Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132 Devotional Thought: Title: “Praise Must be Accompanied by Practice.” One commentary writes, “A good king in his dominion ought to be like a good father and head of a family in his house. We have here the principles on which David would rule the…
Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 1-2; 15; 22-24 Devotional Thought: Title: “You Choose: Obedience or Disobedience.” In this first Psalm it is as if one is standing on two mountains. As when Joshua divided the tribes among the two mountains, so this first chapter is divided among two themes, obedience and disobedience. Verses 1-3…
Suggested Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 13-16 Devotional Thought: Title: “The Greatest Ability is Dependability.” Chapter 14 shows that while David had bitter enemies to the south, he had a staunch ally in Hiram king of Tyre to his north. As king of a very minor state he may have lacked military power, but…
Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 106-107 Devotional Thought: Title: “Give Praise to God.” It is a pattern in many Psalms that the writer would begin on a personal note of praise, and then calls upon the people to join him in his thanksgiving. This was, of course, the intent of the Psalms, that they…
Suggested Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 5; 1 Chronicles 11-12 Devotional Thought: Title: “The Power of God’s Word.” When David slew Goliath, there was a premature acknowledgment that David was presumed leader of Israel. The women sang his praises, stirring the jealousy of Saul. Abner claimed that the Lord had made known that by…
Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 102-104 Devotional Thought: Title: “The Soul in Torment has Hope.” Psalm 102 is indeed the prayer of someone afflicted, overwhelmed with sorrow, and lamenting before the Lord. The deep sorrow is eventually relieved in its latter part by the remembrance of the eternity and glory of our God. …
Suggested Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 7-10 Devotional Thought: Title: “The Menial Tasks Matter.” It is important to remember that the books of Chronicles were written after the Babylonian exile, with the strong possibility that Ezra was the inspired author. Chapter 9 gives details of the people who returned from Babylon, and the…
Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 81, 88, 92-93 Devotional Thought: Title: “The Greatness of God in Creation.” “Thy work … the works of thy hands … thy works…” This is a reminder of those days of creation and of that work in Genesis 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God ended his work…
Suggested Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 6 Devotional Thought: Title: “The Importance of Roles.” This large chapter is devoted to the tribe of Levi, and is of major significance within the framework of the book. The key theme of this narrative is the life of David, with particular reference to his desire to…
Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 73, 77-78 Devotional Thought: Title: “We Must Teach Each Generation.” Psalm 78 recounts the history of Israel from the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings until the time of David. There is also, in verses 42-51, a kind of interlude, a brief excursus back into Egypt before the Exodus…