June 10, 2012

Do Not Associate With Those Who Are Given to Change (6/10)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 22-24.

“My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change, for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?” (Proverbs 24:21-22).

There are times when change is necessary, both in religion and politics. The warning in this passage is not about necessary change, but change for the sake of change. There are some people who are not content, no matter what, and are always looking for something new, exciting, and different. The wise man says we are to avoid such people.
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June 6, 2012

Blessings for the One who Sells Grain (6/6)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 10-12.

People debate the virtues of capitalism and socialism in terms of economic policies. Sometimes you hear arguments made from the Bible for one or the other by religious people (even by irreligious people at times). The following verse is a good one to consider as we try to develop a Biblical view of economics.

“He who withholds grain, the people will curse him, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it” (Proverbs 11:26).

If people need grain, but one person possesses all of it and refuses to part with any of it, then it is understandable for the people who need grain to think negatively of the one who hoards it.

But if one person has all of the grain and the people need some grain, what should be done? Should he be forced to give it away? Should the government confiscate his grain and redistribute it to those who need it? Should an angry mob come and steal his grain? No, no, and no. What does the Scripture say? He should sell it.
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May 21, 2012

One Who Rules in the Fear of God (5/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 22-23; Psalm 57.

The “last words of David” (2 Samuel 23:1) begin with a statement he received from the Lord about those who rule over others.

“The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘He who rules over men righteously, who rules in the fear of God, is as the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass springs out of the earth, through sunshine after rain’” (2 Samuel 23:3-4).

The people who have a righteous, God-fearing man as their ruler are truly blessed. Let us consider a couple of points about this.
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May 17, 2012

"Let Him Alone and Let Him Curse" (5/17)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 16-18.

As David traveled with his men, a man named Shimei came and followed along with them, cursing David, throwing stones at the king and his servants, and accusing David of being a man of bloodshed who was receiving what he deserved in Absalom’s rebellion. Abishai, one of David’s men, wanted to kill Shimei for his taunting.

“Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and cut off his head.’ But the king said, ‘What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, “Curse David,” then who shall say, “Why have you done so?”’ Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, ‘Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him. Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.’

“So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him. The king and all his people who were with him arrived weary and he refreshed himself there” (2 Samuel 16:9-14).

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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 1, 2012

They Risked Their Lives for the King (5/1)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 5:1-10; 1 Chronicles 11-12.

1 Chronicles 11 tells us of David’s mighty men. Three of these men were remembered for risking their lives to provide aid and comfort to the king.

“Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam, while the army of the Philistines was camping in the valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, while the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

“David had a craving and said, ‘Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!’ So the three broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David; nevertheless David would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord; and he said, ‘Be it far from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.’ Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did” (1 Chronicles 11:15-19).

Their success in this mission was amazing, and their devotion to David was commendable. Yet David refused to drink the water they had brought and even spilled it out on the ground. This was not meant as an insult to these men, but rather it showed David’s concern for the lives of these men and his reverence for God.
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April 29, 2012

"They Forsook Their Cities" (4/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Chronicles 7-10.

There is an interesting piece of information that the Scriptures record regarding the events that transpired after the death of Saul.

“Thus Saul died with his three sons, and all those of his house died together. When all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them” (1 Chronicles 10:6-7).

Why is it significant that these Israelites “forsook their cities” following the death of Saul? Remember a few points:
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