July 24, 2017
King Abijah of Judah, the great grandson of David, urged Jeroboam and his Northern tribes not to fight against them because they would be fighting against the Lord Himself. But Israel’s armies outnumbered Judah’s 2-to-1, so Jeroboam was over-confident and surrounded Judah to attack. Yet, God fought for Judah and Israel was soundly defeated. Abijah tried to reason with Jeroboam to avoid bloodshed, but he depended on the Lord to defend him and his army when conflict came.
Sometimes conflict is inevitable in this fallen world. On whom do you depend in such times?
July 23, 2017
The spared and spoiled child grows up to bring shame and blame on his parents. He squanders his father’s inheritance and puts his own mother out of the family home in her old age to fend for herself. Make no mistake, God sees such a one and holds him accountable for breaking the commandment to honor his father and mother.
July 22, 2017
In Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the Temple, he wondered whether the God who filled the heavens could “dwell with men on the earth.” His prayer was that God would keep His eye on the Temple where He had agreed to put His name. The Lord heard Solomon’s prayer and chose the Temple for Himself as a house of sacrifice.
Yet, Solomon’s question went unanswered until Jesus, the Living Word of God came: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
July 21, 2017
David’s psalm anticipated the reality of going to sleep in this world and awaking to the righteous face of the Lord in the next. The Spirit inspired him with expectation of a day when he would be fully “satisfied” to be found in the Lord’s “likeness,” made righteous and fit for living in His presence.
This “face” and this “likeness” belongs to none other than the Lord Jesus. For as the apostle Paul wrote, “Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12). And as the apostle John revealed, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).
Can you join with David in saying, “As for me…”?
July 20, 2017
Solomon built the Temple on “Mount Moriah” where his father, David, had instructed. This was the place that the Lord had relented from His judgment for David’s sin in taking a census of Israel (2 Sam. 24:16). The Lord had told David to erect an altar on that very place where the Lord had heard David’s prayer and relented, which was the threshing floor of Ornan (Also spelled “Araunah”). So, David purchased the place and built an altar there.
This was also the area where the Lord instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac: “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” (Gen. 22:2).
The “land of Moriah,” which became known as Jerusalem, was also the place where Jesus, Son of David, Son of God was offered as the Lamb of God for our sins. The Lord was merciful on Abraham and on David, yet He poured out the judgment that belonged to us upon His only Son, Jesus.
July 19, 2017
There is a short window of time for teaching children obedience. During this time there is hope that parental discipline might become the child’s own self-discipline. It may seem a lot of work to discipline a child of ages 2 through 6, but it becomes nearly hopeless for the parent who waits until they are 12 through 16 before starting to correct their behavior. Chasten a child while they are young and when they are older, they will have learned to respect and obey. And be certain to aim past the behavior to the heart. For the child is more tenderhearted than the teen. Teach the child about sin, repentance, and forgiveness through Jesus. For the child is more receptive to spiritual things than the adult. Do this important parental work while there is still hope.
July 18, 2017
The Lord looks. The Lord sees. The psalmist uses anthropomorphic language to describe the Lord’s intense interest in humanity. Some men may doubt God’s existence, but the Lord knows all things about man. He looks at the heart. He searches for those that search for Him.
As God has said, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).
July 17, 2017
Our best attempts at being righteous through religiosity, self-denial and good works cannot justify us before God. This takes away all human boasting, for humanity is steeped in sin and beyond saving itself. Yet, God has provided a Savior, which is Christ Jesus the Lord. The one who “believes on Him” is made just in God’s sight. The believer’s faith is counted as righteousness by God, for it depends on the righteousness of Christ, rather than his own.
Stop working and believe. Rest in Christ’s work.
July 16, 2017
David not only provided the materials and plans for the building of the Temple, he also organized the Levites for its service. Among those he set apart were 4,000 he chose for praising the Lord with musical instruments which were made according to his instruction.
David was a well known musician and song writer himself. He wrote most of the 150 psalms we have in our Bible. He included inscriptions at the beginning of many of his psalms for the musicians who would perform them. For instance, today’s One Year Bible psalm reading, Psalm 12, instructs the Chief Musician to have it played “on an eight-stringed harp.”
David’s vision for worship was all-encompassing. He planned and provided for every detail, including the musicians, instruments and even the songs they would perform. Yet, he never saw his dream fulfilled. He left it all in the hands of his son, Solomon to accomplish.
Although the Lord didn’t allow David to build the Temple, He was David’s inspiration for planning it. Even the songs and musical instruments that David made were echoes of heaven’s worship that David heard from the Spirit that anointed him.
July 15, 2017
Paul wrote that the outward signs of Judaism were inadequate for proving their faith. What matters is the inner life, the circumcision of the heart. For “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). This principle is also true for the one who would claim to be a Christian. It’s implications are:
– Outward religion is less important than inner relationship. Have you become a child of God through faith in Christ?
This means that…
– Being born into a Christian family does not make us so.
– Baptism without heart change will not save.
– Profession of faith through creed or prayer alone will not save.
– Church attendance and generosity alone will not save.
As Jesus said, “You must be born again of the Spirit” (John 3:5). Have you received Jesus as Lord and Savior, so that you are born again by His Spirit?