So far, what has stood out in the daily readings are that we have a God who Created us in His image and seeks us, even when we try to hide from Him. And that Abraham, though he is thought of as the righteous forefather of the Israelites, repeatedly failed as well (notably in trying to deceive leaders that Sarah is his sister, in order to "protect" himself). And that as Abraham and Sarah were waiting for God's promise that their descendants will be a great nation, God continually reminded them and assured them that He would fulfill His promise.
We have a great and loving God who fulfills His promises and blesses us beyond what we deserve (i.e. He gives us grace).
23-Jan: In the Daily bible reading, I just finished the Book of Genesis last night. Another thing that I noticed in the Genesis reading, is that God really sees needs of the broken-hearted. He took care of Hagar and Ishmael when they were "cast out". He blessed Leah more, since it was Rachel that Jacob loved (and it was Rachel who stole her father's idols). And reading the story of Joseph again just hit home the lessons taught through my Pastor's series on the life of Joseph.
27-Jan: The following quote from today's devotional really stood out, based on the passage where Joseph recognizes the good in the bad of his being sold as a slave to Egypt:
"When evil surrounds you, look for my good.... In gloomy obscurity, seek my clear light...In only a matter of time you will emerge from sin-steeped circumstance into a beautiful new chapter of your journey. Wait on me"
31-Jan: As I've been reading through Exodus, I can see that God truly can use even those who have fallen miserably (e.g. Moses after killing the Egyptian). Also, the HOLINESS of God is so clear through the passages on the burning bush, at Mt Sinai, etc. And God's protection of the Israelites was so clear in the Exodus 14:19,20 passage where the "pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel." Also, His LOVE is shown as He initiates the covenant and says that they will be His "treasured possessions".
25-Mar: "The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:7) This is the verse for today's devotional; and it is one that has been referenced several times lately. It serves as an encouraging reminder that no matter what the world sees and thinks, God looks at what really matters, my heart.
13-Apr:
- In Exodus 33:3, God's love for His people was demonstrated through His great patience and faithfulness: "Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way." The people had sinned by worshipping the golden calf, even as God was giving the Ten Commandments to Moses on the mountain. He was so angry and disappointed in their sin, that He could no longer "go with" them; although, He remained faithful, by continuing to honor His Promise to give them the "land flowing with milk and honey". Similarly, in Deut 31, God foresees that His People will become unfaithful after they enter the Promised Land, yet even then, God honors His Promise. "Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled" (Joshua 21:45)
- And Moses, as great a leader as he was, also disappointed God when He doubted that God could provide meat for the 600,000 of them in the wilderness. "The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you." (Numbers 11:23)
- Deut 10:12-13 truly gives a great "Summary of God's Will": "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?" - A good verse to memorize and live by. Then in Micah 6:8 spoken to Israel many years later is a similar, somewhat companion verse: "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?"
- In Samuel's farewell address (1 Sam 12), he was able to say with confidence and in turn be confirmed by the people that he has served well and faithfully. I hope that in all that I do, till the end of my days, I will be able to do the same - to say that I have served God well and faithfully. Amen.
- When David became king, he "became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty WAS WITH HIM" (1 Chron 11:9). When I read that verse, I was reminded of the many ways I have experienced the blessings of "divine intervention" in my life. I thank God that He has been with me also.
- "It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way." (1 Chron 15:13) - David recognized the importance to asking for God's guidance, and also of the need to be obedient
- "But the thing David had done displeased the LORD." (2 Sam 11:27b) - What a reminder to be careful. Even though David was a great king, and God was with him, and he sought the Lord for guidance; he still fell into temptation and committed the great sins of adultery and murder. May the Holy Spirit help me not to "displease the LORD" in my life.
- As Elijah was hiding after his victory on Mount Horeb, it's a reminder to listen for God's gentle whisper as we face doubt and fear
- Just as God allowed Elisha to learn from Elijah, we are not expected "to figure things out on [our] own" - we can call on the LORD for His strength and guidance
- Just as Nehemiah prayed before speaking to the king about what he needed, we can remember that God's "resources are limitless for [our] task" and He will provide when we ask
- The story of Esther is a reminder to just continue walking with God and be ready for whenever He calls us "to a task larger than yourself". Also, unlike the Persian King Xerxes, God is a King who offers an open invitation to come before Him anytime, entering His throne room with boldness - what a privilege
- The devotional on Mordecai taking a stand against Haman really spoke to me: "The course I set before you is indeed lonely at times. Nevertheless, I have set you apart and equipped you to run it well. I have also prepared your path with rich blessings and rewards. So take courage, and know that when you feel like you're standing alone, you aren't. I am standing with you."
25-Jun:
- The verse from Zechariah 4:6 quoted in Heaven Calling from the CEV caught my attention: "I am the LORD All Powerful. So don't depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit." I had learned the verse previously in other versions as "...Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit...", but the CEV translation really seems to emphasize the message of the devotional that day, that I can depend on the strength of the Spirit in me during times of weariness. Praise God.
- The Malachi 3:10 verse "See if I will not open the flood gates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure." speaks of how abundantly God desires to bless us. Amazing!
- In reading of the Kings of Judah and Israel after David and Solomon, I found myself rooting for all the Kings who started off well to finish well also. But, unfortunately, many "did evil in the eyes of the LORD". And even when there were those who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, BUT not as his father David had done"; for there were still areas of compromise (e.g. 2 Kings 14:3-6)
- We remember Jeroboam for setting up the altars, high places, and idols in the Northern Kingdom which led them away from worship at the Temple; but I didn't realize that when he was called by God to be king over Israel in 1 Kings 11:26-40, he was described as "a man of standing". Sadly, as a result, disaster is prophesied against the house of Jeroboam for falling away and doing evil (1 Kings 14:5-16)
- Rehoboam started his reign disasterously because he "abandoned the law of the LORD. He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD."
- The passage in 1 Kings 22:7-28 is a strange juxaposition of being sadly humorous. The King of Israel did not want to summons the prophet Micaiah because he "never prophesies anything good.., but only bad.". It's a reminded that there are people who will not listen to truth, and will only seek those who will say what they want to hear.
- I love the verse at the end of 2 Chron 20:12 "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." May that be my prayer whenever I face any situation in which I do not know what to do. Amen.
- In the prophecy from Isaiah 16:5, I can see so clearly the love of God and the justice of Christ's reign: "In love a throne will be established;in faithfulness a man will sit on it— One from the house of David— One who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness."
- In still trying to find a good king of Judah or Israel to root for, I was excited to read about Hezekiah: "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done...Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook." (2 Kings 18:3,5-7a) He made many wonderful reforms; however, I was thoroughly disappointed when I read that towards the end of his life from 2 Chronicles 32:25: "But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem." Although, at least he and the people repented so that "Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah." (vs 26b) And unfortunately, in the last years of his life, which were extended after his prayer request was granted when he was ill, he had a son Manasseh who went on to become one of the worst kings that Judah ever had.
- The king I am currently rooting for in my reading is Josiah. "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left...Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses." (2 Kings 22:2,23:25)
- Another thing that I did notice in my reading, is that often when a king is introduced, the verse often lists the name of his mother as well. And we usually already know the father, who is typically the previous king. While this would honor the parents as well when the son obeys the Lord and is a good king; but, on the flip side, it also reminds us that the parents had some role as well in the upbringing, even when the son chooses to do evil in the sight of the Lord during his reign.
- In the book of Jonah, we see the Ninevites repent; but sadly, just 125 years later, as the capital of the ruthless Assyrian empire, Nahum prophesies of the wrath of God that will be poured out on Ninevah due to the atrocities they have committed.
- "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.''Alas, Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am too young.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 1:4-7) When reading these very familiar verses in the context, they stand out even more; for they show that not only did God form Jeremiah while he was still in the womb, God also chose him to be a prophet before he was even born. Now that is truly a "calling". And the following verses are interesting, in that even though Jeremiah was called to be a prophet, he himself didn't feel adequate and had to be reminded that God will be with him. I can really relate to that.
26-Sep:
- Josiah was recorded as a good king throughout his reign, however, I was somewhat baffled to read that at the very end, he went into battle and did not listen to what was said at God's command. He was wounded and died.
- "The LORD said to me, 'Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah'" (Jeremiah 3:11); because Judah only returned to the Lord in pretense
- While other prophets were prophesying lies of lasting peace (Jer 14:13-14); it was Jeremiah who was justified at the end for telling the truth and praises God in Jer 20:11-13
- "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one." (Ezek 22:30) - What a reminder of how important it is to "stand in the gap", like through prayer
- Ezek 33:7-9 refers to the role of the "watchman", which we should all try to take up by giving warning to the lost in sin of the coming judgment
- What amazing boldness Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego showed in Daniel 3:16-18; honoring God whether or not they are delivered from the furnace fire
- "I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession" (Ezek 44:28) - God as our inheritance rather than land and possessions; what a wondrous thought which requires more pondering.....
- Right before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (Luke 11:40b) - This can apply to so many areas of our lives. It's just a reminder to dream God's dreams and to believe that He would do it, and we will see Him do more than we could ever imagine, thus all glory going to HIM
- At the final greetings in the second letter to the Corinthians, the devotional Bible version has "Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." (2 Corinth 13:11b) - "Aim for perfection" reminds me of pursuing holiness, seeking to be like Christ
- We had a discussion in our small group this past year about God "hardening" hearts. It's always been somewhat of a challenge to explain; but, Romans 19:18 says "Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden." We already know this is part of God's sovereignty, and the challenge is similar to that of the balance between predestination and free-will. But, from the verse in Romans, it is also clear that hardening is just related to God deciding to withhold His mercy. Mercy is clearly not something the recipient deserves; and the picture is similar to letting go of the boat heading down a waterfall. So, "hardening" is just allowing man to follow his sinful nature and thus allowing his heart to be hardened
- In the devotional Bible, the passage from Eph 5:15-20 is entitled "LIVE SPIRIT-FILLED LIVES": "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." I just find that this is a good guideline to how we should be living our lives
- At the end of 2 Timothy in vs 16-18, Paul talks about how everyone has deserted him, BUT the Lord stood at his side and gave him strength! The Lord delivered him and enabled the message to be proclaimed, and was given glory. I sometimes feel like that - very alone; save only the Lord with me. I do praise Him that He still works through me, even when I feel alone. May He be glorified through my life. Amen!
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