and Zipporaha led Moses to faith in the Lord of Abraham. God was preparing the way for Moses...to know God and be used of God to deliver Israel from Egypt. Wow!
And from Israel?...guess who came...our Jesus...our Savior and God...in whom we believe...and God set that up too
Praise His name...Enjoy the rest of the story.
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January 19th
Our bible reading today is Genesis Chapters 22 23 & 24.
***Is there anything in the lives of the characters in today’s reading that I need in my life?
Chapter 22...Abraham believed/trusted God again in a big way. “Lord, help me to trust You in specific ways today.”
Chapter 23...The Hittites helped Abraham in a big way. “Lord, like Abraham, help me to not be afraid to ask others for help.”
Chapter 24...God answered Abraham’s servant’s prayer in a big way. “Lord, always remind me of this servant’s prayer...to the point and detailed.”
Thanks, Lord for using these fellow believers in You to help me/us grow in our spiritual lives.
***Is there a clear picture of God’s activity in the lives of His people in the pages of our bible reading today?
Yes...and that activity?...
GOD PROVIDES...FOR HIS OWN! That is how God is active in the lives of His children. And so where do we see it today?
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God provided a lamb for Abraham and Isaac.
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God provided a burial place for Sarah.
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God provided a wife for Isaac.
We are in for a treat in the bible reading for today.
But before we continue in the text, let me tell you how I envision a personal interview with Isaac in heaven one day.😊
“Thanks Isaac...for spending time with me. I have a few questions. “On this side of your experience with your Dad on Mt Moriah (when you were 17,) what do you remember about your Dad? “ He was very quiet for three days on our journey to Moriah. As I remember, he was pretty much to himself the night before we left....preparing for the trip, supplies and pack donkeys. “
“I have to ask, when did you know that you were the sacrifice for the altar? I had asked my father about that shortly before we reached the place where we would build the altar. He just said, “God would provide.” But to answer the question, “Dad had me sit upon the small stone altar and then he told me what God had commanded...” Take the son that you love with all your being to a mountain I will show you and there offer him as a burnt offering of worship to me.” We talked about it with tears. Dad reminded me that “I was the promise” of God to him and mother for a legacy to innumerable descendants from me for the future. And he further reminded both of us that God never ever breaks a promise. So I lifted my hands and arms and legs to my Dad so he could tie me with ropes before he laid me on the altar. He believed, and so did I, that if I was the lamb sacrifice, God would raise me back to life for our trip back home. The next thing I remember was a voice saying Abraham, Abraham, and my dad began to untie me...God had provided another....not only the ram for me there but later, the “lamb of God”, JESUS, the one and only sacrifice that was sufficient for all of us hear.”
Enjoy the rest of the story.
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January 18th
Our Bible reading for today is Genesis 19,20,21.
when I read the Bible, I'm always looking for “God activity”....” what God is doing,” in the text.
That revelation of God’ s activity not only adds to my knowledge of the magnificent will of God....
but it also teaches me His ways so that I can relate what is happening in the world around me to Him....to His divine rhyme and reason..... that fulfills His ultimate purposes for me, mine, and the world at large.
So what is God doing in this part of the story? He is doing what He does so often...He is rescuing His own. And should that rescue benefit others, to God be the glory.
In today’s reading, God rescues Lot and his family from the judgment of God upon Sodom.
Sounds a lot like a rescue mission that God pulled off for Noah and his family in the midst of a “flood” of judgment.
The Bible says that a great outcry against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah rose to heaven. Where did that outcry come from?
Remember the scripture that revealed the outcry of the blood of righteous Abel after he was murdered by his brother Cain?...and how that cry rose to God’s attention?
Remember the scriptures that described the outcries of God’s people living in Egypt as they were terrorized and brutalized by the Egyptian authorities and Egyptian people? And how those cries rose up to God?
Moses said that the sin of the Sodomite people was great...indicating that there was more than sodomy that oppressed the ever-widening community for years. And the cries of the innocent in and around Sodom and Gomorrah rose to heaven.
So Like God telling Abraham that the sin of the Amorite was not over yet, implying that there would come a day of judgment but not now.
God was saying that the day of Sodom’s sinning was over. God was going to destroy those cities, their entire populations, and the surrounding peoples that made their living from the wicked Sodomites.
No telling how many times prophets of God came to the city gates and cried out against the rampant wickedness. The text today says that Lot was sitting in “the city gates” of Sodom when the two angelic messengers from heaven came to rescue him.
What was Lot doing there? Well, many did business there. Maybe Lot was doing business there. City leaders made speeches there. Maybe Lot had become one of the city leaders, because of his great wealth.
I can't help but remember the prophet Amos, the doomsday prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel. He prophesied the coming judgment of God. And he did this in their city gates. Amos was rebuffed and rejected by city leaders.
I wonder if Lot heard the prophets in the city gates of Sodom. I wonder if Lot was one of the leaders that turned away prophets from the gates. I wonder if his conscience burned at their message to repent. I wonder...“what in the world was Lot doing there in the first place”.
Answer: Getting ready to be rescued.
After doing some of the things I did in shadowy places in High School and College, You might very well ask, “What in the world was he doing there in the first place?” Lot’s answer fits me too...”Getting ready to be rescued by Jesus Christ...even when I was not looking for Him He was seeking after me! Good News indeed!
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January 17th
Our bible reading today is Genesis 16,17,18.
Yesterday’s reading introduced us to the faith of Abram....(Can't wait until we read the record 35 yrs in the future when God honored his heroic faith...like few others down through the years.) But Today’s reading introduces us to his unbelief. Yesterday’s reading showed us promise and hope for the future. Today’s scriptures show us anxiety and misguided initiative.
One day Abram is full of faith. Ten years later, he is not. One day he is listening to God. Ten years later, he is not. One day he is waiting on God. Ten years later, he is not. One day he is influencing his wife to believe God’s promise. Ten years later, he’s not.
It has been ten years since God gave Abram the promise of great blessing. And being familiar with God keeping His promises to His people, I'm certain that God was actively involved in Abram’s life with many blessings in those 10 years...some recognized....but some probably not.
Abraham’s wife, Sarah, had become anxious about her not being able to conceive. So instead of believing God’s promise given to her husband, she sets aside her faith in God’s plan and comes up with one of her own. “Here honey, take my servant, Hagar, go into her and have a son for us...the heir that God promised.”
Now her impatience with God was not good. Her unbelief in God’s words was worse still. And suggesting that her husband take another woman to conceive his heir...that wasn't just desperate, that was shameful. (On this side of the story, we would have certainly counseled Sarah to wait on God’s timing and trust His power for conception.)
So...when we are inclined to rag on Sarah, saying, “That was just wrong sister...you knew better than that...then we read something worse.
Abraham listened to his wife...
(instead of God) ...
and bought into her plan...
...bedding Hagar, instead of telling his wife...
“Absolutely not!”...we will wait on the good promise and perfect timing of God.”
Abraham defaulted to the easiest path...forget God...forget morality...forget confronting your wife...and forget your husband/responsibility to lead your wife spiritually.
Ten years ago, faith was full in Abraham’s life and marriage. God was big and could be trusted. Now ten years later, faith was just about on empty. And God was small and insufficient to meet their needs.
Today in heaven, Sarah is only laughing at herself... and would eagerly remind us of the angel’s message to her so long ago..”Is there anything too hard for God?”
Wow...O how her message points us to our Savior Jesus...”Was death and burial too hard for Christ...no, his resurrection proved that”. Friends in Christ, “were all of our sins together too many for him to save us from?...No...our changed lives prove that.
Enjoy the rest of the story!
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January 16th
Our reading for today is Genesis chapters 12,13,14,15.
Im excited about the next days of Bible reading. The stories of God’s activity and Abram’s responses are extremely inspiring to me. Scripture teaches us that Abram was the Father of the “full of faith”. The apostle Paul told the Church at Galatia that they who believed in the Lord Jesus were sons and daughters of Abraham...for as Abram’s faith in the Lord was counted unto him for eternal righteousness, so our faith is counted unto us for righteousness...that is, a right standing before God. Wow...That’s good company!
Continuing in the text...God was getting His people where He wanted them...from Ur of the Chaldeans to Canaan. But Terah and his sons stopped halfway...at Haran...where they settled for quite a few years. Terah would die there. Then God spoke...to Abram...” Go from your country, your kindred, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”
This is where the story of Abram’s faith begins. He said “yes” to God. That is where faith starts. Faith starts with a commitment to God’s words. Before He ever speaks to us, we have already said, YES. So whatever He does say, we believe it and we act upon it. That’s faith.
Did you notice, God didn't tell Abram the destination. Can you imagine telling your wife and kinfolk that you're leaving the homestead shortly...maybe forever...and when they ask you where you're going...you say, I'm not sure yet...God said He would show me. Now that’s the kind of faith I want to walk in.
I'm so impressed with how God spoke and Abram listened. I was told years ago by one of my spiritual heroes, Henry Blackaby, that hearing God speak (through His Word by the Holy Spirit) was crucial to my Christian life. So when I have hit the proverbial “spiritual wall” in my Christian life, I know that I must get back to listening....with open Bible and no deadlines and absolutely no conditions...just YES!
God spoke promises to Abram to build hope and greater faith in his heart toward God. The first promise mentioned in the passages that we’re reading today is God telling Abram that He is going to make of Abram a great nation. God says, “I'm going to bless you and make your name great. I'm going to make you a blessing to all the families on the earth. And I'm going to give your descendants a land.” And by the way, God has fulfilled all of those promises...just like He promised in Genesis 15 by way of the “blood path” ceremony...”I'm going to be Your God and you're going to be my people...And if I'm not faithful to you, you can kill me like the lamb whose blood covers this path. And if you and your descendants are not full of faith toward me, then you can kill me in the same bloody way the other lamb was slain.” (I'm going to be your God and you're going to be my people...**fast forward to the cross of Christ...” the blood path ceremony” prophesied in today’s reading...Jesus, the lamb of God that was slain for us... for our sin...for our unfaithfulness to God...that we who believe can have God’s eternal life.)
There’s much more to be heard in this reading. It’s the rest of the story...be encouraged by it.
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January 15th
We have come to the end of the biblical record of the patriarch Job... as found in the book by his name...Job Chapters 40,41,42.
We need to note some important God activity.
1. God is straight forward about sin, especially in the lives of His faithful people. (People who trust in Him for their eternal salvation are His salt and light in the world. In The Lord, we influence others to believe and show the way in the darkness toward real-life...unconfessed sin only hinders that influence...that path showing.)
God told satan that Job was a righteous man, upright in all his ways. And, God told satan that Job would worship God for nothing. Early on in Job’s trial period, he proved God’s case very well. But after months and months of physical suffering, Job’s faith in God was shaken (not broken) and he began to question God and accuse God of wrong. And now it was God’s turn to speak. “
“Shall a “fault-finder” contend with the Almighty God? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” “ (So Job, You are now a man who argues with God...finding fault with God and His ways...)
“Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me and put yourself in the right?” (So Job, you who championed my purposes for years, now you curse me?)
Perhaps Job had forgotten his angry outbursts at God. But God reminded him of his offenses and guilt...He humbled Job to the innermost part of his heart. (God doesn't play around with our sinning. He wants to get us to repentance... where God’s blessing flows.)
And that brings us to the second revelation of God that we need to hang onto.
2. God responds with mercy and strength toward the repentant...Job confessed to God that he was wrong to disrespect and condemn the Almighty...”I was a man without knowledge....speaking without understanding...I heard of you with my ears, but now I have seen you with my eyes...therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Then what did God do?
He blessed Job with His trust...(Don't you know that Job wondered if God would ever trust him again?) He gave Job a great responsibility...to work with God in helping his three friends to get right with God...first he would forgive them for their hurtful accusations toward him...and then he could pray for them, for an outpouring of God’s mercy and grace...
And what else did God do upon Job’s sincere repentance for speaking and acting like he was God? God not only restored Job back to his wanted health but He..., well that’s the rest of the story...Job was once again under the spout where the glory comes out.
Great ending...but it pales in the light of what God does for those who change their minds and begin to believe Jesus...when He says, Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near you....saying: It’s me...follow me and I will forgive your sins and give you everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven....both now and forever!
Friends Have a great rest of your day.
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January 14th
Our Bible reading today is Job chapters 38,39. It may be short, but no less revealing.
After months, maybe close to a year, per some commentators, all Job wanted was a hearing with God. Well, he was about to get the whole load.
God was about to reveal the magnificent mysteries of creation. And since man (in particular, Job and his three outspoken friends) understood so little of God’s will and work of creation, how could “they” claim to understand God’s ways in reference to Job’s trial?
Job had silenced his friends but didn't convince them. Elihu silenced Job, but didn't humble him. Now it pleased God to step into the conversation...and begin to bring Job right where He wanted him.
“Note the prInciple of God’s timing.”
It seems as though God could have interposed so much sooner in Job’s severe trial. But He didn't. I remember a verse at the end of Isaiah 60...”I am God...At the right time, I will make it happen.”...God’s message through the prophet to the children of Israel...”There is coming a day when the sun will never go down and the moon will never fade...for the Lord will be your everlasting light. There is coming a day when all of your mourning will be over. All of your people will be righteous and you will possess the land forever....(referring to the future new heaven and new earth with God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.) And the message is finished with....”I am God...and at the right time I will make it happen.”
Much suffering would take place in Israel from Isaiah’s prophecy to today...but God’s time for deliverance of His faithful people (Jew and Gentile) is not yet...When it is right, God will make it happen.
Doesn't it seem to us that God could have stepped in for the sake of Job much sooner, and taught he and his friends the true wisdom of God earlier? But He didn't. There was a more perfect time for Him to make that happen. They would need to trust Him.
I'm reminded of the Apostle Paul’s message to the church in Galatia...
Galatians 4:4-7 ESV
“4 But when the “fullness of time had come” (When the time was right...when the time was perfect...), God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the (curse) of the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son/a daughter...then an heir through God.”
There was a right time for God to intervene and speak to Job. And that was good.
But one more time we are reminded that there was something awesomely better...There was a “perfect time” for God to send His Son to save us...and He made it happen!
Thanks, Lord and thanks for Your Word that inspires and encourages us to do life together with You for another glorious day.
Enjoy the rest of the story.
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January 13
Our Bible reading today is Job 35,36,37.
The young messenger, Elihu, in 6 chapters and three distinct speeches, was passionate, to say the least.
In his heart, he believed that the three friends of Job were wrong. “Suffering is not the proof of wickedness, but rather the proof of God being up to something in the life of that person and family.”
And Job had been wrong too. “Suffering in the life of those rightly related to God by faith was not the proof of an Almighty God simply wielding His random will without rhyme or reason.....or, that it was a sign of enmity with God. But instead, that particular suffering was a proof of God’s love...His grace for transforming a heart and life toward God at a new level.
Continuing in the text...Elihu’s words seem harsh at times. Listen to these stinging words to Job from young Elihu...” Will your wealth keep you from distress? Will all the force of your strength keep you from suffering?".., “ “turn from your wickedness...that is, from the vice of complaining against God...and start learning from your affliction” Job 36 ...Wow, some hard words...but necessary.
At the same time, Elihu’s words were full of substance. For instance, in Job 33, Elihu says, “God speaks to man in two ways."
He speaks through dreams and suffering....And, that suffering was for man’s good...not to punish him, but to save him...from pitfalls and judgment. Praise God for that...it reminds us of the Apostle Paul’s message in Romans 8:28...”For all things work together for good for those who love God..”
Another way we can know that Elihu’s words were in harmony with God’s work and will...read ahead to the last chapter and see where Job “repented” before God for his prideful questioning of God after Elihu’s exhortation to that end.
Early on in my Christian life, as a 19 yr old college sophomore, I was encouraged by my pastor, Paul Burleson, to get in the Word and stay in the Word. And I was taught from scripture that the Holy Spirit, (who indwelled me from the day of my conversion to Christ), that same Holy Spirit would infill me with the very life, love, and light of Christ and would always guide me into the truth. So, I would and still to this day, read the Bible anticipating the Spirit to point me to Christ (who is the truth) in those pages and help me to understand The will of God and empower me to live in harmony with the Lord.
So you ask me, “Jim, what do you see of Jesus in Elihu’s last speech to Job?” Well, I see and hear Jesus speaking to Nicodemus. Elihu had a hard message and he delivered it, trusting God with the result. Jesus told an enquiring Jewish religious leader, who had accumulated all the religious merit badges and community appreciation plaques that were offered and earned over years of a religious journey that took him to the top...leadership of the Sanhedrin....and Jesus told him that all those medals meant nothing with God...only a faith relationship with Jesus Christ would do...” the Son of Man must be lifted up and he that believes Him will have eternal life.” In other words, You must be born again...this time spiritually.
That’s a hard message for someone who was counting on all that he had done to get him into God’s favor. And Jesus left the result with the Father.
Elihu was telling the truth. Jesus was and ever will be the truth of eternal life. Jesus is always better.
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January 12th
Our Bible reading today is found in Job 32,33,34.
The debate between Job and his friends is over. After all these weeks and months, nothing has changed. Job’s body is still racked with disease. His flesh has changed colors, not by the sun, but by the rot of infection. His attempts to endure the pain has drained him of strength...so weakness and fatigue have replaced it. Nothing has changed with Job’s suffering.
And nothing has changed with the theology of his friends. They continue to blame Job for God’s judgment. They continue to declare that Job is living in self-righteousness and unconfessed sin...an arrogance that deserves such suffering. **The counselors finished the way they started. They still believed that unrighteous behavior deserved the punishments of God. So they looked upon the terrible condition of Job and deduced that he was really a very bad sinner...who would not repent. They looked upon their own good condition and deduced that they lived righteous lives that gave them an advantage with God. (Reminds me of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day...”O God, I am glad that I'm not a sinner like that pitiful man.”)
If anything changed in 29 chapters of Job’s life with pain, it was Job’s faith...slowly but surely it became a “shaken faith” in who God was...Let me explain: The Suffering Job praised God in the beginning, “My Redeemer Lives”, he sang...and Job believed God strongly in the middle of his suffering declaring, “Though He slay me, I will still put my hope in Him”...but toward the end, Job began to voice doubts about His relationship with God...saying, “I have become an enemy to God”....implying that God had wronged him at some point.
Knowing the end of Job’s story, I can tell you that Job’s faith was restored. But not without an unexpected helper. That’s where the next 5 chapters come in. Beginning with the introduction of a new and somewhat strange character in today’s reading...Elihu. He had one main message...listen for it.
Right off the bat, we learn that Elihu was a young man...much younger than Job and the three friends. How he came to be in the hearing of these four older men is not made clear. But obviously, out of respect, he held his peace until now. And without fear, young Elihu spoke truth. (I Remember Ruth and the charge her uncle gave her in the face of a very hard responsibility...” you were born for such a time as this...”...so was Elihu!)
He reproved Job’s friends. And he reproved Job. The Bible says Elihu spoke to them with words that burned with anger. (I want to liken it to Jesus’ righteous anger against the spiritual corruption promoted by priests and Sanhedrin in Jerusalem...)
Perhaps you have wondered, like me, if Elihu was just another critic who came late to the party. And then we read a little slower, a little closer.
In chapter 32 we hear the beginning of Elihu’s conversation...”I was young and you were aged...I was afraid to speak my opinion...I would let days teach wisdom...I would let number of years express wisdom and understanding...But I knew that it was the spirit in a man, the breath of The Almighty, that made him understand...it’s not the old who are wise or the aged who understand what is right...it’s the Spirit of God within them...” (Reminds me of what Pharoah said to his servants about Joseph...”Can we find a man like this in whom is the Spirit of God.”
Elihu was speaking his main message. Wisdom is found in God. It is the Spirit of God that gives wisdom and understanding. (I'm impressed with the young messenger so far.) But even more, impressed with the fact that Job and his friends were silent. That’s a first
My take on that?...the Spirit of God in Elihu spoke to the spirit of these men and brought conviction to their hearts...”And perhaps they said in their hearts, “I should be still now and know that the Lord, He is God, not me.” (Or they could have taken offense at what the young man said...probably more likely...but I hope not.)
What might Jesus have to say to Job now about suffering and death? I believe Christ, in all of His glory, would show Job his nail-pierced hands and feet and his spear pierced side. And say, “it was and is for the glory of God...so make much of Him now, and He will glorify you later. “
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January 11th
Our Bible reading is Job chapters 29, 30, 31.
After reading yesterday’s texts, we were ready to add Job’s name to the physical record in Hebrews 11...that “Hall of Faith” that included the likes of Abel and Enoch and Noah and Abraham and Sarah and Isaac and Jacob and Joseph and Moses and Rahab and Gideon and Samson and Daniel and martyrs for the Good News of God in Christ...all of whom the world was not worthy...and on and on....people who believed God...in all kinds of circumstances...Trusting in Him for their salvation.
Am I still sold on Job for induction into God’s Hall of Faith?
After today’s reading, maybe not as unanimously as I felt yesterday. Job’s attitude changes a bit...***justifying himself rather than deferring to God’s unseen and still perfect plans for His glory. ...a common default even by committed believers, being pressed beyond measure. Moving on...
These three chapters pretty much end Job’s debate with his friends over the cause of his suffering. These verses comprise Job’s last appeal to God for an understandable and reasonable cause for his months of misery in body and soul. He seems to concentrate on his case rather than on God’s...almost losing sight of the fact that God knows what He is doing...and He doesn't have to tell us. After this year, Job has not changed his mind, even before God. He still doesn't believe his critics that he has earned this pain with his sinning. (Somewhere in there I agree)...And Job continues:
“Would someone who has been known by his close fellowship with God continue in sin this much, this long?” “No...” Job would retort. Would someone in fellowship with God be the eyes to the blind?...the feet to the lame?...the father to the needy? “Yes, Job would rhetorically answer.” That’s me...You know it’s me.” What’s going on here? Why won't you change things for me?”
“Is not calamity for the unrighteous? Is not disaster for the workers of iniquity? Why don't you see my ways? I don't deserve this. “
“If I have walked with unconfessed falsehood and hastened to deceive...If my steps have turned aside from Your way...and my heart has gone after immorality without remorse...if I have not paid for service rendered in my fields, let thorns grow instead of wheat...all of that together would be a heinous crime, an iniquity punishable by the judges...even to the fires of Abbadon.” Job compares himself with others....another “go-to” place, even for sincere believers, when they are trying to make sense out of heartache on their own.
Job then finishes his closing remarks before the Righteous Judge/Almighty God...(Remember, Job still does not know and understand God’s contest with satan...) “O I wish that You would put in writing the reasons for my suffering. This would surely clear me of all the charges made against me by friend and foe alike.”
Is Job still a champion in the faith? Knowing the end of the story, and knowing the “imperfect” stories of other giants in the faith...I say yes.
But our true champion in the faith is Jesus. Always has been...always will be. Everything about his life and ministry, including his incredible suffering, was never about him....it was always about the Father and His glory and His amazing grace toward us! Amen and Amen!
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January 10th
In our reading today, in Job chapters 24 through 28, we hear a conversation between Job and his friend, Bildad, and Job and God. In the conversations, we hear frustrations, pointed accusations, defensive arguments, and honest questioning. Reminds us of conversations we have had with friends and God. Some of the back and forth can be the result of ignorance, or misguided arrogance, and even desperate longing for answers and truth. So some conversations can become debative, and even combative. But in love, if it leads to truth, it is worth the time and effort.
In yesterday’s reading of the Word, Job told Eliphaz that often times God had terrified him by His awesome power and judgments. But Job, who had a personal faith relationship with God, went on to say, “but even that will not keep me from honest conversation with God...He knows me and welcomes my yearning for the truth.”
And so he says out loud to God, with much respect, concerning God’s righteous prerogative to work HIS WILL with men...
“Is God wrong when He restrains Himself from judging the guilty (like you would have them judged)?” And is God wrong when He chooses to try the innocent?”
And Job continues...”But where will wisdom be found on this? Where is the place of understanding when it comes to suffering? The deep says it’s not in me. The sea says it’s not with me. The living cannot find this wisdom on suffering. The dead cannot find this understanding on suffering. Answer? God alone knows the reason and purpose of it. We trust Him and wait for Him to reveal His eternal purposes.
By the way...This reading brought to mind that the most innocent person who has ever lived on the earth, the Lord Jesus Christ, was crushed under unjust judgment...and it WAS God’s will. And it was and is good news for those of us who believe Him and believe in Him...for His suffering meant our eternal salvation.
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January 9th
In Job chapters 21,22,&23 God reveals the strategy of ambitious, self-righteous men. ...(we could say the strategy of hell). “They tell big lies. And they repeat them over and over and over again.” And though the false accusations of Job’s so-called friends were preposterous, completely absurd and contrary to Job’s nature, people throughout the region believed the lies rather than the plain truth about Job’s life. For years parents would tell their children to follow the example of Job’s relationship with God...and how that relationship demonstrated the showing of mercy and kind generosity to people of all walks of life. But then the lies about Job took on a life of their own and suddenly parents everywhere began to warn their children....”Look, kids, that huge sinner is finally getting what he deserves. Only real bad sinners suffer like Job is. Don't ever trust him.”
This passage also reveals the deep down convictions that Job had about his suffering...#1 God was the one doing the trying of Job’s faith...and #2 When God was through, Job would come out as gold.” (See if you can find some other convictions that Job had about his trials in today’s reading).
And how does this reading relate to the good news of God in and through Christ? “O that I knew where to find God...”Job cried in his suffering”....” yet, I am terrified at his presence...I am in dread of Him.”
Where do we find God? Is there a place between heaven and earth where we might find Him and not just be totally terrified? Let me suggest “At the Cross...At the cross where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was thereby faith I received my sight and now I am happy all the day.”
See you at the cross...
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January 8th
“Listen to Job’s personal testimony: “O that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! “For I know that my Redeemer lives”, and at the last, he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh, I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”
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January 7th
Our scripture reading today in Job (chapters 14-16) reveals hopeful beliefs that made up Job’s faith which encourages mine.
Now, remember, Job is still not comforted by his friends’ attempts at explaining his unfortunate reversals and continuing afflictions in body and soul. (They told him that he was “doing away with the fear of the Lord”. In other words, Job’s “big sin” must be no less than disregarding the humble worship of God and influencing others to do the same. **Wow...they must not have truly known Job at all. God called him a righteous man. They called him a phony. How could anyone stand up under such a bombardment of false accusations? Perhaps it was “who” Job believed...God rather than his self serving companions. And perhaps it was “what” Job believed...truth from God rather than the humanistic philosophy of men.
Here are a few hopeful beliefs that we find Job hanging onto when the pain of loss and being misjudged was coming close to overriding his life and message of faith in God.
1. Job believed God that “Life is short, not long...and God knows that”...in fact, God determines a person’s days upon the earth. And His determinations are perfect in accomplishing His devine purposes with us and through us. Once again, Job reminds us of the good and great Sovereignty of God...especially when we are struggling with “the whys” of life.
2. Job believed God that “Life is full of trouble...” including death...but God is in control of all of that too...regardless of how unexpected and cruel it may seem to us...for at the very least, as Job put it, “if we die we shall live again” in perfect harmony and fellowship with God our Savior and Lord...forever.
- And one more...Job believed God that “Life may seem to unfairly gang up against us, but God is our Advocate, committed to our eternal welfare...and God is our Witness...who says, “I know this man, and his testimony can be trusted.”
What would Job say about Jesus? “He’s the man, not me. I may have suffered unjustly for my own sins in some ways. But Jesus suffered unjustly, not for his own transgressions, but for ours who believe in Him. Yes, Jesus is better! Trust Him!
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January 6th
The passage before us (Job 10-13) is one of my favorites. God had told satan earlier that Job was special to Him. And when God told satan that Job was an upright man, He was saying that his neighbors could count on him to be truthful and fair in all of his dealings. Remember, this was God’s testimony of Job and He knew Job perfectly.
And note, Job believed that God would speak of him in such a way. Why? Because Job’s conscience was clear before God and man. Not perfect. Not sinless. But broken... "search me and know my heart” broken. Job would even say, “My doctrine is pure”...and “I am clean in God’s eyes”....that was not self-righteous talk...that was true spiritual humility, for Job knew who got the credit for such claims...God.
Job would say, “I dont know exactly what God is doing now, but I know that He is doing it...I know that this suffering is God’s sovereign hand upon my life. And He is perfectly righteous...He will only do right things to us. Now would Job go through dark nights of his soul during his trial? Absolutely. ...But stay with me.
Job would experience suffering like none other on the earth to that day.” Job spoke to God about it...not as though he was sinless, but because he was a “repentant” man...never allowing his sin list to get too long before his brokenness over sin would cause him to cry out to His God...appealing for mercy.
Job’s so-called friends continued to pile on their accusations that Job was a great sinner and that God was punishing him for his arrogant sinning. And Job denied the accusations, time and time again.
Those same friends, listening to Job’s cries to God for relief from his suffering, said: “How can you even talk to God, you sinner.”
And Job would reply, “Who else can I talk to...? (who knows me better? Who loves me more? And who do I love more?)
Job said: “there is no arbiter between us...there is no one else with absolute authority in a matter but God alone...so who else can I appeal to for relief from this affliction?...
Brethren, do you recall John 6, where most of the crowd following Jesus decided to follow Him no more? Jesus looked at the twelve and the women and children around them and said, “Will you leave me too?” And Peter answering for them all....”To whom shall we go, Lord? You have the words of eternal life!”
Job desired the pain be removed. Job desired his loss be restored. Job desired the hurtful circumstances altered.
And then Job says this: “...the Lord gives and He takes away... though He slay me, I will always hope in Him.”
There are people living today whose suffering is unimaginable. Some of them I know. They hurt, they cry, they wonder why. And they deal courageously and faithfully. Some even better than Job. You ask, how can that be? Answer: They have the Suffering Servant as their advocate and the Holy Spirit as their Comforter.
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January 5th
Our Bible reading today comes from Job 6-9.
It will be good for us to go back to the beginning...for just a bit today...Job had no knowledge of that scene in heaven in chapter one, where God was holding court for His angelic host....where They came before God to give an account of their ministry throughout the heavens and earth. And like a Judas among the disciples, satan was among the angels before God that day. Satan was arrogant. He had taken down undefeated Adam and Eve....and so fallen Job would be no problem for the head demon. Satan was confident and boastful that Job’s faith in the Lord would not stand against his temptations and his lies about God. God was even more confident that Job’s faith would stand the tests of satan. So He accepted satan’s challenge and would prove to demons, angels, and mankind alike, that a man who did life with God would worship Him for nothing.
So Job did not know that he and his family were suffering because of God’s contesting with satan. Job never knew that, and neither did his friends. So each struggled to understand and explain the reason for suffering, especially the suffering of God’s faithful.
To this point in the story, we've heard what God said about Job. “A righteous man...upright in all his ways”...Impressive. But there’s more, as stated in Job chapter 29:
“Job is a man I have watched over...a man that my lamp has shone upon...a man that my light directed through the darkness...a man whose tent was known by My friendship...a man I blessed with children all around him...a man I was always with as demonstrated by the pouring forth of oil from his rock...a man whom young princes bowed down to...a man that the aged rose up for...a man who delivered the poor, the fatherless, and the widows...upon him I placed righteousness, and clothed him.”
Now that’s a resume. And that’s quite a reference.
Talk about a man who had it all... in his relationship with God. Everything was going his way. Until it wasn't!
Would Job deny God now? Would Job turn from God now? Would Job shake his fist in hatred for God now?
Answer...No...at least not yet in the story. In fact in chapter 6:10,24 that we are reading, Job himself, in the throes of agony accepts the pain, and refuses to deny the words of the Holy One....what words?...that God is the one and only true God, faithful, just, and perfect in all His work in heaven and on earth. I figure that Job thought his wife and friends believed in God that way too. But apparently not.
Eliphaz was gentle at first. He was sympathetic in his quietness with JOB, but he just couldn't help himself. Eliphaz had to give his reason for JOB’S great trial...” unconfessed sin.” A second friend, Bildad, added insult to injury when he accused JOB that “his sinning had caused the death of his children”. But both of these friends had no idea what God was doing from Heaven’s throne room. So they just assumed that the suffering was tied to JOB sinning.
Was JOB still wondering what God was up to? Yes. Did JOB ever wonder if he did have unconfessed sin in his life? Yes. But Job did not charge God with doing wrong toward him.
Sounds kind of like the Son of God doesn't it...he was accused of being out of His mind by family members. He was called a sinner by experts. And He was rejected by close friends too. But unlike JOB, Jesus knew exactly why He was suffering...and He walked with eyes and heart wide open right into it...not for Himself, but for you and me who believe in Him. That we might have eternal life, both now and forever. Awesome life message....from JOB to JESUS.
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January 4th
Job (chapters 1-5) is our reading for the day. Tradition says Moses wrote this narrative 500+years after the Tower of Babel incident. Perhaps when Moses was living in the Midian Desert close to the city of Uz, he learned the legend of the only righteous man doing life with God in those days. Inspired by the Spirit of God, Moses wrote of Job’s life message...” Trust God and His Sovereign Wisdom and Goodness, no matter what happens.”
Two verses got my attention quickly. “Will Job serve God for nothing?”
And “In all of this Job did not sin and he did not charge God with wrong.”
Will people of true faith in God for their salvation serve the Lord even when they are suffering? Satan didn't think so and all those under his influence didn't think so either. But our reading leads us to a powerful truth. True faith in God may be shaken, but never broken. For the source of our faith is Almighty God Himself...not just our strong will and determined resolve.
“And in all this, Job did not sin. And he did not charge God with wrong.” What was the “all of this?” Well, In one day, Job lost his property and businesses to thieves and fires caused by lightning. In that same day, Job lost his seven sons and three daughters to a tornado that flattened the house where they were partying. In all of this, Job did not sin and he didn't accuse God of wrongfully dealing with his family. Even when his wife told him to “curse God for this and die”, Job still didn't sin or blame God. In fact, he said to his distraught wife, “Shall we receive good from God, and not receive adversity?” The record says that Job humbled himself and worshiped God...and then remained quiet in sackcloth and ashes for seven days. During those days friends sat quietly with him and then at the end of seven days, Job burst forth in agony and grief, even wishing that he had never been born. “And the best man living in that day closed out his agonizing with the following “ O what I feared has come upon me...what I dread has befallen me. I have no rest only trouble comes.”
Was Job hurting? Absolutely. Was he overwhelmed by waves of grief? Absolutely. Did Job turn from God? No. He had some unanswered questions, but he never lost his faith. As courageous as that sounds...Job worshipped God in the midst and through his grief.
Do you see or hear any foreshadowing to our Savior Lord Jesus? I do. Listen to Jesus ...it was a prayer time in the garden...”The time has come for the Son to glorify the Father” (as he considered the coming suffering of the cross)...”Father, if there is a way, let this cup pass from me, yet not my will but yours be done” (shortly before he gave himself over to the mob who came to take him to Caiphas)...(and then from the bloody cross right before his death)...”Father forgive them, for they know not what they have done...now into your hands I commend my spirit.”
From one of the great patriarchs of our faith (Job) to the source of our faith and the gift of eternal life, Jesus Christ...the first shows us a lesson of faith. The last empowers us to an eternal faith...from here to heaven...”Thanks, Job...But thank you, Jesus...You will always be better!”
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January 3
Today’s Bible reading is Gen. chapters 8-11.
We come to the end of the life and ministry of the patriarch, Noah. We read a fascinating story of how God made sure that the testimony of Himself and Noah reached around the world...by replacing the one and only language on earth, with many different languages...and scattering the people who built the Tower that came to be known as the Tower of Babel to the far reaches of the earth...for the spreading of the good news of God everywhere. And by the time you get there in the biblical record, Noah has been dead 350 years.
I can't help but imagine that Noah’s grandkids lined up for years to ask their granddad, “Tell us one more time about those 75 years it took you to build the ark that saved mom and dad and you and nana and the rest of the family from the terrible flood. And tell us some more details about the 378 days on the ark. It had to be hard...was it exciting?” And I can only imagine that the man who walked with God for so long, responded, “Let me tell you about what GOD did.”
“God came to me...I didn't come to Him. God told me what He was going to do in the world, and honored me by inviting me to join Him in the work. God gave me a job to do. Now listen closely...I didn't tell God what I could do for Him to help accomplish His purposes. I was quiet and attentive to His instructions. And with His help, I began and finished the work He called me to do with Him.
And when that task was over, God gave me another one to do with Him...and it may sound strange to you, but that next job was “to wait on Him” ...for what???
to do what only He could do...end the flooding.
And at the end of the flooding, God continued to “remember” me...(and the word “remember” means more than just recognizing my existence...it means that God kept His promise...He saved me and my family from His terrible judgment)...and you want to know something else?... God blessed me and mine even when I forgot Him.
What an awesome God we have!” And had Noah known the patriarch David, he might have shared these words that God gave to him:
Psalm 115:11-13 “O you who fear the Lord...trust in the Lord...He’s our hope and our shield...and He will always “remember” us ( be committed to us) and bless us...both great and small.”
What a foreshadowing of how God works in our lives today through Christ our Lord. He chooses us in Christ, and not the other way around. HE shows us favor (grace) to believe Him and follow Him with all of our heart. HE shuts us up with Himself (like He did with Noah when the flood began to rise)...when times of great stress begin to rise, He shuts us up with Himself so that we have to trust Him for the next steps. Oh, and HE causes the wind to blow, the wind of the Spirit who rejuvenates our hope for the future, whatever God plans.
Ezekiel speaks of the Big 3: Noah, Daniel, and Job. I think Noah would have deferred to his descendants: Moses, David, and Jesus, the God who made it all...the Lord who saves us through the cross and the resurrection to the uttermost. Thank you, Noah...Your life message inspires us to believe God...And today We will worship Jesus with you!
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January 2
I've entitled the reading in Gen chapters 4-7 “A Long Story of Sinning”
It Ends with the terrible judgment of God upon the earth...a flood that would cover up the highest mountains created...a flood that would swallow up wicked mankind to the last person...except for one/Noah (the only man who believed God) he and his family...and a remnant of animals that would ride out the flood on the ark. **(I can't help but see the salvation of God through an ark...but I also see how it foreshadowed something far greater...God’s eternal salvation for believers through a cross...our Savior’s cross...Jesus’ cross.
Now, what about the Beginning of this long story of sinning...? It actually started in yesterday’s passage...but in these chapters, It’s the story of Adam and Eve’s firstborn, Cain, murdering his little brother, Abel. That was Definitely a sin story. But I believe the Primary Sin Story did not start at the murder scene. We might say, “It started on the way to church.”
“Is that your prize lamb, Abel? “asked Eve. Abel answered, “Yes, mom. I'm excited about bringing my offering to the Lord. He deserves all of me, that is why I'm bringing the best of the lambs He has given to me. And let Him do with it as He wishes. Thanks, mom and dad, for teaching me to do life as a loving relationship that God initiated by His acceptance of the blood of an innocent lamb to cover my sins like He covered yours.”
“What a chump my little brother is,” Cain silently mumbled to himself.” “He could have brought any other lamb, and no one would have ever known.”
Apparently Abel followed his parent’s teaching about how to truly worship God by faith...which basically means worshipping Him as He requires...(Let’s listen to the requirement for true worship that the apostle Paul shared with Rome’s believers in Rom. 12:1...”I beseech you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies/your life as a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service of worship.” ) That’s how Abel came to worship. But Cain did not.
Cain did not bring the “first and best” fruit of his labor and life to God...He kept the best for himself and gave God the leftovers. Some say that God rejected Cain’s offering of worship because it was not a blood sacrifice. Sounds good at first and I could sure tie that into the Perfect Blood Sacrifice of Jesus for sin...Except for one thing...later the perfect law of God included offerings of plants and produce for fellowship offerings and specifically for poor Israelites who could not afford to bring an award-winning lamb on the Day of Atonement....they were allowed to bring some wheat flour and trust the blood sacrifice made by the high priest and the sprinkling of such blood upon the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies for the atonement for their sins.
God refused Cain’s offering of worship not because the offering was not a lamb, but because Cain’s heart was not totally God’s. At best Cain was pretending, just going through the motions.
There have been many in the line of Cain. For the first 19 years of my life that was me. But unlike the character in the song by the Platters, “The Great Pretender”, I was not left alone in my shame. Jesus came after me and changed my life.
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Our reading today (Gen chapters 1-3) reveals the description of God creating heaven and earth. And we will take a little closer look at it shortly. But the theme of creation begs the question, “When did creation, as described here, happen?”
Most evolutionist scientists say life began on earth 3.5 billion yrs ago...or so. And that human ancestors began showing up 2-4 million years ago. But Creation scientists, those who believe the Biblical record of God creating everything in a literal 6 twenty-four hour period, date creation between 6 and 10,000 years ago. Quite a difference. Darwinian evolutionists say that Biblical Creationists are not scientists because their evidence is based on the “assumption of a cataclysmic flood” that happened once upon a time. Well, your Bible reading partner today believes that the biblical record is true...without error...including the record of the flood and Noah’s ark...and the final authority for our lives, inside and outside the church. So I am a “recent” creation dating man and not the billions of years proponent. And unlike the evolutionists, I believe that God created it all “out of nothing.” Awesome to think on ...isn't it?
Continuing from the text....”Who existed in the beginning of everything?” God!!! God was there, Father Son and Holy Spirit...whenever that was, God was there in the beginning. And our bibles say that God was doing something...He was creating the heavens (and all that was in them) and He was creating the earth (and all that was in and upon it.) In our reading today, the Bible says that after 6 days of creating, God finished that creation work...that included mankind...man and woman...for the purpose of doing life together with Him and by God’s power, taking responsible dominion for the earth and heavens and all therein to the glory and worship of God.
All of that is a Wow! But remember a greater Wow of God creating something new with a “finishing” touch....2 Cor 5:17 The Apostle Paul said “If there be any man in Christ he is a “new creation”, old things have passed away and all things have been made new.” In Christ we are “new creations”....plus, still thinking on the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross and what Jesus said just before He breathed His last...”It is Finished”...Jesus said “tetelestai”...it is paid and it is purchased ...my sin debt is paid and my eternal home in heaven is purchased. God created the heavens and the earth...and then He finished. Later, God the Son made new creations out of all who believed on Him. And He said, “I'm finished...I did what the Father sent me to do...I satisfied the righteous judgment of God on sin by taking sin’s penalty upon my body so that those called and chosen could be saved eternally.
And if you are like me when you're reading passages and verses in the Bible, such as, when it says “In the beginning” ( God created the heavens and the earth)...perhaps you asked, “Wonder what God was doing prior to creation, being the eternal being that He was and is? And then I am reminded of Ephesians 1:4 “God chose us in Christ (When?) “before the foundations of the world were laid.” That too is a huge Wow...I hope that you are believing the Lord with me...today...that makes us one of God’s chosen ones from before the beginning of time. Blows me away too. And makes me want to worship Him today with all of my heart. Thank You, Lord, Now Use us in any way You choose today.