Tag Archives: Bible

May 9

3 Replies

Psalms 3, 4, 11, 23, 26, 12, 36; 2 Samuel 16:1-14

I’m sure when David wrote these psalms he couldn’t have imagined what life would be like in 2013. But God knew. And what he inspired David to write he knew would speak to hearts then and now.

“Help, Lord, for the godly are no more.” And that was written long before reality TV was the rage.

David wrote, “we own our lips… who is our master” before freedom of speech was an amendment to any constitution.

Psalm 36 talks about the wicked who don’t fear God and who think so highly of themselves they don’t recognize sin in their own lives. I’ve heard even some preachers who call themselves Christian say how important it is that we love ourselves, that we find strength within us, that we are worthy and capable. I’m not seeing that in Scripture.

I pray that God would continue to speak to us through his written word and that he would find his people pouring over the pages looking for direction, encouragement, correction and truth.

As we read each day I pray God will be able to teach us because we are willing to be taught. Then may we go about our day, set apart, and ready to use what we learn to lead someone to Christ.

God, I thank you for inspiring men like David to write down the words you would have us read in 2013. I thank you that it spoke to people in David’s day and that it still has power to change lives today. May it change mine.

April 30

Leave a reply

Psalms 24, 65, 68, 110, 19, 2 Samuel 8:1, 21:15-18, I Chronicles 18:1, 20:4

I remember memorizing Psalm 19 when I was a kid. I’d have to study it some to get through it without looking. But often these words come back to me even today.

Nature declares the glory of God and the work of his hand. It’s foolishness to look at our world and deny it’s Creator.

David also writes about what Scripture means to him. Scripture is sure, lovely, precious and sweeter than honey. I so agree with David about that.

Then in verse 12 he confesses sin and asks God to keep him from willfully sinning.

Verse 14 has become my life verse recently. Has a verse ever stuck with you and seem to direct your life for a time? I Corinthians 10:13, Proverbs 3:5, Job 23:10 have been some of mine over the years. I find as I grow and change, God seems to bring the perfect Scripture to mind and use it to mold me into the woman he intends for me to be.

Lately God seems to be focusing on my heart’s attitude and my witness… the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart.

So I will keep this verse before me until he nudges me toward another. Until then, my prayer will be that those things in my life will be pleasing to my Rock, my Redeemer.

Father God, thank you for your Word. With David I praise you for the sure, lovely, precious and sweet Scripture that you so lovingly breathed into the ears of your servants so many years ago. Thank you that, even though those words have been around for centuries, they are alive and active  today. May we be sensitive to what you would have us learn as we open these precious pages each day.

April 25

Leave a reply

I Samuel 30:10-31:13, I Chronicles 10:1-14, 2 Samuel 1:1-27

When I read the Bible chronologically I sometimes am confused by seemingly different reports. I Samuel 30 and I Chronicles 10 are almost word for word. But then comes this person in 2 Samuel who tells a different version. Does this mean the Bible can’t be trusted? Is the Bible God’s infallible Word or not?

Here’s what I think. Saul died the way I Samuel and I Chronicles records it. Saul was wounded and afraid of being captured so he killed himself. His armor-bearer did the same. The news traveled fast. Who didn’t know Saul made David’s life miserable? To the world the men were enemies.

So one man figured he’d cash in on Saul’s death and claim responsibility. He’d run to David, tell him he had killed David’s enemy, and receive a generous reward. I imagine he pictured a parade, a crown, wine, women, and song in his honor. Boy was he wrong.

Not only did those things not happen, but David was mad. He ordered the man be killed for lifting a hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed.

Did you read David’s lament? David still loved and respected Saul. How the mighty have fallen.

The Bible is God’s Word and can be trusted. Every word is true. I just love to get in there and see what God has to say.

Father, I thank you for inspiring men to write your words so that we in 2013 can know you. Help us to read and understand what you would say to us each day. Then help us go and live out your Truth so others can know you, too.

April 9

Leave a reply

I Samuel 1:1-2:21, Psalm 113, Judges 14:1-16:22

Those of us who grew up going to Sunday School are probably very familiar with these stories. Hannah and Samuel taught us about faith and the power of prayer. Samson taught us about God’s strength. But as an adult I read these same stories and see other things.

I see Hannah’s deep pain from having no children. I see faith in her agonizing prayer. I see Hannah express her love for God and thankfulness to him as she takes her young son to another city to be raised by the priest there. I see her missing Samuel, making robes for him through her tears. And I see her home filled with the laughter of other children, too.

I see a very foolish Samson. Physically strong but morally weak. Has anyone ever had worse taste in women? I see a man so “in love” he is blind to Delilah’s real character. He just sees what he wants to see. I see in Samson’s story the devastating result of seeking revenge.

Isn’t the Bible amazing? God wants little children to know him so he included the accounts of people like Hannah, Samuel, and Samson to tell them about his power, his love and faithfulness, and that he answers prayer. 

But if you look deeper, God reveals more of Himself. What a privilege we have of opening these pages each day, of getting a glimpse into the heart of God.

God, I thank you for your Word again this morning. Thank you that the lives of people like Hannah and Samson are recorded here to show us more about you. May we have faith like Hannah. And may we be examples of your strength like Samson.  May we not be satisfied with just knowing about you, but may we dig deeper and know you personally.

 

April 3

Leave a reply

Judges 5-7

It always puzzles me why people like Gideon, who spoke face to face with the angel of God (which many believe was Jesus Himself) still needed a sign or two or three before they believed God. The offering was burned up, the fleece was wet, the fleece was dry. Then Gideon believed and did what God had asked him to do.

I need to be careful before I judge old Gideon. I may not be able to speak to the angel of God face to face, but I have several copies of God’s written word in my home. I can open those pages any time of any day and read God’s words to me.

So why, if he says “I will never leave or forsake you” do I wonder at times if he’s here. If he says he forgives sins and remembers them no more, why do I continue to carry guilt as though I’m not forgiven? If he promises to go with me why don’t I obey the call to share him with others?

God is not a mystery. He has laid it all out there for us to read in the Bible. How many signs do I need before I believe him?