May 7, 2012

Presuming to Know What Will Please God (5/7)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17.

Many people in the religious world simply do what they please in their service to God, expecting God to accept whatever they decide to do. David’s plan to build a house for the ark of the covenant reminds us that this is not the case.

“And it came about, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under curtains.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.’

“It came about the same night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, ‘Go and tell David My servant, “Thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another. In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, “Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?” ‘ ” ‘” (1 Chronicles 17:1-6).

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May 6, 2012

“Shout Joyfully to the Lord” (5/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132.

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.

“Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:1-5).

All people are to worship and praise the Lord. This invitation to come and glorify God was not just for the nation of Israel, but was for “all the earth.” In this short psalm, there are several reasons given as to why we ought to praise the Lord.
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May 5, 2012

God Bound Human Governments (5/5)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68.

“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?

“The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’

“He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them” (Psalm 2:1-4).

This psalm is prophesying of the crucifixion of Christ. This passage was quoted in the disciples’ prayer following the arrest and release of Peter and John (Acts 4:25-26). After quoting the passage, this commentary was added:
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May 4, 2012

"How Can I Bring the Ark?" (5/4)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23; 1 Chronicles 13-16.

Most of us remember what happened to Uzzah: he touched the ark (which was forbidden) in order to steady it on the cart, and God struck him (1 Chronicles 13:7-10). David was upset over this. Not only did this man die, but now the king was not sure how to bring the ark to him.

“David was afraid of God that day, saying, ‘How can I bring the ark of God home to me?’” (1 Chronicles 13:12).

David knew that this first method of transporting the ark was not acceptable. He needed to find another way to move it.
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May 3, 2012

"The Greatness of His Lovingkindness" (5/3)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 106-107.

Psalm 106 chronicles the history of the Israelites sinning against God, then being punished by Him for their sins. But in spite of their sin, God was always willing to save them when they cried out to Him.

“Nevertheless He looked upon their distress when He heard their cry; and He remembered His covenant for their sake, and relented according to the greatness of His lovingkindness” (Psalm 106:44-45).

God’s grace is remarkable. Despite their chronic sin, He was still willing to deliver them.
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May 2, 2012

The Older Women Must Teach the Young Women

Mother, daughter, and baby

In many ways, our society’s norms and values are quite different from those found in the Bible, particularly in regard to the role and responsibilities of women. Paul instructed Titus to teach the older women about what they were to teach to the younger women. These lessons are still needed today.

“Older women likewise are to be… teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (Titus 2:3-5).

Paul mentioned seven lessons the older women were to teach to the younger women. Let us consider each one briefly.
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May 2, 2012

The Desire for Unity (5/2)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 133.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever” (Psalm 133:1-3).

Unity among God’s people is something we should all desire. In this short psalm, David makes two comparisons to illustrate why unity is good and pleasant.
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