Latest Thoughts of the Day

Esther 5:7

7/17/2026

Esther replied, "My petition is this..."

We are made to wait for Esther’s answer, and we wonder why. What about the vibes in this interchange made waiting until tomorrow better? What did Esther perceive in the looks between the men, or what background information did she have in mind, or what arrangements needed to be made before she ought to reveal her request? The king and Haman must have been wondering the same things as they went along with Esther’s request. Whatever it was, the Lord had presented it to Esther and she followed His lead. We can see why God waited. We can see the part that the building of a gallows would have. We can see the pinnacle of pride to which Haman must come. Esther just minded the Lord. Help us to mind You, Lord, the way we always see in Jesus.

Nehemiah 6:10

7/16/2026

One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the Temple, and let us close the Temple doors by night because men are coming to kill you--by night they are coming to kill you."

Shemaiah is a false prophet who is trying to discredit Nehemiah by getting him to meet secretly in a room in the temple. Non-Levites were forbidden by the Law of Moses to enter the private areas of the Temple. If Nehemiah had done so, his enemies would use the occasion to discredit the leadership of Nehemiah. Shemaiah has invented an assassination plot to frighten Nehemiah into complying with the plan. The Lord Himself had enemies who tried to trick Him into sin. Nehemiah stood firm, even like our Lord Jesus.

Ezra 5:;9

7/15/2026

We questioned the elders and asked them, "who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?"

Ezra is being questioned concerning the royal authorization he has received for rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. This text is a record of the Persian investigation of the matter, since some present government officials in Jerusalem have filed an objection. Ezra is very patient and straightforward in his answers and is fully cooperative with the investigation. It proves in many ways to be a harassment of those God has sent to accomplish His will among the returnees from Babylon. But the hand of God is in the opposition raised against His work. He increases the challenge and grants the grace that those who labor for Him need. We think ahead to One who will face opposition and resistance, but who will press on to accomplish God’s purpose. Thank You, Jesus.

2 Chronicles 18:17

7/14/2026

The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell yu that he never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad?"

Because we have read the account, we know that Ahab is setting himself up for destruction. He will not listen to the warning he is given by Micaiah the prophet. He will go into battle, and it is in this encounter that someone shoots a random arrow which pierces at the joint of Ahab’s armor producing a mortal wound. Elijah had prophesied Ahab’s end. Ahab had repented of his sin with Naboth, and God had postponed its consequences. But God directed Ahab’s maneuvers to bring about the end prophesied. God is sovereignly directing every major and minor incident of history toward the coming into the world of His Son. He continues to overcome evil to accomplish good. He will bless us through His Son, Jesus.

I Chronicles 15:15

7/13/2026

And the Levites carried the ark of God with poles on their shoulders, as Moses hd commanded according to the word of the Lord.

What does God want us to do and how does He want us to do it? David had been dancing with joy when God struck his friend Uzzah dead. This is serious business and God has specifically spoken. This is not your ark, given to you to do with what you like. This ark belongs to God, and your attitude toward it shows your attitude to Him. You have also shown a dis-respect for the Word of God. You made decisions without consulting Him. And you have not respected the authority God has given to the Institution He has appointed to direct religion in this country. David’s respect and awe concerning God’s word becomes more like what we see in our Lord Jesus.

2 Kings 13:13

7/12/2026

Jehoash rested with his fathers and Jeroboam succeeded him on the thone. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Isael.

There was a smooth transition of power to his son, and Jehoash, was buried with honors in the capital city of the northern kingdom, Israel. Jeroboam goes on to fulfill the prophecies of the dying Elisha, and God continues for a time to give success to Israel, notwithstanding their departing from Him into idolatry. Within a century God’s judgment will come upon Israel, and the nation of the ten tribes will be utterly destroyed and dispersed. We watch God miraculously preserve His people, destroying the very army that had brought destruction to Israel. The line of Judah will be preserved, as the people of God press on toward the coming into the world of the Messiah. We see the unfolding of the story of Jesus.

I Kings 11:23

7/11/2026

And God raised up against Solomon another sadversary, Rezan son of Aliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezar king of Zobah.

Solomon’s beginning to worship false gods began small, as he made accommodations for the wives he married for political reasons. He began to look at this compromise as a necessity to carry on his rule, but God saw it as a departure from Him. God did not allow a major nation to wage war against Solomon, but He raised up a multitude of little, petty, individual forces to trouble and annoy. Is this what happens to us? Dozens of irritating annoyances that demand petty solutions? Are these the things that rob us of peace and success? Solomon could tell us to fear God and to keep His commands, but he let it all slip. Help us, Lord, to take seriously Solomon’s example. Solomon needed Jesus.

2 Samuel 13:20

7/10/2026

Her brother, Absalom said to her, "Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet now, my sister. Don't take this thing to heart." And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate woman.

Amnon is heir to the throne, so any open move at all to avenge the rape of his sister would be interpreted politically. So, even in e-mails words are veiled so as in no way to make known Absalom’s real intent. Two years later, he will murder Amnon. Meanwhile, he cares for his disgraced sister. David does nothing about Amnon’s sin against Tamar, and this only adds to the resentment that will result in Absalom’s rebellion to David, The prophet Nathan had said that the sword would never leave David’s household. Very bad things in David’s household do not overrule the good things which point to Jesus.