Latest Thoughts of the Day

1 Chronicles 14:16

9/28/2022

So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

David moves into a place of international fame and power as God is exalting him. In the last military encounter, David waited for a signal from God before moving against God’s enemies, and God gave him remarkable success. David is on a roll. He will move on to transfer the Ark in the way that God commanded to the place that God intended. God’s guidance and involvement will be noted in the record, and David will greatly rejoice in what is going on. Success and joy attend David as he is careful to obey the Lord. Troubles will come, but they will be connected with neglect in inquiring of the Lord or with willful disobedience. Help us learn from David to stay close to You, Lord Jesus.

2 Kings 12:20

9/27/2022

His oficials conspired against him and assassinated him at Beth Millo. on the road down to Silla.

Under the guidance and protection of Jehoiada the high priest, the child Joash had assumed the throne and brought deliverance and blessing to the nation of Judah. The people had been drawn into the Temple restoration project, and the momentum was in favor of true worship of Jehovah. But when Jehoiada died, Joash listened to the enemies of God and destroyed all the good things he had done. The son of Jehoiada the High Priest called Joash to repentance, and Joash had the son of the one who had put him on the throne assassinated. Joash’s own people conspired to assassinate him. Lord, deliver us from trusting in political gains, even when they seem to be in our favor. Our hopes for blessing and deliverance rest on Your Son, Jesus.

1 Kings 10:28

9/26/2022

Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue--the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.

In Deuteronomy 17:16 Moses had specifically forbidden the king multiplying for himself horses from Egypt. This is 500 years later, and it seems like nobody has remembered God’s command. Momentum can force a person into a carelessness with God’s word that can lead to entire disobedience. The things that dishonor God concerning Solomon’s life did not involve open rebellion, but were consistently a result of neglect to strictly follow God’s Word. The things he allowed did not seem very important at the time. But he made allowances in his reign that embarrass and perplex us today. Where in our lives might the momentum cause us to fall short or to exceed the clear commands of God? There are consequences of every disobedience. Help us to trust and to obey, Lord Jesus.

2 Samuel 11:26

9/25/2022

When Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him.

Because of her unfaithfulness to her marriage vow, Bathsheba was pregnant with David’s child. Now David has manipulated things to kill her husband. And when her husband is dead, she mourns. Do we have to regard this as simply blatant hypocrisy? She played a crucial part in his death, and now she mourns him. Well, things are not in fact as simple as we try to make them. The king had called her into his presence and seduced her. What do you say to a king? She would have agreed with the deception David planned as a cover-up. When that did not work, what could she do? Years of family strife were facing her. There may have been something real in her mourning. Thank You for sorting out our lives and saving us, Lord Jesus.

1 Chronicles 14:16

9/24/2022

1 Samuel 15:14

9/24/2022

Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

This seems to be a simple parting of the ways, but looking back it is tremendously significant. Samuel has soundly rebuked Saul publicly before his army. Samuel has helped Saul re-gather his men, and then killed Agag, the king Saul ought to have killed. This leaving is not accompanied by any ceremony, but, in fact, is the last time Samuel and Saul will have any personal dealing whatever. Samuel will continue to mourn, but he will not answer Saul’s entreaties for guidance or help. It will ultimately lead to Saul’s entreating the powers of darkness and bringing utter ruin upon himself and his house. This parting is much more significant than either of the men is aware. Our times are in His hands. Help us stay close to You, Lord Jesus!

Ruth 2:22

9/23/2022

Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, "It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with his girls, because in someone else's field you might be harmed.

Ruth and Naomi are finding their way through the story, as it unfolds before them. At this point they do not see the hand of God directing them into a relationship with Boaz. They see safety under the shadow of Boaz, but Ruth is still among the servant girls, and she is still an outsider, socially. God is providing for them through the barley and wheat harvests and they are seeking His guidance for whatever steps come next. In the areas before us that are perplexing, we do well to make good choices for today and be prepared to choose right when the time for choosing comes. God’s guidance is always for today. Grant wisdom for today’s decisions, Lord Jesus.

Judges 10:17

9/22/2022

When the Ammonites were called to arms and camped in Gilead, the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah.

In the telling of the story, God has given us the Israelites lined up for battle against the Ammonites, but we have yet to learn how they will convince Jephtha to lead them. The backstory of everything is complex. The armies are on hold for a little while, as everything falls into place for Israel to be led to victory. The Israelites have been brought to repentance and they have earnestly called upon the God of heaven and earth. He is at work setting the stage for a victory that will deliver His people. Are we waiting for deliverance? Let us repent of our sins, forsake our idols, and call upon God from sincerity of heart. Help us to discover once again that our great Deliverer is our Lord Jesus.

Joshua 14:14

9/21/2022

So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizite ever since, because he followed the Lord the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.

Caleb’s is a beautiful picture of faithfulness to God and loyalty to his friends. He was Joshua’s buddy when he spied out the land before the forty years of wandering. Every time Caleb appears thereafter, we see him helping and encouraging. He never forgets his place of support and never pushes for a leadership role. Joshua depended upon him, and it must have been a joy for Joshua to award the inheritance Caleb had been promised. And it says that Joshua blessed him when he gave him the land. Lord, we see You in Joshua and in Caleb too. You saw Yourself as a servant, but you blessed all those who encountered You. Humility and Majesty at the same time in this same Person, Jesus!