Daily Notes & Observations is a 365-part series that follows a chronological daily Bible reading schedule and contains a short article based on something found in the text for each day. This material is also available in paperback.

June 5, 2012

Different Responses to Correction (6/5)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 7-9.

There will be times in which we need to correct someone who has fallen into sin. There will also be times in which we must be corrected for some sin we have committed. But unfortunately, not all correction is received as it ought to be. Consider the words of the wise man:

“He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked men gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning” (Proverbs 9:7-9).

Solomon mentions two ways in which correction might be received:
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June 4, 2012

One Who Commits Adultery Lacks Sense (6/4)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 4-6.

“Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Or can a man walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; whoever touches her will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 6:27-29).

This is one of several passages in the book of Proverbs that warns against adultery. The number of times it is addressed should make us realize how dangerous this sin is. Besides that, we all know of cases of a person, often one we would not expect, who has gotten caught up in this sin.

The world will tell us it is alright to look and lust as long as we do not commit adultery. The Scriptures teach us not even to look and lust because this leads to adultery (cf. Matthew 5:28; James 1:14-16).
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June 3, 2012

The Beginning of Knowledge (6/3)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 1-3.

The book of Proverbs is a book about wisdom. Wisdom, as we often point out, is the application of knowledge. So in discussing wisdom, we need to have the proper foundation of knowledge. But how do we begin to acquire knowledge. Solomon gives us a starting point:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

If we want to acquire the knowledge that will enable us to gain the wisdom that God desires us to have, we must have an appropriate fear of the Lord. There are a few reasons for this:
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June 2, 2012

A Lily Among the Thorns (6/2)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Song of Solomon 1-8.

“I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.”

“Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens” (Song of Solomon 2:1-2).

We occasionally hear Jesus referred to as the rose of Sharon or the lily of the valley. The description of the bridegroom and his beloved in Song of Solomon is seen by some as an allegory describing Christ and His bride, the church. Ironically, these verses that have been used to describe Jesus are not referring to the bridegroom, but the bride. While there may be some statements that could be stretched so as to make a parallel with Christ and the church, Song of Solomon is simply a description of the love a couple has for one another – before and after marriage.
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June 1, 2012

"Redeem Me From the Oppression of Man" (6/1)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 119:89-176.

“Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts” (Psalm 119:134).

Throughout this psalm, David expressed his love for God’s word and his determination to follow it. Yet here he mentioned a potential obstacle for his obedience – oppression. David certainly experienced this in his life. Therefore, he was well aware of the challenges that oppression presented to faithful obedience. So his prayer to God was for this obstacle to be removed.
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May 31, 2012

"She Was Deeply Stirred Over Her Son" (5/31)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Kings 3-4; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 72.

Solomon is remembered for his wisdom which was given to him by God. The first example in the Scriptures of him using his wisdom was in the dispute of two women arguing over which one of them was the mother of a particular child after the child of the other woman had just died.

“Then the king said, ‘The one says, “This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one”; and the other says, “No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.”‘ The king said, ‘Get me a sword.’ So they brought a sword before the king. The king said, ‘Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.’

“Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, ‘Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.’ But the other said, ‘He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!’

“Then the king said, ‘Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother’” (1 Kings 3:23-27).

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May 30, 2012

They Do No Unrighteousness (5/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 119:1-88.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, and its theme is the word of God. David begins this psalm by telling of how blessed are the ones who keep God’s word.

“How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.

“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.

“They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways” (Psalm 119:1-3)

The word of God guards us from sin. David acknowledges this a few verses later: “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). God gave us His word so that we could know the right way and follow it.
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