Latest Thoughts of the Day

I Kings 1:20

3/26/2019

"My lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to learn from you who will sit on the throne of my lord the king after him."

“My lord the king” is repeated again and again in the passage before us. Everyone is making very sure to acknowledge the authority of David as they maneuver in the background to make sure the right man is given the nod. David’s son, Adonijah has gathered a clique and is trying to ram through his own candidacy. David has previously spoken of Solomon as his successor. It is not clear who will win out, but those speaking with David now are pushing for Solomon. God works in the political machinations of a nation to accomplish His sovereign will. Thank You, Lord, that we know You are at work, and the final outcome is in the hands of Jesus.

2 Samuel 1:20

3/25/2019

"Tell it not in Gath, proclaim it not in Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines be glad, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised rejoice.

Goliath had been from Gath. It comes to David’s mind as a symbol of the enemies of God. He is aware that the enemies of God will rejoice at the death of Saul, and he writes a Psalm to teach the people to lament. It says that he directed that the soldiers be taught this lament. Like a flag at half-mast, the songs of the soldiers were to rise in lamentation, thinking to drown out the joy f the enemy. David was sincerely sorry at the death of Saul, and he records it, because there are times for grief to be expressed. We sing in grief as well, when we think of the suffering and cruel death of Jesus.

I Samuel 1:20

3/24/2019

So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the Lord for him."

There is a play on words in the name, Samuel. It could mean, “God heard”, and it could mean “Name of God.” Hannah could feel a real satisfaction in the fact that God had heard her earnest pleas, and she certainly wanted the boy to carry God’s name. This would color the entire time she had with the child, until she gave him up to Eli, according to the promise she had made. “This child exists because God heard my prayer” would be a thought that would never leave her, as she raised him and the other children God would give. Lord, help us see our children as gifts from God, and help us raise them in everything to glorify Jesus.

Ruth 1:20

3/23/2019

"Don't call me Naomi," she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter."

Must we pretend in order to get God off the hook, or may we be honest and say what He has done to us? You and I can see that much that Naomi had experienced was because of choices her husband and sons had made. We know the good that will come out of it all, and even see the Savior that will descend from these events. But Naomi doesn’t see all this. Can’t she be honest and tell it like she sees it? God did make her life miserable, that He might use her for His glory. Help us this day, Lord, to be honest before You, but still to look to You in faith and in trust. Help us to fix our hope on Your Son, Jesus.

Judges 1:20

3/22/2019

As Moses had promised, Hebron was given to Caleb, who drove from it the three sons of Anak.

Caleb had been promised certain lands many years before, while Moses was yet with them, and now they are awarded to Caleb. But not without the need for Caleb to conquer them. We think of the promises God has made to us, that we might enter into the joy that He has given us freely, but we must do so battling with the world, the flesh and the devil, coming out victorious by the grace and power of God. The fact that God has given us victory does not mean that we need not fight for it. Help us, Lord, to resist those things that war against the soul and lay hold of the inheritance You have planned for us. We fight in Your strength, under the banner of Jesus.

Joshua 2:2

3/21/2019

The king of Jericho was told, "Look! Some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land."

Surveillance was pretty sophisticated in those days, even without modern technology. The king found out about two men and directed those under him to find them and interrogate. God purposed to hide them from the king, and He used Rahab to do so, though her lie was not necessary, the Lord being quite able to make her hiding of the men successful. These details were all part of God’s working out his judgment upon a wicked people and His promoting of His kingdom in their place. God was going to exalt His grace even in the midst of His judgment, as He dealt with Rahab and her family. Thank You, Lord, that You have dealt with us in grace. We deserve condemnation, but You have sent us Jesus.

Deuteronomy 1:20

3/20/2019

Then I said to you, "You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us."

If the Lord has given it to us, we can safely take it. The ensuing difficulties will be viewed as challenges. The obstacles will be seen as things to overcome. If we are not sure the Lord had given it to us, we may be stumbled by every sort of opposition, but if the Lord has spoken, we can encourage ourselves not to be afraid and not to be discouraged. Lord, help us to view deliverance from sin as something You have granted. Help us to see laying hold of righteousness as our proper heritage from God. You have given us victory. You have given us the land. Help us see God as the Captain of our Salvation and go forth in the Name of Jesus.

Numbers 1:20

3/19/2019

From the descendants of Reuben, the firstborn son of Israel: all the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families.

Exactly the same formula is used to record each son of Israel, followed by the actual number of men designated. Joseph’s two sons are listed, so that the number would be thirteen if Levi were included. There is a formality that unites the tribes in a ceremonial way. God speaks of such organization in certain passages of the Book of the Revelation. Will this kind of thing be continued in Eternity? We are thankful that the counting is in God’s hands, and we have personally been included with our names written in the book of life. Every aspect of the arrangement will bring glory to Jesus.