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.

April 24, 2012

"Do Not Be Afraid When a Man Becomes Rich" (4/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87.

Many in our society seem to be so concerned with others becoming (or having already become) rich. They are so worried that other’s wealth will somehow bring harm to them that they want to see something done to limit the amount of wealth one can obtain, or confiscate the wealth one has already obtained – often by using the force of government.

David expressed a very different attitude toward those who become wealthy. Rather than worrying about them and fearing them, we should just leave them to their own devices.

“Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him. Though while he lives he congratulates himself—and though men praise you when you do well for yourself—he shall go to the generation of his fathers; they will never see the light. Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, is like the beasts that perish” (Psalm 49:16-20).

Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
April 23, 2012

There Is No Lasting Remembrance (4/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Chronicles 1-2.

“The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. The sons of Shobal were Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi and Oman. And the sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah. The son of Anah was Dishon. And the sons of Dishon were Hamran, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran. The sons of Ezer were Bilhan, Zaavan and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan were Uz and Aran” (1 Chronicles 1:39-42).

The first two chapters of 1 Chronicles trace the genealogy from Adam, including the families that are somehow related to the record of Biblical history. Some names – such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – are familiar to us. However, many of the names are not. For most of these individuals, we know little (if any) more than the fact that they were part of these genealogies.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: ,
April 22, 2012

More Desirable Than Gold (4/22)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

“They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11).

In uncertain economic times, such as the ones we are experiencing now, gold has become especially valuable. Yet there is something that will always be far more valuable than gold – the word of God.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With:
April 21, 2012

Punishment for Dishonesty (4/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 1-4.

After the death of Saul, “a man who came out of the camp of Saul” (2 Samuel 1:2), yet identified himself as an Amalekite (2 Samuel 1:8), came to David to report to him of Saul’s death. Yet he was not completely honest in his report.

“The young man who told him said, ‘By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen pursued him closely. When he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I said, “Here I am.” He said to me, “Who are you?” And I answered him, “I am an Amalekite.” Then he said to me, “Please stand beside me and kill me, for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.” So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown which was on his head and the bracelet which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord’” (2 Samuel 1:6-10).

This man had Saul’s crown and bracelet, so he had obtained them somehow. Yet his story was not accurate. Saul fell on his own sword, killing himself (1 Samuel 31:4). When the Philistines found him, “They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons” (1 Samuel 31:9), yet nothing is said of his crown and bracelet. What likely happened was that this man found the dead king before the Philistines did, took these two items, and was now bringing them to David.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: ,
April 20, 2012

Had the Lord Not Been on Our Side (4/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 121, 123-125, 128, 130.

“‘Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,’ Let Israel now say, ‘Had it not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the waters would have engulfed us, the stream would have swept over our soul; then the raging waters would have swept over our soul.’

“Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us to be torn by their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper; the snare is broken and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:1-8).

It is the natural reaction of many people to turn to the Lord in time of trouble. But after we overcome the temptation, we forget that God provided the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). After we repent of sins and receive forgiveness, we forget that God made that forgiveness possible through the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7,9). After we endure difficult circumstances, we forget that it is through Christ that we have our strength (Philippians 4:13).
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , , , ,
April 19, 2012

"They Shall Share Alike" (4/19)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18.

When David pursued the Amalekites, he left “two hundred who were too exhausted” and carried on with the remaining four hundred men who were with him (1 Samuel 30:10). After they were victorious, they returned to the men who had been left behind.

“When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also been left at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, then David approached the people and greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, ‘Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart.’

“Then David said, ‘You must not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us. And who will listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage; they shall share alike’” (1 Samuel 30:21-24).

On one hand, it is not hard to see where these wicked men were coming from. The two hundred men did not fight; therefore, they should not share in the spoil. But David said they would all share in the spoil. Why? Notice again what David said:
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , , ,
April 18, 2012

"Willingly I Will Sacrifice to You" (4/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63.

“Willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O Lord, for it is good” (Psalm 54:6).

While God commands men to obey Him, He wants us to do so willingly, not under compulsion. In this psalm, David expressed his willing desire to offer sacrifices to the Lord.

Sacrifice is not something that many people want to do. Yet David did it willingly. Why? He briefly listed three reasons:
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: ,