Friday, November 30, 2012

Psalms 59-60

How can the psalmist hear the snarling of his enemies (who are circling him like wild, prowling dogs) and then suddenly burst into joyful singing to God?  I want some of that!

Yet the psalmist knows that if it is GOD that he fights against, he must cast himself on His mercy, love and compassion.  We want God on our side!

Read them here.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Psalms 57-58

Where do you go when danger approaches?  To whom or to what do you flee?  When enemies prepared a net to trap the psalmist, he found a refuge under the shadow of God's protective wings.

Should God's people rejoice when He judges the wicked?  Psalm 58 will give you much to think and pray about.

Read them here.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Psalms 55-56

Have you ever been insulted or betrayed by a good friend, even a brother?  The psalmist understood.  As did Jesus.

"Be gracious to me, God, for man tramples me" (56:1).

Read it here.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

2 Kings 23-25

Before [Josiah] there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his mind and with all his heart and with all his strength according to the law of Moses, and no one like him arose after him.
(2 Kings 23:25)

But his reforms were short-lived.

At the end of this chronicle Babylon charges in, Jerusalem is decimated, and the people are sent into exile.

Maybe they should have followed God.  Maybe we should listen.

Read it here.

Monday, November 26, 2012

2 Kings 21-22

Manasseh... Amon... seriously!  How could you fall so far?!?  Thank God for the emerging story of King Josiah.

"When the king [Josiah] heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes."  Josiah heard, understood, and responded to the words of God.  Great example!

Read it here.

Friday, November 23, 2012

2 Kings 19-20

Hezekiah demonstrates faithful trust in Yahweh.  His humble prayer is a model of dependency.  But toward the end of his life he demonstrates that he is still a fallen man.  The world still awaited a truly good King.

Read it here.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

2 Kings 17-18 - Thanksgiving?

How did a nation that had such a God-centered beginning deteriorate and fall?  A sobering summary today.  See especially 2 Kings 17:7-20.

Then in contrast we begin the account of good King Hezekiah of Judah.  You'll like this part!

Read it here.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

2 Kings 15-16

What is with the constant fascination with what everybody else has?  Even the powerful kings of Judah and Israel are gazing over their borers and wanting what "they" have.

Hmm ... wait a minute.  This is sounding a bit too familiar.

Read it here.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

2 Kings 13-14

There is a famous painting by William Dyce (1806-1864) inspired by today's reading...


So many of these ancient kings were a confusing combination of faithfulness and recklessness.  They would flee to God and then run from Him.  Yet God seems to be consistently characterized by faithfulness and mercy.  Look for that today.

If our story was written out, what would it say?

Read it here.

Monday, November 19, 2012

2 Kings 11-12

Athaliah...notoriously known as the woman who wanted to rule so desperately that she killed her own children in order to secure her throne.  Thus the sign of the times in 2 Kings.

Don't get too depressed about our current political atmosphere.

And lest you picture Old Testmanet priests as pacifistic, monk-like dudes, check out Jehoiada!  He breaks that mold significantly.

Read it here.

Friday, November 16, 2012

2 Kings 9-10

Jehu.  What an intriguing man.  God used his reckless and courageous zeal.  But his heart (like so any before him) was not sold out for God.

The historian writes, "Jehu eliminated Baal worship from Israel."  And then two sentences later he adds, "Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of the Lord God of Israel will all his heart." 

When will a king arise who fully follows the Lord?  Only One.

Read it here.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

2 Kings 7-8

Are we more impressed with the miracles, or the One who has the miraculous power?  Today we will read that even though God was doing spectacular miracles, these did not produce genuine faith in those who witnessed them.  Sometimes people are enamored by the "magic" but do not bow to the one, true God who alone can do the supernatural.

Read it here.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

2 Kings 5-6

There is a beautiful picture in this text.  Though we are surrounded by a fierce enemy, our God surrounds us with greater power and might.  If only our eyes could see!

Read it here.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

2 Kings 3-4

The miracles keep pouring out.  Today you'll read of a deeply personal and compassionate side of God's miracles through this mighty prophet.

Why so much detail?  Why so memorable?  Ask God to give you insights.

Read it here.

Monday, November 12, 2012

2 Kings 1-2

Exit Elijah.  Enter Elisha.  In grand fashion!

You've heard of, "chariots of fire?"  You'll read of its origin today.

Why so much spectacular, supernatural activity in the days of these prophets?  I'm not sure.  But it is unparalleled until you get to the times of Jesus.  God must have had some important things to say to His people!

Read it here.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Psalms 52, 53, 54

The first psalm tells of the man who makes his pride and his wealth his "god."

The second tells of the man who scoffs at the idea of God altogether and lives as if he will never give an account for his wickedness.

The third offers the prayer of the humble, penitent man who throws himself on the mercy of the God who alone can help, sustain and deliver him.

Read them here.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Psalms 50-51

Two psalms, two authors.  In the first, God speaks to the impenitent.  In the second the penitent speaks to God. 

Let these songs teach you what it means to come before God with a broken and contrite heart.

Read them here.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Psalms 47, 48, 49

God, within Your temple,
we contemplate Your faithful love.
Your name, God, like Your praise,
reaches to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is filled with justice.
(Psalm 48:9-10)


Do not be afraid when a man gets rich,
when the wealth of his house increases.
For when he dies, he will take nothing at all;
his wealth will not follow him down.
Though he praises himself during his lifetime—
and people praise you when you do well for yourself—
he will go to the generation of his fathers;
they will never see the light.
A man with valuable possessions
but without understanding
is like the animals that perish.
(Psalm 49:16-20)


Read them here.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Psalms 44, 45, 46

Perfect psalms for election day.  They reflect the ultimate sovereignty of God.

Stop fighting and know that I am God,
exalted among the nations,
exalted on the earth.
(Psalm 46:10)

Read them here.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Psalm 42 and 43

As a deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for You, God.
I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?
(Psalm 42:1)

And follow it all the way to Psalm 43:5 ... THERE is our hope!

Read it here.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Psalm 41

Happy is the one who cared for the poor;
the Lord will save him in a day of adversity.
(Psalm 41:1)

There's far more in this psalm.  But that first verse is enough to keep me going all day long.  What should that look like in my life?

Read it here.