Psalm 18 - Day 289 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Psalm 18:1-3 Observation: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord sung to YHWH on the day the Lord rescued him from his enemies. Application: God already knows who He is and doesn't need doting groupies to bolster His ego. Rather, these psalms remind us of who God is and what He is capable of doing. He is faithful and compassionate and loving and so much more. Prayer; Lord, please help me to remember who You really are. Psalm 16 & 17 - Day 288 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Psalm 17 Commentary: Appeal to the supreme court 1 Samuel 23:25ff. provides a suitable background to this psalm. The narrative matches the psalm where the psalmist is surrounded by enemies among whom one is notably hostile (v 12 is singular). There are links with Psalm 16 and maybe the danger reflected here is the brush with death on which that psalm is based. The psalm consists of three appeals: Hear (1), Give (6), Rise (13). The first (1–5) pleads the righteousness of the psalmist; the second (6b–12) is against ruthless foes; and the third (13, 14) asks for divine action. The first and third are followed by personal affirmations (6, 15) (each begins with an emphatic first person pronoun, ‘As for me …’) respectively confident of a present hearing and a future vision of God (cf. 16:1, 9–11). Motyer, J. A. (1994). The Psalms. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., pp. 495–496). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. Application: God isn't burdened by our requests and certainly does not ignore our cries for help. He compassionately walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. Prayer: Arise, O Lord and stand against Your enemies... Joshua 24 - Day 287 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Joshua 24:14 Observation: Joshua challenges the Israelites to remain faithfully committed to God. Application: Joshua follows God's lead and gives the Israelites the freedom to obey or defy God and His commandments. Then he declares his choice and models for them how to live with your decision. Prayer: Lord, as for me and my house I choose You... Joshua 23 - Day 286 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Joshua 23 Commentary: Whereas Moses validated God’s covenant faithfulness by recounting his conquest of the land east of the Jordan (Dt. 31:4), Joshua verified it by rehearsing God’s destruction of the Canaanites west of the Jordan (3) and his allotment of the conquered nations that remained (4). The people had seen it with their own eyes. The Hebrew word rendered ‘remember’ in v 4 is more precisely translated ‘see’, as in v 3. Today, however, the Spirit instils faith through proclaiming the words of faith (Rom. 10:6–13). Waltke, B. K. (1994). Joshua. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 258). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. Application; As a leader, it's important to help people remember the good things that God has done for us. Prayer: Lord, thank You... Joshua 22 - Day 285 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Joshua 22:10-34 Observation: Joshua blesses the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for their obedience and dismisses them to return to their inheritance. Before doing so, these tribes build a memorial altar but Joshua and the other tribes hastily jump to conclusions. Application: Many lessons to be learned from this chapter: the need for open communication, giving others the benefit of the doubt, the value of proper documentation, etc. - choose one or more to study and implement today. Prayer: Lord, thank You for these valuable lessons... |
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