May 7, 2012

Presuming to Know What Will Please God (5/7)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17.

Many people in the religious world simply do what they please in their service to God, expecting God to accept whatever they decide to do. David’s plan to build a house for the ark of the covenant reminds us that this is not the case.

“And it came about, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Behold, I am dwelling in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under curtains.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.’

“It came about the same night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, ‘Go and tell David My servant, “Thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not build a house for Me to dwell in; for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel to this day, but I have gone from tent to tent and from one dwelling place to another. In all places where I have walked with all Israel, have I spoken a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, “Why have you not built for Me a house of cedar?” ‘ ” ‘” (1 Chronicles 17:1-6).

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May 4, 2012

"How Can I Bring the Ark?" (5/4)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23; 1 Chronicles 13-16.

Most of us remember what happened to Uzzah: he touched the ark (which was forbidden) in order to steady it on the cart, and God struck him (1 Chronicles 13:7-10). David was upset over this. Not only did this man die, but now the king was not sure how to bring the ark to him.

“David was afraid of God that day, saying, ‘How can I bring the ark of God home to me?’” (1 Chronicles 13:12).

David knew that this first method of transporting the ark was not acceptable. He needed to find another way to move it.
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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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April 26, 2012

"Dark Sayings of Old" (4/26)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Psalm 73, 77-78.

“Listen, O my people, to my instruction; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

“For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God and not for get the works of God, but keep His commandments, and not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not prepare its heart and whose spirit was not faithful to God” (Psalm 78:1-8).

The words of God are to be passed down from one generation to another today, just as they were under the Law of Moses when this was written. Below is a list of some of the lessons that need to be taught.
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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.
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April 8, 2012

Samuel’s First Message from the Lord (4/8)

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

As a boy, Samuel “ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest” (1 Samuel 2:11). At this time the Lord spoke to Samuel, calling him three times, yet each time Samuel thought it was Eli who was calling him (1 Samuel 3:4-8).

“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord yet been revealed to him” (1 Samuel 3:7).

Naturally, Samuel did not recognize the voice of the Lord. After Eli figured out what was happening and told him to listen to the word of the Lord, God revealed His message to the young boy.
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April 4, 2012

Who Was Samson’s Wife? (4/4)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Judges 13-15.

The woman which Bible students associate with Samson is Delilah. Because of this, many assume that Delilah was Samson’s wife. But if we take a closer look, we will see that she was not.

“Then Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines. So he came back and told his father and mother, ‘I saw a woman in Timnah, one of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife’” (Judges 14:1-2).

Later, Samson and this Philistine woman are called each other’s husband and wife (Judges 14:15).
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