June 24, 2012

The Difference Between Serving God and the Kingdoms of Men (6/24)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Chronicles 10-12.

When Rehoboam and the people “forsook the law of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 12:1), Shishak king of Egypt came to fight against him. Shemaiah the prophet revealed God’s judgment to Rehoboam: “You have forsaken Me, so I also have forsaken you to Shishak” (2 Chronicles 12:5). At this revelation, the king and his princes humbled themselves and repented, but there would still be consequences to suffer.

“When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, ‘They have humbled themselves so I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some measure of deliverance, and My wrath shall not be poured our on Jerusalem by means of Shishak. But they will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between My service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries’” (2 Chronicles 12:7-8).

As king, it would be easy for Rehoboam to be unable to relate to the plight of his people under an oppressive ruler. Rehoboam’s oppression of the people was the reason why the kingdom was divided and many left from serving him (2 Chronicles 10). But now, under the oppression of Shishak, he would learn what it is like to live under an oppressive king.
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June 20, 2012

The Good Old Days (6/20)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ecclesiastes 7-12.

“Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

It is not uncommon to hear people speak fondly of the “good old days.” But there is a difference between reminiscing of days gone by and making unfair comparisons between the present and the past. The former is acceptable. The latter is “not from wisdom.”
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June 14, 2012

"For His Lovingkindness Is Everlasting" (6/14)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Chronicles 6-7; Psalm 136.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (Psalm 136:1).

The first verse of this psalm contains the phrase, “for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” This refrain is repeated in each of the psalm’s twenty-six verses. Clearly, God’s lovingkindness it is a fact that should be impressed upon us.

The psalmist gives several examples of God’s everlasting lovingkindness that we would probably expect:
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May 27, 2012

Children are a Gift of the Lord (5/27)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Chronicles 26-29; Psalm 127.

Listed among the gatekeepers was a man named Obed-edom. This man was blessed by the Lord because he kept the ark at his house for three months while David determined how to bring it to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:10-12). This passage explains how he was blessed.

“Obed-edom had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth, Ammiel the sixth, Issachar the seventh and Peullethai the eighth; God had indeed blessed him” (1 Chronicles 26:4-5).

This passage does not speak of Obed-edom being blessed with riches, long life, or success in his endeavors. It is possible he might have received these things, but this passage does not mention any of them. Instead, his eight sons were given as proof that “God had indeed blessed him.”
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May 23, 2012

"You Will Prosper, If…" (5/23)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22; Psalm 30.

Shortly before Solomon took over for his father as king over Israel, David charged him with the task of building “a house for the Lord God of Israel” (1 Chronicles 22:6). As he assigned him this work, David spoke of the conditional promise of success for his efforts.

“Now, my son, the Lord be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the Lord your God just as He has spoken concerning you. Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.

“Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed” (1 Chronicles 22:11-13).

The Lord chose Solomon over David for this work of building the temple (1 Chronicles 22:7-10). However, the promise of success and prosperity for Solomon would only come about if he met the divine conditions that were required for him to continue to receive God’s blessings.
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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 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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