Latest Thoughts of the Day

1 Samuel 2:2

11/29/2020

There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

Leaving little Samuel at the Tabernacle was not abandoning him. There were Levite women to care for him, and Levite children with whom to play. Samuel would learn from a child what would be needed for the great work to which God would call him. Hannah did not know all this, but she trusted the God to whom she had made her vow, and she looked to Him for comfort in the giving up of her child. We can see God’s hand in the outcome and rejoice that God so wonderfully used the ardent faith of this great woman. Lord, help us to worship You and to exalt Your Name, even at times when our sacrifice is overwhelming. Make our yearnings promote the glory of Jesus.

Ruth 2:8

11/28/2020

So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls.

Boaz goes on to say why he treats this stranger as he does. He has heard of her kindness to Naomi. A kind person recognizes kindness in others. Boaz is distantly related to Naomi, so he is perhaps the more concerned to do her good. All this is background for what will come to pass in the book. The blossoming relationship is not exactly “out of the blue.” Lord we see how a personal act of kindness to an unknown person can have implications that affect the whole world. Have you prepared opportunities for us this day that could have eternal implications in the lives of others? Help us to recognize Your hand and share the love of Jesus.

Judges 1:30

11/27/2020

Neither did Zebulon drive out the Canaanites living in Kidron or Nahalol, who remained among them; but they did subject them to forced labor.

Failure to obey the Lord in driving out the inhabitants of the cities is reported in almost a matter-of-fact way. Sometimes they were just too strong, and sometimes decidedly too determined to stay, and perhaps there were times that it seemed advantageous to have the Canaanites around. God will send His angel to rebuke them all and to warn them that He is leaving the enemies in their midst as thorns in their sides and as a snare. Lord, do we have enemies in our lives which become snares and thorns? Compromise and accommodation may seem wise, but do they weaken us in our walk with You? Help us to be bold to remove every influence that weakens us in our walk with Jesus.

Joshua 2:12

11/26/2020

Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you.

Rahab believed in Israel’s God, was willing to surrender and to help the spies, and had a heart for the protection and preservation of her family. She became a wonderful example of faith when she thus forsook all to put her trust in God’s mercy. She is not making a deal with the spies—she is making an appeal. We don’t make deals with God either. We have seen His power. We have heard of his mercy. We have hope as we speak to such a God of such a need as ours. The Lord is God in heaven above and on the Earth below. We bow before His mighty power and draw near to Him. He will receive us in His Son, Jesus.

Deuteronlmy 1:30

11/25/2020

The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes.

The Egyptians had seen the Lord God fight on behalf of His people, but they preferred to seek a natural explanation of what was happening and were determined to ask, “Who is God that I should serve His?” The Israelites saw the miracles as from God and were greatly encouraged by His undertaking for them. God is working before our very eyes this day, though the Devil would like for us to explain away circumstances and events and not see His powerful hand. But we do determine to see Your hand, O Lord! You have prepared good works for us to do this day. You will feed and clothe us, provide every need and protect from any harm. Today our eyes will see Jesus.

Numbers 1:30

11/24/2020

From the descendants of Zebulun: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families.

Jesus speaks of making vain repetitions in our prayers, but He is not dismissing all repetition as useless. Repetition can fix firm our understanding and include our personal thinking with that of the corporate body. The same words cement our relationship in a common body. So Moses makes one the twelve-part body of God’s people by a formula which includes each individual tribe. The tribes differ in the number of participants , but they join under a covenant that includes them all. We repeat the same words when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. In a mysterious way, the words repeated join us together with all who love and serve God through His Son, Jesus.

Leviticus 2:13

11/23/2020

Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.

When Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth, He was probably referring to preserving from corruption as well as making the earth more palatable. When Paul said that our words should be full of grace, seasoned with salt, he probably referred to speaking palatably and in a way that resisted corruption. Salt has a permeating power that affects the food for good. God’s “covenant of salt” seems to speak of sincerity, and commitment to good that permeates all His involvements with His people. Sincerity and purity permeated the life and death of Christ. Even under Moses, this must be pictured with every sacrifice. In every type of sacrifice the priest must remember to point to Jesus.

Exodus 2:8

11/22/2020

"Yes, go," she answered. And the girl went and got the baby's mother.

It does not seem like a particularly earth-shaking moment in history, but the purposes of the Universe hung upon this transaction. Jesus Christ was to be known and understood and displayed to the moral universe for all Eternity, God could accomplish it all without revealing to us the way He did so, but God chooses Moses as His instrument for making known Himself and His purposes to mankind and the wondering angels. He who is the Word will be revealed to man in words, and Moses will begin the process for us all. This is a small event that bears infinite implications. Lord, help us to value every moment of our lives, realizing Your power to do mighty things for the glory of Your Son. Help everything we do to bring glory to Jesus.