Latest Thoughts of the Day

1 Chronicles 21:1

1/21/2019

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.

Our Lord has taught us to pray, “lead us not into temptation”. When we find ourselves tempted we need to seek the Lord to lead us in the right path, and to help us not to sin. David did not seek the Lord in this circumstance, and he did not heed the strong warning that came from Joab. Left to ourselves we will ever do what David did, and bring judgment upon ourselves and all those under our protection. God has His special purposes for allowing Satan to tempt us. But falling will be all our fault. Lord, help us to see how vulnerable we are to Satan’s attack. A way can seem right to us and yet lead to death. Help us humble ourselves and flee to our Protector, the Lord Jesus.

2 Kings 18:1

1/20/2019

In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

Trying to date things by lining them up with the current rulers of surrounding countries does not enable us to pinpoint events. It would be many centuries before it occurred to Dionysius the Little to arrange it all with the birth of Christ as the center. Modern unbelievers chafe against this reference point, but they have none better to suggest. And history being lined up in this way is in perfect accordance with truth. Jesus’ birth was the point to which everything before was looking and to which all after looks back. Our personal re-birth establishes a B.C. and an A.D. in our lives. We long that every year be a “year of our Lord” for us. Please make it so this year, Lord Jesus.

I Kings 16:1

1/19/2019

Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha:

Lesser prophets served between Judah and Israel in the years before Elijah. Israel’s kings changed every few years, each new king being worse than the one before. God raised up lesser prophets to condemn their idolatries and their wickedness. Jehu was raised up to pronounce God’s judgment upon Baasha and all his family. Even in the midst of political turmoil, God is raising up one and putting down another. He is working in the chaos to accomplish His perfect plan. And so He is for us. Lord, help us to find stability in You when all around us falls apart. Raise us up an Elijah. Or continue to work behind the scenes to glorify Your great Name. Help us individually to shine like lights in the darkness because we know and love Jesus.

2 Samuel 18:1

1/18/2019

David mustered the men who were with him and appointed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.

David organizes his army again, as many under him have joined with Absalom his son to rebel against him. He must organize his struggle against his son, though it pains him to do so. The generals David appoints will urge him not to lead them in battle because he will be a special target of the enemy. David submits to their rule in this and becomes like a spectator in the struggle for his throne. Some things are necessary, even though we would rather not do them. Jesus views the cross in this way. He prayed for the cup to be taken away, but the only way to save us was to drink it. He trusted God that what He had to do would bring us to Jesus.

I Samuel 23:1

1/17/2019

When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors."

There is a clear crisis, which someone in charge must decide how to handle. But David is not in charge. Saul is still king, and David is running for his life. The text will go on to say that David then inquired of the Lord as to what he should do. When God tells him, his own men balk, since it seems a very dangerous course. They go again to God, who again encourages, and promises success. David is not ultimately in charge, and he doesn’t know what to do.
Do we have decisions to make from the same vantage-point? Jesus said men ought always to pray and not to faint. Paul says, “Pray without ceasing”. Lord, when we don’t know what to do, help us trust in Jesus.

Ruth 3:1

1/16/2019

One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for?

It was no more than a “hunch”. Perhaps, since Boaz had been so kind to Ruth, things might open out into a permanent provision for her. Could Boaz be a help? Were there factors in their circumstance that Naomi had not taken into account? Actually, there were many factors that Naomi could hot have known, but she encouraged Ruth to take a step trusting in the Lord, and see what God would do. Have we “hunches” concerning what God might do in our lives? Shouldn’t we enter a door that is opened for us? Jesus knew the end of the things He chose to do. The best we can do is trust Him and try. Lord, make us bold in trusting Jesus.

Judges 11:1

1/15/2019

Jephtha the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute.

It was not the kid’s fault that he came into the world under a cloud. The wonder is that he was acknowledged and raised at all. To be a mighty warrior he must have worked hard to develop his skills, and he obviously had studied and learned the history of Israel, because he recounts it admirably. He was for Israel a mighty leader, but a stupid vow left him ultimately a man without an offspring, and he is buried with honors, and superceded. He came from nowhere and departed into nowhere. He was mightily used while here. Lord, we have no distinction in our birth. We have no control over our progeny. What matters is the Lord our God. Help us develop our gifts and use them for the glory of Jesus.

Joshua 12:12

1/14/2019

These are the kings of the land whom the Israelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon, including all the eastern side of the Arabah.

God is entirely aware of who exactly He is expelling from the land in order to put His people there. The nations occupying this land were spared for forty years because their cup of iniquity was not yet full. Being spared had not brought any of them to repentance. Records are carefully kept to make clear to us exactly what God had brought to pass. God has His timetable for every nation and every civilization that exists on earth today. He has sent forth His message, calling men and women, boys and girls to repentance and faith. Lord, move in our civilization that many may turn from their sin and seek Jesus.