May 12, 2012

God Visits the Earth and Causes It to Overflow (5/12)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 65-67, 69-70.

In this psalm of praise, David mentions God’s providence as one of the reasons why He is to be honored.

“You visit the earth and cause it to overflow; You greatly enrich it; the stream of God is full of water; You prepare their grain, for thus You prepare the earth. You water its furrows abundantly, You settle its ridges, You soften it with showers, You bless its growth. You have crowned the year with Your bounty, and Your paths drip with fatness. The pastures of the wilderness drip, and the hills gird themselves with rejoicing. The meadows are clothed with flocks and the valleys are covered with grain; they shout for joy, yes they sing” (Psalm 65:9-13).

In the beginning, God established the natural laws that govern the world in which we live. The fact that we have rains, streams, harvests, and flocks is a testament to God’s power, love, and wisdom.

At the end of His creation, “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). This is still true today and will continue to be true as long as this earth stands. God, by His providence, will continue to provide for us. Praise Him for that!

Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 20

[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]

Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
May 8, 2012

"The Lord Sits As King Forever" (5/8)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, 39.

The 29th psalm praises God for His power over the natural world. At the end, the psalmist states the obvious conclusion: God is the supreme authority over all things.

“The Lord sat as King at the flood; yes, the Lord sits as King forever” (Psalm 29:10).

The Creation demonstrated the power of God to make all things. The Flood demonstrated His power to destroy that which He has created.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
April 30, 2012

The Eternal God (4/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 102-104.

“Of old You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You will endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them and they will be changed.

“But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end. The children of Your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before You” (Psalm 102:25-28).

This brief passage reminds us of some important lessons about this world, our God, and our hope.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: ,
March 29, 2012

Qualifications to Lead

Man with Tie

During an election year, it is common for people to discuss what characteristics qualify a candidate for public office. The Bible certainly addresses the role and desired character of civil authorities, but I want us to focus on a higher authority in this study – God.

In the Old Testament, God was the Israelites’ King (1 Samuel 8:7). In the New Testament, Christ is the person of God identified as our King (John 18:37). He is in a position of ultimate authority, even over our civil rulers (Ephesians 1:20-21). But what qualifies Him to be our King and worthy of honor and respect?
Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
February 21, 2012

The Penalty for Killing Men and Animals (2/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Leviticus 24-25.

“If a man takes the life of any human being, he shall surely be put to death. The one who takes the life of an animal shall make it good, life for life. […] Thus one who kills an animal shall make it good, but the one who kills a man shall be put to death. There shall be one standard for you; it shall be for the stranger as well as the native, for I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 24:17-22).

This is a reminder of penalties that were already given. The punishment for murdering another man was death (Exodus 21:12). When a neighbor’s animal was killed, restitution was to be made (Exodus 21:33-36), but a man who killed an animal was not to be put to death. There are some lessons we can learn from this law:
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
January 14, 2012

"Where Were You When I Laid the Foundation of the Earth?" (1/14)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Job 38-39.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7).

Man occupies a prominent place in God’s creation. In the beginning, God told Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Yet many exaggerate the importance of man to the point where they forget God and view themselves as the ultimate standard and authority.

We need to remember what God was teaching Job in this question. No matter how important we think we might be, we are only here because God created us and the world around us. No matter how wise we believe we have become, our wisdom pales in comparison with God’s because His wisdom is behind all of the things in the natural world, even those things which we cannot comprehend.

God is the Creator. Therefore, all wisdom, blessings, and truth come from Him.

Tomorrow’s reading: Job 40-42

[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]

Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.

Filed Under: SERIES: Daily Notes & Observations Tagged With: , ,
January 13, 2012

God Does Great Things Which We Cannot Comprehend (1/13)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Job 35-37.

“God thunders with His voice wondrously, doing great things which we cannot comprehend” (Job 37:5).

As Elihu continued his response to Job, he affirmed God’s greatness and His place over all things. When you read through Job 37, you can see all the things mentioned by Elihu over which God has power. He focused primarily on the natural world – that which He created and which continues to be governed by the natural laws He established in the beginning.
Continue Reading

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