Latest Thoughts of the Day

Matthew 1:7

6/4/2026

Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa.

Jesus’ right to the throne of David is being established at the very outset of Matthew’s account. Matthew begins with Abraham and presents the list of descendants in a way that organizes the individuals into three lists of fourteen. The concern is not to mention every individual in the lineage, but to make the connection certain and to enable easier memorization. We will learn of Jesus as the Son of God, the Savior of the world, but also as the king of Israel. God began to work His plan of salvation with Abraham, and the Jews were at center stage. In Romans eleven Paul the Apostle speaks of God’s future purposes to include the sons of Abraham in His ultimate bringing together of all things. We await with hope the coming of Jesus.

Malachi 1:7

6/3/2026

"You place defiled food on the altar". But you ask,"'How have we defiled You?' By saying tat the lord's table is contemptible."

The fact that the priests ask what is wrong with what they are doing is itself proof that they have no respect for God. They go through religious motions, reasoning from a purely human standpoint and are not even conscience-struck. “What difference does it make if the sacrificed animal is blind or crippled?” These men take their human rulers seriously, and they would never presume to offer to them a defective beast. But God is not real to them, and they have no respect at all for Him. Help us, Lord, to take You seriously. Subtle actions reveal what we really think. Draw near to us by Your Holy Spirit. Humble our proud hearts. Work in our hearts a genuine love and respect for Jesus.

Zecharaih 1:7

6/2/2026

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.

There was no question among the inhabitants of Jerusalem at that time that Zechariah son of Berekiah was a prophet of God. There was no question concerning the content of the revelations or when exactly they were received from God. They were taken seriously and received with respect. How exactly they are to be interpreted may be a question, even to this day. God has been pleased at times to reveal Himself in puzzling pictures. What has been fulfilled is much more easy to understand. But we are ever in awe of His word. Thank You, Lord, that You have spoken, it has been recorded, and Your Word speaks to us of Jesus.

Haggai 1:7

6/1/2026

This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways."

The Jews who returned from Babylon to rebuild the Temple and the city walls have gotten distracted by immediate personal needs and discouraged by the work demand. They keep putting off the work they came so far to do, and everything that has to be done first is taking more and more time. Haggai is sent by God to point out the connection between serving God sacrificially and receiving from God all that they need. God’s hand may be seen as much in crop failure as in crop success. Why should God reward the half-hearted service they are giving Him? Both Haggai and Malachi challenge the people to make the Lord’s work a priority and witness the delight He has to prosper His people. Think about it. Re-focus the priorities and draw near to Jesus.

Zephaniah 1:7

5/30/2026

Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated those He has invited.

Zephaniah was the key prophet who lifted the vision of good king Josiah to restore the true worship of God in the Temple. The early verses of this book deal with God’s dreadful judgment upon Israel being like a formal feast where the Lord has consecrated the guests for slaughter. The orderly majesty becomes the more frightening when one sees that God is talking about the severe punishment of His own people. Josiah was a young man of sixteen when he was moved with a passion to destroy idolatry and restore the true worship of God. May his zeal inspire us as we look around our own lives and see glaring idolatry and tolerated sin! Lord, turn our eyes upon Jesus!

Habakkuk 1:7

5/29/2026

They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law unto themselves and they promote their own honor.

God is describing the powerful pagan nation that He is raising up to bring judgment upon His own people, the Jews. Habakkuk has challenged God concerning the evil he sees in Israel and God is answering with a description of the means He will use to address the problem. It will set off a turmoil within Habakkuk’s soul, but eventually Habakkuk will reach a wonderful peace and trust. We will watch Habakkuk pass through this transition, and we will rejoice in the peace that God gives him in looking ahead to Jesus. Lord, help us to observe this transition in Habakkuk’s life and relate it to our own lives in a way that draws us close to You. We know that when it comes to hope, we look to Jesus.

Nahum 1:7

5/28/2026

The lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

Nahum will go on to speak of the utter destruction He will bring upon Assyria, which has exalted itself in the presence of God and is the instrument of utter destruction to the northern kingdom and a terrifying threat to the Jews. But in all His zeal to punish His enemies, God remains a tender shelter to those who put their trust in Him. Lord, we long for the vindication of Your Great Name and the utter overcoming of those who rise up against Yo[, but we rejoice with trembling. We know that the reason you, the thrice-holy God may show the love you do to us is entirely and completely because of Your becoming man and living and dying for us. Our Refuge and our only Hope is Jesus.