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#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 123

May2

    Day 123—As we begin our FIFTH month of Bible reading, pause and reflect.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?

Day 123 – Psalm 106 – 107 – (Praising God despite His people’s unfaithfulness.  Thanking God for His faithfulness in His people’s sins.)
These are two wonderful psalms that I recommend you read several times today and later. They mirror our failings as believers who sin often and our merciful, loving, forgiving GOD who disciplines but never breaks His promises to us.
Psalm 106 begins by calling Israel (and us) to praise and thanksgiving, and it tells us why: because the LORD is good and because His love and mercy toward them (and us) are forever. Wow.
Over and over, the psalmist confesses their sin.
Verse 5: “Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.”
Verses 14-15: “…they soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert.”
Verses 20-21: “They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their savior…”
Verses 24-25: “Then they despised the pleasant land, having no faith in His promise. They murmured in their tents, and did not obey the voice of the LORD.”
Verse 28-29: “Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, and at sacrifices offered to the dead; they provoked the LORD to anger with their deeds…”
Verses 32, 34, 37-39:  “They angered Him at the waters of Meribah…”   “They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD commanded…”   “They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan.”   “…they became unclean by their acts and played the whore in their deeds.”
****The details are different, but we, too, have sinned, disobeyed, and flaunted God’s loving commands.
But… over and over, the psalmist (almost in amazement) records how God forgave and saved them. Verse 8: “,…for His name’s sake, that He might make know His mighty power.”   And verses 44-45: “He looked upon their distress when He heard their cry. For their sake, he remembered His covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love.”
“Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say; “Amen!” Praise the LORD!” Verse 48
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Psalm 107 begins with a call to thank the LORD and gives reasons.  “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.”  “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from trouble…”
Verses 4 – 32 contain four sections describing four types of people or situations. They show how God helped these people when they cried to Him and what their response should be. These sections begin with the word “some…”
Verses 4-9.  “Some wandered in desert wastes…” “…hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them.” 
“They cried to the LORD… and He delivered them from their distress…”
“Oh, that men would praise the LORD for His goodness and mercy to the children of man!”
“For He satisfies the longing soul and the hungry souls he fills with good things.”
Verses 10-16.  “Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons…” 
  “Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them in their distress.”
“Oh, that men would praise the LORD for His goodness and mercy to the children of man!”
“For He shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.”
Verses 17-22.  “Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters.”   “(He) commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted UP to heaven; they went DOWN to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they REELED and STAGGERED like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.”  
“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.”
“He made the storm be still and the waves of the sea were hushed….”   “… He brought them to their desired haven.”
“Oh, that men would praise the LORD for His goodness and mercy to the children of man!”
In verses 33-42, the psalmists list more of the LORD’s mercies and His care for His own and end with this:
“Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.”
****Oh, may you and I do that every day of our lives, for it is only by his love and mercy that we exist!  Thanks be to our God.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 122

May1

    Day 122—As we begin our FIFTH month of Bible reading, pause and reflect.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?

Day 122 – Psalm 133 – (A song to be joyfully sung when all Israel traveled up to Jerusalem for one of their festival days. It’s written by David.)
 
Since today’s reading is just one short Psalm, I will write it out here in its entirety. Enjoy the vivid picture-language of what unity with others looks like. 
 
Psalm 133
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 
 
It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the head of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 
 
It is like the dew of Hermon which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” 

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 121

Apr30

    Day 121—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 121 – 2 Samuel 5, 1 Chronicles 11-12 – (David is crowned king of all Israel. His mighty men are listed, as are some battles.)

God had said, “You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.”

Now, both Samuel and Chronicles tell how David is finally anointed King of all Israel, including three-quarters of the tribes that had followed Saul. The first thing King David does is lead a battle against the Jebusites, defeating them and claiming Zion (Jerusalem) as “The City of David,” his capital. The mighty man who led that battle was Joab, whom King David chose as the commander of his army.

Unlike Saul, King David inquired of the LORD before going to battle. He was given instructions to go or stay and once to conquer them by listening for noise in the tops of balsam trees.

The chapters in Chronicles (11-12) list King David’s leaders, his mighty men and their accomplishments, and the number of soldiers coming to him from the northern tribes and those on the east side of the Jordan River.  King David met them saying,

“If you have come to me in friendship to help me, my heart will be joined to you; but if to betray me to my adversaries, may the God of our fathers see and rebuke you.”

In answer, the chief man of his top thirty men, who was “Spirit-clothed” said,

“We are yours, O David, and with you, O son of Jesse!  Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers! For your God helps you,”

After that, King David received them.  And all met in Hebron to celebrate for three days eating and drinking, for those from Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing the food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen – abundant provisions of four, cakes of figs, clusters of raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep.

For, there was joy in Israel.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 117

Apr26

    Day 117—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 117 – 1 Chronicles 6 – (the genealogies of the priestly tribe of Levi)

Reading all these unusual-sounding names may be difficult and boring, but the lists were crucial to Israel. After they were exiled to Babylon for 70 years (verse 15) and returned, they needed to know where their portion of land was located. They needed to keep track of the kingly line in Judah, through which the Messiah would come. And the Levites needed to know their portion of work in the newly built temple.

The three priestly clans of Levi are listed: Kohath, Gershom, and Merari. From Numbers 4, we read about each having their work in the Tabernacle service and in the packing up and carrying of the parts of it when they “wandered in the wilderness.”

It’s interesting to see that the prophet Samuel was a Kohathite. By God’s specific choice, he was able to offer sacrifices even though he was not a descendant of Aaron. (Verses 22-28)

Also interesting are the men David chose to be in charge of “the service of song” in the house of the LORD after the Ark rested there. He chose one from each of the Levite clans: Herman, a Kohathite, Asaph, of Gershom, and Ethan of Merari. (Verses 31-48) Yesterday we read three of the songs written by Asaph. Asaph wrote twelve in all (Psalms 50, 73-80).  Herman wrote Psalm 88, and Ethan wrote Psalm 89.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 116

Apr25

    Day 116—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 116 – Psalms 73, 77, 78. (Psalms of Asaph)

Psalm 73 – Asaph begins by acknowledging that God is truly good to Israel, to all who are pure in heart. But then he admits that in his own heart there is envy for the prosperity of the wicked. But when his heart turns to God, his attitude changes.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Psalm 77 – Asaph again begins writing about the day of his trouble, how he prays and weeps all night, but there is no comfort. But again his attitude changes when his thoughts turn to God.

“Then my spirit made a diligent search: Will the LORD spurn forever, and never again be favorable?  Has his steadfast love forever ceased?  Are His promises at an end for all time?”  “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?”

Psalm 78 has 72 verses and describes God’s wonderful love and care for Israel and what Israel should tell the coming generations about Him.

“I will utter puzzling sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD and His might and the wonders that He has done…. that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.”

Then, Asaph writes about the glorious (and horrible) history of God and Israel. He tells how God gloriously rescued and provided for Israel repeatedly, how Israel sinned, doubted, complained, tested, and rebelled, provoking God’s righteous judgments on them. Over and over Israel spurned the Holy God.

“Yet He, being compassionate atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; He restrained His anger often and did not stir up all His wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh.”

Asaph tells about God rejecting Israel during the turbulent times of the Judges when they looked to pagan idols and their enemies battled with them continuously.  And he tells of God choosing Judah and setting His presence in Zion.

“He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; for following the nursing ewes He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, Israel his inheritance. With an upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.“

(Oh for leaders like that today!)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 115

Apr24

    Day 115—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 115 – 1 Chronicles 3 – 5. (Genealogies in David’s line, Judah, Simeon, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh.)

1 Chronicles 3 chronicles King David’s line until the Babylonian captivity. We see the sons and the daughter whose actions will cause David severe problems. Solomon, David’s tenth son, is mentioned as well.

1 Chronicles 4 chronicles the line of Judah, the Messianic line, and the diminishing tribe of Simeon, which is eventually swallowed up in Judah’s territory.

1 Chronicles 5 chronicles the line of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn who forfeited the birthright. The double-portion birthright then passed to the firstborn of Israel’s other wife, Rachael, Joseph. This chapter also gives the lineage of the Gadites and the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh which settled east of the Jordan River.

In both chapters 4 and 5, we see God answering prayer. In 4:9-10, Jabez “called upon the God of Israel, asking for more land, blessings, and safety for himself. And “God granted what he asked.”

In 5:18-20, the East Jordan tribes waged war against several pagan nations. Even though there were less than half the enemy’s number, when they “cried out to God in the battle, He granted their urgent plea, because they trusted Him.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 114

Apr23

    Day 114—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.   What have you learned about God? About yourself?

Day 114 – Psalms 43, 44, 45, 49, 84, 85, 87. (Psalms of David, prayers for help and praises.)

Psalm 43 – “Why are you cast down, O  my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God!”

Psalm 44 – “You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! Through You we push down our foes; through Your name we tread down those who rise up against us. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But You have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us! In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever.”

Psalm 45 – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness, You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.”

Psalm 49 – “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.”    “But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.”

Psalm 84 – “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”    “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”    “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!”

Psalm 85 – “You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; and turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!”

Psalm 87 – “On the holy mount stands the city He founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.  Among those who know me, I mention RAHAB and BABYLON; behold, PHILISTIA and TYRE, with CUSH — ‘This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said, ‘This one and that one were born in her;’ for the Most High himself will establish her.  The LORD records as He registers the PEOPLES, ‘This one was born there.’

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 112 & 113

Apr22

    Day 112 & 113—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year and have begun reading the 12th book. What have you learned about God? About yourself?

(Note: SUNDAY’s and MONDAY’s readings are combined.)

Day 112 – Psalms 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 19, 21. (Psalms of David)

Psalm 6 – “O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.”   “The LORD heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.”

Psalm 8 – “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.”    “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?”

Psalm 9 – “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult to you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”    “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 10 – “Why O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”    “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.”

Psalm 14 –  “Why O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”    “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek Him; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.'”    “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.”

Psalm 16 – “I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.'”    “I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.”    “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.”    “You make know to me the path of life; in your presence there is fulness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalm 19 – “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”    “The law of the Lord is Perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes, the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are pure and righteous altogether.  MORE to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.”     “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.”

Psalm 2 – “O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults!  You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.”    “Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

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Day 113 – 1 Chronicles 1-2 (Genealogies in the kingly line & others)

1 Chronicles 1 tells the genealogy of the Jewish people (with sidelines included) from Adam to Abraham’s grandson, Jacob/Israel.

1 Chronicles 2 gives the genealogy of Israel’s twelve sons (tribes) to David who would become king, along with a lists of his relatives., who would become king, along with a list

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 111

Apr20

    Day 111—Today we begin the eleventh book in the reading plan. We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year. What have you learned about God and yourself?

   Day 111 – 2 Samuel 1 – 4 (David as king, ending Saul’s dynasty)

1 Samuel ends with the death of Saul in a battle with the Philistines. Saul is fatally wounded and ends his own life. Three of his sons also die in battle, including Jonathan.

Meanwhile, David battles the Amalekites and has a resounding victory.

In 2 Samuel 1, a warrior comes to David with the news that King Saul and Jonathan are dead. Thinking he will garner some favor with David, he claims that HE killed them. David inquires who the man is and finds he is an Amalekite.  David mourns the death of Saul and Jonathan and has this man killed for what he thinks is his part in the death of “the LORD’s anointed.”  David then laments Saul and Jonathan with a beautiful song eulogizing them.

In 2 Samuel 2, David asks, and the LORD tells him to go to Hebron, where the tribe of Judah anoints him their king.  Meanwhile, Saul’s son Ish-bosheth is proclaimed king in Israel by Saul’s commander, Abner. (Where was Abner in the battle that killed his king?)  Then Abner, with the servants of Ish-bosheth, meets Joab with the servants of David and they face off. They decide that 12 from each group will fight. They do and kill each other. Then they all fight and Abner’s group is defeated and runs.  Joab’s men chase them, with Joab’s brother Asahel personally chasing Abner. Twice, Abner warns him away, but Asahel persists, so Abner turns around and kills him. (Oops. Not good!)

Joab’s men keep after Abner until a group of Benjaminites (Saul’s tribe) stand with him to fight.  They call a truce, and Joab and crew return home.

2 Samuel 3 tells us that there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, with David growing stronger. Abner attempts a coup by sleeping with Saul’s concubine, and Ish-bosheth calls him on it. Abner then vows to take all of Israel to David and sends this message to David.  Judah’s king agrees to meet Abner but requires him to bring David’s first wife, Michal, whom Saul gave to another man. Abner grabs her and goes south, with the grieving husband following behind, crying.  David is pleased to get Michal back and sends Abner away in peace.

Joab is horrified that David made peace with the man who killed his brother and follows him. He beckons Saul to a private conversation by the wall, where he kills him.  David becomes angry with Joab and curses him and his family.  Then David makes them all mourn for Abner and bury him in Hebron, and so lets the people know it was not HIS fault that Abner is dead.

(Even though David does not punish his commander for going behind his back, his last word to his son Solomon before he died was to KILL JOAB.)

2 Samuel 4 tells how Ish-bosheth is murdered by two of his own men. These men took Ish-bosheth’s head to David, and much like the Amalekite, claimed they killed David’s last enemy.  And, like before, David has THEM killed for assassinating the young man in his own bed, and buries the head.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 110

Apr19

    Day 110 —  We have been reading the Bible daily for almost a third of the year. What have you learned about God? About yourself?

   Day 110 – Psalms 121, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129, 130. (More psalms by David, mostly praising God)

Psalm 121 “I will life up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.” (Plus more praising God for all He is and does.)

Psalm 123 “To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!”

Psalm 124 “Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth.”

Psalm 125 “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore.”

Psalm 128 “Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways!” “The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children! Peace be upon Israel.”

Psalm 129 “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”

Psalm 130 “If You, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen (wait) for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD, there is steadfast love, and with Him is plentiful redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.