Tag Archive | #Read the Bible in 2024

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 130

May9

    Day 130—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 130 – Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75. – (Psalms of Asaph and David)

In Psalm 50, Asaph writes about “The Mighty One, God, the LORD, as an all-sufficient judge. 

Around our God is “a devouring fire and a mighty tempest.”   He does not NEED  offerings and sacrifices because “every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.”  God says of Himself, “I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”

So what does God desire of His people?  “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.”  IF his people will praise and obey Him, He says to them, “call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Psalm 53 is almost a repeat of Psalm 14 except verse 5, in which David celebrates a battle won.

In Psalm 60 David praises God for victory over Edom “in the Valley of Salt” which we read about yesterday in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18.  David closes his song with, “Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God , we shall do valiantly; it is He who will tread down out foes.”

Again in Psalm 75, Asaph sings about God judging with equity. “At the set time that I appoint, I will judge with equity.” Asaph warns, “I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, “Do not lift up your horn; do not lift up your horn or high or speak with haughty neck.”

“But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.”

NOTE: A “horn” symbolizes an animal’s or human’s strength and majesty. Lifting up the horn describes a stubborn animal who kept itself from entering a yoke by holding its head up as high as possible. Here, it portrays insolence or rebellion.

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 129

May8

    Day 129—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 129 – 2 Samuel 8 – 9, 1 Chronicles 18. – (David’s victories & compassion as king)

2 Samuel 8 recounts the battles and victories over the nations surrounding Israel: Philistia, Moab, Amalek, Edom, and Zobah (as far as the Euphrates River), and the Syrians at Damascus.

In all these, David collected tribute and spoils that he dedicated to the LORD (later to be used by Solomon in building the Temple and its furnishings). But most importantly, the chapter says, “the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.” (verses 6, 14) King David wisely gave glory to God.

2 Samuel 9 shows King David’s kindness and loyalty to his BBF Jonathan, Saul’s son, who was killed in battle. “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul that I may show him the kindness of God for Jonathan’s sake?” 

They found a young man – Mephibosheth – a son of Jonathan alone. He had been crippled as a child when his nurse dropped him and crippled him in his feet. When David heard about Mephibosheth, he called for him and installed him in his house to “eat at his table always.” He also personally restored all the land that belonged to Saul and directed servants to till the land, harvest the crops, and give the proceeds to him. 

Mephibosheth could hardly believe his good fortune!  “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I.”

Isn’t this what God has done for believers in Jesus?  We are sinners, separated from a holy God by eons and light years because of our iniquity and transgressions.  And yet he has brought us to Himself by sending His Son, Jesus, who paid all our sin debt on the cross. Now we can sit at the banquet table of the King forever. 

1 Chronicles 18 also tells of the victories of King David over his enemies, expanding the kingdom of Israel far and wide. It’s interesting that he disabled 9/10s of the chariot horses after conquering Hadadezer, the king of Zobah. 

Why this cruelty?  For sure, to prevent an uprising and return of a mighty foe. However, it could also be that David remembered God’s cautions for the kings of Israel not to accumulate horses and chariots for themselves to win battles but instead to depend on God for their victories.

Verse 14: “So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.”   (Wow. If only that was David’s final epitaph….)

 

Verses 15-17 end with a list of the important men in his service:

Joab – commander of the army

Jehoshaphat – recorder

Zadok & Ahimelech – priests

Shavsha – secretary

Benaiah – over the Cherethites & Pelethites, the loyal non-Jewish men who attached themselves to the king as his bodyguards

David’s sons – chief officials in the king’s service. 

 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 128

May7

    Day 128—We are in our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   Are you loving God more each day? Are you reciting, praying, and singing the Psalms we’ve been reading?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 128 – Psalms 25, 29, 33. 36. 39. – (Psalms of praise, worship, and commitment  by David and others.)

In Psalm 25, David pleads for a go,dly life: “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust…”   “Make me to know your ways, O LORD. Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me…”   “Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love.”

In Psalm 29, David seeds to glorify and magnify God. “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.”  Then David writes a series of metaphors from creation that show God’s power with gentleness.

In Psalm 33, the psalmist encourages God’s people to shout for joy, give thanks to the LORD, make melody to him on instruments, and sing new songs to him.  He describes the power in God’s Word and what happens whenever He speaks.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as his heritage!  The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man; from where He sits enthroned, He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth, He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.”     “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that He may deliver their soul from death…”

Psalm 36 begins by describing the heart of the wicked but soon turns to the love and mercy of God. “How precious is your steadfast love, O God!”    “Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know You, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!”

David is introspective in Psalm 39.  First, he pledges, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle so long as the wicked are in my presence.”   Next, he shows his vulnerability.  “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!”

“Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!

Surely a man goes about as a shadow!

Surely, for nothing, they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!”

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(If you feel like reading more along this vein, turn to Psalm 90:4-16, James 4:13-15, and Luke 12:16-21.)

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And David finishes with, “And now, O LORD, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.”

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 126 & 127

May6

    Day 126 & 127—We have begun our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?  Share in the comments section.

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

    Day 126 – Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132 (Psalms of Ethan, David, and others).

.Psalm 89 is written by Ethan, one of the three leaders of music that David appointed in 1 Chronicles 6:42. It is a song of the Steadfast Love of the LORD.

“I will sing of the steadfast love (mercy) of the LORD, forever; with my mouth will I make know your faithfulness to all generations.”  “Who in the skies can be compared to the LORD?  Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD.”   “Who is mighty as you are, O LORD..?”   “Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen.”

Psalm 96 is a psalm of Worship.  “Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! Sing to the LORD, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised…”    “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name.  Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns!'”  

These are admonitions that all of us who love the LORD should be doing.

Psalm 100 is another psalm that many who have attended church from an early age have memorized.

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Know that the LORD, He is God!

It is He who made us, and we are his

We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise!

Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the LORD is good;

His steadfast love endures forever,

and His faithfulness to all generations.”

In Psalm 101,  David praises the LORD and pledges his integrity to Him.  “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.”    “A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.”

It’s too bad David did not remember these vows in a few years when “his eyes” watched Bathsheba bathing and he perversely lusted for her and, in the end, killed her husband.  But, alas, but for the grace of God, “there go I.”

Psalm 105, another song telling about God’s wonderful works, relates the history of Israel from Abraham until they reached Mt. Sinai, escaping Egypt.

“O, offspring of Abraham, children of Jacob, his chosen ones….”  “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who see the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that He has done….”

Again, words of admonition for us – how our hearts should always be toward God.

Psalm 132 calls the congregation to remember how David’s heart was for building a dwelling place, a resting place for the Ark, a house of worship for the LORD.  God took notice of his heart’s desires. God told him Zion was where He desired to dwell among His people, bringing them salvation and joy.  And for David’s heart desire, God would bless the house of David forever.

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Day 127 – 2 Samuel 6-7. 1 Chronicles 17 – (The Ark to Zion, God’s covenant with David)

2 Samuel 6 is a repeat of 1 Chronicles 15, when King David brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem correctly, with the Levites carrying it on their shoulders.

This passage elaborates more on his wife, Michal’s attitude towards him as he rejoiced and celebrated the Ark’s arrival. “How the king of Israel “honored” himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants, female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself.”  (King David was wearing a linen robe and ephod, so he was not exposed. Perhaps she thought he should have dressed in kingly robes as her father had.)

King David’s answer was terse. “It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD – and I will make merry before the LORD.”

The final sentence says, “And Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child to the day of her death.”

2 Samuel 7 reveals King David’s heart for the LORD: “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the Ark of God dwells in a tent.” He wanted to build a temple to glorify his God, but the LORD had other plans.  But God was pleased with his heart and made a covenant with him.

“I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.”   “When your days are fulfilled, and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. HE shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”    “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”

David was so “wowed” by God’s words that he went in and sat before the LORD.  “Who am I, O LORD GOD, and what is my house that you have brought me thus far?  And yet this was a small thing in your eyes, O Lord GOD.”    “Because of your promise and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it.”

“Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you.”    “And your name will be magnified forever, saying The LORD of hosts is God over Israel.” 

1 Chronicles 17  repeats the LORD’s covenant with David. It is not for the king to build God a house but that the LORD would build David’s “house” forever.  Then, David’s humble prayer of amazement, gratitude, and worship.

(The “Davidic Covenant” reaches far into history, with the lineage of Jesus, the Christ, being traced to this king of Israel. (See Matthew 1:1-17.)  Further, the covenant points to when King Jesus, the Son of David, will reign and rule the whole earth.  (See Revelation 11:15.)

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 125

May4

    Day 125—We have begun our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 125 – Psalm 1, 2, 15, 22, 23, 24, 47, 68. – (Psalms of David and others.)

Today’s reading contains several familiar Psalms.

Psalm 1 describes the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Basically, the righteous delight themselves in the LORD and in His Word. The wicked, sinners, and scoffers do not.  The righteous are like a fruitful tree planted near water, while the wicked are like the chaff of wheat that blows away in the wind. 

Psalm 2 speaks about wicked nations standing in array against the LORD’s anointed, meaning either the newly crowned King David, or the coming Messiah (or both). Either way, God “laughs” at them. 

Psalm 15, by David, describes the person who will abide with the LORD. He is blameless, does what is right, speaks truth, does not slander, does no evil, honors the LORD, and doesn’t charge exorbitant interest or take bribes.  This man, David declares, shall never be moved.

Psalm 22 is often associated with the Messiah because Jesus quoted from it on the cross. It was written by David, and “could” also refer to him. (Read it with both ideas.) Verses 14-18 seem especially to picture Jesus being crucified. 

Most of us who have been to Sunday School can quote Psalm 23. It’s often also prayed by people facing death or deep trouble.  It is comforting. 

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. 
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness 
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley 
of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil
for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever."

Psalm 24 is also a psalm of David about  “The King of Glory,”   WHO IS the King of Glory? he asks, It is the LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle, and the LORD of hosts.  HE is the King of Glory. 

Psalm 47 is another psalm of rejoicing and praise.  You can almost see the crowd singing, dancing, praising God – perhaps when the Ark of the Covenant is brought into Jerusalem.  “Clap your hands, all you people! Shout to God with loud songs and joy! Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises…. He is highly exalted!”

Psalm 68, also by David, is similar to the song we read in 1 Chronicles 16 when David led the procession before the Ark of God into Jerusalem. Singing and joy, praise and exaltation to the LORD and His attributes. 

And you, ladies, look at verse 11. “The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host.”  (See also verse 12 and chuckle!)

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to God, the Lord belongs deliverances from death.”

These verses reminded me of the God who looks on and protects Israel today, too.

“Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God.” 

#2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 124

May3

    Day 123—We have begun our FIFTH month of Bible reading.   What insights have you gained about God and yourself through reading so far?  Share in the comments section.

    Day 124 – 1 Chronicles 13 – 16 – (David’s attempts to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.)

(As we read through the history books, some things will seem repeated, but we will get more details of the whole picture.)

Ever since the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and returned it to Israel when God plagued them, the Ark has been sitting in the house of Abinadab (and his two sons, Uzzah and Ahio) in Kiriath-Jearim. Now that David has been crowned king of Israel and captured Jerusalem as his capital city, he wants to bring the “Ark of God” to the City of David.

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1 Chronicles 13. King David consults with all his commanders, the people, and the Levites and priests. All of them agree that it would be a good thing. So, King David and all the people go to the house of Abinadab. They build a new cart for it and hitch it to a team of oxen. Uzzah (and Ahio) walk on either side of the cart, presumably to “protect” it.

And King David, with all the people, rejoice before God with songs, lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets as the Ark on the cart makes its way north.  UNTIL IT DOESN’T.

At one point, the oxen stumble (not the cart, not the Ark), and Uzzah puts out his hand to take hold of the Ark!

Uzzah tries to keep THE THRONE OF THE PRESENCE OF THE LIVING ALMIGHTY GOD from falling!!!! As if God depended on him! On any man. At all.  And Uzzah is stricken dead on the spot.

Why, you may ask? Wasn’t he doing a good thing?  What if the Ark had fallen to the ground and gotten dirt on it? What if a piece of the golden border had broken off?  —REALLY???—

Let’s remind ourselves that the God who created Heaven and Earth and all that is in them does not need man for anything.

Also, there is this “small” law in Numbers 4:15.  “And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die.”  These top Levites were to carry the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders by the golden poles that were put through the rings on the bottom four corners of the Ark. THIS is how the Ark of the Covenant should have been transported to Jerusalem.

(Note: besides this setting the things of God apart as holy, carrying the Ark in this way would put the Mercy Seat (the lid) and the golden Cherubim, where the presence of God would dwell, ABOVE the heads of the Levites and all the people. On the cart, the people’s heads would have been higher than the “presence of God.” They would look down on it.)

King David was ANGRY about what God had done.  And he was AFRAID of God that day too.  “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” he cried.  (Go read the law, Davie.  See how it’s supposed to be done.)  And so, the Ark of God is once more housed in a house of an Israelite, Obed-Edom, for three months. And God blessed the man and his household.

1 Chronicles 14 is a repeat of 2 Samuel 5 and 1 Chronicles 3.

1 Chronicles 15 – After King David prepared a place for the Ark of God (the tent of meeting), he decided to again bring the symbol of God’s presence to Jerusalem.  Now, however, he said, “No one but the Levites may carry the Ark of God, for the Lord had chosen them to carry the ark and to minister to Him forever.”  (It seems that our boy has consulted the scriptures!)

Along with the sons of Kohath, he gathered the priests and all the Levites. He told them all to consecrate themselves so that they “may bring up the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel to the place that I prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we DID NOT SEEK HIM ACCORDING TO THE RULE.”

King David confessed his sin and did it right this time.  The chosen Levites “carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.”

There was more singing and musical instruments playing, to “raise the sounds of joy.”  They sacrificed bulls and rams, and then all Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD with shouting to the music of the instruments.

But………. David’s first wife, Michel, the daughter of Saul, “looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and rejoicing, AND SHE DESPISED HIM.”  Whoa! What was that about? Perhaps it was because David had torn her away from the second man her father Saul had given her to, way back when, to spite David. Maybe she LOVED that man and had children with him.  He certainly had cried all the way as she was taken to David and he had begged for her. 2 Samuel 6.

1 Chronicles 16 tells of the Ark of God being set inside the tent, and of the many burnt offerings and peace offerings they made to God. After that, David distributed to all the people loaves of bread, portions of meat, and cakes of raisins. What a party!!

The next 18 verses tell of David commanding Asaph & his brothers to sing a beautiful psalm of thanksgiving to the LORD. Be sure to re-read this song of worship!!  Bookmark it and read it often. Whenever you want to read the book of Psalms, don’t forget this one. It is marvelous.

King David then left the Levites and priests in charge of the tent and the Ark to “regularly do all that is written in the Law of the Lord that He commanded Israel” and he went home to bless his household.

#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 119 & 120

Apr29

    Day 119 & 120—We have been reading the Bible daily for a third of the year.  What have you learned about God? About yourself?

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

1 Chronicles 7 – 10 (Genealogies of Benjamin [2] others, duties of Levites, Death of Saul & sons)

This is the last of the genealogies in 1 Chronicles. Remember they were important to the returning Jews from exile to claim their portions of land, assure the messianic line of David, and place Levites in temple management. (This book was probably written by Ezra about 500 years after the time of Saul and David when the Jews returned to the land.

Chapter 7 lists the descendants of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali (only one verse), Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher.

Chapter 8 Lists the genealogy of Benjamin again, centering on King Saul.  It also foretells a possible “mini-split” in the tribe, after the time of David.

Chapter 9 summarizes why Israel was taken captive in Babylon – “because of their breach of faith.”  And since the Levites were the “first to dwell again in their possessions in their cities, they and their duties are listed again. Some of their duties were as 1) gatekeepers, keepers of the thresholds of the tent, and keepers of the entrance. (David and Samuel had established these in their duties). Others 2) had charge of the service utensils, to count them; some were appointed over the furniture; 3) some were over the flour, wine, oil, incense, and spices; 4) some prepared the mixing of spices and the baking of the showbread. There were 5) singers, free from other services, day and night.

Saul’s genealogy is also repeated; in chapter 10, the story of his death is repeated: how he was mortally wounded, his armor bearer refused to finish him off, and how he “fell on his sword.”

Verses 13-14 are his final, sad epitaph.  “So Saul died for his breach of faith.  He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. There, the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David, the son of Jesse.”

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Day 120 – Psalms 102 – 104 – (A psalm of complaint, and two psalms of praise)

I’m so thankful that both types of prayers/songs are listed in the Bible. I can praise and worship God, and I can also pour out my troubles and depression. He heals all of them.

Psalm 102 is a song by someone depressed and in despair about what is happening to him and his people. He begs God to hear and answer him. He feels that his enemies and God Himself are too harsh with him.

“My days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.”   “My days are like an evening shadow; I wither like grass.” 

But still, the writer acknowledges God’s supremacy and begs him to regard his people and act on their behalf. “But You, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations.”  He asks God to look down from heaven and help his people, “so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.”

David writes Psalm 103 and blesses the Lord in scores of ways. Many have memorized it as a way to praise God:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”    

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.”    “For He knows our frame, he remembers that we are dust.”   “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

Psalm 104 is 35 verses of praise to God for His glory in CREATION.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O Lord my God you are very great. You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.”

“He set the earth on its foundations so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment.”

“You cause the grass to grow for livestock and plants for man to cultivate that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.”

“He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.”

“O LORS, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”

“I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.