Psalm 22 - Day 315 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Psalm 22:1-3 Observation: The Psalmist accuses God of abandoning him but recognizes that He is holy. Application: God isn't afraid of our outburst of anger or false accusations criticizing him of being a "bad" parent. Like a good parent, God understands that sometimes we need some space to work things out within ourselves. Although He is silent, God is not absent. Prayer: Lord, please remind me that You are here... Psalm 20 & 21 - Day 314 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Psalm 20:1-9 Observation: The Psalmist (David) welcomes the prayers of intercession for him to succeed in battle. Application: We are not an island unto ourselves, meaning that we need the support of others to thrive in this world. Welcome prayers for you and your needs. Support others by praying for them. Prayer: Lord, I'm humbled that my friends, family and community would pray for me. Please grant them their prayers to strengthen our faith in You... Judges 21 - Day 313 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Judges 21:15-25 Observation: The Israelites felt "sorry" for their cousins (who belonged to the tribe of Benjamin) because they were decimated for their rebellious hearts. Application: As human beings we can rationalize just about anything. When the Israelites were enraged with the Benjaminites, they pledged to annihilate the whole tribe. Then after they did what they said that they were going to do, they felt remorse and came up with a plan to "restore" the tribe of Benjamin. Rather than view this as hypocritical, I see this as a reflection of human nature, and my life. And that's why everyone needs Jesus. Prayer: Lord, help me to be more gracious in my dealings with those I disagree with... Judges 20 - Day 312 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Judges 20:1-28 Observation: God instructed the Israelites to "Go out and fight against them" (tribe of Benjamin), yet he allowed a portion of this group to die in battle twice before confirming that He would "hand them (Benjamites) over..." to them. Application: For whatever reason, God allowed a portion of the "good guys" to die. Some things in the bible just don't make sense to me, so these are the times we get to trust God. Prayer: Lord, I realize that only You are good, so help me to trust in You... Judges 19 - Day 311 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Judges 19: Commentary Apart from triggering the main action which follows, this opening episode serves two major purposes. It shows us how debased even such a noble thing as hospitality had become in Israel in the judges period, and it throws significant light on the character of the Levite, who is to play a key role in episode 2. There are two scenes here involving hospitality. The first, in Bethlehem (1–10), is normal enough, but the second, in Gibeah (11–28), is perverted and grotesque, with unmistakable similarities to the description of life in Sodom in Gn. 19:1–13. This is particularly ironical because the travellers had deliberately avoided pagan towns in order to seek hospitality with their fellow-Israelites (12–14). The rowdies in the streets of Gibeah were clearly morally bankrupt, but so too was the old man who opened his house to the travellers. It was this apparently model host whose perverted sense of duty led him to conceive the idea of casting two innocent women to the dogs (23–24). Here is moral bankruptcy indeed. When God’s people do whatever is right in their own eyes they are no better than Sodomites. The Levite himself, however, is the most perverted of all. After having thrust out his concubine to the mob he retired to bed and apparently gave no further thought to her until he found her dead or unconscious on the doorstep in the morning. Then, with almost unbelievable callousness, he told her to get up because he was ready to go (27–28). This was the man who will summon all Israel to war in the next episode. In retrospect we can understand very well why his concubine found it impossible to live with him (see v 2 and note). Webb, B. G. (1994). Judges. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 283). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press. Application: This is a glimpse of what life without God would be like. This abomination is part of the reason why God instructed the Israelites to kill all of the inhabitants of the promised land. This is why we all need Jesus. Prayer: Lord, have mercy on us... |
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