Latest Thoughts of the Day

Job 1:7

5/12/2026

The Lord said to Satan,"Where have you come from?" Satan answered, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

Satan is clearly not omnipresent, but must depend on roaming around in order to preserve his effectiveness. Peter speaks of Satan as “roaming about seeking whom he may devour.” There is no rest for the wicked. The way of peace he has not known. God calls Satan to account, and in this context points out an individual especially appreciated by God. It will sound like He is boasting about one in whom He is especially well-pleased. And so Job is. God delights in him, and God is willing for Job to be tried mercilessly in order to display his true mettle. It was an honor for Job to be so tested. Lord, enable our trials to display a sincere love for Jesus.

Esther 1:7

5/11/2026

Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king's liberality.

No mass-produced goblets to serve the wine at this party! Every mug was one-of-a-kind individually fashioned be an artisan. This comes across as an utterly unnecessary expenditure, but that is exactly to point of this party. Excess pushing into ridiculous. The goal is not to care for the needs of your guest, but to show everybody how rich you are. Does such a thing go on in our day? When it does it displays the character of those who pursue this for themselves. It demonstrates their values and lets others know who it is that they want to impress. No doubt it can be used for good. Social needs can be real needs. Help us, Lord, to spend our wealth in a way that honors Jesus!

Nehemiah 1:7

5/10/2026

We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands and laws you gave your servant Moses.

Nehemiah is not personally guilty of these sins, but he prays with earnestness to repent for the sins of his nation. He had heard very discouraging reports from Jerusalem. He longs for the labors of his fellow-Jews to prosper. He is in a place of power but can see no way to use his influence to actually improve the situation. At this point all he can do is pray, and he does so personally and sincerely. God hears his prayers and will presently open a way in which he can be used to rescue the people, to further the purposes of God in Jerusalem and ultimately to prepare for the coming of the Lord into the world. Through Nehemiah’s prayers God will make ready the way for Jesus.

Ezra 1:7

5/9/2026

Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the Temple of the Lord, which Nebuchadnezzar had caried away from Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his god.

It was not chaos that had overtaken Jerusalem. The conquerors had observed, evaluated, counted and stored every precious article they had take away as booty. For over seventy years these objects had been kept secure and safe and organized in a way that made it possible to have them brought out and distributed according to the reigning sovereign’s will. For his own political ends, Cyrus had the objects collected and returned to Jerusalem, to reside at the Temple that would be rebuilt. It is remarkable to see sinful men able to keep track of things like this. Even the ungodly God directs to carry out His purposes in preparing the world for the entering of His Son Jesus.

2 Chronicles 1:7

5/8/2026

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

Just before David died there had been an attempted coup, so it took a while for the king issue to be fully settled. But now it is settled and celebrated with a thousand burnt offerings, a great multitude feasting in celebration. It was that night—in the glow of victory and security—that God appeared to Solomon to test him. Offer him what he wants and see what it truly is. God is pleased by Solomon’s desire for wisdom to lead so great a people. A servant-king is what David had been, deep down. Solomon’s answer is very much like what David’s would have been. God was pleased, and freely granted the request, along with riches and honor and success and notoriety. A servant-king would be like Jesus.

1 Chronicles 1:7

5/7/2026

The sons of Javan, Elisha, the Kittim and the Rodanim.

God is recording the beginning lines of the descendants of Noah after the flood. Javan was a grandson of Noah, and himself the father of several nations and peoples. The genealogies that eventually are preserved within the Biblical record are ultimately those that trace the lineage of Jesus. Thousands of years later, when Rome wiped out all the records the Jews had preserved, the lineage of Christ had been recorded in the Bible, and after Jesus came there was no need to preserve future generations. The identity of the Messiah will soon be recognized by all, in flaming fire and in overwhelming power. Javan had his place, and God gave it to him in a way that will not pass away until the return of our Lord. We eagerly await for Your glorious return, Lord Jesus.

2 Kings 1:7

5/6/2026

The king asked them, " What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?"

God is so far from Ahaziah’s everyday thinking that he has to figure out who this messenger must have been. It has not so much as occurred to him that he should seek the counsel of Jehovah, the God of Israel. God intervenes into his life to bring him a message of condemnation. And it does not come home to him until God has first proved the authority and power of the man that He has chosen to represent Him. Two groups of fifty soldiers will be consumed by fire from above before Elijah comes to Ahaziah. His reputation as a prophet of God is taken seriously. Miracles will mark his ministry and that of Elisha after him. The great Miracle Worker to come will be King Jesus.

I Kings 1:7

5/5/2026

Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Seruiah and with Abiathar the priest and they gave their consent.

David’s son Abiathar is poltting to take over the throne before his father dies and leaves it to Solomon. He wants to demonstrate his support as broadly as possible, so he invites everybody but the most important characters to attend his coming out party. They move quickly to sustain as much surprise as they can. The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba get wind of the venture and themselves move quickly to circumvent what is going on. Manipulation and trickery are seen on their part, too, as they try to outwit the manipulation and trickery of Abiathar. David recognizes what is happening and is quick to call in the officials needed to bring about his will. In all of this God is working and Israel is moving toward the coming of Jesus.