1 Chronicles 17:9 "And I have provided a permanent homeland for my people Israel, a secure place where they will never be disturbed."
David wants to build a temple for the Lord and God explains that he doesn't need one just yet. He tells David he's cool staying in the tent and he's just glad he's finally gotten his people to the promised land. This land will be their "permanent homeland."
This verse jumped out at me today quickly. It did so because obviously within a short period of time, the Assyrians and Babylonians marched over to Israel, kicked their butt, and kind of erased that whole "permanent homeland" idea! So did God lie? Did God's plans get messed up? Did God know this would happen? Did he not know? These are interesting questions with different layers of answers I'm sure. What I do know and put my faith in, is that my "secure place" is not a place at all but a person. My security rests in Jesus. Today I will remember that my security, my home, and my place is with Jesus.
Dear Jesus, remind me my identity and security are in you alone. Amen.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Let the Whole World Know
1 Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done."
David and the Levites have just moved the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. David then sings this song of praise to the Lord.
This verse highlights two of God's great desires for us-that we praise him and tell the world about him. I'm usually pretty good at the first one-most Sundays, but not so good at the second! And why is it that I think about praising God only on Sundays? Both of these activities are meant to happen each day. Whether I am having a great day, a bad day, or a day in which I move the ark, I need to praise God and tell others about him! How can I praise God today? Who can I talk to about Jesus today? How can I keep myself accountable to do both?
Dear Jesus, help me praise you and tell someone about you today. Amen.
David and the Levites have just moved the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem. David then sings this song of praise to the Lord.
This verse highlights two of God's great desires for us-that we praise him and tell the world about him. I'm usually pretty good at the first one-most Sundays, but not so good at the second! And why is it that I think about praising God only on Sundays? Both of these activities are meant to happen each day. Whether I am having a great day, a bad day, or a day in which I move the ark, I need to praise God and tell others about him! How can I praise God today? Who can I talk to about Jesus today? How can I keep myself accountable to do both?
Dear Jesus, help me praise you and tell someone about you today. Amen.
Friday, January 20, 2012
God Did It
1 Chronicles 14:11 "'God has done it!' David exclaimed..."
The author is retelling the story of how David and his men defeated the Philistines at Baal-perazim. David is emphatic that God, not he or his men earned the victory.
It is so easy to want to take credit for everything. I like to think that my hard work, my ingenuity, and my talent has accomplished much. That is because we are prideful people. The truth is, everything I have, everything I've been given, and every experience I've had in my life is a result of God's work in the world and through me. My actions do count, and what I say and do does matter, but ultimately, all credit belongs to God. I should give thanks and credit to him in all circumstances.
Dear Jesus, remind me to give you the credit you deserve today. Amen.
The author is retelling the story of how David and his men defeated the Philistines at Baal-perazim. David is emphatic that God, not he or his men earned the victory.
It is so easy to want to take credit for everything. I like to think that my hard work, my ingenuity, and my talent has accomplished much. That is because we are prideful people. The truth is, everything I have, everything I've been given, and every experience I've had in my life is a result of God's work in the world and through me. My actions do count, and what I say and do does matter, but ultimately, all credit belongs to God. I should give thanks and credit to him in all circumstances.
Dear Jesus, remind me to give you the credit you deserve today. Amen.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I'm Not a 10 Point Buck
1 Chronicles 10:10 "They placed his armor in the temple of their gods, and they fastened his head to the wall in the temple of Dagon."
1 Chronicles provides another account of the history of the Israelites from Adam up through the reign of David. In chapter 10, the author tells the story of the death of King Saul-the first king of Israel. I love how graphic and PG-13 the Bible oftentimes is! Saul's head was mounted on the wall in the temple of Dagon like a 10 point buck. Saul ended his life as a trophy kill for the Philistines.
The Bible often reveals how it's characters died-sometimes in horror film like detail. The truth is, everyone's life ends. And when that happens, someone somewhere may write down your legacy. Will my legacy be a good one, or will I be mounted on the wall somewhere? I ask myself questions like this often because life is short. I want to constantly keep my legacy in the front of my mind. How can I do the hard work today to make sure my legacy is awesome and I have something worthwhile to pass on to the next generation?
Dear Jesus, help me follow you faithfully and fully today. Amen.
1 Chronicles provides another account of the history of the Israelites from Adam up through the reign of David. In chapter 10, the author tells the story of the death of King Saul-the first king of Israel. I love how graphic and PG-13 the Bible oftentimes is! Saul's head was mounted on the wall in the temple of Dagon like a 10 point buck. Saul ended his life as a trophy kill for the Philistines.
The Bible often reveals how it's characters died-sometimes in horror film like detail. The truth is, everyone's life ends. And when that happens, someone somewhere may write down your legacy. Will my legacy be a good one, or will I be mounted on the wall somewhere? I ask myself questions like this often because life is short. I want to constantly keep my legacy in the front of my mind. How can I do the hard work today to make sure my legacy is awesome and I have something worthwhile to pass on to the next generation?
Dear Jesus, help me follow you faithfully and fully today. Amen.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Jesus Always Wins
2 Kings 25:1 "So on January 15, during the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon led his entire army against Jerusalem."
It was quite a moment! History was in the making January 15, 588 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. God had been patient long enough and because of a long line of deplorable kings, and sinful people, now both Israel and Judah had been conquered. Sin had finally caught up with God's people.
This was a tragic moment. I'm sure it seemed like it was all over to the Hebrews. Game over. The fat lady had sung. But of course it wasn't over. God sent his son Jesus to save the world and redeem it. This time, God's salvation plan included the whole world! 588 B.C. wasn't the end, just another moment in God's redemptive story. When I feel like all is lost and the game is over, I need to remember, Jesus always wins in the end. Jesus always wins.
Dear Jesus, help me remember in my darkest and most lonely hour, that you always win! Amen.
It was quite a moment! History was in the making January 15, 588 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. God had been patient long enough and because of a long line of deplorable kings, and sinful people, now both Israel and Judah had been conquered. Sin had finally caught up with God's people.
This was a tragic moment. I'm sure it seemed like it was all over to the Hebrews. Game over. The fat lady had sung. But of course it wasn't over. God sent his son Jesus to save the world and redeem it. This time, God's salvation plan included the whole world! 588 B.C. wasn't the end, just another moment in God's redemptive story. When I feel like all is lost and the game is over, I need to remember, Jesus always wins in the end. Jesus always wins.
Dear Jesus, help me remember in my darkest and most lonely hour, that you always win! Amen.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Worthless Themselves
2 Kings 17:15 "...They worshipped worthless idols and became worthless themselves."
The author is recounting the fall of Samria and Israel to the Assyrians. The Israelites had rejected God over and over again, leading to their demise. Because they worshipped worthless idols of wood and stone, they became worthless themselves!
Who and what we worship determines who we become. How I spend my time and my money says a lot about what I value. Who and what am I worshipping? Convenience, luxury, money, power, fame...what have I been worshipping? If I am worshipping worthless things I will become worthless. If I worship Christ, I will become more like him. It's really common sense. The question is, who do I want to become?
Dear Jesus, help me worship you and become more like you. Amen.
The author is recounting the fall of Samria and Israel to the Assyrians. The Israelites had rejected God over and over again, leading to their demise. Because they worshipped worthless idols of wood and stone, they became worthless themselves!
Who and what we worship determines who we become. How I spend my time and my money says a lot about what I value. Who and what am I worshipping? Convenience, luxury, money, power, fame...what have I been worshipping? If I am worshipping worthless things I will become worthless. If I worship Christ, I will become more like him. It's really common sense. The question is, who do I want to become?
Dear Jesus, help me worship you and become more like you. Amen.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Thorn in my Shrine
2 Kings 15:35 "But he did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there...."
Jotham became king of Judah and the text tells us that he "did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight" yet he failed to do one thing. It happened to be the same thing his father failed at doing and several other kings-he did not destroy the pagan shrines. He did almost everything else right, but failed to take care of this one thing. And for some reason this same problem (shrines) plagued several generations of kings. Why could they not simply pull the trigger and follow through with this?
There's always that one thing that we struggle so hard to eradicate from our lives. That one thing that we're unable or unwilling to get rid of. Paul called it a "thorn in his flesh." I have a thorn in my flesh. In fact I probably have several! God wants me to eliminate them. He wants complete obedience in this area. God does want 95% obedience, he wants 100%. What do I have to do today to take down that pagan shrine?
Dear Jesus, help me lean on you as I tear down some shrines today. Amen.
Jotham became king of Judah and the text tells us that he "did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight" yet he failed to do one thing. It happened to be the same thing his father failed at doing and several other kings-he did not destroy the pagan shrines. He did almost everything else right, but failed to take care of this one thing. And for some reason this same problem (shrines) plagued several generations of kings. Why could they not simply pull the trigger and follow through with this?
There's always that one thing that we struggle so hard to eradicate from our lives. That one thing that we're unable or unwilling to get rid of. Paul called it a "thorn in his flesh." I have a thorn in my flesh. In fact I probably have several! God wants me to eliminate them. He wants complete obedience in this area. God does want 95% obedience, he wants 100%. What do I have to do today to take down that pagan shrine?
Dear Jesus, help me lean on you as I tear down some shrines today. Amen.
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