The Daily Walk 2025

Peter's Epistles

As chief spokesman for the gospel in the early years of the church, the Apostle Peter wrote a pair of letters to Jewish believers scattered throughout Asia Minor. Harshly persecuted for the faith, they desperately needed a word of comfort and counsel. Peter’s first letter deals with coping with persecution from without; his second concerns oppression from within, in the form of false teachers. Peter’s advice is timeless: Grow both in appreciation and knowledge of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

December 16

1 Peter 1–5

Pain with a Purpose

Key Passage: 1 Peter 2

Overview

Peter writes to scattered Jewish Christians who are undergoing intense persecution for their faith. He reminds his readers that “God... has given us a new birth into a living hope” (1:3). Therefore, don’t be surprised when suffering comes your way; expect it, prepare for it, respond to it correctly. And be sure you are suffering for doing what is right, not for doing what is wrong. Imitate Christ in your submissive spirit toward one another, and God will richly reward you when the trials of life are over.

Your Daily Walk

Few things bring more delight to a parent’s heart than a fistful of flowers picked by a small child. And few things are sadder to look at than that same bouquet several days later.

Visit your local war museum, and what will you find? Old military uniforms, battle flags, artifacts—all of them discolored and disintegrating with time. Earthly glory fades with the years. Not so with God’s glorious gifts. They never fade away (1:4), but grow steadily more glorious (2 Corinthians 3:1-18).

Now do you understand why a heavenly perspective is so important in dealing with your earthly problems? If your inheritance in heaven is eternally safe (1:4), what does it matter if you suffer the loss of a few earthly possessions? If your faith is more precious than gold (1:7), then the heat of adversity can only serve to refine it, not ruin it.

Visit a local museum with your family sometime this week. It will be a good reminder for you that what you see isn’t all there is.

Insight - The Elder in History

When Peter and others wrote about “elders” (5:1), they were replicating a centuries-old Jewish concept. In fact, the early church based its form of government on the Jewish system. In New Testament times, a council of elders ruled over each local synagogue. They cared for the sick (James 5:14-15) and explained the Scriptures (1 Timothy 5:17).

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December 17

2 Peter 1–3

Poison in the Pew

Key Passage: 2 Peter 1

Overview

Peter’s second letter warns against the heretical teachers who are making inroads in the church by preaching false doctrine and practicing immorality. To refute these peddlers of poison, Peter affirms the proper knowledge of the Christian faith. Those who are growing in their knowledge and love of God will not fall prey to doctrinal error. But woe to those who try to introduce such destructive ways. Their punishment will be swift and severe, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. What is the Christian’s responsibility in the face of such danger? “Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Be on your guard” (3:14, 17).

Your Daily Walk

How are your math skills? If they are dusty from a lack of use, 2 Peter 1 will give you a chance to dust them off. In the space of that single chapter, you’ll discover:

multiplication (“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you,” v. 2 kjv);

addition (“Add to your faith goodness,” v. 5);

subtraction (“[he] has forgotten...he has been cleansed,” v. 9).

Peter reminds us that the Christian life is essentially a matter of addition. Verses 5–7 list seven characteristics God wants added to your life to build your faith in Jesus because growth in grace is the surest way to prepare for His return.

It’s not enough to ask for godly character (like the person who prayed, “God, give me patience, and give it to me now!”). Instead, it demands daily attention. Pick a virtue from Peter’s list, and add one activity to your “Must Do” list for today that will help you cultivate that Christlike quality.

Insight - Last Letters from Peter and Paul

Second Peter is the “swan song” of Peter, just as 2 Timothy is that of Paul. Both warn of apostasy, both speak in a joyful manner of approaching death, and both anchor the church to the immovable rock of Scripture as the only sure defense against false doctrine.

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John's Epistles

From his headquarters in Ephesus toward the end of his life, the Apostle John sent three short letters, one addressed to “My dear children” (1 John 2:1), and the other two addressed to individuals. John covers every facet of the Christian life: knowing, walking, abiding, avoiding. Those who engage in the Christian walk must learn the way of love and light, be able to discern truth from error, avoid those who teach false doctrine, and show hospitality to those who declare the way of God.

December 18

1 John 1–5

Fellowship with God

Key Passage: 1 John 1–2

Overview

Fellowship is a shared conviction, a shared commitment, a shared compassion. It is two people walking the same road, bearing the same load. Fellowship involves a vertical dimension (with the Father) and a horizontal dimension (with those who know the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ). John, who knows firsthand the joy of fellowship with God, desires that his readers experience the same delightful walk of faith—a walk characterized by obedience to God's commands and selfless love within the family of God.

Your Daily Walk

You stumble into a dark room, unable to find the light switch. In desperation, you pull out a match, strike it, and in the light of that match, you see the source of more light.

It takes light to find light. Psalm 36:9 declares: “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”

How did you discover the “light of the gospel”—the good news of sins forgiven in Jesus Christ? Probably, it involved an encounter with someone who had previously found the light. A teacher. Minister. Classmate. Parent or grandparent. Each can become a source of light, leading you to the Light of the World.

And when Christians “live together” in unity (Psalm 133:1), there is an inviting glow produced that nothing can imitate. As moths are attracted to a campfire, others will become curious about a fellowship where acceptance and affirmation are the hallmarks.

Reread 1 John 1:5-7. Tonight, weather permitting, take a flashlight and stroll in the dark. Along the way, talk to God about the way your light and the light of your local fellowship are reaching out to others still in darkness.

Insight - If It’s Important, John Will Repeat It

The theme of John’s first letter emerges when we look at the words he uses frequently. John wants you to know (31 times) and enjoy fellowship (4 times) with the God of light (6 times), love (35 times), and life (14 times).

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December 19

2 John

Fellowship with Enemies

Key Passage: 2 John 4–6

Overview

John’s second letter is addressed to “the chosen lady and her children,” who are in danger of being deceived by false teachers. John wastes no words in making his point: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him” (v. 10). Though John commends love as a necessary ingredient of the Christian life, it must not sentimentally embrace those who willfully seek to destroy the truth. To do so is to diminish the proper love that Christians must have for one another. John’s warning is stern, but he knows a letter is not the best place to elaborate. Instead, he promises to make a personal visit.

Your Daily Walk

The point of John’s second epistle is that love must be discerning. In your own words, define what discerning love is.

Love cannot be divorced from truth. God’s love is not blind sentiment; it is just, truthful, demanding. God’s love motivated Him to send His Son to Calvary, but those who do not believe are condemned. Calvary and condemnation are both aspects of love. The one represents love extended; the other signifies love rejected.

How wise and discerning has your love been lately? Are you being too easy on yourself or other Christians in the name of love and acceptance? Are you silently condoning error because you have been unwilling to speak the truth in love?

Check up on your love relationships today and make sure they’re truly biblical, not merely sentimental.

Insight - “Dear You-Know-Who...”

One possible reason the recipient’s name is not given in 2 John is the persecution the church was experiencing at the time. If the letter had fallen into the wrong hands, those who were to receive it might have been treated more severely. By not identifying the recipient, John reduced that possibility.

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December 20/21

3 John

Fellowship with Brothers

Key Passage: 3 John 5–8

Overview

The last of John’s epistles begins with the expressed desire for Gaius’s prosperity (v. 2) and ends with a longing for his presence (v. 14). In between, John holds up two shining examples of commendable saints and makes note of one disruptive individual who “loves to be first” (v. 9). Gaius is a constant source of joy to John because he walks in the truth; Demetrius is a faithful servant in the church, one who has a good reputation within and without. By contrast, Diotrephes receives John’s rebuke for his gossiping, pride, and arrogant attitude. John concludes his letter by promising that when he makes a personal visit, he will deal face-to-face with the things he could not cover in writing.

Your Daily Walk

Do you have a guest room in your house? If the answer is yes, then perhaps without knowing it, you have turned your home into a hospital, for our English word hospital comes from a Latin word meaning “guest room.” And that means every time you extend hospitality to a guest, that person has been “hospitalized.”

Your hospitality speaks volumes about your Christianity. When you practice hospitality, you are actually saying, “My home may not be picture perfect, but I care enough about you to share it with you.” Hospitality is other-oriented. It seeks to help those who are in greater need than you. And it is virtually a lost art in our hectic, self-centered society.

To help you develop an attitude of hospitality, sit down with your calendar and select two dates in the next few weeks to share your home with others. Reserve those dates, call up two individuals (or families), and put 3 John 5 to work. You’ll soon discover how habit-forming hospitality is.

Insight - The Missing Element in John’s Letter

Unlike 1 and 2 John, 3 John makes no mention of Jesus. But verse 7 says the brethren went out “for the sake of the Name,” an indirect reference to the Lord (compare Acts 5:40–41).

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December 22

Jude 1

Defending the Faith

Key Passage: Jude 3–4, 17–23

Overview

The Epistle of Jude denounces false teachers who are infiltrating the church. Though Jude does not describe the heresies in detail (since his readers would be familiar with the targets of his verbal blasts), he spares no words in rebuking the false teachers. He condemns both the error of the teacher and the teacher of the error, promising God’s swift judgment for their damaging heresies. How is a believer to resist such onslaughts? By being diligent to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit” (v. 20).

Your Daily Walk

Below are 10 items you’ll probably never find on the training regimen of an Olympic athlete. Can you suggest a reason why a serious athlete should avoid each?

Late-night TV

Drugs

Skydiving

Sleeping in

Rich desserts

Fast foods

All-night parties

Smoking

Alcohol

Soft drinks

If an athlete has any hope of gaining the right to compete (much less winning the event), he or she must be in top physical condition. That requires a strict regimen of proper diet, adequate rest, and regular exercise.

How is your spiritual fitness program? Are you regularly involved in activities to help you “contend for the faith” (v. 3)? Write out your own spiritual training schedule for the coming week, including the three items Jude mentions: prayer, mercy, and sharing Christ (vv. 20–23).

Insight - Jude’s Curious Quotations (vv. 9, 14–15)

Jude is the only New Testament author who quotes from the writings called the Pseudepigrapha, books that bear famous Old Testament names but were written by unknown authors and which scholars do not consider inspired. Paul also quoted from non-canonical writings (see Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12).

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Revelation

Though the gospels and epistles include numerous prophecies, Revelation is the only New Testament book that focuses primarily on prophetic events. This book—whose title means “disclosure”—is an unveiling of the character and program of God. Penned by the Apostle John while in exile, Revelation records visions and symbols of the resurrected Christ, who alone has authority to judge, remake, and rule the world. In Revelation, God’s divine program of redemption is brought to fruition.

December 23

Revelation 1–3

Seven Churches Instructed

Key Passage: Revelation 1

Overview

John introduces his book by describing its nature (prophecy, 1:3); its origin (Jesus Christ, 1:1, 17–20); and its subject matter (“what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later,” 1:19). John sees a majestic vision of the risen Christ and obeys the command to write seven letters to seven churches in Asia Minor. Each church faces a unique spiritual challenge, and each receives appropriate words of comfort and/or correction. Each letter closes with a promise to those who will hear and respond.

Your Daily Walk

For a change of pace today, grab a journal or piece of paper and complete the following chart as you read your way through the seven letters to the churches. Just to let you know, an eighth line has been provided. If John were writing to you today, which of his seven letters would you want yours to resemble?

Insight - The Heart of the Matter

John’s message touched the very things the Laodiceans were famous for (3:18). The wealthiest city in the area, Laodicea had great banks (“buy from me gold refined in the fire”), a large textile industry (“white clothes... so you can cover your shameful nakedness”), and a medical school specializing in eye disease (“salve to put on your eyes, so you can see”).

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December 24

Revelation 4–6

Seven Seals

Key Passage: Revelation 4

Overview

In chapter 4, John’s attention is turned from seven local assemblies on earth to one great assembly of saints in heaven. God is seated upon His throne, looking for someone who is worthy to unleash great judgment upon the earth—authority that only the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah, possesses. As the Lamb receives the seven-sealed scroll of judgment, all the heavenly creatures bow in worship. The breaking of the first six seals releases war, famine, death, earthquake, and cosmic upheaval, marking “the great day of their wrath” (6:17).

Your Daily Walk

With a pencil in each hand, see if you can simultaneously draw a circle with your left hand and a square with your right. Next, try to read the first few lines of this page silently while reciting aloud the opening lines of “Silent Night.”

Did you find these two exercises difficult, or even impossible? It’s hard to concentrate on more than one activity at a time. And when concentration fades, performance suffers.

Trace the theme of worship throughout Scripture, and you will soon discover how often the physical posture of worship is emphasized. One commentator has defined worship as “the focus of one’s body, mind, and spirit on the object of affection.” And that kind of focus is difficult—if not impossible—when your eyes, ears, mind, and heart are distracted.

Today, amid the Christmas celebration, find a quiet place to kneel. With hands folded, eyes closed, and heart attuned to God, focus your entire being upon the One who is worthy of your complete concentration and undivided devotion.

Insight - The Curious Act of Casting a Crown

The 24 elders who cast their crowns before God’s throne (4:10) were showing their submission and surrender. In ancient times, a king captured in battle would cast his crown at the feet of the victor as if to say, “I surrender completely to you.”

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December 25

Revelation 7–9

Sealed Saints and Seven Trumpets

Key Passage: Revelation 8–9

Overview

Before the seventh seal is opened, John sees a vision in which 144,000 “from all the tribes of Israel” (7:4) receive an angelic seal of protection. Next, a multitude dressed like a grand, white-robed choir, who have come “out of the great tribulation” (7:14), present themselves before the throne of God to serve Him night and day. Following a dramatic pause, the horrors of the seventh and last seal are unfolded in the form of seven trumpets, each heralding the beginning of a devastating judgment. The first four judgments affect nature; the final three fall upon humanity in such destructive force that each is called a woe: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth” (8:13).

Your Daily Walk

“He had it coming!” Has that phrase ever rolled off your lips when you saw someone receive punishment that was due? It’s human nature to feel gratified when justice is served. But is that the attitude God desires?

Find a dictionary and look up the word mercy. How does the definition compare with this one? “Mercy: compassion or forbearance shown to an offender.”

God’s wrath, as depicted in today’s reading, was a merciful act designed to bring people to the point of repentance. Though He could have given them “what they deserved” (death), He instead sent plagues and pestilence to turn the hearts of the people to Him.

Reflect for a moment on how God has shown mercy to you before you were saved, when you were saved, and since you have been saved. Is there someone around you who needs to hear about your merciful God?

Insight - Heartwarming Promise for Hard-Pressed People

God’s promise that one day His children will “never again... hunger; never again... thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat” (7:16) would be especially meaningful to the many Christians of John’s day who were Roman slaves experiencing thirst, hunger, and the oppressive sun every day of their lives.

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December 26

Revelation 10–13

Witnesses and Wars

Key Passage: Revelation 10–11

Overview

After being assured of God’s control amid great upheaval (the vision of the strong angel), John is told to eat a little book as divine preparation for his prophetic task. Next, John sees two witnesses who exercise astonishing powers on Earth for 1,260 days, then are martyred for their testimony. Their resurrection and ascension into heaven hushes the great rejoicing at their death. The sounding of the seventh trumpet is followed by a description of the next seven “actors” in the drama of Revelation: a sun-clothed woman, a dragon, a male child, the archangel Michael, a remnant of the woman’s seed, a beast from the sea, and a second beast from the earth.

Your Daily Walk

The best way to become a connoisseur of counterfeit money is to: (a) study counterfeit money, (b) study the differences between counterfeit and real money, (c) study real money (pick one).

The correct answer, according to the U.S. Treasury, is (c) study real money. Thorough mastery of the genuine item is the best preparation for detecting anything that isn’t the real thing.

There is a deception far worse than one involving paper money. The master deceiver, Satan, and his hosts (12:9; 13:14) would like to dupe you into confusing a passing acquaintance with religion for an intimate acquaintance with God. If Satan can get your attention fixed on a reasonable facsimile, you will soon forget what genuine Christianity is about—with tragic consequences.

Don’t be confused. Pull out a dollar bill and study it carefully; then scrutinize 12:10–12 until you clearly see the real issue: overcoming Satan by the blood of the Lamb. If you have never put your trust in Christ, let the words of that passage point you to the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Insight - Revelation, a Beastly Book

Of the 40 occurrences of the word beast in the New Testament, 39 of them are found in the Book of Revelation.

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December 27/28

Revelation 14–16

Seven Bowls with Seven Plagues

Key Passage: Revelation 14

Overview

Another vision of the 144,000—now singing a new song—precedes the final series of divine judgments upon the earth. As angels proclaim the gospel message, the final outpouring of God’s wrath begins. Seven angels carrying seven vials of God’s judgment pour out their destruction in the form of blood, scorching heat, darkness, pain, earthquakes, hailstones, and warfare. Yet, through it all, people “cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done” (16:11).

Your Daily Walk

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your singing ability? (Think of 10 as “positively Pavarotti”; 1 as “strictly for the shower.”)

Your ability to sing praises to God with enthusiasm and feeling (though not necessarily with perfect pitch) is one of the best barometers of the level of joy in your spiritual life. Paul says in Ephesians 5:19 that one mark of a Spirit-filled life is to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.”

Singing has always been a part of the worship of God’s people. Moses led the whole nation of Israel in singing a song of praise (Exodus 15). The Book of Psalms contains statements such as “Sing to him a new song” (33:3) and “Come before him with joyful songs” (100:2). And singing was integral to worship in the first-century church (Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:15).

Locate a hymnbook or a CD and spend 15 minutes (preferably with friends or family) singing some of your favorites or reading the words out loud as poems of praise to the Lord.

Insight - 6 (pause) + 1 = 7

Notice the repeated pattern in Revelation where six judgments are described, followed by a parenthetical section before the climactic seventh judgment falls. Beginning with chapter 6, can you trace the pattern through the seals, trumpets, and bowls?

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December 29

Revelation 17–19

Two Babylons

Key Passage: Revelation 19

Overview

The last of the seven bowls of judgment has been poured out, and now John sees the doom of “Babylon the Great.” Her calamitous end is announced by an angelic messenger and mourned by kings and merchants alike who profited from her rich trade and false religion. While Babylon is being destroyed on earth, the heavens resound with praise in preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb. A warrior emerges in great majesty to bring God’s final destruction upon the beast, false prophet, and their armies—a warrior whose name is Faithful and True, The Word of God, King of kings, and Lord of lords!

Your Daily Walk

There are many portions of Scripture that, from a human point of view, never should have had to be written in the first place. Passages such as: Noah’s adventures on the ark (Genesis 6–9); Israel’s wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 14–26); Joshua’s terrible defeat at Ai (Joshua 7); Jonah’s detour away from Nineveh (Jonah 1–2). In each case, God demanded obedience, but the human response was disobedience. Though God might have relented if the people had repented, judgment fell instead, and another sordid chapter was added to Scripture.

God’s love is unswerving (1 John 4:8). And He is “not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Peter 3:9), but many millions will perish if they do not heed His call to repentance.

How about you and those dearest to you? Are your names written in the Book of Life? What better time than at the dawning of a new year to come to God—just as you are—so that you, too, can sing: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to God” (19:1).

Insight - A Testimony Borne Out in the Text

Jesus told His disciples that the promised Holy Spirit would show them “what is yet to come” (John 16:13). And indeed, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Fully one-fourth of the Bible was prophecy when it was first written.

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1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians

Paul’s second missionary journey brought him to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9), the bustling seaport capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. There in the shadow of Mount Olympus—a major monument of pagan idolatry—Paul preached the gospel. The result was a vibrant, growing fellowship that became a constant joy to Paul. These two letters contain the fullest New Testament development of the theme of Christ’s return—a hope that is both comforting and sobering.

December 1

1 Thessalonians 1–5

Comfort from Christ’s Return

Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1, 4

Overview

Thessalonica—the second gospel beachhead on the continent of Europe—was the scene of a short but significant ministry by the missionary trio of Paul, Silas, and Timothy (read about it in Acts 17). The five short chapters of this epistle show Paul’s criteria for a fruitful ministry, his motives for laboring among the Thessalonians, and a revealing look at the coming of the Lord. The book ends with perhaps the most challenging list of exhortations in the New Testament.

Your Daily Walk

Flattery, like soft soap, often consists of 90 percent “lie.” But while flattery might be defined as “the art of telling a person exactly what he thinks of himself,” commendation is “the art of praising a person’s strengths and achievements.”

In chapter 1 of Paul’s First Epistle to the Thessalonians, he mentions at least 10 commendable activities and attitudes in their assembly—10 reasons for Paul to give glory to God and for God to declare, “Well done, good and faithful servants.”

Read through the chapter carefully and see how many you can discover (0–3, not very flattering; 4–6, commendable effort; 7–9, honorable mention; 10 or more, medal of honor). Then write in the margin the name of at least one person with whom you can share a word of appreciation and commendation. Don’t look too far from home. Perhaps your spouse, parent, or child is most in need of a heartfelt “You’re special to me!”

Insight - “...And Finally, Be Ready When He Comes.”

Eschatology is the study of the events surrounding the second coming of Jesus and the final destiny of humanity. See how each chapter of 1 Thessalonians concludes with a reference to Jesus’ second coming. This theme is so prevalent in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians that some have called them “The Eschatological Letters” of Paul.

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December 2

2 Thessalonians 1–3

Correction Concerning Christ’s Return

Key Passage: 2 Thessalonians 3

Overview

Since Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, problems had arisen in their church. False teachers had upset the saints by claiming that the “Day of the Lord” had already occurred. Such news produced idleness in the church, prompting Paul to prescribe strong medicine to cure the problem: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (3:10). Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the events that must take place before Christ’s return. Those undergoing persecution can take heart, knowing that God’s righteous judgment will settle all accounts equitably. Paul exhorts his readers to be steadfast and diligent, seizing the opportunities rather than merely biding their time.

Your Daily Walk

There is perhaps no greater challenge in the Christian life than living as though the Lord is coming back tomorrow, while planning as though He may not return for years.

No one knows the exact timing of Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:36, 42), but everyone should know when that day is drawing near, for unmistakable signs—like labor pains for an expectant mother—will herald its approach.

That event is one day closer than ever before. What should your response be as you see it approaching? Circle the proper attitude or action from each pair of words:

Idleness or industry?

Resignation or reenlistment?

Watchfulness or withdrawal?

Apprehension or anticipation?

Begin a project for the Lord that may take weeks, months, or even years to complete. (Examples: memorize a book of the Bible, begin a neighborhood Bible study, write a collection of inspirational articles.) You can work while you wait. There is no better way to pass the time than as you wait with hope for Christ’s return.

Insight - And in Case You Missed It the First Time...

The subject of Christ’s return is mentioned more than 300 times in the 260 chapters of the New Testament—more than any other doctrine.

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Paul's Pastoral Epistles

Paul multiplied his ministry by sending representatives to shepherd various churches. The “pastoral epistles” are letters of counsel and encouragement to two of these young pastors: Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete. Problems common to both were the appointment of qualified leaders, a growing spiritual coldness, and religious apostasy. Paul challenges the young men to stand firm in the faith, to hold fast to the truth of God, and to faithfully fulfill their God-given duties.

December 3

1Timothy 1–3 

Life in the Body of Christ

Key Passage: 1 Timothy 3

Overview

Paul writes to Pastor Timothy, who is facing a heavy burden of responsibility in the church at Ephesus. The task is challenging: False doctrine must be removed, disorder in public worship corrected, and mature leadership developed. The first three chapters of Paul’s “leadership manual” to his young understudy encourage Timothy to teach the faith by precept and practice. In doing so, he shows the people how they ought to behave in the household of God (3:15).

Your Daily Walk

“Conscience,” someone once said, “is a three-pointed prong in my heart that turns around when I do something wrong, and the points hurt a lot. But if I keep doing badly, the points eventually wear off, and then it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Paul had much to say to young Timothy on the subject of the conscience. The goal of his exhortation was that Timothy might have a good conscience (1:5; 3:9) and thereby avoid the shipwreck of his faith (1:19). In fact, Timothy’s greatest battles would come with those whose consciences had become seared and senseless (4:2).

What is on your conscience right now? What inner proddings of God are you feeling to right an old wrong, forgive an old grievance, or complete an overdue promise? Take it from Timothy—there’s no greater feeling of freedom than to face each day with a clear conscience.

Insight - Portrait of a Pastor

Twelve books of the New Testament mention Timothy by name. Look up the following verses to put together a composite picture of this young servant of God. It will enhance your reading of 1 and 2 Timothy. Timothy was:

young (1 Timothy 4:12);

timid (1 Corinthians 16:10);

faithful (1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:19-23);

spiritually strong (1 Timothy 6:11-12);

frequently ill (1 Timothy 5:23)

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December 4

1 Timothy 4–6

Leaders in the Body of Christ

Key Passage: 1 Timothy 5

Overview

In addition to the conduct of the church, Paul speaks pointedly to Timothy about the conduct of the church's pastor. Timothy must be on guard lest his youthfulness become a liability rather than an asset to his ministry. He must be careful to avoid false teachers and greedy motives, pursuing instead righteousness and godliness. Paul’s forecast for the future is sobering: Things will go from bad to worse, but for the man of God, there is strength to “fight the good fight of the faith” (6:12) and emerge victorious, despite the ever-present inner adversaries of pride, greed, and indifference.

Your Daily Walk:

Read the following quotation from a commentator slowly and thoughtfully twice: “One of the values of Scripture is that it has an answer to every human problem, of whatever kind, era, dimension, or significance.” Do you agree?

Not all the church problems of the first century are indeed identical to the issues of the church in the 21st century. But even though the problems change, God’s principles stand sure—timeless statements of biblical truth that are just as applicable today as they were in Timothy’s day nearly 2,000 years ago.

Could you prove that to yourself? What biblical insight have you gained from today’s reading about...

the church’s obligation to needy members?

How to call a pastor?

How to respond as a Christian employee?

How to care for widows?

What attitude should you have toward money?

Insight - An Antidote for False Teaching

In your opinion, what is the most effective way to counteract and destroy false teaching? Pick one: (a) ignore it; (b) attack it; (c) displace it by consistent, sound teaching. Now check 4:6,13, and 16 to discover Paul’s prescription for destroying false doctrine in Pastor Timothy’s congregation.

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December 5

2 Timothy 1–4

Paul’s Combat Manual

Key Passage: 2 Timothy 2

Overview

Chronologically, 2 Timothy is Paul’s final epistle. Written from a Roman prison cell, it contains words of wisdom and encouragement for Timothy, who is laboring amid hardship and opposition in Ephesus. Paul stresses the importance of godly living, consistent, biblical preaching, and adequate preparation for difficult days yet to come. Underlying all that Paul says is the importance of God’s Word—the only foundation strong enough to stand upon in perilous times.

Your Daily Walk

Football season; holiday season; planting season; harvesting season—there’s a time and season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Everything, that is, except sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, for that important task is always “in season.”

Paul exhorts Timothy: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season” (4:2). There will be occasions when you have virtually all the time you need to prepare what you want to say about Jesus. A Sunday school lesson, sermon manuscript, magazine article, study group devotional—each represents an opportunity to “preach the Word.” But what about those times when you are suddenly called upon to speak for your Lord—and there isn’t a Bible in sight? Paul’s counsel to you is the same: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season.” In short, be ready to share the good news whenever and wherever the occasion might arise.

Get a head start on that assignment by writing out your personal testimony as you would want to share it.

Insight - A Warm Coat for a Cold Apostle (4:13)

While in prison, Paul was naturally concerned about staying warm during the coming winter. His unheated, underground cell, believed to be in the Mamertine Prison, was probably only 19 feet long by 10 feet wide by 6 feet high and accessible through a hole in the ceiling. Now reread 4:9-13, with feeling.

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December 6/7

Titus 1–3

Paul’s Conduct Manual

Key Passage: Titus 2

Overview

Titus, a young minister, is left on the island of Crete by Paul to begin the challenging task of organizing new converts into local congregations. Paul’s brief epistle is thus a practical guide for those involved in church administration and organization. Leaders must be chosen for their proven character and conduct; false teachers must be quickly detected and removed; and church members of all ages must be encouraged to live lives worthy of the gospel they claim to believe. Paul shares guidelines for young and old, men and women, pastors and people. All should demonstrate the reality of their faith by devoting themselves to doing what is good (3:8).

Your Daily Walk

“P.S. I love you.”

Have you ever added those words at the bottom of a letter?

Perhaps the previous pages of your correspondence were so filled with current events or weighty matters that you hadn’t had a chance to share the deep feelings you held for the reader. But now the substance of your letter is complete; the urgent news has been shared. Now you can concentrate on the little expressions of affection that make a letter something more than an office memo.

Paul had a habit of adding postscripts to his epistles that reveal the deep affection he had for his spiritual children. The last four verses of the letter to Titus are like that. And notice how many personal names and practical steps of action Paul includes. Love is like that. It demands an object and an outlet. Follow Paul’s lead by writing a short “epistle” of your own today—a newsy note to a loved one or friend that is perhaps long overdue. Oh, yes—don’t forget the “P.S.” It could be the most important part of the letter.

Insight - Titus’s Challenge on the Island of Crete

Paul’s commentary on the Cretans in 1:12 is taken from one of the Cretans’ own prophets. In the culture of Paul’s day, if one was said “to act the Cretan,” it was understood that he was a liar.

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December 8

Philemon

Forgiveness in the Church

Key Passage: Philemon 10–12, 15–18

Overview

Philemon is the shortest and one of the most personal of Paul’s letters. Paul has befriended Onesimus, a runaway slave and new convert to Christianity. Now, Onesimus must fulfill his obligations to his former master, Philemon, who is also a Christian. Paul sends Onesimus back with a brief note in which Paul appeals for leniency based on love: Philemon’s love for Paul and God’s love for Philemon. Knowing the reality of Philemon’s faith, Paul is confident that brotherly love will carry the day.

Your Daily Walk

Which of these items have you received an “overdue notice” this past year?

library book

loan repayment

credit card

utility bill

debt of restitution

Were you puzzled by the last item? Allow the life of Onesimus to demonstrate what restitution is and why it is so important.

When the runaway slave was confronted with the claims of Christ and responded in believing faith, many things changed. His sins were forgiven by God; he became a part of the family of God (with many new brothers and sisters in Christ, including Paul and Philemon); he received a new motivation for living. But some things did not change. He was still Philemon’s servant—and a runaway at that. There were accounts to settle involving restitution, repentance, and a return to Philemon’s authority.

Is there an overdue account from your “B.C.” days (before Christ)? The results of beginning the process of restitution may not be as spectacular as they were in Onesimus’s case. (You certainly won’t get your name included in the Bible.) However, you can honor the Savior who settled your heavenly debt by settling an earthly one today.

Insight - The Man Who Lived Up to His Name

Onesimus literally means “useful” or “profitable,” which explains Paul’s play on words in verse 11. What was formerly “useless” to Philemon is now “useful” to both Philemon and Paul.

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Hebrews

The unknown writer of Hebrews expresses concern that many of his Jewish Christian readers are responding to persecution by returning to the practice of Judaism. The writer uses a variety of comparisons to convince his readers that Jesus offers a far superior Person, priesthood, and power for living. He pleads with his readers: “Let us...go on to maturity” (6:1). Without doubt, Jesus is the better way—a truth demonstrated in the lives of countless saints who have already walked with God by faith.

December 9

Hebrews 1–2 

Jesus and the Angels

Key Passage: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-3
 

Overview

Becoming a first-century convert to Christianity could definitely be hazardous to your health. Often, it meant persecution and isolation as the faith spread throughout the Roman Empire to the Jews in exile. To urge these believers to remain steadfast in their newfound faith, the writer of Hebrews emphasizes Christ's superiority over all else. Christ is superior to the Old Testament prophets because He is the Son of God. He is superior to the angels whom He created and who worship Him. He became human so He could die for sinful humans. To reject Him is to abandon hope itself.

Your Daily Walk

Imagine someone approaching you on the street, thrusting a microphone into your face, and asking, “Who, in your opinion, is Jesus Christ?” How would you respond? What evidence could you give to support your conviction that Jesus was more than just a good man?

Most heresies and cults today begin with a wrong or unbalanced view of the person of Jesus Christ. Thus, Hebrews—a book written to reveal who Jesus is and what He has done—would be a good place to begin when looking for answers to the question, “Why is Jesus Christ the most unique historical figure?”

Divide a sheet of paper in half. Label the left side “What Jesus is like” (His personality), and the right side “What Jesus has done” (His activity). Review today’s reading, looking for statements describing the person and work of Jesus, and jot them down in the appropriate column. Then share the results of your study with a friend or family member who is seriously considering the claims of Jesus. It might be just the evidence that person needs to place personal trust in Him.

Insight - Angels, Angels Everywhere

Angels are a prominent theme in the Book of Hebrews, and the Jews of the first century attached great importance to them—a fact seen in the Rabbinic saying, “Every blade of grass has its angel.”

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December 10

Hebrews 3–4

Jesus and the Ancestral Leaders

Key Passage: Hebrews 3:1-6; 4:1-6

Overview

The writer of Hebrews continues his argument for Christ’s superiority by comparing Jesus to Moses and Joshua. Those who rebelled against God in the days of the wilderness wanderings were excluded from His rest in the Promised Land. However, an even better rest exists for the people of God—the one His Son spoke about. Moses was a servant in God’s household, but Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God’s household. Joshua brought Israel into an earthly land of rest, but Jesus will bring His people into an eternal, heavenly rest.

Your Daily Walk

Piercing sirens. Piercing screams. Piercing stares. Piercing words. In each case, your body reacts quickly. Adrenaline sends a message to your heart: “Action needed now!” The piercing sensation may not be pleasant, but it alerts you to the need for instant response. The same could be said of the Word of God. It pierces the heart with truth too important to ignore.

The Bible is not always a source of comfort; sometimes it acts as an unwelcome intruder. You may find it a bit unnerving to know there is something that can penetrate all your defenses and pierce your heart with convicting truth. You can’t change the truth any more than you can change the law of gravity. But you can allow it to change you.

Complete this sentence with each element of Hebrews 4:12— “Because God’s Word is (living, active, sharp, penetrating, judging), I will read it today, expecting Him to ________ in my life.”

Insight - The Author of Hebrews, a Literary Giant

Anyone who reads New Testament Greek will quickly realize what an excellent writer the author of Hebrews is. More than any other New Testament author (with the possible exceptions of Luke and Paul), he used a rich and diverse vocabulary. His sentences were so well-crafted that some commentators think his writing reflects training in Greek rhetoric and philosophy.

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December 11

Hebrews 5–7

Jesus and Aaron’s Priesthood

Key Passage: Hebrews 5:1-10; 7:1-3

Overview

Not only is Jesus superior to Israel’s leaders, but He is also superior to Israel’s priests. Like Aaron, Jesus was divinely appointed to the priesthood. But Christ is superior, for His priestly function is without beginning or end, much like the order of Melchizedek (see Genesis 14:18-20). While the Aaronic priests offered sacrifices for their own sins as well as for the sins of the people, Jesus was sinless and died once for all time as the eternal sacrifice for the sins of all people.

Your Daily Walk

Perhaps you have heard the phrase “quiet time” used to describe a period of undisturbed Bible reading, meditation, and prayer. You’re probably enjoying a “quiet time” right now.

But did you know you can also experience an “unquiet time” with God? Listen to these “noisy” verses from the Book of Psalms: “My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer” (Psalm 45:1). “But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17).

The psalmist often verbalized his prayers. Note that even the Lord Jesus, in Hebrews 5:7, “offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears.” Nothing quiet about that.

Today, schedule an “unquiet time” with the Lord. Find a place where you can be alone—and noisy.

Then praise God out loud for His unchanging character; confess your sins verbally one by one; sing a worship song or two to audibly extol His matchless greatness. You’ll discover there’s no quicker path to a quiet soul than by making a joyful noise.

Insight - The Bridge to Heaven

The Latin word for priest, pontifex, literally means “bridge-builder,” a beautiful portrait of Christ’s role as High Priest. He is the perfect Bridge-builder between holy God and sinful mankind, the “one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5).

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December 12

Hebrews 8–10

Jesus and the Ancient Law

Key Passage: Hebrews 9

Overview

Although the priestly work of Jesus Christ is distinctly different from the Old Testament system, there are similarities as well. Every priest must have a place to minister. Aaronic priests ministered on earth; Jesus ministers in heaven (8:1). Every priest must have a life to sacrifice. Aaron’s priests offered the blood of animals; Jesus offers His own blood (9:12). And only the high priest can enter behind the veil to make atonement. Aaron performed that function year by year; Jesus offers His own flesh as the curtain, making atonement once for all time (10:10, 20). Just as His life is infinitely important, so His death is infinitely powerful to supply everything the believer needs.

Your Daily Walk

You can learn much about the size and shape of an object by looking at its silhouette or shadow. But you can learn so much more by fixing your gaze on the object itself.

You can learn much about God by reading the Old Testament. But remember one of the purposes for which it was given: to provide “examples...” written down as warnings for us (1 Corinthians 10:11). The tabernacle, Mosaic Law, priesthood, sacrifices—all of these were designed by God to be copies and shadows (Hebrews 8:5), divinely given patterns. In the New Testament, the One who has cast His shadow across the entire Old Testament steps onto center stage. Now you no longer see only shapes and outlines, but the actual substance.

Formerly, you had descriptions about God, but now you see God Himself—and His name is Jesus Christ. Indeed, “the New is in the Old contained; the Old is in the New explained.”

Insight - The Timeless, Untamperable Contract

Covenants—contracts made between two parties in Bible times—were commonly “sealed” in one of three ways: A shoe was exchanged (Ruth 4:7), salt was eaten (Numbers 18:19), or a sacrifice was slain (Genesis 15:7-21). Of these, the third was the most binding and inviolable. Now check Hebrews 10:29 to discover how the “new covenant” was sealed.

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December 13/14

Hebrews 11–13

Jesus and the Approach to Life

Key Passage: Hebrews 11:1–12:2

Overview

The letter to the Hebrews closes with an appeal to approach God by the new and living way that Jesus made possible through His death. Writing to an audience whose actions were shaped by pressure from the world rather than promises from God, the author of Hebrews urges a faith-inspired walk that characterized so many Old Testament heroes and heroines. These men and women were so convinced of God’s faithfulness that they structured their lives according to His Word. Their example is commendable and well worth following.

Your Daily Walk

Some heroes gain their reputation by the life they live; others by the death they die.

Down through the centuries, the heroes of the church have been those who announced their allegiance to Christ and refused to be moved—regardless of the consequences. One such hero is Polycarp, a disciple of the Apostle John, whose long life ended when he would not betray his Lord. Asked one last time to disavow his Christ, the old man replied, “Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I speak evil of my King who saved me?” For his unflinching devotion, Polycarp was burned at the stake.

Times of persecution—whether in the first century or the 21st—only serve to confirm that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” Opposing the gospel has never been an effective way to keep it from spreading. Opposition only causes others to see that a faith worth dying for must also be a faith worth living for.

Write a short obituary about your life as you’d want it to appear in Hebrews 11: “By faith [my name]...” Then, with God’s help, make today the yesterday that will encourage another Christian tomorrow.

Insight - What’s My Line?

Hebrews 11 includes, among others, the names of an Old Testament shepherd, prophet, shipbuilder, rancher, and diplomat. Can you match each vocation with the correct person?

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December 15

James 1–5

Doers of the Word

Key Passage: James 1–2

Overview

James recognizes there can be a dangerous false conclusion from the simple equation, “Salvation = Faith + Nothing.” One might conclude, “As long as I have faith, it doesn’t matter how I act.” But James responds with ringing clarity that a faith that produces no change in attitude is really no faith at all. Partiality, neglect of the poor, quarreling, a bitter tongue, a proud attitude—all are inconsistent with the royal law of love that Jesus proclaimed.

Your Daily Walk

In the Chinese picture-letter alphabet, the word for crisis is a combination of two characters—one meaning “danger” and the other “opportunity.” It all depends on how you look at it.

The same can be said of trials in the Christian life. A crisis that appears to one Christian as a calamity may be viewed by another as an opportunity. You can see your problems as purposeful and joyful, but to do so, you must see them from God’s perspective. God brings difficulties into the lives of His children not to bring them down, but to build them up. Tested faith produces endurance (1:3), maturity (1:4), and God’s rich reward (1:12).

As you read through the Book of James, how would you catalog the various tests of faith you discover? Do you find some of the same crises you are presently facing?

Put a check mark next to the ones that look painfully familiar. Then ponder this question: “If God intends these problems as opportunities for me to grow, rather than dangers for me to fear, how can I cooperate with Him to make the most of these faith-stretching trials?” Then close your time with God by telling Him what you intend to do about your new perspective on your problems.

Insight - Was James Eavesdropping on the Mount?

Four verses in the Book of James correspond to passages from Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. Read Matthew 5:10-12, 34-37; 7:16-20, 24, 26. Can you find the four corresponding allusions in today’s reading?

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November 15/16

Romans 6–8

God’s Power for Righteous Living

Key Passage: Romans 6

Overview

Paul, the gifted debater, anticipates the logical questions that will follow his explanation of justification by faith: “Since grace abounds, can I continue to sin?... Can I sin because I am no longer under the law, but under grace?... Is the law sinful?” After answering these questions, Paul moves on to discuss the constant struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. He concludes his arguments by revealing two liberating facts: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (8:1); nothing on earth or in heaven can separate us from the love of God (8:39).

Your Daily Walk

In the margin, could you write down the name of someone for whom you no longer work? Now suppose you were to walk into your former employer’s office and were told, “All right, don’t just stand there. Get to work!” What would you do?

Probably you’d do absolutely nothing—except walk out of the building. Why? Because you no longer work there. When you were under that employer’s authority, you did whatever you were told. But now that you work for someone else, you answer to another boss.

Reread 6:16-18. Do you see the parallel between sin and your old boss? Formerly, you were a servant to sin. Sin was your master, your boss. But now in Christ you have been set free from that bondage to become a “slave” to righteousness. Christ is your new Employer, and your responsibility is to answer to Him.

Are you still taking orders from your old boss, sin, as if it had ultimate control over you? Write out the words of 6:13 and make them your “marching orders” for today.

Insight - The Winning Team for Over 2,000 Years

The passage of Scripture that says “we are more than conquerors” (8:37) literally means “we are in the process of winning.” Let your actions today demonstrate the confidence you have from being on the winning team.

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November 17

Romans 9–11

God’s Plan of Righteousness

Key Passage: Romans 9:15; 9:30–10:15

Overview

In one sense, Romans 9–11 resembles a parenthesis because of the way chapters 8 and 12 flow together. (Read 8:39 and 12:1.) Even so, these chapters are essential to Paul’s argument and are strategically placed in the epistle. Paul has said that salvation is by grace—God’s undeserved favor from start to finish. This raises the question: “If God’s people (the Jews) have rejected His grace, then hasn’t God also discarded His people?” Paul answers with three observations:

• God chose the Jews by sovereign selection.
• The Jews turned away from God by willful rejection.
• God’s rejection of His people is both incomplete (there is a remnant) and temporary (they will be restored).

Paul then concludes the section with an ascription of praise to God for His incomprehensible ways—an appropriate response!

Your Daily Walk

It hurts to see someone reject the gospel, especially when that “someone” is part of your family. But it hurts most when that person prides him or herself on being religious.

Paul lamented that his own people, the Jews, had rejected the gospel. Though their religious zeal was exemplary, it was based on a foundation other than Christ. It was a zeal without knowledge—activity without reality—that only led to self-deception and false pride. No one could doubt the sincerity of their beliefs and actions. But they were sincerely wrong.

The best way to combat such misplaced confidence is by a clear proclamation of the gospel. Using 10:13-15 as your model, look for one sincere—but sincerely wrong—individual to whom you can bring good news of the gospel today.

Insight - A Doxology of Doxologies

The word doxology comes from a Greek word meaning “brightness, radiance, splendor, glory.” Notice how frequently Paul breaks forth in a spontaneous doxology (11:33-36; 15:9-13; 16:25-27), whose glory is in view.

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November 18

Romans 12–16

Practical Outworking of Righteousness

Key Passage: Romans 12

Overview

In the first 11 chapters, Paul has discussed the key doctrines of the Christian faith. But Christian living requires more than theory; it demands attention to duty as well, the daily outworking of applied doctrine. To Paul, what you believe and how you behave are inseparable. Doctrine dictates that love controls a believer’s conduct, both inside and outside the church (chapter 12); that a Christian be a good citizen (chapter 13); and that he make proper ethical choices in consideration of his weaker brother (chapter 14).

Your Daily Walk

“WANTED: DEAD AND ALIVE!”
Do you detect anything peculiar about a “wanted” poster like that?

God wants you dead to sin and self, and alive for service. In the Old Testament, animals were offered for sacrifices, and they had no say in the matter. But based on God’s abundant mercies on your behalf, He is calling you to become a voluntary living sacrifice as an expression of your gratitude for all He has done for you and through you.

The trouble with being a living sacrifice is that, when the heat’s on, the tendency is to crawl off the altar! If you have difficulty volunteering for such an assignment, try reviewing God’s mercies in your life. Thumb back through the pages of Romans and see if you can discover at least six of those mercies and write them down in a journal.

• (3:24)
• (5:1)
• (8:1)
• (?)
• (?)
• (?)

Insight - What Is Really Worthy of Praise?

Instead of looking at chapter 16 as a list of people with unusual names that you’ve never heard before, ponder the aspects of their lives Paul deems worthy of praise: “a servant of the church,” “they risked their lives for me,” “worked very hard for you,” and “approved in Christ.”

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1 Corinthians

Established during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 18:1-17), the church at Corinth was plagued by the corrupting influence of the pagan lifestyle of that bustling metropolitan city. In this disciplinary letter, Paul exercises his authority as an apostle to address divisions, doctrinal debates, questionable practices, and abuses of the Lord’s Supper and spiritual gifts. His counsel to the Corinthian believers remains timely today.

November 19

1 Corinthians 1–6

Divisions in the Church

Key Passage:1 Corinthians 3,

Overview

While Paul is ministering in Ephesus, he receives disturbing news from the house of Chloe. The Corinthian church is experiencing problems so severe that its testimony is being undermined. In the first six chapters of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the significant issues of divisions, immorality, and legal abuses. And he exhorts the believers to go on to maturity in the faith, to be “blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8).

Your Daily Walk

If you ever find a perfect church, don’t join it. You’ll ruin it!

The Book of 1 Corinthians is an eloquent reminder that the Christian life is not a parade but a battle in which the enemy (Satan) is seeking to discredit the gospel in any way possible. If he can get the “soldiers of the cross” to shoot at one another, so much the better. Divisions, pride, immorality, and anger are just a few of his many devices for derailing the church. How can you hope to handle his clever and persistent attacks?

Answer: By appropriating the resources of your salvation. In the first nine verses of his letter, Paul lists at least 10 assets of the Corinthian believers to help them cope with the disorders in their assembly. How many can you find?

Now pick one and use it to complete this sentence: “Knowing that Satan would like to sow the seeds of discord in my local church, this week I will seek to be an influence for peace and unity in the fellowship by [how?].” It’s always easier to be a peacebreaker than a peacemaker, but God has promised a special blessing if you make peace a passion of your life (Matthew 5:9).

Insight - Temples of Stone, Temples of the Spirit

There are two Greek words for “temple.” The first, naos, refers to the central sanctuary, the Holy of Holies; the second, hieron, refers to the whole temple complex. Paul deliberately used naos in 3:16 and 6:19 to show the Corinthians that they are containers of God’s Spirit, as was the Holy of Holies in the Jewish temple.

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November 20

1 Corinthians 7–10

Debates in the Church

Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 7–8

Overview

Chapters 1–6 deal with reports Paul received about disorderly conduct in the Corinthian church. Beginning with chapter 7, he answers questions about marriage, the offering of meat to idols, and making a living from the gospel ministry. Paul draws upon Old Testament passages, the teaching of Christ, and his own apostolic authority to set forth principles for the proper use of Christian liberty. Then he warns the Corinthians against murmuring against God, as the Israelites did in the wilderness, and encourages them instead to “do it all for the glory of God” (10:31).

Your Daily Walk

Next time you are in the grocery store, ask the butcher, “Where do you get your meat?” Now imagine if he told you, “It comes from a voodoo slaughterhouse.”

Would you go to a different grocery store?
Would you give up eating barbecued chicken?
Or would you conclude, “There is only one true God, the God I serve, and therefore it is meaningless that spirits have been ‘offered’ the meat before I buy it and eat it”?

To make the situation even more complex, imagine that your next-door neighbor has recently converted from a voodoo background. Now, how do you respond to the steak-in-the-supermarket issue?

You probably will never face the fictitious situation described above. But you will need to decide how to use your Christian liberty frequently. Paul’s two guidelines will serve you well:

1. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should (10:23).
2. If it doesn’t glorify God, don’t do it (10:31).

Insight - The Case of the Lost Letters

From a careful reading of Paul’s two letters to the Corinthians, it appears he may actually have written a few more letters, not just the two contained in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 5:9, he mentions a previous letter, and in 2 Corinthians 2:4 and 7:8, a painful letter.

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November 21

1 Corinthians 11–14

Disorders in the Church

Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 12–13

Overview

Paul has dealt with problems of a personal nature: allegiance, marriage, and morality. But now he addresses public issues in the Corinthian church: the veiling of women and the use (and abuse) of the Lord’s Supper and spiritual gifts. Disorders in the worship service are serious business (11:30). Paul then spends three chapters describing the nature and function of spiritual gifts. There are a variety of gifts all given by the same Spirit, who “gives them to each one, just as he determines” (12:11); they are to be exercised in love (13:13); and they are to be used to the end “that the church may be edified” (14:5). Underlying all that Paul says is the divine prescription for public worship: “Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (14:40).

Your Daily Walk

Could you visualize the following scene in your mind? You awaken one morning to find that your feet have gone on strike. They are tired of always getting stepped on and have decided to picket for shorter hours and softer shoes. In fact, they want the same privileges as your hands, or they will secede from the body.

Sound far-fetched? It happens in the church every day (12:15) as Spirit-gifted members of the body seek to do someone else’s job. Feet trying to hold silverware or ears trying to see may be humorous in the physical realm, but in the spiritual realm it can have devastating consequences. When one member suffers in a role for which he is ill-equipped, all the members suffer (12:26).

Scan the list of spiritual gifts in 12:8-10, 28, and single out the areas in which God has gifted you for service in the body of Christ. Now take a hard look at your church involvement. Are you helping or hurting the body in your present role? What needs to change so you can build up the church?

Insight - More Biblical Light on Spiritual Gifts

Spend some time in these passages for further light on spiritual gifts: Romans 1:11; 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; and Hebrews 2:4.

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November 22/23

1 Corinthians 15–16

Doctrinal Disputes in the Church

Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 15

Overview

The last chapters of Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians deal with the church’s misunderstanding of the resurrection—the central truth of Christianity. Paul first defends the resurrection as a historical fact confirmed by more than 500 eyewitnesses (15:6). Next, he defends it theologically, showing that God’s plan of redemption is incomplete apart from a risen Savior. The resurrection provides hope for the believer’s body as well, which will be clothed “with the imperishable” (15:53) in the twinkling of an eye when Jesus returns. Paul concludes his epistle with instructions about an offering he will collect for the struggling brethren in Jerusalem.

Your Daily Walk

Ponder this question: Do you feel more or less sinful than you did a year ago? You might think that as Paul progressed in his walk with God, he would feel more sinless and satisfied. But in fact, judging from the apostle’s own words, just the opposite was true. The older he grew in the Lord, the more sinful he sensed he was:

• A.D. 59: “I am the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9).
• A.D. 64: “I am less than the least of all God’s people” (Ephesians 3:8).
• A.D. 65: “sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Least of all apostles, least of all saints, worst of all sinners. The longer Paul walked with the Lord, the more sensitive he became to sin—not because he sinned more, but because he saw more. The closer he drew to God’s perfection, the more clearly he viewed his life from God’s perspective.

Write these words of Thomas Bernard on an index card: “Our sense of sin is in proportion to our nearness to God.” Read it several times today.

Insight - What Is Maranatha?

At the conclusion of his letter, Paul uses a phrase common among first-century Christians: Maranatha, meaning “Come, O Lord!” Bid someone “Maranatha” today.

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2 Corinthians

Paul’s troubles with the Corinthians continued. After his first letter, Paul’s teaching, character, and motives were brought under attack by some. Paul writes to set forth his credentials and vindicate his conduct, thanking those who support him and appealing to the rebellious minority. The book is heavily autobiographical, offering glimpses into the life of Paul found nowhere else in Scripture: his preconversion background, his persecution of Christ, his visions from God, and his thorn in the flesh.

November 24

2 Corinthians 1–5

Paul, Minister of the Gospel

Key Passage: 2 Corinthians 1–2

Overview

Paul opens his second letter to the Corinthians the same way he began his first one: by establishing his authority and documenting the source of his revelation. Whereas his first letter expressed thanksgiving for what God had done among the Corinthians, Paul’s second one praises God for what He has done for Paul and Timothy. In contrast to the inferior glory of the old covenant (the Law of Moses), which only condemned, the glorious new covenant, sealed in Jesus’ own blood, makes God’s ministers bold and effective in calling people to repentance.

Your Daily Walk

What is your favorite smell: the fragrance of a rose blossom, the aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, or a particular perfume?

Smell is an individual matter. One person’s perfume may be another’s pollution. In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul says that Christians should be giving off an inviting fragrance to those around them. And there’s more to that than regular hygiene or the right cologne; Paul is speaking of the quality of your life. Perfume attracts; pollution repels.

Will others sense the fragrance of Christ radiating from your life? Or is your Christian life so bland that others have trouble finding anything attractive about your conversation or conduct? Or worse, is there an unpleasant odor that is turning people away?

Check up on your I.Q. (Incense Quotient). Purchase a small bottle of cologne, perfume, or aftershave—a fragrance you don’t normally buy—to remind you each time you use it of the importance of letting the fragrance of Christ radiate to those around you.

Insight - Let’s Go Marching!

When Paul wrote 2:14, he had in mind a Roman military parade, where the general would march through the streets, followed by his troops and their captives, while the crowds cheered and burned spices (hence the “fragrance” of Christ).

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November 25

2 Corinthians 6–9

Paul’s Motivation in the Gospel

Key Passage: 2 Corinthians 6, 9

Overview

Paul has defended his ministry as an ambassador for Christ by showing how individuals can be reconciled to a loving God. This leads Paul to plead with the Corinthians to be reconciled to him as their spiritual father (6:13) and to love him as he loves them. In chapters 8 and 9, Paul provides the most comprehensive treatment of Christian stewardship in the New Testament. He appeals to the Corinthians to follow the example of the churches of Macedonia in generous, sacrificial giving—a reasonable response to God’s indescribable gift of His Son.

Your Daily Walk

Find a jar with a tight-fitting cap, fill it half with cooking oil and half with water, screw on the cap, shake the jar vigorously for a few seconds, and set it aside as you read on.

To show the Corinthians just how senseless it is to enter into a binding arrangement with unbelievers, Paul gives five pairs of contrasts that mix like oil and water (see 6:14-16):

• Righteousness vs. Wickedness
• Light vs. Darkness
• Christ vs. Belial (Satan)
• Faith vs. Unbelief
• Temple of God vs. Idols
• _______________________

Notice there is an extra line for you to think about a “yoked” agreement you are contemplating. Is it as inconsistent as the five listed above it? Then take the apostle’s advice: Don’t get into it. If you do, the yoke’s on you—and that’s no joke.

Insight - What’s in a Name (6:15)?

Of all the names for Satan (and there are nearly 20 in the pages of Scripture), perhaps Belial is the most appropriate, for it comes from a Hebrew derivation that means “worthless, unprofitable, wicked.”

Letters in the New Testament

Letters, the most personal form of literature, are nothing new. Excavations have discovered fragments of letters dating back more than 4,000 years. So it is not surprising that letters, which comprise 22 of the 27 New Testament books (and parts of two others), hold a prominent place in Scripture.

New Testament letters, called epistles, were written by at least five writers: Paul, James, Peter, John, and Jude (excluding the anonymous author of Hebrews). Paul was the most prolific with 13 epistles. Nine of those were addressed to churches (the Book of Romans through 2 Thessalonians) and four were addressed to individuals (1 Timothy through Philemon).

Four epistles contain just a single chapter (Philemon, Jude, 2 John, 3 John) and seem more like postcards than letters. But regardless of its length or author, each of the 21 epistles presents an intimate look at the warmly personal and Spirit-inspired correspondence between a servant of God and his spiritual children, declaring doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction for their day and for ours.

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November 26

2 Corinthians 10–13

Paul’s Authority as a Gospel Minister

Key Passage: 2 Corinthians 10, 12

Overview

Paul’s final words to the Corinthians are sprinkled with the personal pronoun “I” as he speaks about his distinguished ancestry and dedicated service. He draws repeatedly upon his authority as an apostle to deal effectively with the problems in Corinth. In strong terms, Paul exhorts the rebellious to repent so that his approaching visit can be a time of rejoicing rather than rebuke. The letter closes with the typical Pauline benediction and greetings.

Your Daily Walk

An elephant and a flea, they say,
Crossed over a bridge one day.
To the elephant said the flea:
“We shook that one, didn’t we!”

Ridiculous? Of course. But no more so than when you boast of things you have done—and leave God out of the picture.

The Bible abounds with imagery of the believer’s dependence upon God’s strength and faithfulness:

• You are clay in the Potter’s hands (Jeremiah 18:6).
• You are a branch abiding in the Vine (John 15:5).
• You are a member of Christ’s body, of which He is the Head (Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 1:22-23).

That’s not to say boasting is inappropriate in the Christian life. In 2 Corinthians, perhaps Paul’s most personal letter, he uses the word boast a total of 14 times. But notice who and what Paul was bragging about. “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (10:17). Take Paul’s advice right now. In a note, phone call, or visit, share with one other person today the greatness of your God.

Insight - The Irony of the Church’s Mission

Question: Is the church’s role to build up or tear down?

Answer: Both. To build up Christians (Ephesians 4:16) and to tear down Satan’s spiritual strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

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November 27

Galatians 1–6

Freedom in Christ

Key Passage: Galatians 5–6

Overview

Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians is an attempt to avert disaster. The Galatians now seem willing to abandon their faith journey and chart a new, misguided course based on works. Paul blends boldness with benevolence as he repudiates the bondage the Galatians have imposed on themselves. After reminding them that it is through grace, not law, that heaven is obtained, Paul goes on to show that it is in the Spirit, not the flesh, that the Christian life is successfully lived. Freedom in Christ means freedom to produce the fruits of righteousness through a Spirit-led lifestyle.

Your Daily Walk

There is a popular concept of freedom today that goes something like this: “I’m free to do whatever I please.” This is a “freedom” without restraints: no law, no authority, no responsibility. And ironically, it’s a freedom that leads to bondage.

Why? Because such freedom is not liberty at all, but slavery to the desires of your sinful nature (5:16). That kind of freedom of the flesh will only lead to deeds of the flesh (5:19-21).

By contrast, the biblical view of freedom is described in 5:1, 24. A Christian has been set free from the bondage and obligation to sin. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” (5:24). The result of such genuine spiritual freedom is genuine spiritual fruit (5:22-23).

Exercise your Christian liberty today. You have the freedom to say no (as well as yes) to the works of the flesh and the urgings of the Spirit. Which will it be? In one crucial area of your life, make your free choice to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God. That’s your powerful privilege in Christ!

Insight - The Three-Dimensional Fruit of the Spirit (5:22–23)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is...

• love, joy, peace [inward qualities]
• patience, kindness, goodness [outward qualities]
• faithfulness, gentleness, self-control [Godward qualities].

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November 28

Ephesians 1–6

Riches in Christ

Key Passage: Ephesians 1, 4

Overview

All who have trusted in Christ possess the priceless bounty of “every spiritual blessing in Christ” (1:3). Yet many continue to live like spiritual paupers. Paul writes this epistle to make Christians more aware of their heavenly wealth in Christ and to motivate them to draw upon those resources in their earthly walk. Chapters 1–3 outline the believer’s heavenly possessions: adoption, redemption, power, inheritance, life, and citizenship. Chapters 4–6 urge the child of God to conduct himself according to his calling.

Your Daily Walk

Take a brief inventory of your riches:
How much money do you have in the bank?
Will you take that wealth with you when you die?
Do you belong to a royal family?
Do you own a house?
Did the builder promise it would last for eternity?

If earthly wealth and pedigree are all you can boast about, you are truly poor—both now and for eternity. On the other hand, the person who has God for his Father and heaven for his home is rich beyond measure, regardless of his net worth on earth. In the following “insight,” you’ll find a portion of your vast wealth “in Christ.”

Insight - The Christian—Part of the “In” Group

Paul’s important phrase “in Christ” or its equivalent appears about 30 times in Ephesians. The believer is in Christ (1:1); has blessings in the heavens in Christ (1:3); is chosen in Him (1:4); is adopted through Christ (1:5); is in the One (1:6); is redeemed in Him (1:7); is chosen in Him (1:11); is hoping in Him (1:12); is sealed in Him (1:13); is made alive together with Christ (2:5); is raised and seated with Him (2:6); is created in Christ (2:10); is brought near by His blood (2:13); is growing in Christ (2:21); is partaker of the promise in Christ (3:6); and is given freedom and confidence through faith in Him (3:12). Isn’t that an inheritance worth living for (4:1)?

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November 29

Philippians 1–4

Joy in Christ

Key Passage: Philippians 1:1–2:11

Overview

Philippians is unique among Paul’s epistles for at least two reasons: (1) It is virtually “problem-free,” lacking the usual disciplinary tone of Paul’s letters; and (2) It is filled with joyful statements, even though Paul is chained in prison! Paul has learned that joy comes not from external conditions but from the internal confidence that God is in control. Being a good teacher, Paul not only exhorts the Philippians to rejoice always, but he also exemplifies the very principle he is preaching. With Christ at the center and circumference of Christian experience, truly, there is ample reason for Paul and the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord” (4:4).

Your Daily Walk

A woman walks into a department store, seeks out the customer service counter, and declares, “I don’t want this item.”

“Fine,” responds the clerk. “I’ll take it and help you find an item you do like.”

“No,” answers the woman. “I don’t want to give this up.”

Perhaps you’re as confused as the salesclerk by now. But did you know that is how many Christians pray? “Lord, I have a problem that I’m worried about.” “Fine,” responds the Lord. “Exchange those worries for My matchless peace.” “Oh, no, I’d rather keep worrying!”

Philippians 4:6-7 makes it clear that you and God can’t “worry” about the same problem at the same time. Either you will (and forfeit His peace in the process), or He will (leaving you free to relax in His strong arms). That’s a good reason to make a “worry list” of the anxieties you’re nursing right now, and turn it into a prayer list. Then you, too, can enjoy the “peace of God” that is only possible by knowing the “God of peace” (4:9).

Insight - It’s All in Your Head

You will find the words rejoice and mind several times in Philippians. The connection between them is clear: Joy is not just a smile on the surface but peace in the heart as a result of a mind continually focused on Jesus.

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November 30

Colossians 1–4

Fullness of Christ

Key Passage: Colossians 1:9–2:7

Overview

The letter to the Colossians is in many respects a companion letter to Ephesians, evidently written and dispatched at the same time. Yet the two letters are also different. Whereas Ephesians is general, Colossians is direct and specific. False teachers had invaded Colossae, spreading the heresy that something more than Jesus was needed for a proper relationship with God. Such teaching is subtle, deceptive, and devastating, causing believers to search elsewhere for what they already possess. Paul underscores that in Christ “all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (2:9). All that God provides for His children is found in Jesus Christ!

Your Daily Walk

Twenty-one centuries ago, false teachers made inroads into the Colossian church, teaching that Jesus was less than God. “There is more to be gained from the Christian life than what Jesus provided,” they said. “He is not preeminent; there is spiritual wisdom and knowledge to be found outside of Him.”

Today, false cults abound, adding their own “book from God” or “special doctrine” to the Bible. That undermines the simple message of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

The appeal of such groups is strong, especially if your walk with God has become mundane. As you examine your Christian life, do you find yourself asking, “Is this all there is?” If so, reread 2:3, 9-10. If you have Christ, then you have “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” and the “fullness of the Deity.”

How much of you does He have? Make Colossians 1:9-10 your prayer: “Lord, fill me with the knowledge of Your will. Help me to walk worthy of You, fully pleasing to You.”

Insight - Paul’s Heavenly Chapter

Reread chapter 3, and consider how heavenly life could be if all people were Christians and actually lived as Christians. Are you doing your part to bring this “heaven” to earth?

THE Roman Road

This month as you’ve read about the acts of the early Christians and some of Paul’s letters to them, perhaps you realized that they experienced a quality of life you’re missing. They walked with a God they could totally depend upon, One who met their needs, gave them joy and purpose, and promised them eternal life with Him. Have you ever met the God they knew in a personal way? If not, let some “road markers” from Paul’s letter to the Romans guide you to salvation:

1: Every human being is a sinner. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

2: God’s penalty for sin is death. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

3: In His great love, God made provision for the salvation of sinners. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

4: Each person must put his trust in God’s Son, Jesus. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved...Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

If you have never put your trust in Jesus for salvation, take the opportunity right now. Simply acknowledge Him in prayer that you are a sinner, and ask Him to come into your life and make you His child eternally.

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Acts

The Book of Acts—written by the beloved physician Luke—begins where his gospel ends. The initial fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is seen in the early growth of the New Testament church. Christ’s last words before His ascension (Acts 1:8) concisely outline the book’s contents: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem [chapters 1–7], and in all Judea and Samaria [8–12], and to the ends of the earth” [13–28].

November 1/2

Acts 1–4

The Church Empowered

Key Passage: Acts 1:8–2:47

Overview

Luke 24 presents only a brief glimpse of Christ’s ascension. Now in the Book of Acts, Luke resumes his narrative by filling in the details he omitted from his gospel account. With Jesus’ last words of instruction still ringing in their ears, the disciples go forth speaking words of eternal life, first to the Jews and then to the Jewish officials. Visited by their resurrected Lord and empowered by the promised Comforter, they fearlessly follow their “marching orders” despite mocking, threats, and physical abuse.

Your Daily Walk

Imagine that you are about to sit down to dinner when the cook informs you this will be your last meal for an entire week. Would that change your eating habits? How would you feel right after the meal?

Hopefully, no one really eats that way intentionally. The stuffed feeling on Tuesday night, followed by the headache on Wednesday and the hunger pangs on Thursday through Monday, would make such food-stuffing almost unbearable. Besides, it’s pretty unnecessary.

Did you ever stop to think that what you would never tolerate in the physical realm is often the “standard fare” in the spiritual realm? A Sunday “feast” of Bible study, prayer, and worship... followed by six days of “famine.”

The church in Jerusalem knew that a proper spiritual diet was essential. That’s why “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (2:42).

Check your own spiritual diet. Is it well-balanced, with proper amounts of Bible study, fellowship, worship, and prayer?

Insight - A Short Hike on a Sabbath Day

When the disciples returned to Jerusalem after Christ’s ascension, Luke describes it as “a Sabbath day’s walk” (1:12). That may sound long. Still, it wasn’t—only about 3,000 feet, the distance one was permitted to walk outside the city limits on the Sabbath.

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November 3

Acts 5–7

The Church Enlarged

Key Passage: Acts 5:1–16; 6; 7:54–60

Overview

The advance of the gospel is all too soon opposed by the adversaries of the gospel. Attacks from without and within threaten to fragment the body of believers in Jerusalem. Selfish lies (chapter 5), ethnic squabbles (chapter 6), and brutal martyrdom (chapter 7)—each falls like a hammer blow upon the young, struggling congregation. But prompt discipline, wise leadership, and unflinching commitment only serve to enlarge the church as “the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly” (6:7).

Your Daily Walk

Complete this sentence—if you can: “The last time I was persecuted for my faith was ...”

Religious freedom is a treasure rarely prized until it is lost. Yet for much of the world’s population, freedom of religion is only a dream, not a reality.

In North and South America, Australia, England, and other parts of the free world, you rarely hear of people going to jail for their faith (as the apostles did) or being murdered for their faith (as Stephen was). But there are many countries and areas today where taking a stand for Jesus Christ can cost a person his or her life.

You may not live where persecution is the norm for Christians, but you can get involved by interceding for countries where the gospel is suppressed and Christians are mistreated. The Voice of the Martyrs (www.persecution.com) has lots of information about persecution worldwide. Hang a world map in a prominent place to act as your prayer prompter to help you pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Prayer is one way to strengthen them, even half a world away.

Insight - Stephen’s Four Appointments

• He was appointed by God (6:1-7).
• He had an appointment with the people (6:8-15).
• He had an appointment before the Sanhedrin (7:1-53).
• He had an appointment in heaven (7:54-60).

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November 4

Acts 8–9

The Church Opposed

Key Passage: Acts 8:26–9:31

Overview

Jesus made it clear before His ascension that the gospel was for both the Jew and the Gentile (1:8). But two years after delivering that commission, only Jerusalem had heard the glad tidings. In chapter 8, persecution hits—scattering all but the apostles into Judea and Samaria. Philip—one of the deacons chosen in chapter 6—extends his witness to Africa through the conversion of a visiting dignitary. Saul of Tarsus, archenemy of the infant faith, experiences a confrontation with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus that transforms him from “Saul the Antagonist” into “Paul, Missionary to the Gentiles.”

Your Daily Walk

Can you match the nicknames on the right with the given names on the left?

Nicknames can be revealing, for they often act as a mirror reflecting to you the way others view your life. When you read Acts 4, you met a man named Joseph. But perhaps you didn’t recognize him by that name. Why? Because his life was so marked by an encouraging spirit that he came to be known as Barnabas—“Son of Encouragement” (see 4:36; 9:26-27; 11:22-26; 15:37-39).

What aspect of your character forms a fitting nickname for you? Son of complaining; daughter of criticism; son of faith; daughter of compassion? Pick one and make it the basis of a personal “Project Barnabas” today.

Insight - Paul’s Mysterious Disappearance

The “many days” (9:23) between Saul’s conversion and the Jews’ assassination attempt actually adds up to three years (Galatians 1:18). During this period, God was most likely preparing Saul for the great ministry He had in store for him, much like Jesus, who spent 40 days in the wilderness after being baptized.

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November 5

Acts 10–12

The Church in Transition

Key Passage: Acts 12

Overview

“Jerusalem... Judea... Samaria” (1:8). Now God sets the stage for the gospel advance to the “ends of the earth.” With the conversion of Cornelius, the outreach of the church is enlarged to include Gentiles as well. But it takes an unusual vision, a stubborn vessel (Peter), and a well-timed visit to break down centuries of deep-seated prejudice. The enemies of the gospel are also on the march, as seen in the martyrdom of James and the imprisonment of Peter—a futile attempt to stem the growth of the church.

Your Daily Walk

Chapter 12 might well be titled, “The Answered Prayer and the Unanswered Door.” As the disciples learned, without the latter there can be no enjoyment of the former.

Peter was in prison, in danger of experiencing the same cruel fate as did the Apostle James. The disciples responded, as you might expect, with fervent prayer for Peter’s safety (12:5). God responded, as you might expect, with answered prayer. But notice how the disciples responded to God’s response.

• They explained away Rhoda’s announcement by doubting her sincerity and her sanity (12:15).
• They explained away Peter’s presence at the door by saying it was his angel (12:15).
• They failed to enjoy God’s answer to their prayers because they failed to believe God would really do what they asked.

What are you praying for today? A healed relationship, a new job, victory over a bad habit? Would it surprise you if God answered your prayer? Get up from where you’re sitting right now, walk across the room, and open a door. Let it be an expression of your faith that says, “When God’s answer knocks, I won’t be surprised!”

Insight - Postscript on Peter

So far you’ve encountered Peter’s name about 70 times in Acts. But now Luke’s emphasis will shift—as seen in the fact that Peter’s name appears in 15:7 and then nowhere else in the rest of Acts.

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November 6

Acts 13–15

Paul’s First Journey

Key Passage: Acts 15

Overview

Just as Jerusalem has been the center for Jewish evangelism, so Syrian Antioch now becomes the center for Gentile evangelism. Peter—who has played the leadership role in the first 12 chapters—now gives up the spotlight to Paul, whose travels and trials will dominate the last 16 chapters of the book. Chapter 13 also marks the beginning of Paul’s missionary career—a career not initiated by personal choice but by divine calling. Returning to Antioch at the end of their first missionary journey, Paul and his traveling companion, Barnabas, report to their home church and seek to resolve the issue of including Gentiles in the previously all-Jewish church.

Your Daily Walk

Do you agree or disagree with the following: “Agreement makes us soft and complacent; disagreement brings out our strength. Our real enemies are the people who make us feel so good that we are slowly, but inexorably, pulled down into the quicksand of smugness and self-satisfaction.”

Chapter 15 describes two sharp disagreements in the church. In fact, the chapter begins and ends with a disagreement.

The first was theological; the second was personal. The first was between acquaintances; the second between close friends and colleagues. The first was over essentials; the second was over non-essentials. The first could not be resolved by “agreeing to disagree”; the second could. And God was honored in the way each situation was handled.

Is there a brother or sister in Christ you need to approach in order to resolve a dispute? Use Acts 15 as your guide; make today the “someday” you’ve been putting off.

Insight - The Backlash of Encouragement

The very thing that brought Barnabas and Paul together was also what drove them apart: Barnabas’s gift of encouragement. He was willing to give John Mark another chance (15:36-41)—a risk that Paul, for the sake of the work, was not willing to take.

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November 7

Acts 16–18

Paul’s Second Journey

Key Passage: Acts 16

Overview

Paul’s second missionary journey begins with a new companion—Silas. The team soon doubles in size as Timothy is added at Lystra and Luke at Troas. Initially given a warm reception in Philippi, Paul and Silas soon experience flogging and imprisonment for disrupting a profitable fortune-telling business. But God uses even this to bring a jailer and his family to salvation.

Your Daily Walk

Do you have a Timothy? Is there someone you know who is a relatively new Christian—someone you can encourage, instruct, or disciple?

Paul had a Timothy—a spiritual understudy, a son in the faith. Paul knew it is not enough merely to lead men and women to a saving knowledge of Jesus. They need to be nurtured and assisted in their spiritual growth.

Read Acts 15:36; 16:4-5; and 2 Timothy 2:2. These verses reflect Paul’s emphasis on discipling new Christians and establishing them in the Christian faith. In this way they could continue and expand the gospel’s impact long after Paul had stepped off the scene.

If the chain of witness and discipleship had stopped with those early believers, where would you be today? How can you forge new links in that chain? Take a few minutes to think of two people you know, either non-Christians or young believers, who need mature guidance in the faith. Begin to pray for them daily, and make an appointment to meet with them regularly. You will all grow in the faith.

Insight - Paul and Silas–Practicing What They Preached

If anyone ever had reason to complain about their circumstances, certainly Paul and Silas would rank near the top of the list. They were flogged and thrown into prison unjustly. Though Roman citizens, they were denied their “civil rights.” Yet, in spite of abusive treatment, they showed no hint of anger in their attitude toward their captors. Rather than seething, they spent their time singing hymns.

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November 8/9

Acts 19–20

Paul’s Third Journey

Key Passage: Acts 20:13–38

Overview

A short time after Paul returns from his second journey, it is time to leave on the third. (Go back to 18:22-23 to pick up the conclusion of one trip, the brief period of reporting at Antioch, and the commencement of the next.) At Ephesus, Paul’s gospel message produces some of the greatest response—and sharpest opposition—of any of the places he visits. Leaving the city in an uproar, Paul later returns to deliver a tearful farewell at Miletus. From this point on, he is determined to visit Jerusalem, knowing full well the reception he will receive there.

Your Daily Walk

When was the last time you gave someone a special gift for an unspecial occasion? And when you did, how did it make you feel? Who was happier: the giver (you) or the recipient?

In today’s reading, Paul quotes his Master’s words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (20:35). There’s no better way to enjoy an instant blessing than by taking that verse to heart.

And you needn’t have money in your pocket to do so, either. Giving a piece of yourself may mean sharing a talent God has given you (for sewing a seam, mowing a lawn, babysitting a toddler). Or it may involve simply being there—spending time with someone who needs to hear a friendly voice or feel a reassuring embrace.

Of course, if God has blessed you materially, there are many other ways of sharing: an extra bag of groceries delivered to a family out of work; a greeting card with a small check enclosed that says, “You have a friend who is thinking of you.” The creative possibilities are endless.

Insight - Artemis, the Universal Goddess

The magnificent temple of Artemis, goddess of fertility, was one of the wonders of the ancient world, truly befitting the goddess worshiped by “the province of Asia and the world” (19:27). Archaeologists have discovered more than 30 sites worldwide where Artemis was worshiped.

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November 10

Acts 21–23

Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem

Key Passage: Acts 21

Overview

Though Paul has taken his last missionary journey, his missionary career is far from over. God now promotes him from being a missionary to the people to being a missionary to the palace. Paul travels to Jerusalem, prepared for imprisonment and even martyrdom. Once before the crowd and again before the council, Paul attempts to defend himself by relating his personal testimony. Narrowly averting an assassination plot, he awaits his opportunity to stand trial for his “hope in the resurrection of the dead” (23:6).

Your Daily Walk

A gunman sneaks up behind the unsuspecting victim and loudly announces, “You’d better get ready to live!” Oops! Isn’t the victim supposed to get ready to die? But which would be tougher to do in this challenging 21st century?

The Apostle Paul was ready for both. He believed that a faith worth living for was also a faith worth dying for. As he proceeded to Jerusalem from Caesarea, Paul was well aware of the dangers he faced. But even the prophets of death did not deter him. His parting words were a ringing declaration that he was ready to live or die (21:13).

For you, the most difficult decision you will ever face may not come at the point of a gun or at the threat of a jail sentence. More likely, you will face situations where you wish you could “die” but can’t—situations involving confrontation, discipline, repentance, and forgiveness. But that’s where your living faith in Jesus can shine most brightly. When tempted to run from your problem today, run instead to your Heavenly Father and ask Him for a residing victory.

Insight - When in Jerusalem, Do as the Romans Do...

Paul’s affirmative reply to the captain’s question, “Are you a Roman citizen?” (22:27), saved him from a scourging. It also frightened the captain, who could have been whipped or executed himself for beating a fellow citizen, a direct violation of Roman law.

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November 11

Acts 24–26

Paul’s Three Trials in Caesarea

Key Passage: Acts 26

Overview

Though Paul is no longer free to take the gospel to others, God uses his imprisonment to bring the gospel to three Roman rulers: Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. Felix delays a verdict on Paul’s case for two full years in the hope of receiving a bribe. His successor, Festus, tries to shift the responsibility to the Sanhedrin in order to gain favor with the Jews. At last, Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen by appealing his case to Caesar. Once again, before the visiting King Agrippa, it becomes clear that the corruption and indecision surrounding Paul’s case can only be resolved in Rome.

Your Daily Walk

Across the top of a sheet of paper, write the words “If only...” Then complete that sentence with the first 10 things that come to mind (“If only freckles were removable. If only I hadn’t failed calculus. If only I didn’t say ‘if only’ so often”).

Paul may have found himself tempted to play the “If only” game: “If only I hadn’t appealed to Caesar; if only Agrippa had come a few days earlier; if only Festus would quit procrastinating; if only I hadn’t upset the crowd...” But fortified by God’s promise in 23:11 (“As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome”), Paul saw each disappointment as a divine appointment for sharing the gospel. Rather than lamenting over the injustice of it all, Paul viewed his chains as God’s way of penetrating the highest offices of the land with the good news.

Write the words “My disappointment = His appointment” across your 10 “If only” statements. As Paul explained in Romans 8:28, that’s the key to seeing God’s control in every seemingly out-of-control circumstance of your day.

Insight - A Shrewd Operator Under Fire

Paul’s bold appeal to Caesar saved him from the Jewish mobs, but it also earned him a trip to Rome. Paul may also have felt that a favorable verdict would set a precedent, allowing Christians across the empire to speak out boldly.

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November 12

Acts 27–28

Paul’s Trip to Rome

Key Passage: Acts 27:9–28:10

Overview

Paul’s great ambition to reach Rome with the gospel is at last realized—but not without storm, shipwreck, and snakebite. Paul begins his ministry in Rome by preaching to the Jews (28:17-28). And sadly, Paul’s listeners reject his message of salvation, prompting him to turn to the Gentiles. Luke ends his two-volume history of the New Testament church by describing Paul’s two-year ministry in Rome—the apostle in chains, but the gospel very much on the loose.

Your Daily Walk

Do you dream big dreams for God?

David had a dream (2 Samuel 7). He dreamed of building a magnificent house for God. And though he did not see his dream come true in his own lifetime, he was able to prepare the way for his son Solomon to make the dream a reality.

Hezekiah had a dream (2 Chronicles 29). He dreamed of turning his spiritually needy nation back to God, of uprooting pagan influences, and guiding the hearts of his people back to a fervent worship of Yahweh. And though young, he saw his dream come true.

Paul had a dream. He dreamed of declaring the Savior’s story before emperors in Rome. And his dream also came true.

What is your dream? What impact do you want to make for God during your lifetime? What legacy do you want to leave for your children? Spend a few minutes right now dreaming a big dream for God. If you feel free to do so, share it with your spouse or a close Christian friend. Commit it to God. Pray about it. Work toward it. And in God’s strength and timing, realize it to His glory.

Insight - The Endless Book of Acts

Each of the four gospel accounts has a conclusion, for Christ’s work on earth was completed (“It is finished,” John 19:30). But the Book of Acts has no conclusion, for the Spirit-empowered work of sharing the gospel is not completed (“you will be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth,” Acts 1:8).

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Romans

While the four Gospels recount the life of Jesus Christ, the Book of Romans explores the significance of His sacrificial death. As such, it has been called “the gospel according to Paul.” In a question-and-answer format, Romans is the most systematic presentation of doctrine in the Bible. But the good news is more than a theology to be pondered; it is a life to be lived— a life of righteousness befitting one “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (3:24).

November 13

Romans 1–3

Man’s Need of Righteousness

Key Passage: Romans 1; 3:21–31

Overview

Unlike most of Paul’s letters, Romans is addressed to a group of believers Paul has never met. Resembling more a doctrinal treatise than a personal letter, it traces in carefully worded concepts the need, provision, and outworking of God’s grace. Paul begins with God’s wrath upon sinful humanity. Without exception, all have sinned and face the condemnation of God. But there is hope in the person of Jesus Christ, by whom God provides righteousness “to all who believe” (3:22).

Your Daily Walk

Webster’s Dictionary defines the verb earn this way: “To receive as return for work done or services rendered.” With that in mind, go on an expedition through the Scriptures to discover what God says about an unsaved person’s good works:

• His righteous acts are like ______ (Isaiah 64:6).
• His sins are like ______ and as red ______ (Isaiah 1:18).
• His heart is ______ above all things and ______ cure (Jeremiah 17:9).

In short, the verdict of Paul the apostle echoes the words of David the psalmist: “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10; Psalm 14:3, 53:3). And what are the wages earned by that sinful, unrighteous condition (Romans 6:23)?

Now do you understand why it is so important to view your sinfulness the way God views it? It’s not a character weakness, an unfortunate setback, or a mistake. Sin is a terminal condition.

The prognosis is grim, unless Jesus is your Savior. Is He? If not, new life is only a prayer away. I would like you to please take Him at His word right now. What do you have to lose but a hopeless eternity (John 3:16-18)?

Insight - Glad Tidings Oft Told

Romans has been called “the gospel according to Paul” with good reason. You’ll find the word gospel 12 times in the book, compared to nine times in the four gospels combined.

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November 14

Romans 4–5

God’s Provision of Righteousness

Key Passage: Romans 5

Overview

In today’s reading, Paul illustrates the doctrine of justification by citing Abraham as one who “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (4:3). Abraham’s faith points to two changeless truths: (1) Since the beginning of time, God’s method of salvation has been justification by faith; and (2) justification results in peace between God and humans. Paul discusses peace in chapter 5, then contrasts the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Christ. Adam’s sin caused humanity’s alienation from God; Christ’s death provides reconciliation to God.

Your Daily Walk

Though Christmas is still more than a month away, perhaps you have already begun your Christmas shopping. Who’s on your Christmas list this year: your immediate family members, close relatives, and intimate friends? Those are the obvious choices. But what about the person at work who rubs you the wrong way, the neighbor next door who has a questionable lifestyle, the relative who holds a grudge against you? Are they high on your gift list? Probably not, for gift-giving is usually directed to those you love.

But God’s gift to humanity—salvation—was provided “while we were still sinners” (5:8), when there was nothing lovely about us at all. Paul describes those for whom Christ died as “enemies” of God (5:10).

With God’s love as a model, make a “Christmas list” of five people you know who need to receive God’s free gift of salvation. By the end of the day, try to share God’s plan of salvation with one of the five. Make it your goal to share the good news of Christ with everyone on your list by Christmas Day.

Insight - All Roads Lead to Rome

Romans is one of the few epistles written by Paul to a church he had not previously visited, and yet, in chapter 16, he includes a long list of personal greetings—more than 25 in all.

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November 15/16

Romans 6–8

God’s Power for Righteous Living

Key Passage: Romans 6

Overview

Paul, the gifted debater, anticipates the logical questions that will follow his explanation of justification by faith: “Since grace abounds, can I continue to sin?... Can I sin because I am no longer under the law, but under grace?... Is the law sinful?” After answering these questions, Paul moves on to discuss the constant struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. He concludes his arguments by revealing two liberating facts: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (8:1); nothing on earth or in heaven can separate us from the love of God (8:39).

Your Daily Walk

In the margin, write down the name of someone for whom you no longer work. Now, suppose you were to walk into your former employer’s office and were told, “All right, don’t just stand there. Get to work!” What would you do?

Probably you’d do absolutely nothing—except walk out of the building. Why? Because you no longer work there. When you were under that employer’s authority, you did whatever you were told. But now that you work for someone else, you answer to another boss.

Reread 6:16-18. Do you see the parallel between sin and your old boss? Formerly, you were a servant to sin. Sin was your master, your boss. But now in Christ you have been set free from that bondage in order to become a “slave” to righteousness. Christ is your new Employer, and your responsibility is to answer to Him.

Are you still taking orders from your old boss, sin, as if it had ultimate control over you? Write out the words of 6:13 and make them your “marching orders” for today.

Insight - The Winning Team for Over 2,000 Years

The passage of Scripture that says “we are more than conquerors” (8:37) literally means “we are in the process of winning.” Let your actions today demonstrate the confidence you have from being on the winning team.

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Luke

Luke presents Jesus as the perfect Man who came to save sinful people. A physician by profession, Luke builds his narrative on a chronological presentation of Jesus’ life, tracing the twin themes of growing belief and growing opposition. While Christ’s followers are challenged to count the cost of discipleship, those who oppose Him are plotting His undeserved death. But His resurrection thwarts His enemies and empowers the disciples to continue His ministry to a lost world.

October 16

Luke 1–2

Arrival of the Son of Man

Key Passage: Luke 1:26–56; 2:1–20

Overview

Dr. Luke—physician, historian, and writer of the longest gospel account (1,149 verses)—clearly states his purpose for writing in the opening verses of his book: “That you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (1:4). He begins with the details surrounding the miraculous births of two remarkable boys: John the forerunner and Jesus the Messiah.

Your Daily Walk

Have you ever noticed how saints and songs seem to go together? It’s hard for people of God to congregate without spontaneously enjoying the atmosphere of praise, thanks, and worship that music provides. One mark of a Spirit-filled believer is speaking “to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). Even if you can’t sing, you can still speak forth the majestic praises of God that are in your heart.

When Mary shared with Elizabeth the good news about a Savior to be born through her, the result was a song (1:46–55). When Zechariah’s voice returned after his faith-inspired declaration of his son’s name, he couldn’t help but sing (1:67–79). When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the heavenly hosts of heaven declared the news in a song (2:13–14).

Do you feel like singing (or speaking forth) the praises of your Lord right now? Then read out loud those songs of Mary, Zechariah, and the angels in today’s passages. Better yet, compose one of your own. Praising God in song is never out of date.

Insight - The Opening Chapters from a Prolific Pen

Who wrote the most books in the New Testament? Who wrote the most material in the New Testament? If you guessed Paul as the answer to the first question, you’re right. If you guessed Paul as the answer to the second question, you’re wrong. Luke’s two books—the gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles—contain more verses than the combined 13 books attributed to Paul.

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October 17

Luke 3–6

Authority of the Son of Man

Key Passage: Luke 3:1–22; 4:1–30

Overview

Luke introduces the ministry of Jesus with three preparatory events: (1) the ministry of His forerunner, John the Baptist; (2) His baptism by John; and (3) His temptation by Satan. Christ’s genealogy ties Him unmistakably to David the king, Abraham the patriarch, and Adam the first man. Rejection in His hometown of Nazareth causes Him to shift His headquarters to Capernaum, where He ministers for two full years. There, Jesus calls 12 men to be His closest traveling companions. And there, by the shores of Galilee, He begins to prepare them for the ministry He will soon entrust to them.

Your Daily Walk

Can you name the fifth book of the Old Testament? Can you quote one verse from that book?

Satan’s attacks are subtle. Sometimes he approaches in a direct frontal attack, providing an invitation to sin at a moment of weakness (as with David and Bathsheba, 2 Samuel 11:2). Other times, he uses crafty deception to trick you into a sinful act (as with Eve in the Garden, Genesis 3:1–6). But for each temptation, there is a ready defense: the Word of God (Psalm 119:11). Jesus knew that. Three times, He responded to Satan’s attacks with a scriptural counterattack from the Book of Deuteronomy. Do you know the Bible well enough to do the same? Do you, like Jesus, have a verse in your “arsenal” to use against each of Satan’s temptations?

Think through the areas of your life where you find yourself most vulnerable to temptation: lustful thoughts, outbursts of temper, worry, gossip, and undependability. Locate and memorize one verse that specifically speaks to that need. When Satan attacks, be ready.

Insight - The King Without the Curse

Jesus was indeed the Son of David and legal heir to the throne of Israel, as seen in the genealogy of chapter 3. However, in order to avoid the curse of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 22:24–30), Jesus’ right to rule could not come through David’s son Solomon. Look at Luke 3:31 to see how that curse was avoided.

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October 18/19

Luke 7–9

Ministry of the Son of Man

Key Passage: Luke 7:36–50; 8:41–56

Overview

Preaching... healing... discipling. In capsule form, that summarizes the daily activities of the Son of Man. Luke records the healings with careful attention to detail, as befitting a physician. And those documented miracles become the proof of Jesus’ claims to a doubting John the Baptist (7:19–35) and an “unbelieving and perverse generation” (9:41). As He preaches and heals, Jesus patiently prepares His disciples to carry on in His absence. The stakes are high; the cost is steep. But the goal of saving lives eternally makes it all worthwhile.

Your Daily Walk

What was the longest period you ever prayed for the same request? Perhaps you were asking for physical healing, the salvation of a loved one, or the sale of a house. Did you pray for that need every day for a month, six months, a year, two years, 10 years? Are you still praying for it?

In today’s reading, you will encounter a woman who carried the same burden for 12 long years (8:43–48). She had consulted physicians and spent her life’s savings in a vain search for a cure to her problem. Perhaps as a last resort, she brought that burden to the Savior. And there, after 12 years of searching, her need was met. But without the search, she might never have found the solution.

Prayer is simply taking a need you cannot supply and committing it by faith to the God who is able to “meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19), then, in confident trust, leaving the results with Him.

Make these words your marching orders for the day: “I will trust while I wait, for my God is never late.”

Insight - Tons to Eat... and Bushels to Spare

The crowd fed by Jesus probably numbered around 15,000. If each person consumed only five ounces of food, the total would still have been more than two tons. And afterward, the disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftovers.

Prayer is committing a need you cannot supply to the God who can supply all your needs.

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October 20

Luke 10–12

Admonitions of the Son of Man

Key Passage: Luke 10:1–37

Overview

Seventy disciples are sent out two-by-two with instructions to “Heal the sick... and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you’” (10:9). Their enthusiastic return prompts Jesus to rejoice in spontaneous praise to God (10:21). But the clouds of confrontation are already gathering. Some attribute His miracles to Satan rather than to God. Others clamor for more miraculous signs. Pharisees attack His seeming disregard for their traditions. Jesus responds by denouncing the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and by warning the disciples to be watchful as they work.

Your Daily Walk

Assume that the world’s population is more than seven billion (it is) and that you are the only Christian on earth (you aren’t). If you led one other person to the Lord during the next 12 months, and the two of you led two other people to the Lord the following year, etc., how many years would it take (statistically) before everyone in the world would be a Christian?

Here’s the startling fact of multiplication: If everyone approached the Great Commission with the attitude, “Each one wins one,” the task might well be completed in a little more than 32 years!

Jesus sent out His disciples two by two, but the job of spreading the gospel occurred one by one: one person with Christ sharing the good news with one person without Christ. Does that help you see how important one witness—your witness—can be in accomplishing the goal? Write down the name of an unsaved acquaintance, and make that person the focus of your praying and sharing. That’s how the good news gets around.

Insight - No Room on the Fence

Jesus’s either/or statements (11:23 and its converse, 9:50) seem to be contradictory. Rather than providing a simplistic paradigm for categorizing people, Jesus intended to show that the spiritual realm has no fence to sit on. Neutrality is not an option.

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October 21

Luke 13–15

Illustrations of the Son of Man, Part 1

Key Passage: Luke 15

Overview

Teaching that is clear and concise is likely to elicit a response—sometimes positive, but more often negative. Jesus’ sermons are no exception. Never attempting to make God’s truth merely palatable or comfortable, Jesus is not afraid to call for repentance (13:3, 5) or to call a fox a “fox” (13:32). But there is a tender side to His teaching as well. The love of the Savior for lost sinners is evident in chapter 15, where He states three times that the heavens rejoice over one lost sinner who repents (15:7, 10, 32).

Your Daily Walk

There is no sadder place than a lost-and-found department. Heartbreaking because so many items of value have become separated from their owners. Sad because useful items are sitting uselessly on the shelf. Sad because so many owners have forgotten they lost something. It’s bad enough to be an unclaimed object; it’s worse yet to be unwanted and unmissed.

Luke 15 provides a threefold reminder that God is not a forgetful owner whose lost possession is unwanted. Instead, He is a seeking, searching Heavenly Father. Like a tender shepherd, He scans high and low for lost sinners—lost objects of His love and concern. In the words of a gospel song, “Time after time He has waited before, and now He is waiting again... to see if you’re willing to open the door; O how He wants to come in!” What is your answer to the invitation of your Savior? The angels in heaven are waiting for another reason to rejoice.

Insight - The Bible’s “Lost & Found”—Luke 15

The word sinners (15:1) designates the people of the street whom the Pharisees looked down upon with contempt because they did not know the Law (John 7:49) or keep the traditions of the elders. The Pharisees grumbled because they did not share Jesus’ heart for reclaiming lost individuals. In response, Jesus tells them three parables about a lost sheep, a lost piece of silver, and a lost son to show that God rejoices over the recovery of even one lost sinner.

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October 22

Luke 16–18

Illustrations of the Son of Man, Part 2

Key Passage: Luke 16:1–17

Overview

With His gaze fixed on Jerusalem and in anticipation of the events marking the consummation of His earthly ministry, Jesus intensifies His final training of the disciples. Today’s reading consists of material found only in the Book of Luke. The subject of stewardship is a central theme, for the disciples will soon be entrusted with the precious message of the gospel. Jesus outlines the duties of a servant, then illustrates His teaching from the lives of 10 lepers. Finally, He underscores the importance of persistent, humble prayer, as seen in the parables of the mistreated widow (18:1–8) and the repentant tax collector (18:9–14).

Your Daily Walk

If it is true that “prayer is the barometer of a Christian’s spiritual condition,” how does your barometer read? Tucked away in today’s reading is the significant verse: “[Jesus] told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (18:1). What follows is the parable of the persistent widow, a parable aimed at those who would give up. Does that include you? Are you a faithful pray-er or do you give up if you don’t see immediate results?

Maintaining an effective prayer life is hard work. It takes consistent, daily effort. Prayer is also difficult because it is one of the activities Satan would most like to see you avoid. Through prayer, you receive guidance and provision from God; through prayer, God makes you a channel of His power. If Jesus needed to pray, and if Jesus told His disciples they ought always to pray, how about you? Call a praying friend right now and ask that person to pray for you to be a more committed and consistent person of prayer.

Insight - A Stone Necklace You Don’t Want (17:2)

The millstone of Jesus’ day weighed several hundred pounds and could be turned only with the aid of a donkey—a definite handicap if you were tossed into the sea with one tied around your neck!

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October 23

Luke 19–21

Teaching of the Son of Man

Key Passage: Luke 19

Overview

It is now the final week of Jesus’ earthly life. In Jerusalem—a city astir with the excitement of the feast days—some are prepared to welcome a King, while others prepare for an execution. Jesus Himself draws the battle lines by driving the moneychangers from the temple. From then on, the religious leaders doubled their efforts to trap Him in a treasonous statement. Though His hour of anguish draws near, Jesus continues the activities that have characterized His earthly ministry: teaching, healing, confronting, and consoling.

Your Daily Walk

A “little thing” is great or small, depending upon whose yardstick it is measured by.

What often seems insignificant to us has great significance to God. Zacchaeus was a little man who had achieved prominence by trampling others underfoot. He was a notorious sinner (19:7) and a despised tax collector, but he was curious enough to climb a tree in order to see Jesus. As the Savior passed by, He called Zacchaeus to commitment, and Zacchaeus responded.

A nameless widow came to the temple to give her seemingly insignificant offering to God—a mere pittance compared to the enormous sums being contributed by others. Yet Jesus declared that she gave more than all the others combined.

What is a seemingly insignificant feature in your life? Your income, your stature, your personality, your family background? Use it to complete this sentence: “Lord, I realize that in the eyes of the world my [fill in the blank] means very little. But faithfulness in a little thing is a great thing with You, so I give it back to You right now, asking that You use my ‘two mites’ in a mighty way to Your glory.”

Insight - The 500-Year Foal (19:30)
It was no accident that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey. Though the colt had been tied up by its owner that day (19:29–35), prophetically the animal had been saddled and ready for more than 500 years—since the days of Zechariah (9:9).

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October 24

Luke 22–24

Triumph of the Son of Man

Key Passage: Luke 24

Overview

With his typical attention to detail, Luke provides a complete account of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of the Son of Man. In graphic word pictures, Luke describes the diabolical plot of Judas, the warm fellowship of the Last Supper, the mental anguish in the garden of Gethsemane, the tragic denial of Peter, the miscarriage of justice at the trials, and the brutal agony of the Roman execution. But the dark days in Jerusalem give way to resurrection morning when angels announce: “He is not here; he has risen!” (24:6).

Your Daily Walk

If you have difficulty praising God on a daily basis, chances are it’s not because you lack something to praise Him for, but simply because you have a short memory.

Consider this scene from Luke 24. It is early morning. Standing near the now-empty tomb is a group of women who are perplexed and terrified (24:4–5). Soon they are joined by Peter, who is “wondering to himself what had happened” (24:12). The scene shifts to two men walking along the road to Emmaus. As they discuss current events in Jerusalem, they feel discouraged (24:17).

What could possibly be the source of so much sadness and perplexity? The event that Jesus had predicted at least five times—His resurrection. It brought heartache and grief to His followers—not because the news was sad, but because the disciples’ memories were so short.

Is a short memory robbing you of the joy God intends for you today? Make a list of God’s merciful dealings in your life so far this month.

Insight - A Finished Task Unfinished (24:44–49)

In one sense, Jesus’ mission was finished because it was based on accomplished facts (His death and resurrection). In another sense, it was just beginning, for the world had yet to hear the good news that only a handful of people knew firsthand. Luke’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, will continue the exciting story.

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John

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the “synoptic gospels” because their content is similar; John is called the “supplemental gospel” because it is strikingly different. John’s purpose is to bring the people to spiritual life through belief in Jesus Christ (20:31). He accomplishes this by including seven significant miracles, a vivid retelling of Jesus’ last discourse to His disciples, and a dramatic description of Christ’s death and resurrection—proof positive that Jesus is indeed “the Christ, the Son of God.”

October 25/26

John 1–4

Presentation of the Son of God

Key Passage: John 1:1–18; 2:13–25

Overview

John writes with a specific goal in mind: to place the life of Jesus Christ in such a light that it will be unmistakably clear who He is (the Son of God) and how new life can be found in Him (20:30–31). John carefully selects events from Christ’s earthly life and ministry, building a case for His deity that is difficult to refute. He begins in eternity past, showing how the Word, who was one with God (1:1), became flesh to bring His message of life to humanity. John describes selected men and women (the disciples, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman by the well) and the life-changing transformation that Jesus brings.

Your Daily Walk

Being “born again” is a common phrase, even in nonreligious circles. But a lot of fuzzy thinking exists about precisely what it means.

Popular singers from the 1970s to the present have used the phrase born again to mean fulfillment and discovery. Is being born again simply a great feeling?

An athlete, hobbled by a knee injury, undergoes successful surgery and exclaims that his career has been “born again.” Is being born again simply a matter of successful physical healing and rehabilitation?

John 3:16—perhaps the best-known and best-loved verse in the Bible—says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Being born again is the salvation that comes through believing in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Read John 5:24. If you still have a question about being born again, check with your pastor.

Insight - John, the Unique Gospel

About 92 percent of the content of John’s Gospel is unique to that book and not found in Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Six miracles recorded in John are found nowhere else in Scripture, including such favorites as the water turned into wine (2:1–11), the healing of the blind man (9:1–41), and the resurrection of Lazarus (11:1–44).

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October 27

John 5–7

Claims by the Son of God

Key Passage: John 6

Overview

The evidence continues to build for the deity of Jesus. The man by the pool of Siloam discovers that He is truly the Water of Life. A crowd of more than 5,000 learns firsthand that He is the Bread of Life. The religious leaders wonder if He is from God (and if His words are true—including His unflattering comments about them) or from Satan. They conclude the latter to be true, resulting in murderous plots and divided public opinion.

Your Daily Walk

Are you ever disappointed with God? You pray for something you know is God-honoring, and there seems to be no response. A tragedy strikes that God could have (and, in your opinion, should have) prevented. You start a much-needed new program in your church, and it falls flat. Someone else at work gets the promotion that should have been yours. Your neighbor’s obnoxious son hits a home run, and your son strikes out. Someone backs into your car and leaves a note—with no name or phone number. Where is God in all of this?

Today’s reading includes a tragic description (6:60–71). As long as Jesus was fulfilling the disciples’ expectations about Him (performing miracles, feeding multitudes, casting out demons), they gladly followed Him. However, once He began discussing the spiritual requirements of discipleship (6:62–65), that was altogether different.

God wants you to serve Him on His terms, not yours. He wants you to leave the “whys” and the “whens” and the “wherefores” to Him and concentrate instead on the role of being restfully dependent and instantly obedient. Are you willing to do that today? Then carry this thought with you: “I try, I fail; I trust Him, He succeeds through me!”

Insight - 4 x 5,000 = A Great Miracle

A total of 35 miracles are attributed to Jesus in the Gospels. Of these, only one—the feeding of the 5,000—is recorded in all four books (Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:32–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14).

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October 28

John 8–10

Light from the Son of God

Key Passage: John 10

Overview

Today’s reading portrays two contrasting yet complementary sides of Jesus’ character. In His authority, He answers the charges of the scribes and Pharisees, those who have accused Him of being a blasphemer and a demon-possessed madman. Jesus responds that it is the Pharisees who have a mistaken concept of who their “father” really is. Then, in His compassion, Jesus forgives the woman taken in adultery and gives physical and spiritual sight to the man born blind. Finally, chapter 10 brings the two attributes together to show that Jesus is the strong Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep.

Your Daily Walk

By all outward appearances, sheep ought to be on the endangered-species list. Do you know why?

• They are slow, weak, and defenseless.
• They would starve to death if left to their own devices.
• They are easily panicked by predators.
• They follow one another in a sort of blind “herd instinct.”
• They cannot cross deep water without drowning.
• They are particularly vulnerable to parasites and disease.
• They tend to overeat, then lie down and can’t get back up.

Indeed, sheep would be virtually extinct—except for one thing: Sheep follow their shepherd.

Perhaps you find it rather unflattering that Jesus likens you to a sheep (10:27). But Isaiah 53:6 will show you why the description is both appropriate and important. Memorize it today—and if you have never done so, invite Jesus to become your Shepherd. He’s one leader you can’t afford not to follow.

Insight - Getting Punished for What You Didn’t Do

Although the blind man’s parents had done nothing wrong to cause his condition (9:3), the Pharisees may have based the question on their interpretation of Exodus 20:5: “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”

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October 29

John 11–12

Rejection of the Son of God

Key Passage: John 11

Overview

If there is one miracle Jesus performs that utterly confounds His enemies, it is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Many of Christ’s miracles could be explained away or downplayed by the religious leaders. But how do you silence an entire city that has witnessed the resurrection of one of its most prominent citizens four days after his burial? The thrilling news spreads like wildfire, setting the stage for Jesus’ grand reception in Jerusalem.

Your Daily Walk

The shortest verse in the English Bible is also one of the most poignant, for it reveals the Son of God in a moment of profound emotion. It consists of just two words: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). But consider what that briefest verse tells you: Jesus did not believe it unmanly to express His true feelings. Rather than toughing it out or keeping a stiff upper lip in a time of grief, He wept unashamedly.

Jesus was capable of sadness. This suggests that sorrow and grief should be an expected part of life. It is not unspiritual to grieve at the loss of a loved one; neither is it more spiritual to maintain a happy countenance to cover up inward pain and heartache. There truly is “a time to weep and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

Do you know someone who is experiencing a period of deep grief or sadness right now? A few minutes of your time spent loving and listening can mean a great deal. And don’t be embarrassed if a few tears flow in the process. That’s what bearing one another’s burdens is all about (Galatians 6:2).

Insight - Aftermath of a Miracle

The raising of Lazarus, the final and most dramatic of Jesus’ seven miracles in chapters 1–12, caused shock waves across the nation. What reaction did it trigger from... the Jews of Bethany? (11:45–46) ... the Jewish Council? (11:47, 53; 12:10) ... Jesus Himself? (11:54)

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October 30

John 13–17

Sermons from the Son of God

Key Passage: John 14:1–6; 15:1–8; 17

Overview

Try to read today’s passage as a single unit to appreciate its significance more fully. The scene: An upper room with 12 men and their Teacher, gathered for what Jesus knew was their final meal together. Jesus has some important words to share with His little band of men during their remaining hours together. He begins with a model of humility by demonstrating that true greatness comes from being a servant. He comforts His men with the promise of His return and describes the coming Holy Spirit who will empower them for service in His absence. Then He closes their time together with a moving prayer of intercession—for their safety, for their unity, for God’s will in their lives.

Your Daily Walk

What’s the difference between union and unity? Take a dog and a cat, tie their tails together, and hang them over a clothesline. The result will be union, but not unity!

It is sad but true that Christians too often experience union without unity in the body of Christ. A history of church fights and splits suggests that unity is not automatic in the church. And the reason is simple to determine.

Churches are made up of people, and people are imperfect. That’s why Jesus prayed, “may they all be one,” even as He and the Father are one. It’s an assignment that takes divine enablement, and the stakes are high. The world is watching.

Read 17:15–23. Then take the initiative in resolving a difference you’ve had with another Christian. Be sure your motives are right and Christ is in control before you tackle the assignment.

Insight - Construction Project by the Master Carpenter

“I am going there to prepare a place for you” (14:2). Someone has pointed out that this is one construction project for which the Architect and Builder is ideally qualified. After all, Jesus was a carpenter by trade, and who should know better how to construct an eternal abode than the Carpenter?

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October 31

John 18–21

Suffering of the Son of God

Key Passage: John 19–20

Overview

John’s vantage point throughout his Gospel has been the cross of Calvary (2:4, 21–22; 7:6, 39; 11:51–52; 12:16). His account of the crucifixion parallels closely that of the other gospel writers, though he does include certain unique details. But rather than trying to be creative, John writes to be convincing “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31).

Your Daily Walk

You have read it about four times in the space of a single month, but have you read it, really?

The emotion-filled events of the crucifixion are familiar to most. Perhaps too familiar. Judas’ betrayal; Peter’s denial; Pilate’s concession; the crowd’s frenzy; the rough-hewn cross; the nail-pierced hands; the bleeding side; pain and suffering beyond human imagination; love no words can adequately express.

As you close your reading of the Gospels this month, let your heart overflow with gratitude for the unspeakable gift of God’s Son. Perhaps these words from Charles Wesley’s hymn “And Can It Be” will help you in the process:

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Insight - Silence Is Not Golden But Crimson

Nowhere do the Gospels give a detailed description of the process of Roman crucifixion—a silence due in part to the grisly nature of the execution. Read Psalm 22:1–21 for a graphic depiction of the physical, mental, and spiritual torture Jesus endured on the cross.

Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?

“I believe Jesus was a great moral teacher, but I can’t accept His claim to be God.”

Have you ever heard a statement like that, or perhaps said something similar yourself?

Listen as C. S. Lewis probes the greatest decision of life: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level of a man who says he is a poached egg—or else He would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: Or else He is a madman...or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool; you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”

What do you call Jesus Christ— liar, lunatic, or Lord?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 and Romans 1:3–4. Christ’s resurrection, one of the most solidly established facts of history, leaves room for only one conclusion: He is Lord.

If you have never come to the point of acknowledging Jesus as your Savior, of trusting Him and Him alone for your salvation, spend a few moments in these Scriptures: John 8:24; Acts 4:10–12; Romans 3:22–26; 10:9–13; Ephesians 2:4–5, 8; John 3:14–18, 36.

Now ask yourself: “Is Jesus merely a great teacher?” That’s not a viable option.

“Is He a liar? A lunatic?” The Resurrection proves otherwise. “Is He my Savior and Lord?” Talk to Him right now about that. He is waiting to hear from you.

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Matthew

The first verse of the Gospel of Matthew announces the event predicted by Old Testament prophets and long-awaited by Israel: the coming of the Anointed One, “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Under the Spirit’s guidance, Matthew documents Christ’s claim to be the Messiah: He possesses the credentials of the Messiah and ministers in the predicted pattern of the Messiah. He preaches messages only the Messiah could deliver and finally dies the death only the Messiah could die.

October 1

Matthew 1–4

Pedigree of the King

Key Passage: Matthew 1:18–25; 3:13–4:11

Overview

What was anticipated in the last book of the Old Testament (Malachi) now arrives in the first book of the New Testament (Matthew): the Messiah of God. He must come from the kingly line—and Jesus does. He must bear the name of royalty—and Jesus’ name means “God saves.” He must be worthy of worship—and Magi from the East travel great distances to kneel before Him and pay homage. He must be a light to the Gentiles, be announced by a forerunner, and demonstrate power over Satan, demons, disease, and death—and Jesus does all this and more. The Messiah has come!

Your Daily Walk

How well do you know the Old Testament? You’ll quickly discover the key to unlocking the New is a foundational knowledge of the Old. To persuade his fellow Jews to believe in Jesus as their long-awaited King and Messiah, Matthew used the Old Testament as evidence. When Jesus faced the triple temptation by Satan in the wilderness, He made the fifth book of the Old Testament (Deuteronomy) His basis of appeal.

Underline each Old Testament quotation you find in today’s reading. (Hint: Watch for phrases such as “to fulfill.”) Then spend a few minutes looking up those Old Testament prophecies that became New Testament realities. Wouldn’t it be fitting to close your quiet time by thanking God that His centuries-old promises are ever faithful?

Insight - Great Expectations... Unfulfilled

The Jewish world of Jesus’ day longed for a deliverer from the iron heel of Roman oppression. But many thought the Messiah would not arrive until they were good enough to “deserve” Him. One commonly held notion was that the Messiah would only come when the nation had kept the Sabbath for four consecutive weeks. There was just one problem. No one could keep all the Mosaic laws for even one day. God sent the Savior as a gift for the godless—not as a reward for the righteous.

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October 2

Matthew 5–7

Preaching of the King

Key Passage: Matthew 5:1–20

Overview

Matthew’s Gospel is not primarily chronological in its arrangement, but rather topical, alternating between Jesus’ deeds and His discourses, between His miracles and His messages. Today’s reading, traditionally called the Sermon on the Mount, is really 10 short sermons in one, preached on a mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee (5:1).

Your Daily Walk

Try this true/false quiz on attitudes and actions:
True or False? 1. It is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason.
True or False? 2. It is possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason.

If spirituality were measured in units of activity, surely the Pharisees of Jesus’ day were candidates for spiritual greatness. They gave a tithe of all they possessed, right down to the spices on their shelves (Luke 11:42); they fasted twice weekly (Luke 18:12). Judging from the externals, they were models of holy zeal. But inwardly, where only God can see, they were like “whitewashed tombs...full of dead men’s bones” (Matthew 23:27).

That’s why Jesus said: “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).

It’s not that we need to do more than the Pharisees or discard what they did in favor of something better (Luke 11:42), but rather that we couple their outward zeal with an inward heart for God’s love and justice—the kind of heart portrayed in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3–11. Think of these as “Be Attitudes”—attitudes God wants you to demonstrate in your life and service for Him. Pick one of the eight, write it in your own words, and with God’s help, make it your holy exercise project for today.

Insight - Open Mouth, Open Heart

Matthew introduces Jesus’ sermon by saying: “He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying” (5:2 KJV)—a phrase in Greek that refers to an utterance from deep within one’s heart and soul.

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October 3

Matthew 8–11

Power of the King

Key Passage: Matthew 8:1–9:8

Overview

It is one thing for a preacher to proclaim the words contained in the Sermon on the Mount; it is something else to be able to back up those words with power—power that could only come from God. Jesus’ miracles serve at least two vital functions: (1) They demonstrate His authority over sin, sickness, demons, and nature; and (2) they show His heart of compassion toward the objects of His love. An incurable leper, a disillusioned woman with an issue of blood, a timid band of disciples on the raging Sea of Galilee—each receives comfort and consolation from the powerful words of the Savior.

Your Daily Walk

Put yourself in the sandals of one of Jesus’ disciples. You have just been informed by the Master: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (28:18).

Taken in isolation, that statement might seem like the proud boast of an egotist. But in this case, it has been preceded by no fewer than nine miracles. You have watched hopeless medical cases healed, violent storms silenced, and even dead people raised to life. Now, how do you view Christ’s words?

Seeing is believing. One of the strongest encouragements for trusting God today is seeing His power in the past. Take out your journal or notes app and record the nine miracles found in today’s reading, plus a 10th from His hand in your own life. If you can’t think of one, then ask Him to make your life a miracle today.

Insight - “Anyone who does not take his cross...” (10:38)

The cross casts its terrible shadow across all four Gospels. Jesus knew He would die by crucifixion when He spoke these words, but it was only much later that His disciples would see the deep significance of His statement.

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October 4/5

Matthew 12–15

Parables of the King

Key Passage: Matthew 12:38–13:58

Overview

Even as the multitudes press around Jesus to experience His healing touch, the religious leaders are plotting His downfall and ultimate destruction. Those who refuse to acknowledge the clear evidence of His miracles have no choice but to attribute His power to Satan. Jesus responds to them with warnings of judgment and condemnation. But to all who will accept His claims, He offers rest and forgiveness. In the midst of this drama involving both growing reception and rejection, Jesus describes His kingdom program in seven parables—earthly stories portraying heavenly realities.

Your Daily Walk

“There are none so blind as those who will not see.” It’s one thing to have a legitimate question for which you are seeking an answer. Jesus welcomed seekers and questioners (7:7), promising to teach them, take their burdens, and grant them rest. But it’s quite another thing to demand a sign and refuse to be convinced when the evidence is ample (12:38–42).

Think about your own relationship with God. In what ways are you sincerely seeking answers from God with a humble disposition to obey? In what areas are you demanding that God conform to your will with an attitude that says, “My mind is made up, God, so don’t confuse me with Your plan for my life”?

Several groups are portrayed in today’s passage, and each responds with a different heart attitude.

• The scribes demanded: “We want to see a...sign” (12:38).
• The Nazarenes asked: “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (13:55).
• The Apostle Peter said: “Tell me to come to you” (14:28).

Which “seeker” found what he sought? Write down in a journal or on your phone what seeker you will emulate today as you walk humbly with God.

Insight - Teaching Techniques from the Master Teacher

Jesus’ parables show His teaching was characterized by simplicity and specificity. His goal was to communicate truth, not to impress His audience. Is that your goal in teaching?

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October 6

Matthew 16–19

Principles of the King

Key Passage: Matthew 16

Overview

Though Jesus takes time to minister to hungry crowds, confront the increasingly hostile Pharisees, and comfort the believing Canaanite woman, it is clear that His primary concern is for the disciples—those He will soon leave behind to continue the work He has begun. His miracles and parables, healings and discourses all focus on His faithful followers to prepare them for the difficult days ahead.

Your Daily Walk

Think of the Book of Matthew as a mountain, with the action rising to a peak and then subsiding. Some commentators have suggested you’ll find the “peak,” the pivotal event of the book, in the dramatic confession of Peter in chapter 16.

Up to this point, Jesus has been seeking to prove His claim of messiahship through words and deeds. Now it is time to see if the lesson has been learned.

Jesus gives His disciples a public opinion survey: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13). The disciples report that public opinion is divided. Some say He’s John, others Elijah, or one of the prophets. Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter: “Who do you say I am?” (v. 15). And suddenly the disciples have no public opinion to hide behind. They must make an intelligent personal choice based on Christ’s miracles and messages.

Based on what you have read in the first half of Matthew’s Gospel, what would be your response to Jesus’ penetrating question: “Who do you say that I am?”

Insight - Finding the Church in the Gospels

Although the term "church" has been used for centuries to describe groups of Christians, the word is used only three times in the Gospels, and all three instances can be found in today’s reading. In a primary sense, the word "church" refers to a local assembly; in a broader sense, it encompasses all the local congregations and individual believers, collectively seen as one universal assembly whose foundation is Jesus.

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October 7

Matthew 20–23

More Parables of the King

Key Passage: Matthew 20:17–29; 21:1–16

Overview

Though public opinion regarding Jesus is divided, there can be no mistaking the murderous intent of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus repeatedly warns His followers of the soon-coming dark days of His suffering and death (16:21; 20:18–19). Arriving in Jerusalem to a hero’s welcome, Jesus is hailed as King while making His entrance into the city. But even in the midst of this joyful reception, He mourns over the fickleness and fate of His countrymen.

Your Daily Walk

A voice of authority (a teacher, parent, boss, church leader) speaks, and one of three things happens: (a) because of inattention, you fail to hear and heed the leader’s words; (b) because of irritation, you refuse to obey; or (c) because of conviction, you respond obediently. Which response(s) do you see modeled in the parable of the vineyard (20:1–16)? The parable of the two sons (21:28–32)? The parable of the tenants (21:33–46)?

God’s Word has a way of being irritatingly convicting. You wish you could ignore its truth, but there it is—persistent, penetrating, uncompromising. And until you respond in obedience, you will feel uncomfortable and without peace, like the Pharisees whom Christ called “blind guides,” “hypocrites,” and “whitewashed tombs.” You will either find a way to silence the Preacher, or you will submit your life to the truth of His sermon.

Is there a burr under your spiritual saddle today? Don’t ignore it; God has placed it there for a purpose—to make it too painful not to change. So how will you respond?

Insight - Condemned by Jews, Crucified by Gentiles

Jesus’ declaration of His coming death (20:18–19) was accurate in every detail. The crime of which Jesus was accused by the Jews—blasphemy—was punishable by death. But since only the Roman civil authorities could execute such a sentence, Jesus was taken before Pilate and Herod, the Roman rulers of His day, to gain the necessary permission for His crucifixion.

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October 8

Matthew 24–25

Predictions of the King

Key Passage: Matthew 24:36–51; 25:14–30

Overview

Prominent in Jesus’ day was the magnificent temple of Herod. The disciples, impressed with its splendor, are stunned by Jesus’ words that it will one day lie in rubble. This raises questions in their minds about how and when such destruction would occur—an occasion which Jesus uses to teach them about events even more significant than the conquest of Jerusalem. He goes on to instruct them about His second coming to earth and the unmistakable signs preceding it.

Your Daily Walk

It has been said, “A person can live forty days without food, seven days without water, and a few minutes without air; but he cannot live one second without hope.”

There is no medicine like hope—the expectation that tomorrow will be better than today. For the Christian, that hope is no idle dream. Your future can brim with expectation because of Jesus’ promise: “I will come back” (John 14:3). In the meantime, you need the daily reminder and encouragement that your waiting is not in vain. In response to His disciples’ questions, Jesus offers several principles to help them—and you—pass the time until His return:

• Don’t get sidetracked (24:4). False “christs” will abound, but there will be no doubt when Jesus returns (24:27–31).
• Don’t become a date-setter (24:36). Only God Himself knows when that great event will happen.
• Be a wise steward of your time and opportunities (24:14, 45–46). God wants you to sow seed, not scan the horizon.

On your appointment calendar, pick a later date in October and add this memo line: “It’s later than it’s ever been before. Am I more prepared than I’ve ever been before?”

Insight - Something Old, Something New

Chapters 20–23 employ at least 11 quotations from the Old Testament. Altogether, Matthew contains about 50 such quotations and allusions—more than any other New Testament book.

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October 9

Matthew 26–28

Passion of the King

Key Passage: Matthew 27:15–28:20

Overview

The One who, only days before, was hailed as King now experiences arrest, scourging, ridicule, and crucifixion as a criminal. His royal title hangs in mockery from the top of His wooden cross. And in His death, He fulfills more Old Testament prophecies than He did in His lifetime. Not one of His bones is broken, as befitting the Passover Lamb. At the moment of His death, the veil in the temple is split from top to bottom, indicating free and unlimited access to God through Him. Buried in haste in a borrowed tomb and mourned by His followers for three dark days, He rises in victory, later commissioning all who have put their saving trust in Him to “go and make disciples of all nations... And surely I am with you always” (28:19–20).

Your Daily Walk

Perhaps the worst time to celebrate Christmas is at Christmas. Why? Because the truth of that great event all too often gets lost in the tinsel and trappings.

Similarly, the worst time to celebrate the resurrection is when the bunnies, baskets, and bonnets are in abundance. Which means right now would be a wonderful time to celebrate the resurrection.

Don’t hurry through today’s reading. The story of Jesus’ crucifixion is one of the most graphic depictions of love ever penned. Ask the Holy Spirit to take the familiar phrases of the Calvary story and infuse them with fresh meaning and life for you. If you can, read the three chapters in today’s section straight through at a single sitting. Then, with your Bible open and your heart brimming with gratitude, offer God a sacrifice of praise for the Savior whose suffering and death made it all possible. “He has risen from the dead” (28:7), so rejoice!

Insight - Taunting the King with the Truth

Over the head of every victim of Roman crucifixion was inscribed his crime. In Jesus’ case, the indictment was made in mockery: “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” (27:37). How little did the unbelieving soldiers realize the truth of their taunt.

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Mark

In the shortest of the four gospels, Mark provides a crisp, fast-moving account of the life of Christ. He tells the story of a Servant constantly on the move— preaching, healing, and teaching. But His ministry to the masses soon narrows to 12 disciples and finally culminates on the cross. There, in the ultimate act of servanthood, Jesus gives “his life as a ransom for many” (10:45). That pattern of selfless service becomes the model for those who would follow in this Servant’s steps.

October 10

Mark 1–3

The Coming of the Servant

Key Passage: Mark 1:1–2:17

Overview

Mark begins his Gospel without a genealogy, a birth narrative, or a prologue. Plunging straight to the heart of his message, he starts with the ministry of John the Baptist, the forerunner who would prepare the way for Jesus’ ministry of servanthood. Mark’s emphasis throughout his Gospel is on Christ’s works rather than His words, as befitting a Servant. Numerous miracles of healing and exorcism precede the personal calls of five disciples—Andrew, Peter, James, John, and Matthew—and His choosing of the seven other disciples.

Your Daily Walk

Throughout the centuries, artists have tried to capture what Jesus Christ might have looked like when He walked the face of the earth. Do you have a favorite artist’s representation? Why? Can you think of a Scripture verse that might give you a hint as to what Jesus looked like?

Jesus was a man of incredible strength and stamina. He maintained an active schedule of service for God. And yet He was subject to all the human limitations: hunger (Matthew 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), fatigue (John 4:6). How was He able to maintain such an active pace?

First, He was energized by the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:10, 12)—the same Holy Spirit who empowers you as a child of God today (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Second, He was fortified daily by prayer (Mark 1:35). He knew that the busier the schedule in God’s service, the greater the need for prayer. Check your schedule for today. Are you too busy for prayer? Then you’re busier than God intended you to be. Start today, and every day, on your knees.

Insight - The Language of Urgency

Mark’s account has been called the “action gospel” because of the way he uses the language of immediacy. In the three chapters you read today, Mark frequently uses words such as “immediately,” “at once,” and “as soon as.” How many can you find?

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October 11/12

Mark 4–7

Mission of the Servant

Key Passage: Mark 4:1–5:20

Overview

It’s one thing to make extraordinary claims for yourself; it’s something else to back up those claims with convincing proof. Through both His words (parables) and works (miracles), Christ proclaims His true identity to the disciples and the multitudes. At first, even His closest companions are perplexed by His power and authority, wondering: “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (4:41). But patiently—through the miracles of healing and even raising the dead—the Master Servant works to convince His followers of His person and mission.

Your Daily Walk

Last week, you read about the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16–22), a wealthy God-seeker who came to Jesus and asked to become one of His disciples. Jesus told him first to go and count the cost. The young man did... and was unwilling to pay the price. His gold had become his god.

Today, you will meet another man who asked to become one of Jesus’ traveling companions. He was willing to leave all to follow Jesus, but this time Jesus said no (5:18–20). It was not a case of “Do you have what it takes to be My disciple?” (he did), but rather, “Are you willing to go where I want to send you?” (he was). For the former demon-possessed man, God’s call to go was a call to stay home—“to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him” (5:20). And by his willingness to be a witness right where he lived, 10 cities were affected by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Has the miracle-working Jesus transformed your life? If so, are you willing to go home and tell family and friends “how much Jesus [has] done” for you? (5:19).

Insight - The Miracle That Transformed Ten Towns

The demon-possessed man from the region of the Gerasenes was naked and raging before his encounter with Christ. Afterward, he was “sitting... dressed and in his right mind” (5:15)—a transformation that did not escape the notice of his countrymen (5:19–20).

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October 13

Mark 8–10

Magnificence of the Servant

Key Passage: Mark 9

Overview

As opposition to Jesus’ ministry increases, it is no longer safe for Him to move openly in Galilee. He traverses the regions of the Decapolis and Caesarea Philippi, thereby avoiding both the crowds and the deadly plots of the religious leaders. In the concluding days of His earthly ministry, Jesus begins to prepare His disciples for the fateful journey to Jerusalem that will mark the end of His life—and the beginning of their role as bearers of glad tidings.

Your Daily Walk

“I have my rights!” Yes, you do. To be a servant doesn’t mean you have no rights, but that you have freely given up the rights you possess in order to benefit another. True servanthood is based on love, not coercion.

Think of the rights Jesus possessed: He was the Son of God, Creator of the world; “being in very nature God” (Philippians 2:6); “He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:2). Yet He chose to be born in a stable and to spend His life reaching out to society’s outcasts.

Though by rights He could have enjoyed the privileges of royalty, He “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness... He humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7–8). And in doing so, He was modeling His own instruction to the disciples: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

Is there a job in your home or office, church, or community for which you would rather someone else take the responsibility—a job you think is beneath you? Instead of waiting to be served by another, take the initiative in serving as unto the Lord. After all, service is a gift of love to people, given in gratitude for God’s gift of love to you.

Insight - I Say...and I Say...and I Say Again

If a statement is important, it is likely to be repeated. With that in mind, glance at 8:31; 9:31; 10:33. What would you say is the focus of Jesus’ life as revealed in those verses?

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October 14

Mark 11–13

Final Week of the Servant

Key Passage: Mark 11

Overview

The final week of Jesus’ earthly life dawns—that period of time that occupies more space in the Gospels than any other stage of Jesus’ ministry. His arrival in Jerusalem coincides with the preparations for the Feast of Passover. Though events move quickly, Jesus is never hurried and continues to be about His Father’s business. There is time to clean out the temple, teach a profound truth as He watches the widow contribute her two mites, and give final instructions to the disciples.

Your Daily Walk

The crowd following Jesus on Palm Sunday was an impressive sight—to everyone but Jesus. He knew it was easy to take up a palm frond but difficult to take up a cross. Think of servants who have been faithful in their ministry to you. Minister to one of them today by writing a note of gratitude and encouragement.

Finally, solidify your own commitment to ministry and servanthood by memorizing this pivotal teaching of Jesus’ life. It is found in capsule form in today’s reading: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30–31).

Insight - Eight Days Under a Microscope

The last week of Jesus’ life is often referred to as the Passion of Christ. The term passion is derived from the Latin word passus, a form of the verb meaning “to suffer or submit.” As Jesus submitted His will to the Father’s plan, He was following a long-prophesied path. See if you can trace your way through today’s section by reading the following Old Testament verses in sequence: Psalm 118:25–26; Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11; Isaiah 5:1–7; Psalm 118:22–23; Deuteronomy 6:4–5; Leviticus 19:18; Psalm 110:1; Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11; Isaiah 13:10.

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October 15

Mark 14–16

Finished Work of the Servant

Key Passage: Mark 15:24–16:20

Overview

The time has come for Jesus to demonstrate the full extent of His servanthood. For the Passover Lamb of God, the long-awaited hour has arrived. Conspired against by His enemies, betrayed by one close follower, and denied by another, tried and finally executed, Jesus’ life of service seems to be finished. But in the greatest of all miracles, the first day of the week reveals an empty tomb, setting the stage for Jesus to commission His followers to bear the glad tidings worldwide.

Your Daily Walk

Judas the betrayer, Peter the denier. And 10 other men who “deserted him and fled” (14:50).

Together they comprised the Twelve—not exactly an All-Star team for taking the gospel message to a dying world. Or was it?

An ancient legend suggests that Jesus, after His resurrection and ascension, was met at the portals of heaven by the angelic host who inquired of Him, “Lord, where is Your army?”

Pointing down to the Mount of Olives from which He had ascended, Jesus replied, “If they fail Me, then everything I have done—My miracles, My messages, My earthly life, My sacrificial death—will have been in vain. But they won’t fail Me, because I am with them.”

The Lord who commanded His followers: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (16:15) is the same One who said: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Are any of you out of work? The Carpenter is still looking for willing co-workers. Apply in prayer right now.

Insight - Life of a Servant, Death of a Servant

Christ was sold for 30 pieces of silver—the price of a common slave. He was executed by crucifixion, as only slaves and ordinary criminals were. Even in death, He modeled servanthood for all who would follow Him in life.

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September 16

Micah 3–5

Condemnation and Consolation

Key Passage: Micah 3, 5

Overview

Micah might well have summarized his prophecy this way: “I have good news and bad news.” The bad news? Destruction of Judah’s oppressive princes and greedy priests will be swift and terrible; Jerusalem, for her iniquity, “will become a heap of rubble” (3:12). And the good news? A remnant will be spared to inherit the blessings of peace and safety once again. From the obscurity of a village called Bethlehem will arise a Messiah who will be “ruler over Israel” (5:2) and will usher in a new day of righteous living and unparalleled glory.

Your Daily Walk

“He did it—why shouldn’t I?” No doubt you’ve heard that statement many times—and perhaps even used it a few times yourself in reference to the behavior of a public figure. The judge indicted for bribery, the politician cited for tax evasion, the preacher caught in adultery—almost any edition of your local newspaper will supply ample evidence of leaders leading in the wrong direction.

But look at the example of Christ, and those same words form a fitting question: “He did it—why shouldn’t I visit the sick, care for the poor, put the needs of others above my own?” Just as you ask the above question in relation to Christ, others will ask it of you, for “whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6).

Write the first line of today’s “Your Daily Walk” on a slip of paper. Carry it with you today to be frequently reminded to follow—and become—a good leader.

Insight - The Unknown Suburb of Bethlehem

Micah’s prophecy that the Messiah will come out of Bethlehem includes a little-known name, Ephrathah (5:2). Actually, David’s father Jesse was called an Ephrathite (1 Samuel 17:12). He got the name from the town of Ephrath, which was a suburb of Bethlehem when Micah was writing, but was incorporated into Bethlehem by the time Jesus was born.

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September 17

Micah 6–7

Controversy in the Courtroom

Key Passage: Micah 6:1–8

Overview

Controversy erupts in the courtroom as Micah describes God’s people on trial. Heaven and earth comprise the jury as charges are leveled against Israel: half-hearted worship, empty ritual, persistent rebellion, deception, hypocrisy, greed, and idolatry. The verdict can only be “guilty as charged.” The sentence: a generation of exile in Babylon. Yet the message of Micah is not complete until he preaches the richness of God’s forgiveness and grace. “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” (7:18). Micah knows that God’s discipline only comes within the context of His everlasting love. In the aftermath of His wrath, mercy and forgiveness begin.

Your Daily Walk

In one verse (6:8), Micah succinctly sums up God’s minimum requirements for His people: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Can you think of one way in which you can fulfill each of these requirements in your walk with God today?

Here are some sentences to get you started. Don’t stop until you’ve made Micah’s words your marching orders.

• “To do justly with my employer/employees today, I will be careful to ...”
• “Because God’s love is reflected when I love mercy, today in my family relationships I will ...”
• “Because God is exalted when I walk humbly with Him, this Sunday at church I will ...”

Insight - Wicked Balances, Wobbly Scales

Merchants in Micah’s day were so dishonest that many of them carried two sets of balance weights for their business transactions: a heavier set to be sure they got more than they paid for, and a lighter set to ensure that their customers received less than they expected. Read about God’s response to this double standard in 6:10–16.

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September 18

Nahum 1–3

A Flood of Judgment on Nineveh

Key Passage:
Nahum 1

Overview

More than a century has passed since Jonah preached his way through the streets of Nineveh with the message “Repent or else!” Though revival came in his day, the repentance was short-lived. At last, God’s patience runs out, and He sends another prophet—Nahum (whose name means “burden”)—to deliver an ominous decree. Nineveh’s end will come “with an overwhelming flood” (1:8), a prophecy that literally came true years later. In 612 B.C., heavy rains caused the Tigris to overflow its banks and destroy part of the city wall, allowing the river and the invading Babylonians to sweep in like a flood. Truly, “the Lord is slow to anger and great in power” (1:3).

Insight - Good News Twice Over (Nahum 1:15)

This promise of good news could have two fulfillments. The first might have been when the nation of Judah heard that Nineveh had been destroyed and the Assyrians had been defeated. (In fact, the ruins of Nineveh were not identified until 1845.) The second fulfillment is at Jesus’ second coming when He claims victory and finally defeats evil.

Your Daily Walk

The Book of Nahum provides God’s evaluation of “might makes right.” If ever there was a nation that deserved the title “Most Likely to Survive,” Assyria was it. Its vast armies and fortified defenses made it virtually impregnable—from a human point of view. But because the Assyrians would not acknowledge their pride and brutality, the nation’s fall was inevitable—from God’s point of view. One good rainstorm, and the mightiest military power on earth was conquered and demolished.

If the great Assyrian Empire couldn’t shake its fist in the face of God and get away with it, what are your chances of doing the same today? Rebellion in God’s eyes is as abominable as witchcraft, and pride as intolerable as idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23). But those who put their trust in Him find a faithful and forgiving Refuge (Nahum 1:7). What are you relying on: your might or your Mighty One? The former will fail you often, while the latter remains forever faithful (Psalm 71:9, 18).

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September 19

Habakkuk 1–3

Living by Faith in Hard Times

Key Passage: Habakkuk 1, 3

Overview

Habakkuk prophesies in Judah just before its final destruction at the hands of the Babylonians. Like Job, he raises the perplexing issue of why a just God is silent and why the cries of the faithful seem to go unheard (1:2) “while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves” (1:13). In reply, God declares to His prophet a timeless principle of trust in His sovereignty. The wicked will be dealt with—in God’s own way, in God’s own time. But in the meantime, “the righteous will live by his faith” (2:4).

Your Daily Walk

A swimmer far from shore flails helplessly in the water. A lifeguard rushes to his aid—and is greeted with this surprising retort: “Why don’t you mind your own business?” Of course, the correct response for the lifeguard would be: “I am minding my own business, and you’re part of it! You may not fully understand what I am doing, but trust me to bring you to shore.”

Life is filled with occasions when you are called upon to put your trust in a person, even though you may not fully understand the process. A surgeon’s scalpel, a pilot’s skill, a doctor’s prescription—you continually deal with people who know their business well, and you have learned to trust them. Doesn’t it make sense, therefore, to trust God when it comes to the “business” He specializes in?

Habakkuk was distraught at seeing the wicked get away with murder. But the prophet’s focus sharpened when he saw that he was trying to mind God’s business instead of what God had entrusted to him—the business of walking by faith.

“Mind your own business.” That statement may sound harsh, but perhaps it’s just the reminder you need today to stay on target in your walk with God.

Insight - May I Quote You, Mr. Habakkuk?

The last half of 2:4 is so significant that it’s quoted three times in the New Testament: twice by Paul (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11) and once by the writer to the Hebrews (Hebrews 10:38).

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September 20/21

Zephaniah 1–3

Lukewarm Living

Key Passage: Zephaniah 1

Overview

Jerusalem has sunk to its lowest ebb. Even after the well-intentioned reforms of good King Josiah, worship of the One true God is still polluted by pagan idols (1:4–6). Governmental officials and judges are still corrupt (3:3–4). The citizens—like the dregs at the bottom of a wine barrel—are stagnant with apathy and laziness (1:12). Enter Zephaniah with a message that cannot be ignored. The indifference of Judah will end in a holocaust of judgment.

Your Daily Walk

Restaurants serve hot tea and iced tea, hot coffee and iced coffee. But try as you might, you may never find a menu that offers “tepid tea” or “cooled-off coffee.” Why? Quite simply because it’s distasteful.

God has an equally strong distaste for cooled-off Christians. His reaction to them is much the same as your reaction to lukewarm coffee or tea: “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16). Call it complacency, or apathy, or the “I-Don’t-Care-Let-Somebody-Else-Do-It” Syndrome. Whatever the label, it is a serious—and widespread—disease among Christians today. Have you been infected yet? Has the “Go” of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) been replaced by the “Sit” of today’s “Great Omission”?

If you’ve noticed your own spiritual temperature dropping from piping hot to weakly warm, spend some extra moments meditating on the sobering words of Zephaniah 1:14–18. Then call your pastor or Sunday school teacher and say, “I want to get involved!” Watch what happens.

Insight - Motto of the Apathetic

When you find yourself responding as Judah did—“The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad” (1:12)—watch out. That’s a sign lukewarmness has set in, and judgment is soon to follow.

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September 22

Haggai 1–2

Take Part in God’s Program

Key Passage: Haggai 1:1–14

Overview

The final three Old Testament prophets are known as the “Postexilic Prophets” because they addressed their messages to the returnees in Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile. The people waste no time beginning to restore their beloved temple. But delays and distractions soon undermine the work, setting the stage for Haggai to appear with a new word from the Lord. In four brief but powerful messages, Haggai exhorts the people to put first things first. With renewed courage and commitment, the citizens respond by completing the temple—and clearing a place for God in their hearts.

Your Daily Walk

Take a seat among the ruins of Jerusalem, and allow Haggai to speak to your heart. His message is short, so give it your undivided attention. Here are his four points:

• Be involved. “The Lord stirred up the spirit of... the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord” (1:14). Are you regularly involved in Bible study and worship? Are you active in the ministry at your local church?
• Be courageous. “Be strong... Work. For I am with you” (2:4). Do you hold fast to Christian principles in your home and office? Is your faith free from weakening doubt?
• Be clean. “Whatever they offer there is defiled... Give careful thought” (2:14–15). Have you experienced God’s cleansing and forgiveness? Do you avoid compromising situations and defiling influences?
• Be glad. “‘I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty” (2:23). Does your face show the joy of knowing the Lord? Is your heart free from deadening self-pity and preoccupation?

Insight - Short, Shorter, Shortest

Haggai’s powerful little book is short—but it is not the shortest in the Bible. One book in the Old Testament and four in the New Testament have fewer than 38 verses. Can you name them?

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Zechariah

Vivid imagery characterizes the Book of Zechariah. This prophet, a “heavenly cheerleader” sent by God to encourage the completion of the temple rebuilding project, seeks to motivate the workers with promises of God’s future glory. The temple must be finished, for one day Messiah Himself will inhabit it. The people are building not just a structure, but a bright future based on obedience to God. With this message ringing in their ears, they can pick up the task with new zeal, for a new day is dawning.

September 23

Zechariah 1–2

Horses, Horns, and Craftsmen

Key Passage: Zechariah 1:1–6; 2:6–13

Overview

Zechariah and Haggai are contemporaries with much the same message to deliver: “Finish the temple!” But they use strikingly different methods to achieve God’s purpose. Haggai uses strongly worded sermons to prod the people into action. Zechariah is an encourager, sharing visions of a glorious future for God’s faithful ones. The longest of the books of the Minor Prophets, Zechariah opens with visions of four horsemen (an announcement of coming peace), four horns (a proclamation of coming judgment), and a surveyor (picturing great growth for Israel).

Your Daily Walk

Scene One: A worker, new to his job, makes frequent mistakes. His supervisor demeans his character and constantly criticizes his performance. Soon, the worker quits in frustration.

Scene Two: A new worker makes frequent mistakes. His supervisor patiently reviews job procedures with him until he understands them well. He supports the worker with praise and friendship. Result: The worker’s performance and productivity greatly increase.

Zechariah was the second kind of “supervisor,” with a good word of encouragement for those facing a difficult task.

Now change the word worker to young Christian, and put yourself in the place of the supervisor. Which kind of supervisor would you resemble? In your daily dealings with others, a word of encouragement costs you nothing, but its value to the recipient is often immeasurable. Try encouraging a fellow worker today—and watch him or her grow.

Insight - A Name Worth Remembering

The Hebrew name Zekar-yah (Zechariah) means “Yahweh remembers”—a theme that permeates Zechariah’s ministry. Indeed, God will never forget His promises to His people. Circle the words “I will” or “the Lord will” as often as you find them in today’s passage. The Lord’s will is sure because His memory is perfect.

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September 24

Zechariah 3–4

Lampstands and Olive Trees

Key Passage: Zechariah 3

Overview
Zechariah’s night visions continue with the promise of a renewed priesthood (symbolized by the new clothes for Joshua—3:3–4), an assurance of God’s overseeing presence (the lamps: “the eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the earth”—4:10), and a reminder of the importance of both priest and king in God’s plan (the two anointed trees—4:11–14). The era of corrupt priests and self-serving kings will end, replaced by a day of revitalized worship, just rule, and face-to-face fellowship with God.

Your Daily Walk
Ask a person his occupation, and you have learned how he pays the bills. Ask a person his preoccupation, and you have discovered the passion of his life.

By trade, Zechariah was a prophet—a spokesman for God, listening for His directives and passing them on fearlessly to God’s people. Like a heavenly herald, Zechariah echoed God’s concerns through the streets and courtyards of his country.

But it wasn’t simply his 9-to-5 routine, for Zechariah was deeply concerned about God’s holiness and glory all the time. Not only did he work for the God of the temple, but he worshiped Him as well. And thoughts of that temple—its greatness and grandeur, its strategic place in God’s program—were Zechariah’s constant companions.

What do you think about when you’re not really thinking about anything? Perhaps Zechariah’s nights were filled with visions of God because his days were filled with thoughts of God. Has it been too long since the last time you told God, “I love You, Lord”? Memorize Zechariah 4:6; then compose a short psalm of praise or letter of thanks for His power and grace in your life in recent days.

Insight - Tell Me Again, or Twice Is Better Than Once
Where we use an exclamation point today, Old Testament writers would use repetition. Obviously, saying it once just wasn’t enough, so to emphasize its importance, they would repeat the word or phrase. See how Zechariah repeated “rebuke” (3:2) and “God bless it!” (4:7) in today’s reading.

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September 25

Zechariah 5–6

Scrolls, Chariots, and Crowns

Key Passage: Zechariah 5

Overview

The visions of Zechariah now take on both national and international overtones. The flying scroll signifies the judgment of personal sin (5:1–4); the woman in the basket personifies the sins of Judah being removed (5:5–11); the four chariots inaugurate God’s judgment upon the sins of the whole earth (6:1–8); and the crowning of Joshua the priest pictures the coming of another Priest and King—the Messiah—the ultimate expression of God’s favor and glory (6:9–15).

Your Daily Walk

As you read today’s passage, did you wish that God would communicate with you in the same way He did with Zechariah?

Think of it—technicolor visions, complete with divine commentary. A flying scroll—sent to your doorstep with easy-to-follow instructions for solving problems, making important decisions, and discerning God’s will.

But perhaps you never realized that God has already provided guidance like that. You have His Word—the revelation of God’s moral laws and principles for living your life according to His divine blueprint. Then there’s the Spirit of God—the promised Companion God has sent to be your Teacher, Comforter, and Guide (John 14:26; 16:7). Add to that the people of God—others in the body of Christ whom God has gifted as teachers, pastors, counselors, and encouragers—and you have an impressive array of tools for finding God’s will for your life—without the aid of a single chariot.

And when you have ears to listen, it’s amazing how often and how clearly God can—and will—speak to you.

Insight - The Temple-Minded Prophet

Skim quickly through Zechariah’s visions, looking for references and allusions to the temple and proper worship (remember, the rebuilding of the temple was Zechariah’s primary concern). In the eight “night visions” (Zechariah 1–6), how many direct and indirect references to the temple and temple worship can you find?

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September 26

Zechariah 7–8

To Fast or Not to Fast

Key Passage: Zechariah 7

Overview

Which is more important: fasting or faithfulness? Outward observance or inward attitude of heart? Zechariah speaks to the issue in four moving messages on the subject of fasting. He reminds the people that it is more important how they live than how they fast. God is looking for those who will exercise truth and love in their daily affairs. Just as there was a time when the nation could no longer fast (while in exile in Babylon), there will also come a time when the nation will no longer need to fast (in the righteous reign of the coming Messiah).

Your Daily Walk

A close friend shares with you a personal sorrow. How do you respond? Another friend is elated with a recent promotion. What do you say upon hearing it? A co-worker with whom you have never gotten along well comes to you asking for forgiveness. What is your first reaction?

In each case, there is a response befitting the relationship. Friends should be quick to share burdens and blessings. Those forgiven of an offense should be quick to forgive the offenses of others. But that is not always the way it is.

Consider the nation of Judah. Though forgiven of her transgressions, Judah refused to respond to God’s mercy. Though delivered from the oppression of surrounding nations, she continued to oppress her own “widow... fatherless... alien... [and] poor” (7:10). Though repeatedly confronted by the Word of God, the people refused to alter their wicked ways.

Look up the following passages to discover what else God has said about the kind of response He expects from His children: Matthew 6:14–15; John 13:34–35; Romans 12:1. Read carefully, then respond.

Insight - Four Fasts for Four Events

According to 8:19, the people were observing fasts in the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months. In 2 Kings 25, the four events memorialized by these fasts are mentioned. Can you locate all four?

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September 27/28

Zechariah 9–11

Israel’s Coming King

Key Passage: Zechariah 9

Overview

Zechariah proclaims that judgment will fall on Israel’s neighbors, while Israel herself will be preserved to see the coming of her long-awaited Messiah. In remarkable detail, Zechariah predicts:

• The King’s arrival, riding on the colt of a donkey (9:9);
• The Messiah’s betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (11:12);
• “Blood money” to purchase a potter’s field (11:13).

Your Daily Walk

From his prophetic stance in the fifth century B.C., Zechariah looked into the future and penned a series of predictions concerning the coming Messiah. Students of the Bible will find today’s reading an enormous challenge, for while Zechariah saw the mountain peaks of prophetic events, he did not see the valleys of time in between.

There are different interpretations of the passage, but this much seems clear: Christ came once as a lowly King riding on a donkey (9:9). He was rejected and betrayed (11:12–13). He will yet come again to exercise dominion “from sea to sea” (9:10).

Are you ready for Him to come back? Have you enthroned Him as King in your heart and life? It is serious business to reject the King of Kings. Write your name in the blank: “Rejoice greatly, ______! Shout, ______! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation” (9:9). Is that true of you?

Right now, you are free to accept or reject His kingly claims on your life. But there is coming a day when “every knee [shall] bow... every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10–11). He will come as Judge and Sovereign—and then it will be too late. If you have never done so, wouldn’t now be a good time to enthrone Him in your life?

Insight - Greece, a Sticky Problem for the Critics

Like Daniel, Zechariah mentions a nation’s rise to power long before it even existed as a united nation (9:13). And for his supernatural insight, he, too, receives the critic’s doubts.

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September 29

Zechariah 12–14

Israel’s Coming Comfort

Key Passage: Zechariah 14

Overview

God will utterly destroy all His enemies (12:9); idols and false priests will be swept away (13:2–3); the Mount of Olives will be split asunder (14:4); the Lord God will descend with all the saints to rule the earth (14:5, 9); and all people will worship God in Jerusalem (14:16). Such is the breathtaking scenario painted by Zechariah in the closing chapters of his prophecy. On that day, every aspect of life will reflect God’s authority, and all will worship Him in truth.

Your Daily Walk

“But he hit me first!”
“I don’t want to take a bath!”
“No, I won’t!”
You may have heard similar statements coming from little mouths in your playroom—or remember them coming from your own lips some years ago. Every child demonstrates the urge to fight back, to flee unpleasant experiences (particularly if they involve soap and water), to resist authority. Even adults do so on occasion.

Look at today’s “Overview” chart. According to Zechariah, the Day of the Lord will include “Enemies Conquered,” “Impurities Cleansed,” and your “Sovereign Coming.” Are you patiently postponing that day in order to give yourself more time to grow up spiritually?

Anticipating a day when holiness will be the hallmark of God’s people is one thing; acting upon that expectation to become more like Jesus Christ in your public and private life today is something altogether different. But one without the other accomplishes little as you wait for the return of the King.

Insight - A Snapshot of Zechariah

Not only was Zechariah a prophet, but he was also a priest of the lineage of Iddo, his grandfather (1:1, 7). Zechariah was also a contemporary of Haggai (see Haggai 1:1). And in Matthew 23:35, Jesus refers to the murder of Zechariah at the hands of the Jews.

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September 30

Malachi 1–4

God’s Best Promise

Key Passage: Malachi 1, 4

Overview

Malachi marks the close of the Old Testament prophecy and the beginning of 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments. Having learned little from their captivity, the people soon lapse into many of the same sins that resulted in their exile in the first place: covetousness, idolatry, mixed marriages with pagan people, abuse of the poor, calloused hearts. In a question-and-answer format, Malachi highlights Judah’s hard-heartedness and pronounces God’s curse upon all who practice such things. It will remain for John the Baptist, the forerunner who would come in the power of the spirit of Elijah, to bring a hope-filled message: “Look, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29).

Your Daily Walk

If you have learned anything from your reading of the Old Testament, hopefully it includes this insight: Religion is composed of relationships—a vertical relationship with God and horizontal relationships with others.

Humanity’s sinful condition is the result of breaking the vertical relationship with God—and when the vertical is broken, the horizontal is out of alignment as well.

Israel, in her long and colorful history, failed repeatedly to learn this important principle—and so the Old Testament closes with the word curse. The stage is set for the New Testament appearance of the One who alone can break the curse of sin.

Sin must be dealt with. Tomorrow, as you begin reading through the New Testament, you’ll discover God’s provision for humanity’s sin—Jesus the Messiah. Long-anticipated by the Jewish people, God allowed long years to pass after Malachi laid down his pen before Jesus appeared. If you’ve never responded to the good news of the Savior, there’s no better time than now to put your trust in Him.

Insight - Read On!

Today you will read the last of 929 chapters and more than 23,200 verses of the Old Testament. You’ve reached a significant milestone in mastering God’s Word. Have you allowed it to master you?

Just what

You're Looking For

Have you ever felt empty inside or wondered if life has meaning at all? Since Adam and Eve first sinned, human beings have experienced what Blaise Pascal, the 17th-century French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher, has called “a God shaped vacuum” waiting to be filled.

People try to fill that vacuum in many ways. Some seek happiness, success, and wealth. Others strive for power, personal peace, or health. A few pursue charitable works, a feeling of oneness with creation, or freedom from restraints.

But that emptiness can only be satisfied by the Creator. That’s why God, in His Word, specifically revealed that it’s not something but Someone who satisfies an individual’s innermost longings.

“The Lord says to the house of Israel: ‘Seek me and live.’...Seek the Lord and live...He who made the Pleiades and Orion... He is the Lord, his name” (Amos 5:4, 6, 8).

And in the New Testament, Jesus expands the promise: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you” (Matthew 6:33).

That’s a promise from the One who “came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).Think of it! Almighty God is seeking us so that He might give us the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. He seeks us so that we might recognize Him as the One who satisfies all our desires.

Are you searching for things that man cannot supply? Then consider Jesus. Turn in repentance of sin and give yourself fully to Him as Savior and Lord. Let Him fill the God shaped vacuum in your life. He alone can satisfy the longing of the human heart.

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Hosea

The personal tragedy of a marriage gone sour becomes an illustration of the greater tragedy of a nation on the doorstep of disaster. It’s a story of a one-sided love—between the prophet Hosea and his adulterous wife, Gomer...and between God and His faithless people, Israel. Just as Gomer plays the harlot, Israel spurns her God. But unconditional love is modeled also: Just as Hosea buys his wife out of slavery, God will redeem and restore His people, after a time of purifying punishment.

September 1

Hosea 1–3

A Prophetic Vision

Key Passage: Hosea 1, 3

Overview

True to the tradition of prophets before him, Hosea illustrates God’s messages in strikingly unforgettable ways. Obedient to God’s command, he marries “an adulterous wife” named Gomer as a shocking indictment upon idolatrous Israel (1:2). Three children are born whose names carry overtones of God’s impending judgment: Jezreel (“God will scatter”), Lo-ruhamah (“not loved”), and Lo-ammi (“not my people”). When Gomer betrays Hosea’s love by deserting him for other men, the prophet seeks her out, pays a price to redeem her, disciplines her, and then reaffirms his love for her. Thus, the prophet models God’s loving chastisement and total acceptance of His people.

Your Daily Walk

Love is truly a many-splendored and oft-mistaken thing.

There’s “because” love: “I love you because you’re beautiful...because you’re talented...because you make me feel special.”

There’s “when” love: “I love you when you’re good...when you’re faithful...when you’re obedient.”

There’s “if” love: “I’ll love you if you please me...if you don’t hurt me...if you measure up to my expectations.”

And then there’s God’s love. He doesn’t say, “I love you because,” or “when,” or “if.” Rather, God simply says, “I love you.” No conditions. No fine print. No timetable.

In the passage you read today, which kind of love does Hosea show toward Gomer? (Hint: Check 3:1–2). Which kind does God display to Israel? (Hint: Look at 2:16–23). Which kind of love does God offer you today? (Hint: Turn to Romans 5:8). And which kind does He expect of you?

Insight - Numerous Name Reversals

Abram to Abraham. Saul to Paul. The trend continues in Hosea, where not only does Achor (the Valley of Trouble) become a “door of hope” (2:15), but Hosea’s children have their names changed when they acknowledge God (see 1:6, 9, and 2:22–23).

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September 2

Hosea 4–6

An Adulterous Union

Key Passage: Hosea 4

Overview

A prophet’s first task is to confront a nation with its sin. In chapter 4, Hosea catalogs Israel’s offenses against God: “No faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God” (v. 1); “cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery” (v. 2); “like people, like priests” (v. 9); “adultery” (v. 13); “joined to idols” (v. 17). The indictment is severe; judgment will come soon.

Your Daily Walk

The doctor carefully examines his patient but can find no explanation for the young boy’s unusual and persistent abdominal pains. Suddenly, the child blurts out, “I know what the problem is—green apples!”

“But how can you know for sure?” the doctor inquires. To which the boy replies, “I have inside information.”

Truth is transforming—but only when it is internalized. God’s Word brings conviction—but only when you expose your life to its convicting truths. God’s Word is likened to milk (1 Peter 2:2) and solid food (Hebrews 5:12, 14)—but it is only nourishing when you feed upon it. An untouched pantry full of food is as useless physically as an unopened Bible is spiritually.

Israel’s spiritual bankruptcy could be traced to its vast treasure of untouched truth. It wasn’t that the people didn’t know about God. Rather, they had failed to live by that knowledge.

How about you? Do you have “inside information” based on a living relationship with Jesus Christ? If you have never done so, invite your loving Savior to come into your life. You’ll discover that to know Him is to love Him.

Insight - No News Is New News

Compare the front page of today’s newspaper with chapter 4 of Hosea. Any similarity? As clever as modern man may be, he has yet to invent any “new” sins. Hosea’s call to repentance is as timely today as when it was first delivered more than 26 centuries ago.

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September 3

Hosea 7–8

A Rebellious Union

Key Passage: Hosea 8

Overview

Like an eloquent prosecuting attorney, Hosea delivers God’s message against wayward Israel with vivid word pictures, comparing the sinful nation to a flaming fire, a half-baked cake, a silly dove, a faulty bow, a wild donkey, and a forgetful servant. The coming destruction will be the result of the nation’s own doing. The people have willfully sown the wind of disobedience; they must now reap the whirlwind of God’s judgment—the inevitable horror of consequences for their sin.

Your Daily Walk

Farming is based on two fundamental laws of nature: (1) You reap what you sow (a qualitative law); and (2) You reap more than you sow (a quantitative law).

Plant a seed of corn, and it will yield a harvest of corn—and nothing else. Not beans or potatoes or rutabagas. And that seed of corn will return the original investment with interest, producing many ears of corn with hundreds of kernels per ear.

Hosea applies these laws of harvest to Israel’s sin. The people have sown evil; they should not expect good to come of it. And they have sown so much evil for so long that the coming harvest of God’s wrath will be nothing short of a bumper crop.

These simple farming truths apply to good deeds as well. The small seeds of goodness and godliness that you plant today will come back to you “pressed down...and running over” (Luke 6:38).

What will you sow today? A bad habit, a lopsided priority, or a good deed done from honest, loving motives? Write down your response, and remember that the harvest is never far behind the planting.

Insight - Political Whirlwinds in Hosea’s Day

Even as Hosea prophesied in Israel, the political consequences of the nation’s sins were being felt in the form of cruelty and brutality. Four of the nation’s last six kings were brutally assassinated, and a fifth was deported to Assyria.

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September 4

Hosea 9–11

Calamity in Israel

Key Passage: Hosea 11

Overview

Though long delayed in God’s patient mercy, “the days of punishment are coming” (9:7). Hosea, whose message of doom has been faithfully broadcast for years, now paints in somber tones the day of tragedy and tears about to befall his countrymen. Premature death, miscarriage, famine, murder, forced labor, destruction of the nation’s fortresses—all this and more await God’s rebellious children. Once a fruitful vine, Israel is now spiritually barren and fruitless. Though unfaithful to her God, Israel will nevertheless experience again God’s faithfulness to her, for her chastening will pave the way for renewed blessing from His hand.

Your Daily Walk

Aren’t you glad God is God and not a human being? Think of the implications of that truth. If God were a human being:

• His patience would be short.
• His justice would be partial.
• His love would be conditional and fickle.

Now read 11:9: “I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man.” God’s bigness is best seen not when He exterminates His enemies, but when He exercises His mercy toward those in line for His judgment. And the strength of God’s people is most clearly visible when they respond in mercy to those deserving of their revenge.

Make Hosea 11:9 the pattern for your response to someone who has offended you recently. It’s a sure sign of Christlikeness.

Insight - Doubly Fruitful, Doubly Barren (9:10–12)

Ephraim literally means “doubly fruitful.” But because the nation had followed after the pagan practices of Baal—a heathen religion characterized by fertility rites and temple prostitutes—God would use dispersion and captivity to remove from His people any hope of posterity. Fruitfulness would turn to barrenness: “Even if they rear children, I will bereave them of every one. Woe to them when I turn away from them!” (9:12).

Placing The Minor Prophets

The 12 short books that make up the “Minor Prophets” (so called because of their length, not their importance) were originally grouped on one scroll in the Hebrew Bible and simply called “The Twelve.” Together, they cover a time span of about 400 years (ca. 800–400 B.C.). Theologically, the Minor Prophets focus on warnings of impending judgment, teachings on righteous living, encouragement to the faithful and oppressed, and predictions of God’s future plans.

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September 5

Hosea 12–14

A Cleansed Reunion

Key Passage: Hosea 14

Overview

No sermon about the sickness of sin would be complete without including God’s remedy for sin. The prophet Hosea declares: “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips’ ” (14:1–2). What is God’s response to such heartfelt repentance? “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely... He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine” (14:4, 7). God takes no pleasure in the punishment of sinners, but He is always ready to forgive and receive the repentant sinner who returns to Him.

Your Daily Walk

It is one thing to forgive someone who has asked for your forgiveness. It is another thing to forgive someone who admits his guilt but is unwilling to ask for your pardon. And it is something altogether Christlike to forgive someone who offended you in the past—and continues to do so in proud defiance.

Perhaps the most striking thing about Hosea is his willingness to forgive the unworthy Gomer, even at great personal cost. In the same way, God offered forgiveness to the equally unworthy Israel, a nation involved in the worship of idols.

As far back as the ancient prophets and continuing right up to the present, God offers this invitation to sinful men and women: “I love you; I forgive you; I want you for My own!” But only those willing to repent and return discover the joy of entering into that love.

Israel’s failure to heed the prophet’s call resulted in the nation’s destruction. Just as surely, those secret sins you may be harboring can only hurt you and keep you estranged from God. Read 1 John 1:8,9. Rest assured that when we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Insight - In the Way of the Lord, Watch Your Step (14:9)

It is ironic but true—the very path that causes the righteous to stand causes the wicked to stumble... every time.

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September 6/7

Joel 1–3

The Lord’s Locust Lesson

Key Passage: Joel 1; 2:12–29

Overview

A plague of locusts hits Judah with the fury of an invading army, destroying vegetation and turning the usually verdant countryside into a lifeless desert. Fields of grain disappear, grapevines are stripped bare, fruit trees and gardens are wiped clean. The prophet Joel seizes the occasion to preach God’s message to Judah: The present calamity is only a warning. An even greater devastation awaits those who continue to live in sin and rebellion. The day of judgment is coming, and only those who sincerely repent and return to God will be sheltered from the terrible force of His righteous wrath.

Your Daily Walk

Question: What do these three activities have in common?

• Skydiving without a parachute
• Walking blindfolded across the freeway
• Disregarding God’s laws

Answer: They are all activities that, while perhaps momentarily exhilarating, lead to inescapable—and deadly—consequences.

Though he knew nothing about skydiving or freeways, Joel knew full well the danger of disregarding God’s commandments. The terrible scourge of locusts became the perfect illustration of judgment to come—and the perfect occasion for Joel to warn his countrymen. Although it was too late to escape the bite of the locust, there was still time to escape the “bite” of God’s chastening.

Learn a lesson from the locusts. Do your days pass without prayerful contact with God? Have your “little” sins ceased to bother you? Have you slipped away from daily Bible study and regular weekly worship? (Can you hear the buzzing locusts?) The danger is real, but shelter is as near as your Father’s “everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27). Wouldn’t that be a good place to rest?

Insight - A Day Like No Other

For some helpful research on “the day of the Lord” (mentioned five times in Joel), look up Isaiah 2:12, 13: 6–9; Zephaniah 1:14; and 2 Peter 3:10–14. Then share the insights you gain with one other person.

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Amos

Times were good in Israel. The nation basked in peace, prosperity, strength, and security. Then came Amos, breaking through the façade of respectability and exposing the rotten core of immorality, injustice, false optimism, and shallow piety. To those who had grown soft and lax in luxurious living, Amos declares God’s terrible warning and issues His last call to repentance. But the people fail to respond, and Amos announces God’s unwelcome but necessary discipline.

September 8

Amos 1–2

The Funnel of Fire

Key Passage: Amos 2:4–16

Overview

Amos, a southern shepherd sent north with God’s awful message for Israel, begins with a series of stinging judgments on Israel’s neighbors. In characteristically prophetic fashion, he harshly condemns the transgressions of the seven nations that surround Israel, and then he gradually zeroes in on Israel itself. Each of his eight oracles in today’s two chapters begins with the words, “For three sins..., even for four,” which add up to seven, the biblical number of fullness. Each nation is full of sin. Therefore, each nation receives the same sentence of doom: “I will send fire” (1:4, 7, 10, 12, 14; 2:2, 5).

Your Daily Walk

Imagine Amos standing on your street corner, loudly condemning the sins of your neighbors. He names your friend's house by house, moving steadily around the block: “The Jacobs, the Webbs, the Turners...” And then, horrified, you hear him name you!

What would Amos say about you? Mentally list those shortcomings, failures, and excesses that would embarrass you the most if announced from your street corner. Announce them yourself right now to God. There’s no need to wait for a fire to fall—or a prophet to knock—before you tend to an area of your life overdue for change.

Insight - Amos’ Funnel of Fire

God is concerned for all nations, and they all must answer to His justice and judgment. Notice how Amos begins his “Rogues’ Gallery” with Israel’s neighbors, then spirals inward, leaving the judgment of Israel for last. Can you sense the expectation building as Amos moves ever closer to the principal target of his sermon?

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September 9

Amos 3–5

A Fallen Family

Key Passage: Amos 4

Overview

Many times over, God has tried to bring the self-satisfied family of Israel to repentance. Famine, pestilence, drought, blight, death, defeat—and still the people of God cling to their sin. Violence and injustice, drunkenness and greed remain the hallmarks of their decadent way of life. The prophet has only one message left: “Prepare to meet your God, O Israel” (4:12).

Your Daily Walk

Your car stalls repeatedly, so you go to a mechanic. He takes it for a test drive, and, sure enough, while ascending a hill, the engine dies. Stepping on the brakes, he turns and announces to you cheerily, “Well, it’s not so bad. After all, you could be rolling backward!” How would you evaluate that mechanic?

After reading today’s section dealing with the sins of Israel, you may be tempted to conclude, “Well, at least I’m not that bad.” But are you “stalled” on the upward road of righteousness, your brakes firmly set—not really running after wickedness, but not actively pursuing godliness either?

Amos told the people to “seek good...that you may live” (5:14). It is not enough, Amos declared, to avoid evil; you must also actively “seek good.” And that never happens by accident.

Across the top of the next five pages of this devotional guide, write the name of one person you’ll see each day. Then think of an “active good” you can do in the life of that person: Offer a helping hand, a sincere compliment, or an expression of friendship. Now let off those brakes and start again, confident that the Lord will be with you as you “train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7).

Insight - Rock the Cradle, Steady the Nation

A comment by J. E. McFayden is cogent, and Amos 4:1-3 provides a case in point: “All the Hebrew prophets knew that for the temper and quality of a civilization, the women are greatly responsible. A country is largely what its women make it; if they are careless or unworthy, the country is on the road to ruin.”

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September 10

Amos 6–7

Woes and Warnings

Key Passage: Amos 6

Overview

Israel has grown apathetic and proud, choking on its own luxury. God’s verdict is fitting: “You will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end” (6:7). Amos relates a series of visions in which God stays His hand of punishment repeatedly—but no more. The plumb line of His righteousness shows how far out of line the people have drifted, prompting Amos to report God’s new resolve: “I will spare them no longer” (7:8).

Your Daily Walk

A wife and mother looks for employment in order to help pay for the family’s second car—a car purchased so that she has transportation to and from her new job.

A man works double shifts and weekends so that his overtime income will pay for his new camper and boat. But when vacation time comes, he’s too exhausted to drive to the lake.

A wealthy executive relates how he recklessly spent his health to make millions—and now, later in life, he finds himself spending the millions to regain the health he lost.

Each of those stories illustrates the subtle effects of materialism—an overwhelming desire to own things that all too often turn around and begin to “own” you.

Luxury-loving Israel was so “owned” by its possessions and its materialistic lifestyle that God had become the “previous owner.” Enjoying things from God had replaced enjoying God Himself.

The deed to your house, your car, your boat, your (whatever) may read “Owned by me,” but never forget it is also “Loaned by God.” Wouldn’t now be a good time to consider a transfer of ownership?

Insight - Prayer Changes Things

Realizing Israel’s utter sinfulness and impending punishment, Amos intercedes for them and “the Lord relented”—not once but twice (7:3, 6). And this was no one-time occurrence. Moses also had prayed, and God relented (Exodus 32:14). Another example is found in Jonah 3:10.

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September 11

Amos 8–9

Visions of Horror and Hope

Key Passage: Amos 9:1–6, 11–15

Overview

Amos’s series of visions concludes with a picture of the people’s irreversible corruption (a basket of summer fruit) and a sign of God’s inescapable judgment (the Lord at the altar). Disaster will come like a flood, leaving the people in helpless despair. But through the present darkness comes a prophetic glimmer of hope: “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent... I will bring back my exiled people Israel... I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them” (9:11, 14–15).

Your Daily Walk

God’s love causes Him to pursue us in order to show His mercy: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And when we reject His gracious overtures, He pursues us in order to show His justice.

How do you run away from God, who is everywhere? “Though they dig down to the depths of the grave, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens, from there I will bring them down” (9:2). Climb the highest mountain, or plunge the most profound depth, and even there you will find the pursuing God.

Have you been trying to elude God? Amos’ message is clear: Run to Him, not from Him. He stands ready to restore, forgive, and cleanse, if you will let Him. The nation of Israel refused to acknowledge God’s pursuit, and the rest is history. Talk to God about what you want the outcome of His pursuit to be in your life.

Insight - Law Enforcement God’s Way

The first six verses of chapter 9 paint the darkest picture yet of Israel’s coming captivity. There will be destruction and death, no possible way of escape, no spiritual refuge or earthly security. God’s people will learn—the hard way—that the God who is big enough to declare such threats in advance is also powerful enough to put His threats into effect.

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September 12

Obadiah

Edom’s Fate and Israel’s Future

Key Passage: Obadiah 8–14

Overview

Obadiah is given the unenviable task of confronting two members of a feuding family. The Jews in Judah (descendants of Jacob) and the Edomites in Edom (descendants of Esau) were blood brothers, but with no visible love between them. When the enemies of Judah attacked the capital city of Jerusalem, the Edomites rushed in to help the enemy! As a result, God sends Obadiah to predict doom for the nation for refusing to be its “brother’s keeper.”

Insight - Brotherly Feuding Through the Centuries

Trace the animosity between the two lines of Esau and Jacob as described in the following verses:

• Genesis 25:20–23 – Struggle begins in the womb
• Genesis 25:24–26 – Characters revealed at birth
• Genesis 25:27–34 – “Stewing” over a birthright
• Genesis 36:1–9 – Esau moves to the land of Edom
• Numbers 20:14–21 – Edom refuses Israel passage
• 1 Samuel 14:47 – Saul fights against Edom
• 2 Samuel 8:14 – David makes Edomites his servants
• 2 Chronicles 20:1–23 – Edom joins Ammon and Moab
• 2 Chronicles 28:17 – Edom attacks Judah
• (Secular Sources) – Edomites destroyed in A.D. 70

Your Daily Walk

Pride was at the root of Edom’s problem. The Edomites had built themselves up until at last God tore them down.

What kinds of “building programs” are you involved in today in your own life? Your family? Your church? Are they the kind God will resist or reward?

Carry a nail wrapped in a paper towel in your pocket or purse today to remind you that building for God (the nail) demands humility (the servant’s towel) if what you build is to last for eternity.

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September 13/14

Jonah 1–4

God’s Far-Reaching Mercy

Key Passage: Jonah 3–4

Overview

When God assigns Jonah to preach in Nineveh, the reluctant prophet ships out instead for Tarshish—precisely in the opposite direction! But God pursues him. He uses a fierce wind and a hungry fish to deposit Jonah on shore once again, ready now to respond to God’s directive. Using a divinely given one-sentence sermon, Jonah watches in amazement as one of the greatest revivals in history takes place—“from the greatest to the least” of the inhabitants of Nineveh (3:5). But rather than rejoice at Nineveh’s spiritual awakening, Jonah is disappointed that Israel’s archenemy will not be destroyed. He retires to a hillside, where God must teach His pouting prophet a lesson on divine mercy.

Your Daily Walk

God has a marvelous way of bringing His children great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. Consider Jonah. Summoned by God on short notice to preach to Israel’s cruelest foe, Jonah panics and runs for cover. Finally, Jonah turned around and sent “special delivery” to Nineveh; Jonah reluctantly preached his message of repentance. Once again, God does the unexpected by bringing a sweeping revival to the city. But instead of rejoicing over the salvation of lost souls, Jonah grumbles at God.

Are you prepared to handle a “Mission Impossible” today? A shift in plans... an unexpected interruption... an opportunity cleverly disguised as an imposition? Today, the first time something unexpected happens (and it will), resist the urge to panic. Instead, look for the door of opportunity God is opening to you, and take it. Let others experience God’s mercy through you.

Insight - Jonah’s Story—Did It Happen?

There are at least two documented cases of men who were swallowed by sharks or whales and lived to tell about it (e.g., Explore the Book, IV: 151–154). In answer to the question “Did it happen?” check Matthew 12: 38–41 for confirmation from an irrefutable source.

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Micah

Sin had infiltrated every segment of society: False prophets preached for money; immoral princes oppressed the poor; corrupt judges allowed injustice to rule the land. Such were the days of Micah, country-preacher-turned-prophet-of-God. Micah pleads with his countrymen to turn from sin back to God. But the message falls on deaf ears—ears that will soon hear the clamor of invading armies. But within the hardness lies hope: When justice is accomplished, God will restore His people.

Overview

The nation is immoral and corrupt; the time to repent has come and gone; the earlier prophets have been unheard and unheeded. Such is the state of Judah as Micah emerges during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. His task: to indict the unrepentant people of God and to announce the irreversible edict of God: “The Lord is coming from his dwelling place... The mountains melt beneath him... because of Jacob’s transgression, because of the sins of the house of Israel” (1:3–5).

Your Daily Walk

It’s late at night. You’re driving home, exhausted after a long day of working and errand-running. As you make a mental checklist of the activities you’ve completed, you have that sinking feeling that you’ve forgotten something. Suddenly, the engine sputters and stops—and you remember. You were supposed to fill the gas tank!

How often in your hurry to get things done do you lose sight of what’s really important? How often in your daily prayers do you find yourself doing all the talking and then “hanging up” with a quick “amen” before God has a chance to talk to you? How often do you return from church exhausted from teaching, leading, singing—having been to the “pump” but forgetting to “fill up”?

Micah opens his prophecy with the admonition: “Hear,... all of you, listen, O earth and all who are in it” (1:2). All the world is commanded to halt its activities and pay attention to God’s Word.

Today, when you pray, take a moment to slow down. Be still for a long minute before you say “amen.” Give God a chance to speak to you and fellowship with you. Remember, you’re a person He created to love and fellowship with and to enjoy eternally. So relax and rest in His presence.

Insight - Micah’s Priorities in Matthew’s Pages

What’s on your personal list of things to do today? Check Matthew 6:33 to see what should be at the top.

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Ezekiel

Born a priest, Ezekiel ministers as a prophet during the last days of the decline and fall of Judah. While Jeremiah remains in Jerusalem, Ezekiel preaches to the exiles in Babylon. Similar to Jeremiah in pronouncing God’s severe judgment on the faithless nation, Ezekiel also adds a blessed note of hope: God’s promise of a restored nation in the future. Emphasizing the glory of the sovereign God, Ezekiel portrays God’s purpose through both the judgment and blessing—that all will “know that I am the Lord.”

August 16/17

Ezekiel 1–6

Signs and Sermons

Key Passage: Ezekiel 1

Overview

While Jeremiah is preaching about the judgment of God on Judah and awaiting the final fall of Jerusalem, his contemporary Ezekiel is 600 miles away in Babylon, interpreting God’s judgment to those Jews already in captivity. Though Ezekiel’s preaching is similar to Jeremiah’s proclaiming doom for the disobedient, it also contains large doses of hope and instruction. The 70-year exile will teach God’s people “that I am the Lord” (repeated more than 60 times in the book), thus preparing them for their day of restoration.

Your Daily Walk

Have you ever been a long way from home and received an e-mail or a phone call from the folks back home just when you needed it most? Do you remember how great it felt to hear familiar voices or to read about familiar people while you were in unfamiliar surroundings?

Ezekiel’s book opens with the well-known “wheel within a wheel” vision—a vision filled with significance for captives far from their beloved Jerusalem and accustomed to thinking of God as residing in the temple back home. In his vision, Ezekiel sees God sitting upon a throne with wheels—a mobile seat of glory capable of transporting God anywhere He desires, even to the heart of a heathen land. Thus, God offers close-to-home comfort for His people who are far away in Babylon.

It’s one thing to be miles from home physically; it’s another to be far from home spiritually. Like the Prodigal Son of Luke 15, you may feel lonely, anxious, estranged—in a spiritual exile brought about by disobedience or neglect. If that’s the case, why not “call home” right now? Your Father’s line is never busy.

Insight - Before You Serve Him, Be Sure You See Him

Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory uniquely prepared him for his difficult assignment. Can you discover three other servants of God who experienced similar periods of preparation? (Hint: Check Exodus 3:1-10; Isaiah 6:1-10; Daniel 10:5-14.)

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August 18

Ezekiel 7–11

Departing Glory

Key Passage: Ezekiel 7, 11

Overview

In a colorful series of visions, Ezekiel next foresees the what, why, and how of God’s judgment upon Judah. The what: destruction of Jerusalem and the departure of God’s glory from the temple. The why: generations of idolatry, wickedness, and spiritual indifference. The how: through the cruel Babylonians, God’s hand-picked agents of judgment. But the harshness of the sentence is tempered by a tender reminder: A remnant will survive, receive sanctuary in a foreign country, and return again to the Land of Promise.

Your Daily Walk

Even the world’s best mountain climber climbs the tallest peak by small increments: step by step. Progress may appear gradual and slow. The climber may not even notice he is making headway. But the thrill of the climb comes when, standing at the top, he discovers how far he has ascended.

Judah had ascended no mountain and had, in fact, been descending for generations. But their descent had been slow and gradual: one sin, one wicked king after another. The downward spiral continued until the nation hit bottom.

God’s Word is described in James 1:23-24 as a mirror, reflecting a person’s true spiritual condition. As you look into His Word, what do you see: a person like Paul, who made it his ambition to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14)? Or a person spiraling downward by gradual increments of unrepented sin and sloppy spiritual habits? Find a hill near your home where you can take a vigorous walk—and have a vigorous talk with God about the direction of your life. It can make a mountain of difference.

Insight - Ezekiel’s Hair-Raising Revelation

In the temple vision of chapter 8, God’s messenger grabs Ezekiel by a lock of his hair to transport him to the scene—a painful but effective way of ensuring that Ezekiel doesn’t miss the point.

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August 19

Ezekiel 12–15

Parables of Judgment

Key Passage: Ezekiel 14

Overview

As Jeremiah did before him, Ezekiel illustrates his messages with dramatic parables. In today’s reading, Ezekiel “packs his bags” and exits the city through a hole dug in the wall to symbolize Judah’s upcoming exile. He then attacks the sins that have led Judah to this end: prophets who have whitewashed wrongs instead of preaching repentance and elders who have led the nation into idolatry. Like a dried-up grapevine, Judah has become fruitless, fit only for judgment.

Your Daily Walk

Remember the last time a prayer of yours went unanswered? Why do you think that happened? (a) You didn’t ask for the right thing; (b) you didn’t ask often enough; (c) God didn’t care about your problem; (d) you were too far away from God to hear His answer; or (e) you needed to wait a little longer.

Chapter 14 sheds some light on the subject of unanswered prayer. The idolatrous elders of Israel sent representatives to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord through the prophet. Though the exact nature of their request is not stated, God’s response is enlightening. He wouldn’t honor their request because they weren’t honoring Him.

An idol in your life need not be a statue of stone or wood. It can be anything (or anyone) that steals your heart, causing you to become more committed to something or someone than you are to God. Unanswered prayers are sure to follow, for God speaks in a “soft whisper” that is difficult to hear at a distance (1 Kings 19:11-12). Cut out the margin quote as a reminder that if your prayer life is in neutral, perhaps it’s because your heart is “idoling.”

Insight - A Multipurpose Vine?

Ezekiel’s illustration in chapter 15 is a truism. Wood can be used not only for supporting branches, but also for many other purposes: building houses, tables, pegs, fires, etc. Vines, on the other hand, are good only when they are bearing fruit.

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August 20

Ezekiel 16–19

More Parables of Judgment

Key Passage: Ezekiel 18

Overview

Continuing his analysis of Judah’s sins in strongly worded parables, Ezekiel portrays the nation as the Lord’s unfaithful wife who has wantonly gone after other gods. This spiritual adultery has led to unwise political alliances (the eagles of chapter 17), which can end only in disaster (the caged lions of chapter 19). But amid the imagery of doom, the prophet portrays a “twig of hope.” The dead, worthless vine will be replaced by the productive cedar of future righteousness, and God’s people will be restored to proper relationship with Him.

Your Daily Walk

Think about this statement: “The person(s) most responsible for my mistakes and failures in life is/are ___.”

Did you fill in: my parents? my peers? my teachers? God? the Devil? According to the Bible, the only correct answer is the pronoun myself. You are responsible for your choices and actions, whether right or wrong.

Consider the testimony of chapter 18. “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (18:4, 20). “The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son” (18:20). “If a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed...he will not die” (18:21). “I take no pleasure in the death of anyone...Repent and live!” (18:32).

Write the word ME in large letters on an index card, and use it as a bookmark as you read the rest of Ezekiel. That way, you won’t forget who’s responsible—and who’s also loved and forgiven by God.

Insight - Who’s Who Here?

To unravel the puzzle of Chapter 17, use this guide:

“great eagle” (v. 3) = Nebuchadnezzar
“top of a cedar” (v. 3) = house of David
“topmost shoot” (v. 4) = Jehoiachin
“land of merchants” (v. 4) = Babylon
“seed of your land” (v. 5) = Zedekiah
“another great eagle” (v. 7) = king of Egypt.

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August 21

Ezekiel 20–23

Pictures of Sin

Key Passage: Ezekiel 21:1-17

Overview

Turning from the present state of wayward Judah, Ezekiel now examines her past and catalogs her history of sinfulness. No commandment has been left unbroken: idol worship, dishonor of parents, extortion, mistreatment of widows and orphans, profaning the Sabbath, uncleanness, adultery, incest, dishonest business dealings, even child sacrifice (22:4-12; 23:37-39). Through it all, God has patiently held back His anger. But no more: “I ... have drawn my sword from its scabbard,” God declares, “it will not return again” (21:5).

Your Daily Walk

If you’ve ever stepped on a bee while barefoot, you learned very quickly: (1) Bees don’t like to be stepped on; and (2) bees have an effective way of making that known.

Pain can be a wonderful teacher. It’s a pity that while we quickly learn to avoid bees, we tend to learn more slowly regarding sin. The truths of the Bible, the testimony of the prophets, and the teachings of Christ all point to the same time-proven principle: Sin hurts. Yet how often we tend to repeat even the sins that cause us—or those we love—damage.

Looking back over Judah’s sinful history, is it any wonder that God’s patience ran out toward people who simply wouldn’t learn. These people continually hurt themselves and others by indulging in the same sinful ways?

How many times have you been stung by the same sin? Maybe it’s a bad habit you can’t break, an unhealthy attitude not dealt with, or a strained relationship you have yet to mend. In your prayer time today, single out one such “bee” to avoid, and ask God to guide your footsteps.

Insight - The Plans are Man’s, the Odds are God’s

Please read 21:18-23, and see if you notice anything unusual. On average, you might predict correctly the toss of a coin 50 percent of the time. But God predetermined the casting of lots to perfection so that Nebuchadnezzar did precisely what God wanted.

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August 22

Ezekiel 24–28

Judgment on Enemies

Key Passage: Ezekiel 28:1-19

Overview

Even personal tragedy can become an opportunity for prophetic testimony. When Ezekiel’s wife dies, God does not permit the prophet any public display of mourning, foreshadowing the inexpressible grief soon to befall Judah. Next the prophet turns the verbal missiles of God’s judgment upon Judah’s neighbors, showing that no nation is exempt from God’s discipline. Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, and Tyre will each be powerless to escape the edge of His sword.

Your Daily Walk

Pride is not necessarily a bad thing. It is natural for a person to feel proud of an accomplishment or a job well done.

But unbalanced pride can become the most serious of spiritual sins. Without the tempering influence of large doses of humility, pride tends to become arrogance, boastfulness, conceit, selfishness—a whole host of damaging traits abhorrent to God (and obnoxious to everyone else). As the writer of Proverbs 16:5 points out: “The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” God’s throne only has room for one.

“Self” sat on the throne in Tyre. As a result, the entire nation earned the wrath of an angry God (26:7-14; 28:17). As you ponder its fate today, check the interior of your heart’s “throne room.”

Insight - The High Price of Proud Living

According to Proverbs 6:16, “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him.” And heading the list is pride. To understand the seriousness of a haughty heart, look up the biblical “epitaph” of these four men. What caused the downfall of:

...Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23)?

...Haman (Esther 3:5; 7:9)?

...Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:30-33)?

...Herod (Acts 12:21-23)?

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August 23/24

Ezekiel 29–32

Judgment on Egypt

Key Passage: Ezekiel 30–31

Overview

As Ezekiel moves through the four points of the compass, he focuses at last on Egypt, the longtime enemy of God’s people. Egypt would not be destroyed, but would be reduced to insignificance. Captivity would come, and the glory of Pharaoh would fade. But God would not be finished with the people of Egypt. After scattering them, He would raise them up again, and “they will know that I am the Lord” (30:26).

Your Daily Walk

While today’s reading may not do much to enhance your love for the Book of Ezekiel, there is at least one lesson that it teaches: As the leadership of a nation goes, so goes the nation. Fully half of Ezekiel’s woe upon Egypt is directed at the nation’s leadership. Pharaoh’s pride and false confidence in his army bring about the desolation of the once mighty Egypt.

That should alert you to the importance of the leadership in your own country, community, and church. Every election is an opportunity for you to exercise your God-given right to choose those of proven character who will guide those they lead into God-honoring paths.

Take time today to write a short note of encouragement to a civic leader, church officer, or congressman. Assure them of your prayers and support as they struggle with the difficult issues before them. You might even want to share with them the principle you learned today from Ezekiel 29–32: As go the leaders, so go the people.

Insight - Charting the Future of Egypt

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August 25

Ezekiel 33–36

New Life for Israel

Key Passage: Ezekiel 33

Overview

Ezekiel’s emphasis shifts from the failures of Judah’s past to the promises of Judah’s future. Jerusalem has fallen, and the prophet’s tongue—silenced for three years—is loosened at last to declare that a new Shepherd is coming. As a leader to the leaderless, He will tenderly care for the flock of Israel, rescue His people from their scattered homes of exile, and restore them to their covenant land.

Your Daily Walk

Imagine that you are a watchman on the “night shift” on Jerusalem’s walls, entrusted with protecting the inhabitants sleeping peacefully beneath you. Suddenly, you see the torches of an approaching army. You reach for your ram’s horn to sound the alarm when a number of disturbing thoughts interrupt your motion: “I might be mistaken...My friends might get mad if I wake them up...I’m not that good on the trumpet.” As doubts fill your mind, precious moments slip away until the enemy attacks the slumbering city—and it is eternally too late.

Unthinkable? Then imagine this: During a conversation with an unsaved friend or co-worker, you let numerous witnessing opportunities slip by because you’re worried about how the words will sound. Or you allow an undisciplined son to go his rebellious way because you don’t want to anger him. In each case, you lifted the Lord’s horn to your lips—but failed to blow.

Read again God’s instructions to Ezekiel (33:7-9). Then make a list of the opportunities you might have this week to sound God’s alarm to a sleeping world in grave danger.

Insight - Ezekiel, Portrait of the Sovereign God

Much of Old Testament prophecy was built on the fact that God is sovereign over the affairs of His people. But Ezekiel, more than any other, highlights God’s dominion over ALL of humanity. Look for the phrase “they [or you] will know that I am the Lord”—you’ll find it more than 50 times in Ezekiel. In the end, not only Israel, but all nations will know who the one true God is.

PENETRATING SERMONS FROM THE PENS OF THE PROPHETS

The dual themes of repentance and judgment (“shape up or ship out”) are common to all 17 prophetical books, from Isaiah to Malachi. But each prophet spoke to a unique and contemporary situation. Notice the theme and approximate time period of each prophet’s message. (Refer to this chart often as you read through the remaining books of prophecy.)

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August 26

Ezekiel 37–39

Revived Bones

Key Passage: Ezekiel 39:25-29

Overview

In a vision retold with such vivid detail that you can almost see the bones moving and hear them rattling, Ezekiel announces Israel’s future rebirth. Reassembled and revived with God’s own breath of life, the sun-bleached bones become a new Israel, more glorious and powerful than ever before. Then, in a second vision, Ezekiel sees the revived nation utterly destroy its last foe—the mysterious and unidentified Magog—after which God is acknowledged by all nations as the undisputed Victor.

Your Daily Walk

There is a remarkable ebb and flow to the children of Israel’s success in world affairs. When the people stray far from God, they suffer defeat in battle and ultimately are removed from their homeland. But when they cling to God and rely on Him alone, they are invincible: The valleys of their land are filled with the bones of their foes. Thus, the nation’s success for God is linked to its dependence upon God.

Look back over the months or years of your own walk with God—the ups and downs, the highs and lows. Do you see the same principle in operation? Closeness to God produces strength and victory; distance from God produces weakness and defeat. Copy down the first verse of Psalm 46, and post it near your telephone. Then, the next time someone calls to tell you about a struggle, share with that person your always-present source of strength.

Insight - What’s Going On Here?

By the time of the Apostle John, the mysterious battle between Gog and God had become a byword for the cataclysmic final struggle of the end times. In Ezekiel, Gog is the prince of Meshech and Tubal, from the northlands of Magog. In Revelation, Magog is no longer pictured as a country, but a fellow culprit with Gog in the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 20:8). Beneath these two word pictures is an underlying truth: When push comes to shove, evil is no match for the absolute power of God!

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August 27

Ezekiel 40–43

New Temple for Israel

Key Passage: Ezekiel 40:1-4; 43:1-5

Overview

Today’s passage may contain some of the least inspirational reading in the entire Old Testament. Yet to the exiles in Babylon, it must have been one of the most thrilling of all Ezekiel’s visions. In it, the prophet is given a preview of the new temple, built upon the site of the old one destroyed 14 years earlier. The “blueprint” for the temple includes exact—and at times tedious—measurements of the walls, gates, chambers, porches, posts, arches, and furnishings. But amid all the cubits and courtyards, Ezekiel sees the glory of the Lord (absent from the temple since 11:23) returning to the new Holy of Holies where God intends to “live among the Israelites forever” (43:7).

Your Daily Walk

Fill in the following chart with your vital statistics:

Now, what does your chart have in common with Ezekiel’s vision in chapters 40–42?
Perhaps these words of Paul will give you a hint: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Both your chart and Ezekiel’s chapters contain measurements of God’s temple.

God claims your body as His temple. Knowing that, is there an area of your life that, like the ruined temple of Ezekiel’s day, needs refurbishing? Enlist the aid of your spouse or friends in selecting an overdue self-improvement project that will help you “honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20). He deserves it.

Insight - The True Measure of a Man (or Woman)

A cubit was the length of the forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger—about 18 inches. How does your cubit compare?

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August 28

Ezekiel 44–48

Revived Worship

Key Passage: Ezekiel 44:4-7

Overview

Ezekiel closes his mighty prophecy with the conclusion of the temple vision. In it, he outlines new orders for worship, including procedures for priests, sacrifices, offerings, and feasts—much the same as worship in the glory days of Israel’s religious past. Finally, he describes the boundaries of the renewed nation with divisions for tribes, priests, princes, and the people of Jerusalem. As a reminder of all that has taken place, the new city will be named “THE LORD IS THERE” (48:35).

Your Daily Walk

To the exiled and homesick Jews, it must have been both comforting and convicting to hear Ezekiel talk about the new temple.

How the people must have loved to hear the details of the new worship they would enjoy in their restored homeland. And how they must have wept in shame and remorse at the thought of all they had forfeited through idolatry and indifference. But God had never given up on them. His attention to detail shows His deep interest in the daily affairs of His chosen people.

God is powerful enough to move nations and direct world events—but He is also interested in where His people eat (44:3), what they wear (44:17-19), and whom they marry (44:22-23). Indeed, your God is a God of details—a God of your details. Take one of your hurts or disappointments and leave it with Him right now. He cares.

Insight - Metropolitan Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s Vision (45:1-8)

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Daniel

Daniel served in the courts of Babylon and Persia during the 70-year captivity. Used by God as His spokesman to both Gentiles and Jews, Daniel demonstrated God’s power through his interpretation of dreams and in his life of godly obedience. In his own visions, Daniel saw God’s perfect plan for the chosen nation. Throughout his ministry, Daniel’s message comes through with ringing clarity: God is in control, not only of the present, but of the future as well.

August 29

Daniel 1–3

Adventures of Daniel and His Friends

Key Passage: Daniel 1; 3:8-30

Overview

Hundreds of miles from home. Surrounded by people speaking an unknown language. Nothing to look back on but a temple and a homeland now in enemy hands. Surely God is dead—or at least asleep—to have so forgotten His exiled people. Right? Not if you ask Daniel and his three friends. For them, God is still very much alive—answering prayer, interpreting dreams, honoring the integrity of those committed to Him. Even a fiery furnace cannot intimidate the servants of the Most High God.

Your Daily Walk

Picture this scene: An enemy army has attacked your nation, inflicting destruction and death. Your city is a smoking ruin; your church lies in rubble; your possessions have been destroyed. The fate of your family and friends is unknown. Only memories remain of what, hours before, you called home. All you have left is your confidence in God. Is that enough?

For Daniel, that scenario became the chilling reality of life. With nothing to cling to but God, Daniel found that God was all he needed. When Daniel and his friends found themselves literally in the “frying pan,” they discovered that the promises of God stand up well in the crucible of life.

“I never knew Jesus Christ was all I needed...until Jesus Christ was all I had.” Have you ever heard anyone express that feeling? Don’t wait for an exile experience in your life before you learn that lesson. You can come to grips with it today as you walk with Daniel through the early years of his captivity in Babylon. You’ll know you have learned that lesson when you can pray from your heart the words of Daniel in 2:20-23, and of Daniel’s friends in 3:17-18. Why not do that right now?

Insight - Dreams, Dreams Everywhere

Nine of the 12 chapters in Daniel’s book contain dreams, visions, or other modes of divine revelation. Thumb through the book quickly; can you discover which chapters they are?

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August 30

Daniel 4–6

Daniel’s Daring Faith

Key Passage: Daniel 6

Overview

Today’s reading spans the reigns of three kings, each of whom receives a message from God, delivered through Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar pays the penalty for pride and learns—the hard way—to praise Daniel’s Most High God (chapter 4). Belshazzar, guilty of drunken sacrilege, summons Daniel to read a mysterious inscription, only to discover that God has written his epitaph upon the wall of his palace (chapter 5). And Darius, tricked by jealous advisers into sentencing Daniel to become supper for the lions, learns firsthand that Daniel’s God rewards devotion with deliverance (chapter 6).

Your Daily Walk

The decree had been signed and sealed; according to the laws of the Medes and Persians, it could not be revoked. It contained the awful edict that anyone caught praying to any “god” other than the king would be cast into the den of lions.

Question: Do you suppose Daniel paused to consider the impact of this immutable law upon his life? “Either give up your God,” it said, “or give up your position, your power, your privileges...and your life!” Do you wonder if Daniel was tempted at all to “skip” his daily walk with God?

Here’s a question even closer to home: How much does it take to “untrack” you from a daily time alone with God? The odds are good that you aren’t facing an immutable decree of death—but is there something less heart-stopping and yet equally effective? A busy schedule, an energetic young family, a tendency to oversleep? Life can be a challenge, and the roar of the lions is never far away. Find a quiet spot for a cup of coffee or tea and a careful reading of Psalm 91. Read it out loud as your testimony of trust.

Insight - Diagnosing an Ancient Disease

King Nebuchadnezzar’s symptoms in chapter 4 have since been given a recognized medical title: Insania Zoanthropia—a rare mental disorder in which a person acts like a beast.

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August 31

Daniel 7–12

Daniel the Dreamer

Key Passage: Daniel 9

Overview

The first half of Daniel’s book portrays him as “Daniel the Interpreter”; in the second half, you will see him as “Daniel the Dreamer.” Even though God’s people are captive, God’s power is still active. In a wide-ranging series of prophetic dreams and visions, Daniel makes predictions that clearly show God’s interest in, influence upon, and lordship over all the nations.

Your Daily Walk

Today, you complete your reading of the Book of Daniel, its author being one of the few individuals in Scripture about whom nothing negative is ever written. How did Daniel do it? What was the secret of his life that enabled him to please and glorify God consistently?

Many answers are possible, but reread 2:17-23; 6:10-11; and 9:1-3, and consider this. Daniel is portrayed again and again as a faithful man of prayer. No matter what the circumstances, no matter how pressing the schedule, Daniel found time to commune with his God. In fact, the great truths of chapters 10–12 were revealed to Daniel in direct response to his prayers (10:10-12).

Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Are you spending some time in prayer each day? Today, select one of Daniel’s many prayers and model your own prayer time after it. Then watch as the God who so wonderfully responded to Daniel’s intercession answers your prayers as well—according to His promises.

Insight - Daniel in the Critic’s Den

Critics have been swift to question the authorship of the Book of Daniel. They point particularly to the detailed prophecies of today’s section, which sound more like history than prophecy. But take a look at Matthew 24:15 where Jesus quotes the words of Daniel 9:27 and attributes them to none other than “the prophet Daniel.” Jesus—the omniscient Son of God—places His stamp of authority on this important prophecy.

Daniel’s simple but unshakable faith left its imprint on his world. Could the same be said about your faith?

TRUSTING WITH THE HEART OF A Child

Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel— in all circumstances these men trusted in God as a child trusts in a loving father.

Funny how God doesn’t look for flamboyant lifestyles accented with whistles and bells. He doesn’t look for those who are successful and self-sufficient. He doesn’t look for the rich and famous. He looks for the one who will acknowledge his or her sin and repent of it. He looks for the person who will come with the faith of a little child, believing that only Jesus can save from sin.

The final criterion God will use when we stand before Him is not appearance, material wealth, or worldly success. He will get right to the heart of the matter: “Have you acknowledged that you are a sinful person who has fallen short of My standard? Have you accepted Christ’s work on your behalf? Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior?”

The Bible describes this step of faith: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved...for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

To belong to God’s family, you must, by faith, personally accept Jesus as your Savior. So whether you’re five or 50, you can come to God with the believing heart of a little child. There’s no other way.

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Jeremiah

The Book of Jeremiah is the autobiography of one of Judah’s greatest prophets, who challenged his nation’s most significant errors. Apostasy, idolatry, perverted worship, moral decay—for these and other sins, judgment is forewarned. Judah’s response is not repentance but rejection, as the prophet experiences opposition, isolation, and imprisonment. Through 40 years of faithful duty, Jeremiah sees many of his prophecies fulfilled, including God’s judgment on Judah: her downfall and exile.

August 1

Jeremiah 1–3

Prophet of Judgment

Key Passage: Jeremiah 1:13-19; 3

Overview

Called at a young age and at first reluctant to answer (1:6), Jeremiah undertakes the age-old function of being God’s prophet to wayward Judah. Like the great prophets before him, Jeremiah is told to pronounce judgment on those who have forsaken God’s way; but unlike his predecessors, Jeremiah will proclaim Judah’s last chance. His message will contain God’s bold ultimatum: “Turn back to Me, or face destruction.” Judah stands at the crossroads, and failure to heed the prophet’s voice this time will have lasting consequences.

Your Daily Walk

Find a tennis ball and hold it several feet above the floor. Let go, and observe the result. Does the ball hit the floor and bounce, or does it float lazily to the ceiling?

Unless you live underwater or in outer space, the ball will fall, obeying one of the strictest laws of physics: the law of gravity. You live each day under the influence of that law. And anyone who has ever slipped in a bathtub can attest to the unavoidable consequences of even an accidental violation.

Just as laws of physics govern the physical universe, so spiritual and moral laws govern your relationship with God. Indifference to those laws brings consequences just as severe as does the disregard of God’s physical laws. What God’s people learned the hard way during Jeremiah’s lifetime, you can learn more easily from their sad example.

Find a small notebook and title it “My Profit from God’s Prophets.” Use it to record lessons that you don’t want—or need—to learn the hard way.

Insight - Jeremiah, the Heavy-Duty Prophet

The Hebrew name Jeremiah means “thrown” or “hurled.” Indeed, Jeremiah was thrown by God into the churning torrent of some of Judah’s most terrible times. Before his ministry was finished, he would endure persecution, trial, and many tears, but because his calling was sure (1:4-5), Jeremiah’s commitment never wavered.

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August 2/3

Jeremiah 4–6

Prophet of Destruction

Key Passage: Jeremiah 4:5-10; 5:7-17

Overview

Using the frightening imagery of thundering chariots and clanging swords, Jeremiah cries out to an unhearing, unconcerned people to announce God’s coming judgment upon them for their idolatry. Judah has gone too far for pardon (5:7), and its rebellious, unrepentant attitude has earned punishment so terrible that the prophet’s heart breaks as he proclaims it (4:19).

Your Daily Walk

Radical problems often necessitate radical solutions. To extinguish an oil well fire, dynamite is sometimes used. The stupendous power of the explosion is the only way to “blow out” the raging inferno. In medicine, the seemingly radical amputation of a limb preserves life by stopping the progress of cancer or gangrene. Many an old building is best “renovated” by tearing it down, clearing the rubble, and building anew.

Judah’s apostasy had destroyed the nation’s spiritual vitality. Like a spreading cancer, it resisted half-hearted attempts at treatment. Something more radical was needed—something that would purge the nation of its idolatry and immorality.

Before God can build into your life, there may be things He needs to remove: bad habits, selfish attitudes, walls of indifference, and closets of secret sin. Are your possessions the focus of your affection? Is your job all-consuming? Do pursuits in your life oppose rather than promote the kingdom of God? Pick one of those areas of need, and with God’s help, deal with it now...before the cure becomes more painful than the disease.

Insight - The Span of Jeremiah’s Ministry

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August 4

Jeremiah 7–10

Prophet of Sorrow

Key Passage: Jeremiah 7, 10

Overview

Idolatry and its abuses—including the most gruesome of Judah’s sins, child sacrifice—make up the heart of Jeremiah’s stinging indictments in today’s reading. Guilty from the top down, with greedy priests (8:10), foolish leaders (10:21), apostate counselors (8:9), and reprobate families (7:18), the Jews would soon see their homeland reduced to a wasteland. Yet even as they listen to the tearful charge of the prophet, the people remain heedless and indifferent to God’s message of coming calamity (8:4-7).

Your Daily Walk

Desensitization: a process by which a patient with allergies receives injections containing an increasing amount of the substance to which that patient is allergic. As a result, the body in time becomes accustomed to the foreign substance and is no longer irritated by it. Sadly, the same desensitization can occur in the spiritual life. Sins that once were considered unthinkable are at first tolerated, then condoned, and finally openly endorsed.

Judah’s citizens suffered from such desensitization. Called to be God’s holy and distinct people, little by little, they became indifferent to sin’s poisonous intrusion. At last, they had sunk so low that even the burning of their little children at Topheth as sacrifices to idols no longer bothered them.

List the “little sins” in your own life that ought to bother you, but somehow don’t: gossip, overeating, questionable business practices, failure to keep your word. Then read 7:5-7 thoughtfully, slowly, and give your list to God in a prayer of confession.

Insight - Where Do We Get the Word Hell?

The “Valley of Ben Hinnom” (7:31) is located south of Jerusalem. People dumped their trash there and also sacrificed their children there to pagan deities. The Hebrew word for the Valley of Hinnom, ge’hinnom, was later transliterated into Greek as gehenna. The New Testament translates this word as hell, a place of fire where all who haven’t trusted in Christ will be punished eternally.

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August 5

Jeremiah 11–15

Ruined Girdle, Ruined Nation

Key Passage: Jeremiah 13

Overview

As a visual aid to the nation, God instructs Jeremiah to buy a new linen belt (a wide sash used as a man’s belt and wallet) and to bury it in the moist, muddy bank of the Euphrates River. Later, when instructed by God to dig it up again, Jeremiah finds the belt in a predictable condition—rotten and useless. The object lesson is clear: God’s chosen people, once bound close to Him and for generations filled with His riches, have become as useless as a rotten linen waistband because of their involvement with sinful excess.

Your Daily Walk

Think back over the last seven days and count the number of people you have talked to in that period of time: family members, co-workers, classmates, friends, neighbors, service people, store clerks. Don’t forget those you communicated with by phone or e-mail, or over the back fence.

Now subtract the number of those who are already Christians. How many are left—5, 10, 20, or more? That represents the number of opportunities you have each week to offer hope, encouragement, and a word of witness to a lost world.

Jeremiah discovered that hiding the linen belt quickly rendered it useless. In much the same way, you may be hiding yourself and—like Judah—in danger of becoming spoiled and useless. Muscles that are never used soon atrophy and weaken; the same is true for spiritual muscles. The only known cure is exercise. Is it time for you to come out of hiding and get some exercise in the work of the Lord? Visit a Christian bookstore and purchase a few items to give away. Then look for—and seize—a few of these opportunities to tell your world about God’s good news.

Insight - A Prophet’s Recompense

For preaching the Word of God, Jeremiah was rewarded with the scorn of his hearers and a plot against his life in his own hometown (11:18-21). Compare this to the experience of Jesus in the city He called home (Matthew 13:54-58).

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August 6

Jeremiah 16–20

Pots, Bottles, and Stocks

Key Passage: Jeremiah 16; 20:1-6

Overview

As with the belt incident in chapter 13, God again asks His prophet to do the unusual in order to dramatize the unpleasant. Jeremiah is commanded never to marry, attend funerals, or celebrate feasts. His life becomes a constant reminder of the coming horrors for Judah’s parents and children. Dashing a clay jar at the feet of the elders and priests, Jeremiah further illustrates the southern kingdom’s unhappy future. For his trouble, he earns a hearty beating and an overnight stay in the Benjamin Gate stocks.

Your Daily Walk

The word cherish comes from a root word meaning “to hold dear.” Using that definition, what five things (apart from your salvation in Christ) do you cherish above all others? Write them in your notes.

Now read 16: 2,5,8. These were the very things the prophet was asked to give up in order to follow God’s will for his life.

Jesus Christ told His disciples: “Anyone who loves his father or mother...son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). Was He saying, “Leave home, divorce your spouse, and give up your children to follow Me”? Not at all. Rather, “If there is anything...even the thing you cherish most in life...that is more important than Me, then don’t follow Me. If I cannot be first with you, then you are not truly available to me.”

Look over your list again. Is overcommitment to any of these items robbing God of your undivided allegiance? Matthew 10:37 is where you need to begin. As Jeremiah learned, the cost of following God is high, but the eternal rewards are worth it.

Insight - Pashhur, the Walking Sermon (20:3)

Even the mean-spirited Pashhur, who had Jeremiah beaten and put in the stocks, unwittingly served God’s purposes. The undaunted prophet gave him a new name: Magor-missabib, “terror-all-around,” turning Pashhur into God’s walking billboard of coming judgment.

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August 7

Jeremiah 21–25

Turning Too Late

Key Passage: Jeremiah 23

Overview

The end has come for Judah. In panic, the leaders of besieged Jerusalem turn—too late—to the prophet to beseech the Lord’s assistance. God’s thundering reply through Jeremiah is chilling: The city will fall, and its most productive citizens will be deported to Babylon. Yet Jeremiah predicts their eventual return after 70 years, when the remnant will come home to a new day of righteous leadership and their captors will be brought to ruin.

Your Daily Walk

Parent and child are riding in a car. They enter a tunnel—the first one the child has ever seen. The child is gripped with fear at the sudden darkness. At this point, the child can (1) try to grab the wheel away from the parent and turn the car around, or (2) trust the parent, shortly to make the happy discovery that tunnels have openings at both ends.

Judah was suddenly plunged into a dark tunnel of exile from which there appeared to be no light of hope. But Jeremiah knew better. He foretold Judah’s return after the passing of 70 years. In addition, he announced the coming of a righteous Ruler to restore Judah in the tradition of the great King David—One whose name would be “The Lord Our Righteousness” (23:6).

When circumstances are at their darkest, you need the confidence given by 1 John 1:5—“God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all.” God is not in the business of plunging His people into dark tunnels without also providing the hope-giving light they need to see their way through. Are dark circumstances crowding in on you, causing you to want to panic and “grab the wheel”? Then read Romans 8:18-25, and ask God to show you the light at the end of your tunnel.

Insight - The Worst-Kept Secret in Town

The duration of the Babylonian Exile is given not once but twice by Jeremiah (25:11-12; 29:10) and again by the prophet Daniel (9:1-2) —proof indeed that God knows the end from the beginning.

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August 8

Jeremiah 26–29

Judah in Opposition to Jeremiah

Key Passage: Jeremiah 26–27

Overview

After delivering a message from God, it is always gratifying to see people moved to action. But in Jeremiah’s case, the response is more than he bargained for. Filled with fury over Jeremiah’s message of doom, the officials of Judah respond by seeking to put the prophet to death. Undaunted, Jeremiah harnesses a yoke to himself to symbolize to the authorities the need to submit to the yoke of Babylon as God’s rod of discipline upon the nation. A false prophet named Hananiah arises preaching a message exactly opposite to Jeremiah’s, but he dies an early death for seeking to lead the people astray. Finally, Jeremiah encourages the deportees in Babylon to be content in their new home of exile.

Your Daily Walk

Think about the different relationships in your life. Can you name three people to whom you give...

...casual attention?

...inconsistent attention?

...no attention?

...diligent attention?

Now, where on those four lines would you be forced to write God’s name? What kind of attention do you give Him: casual? inconsistent? diligent? none? How much time are you giving Him in comparison to those activities or relationships you consider much less important?

If you are not satisfied with your answer, then on your appointment calendar for tomorrow, reserve an extra half-hour as a time for you to reflect on your appointment with God. Spend those carefully guarded minutes in prayer, praise, Scripture reading, and meditation. You’ll find it’s wonderfully habit-forming.

Insight - The Yoke was no Joke

The yoke of Jeremiah’s day consisted of a large, heavy, wooden bar that fit across the necks of the cattle. Straight sticks and cords held the yoke in place, making the yoke a cumbersome (and graphic) burden for the prophet to bear.

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August 9/10

Jeremiah 30–33

Hope Against Judgment

Key Passage: Jeremiah 32

Overview

Things have never looked bleaker for the nation of Judah than in the opening verses of chapter 30. Yet God will not forsake His people forever. They will return home, rejoice in their privileged position again, and enter into a new and better covenant with their God. To illustrate this great hope, Jeremiah purchases a piece of land, knowing that it will ultimatelyfall into Babylonian hands. But Babylonian control will be brief when compared to the rule of God’s Righteous Branch, the Messiah.

Your Daily Walk

Have you ever been in this situation? You’ve wrestled for months with a decision you know God wants you to make. It doesn’t seem logical, but you know what you have to do. Finally, you take that step of obedience. Immediately, you experience great relief that you have done what God wants you to do, but then doubt strikes. You can’t see how it will all work out.

God told Jeremiah to buy a piece of land that would soon be conquered and confiscated by the Babylonians. It didn’t seem to make sense, but Jeremiah obeyed, maybe even wondering why God was asking him to be such a poor steward of His money. Then Jeremiah did the wise thing—he took his doubts to God in prayer (32:16-25). And as he prayed, God encouraged him with grand statements of promise that Jeremiah could stake his life on.

God loves to destroy doubt and worry, and He does it best when you are on your knees. Close your quiet time today with prayer. Ask God not to change your circumstances simply, but to change your character as well. Then watch your doubts melt like fog in the warmth of God’s trustworthy promises.

Insight - Seeing Hope from a Hopeless Viewpoint

As you read chapters 30–33, keep in mind Jeremiah’s situation. He is in prison, Judah is on the verge of collapse, and the Babylonian army is on the horizon. Now do you see why the prophet’s message of hope is appropriate?

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August 11

Jeremiah 34–39

Darkness All Around

Key Passage: Jeremiah 37–38

Overview

Having had most of his sermons discounted, discredited, or disregarded, the prophet now picks up his pen...and finds that wicked rulers do not want to read God’s Word any more than they want to hear it! Arrested for treason and cast into the muck of an empty cistern, Jeremiah is rescued by friendly forces. Once more, he returns to the palace to warn the king, “Surrender or perish.”

Your Daily Walk

Switch places with Jeremiah for a moment. Allow him to take a seat in the 21st century A.D. while you slip on his prophet’s robes from the sixth century B.C.

You are standing in the darkness, knee-deep in the chilling mire of an abandoned cistern. You have been beaten without cause, falsely accused of capital crimes, kept under house arrest, and now this. No one is listening; seemingly, no one cares. Being God’s prophet has landed you—literally—“in the pits.” What thoughts are going through your mind? Are you discouraged? Desperate? Considering a change of “employer”?

Now read Psalm 13. This song of hope and trust amid trouble was written by another beleaguered believer—King David. And though it echoes from the pit of long-suffering, there’s no hint of quitting or of bitterness.

Periodic discouragement is part of living. But the Christian knows that God is bigger than any trouble—be it false accusation, personal rejection, or restricted freedom. Share the comforting words of Psalm 13 with someone today who is “in the pits.”

Insight - The Rechabites, A Loyal People

The family of the Rechabites was actually a religious order that practiced the simplicity of Bedouin life, avoiding the corrupting influences of city life. Founded during the reign of Jehu (841–814 B.C.), they also helped purge Israel of Baal worship. Note that they were blessed not for their lifestyle, but for their obedience to their forefathers (35:18-19).

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August 12

Jeremiah 40–45

Disobedient Again

Key Passage: Jeremiah 42–43

Overview

After Jerusalem’s fall and the deportation of thousands of her citizens, Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as a puppet governor over the region. Jeremiah chooses to remain in Judah and continue his ministry among the remnant. But when Gedaliah is brutally murdered by Ishmael, the Jews panic. Fearing reprisals by the Babylonians, they ask the prophet’s advice—then disregard it and flee to Egypt, dragging Jeremiah with them.

Your Daily Walk

A child asks for parental permission to do something. Permission is denied, but the child goes and does it anyway. Why did the child ask in the first place? Not to receive permission, but to gain approval for what he planned to do all along.

After Jerusalem’s fall, those who remained in the strife-torn city approached Jeremiah, saying, “Tell us where we should go and what we should do.” They claimed to want God’s will and promised to obey it, but in fact, they had already made up their minds to flee to Egypt.

Is that a picture of your prayer life? Do you say in effect, “Lord, here’s what I plan for my life, and I’d like Your blessing on my decision”? Do you really want to know and do God’s will, or are you only interested in having His “OK” stamped on your will? It’s dangerous to ask for His directions unless you’re willing to follow them.

Find a songbook that contains the words of Frances Havergal’s hymn, “Take My Life and Let It Be.” Read the words as your prayer of consecration to the will of God—from head to toe.

Insight - Baruch, the Prophet’s Right-Hand Man

Baruch, whose reward for faithful service is detailed in chapter 45, certainly earned it as Jeremiah’s secretary (36:4, 32); recorder of deeds (32:12-15); and traveling companion and fellow sufferer (43:2-7).

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August 13

Jeremiah 46–49

Discipline of All Nations

Key Passage: Jeremiah 46

Overview

God’s power is not limited to the weak and insignificant nations. His authority extends over every people and tongue, influencing the affairs of all humanity. So indicates Jeremiah in the closing chapters of his prophetic masterpiece. From west to east—from Elam to Egypt, Damascus to Edom—all godless and idolatrous nations will one day know the might and justice of the one true God.

Your Daily Walk

It’s a poor teacher who spends the entire class time with one pupil while allowing the rest of the students to run wild. In light of today’s reading, think of God as a wise Teacher who has just finished disciplining one unruly pupil (Judah), and now returns to apply the same standards of behavior to the rest of the class.

In this way, God underscores His divine claim upon all nations. All belong to Him; all are subject to His sovereign will and providence. He is no small “local” deity; rather, He is the God who holds the whole world—indeed, the universe—in His hands.

It’s easy to become localized in your prayers, focusing only upon your family, your friends, your church, your nation, your needs. Today, for a change of pace, try “Global Prayer.” With a world map and a newspaper as your prayer prompter, pray for people in distant corners of the world who may have never entered your thoughts and prayers. It’s an excellent way to learn that “the field is the world” (Matthew 13:38). It might even motivate you to become more active in your church’s mission program.

Insight - Nations Then and Now

With your Bible and world map before you, notice these Old Testament designations for modern-day regions: Philistia (Gaza); Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Kedar (Jordan); Damascus (Syria); Elam and Babylon (Iran/Iraq). Of all the nations mentioned in chapters 46–49, Egypt is the only one to maintain its identity and name today.

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August 14

Jeremiah 50–52

Downfall of Babylon

Key Passage: Jeremiah 52

Overview

Jeremiah saves the best, or rather the worst, for last. He devotes two whole chapters to a litany of destruction for Babylon—of desolation so complete that passers-by would be “horrified and scoff because of all her wounds” (50:13). After briefly recounting the fall of Jerusalem, the prophet ends his book on a high note. As a taste of restoration to come, Judah’s exiled King Jehoiachin receives unexpected kindness from his captors.

Your Daily Walk

The concluding scene of Jeremiah’s book is one of the dark days of Jewish captivity in Babylon. Judah has rejected God’s gracious offer one too many times. The cry of “Repent and return!” will never be heard again from the prophet’s lips.

Jeremiah and the other Old Testament prophets were part of God’s early warning system. Their job: to signal God’s people when their actions were in danger of triggering their downfall. The prophets were faithful to their task—the warning went out. But in Judah’s case, the message was not heeded.

God still uses early warning systems today to signal danger to His believing ones. Perhaps a page from this Bible reading guide has hit home in an area of your life that needs changing. Or maybe the prophetic voice of a Christian counselor, friend, pastor, or parent has alerted you to the danger of continuing down the path you’re on. Take a moment to look for God’s early warning signals in your life—conviction of sin, a tugging of conscience. Remember Judah’s fate, and don’t let today’s warning pass you by.

Insight - Jeremiah—Success or Failure?

Michelangelo’s portrait of Jeremiah, painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, shows the prophet as a man of great sorrow and enormous strength. Though he failed to turn his nation back to God, he succeeded in his mission for God: declaring fearlessly and faithfully the message God entrusted to him. Could the same be said of you when your days on earth are through?

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August 15

Lamentations 1–5

Tears for the Toppled City

Key Passage: Lamentations 3

Overview

The battle is over at last. For 40 years, Jeremiah has warned that judgment is coming unless the people change their wicked ways. But his persistent pleas have been met with hard-hearted indifference. Now the nation is gone, destroyed by the brutal Babylonians. The Book of Lamentations is the tear-stained diary of the prophet as he weeps over the toppled city. But suddenly, in the midst of his tears, Jeremiah sounds a note of triumph: “Great is your faithfulness” (3:23). Things may look tragic for the nation (and the prophet), but “[the Lord’s] compassions never fail. They are new every morning” (3:22-23).

Your Daily Walk

Put yourself in this situation: Another person is trying to hurt, embarrass, and degrade you. He or she has spread untrue rumors about you, talking behind your back and even turning some of your friends against you. Then the news comes. Calamity has struck your antagonist—a serious illness, a car accident, a financial reversal. What do you do now? Do you respond, “He or she had it coming”—or do you weep?

Nowhere is Jeremiah’s servant heart more evident than when he cried (Jeremiah 9:1, 10; 13:17; 22:10; 48:32; Lamentations 1:16). It’s easy to condemn when someone who “has it coming” experiences tragedy; it takes a miracle of God’s power to offer consolation instead. As today’s prayer project, select an individual who is as much in line for your anger as for your intercession. Confess any thoughts of revenge you may be harboring. Then look for an unexpected action of love you can show on that person’s behalf. You’ll be modeling, not just mouthing, the words of Jesus when He said: “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

Insight - A, B, C...

Jeremiah fashions his “Dirge of Death” into an alphabetic poem. Four of the chapters begin each verse with consecutive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, while chapter 3, the middle chapter, gives three verses to each letter.

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July 16

Isaiah 9–12

Judah’s Darkness and Dawn

Key Passage: Isaiah 9

Overview
Chapters 7–12 have been called “The Book of Immanuel” because of the many prophecies and allusions regarding the Messiah:

• He would be born of a virgin (7:14).
• He would be given the name Immanuel (meaning “God is with us,” 7:14).
• He would be a stumbling block to Israel (8:14).
• He would be a great light to the nations (9:2).
• He would be a Ruler, Counselor, and Prince (9:6).
• He would come from the line of David (11:1).

Is it any wonder the redeemed gather together for a grand chorus of praise and worship at the thought of their Immanuel?

Your Daily Walk
Titles can be deceiving. A young executive was describing, with pride, his recent promotion to the position of vice president. “Aw, that’s nothing,” responded a friend. “Vice presidents are a dime a dozen. I’ll bet there’s even a vice president of peanuts at the supermarket.”

“You’re on!” exclaimed the executive, as he telephoned the store. “May I speak to the vice president of peanuts, please?”

The voice replied, “Packaged or bulk?”

By contrast, the titles you will find attributed to Jesus the Messiah are highly significant. He is the “Wonderful Counselor”—and God alone is “wonderful in counsel” (Isaiah 28:29). He is the “Mighty God”—the same term used to describe “the Lord, the Holy One of Israel” (10:20).

Share with one other person today the significance of one of the names of Jesus. Ask God to open a door of witness through it.

Insight - First to Feel the Groan, First to See the Glory
“The land of Zebulun and...Naphtali” (9:1)—the first region to succumb to the Assyrian onslaught within months of Isaiah’s meeting with Ahaz (7:1-9)—would also be the first to see the glory of the Lord (9:1-2), a striking prophecy that went unheeded when the Messiah came (John 1:46; 7:52).

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July 17

Isaiah 13–16

Woes on Babylon and Moab

Key Passage: Isaiah 13

Overview

God is sovereign over His nation; He is also sovereign over the nations. No empire or tribe on earth is exempt from the judgment of God when wickedness replaces righteousness. Isaiah now turns his verbal missiles upon the Gentile nations, which will melt away before the furnace of God’s wrath for their opposition to His people and plan. Babylon faces the gloomy prospect of being dominated by the Medes (which occurred in 539 B.C.). The city of Moab can look forward to being sacked (it happened in 701 B.C.). Clearly, wicked kings and kingdoms are no match for the justice and holiness of God.

Your Daily Walk

There’s something deliciously satisfying about seeing “the other guy” get what he deserves. About watching the speeding car ahead of you get pulled over. About learning that your obnoxious next-door neighbor is being audited. About the reading of a corrupt politician landing in jail.

But wait! Smugness in the face of another’s calamity diminishes when you remember your imperfections. In His Word, God has included the bad with the good, the condemnation and commendation of nations, that you might profit from their example. The fact that nations such as Babylon and Moab no longer exist should warn you that when God promises punishment for persistent sin, it is no idle threat.

Think of a recent calamity that has befallen someone you know because of his or her inattention to God’s Word. How can you save yourself some grief by learning from that example?

Insight - Tomorrow’s Headlines Prophesied Today

Isaiah’s prophecy regarding Babylon is this: Babylon would supersede Assyria (14:25); Media would supersede Babylon (13:17); and Babylon would disappear forever (13:19-22). Historically, Babylon conquered Assyria in 607 B.C. and fell to the Medo-Persian armies in 538 B.C. Today, all that remains of Babylon are several square miles of its ruined capital, exactly as predicted.

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July 18

Isaiah 17–20

Collapse from Corruption

Key Passage: Isaiah 17:1-6; 18:1-4; 19:1-10

Overview

Damascus, Cush (Ethiopia), and Egypt are the next to feel the weight of Isaiah’s burdens of judgment. The glory of Damascus would be removed, leaving leanness of body and soul. But a handful would repent and—like the gleanings from an olive tree—provide hope for a future harvest. Ethiopia would be pruned away like branches, and it would one day return to Zion to pay homage to God and acknowledge Him as its sovereign. Egypt would experience civil war, economic ruin, and spiritual poverty, showing the bankruptcy of her false gods. But one day, “The Lord Almighty will bless them” (19:25).

Your Daily Walk

The courtroom scene unfolds as it has countless times before. The case is presented; the jury recesses; a verdict is reached: “Guilty!” However, the trial then takes an unexpected turn. The presiding judge also happens to be the father of the convicted criminal. And just before his son reaches the bar where the fine is to be assessed, the judge steps down from his seat, takes off his robe, and approaches the bar to pay the fine for his guilty son. Justice...and mercy!

That story illustrates a divine truth. The judge would not have been just if he had allowed his son to go free. But his love caused him to take his son’s place in paying the fine. The same is true of God. He would not be just if He ignored the sins committed against Him. At the same time, His great love shines forth in the gift of His Son to pay the price for humanity’s sins.

Isaiah 14:1-8 is a message of mercy, inserted between many dark chapters of judgment. God is just, but in His love for those who trust Him, He has provided the answer to humanity’s sin problem (11:10)—a Savior. What is your answer to Him today?

Insight - Old Testament POWs (20:1-4)

As part of His judgment on Egypt, God instructed Isaiah to dress as a prisoner of war—unclothed and barefoot—for three years as a sign of the calamity God was going to bring on Egypt.

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July 19/20

Isaiah 21–23

Judgment Near and Far

Key Passage: Isaiah 21

Overview

Isaiah is not yet finished with his “woes for Judah’s foes.” In today’s reading, he mentions two more neighboring powers that are in line for God’s chastening hand: Arabia and Tyre. But amid his list of “endangered nations,” Isaiah shocks his countrymen by including Jerusalem with the rest. Because of the careless indulgence of its inhabitants, the city would suffer siege and calamity.

Your Daily Walk

Have you ever wondered why you can feel so convicted after you sin, but remain so indifferent before you sin? If there were only a way to reverse these conditions, and feel as remorseful before as you do after you disobey God, temptation would surely be easier to resist.

God’s verbal warnings are designed to do precisely that. He sent His prophets to paint in unmistakable tones the calamity awaiting His people if they continued in their wicked ways. Pestilence, plague, defeat in battle, destruction of home and family—all these and more would be the wages they would deserve for their sin. God designed harsh prophecies of national catastrophe to interrupt His people’s mad dash for power and prestige at the expense of righteousness and justice. The painful message of these promised calamities was God’s way of breaking down indifference and bringing His people to the point of repentance.

If the specific wages of specific sins were revealed to you ahead of time, would you be as eager to earn them? On one of your pay stubs, write these words: “Is sin worth the pain it brings?” Leave those words in your wallet or purse as a reminder of the high price of unholy living—wages you can’t afford to earn.

Insight - A Nickname that Makes Sense

The “Valley of Vision” (22:1) refers to Jerusalem, because the hill on which Jerusalem is situated is surrounded by valleys with hills beyond. The temple in Jerusalem was also the place where God was “visible” to His people.

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July 21

Isaiah 24–27

Judgment and Jubilation

Key Passage: Isaiah 26

Overview

After 11 chapters of pronouncements upon specific nations, Isaiah’s focus changes. There is coming a day when the entire earth will reel in judgment, its inhabitants quaking in terror and dismay. But the redeemed of the Lord will welcome that day and sing hymns of praise to the God of their salvation. “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation” (25:9). While the nations of the world writhe in judgment, Israel enjoys peace and prosperity.

Your Daily Walk

During a violent thunderstorm, a mother tiptoed upstairs to her young son’s bedroom, assuming he would need comfort from his fears. She found him kneeling by his bed, talking to God—not in fear, but in excitement. With each new flash of lightning, the mother heard her son exclaim, “Do it again, God! Do it again!”

Amid God’s prophecy of a “thunderstorm of judgment” upon Israel and the surrounding nations, Isaiah pauses to praise God for His promise to overthrow the wicked (“Do it again, God!”). Isaiah knew it was meaningless to speak of judgment for sin on a national scale if one ignored the corollary that nations are composed of individuals; for a holy country, one must first have holy citizens.

Spend a few minutes today pondering chapter 26, Isaiah’s hymn of praise for God’s power to punish the people “of the earth for their sins” (26:21). If you feel uncomfortable as you read, maybe God is trying to speak to you.

Insight - There’s Coming a Day

Chapters 24–27 have been called “Isaiah’s Apocalypse” because of the similarity of these chapters to the Book of Revelation. One way Isaiah indicates he is prophesying is by using the phrase “in that day.” It occurs more than 40 times in the book as a whole; how many times can you find it in today’s section?

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July 22

Isaiah 28–30

A Painful Experience

Key Passage: Isaiah 29

Overview

Isaiah now declares a series of specific woes upon Israel and Judah. Targeting his messages for the capital cities of Samaria and Jerusalem, Isaiah declares that destruction is imminent. For “Ephraim’s drunkards [Israel]” (28:1), it is too late to repent; judgment is inescapable. But Judah can still learn from the fate of her sister nation. Lulled into a false sense of security by empty ritualism, Judah must wake up from a spiritual stupor. Otherwise, she will follow Israel’s fatal error of substituting foolish alliances for faith in God.

Your Daily Walk

When was the last time you tried to help God solve one of your problems? “After all,” you probably reasoned, “God must not know how desperate my situation is. If He did, He would come to my rescue. But since I don’t see Him working, I’d better get in there and give Him a helping hand. Right?”

Wrong. That was precisely the mistake Judah made. To prevent the onslaught of Assyria, Judah looked to her pagan neighbors for alliances that would help to nullify Assyria’s mighty armies. Look at 29:15-16, and you’ll see that Judah thought she was doing this without God’s knowledge. But God compares Judah’s self-help program to a lump of clay trying to aid the potter who is shaping it.

Wear your least comfortable pair of shoes today as a constant reminder of the danger of pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. Rather, “in quietness and trust is your strength” (30:15).

Insight - Learning Temperance from a Farmer

Isaiah illustrates his predictions with a parable (28:23-29). Farmers must use various methods (some of which may seem silly or unnecessary to an unenlightened observer) to get the best results from their crops. Additionally, farmers must apply brute force to separate the good from the bad (28:27-28). In the same way, God deals severely with His people, but just the right amount, and never so much that it breaks their spirit.

ISAIAH AND HIS
Contemporaries

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July 23

Isaiah 31–35

Coming Calamity, Coming King

Key Passage: Isaiah 32–33

Overview

As Isaiah ponders the prophecy of Israel’s deliverance from Assyria, his thoughts naturally turn to the arrival of the much-prophesied future King whose rule and righteousness would be worldwide. In the light of this glorious future, Isaiah urges the people of Judah to remain strong in their trust in God, even though the gathering storm clouds of Assyrian invasion can be seen on the horizon. With faith in God, they can wait expectantly for the promised era of restored prosperity when “sorrow and sighing will flee away” (35:10).

Your Daily Walk

The story is told of a church meeting called to discuss an urgent matter. There were insufficient funds on hand to pay an important bill. Worried expressions furrowed many a brow. Where could the church turn? Suddenly, a wealthy businessman stood to his feet and offered to underwrite the full amount. Sighs of relief were heard throughout the room—until one older Christian reminded the members that God had promised to fund His work all along.

It is easier for people to trust limited human resources than God’s inexhaustible supply. Judah looked to the military might of Egypt for security, forgetting that the God of Israel had shown once before how fragile that “great power” might prove (Exodus 14).

What need is uppermost in your life right now? Are the resources of God enough to put your mind at ease? Or are you seeking relief from another source? You wouldn’t ask a child to do what only an adult is capable of doing. But are you trusting others to do what only God can—and will—do on your behalf? Talk to Him about it.

Insight - No Smooth Path to Peace

The pampered ladies of 32:9 provide only one example of the self-indulgent society of Israel’s day (22:13; 28:15). But God cannot bring peace to a self-indulgent people. The ground must be cleared and resown with righteousness, of which peace is the fruit (32:16-17).

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July 24

Isaiah 36–39

Judah’s Day of Judgment

Key Passage: Isaiah 37, 39

Overview

Today’s reading represents a four-chapter interlude in Isaiah’s prophecy—a historical parenthesis that shows the fulfillment of some of Isaiah’s early prophecies, and sets the stage for many of his later ones. The focus throughout is on King Hezekiah, perhaps the premier reformer of Judah. A man of prayer and principle, Hezekiah sees God destroy 185,000 Assyrian invaders and extend his own life by 15 years. But by responding in foolish pride to a Babylonian emissary, Hezekiah seals the fate of his nation.

Your Daily Walk

Something happened (on average) every 20 seconds last year. It affected the lives of 1.3 million Americans. Can you guess what it was? Answer: Every 20 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a heart attack and suddenly comes to realize that death is only a heartbeat away. And for more than 500,000 Americans, that realization became a reality.

Death. It’s the universally distasteful subject. But the fact remains that one out of one dies. For King Hezekiah—as with many people— the approach of death brought tears (38:1-3)—tears of regret, tears of remorse. So many good intentions, so many half-finished projects. God gave Hezekiah a gift of 15 additional years, but that doesn’t always happen. When it’s time for you to die, will you be ready, or regretful, to see the Lord face to face? Find the obituary column in your newspaper, and pretend for a moment that your name is there (you may even want to write it in, just to emphasize the point). Now talk to God about how He wants you to spend the rest of your days.

Insight - A Historic Spot Revisited (36:2)

Rabshakeh, King Sennacherib’s field commander, stood “at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman’s Field” when he shouted his arrogant threats. Twenty-three years earlier, God had told a man to stand in the same spot and declare His message. Do you remember who? (If not, check 7:1-9.)

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July 25

Isaiah 40–43

Mighty Lord vs. Idle Idols

Key Passage: Isaiah 40

Overview

Beginning with chapter 40, Isaiah changes the focus of his message. For 39 chapters (much like the 39 books of the Old Testament), his major message has been the condemnation resulting from the waywardness and wickedness of God’s people. But now comes a heartwarming message of hope and comfort. Like the 27 books of the New Testament, the next 27 chapters declare the coming salvation of the Lord. He is sovereign over creation, and He is sovereign in the selection and protection of His nation, Israel. Thus, there can be certainty that He will comfort and deliver His people.

Your Daily Walk

Today, rather than looking for a project in which to put God’s truth to work, spend some quiet moments contemplating the greatness of the God who made you. Here are some thoughts to prepare your mind for worship:

The oceans of the world contain more than 340 quintillion gallons of water, yet God holds them in the hollow of His hand (40:12).

The earth weighs six sextillion metric tons, yet to God it represents but dust on the scale (40:12, 15).

The known universe stretches more than 30 billion light years (200 sextillion miles), yet to God that great expanse represents but the “breadth of his hand” (hand’s width, 40:12).

That same universe contains at least 100 billion galaxies, each made up of approximately 100 billion stars—yet God knows them all by name (40:26).

Now do you see why it is absurd to offer the God of heaven your advice rather than your worship? Even so, He says to you: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you... you are mine” (43:1).

Insight - A Key Verse for Isaiah 40–66

One verse (40:2) previews all of chapters 40–66: (1) “her hard service has been completed” describes the deliverance of 40–48; (2) “her sin has been paid for” describes the deliverer of 49–57; (3) “she has received” describes the delivered captives of 58–66.

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July 26/27

Isaiah 44–48

God’s Choice and Babylon’s Calamity

Key Passage: Isaiah 44–45

Overview

Isaiah next contrasts the impotence of idols with the omnipotence of Israel’s God. From the same piece of wood, a workman fashions gods to be worshiped and logs to be burned. By contrast, the God of creation predicts centuries in advance the agent of His comfort (Cyrus, king of Persia) and the means He will employ to deliver His oppressed people. Is it any wonder God calls forth judgment upon idolatrous Babylon, a nation that would dare to substitute trees and rocks for the Lord of Hosts, the Holy One of Israel?

Your Daily Walk

Have you wondered about the unusual way God uses people and events to accomplish His purposes on earth?

God used a wet washcloth to call Gideon into His service (Judges 6:36-38). He used a talking donkey to rebuke Balaam (Numbers 22:28). He used a hungry fish to turn Jonah around (Jonah 1:17). He swept His spiritually dirty nation clean by using an even dirtier broom—the brutal Babylonians (Habakkuk 1:5-6). And He raised up a heathen king to free His people from exile and rebuild His holy house of worship (45:1, 4).

Can you see God’s purpose linked with personal events in your life, or with international developments in the life of our nation? Go back through chapter 45 and circle the words “I have,” “I am,” and “I will” every time you find them. Then make three columns on a sheet of paper describing God’s activities in the past (I have), the present (I am), and the future (I will). When you’re finished, you’ll have a wonderful prayer and praise prompter: “Father, as I see Your trustworthiness in the past, build my confidence in You to accomplish Your purposes in the present and future as well.”

Insight - Predicting the Rebuilding of a House Not Yet Fallen

Cyrus, who ruled Medo-Persia from 546 to 530 B.C.—more than 150 years after Isaiah’s prophecies concerning him—is proclaimed as the one to command the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple, which in Isaiah’s day had not yet been destroyed (44:28).

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July 28

Isaiah 49–51

The Prince of Peace

Key Passage: Isaiah 51

Overview

The first nine chapters of Isaiah’s message of comfort have centered on God’s deliverance of His people through Cyrus. Now Isaiah focuses on the One who will bring deliverance through His suffering and death (chapters 49–55). He would come as a Servant to His people and a Light to the surrounding nations, providing strength for the weary and compassion for the downcast. And as the crowning act of servanthood, He would offer Himself as the sacrifice for sin.

Your Daily Walk

Definition: A free country is a place where a man can say whatever he thinks—provided he isn’t overheard by his wife, his neighbors, his pastor, or his boss.

Independence—the freedom to speak, write, assemble, and worship without fear of a tyrant’s intervention—is a prized possession. But never forget, as you enjoy your independence, that you were also created to enjoy dependence under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

A violin string, when totally “independent” of the violin for which it was created, is “free” to twist and turn but not to do what a violin string is designed to do: produce music. By the same token, you are “free” when your life is uncommitted—but not free to be what God intended you to be.

Real freedom is not freedom from God, but freedom with God through the salvation which is in Jesus Christ (51:5-6, 8). In your travels today, look for a quiet place where you can park for free. Stop there and thank God for your independence as a citizen of Earth— and your dependence as a citizen of heaven.

Insight - The Great Commission, Old Testament Style

We are all probably familiar with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, but not many know that Isaiah 49:6 has been called the Great Commission of the Old Testament. In fact, Paul and Barnabas quoted part of it in Acts 13:47.

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July 29

Isaiah 52–57

The Suffering Savior

Key Passage: Isaiah 52–53

Overview

Isaiah the prophet and Isaac Watts the hymnist have more than 24 centuries separating their lives. Yet the words you will read today about the selfless sacrifice of Jesus, our Suffering Servant, bear a striking similarity to these familiar, yet ever-moving stanzas written by Watts:

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down:
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Your Daily Walk

Christopher Columbus was writing a book about space travel. George Washington predicted the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. Absurd? Of course! No one can predict events like those centuries in advance. No one, that is, except a prophet of God. As you read Isaiah 52–53, the details appear so vivid as to make you think Isaiah is standing at the foot of the cross. In his mind, the events are so clear that he narrates them in the past tense, as if Jesus’ death had already occurred. Yet Isaiah penned his prophecies seven centuries before Jesus’ death.

Spend some time meditating on today’s reading. Put yourself into 53:5: “He was pierced for [my] transgressions, he was crushed for [my] iniquities;...by his wounds [I am] healed.” Then close your devotional time by giving God a heartfelt “thank you” for sending His Son to die on the cross for you.

Insight - The Bull’s-Eye of Comfort

In Isaiah’s prophecies of comfort (chapters 40–66), locate the middle chapter and the middle verse. Wouldn’t you agree that’s a good “central passage” on comfort? (In case you get lost, it’s 53:6.)

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July 30

Isaiah 58–62

Consummation of Judgment

Key Passage: Isaiah 58, 61

Overview

Comfort is coming in the form of a deliverer (Cyrus, chapters 40–48); comfort is coming in the form of a Suffering Savior (Messiah, chapters 49–57); and finally, comfort is coming in the form of a delivered people (Judah, chapters 58–66). Obedience to God’s commands has always been the path to individual and corporate blessing. And the future of God’s people is bright indeed. When the Messiah, the light of Jerusalem, comes, then righteousness and salvation will shine to the nations of the world (60:1; 62:1), and Jerusalem will be “the praise of the earth” (62:7).

Your Daily Walk

Some people are so indecisive that their favorite color is plaid. For instance, when a lady was asked, “Do you always have trouble making up your mind?” she replied, “Well, yes and no...”

But there comes a time when changing your mind is not only desirable, but it is also imperative—and that is when God tells you to.

Chapter 58 describes a nation of people who needed to change their minds about God, themselves, and their wickedness. In a word, they needed to repent. Their worship was marked by shallow formalism; their outward piety did not match their inward purity; they fasted for public recognition while ignoring the needs of those around them.

Whenever an improper attitude or action has crept into your life, it’s time for a change. Do these three words describe your lifestyle before God today? Pure...undefiled...unstained. If not, let James 1:27 guide you to an outward religion that is consistent with your inward relationship with Jesus Christ.

Insight - A New Name Promised and Provided

In 62:2 the ransomed community of Zion is promised “a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.” Keep reading and you’ll discover not one new name but four, all contained in the same verse (62:12). What are they?

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July 31

Isaiah 63–66

Isaiah’s Prayer and God’s Reply

Key Passage: Isaiah 66

Overview

Isaiah closes his great prophetic work with a stirring prayer of intercession for the house of Israel. While acknowledging their waywardness and frequent rebellions, he nevertheless claims God’s promises on their behalf to redeem them and to refashion them into a people for His glory. God’s response is both stern and comforting. The rebels will be punished for ignoring God’s frequent invitations. Idolatry, covetousness, rebellion, and disobedience will be rooted out of His people. In addition, a rich store of glory and blessing awaits God’s faithful ones: a new heaven and earth, and no more tears, no premature death, no want of food, no violence in nature. Isaiah concludes by summarizing the major themes of his book: God exalts the humble and contrite; the Messiah is coming to avenge His enemies; all nations will see God’s glory; and all flesh shall one day worship the Lord.

Your Daily Walk

The Book of Isaiah is a sobering reminder of the consequences of taking God lightly: ignoring His promises can forfeit His blessing; ignoring His warnings can incur judgment; ignoring His invitations can cause one to miss the joy of a personal relationship with God.

Isaiah’s prophecy is long. It contains more chapters than any other Old Testament prophet. But his message is simple and concise: judgment and comfort. Judgment for those who fail to heed God’s voice, and comfort for those who don’t.

Give yourself a spiritual hearing test right now. Are you tuned in to hear God’s voice? Do you answer when He calls (6:8), or is your line constantly busy? There will come a day when the phone quits ringing... forever. Spend the next few minutes telling God what you have learned from the Book of Isaiah.

Insight - An Old Testament “News” Paper

Notice how many things there are in chapters 65–66: new nations brought into the fold, a new name for God’s people, a new heaven and earth, and a new order of worship.

THE GOD Among Us

As the prophet Isaiah’s warnings echoed through the homes and courtyards of Judah, few were listening. What God was saying through His prophet was not what the people wanted to hear. But recessed deep within the warnings and indictments was an astonishing statement: God would one day come to earth.

Jesus announced some 700 years later that He was God in the flesh who had come to pay for the sins of the world. He was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies. But again, few were listening.

Yet the life of Jesus Christ fits Isaiah’s profile of the “God who would come to earth.” The Anointed One would be:

• a descendant of Jesse (11:1)
• miraculously born of a virgin (7:14)
• a miracle-worker (35:5)
• wounded and bruised for us (53:5)
• our sin bearer (53:12)
• rejected by His people (53:3)
• buried in a rich man’s tomb (53:9).

The overwhelming evidence points to Jesus as “God among us.” He came to bring us into a complete and satisfying relationship with God. Isa- iah explains how Jesus would do this:

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Our sins separate us from a holy and righteous God. Christ’s death paid for our sins—past, present, and future. He now invites you into a relationship that begins now and will last beyond time at His return. Why not trust in Jesus Christ as your only way to heaven?

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Proverbs

Godly living in an ungodly world is no simple task. But the Book of Proverbs—the Bible’s primer of practical wisdom—teaches the skillful application of truth to everyday life. Contained in this unique collection of poetry, parables, questions, and wise maxims are instructions on how to relate to parents and children, God and government, sin and self. In strikingly memorable form, Solomon—the principal author—gives his readers inspired insights on living to please God.

July 1

Proverbs 1–4

Fear of the Lord

Key Passage: Proverbs 1:1–2:6

Overview

The author of Proverbs clearly states the book’s purpose at its beginning: “For attaining wisdom and discipline” (1:2). The Hebrew word for wisdom means more than human intelligence; it refers to skill or expertise. Just as the artisans and craftsmen who fashioned the tabernacle were described as being filled with wisdom (see Exodus 31:1-11), so God wants His people to be wise (skillful) in the task of making moral and ethical choices.

Your Daily Walk

Can you match each of these common fears (phobias) with its correct definition?

While these phobias can be detrimental, other fears can have a beneficial influence on your behavior (for example, fear of getting burnedor fear of stumbling in the dark). Such fears do not terrorize or immobilize but rather lead to constructive action (such as using a potholder or turning on a light).

The “fear of the Lord” is like that. Rather than sending you fleeing from God’s presence in terror, it causes deep reverence and awe at the thought of His power and glory. It compels us to pay attention when He speaks—and obey when He commands. Look up 2:1-5; 14:26-27; 23:17-18 to discover how and why you can live each day in the fear of the Lord.

Insight - Proverbs, Optimistic Words from the Wise

While prophets and priests wrote about religious matters, wise men wrote books dealing with practical issues as well as philosophical questions. In wisdom literature, Proverbs teaches principles for living successfully. Job and Ecclesiastes tackle the tough questions about the origin and nature of evil and why good men suffer while wicked men prosper.

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July 2

Proverbs 5–9

Pitfalls of Life

Key Passage: Proverbs 7–8

Overview

Beginning with chapter 5, Solomon turns from a general appeal to a more specific application of wisdom in everyday life situations. Pitfalls and snares abound, ready to entangle and destroy the unwary: immorality, indebtedness, laziness, falsehood, pride. Indulging in these sins is a sure invitation to poverty and disaster. Temptation, though alluring, can lead to deadly consequences. Don’t listen to its call. Rather, respond to the call of wisdom, which is “favor from the Lord" among its many benefits (8:35)."

Your Daily Walk

“I never have a problem with temptation,” a man once said. “When it comes, I just give in to it.”

That’s one way to deal with temptation—and you’ll find it illustrated in the young man's response in chapter 7. Confronted by the forbidden woman’s alluring charms, he followed her “like an ox going to the slaughter” (7:22). Giving in to her temptation was easy, but the pain it produced was life-shattering.

Are you exercising godly wisdom in your moral life? Or are you toying with immoral or adulterous thoughts? Divorce courts are jammed today with couples who once insisted, “It will never happen to us.” Solomon’s advice to you: Wise up before it is too late. Have a “Father and child” chat with your Heavenly Father about your relationships with the opposite sex. Examine your thoughts and actions. Is confession in order (1 John 1:9)?

Insight - How to Live Like a King

Solomon, author of over 3,000 proverbs (about 900 of which are contained in the Book of Proverbs; see 1 Kings 4:32), was the richest, most influential king of his day. Yet he reports in chapter 8 that the key to happiness is not riches, power, or other “kingly” possessions. Rather, it is wisdom—knowing God and obeying His Word. Think of it: The happiness of a king is within your reach!

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July 3

Proverbs 10–13

Wise Words of Solomon

Key Passage: Proverbs 10

Overview

One of the best ways to learn a wise action is to contrast it with a foolish one. Most of the proverbs you will read today are antithetical, using the conjunction but to contrast the path of folly with the path of faith. The curriculum is varied and intensely practical: how to use your mouth and your money; how to be a good neighbor; how to select your friends; how to conduct business; how to resolve conflicts. Think of today’s reading as a training manual designed to teach you how to respond to life from God’s perspective.

Your Daily Walk

Try a change of pace today. Read today’s portion with pen in hand and a journal or piece of paper, capturing the insights God gives into these practical areas:

1. What is the role of your tongue? (10:19-21)
2. How can your generosity add to your wealth? (11:24-26)
3. What can others tell about you by the way you respond to wise counsel? (12:15)
4. Why does God give us wise teaching? (13:14)
5. What happens if you do? What happens if you don’t? (13:13)
6. Which proverb from today’s section speaks most clearly to a need in your life? Write it out!

Insight - A Structural Summary of Proverbs

Chapters 1–9:
Fatherly Proverbs (“my son”)

Chapters 10–15:
Antithetical Proverbs (“but”)

Chapters 16–22:
Synthetic Proverbs (“and”)

Chapters 23–31:
Extended Proverbs (more than one verse)

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July 4

Proverbs 14–17

Workable Wisdom

Key Passage: Proverbs 16

Overview

Nowhere is wisdom more essential than in home and community relationships. A heart attitude controlled by reverent fear of God is the key to proper responses toward others. Today’s reading contains numerous proverbs designed to promote peace, prosperity, and justice in the interpersonal relationships of life. The structure of these proverbs is simple, but the range of topics is immense: temper and tongue, paths and pursuits, thoughts and motives. In each case, your commitment to godliness should be evident.

Your Daily Walk

Repetition has been called the mother of learning. It has also been called the mother of boredom! But when a statement is important enough for the author to repeat more than once, you can be sure it contains a message you can’t miss. One verse you’ll find repeated in today’s reading is this: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

Can you find the two places where it is located? (Answer: Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25.) More importantly, can you find the application the author wants you to discover?

Saving time is a good idea in any generation. But when the shortcut stems from wanting to avoid advice (12:15) or hard work (15:19), the outcome can be disastrous. Check out the shortcuts you were planning to take today. Are they shortcuts to success or shortcuts to disaster? The words of Proverbs 16:9 may be just what you need to live “a righteous life” (16:31).

Insight - Accent on the Lord

Elohim (sometimes translated “God,” used only six times in the Book of Proverbs) was often applied to local deities other than the true God. In contrast, Yahweh (usually translated as “Lord” and mentioned more than 80 times in Proverbs) is God’s name, and no one uses it but God as He reveals Himself. Praise our Lord who told us about Himself, for He is the only true God.

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July 5/6

Proverbs 18–21

Wise Decisions in Life

Key Passage: Proverbs 19

Overview

The varied statements of common sense in today’s reading are descriptions of the perils facing the wise and the unwise, character sketches of the poor and mighty, and value judgments upon things which appear to be good and things which are good. Through it all, Solomon sees God at work in the hearts and affairs of His people, helping them to avoid flattery and falsehood, and to display obedient behavior instead.

Your Daily Walk

What keeps you from seeing yourself as you are, others from seeing you as you wish you were, and God from helping you become what you would like to be?

As you ponder that riddle, look at the lesson contained in 18:12. (It’s so important, you’ll find it also in 16:18-19.)

Pride in yourself, your possessions, and your abilities brings destruction. Humility before God, before others, and before yourself brings honor. God delights in raising up the humble (15:33), but He despises the proud (6:16-17; 16:5). A proud person fights himself (8:36), others (13:10), and God (16:5), and eventually his end is destruction. Just as pride caused Lucifer to want to be greater than God (Isaiah 14:12-14), resulting in condemnation (1 Timothy 3:6), so pride can ruin your life.

Look for opportunities today to exercise humility instead. Nothing is as hard to do gracefully as getting down off your high horse—and nothing is as necessary! Look for one person whose needs and interests you can place above your own today. Go out of your way to express a word of sincere appreciation. Remember, all you have and are is given to you by God (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Insight - An Indian Proverb on Humility

One Indian word for humility literally means “dust,” a fact that helps to explain the significance of this Indian proverb: “You can walk on the dust forever, and it never answers back.”

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July 7

Proverbs 22–24

Wise Words for the King

Key Passage: Proverbs 24

Overview

The final 11 chapters of Proverbs contain sound counsel for those in positions of authority and responsibility: from parents to princes, pastors to potentates. The key to the section is in the first two verses (Proverbs 21:1-2)—“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Leaders need to know and apply to their own lives God’s moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts if they are to direct their charges into God-honoring paths of conduct and character.

Your Daily Walk

It has been well said, “The things that count most in life are the things that cannot be counted.” What do you value most? On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high), how much do you value...

• a good name?
• humility?
• reverence?
• generosity?
• mercy?
• honesty?

These qualities are indispensable for a godly leader. If you weren’t totally satisfied with the numbers you assigned, spend some extra moments meditating on these proverbs:

• “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (22:1).
• “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life” (22:4).
• “Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive” (24:28).

Insight - Proverbs—Handle with Care!

Learned world rulers once traveled to Jerusalem to hear Solomon's wisdom (1 Kings 10). Later, Jesus claimed to be greater than Solomon (Luke 11:31). Jesus warned that those who heard His teaching but failed to respond would one day be condemned by the rulers of Solomon’s day. Today, you are reading the same wisdom they responded to—take care.

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July 8

Proverbs 25–29

Wise Words from the King

Key Passage: Proverbs 25

Overview

Righteousness not only exalts a nation (14:34), but it also stabilizes the nation’s citizens. In his closing contribution to the Book of Proverbs, Solomon records the riches of righteousness and the fatal danger of foolishness. Kings and peasants, false witnesses and friends, the righteous and the corrupt, the foolish and the wise, the lazy and the diligent—Solomon has something to say to each. God’s wisdom gives guidance in choosing the right response to life’s situations and a proper perspective on material possessions.

Your Daily Walk

At first glance you may be tempted to view the 138 proverbs in today’s reading as random, miscellaneous thoughts. Actually there is evidence of careful arrangement and grouping of proverbs that deal with similar topics. As you read, refer to these categories and think of corresponding situations in your life that can profit from Solomon’s counsel:

• The Tongue (25:11-15)
• Overindulgence (25:16-17)
• Unfaithfulness (25:18-19)
• Compassion (25:20-22)
• Foolish Actions (26:1-12)
• Laziness (26:13-16)
• Gossip (26:20-22)
• Hypocrisy (26:23-28)
• Stewardship (27:23-27)
• Oppression (28:15-17)
• Poverty (29:13-14)
• Correction (29:15-21)

Reflect on which one is the most troublesome area in your walk with God, and think about the area where, with His help, you are currently experiencing the greatest consistency. Thank Him for the latter; commit yourself to work on the former.

Insight - The Coals of Repentance

A valid interpretation of 25:22 is that returning good for evil will bring punishment on the evil one (cf. Psalm 140:10). Yet there is a record of an Egyptian ritual in which a man would carry a pot of hot coals on his head to show that he had repented. So heaping hot coals on your enemy may melt his heart until he repents.

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July 9

Proverbs 30–31

Wise Words for Women

Key Passage: Proverbs 31:10-31

Overview

It’s rare to hear anyone admit to ignorance, but Agur does exactly that. Yet with his questions about nature, he leads the reader to understand something of God’s brilliance in contrast to the limits of human understanding. The capstone of the Book of Proverbs is provided by Lemuel, who praises the virtues of a godly wife and mother. It is fitting that Proverbs, which begins in heaven (1:7), should end in the home (31:15)—because God’s wisdom works in the big things and in the crucible of everyday life.

Your Daily Walk

Proverbs 31 devotes 22 verses to the virtuous woman.

And what a virtuous woman she is! In the home she is a trusted companion (v. 11) caring tirelessly for her household (vv. 12, 15, 18, 27). She is a skilled shopper (vv. 13–14) and seamstress (vv. 19, 22). Outside the home she is an astute businesswoman (vv. 11, 16, 18, 24). Strength and honor adorn her conduct (v. 25), wisdom accompanies her speech (v. 26), and the fear of the Lord motivates her behavior (v. 30). She is a priceless treasure (v. 10).

Women, take inventory of the virtues God wants your life to radiate. What needs to change? What strengths can you build upon? And men, don’t miss the exhortation to you: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised” (v. 30). Has it been too long since you gave your “Mrs. Far-Above-Rubies” the praise she deserves? Tonight, take her out to eat, and make Proverbs 31:28 a reality in your life.

Insight - Proverbs in the Old, Parables in the New

Note the questions raised by Agur (30:4), and the answer supplied by Jesus Christ in John 3:13. Not only do many of Jesus’ parables elaborate upon the proverbs you have read in the past few days, but the best translation of the Old Testament Hebrew word for proverb is the New Testament Greek word for parable.

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Ecclesiastes

The theme of Ecclesiastes is futility—the emptiness of existence without God. Looking at life from the human perspective, the Teacher (thought to be Solomon) sadly declares: “Everything is meaningless.” Power, popularity, pleasure—nothing under the sun gives any true or lasting happiness. Only those who include God in their experience will find meaning among life’s hard knocks, suffering, and unanswered questions; only those who fear and obey Him will experience abundant life.

July 10

Ecclesiastes 1–6

Exploring Life’s Inconsistencies

Key Passage: Ecclesiastes 1–2

Overview

Truly life is an enigma, a riddle, a puzzle. From the perspective of those who don’t know God, there can only be one word for it: meaningless. The Teacher uses the word meaningless in 1:2—and more than 30 other times in the book—to describe the futility of life apart from God. And he should know! Every earthly prescription for happiness has been tried and found wanting. Only when life is viewed as a gift “from the hand of God” (2:24) does it begin to come into focus.

Your Daily Walk

What if your life began at the age of 80, and gradually approached 18? Would you live it differently?

The Teacher has no illusions about life. He has learned from firsthand experience that nothing under the sun will bring lasting satisfaction. But even in the midst of his voyage into meaninglessness, the Teacher grows wiser, for he discovers the hand of God at work (2:24; 9:1). God is the Giver of “wisdom, knowledge and happiness” (2:26). It is also His gift “that everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil” (3:13).

Why not plan a praise party for this evening? With family or friends, fix a special meal specifically for the purpose of thanking God publicly for His good gifts. You’ll find it’s habit-forming.

Insight - The Teacher: Solomon or Someone Else?

Compare the description of the Teacher in Ecclesiastes with the corresponding description of Solomon in 1 Kings.

Is “the Teacher” Solomon...or someone else?

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July 11

Ecclesiastes 7–12

Explaining Life’s Inconsistencies

Key Passage: Ecclesiastes 8, 12

Overview

Not only is there futility in what you do and what you have, but apart from God, there is also futility in what you are. The righteous are treated as if they are the wicked (8:14). One sinner can undo the work of many good men (9:18). Even moral, upright character seemingly means nothing. But once again, God’s perspective turns meaninglessness into purpose. “Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God” (8:12). “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment” (11:9).

Your Daily Walk

Every blessing from God carries with it a corresponding responsibility. Are you young (11:9-10)? Then God holds you accountable for the way you use your strength and vitality. Are you a member of the senior generation (12:1-7)? Don’t use that as an excuse. God holds you equally accountable for the years of experience you have accumulated.

In the final two verses of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher summarizes his thoughts. Life at any age apart from God is empty and futile, regardless of how wise, wealthy, or industrious you are. Things can never fill the void that God desires to fill in your life. Therefore, “Fear God and keep his commandments” (12:13).

Analyze your life in terms of what you do, what you have, and who you are. Is God the focus of your activities? Is God more important than your possessions? Is God the center of your being? If not, what needs to change today?

Insight - An Allegory of Old Age (12:3-7)

As you read chapter 12, did you note the literal elements of old age that are pictured in allegorical form? For example, “keepers of the house” = hands and arms; “strong men” = legs; “grinders” = teeth; “those looking through the windows” = eyes.

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July 12/13

Song of Songs 1–8

The Greatest Love Song

Key Passage: Song of Songs 1, 3, 6

Overview

The Song of Songs is a love poem set in a pastoral arena. In it, Solomon woos and weds a Shulammite shepherdess, extolling her love and exulting in her presence. When conflict arises between Solomon and his bride, it is quickly resolved without pouting or bitterness. In this tender relationship, many have seen glimpses of a love far richer. Just as physical life finds its fulfillment in the love of man and woman, so spiritual life finds its highest fulfillment in the love of the Creator for His creation, and the love of Christ for His bride, the church.

Your Daily Walk

There is really only one way to develop physical stamina. You can’t study your way there, eat your way there, sleep your way there, or think your way there. Stamina comes through exercise: running, jumping, skipping rope, lifting weights, and low-impact aerobics.

The same is true in marriage. Commitment in the face of conflict produces character. Love in marriage grows and deepens when exercised through faith-stretching circumstances: illness, unexpected job change, babies, in-laws, bills, times of separation. In each case, your need is the same: to know that God is big enough to meet your need and wise enough to use even the difficult times to deepen your commitment to Him and to each other. Here’s a prayer you may never have prayed, but which God longs to hear:

“Loving Father, You know what my problem is. And though it would be easy to ask you to remove it, I trust you to do your perfect will. I ask you to use this situation to strengthen my commitment to you and to my spouse.”

Insight - Song of the Slaves

Traditionally, the Jews have seen in the Song of Songs a picture of their loving rescue by God from Egyptian bondage. It also foreshadowed the Christ who came as our Passover Lamb to rescue us from slavery to sin (1 Corinthians 5:7).

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Isaiah

Onto the stage of a sin-riddled society steps Isaiah, a firebrand of a prophet who for more than 60 years urges kings and countrymen to respond to God’s call. The first 39 chapters describe Judah’s woeful condition and the horrible, high price of moral and spiritual corruption. Then comes a soothing balm of consolation (chapters 40–66). Hope becomes the central promise in the prophecies of the coming Messiah and His kingdom. He is coming as Sovereign and Savior to offer hope beyond judgment for all who will respond.

July 14

Isaiah 1–4

Judah’s Shallow Religion

Key Passage: Isaiah 1

Overview

The date: about 740 B.C. The setting: Israel, the northern kingdom, faces extinction at the hands of the cruel Assyrians, and Judah in the south cannot hope to avoid a similar fate for long. In this crucial hour of national emergency, God sends Isaiah—a unique man with an unpleasant message. The nation of Judah is rotten to the core and ripe for judgment. Her habitual sins of idolatry, hypocrisy, injustice, and corruption have not escaped the notice of her holy God. His righteous wrath will soon fall upon king and countrymen alike, that all might learn that the Lord of hosts cannot and will not be mocked.

Your Daily Walk

“The truth hurts.” No one minds looking into a mirror, provided the image reflected back is flattering to the viewer. But allow that mirror to reflect a painful truth about a person’s appearance, and you just might end up with a broken mirror—and some hurt feelings.

Isaiah held up the mirror of God’s Word before the people of Judah to show how stained with sin the nation had become. And when he did, neither the prophet nor the people liked what they saw. Yet in spite of the bleak reflection, there was hope if only the people would respond to God’s invitation.

Find a piece of white cotton material (such as a cotton ball) and stain it with a few drops of red food coloring or red permanent ink. Now, try to wash it as clean and white as it was originally.

Give up? Isaiah 1:18 will show you how to enjoy cleansing from even the most stubborn stain of sin. Have you been washed as “white as snow” by the blood of Jesus?

Insight - Pattern of a Prophet’s Pronouncements

When broadly outlined, many of Isaiah’s messages are strikingly similar: (1) accusation, (2) threat of judgment, (3) exhortation to repentance, and (4) promise of blessing. See if you can apply this general outline to Isaiah’s first message in chapter 1. (Hint: Divide the chapter at verses 10, 16, and 21.)

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July 15

Isaiah 5–8

Judah’s Untamed Wickedness

Key Passage: Isaiah 6

Overview

No sooner does Isaiah complete his scathing indictment upon Judah than he turns to share a comforting word of encouragement. God’s anger with the sin of His people Israel causes Him to commission His prophet, Isaiah, to deliver a message of judgment. But after the prophet’s message of heartache comes a balm of hope. The Messiah will be born of a virgin, hostilities will cease, and Judah’s enemies will be brought low. Isaiah’s response in the face of such unusual announcements? “I will wait for the Lord” (8:17).

Your Daily Walk

You cannot impart what you do not possess. Before Isaiah could be used by God to call the people back to holy living, he himself had to be cleansed and prepared for holy service.

It was important for Isaiah to have an indelible vision of the Lord in all His holiness, for Isaiah’s mission would be to preach to a people of unclean lips and hardened hearts. He needed a glimpse of the King of the universe sitting upon His heavenly throne, high and exalted (see 6:1, 5). Only then was Isaiah ready to exchange his sinful inadequacy (“Woe is me”) for God’s holy adequacy (“Go and tell!”).

Cleansing, calling, commitment. That pattern is still valid today. God is looking for believers who will respond to His holiness by volunteering for holy service. Put those three words in your pocket —and on your heart—for they are the key to fulfilling your God- given calling today and every day.

Insight - A Hidden Play on Words

The last two phrases of 5:7 may not seem uncommon to the English reader, but to the Hebrew they contain two pairs of similar-sounding words with very different meanings—“justice” and “injustice” (mishpat and mispah), and “righteousness” and “wretchedness” (sedaqah and se’aqah). Isaiah uses a clever literary device to paradoxically heighten the contrast between these sad disparities.

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June 16

Psalms 78–83

Warmth for Cold Hearts (Psalm 78)

Key Passage: Psalm 78

Overview

Asaph’s final contribution to the Psalter is found in today’s reading. There, he recounts Israel’s history of disobedience (78) and cries out to God to restore His people to the place of blessing (79–80). A lament over the nation’s failure to obey God (81) is followed by an appeal for God’s justice to prevail over Israel’s oppressors (82–83).

Your Daily Walk

A woman asked her pastor, “Why am I seized with these restless longings for the glamorous and faraway?” Wisely, he replied, “Those are usually the manifestations of abundant comfort in the home and ingratitude in the heart.”

In Psalm 78, Asaph points out three times how the nation Israel “willfully put God to the test” by placing demands on Him (v. 18), forgetting His past deliverance (v. 42), and disobeying His commands (v. 56). In each case, the problem was ingratitude—the subtle temptation to grow accustomed to, expect, and finally demand God's blessings.

Ingratitude in the face of God’s gracious provision chipped away at the nation’s relationship with God. Is ingratitude doing the same in your life? How do you relate to the blessings of God? Has abundance produced apathy or appreciation? Has your heart grown cold from the consistency of God’s provision? The gospel hymn is still a timely reminder: Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings—see what God has done!

Try it! In the next two minutes, list 25 ways God has enriched your life—25 blessings for which you want to tell Him “thanks.” Remember, it is with gratitude that life becomes rich.

Insight - A Millennium of God’s Mercy

Psalm 78, the second-longest psalm, might well be subtitled “From Bondage to Blessing.” In just 57 verses (12–68), Asaph traces Israel’s history from bondage in Egypt to David’s rule in Zion—a thousand-year record of God’s faithfulness.

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June 17

Psalms 84–89

A Song to Sing Forever (Psalm 89)

Key Passage: Psalm 89

Overview

Several different authors are represented in today’s six psalms. The sons of Korah yearn to be in God’s presence (84) and to see the nation restored to fellowship with God (85). David seeks the great and merciful God amidst opposition (86) while the sons of Korah proclaim the greatness of the city of God (87). The final two laments record the mournful cry of Heman when he was afflicted (88) and the pleading of Ethan, who remembers God’s words to Israel (89).

Your Daily Walk

One of the hardest things in the world to revive is a revival.

Elijah demonstrated to the entire nation assembled on Mount Carmel that the Lord is God (1 Kings 18), but within a few years, the people had returned to their worship of Baal.

Jonah’s preaching turned Nineveh upside down (Jonah 3:1-5). Only 150 years later, however, the city had returned to its pagan ways and was swept away like a flood by the Babylonians (Nahum 1:7-8).

Psalm 85 depicts a nation to which revival had come in the past. The first three verses contain six statements of God's actions to revive the people. But the revival was short-lived. Old patterns and practices had returned. Lukewarmness had replaced spiritual vitality. What the nation needed now was a revived revival. And so the psalmist cries out on behalf of his countrymen: “Will you not revive us again...?” (v. 6).

Spiritual awakenings and national revivals are well documented in history, but what about today? Revival in our country can only come when there is first revival in its citizens. That means it must begin with you and your family, church, business, neighborhood, and nation.

Insight - Apply It!

Look up James 5:13 and Ephesians 5:19. Then put those verses to work in your own life by singing one of the psalms you’ve already read this month.

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June 18

Psalms 90–97

God’s Seal of Approval (Psalm 90)

Key Passage: Psalm 90

Overview

Book 4 opens with the oldest of the psalms, Moses’ testimony of faith in an eternal God (90). God’s people find their refuge (91) and their joy (92) in the God who reigns over all (93) and avenges the wrongs done to His own (94). The invitation is extended for all to worship (95), sing praises (96), and gladly acknowledge the incomparable greatness of the God of Israel (97).

Your Daily Walk

Because of its size you seldom notice it, yet thousands of items sold today display it proudly. What is it? A seal of approval granted by a testing agency. For many shoppers, the presence of such a recommendation has a significant impact on their decision to buy the product.

In Psalm 90, Moses speaks of another “seal of approval”—this one found not on a product, but on a life; one issued not by a testing agency, but by God Himself. In contrast to the briefness of human life, God reserves His stamp of approval for endeavors of eternal significance (v. 17). Earthly products soon rust or wear out, but God’s seal of approval is the mark of eternity on a life. Whatever is done apart from God ends in death; whatever is accomplished for His glory lasts for eternity (Matthew 6:19-21).

Look for a seal of approval on a product or appliance you may have around the house. Carefully remove the seal and put it in a prominent place in your home or office to remind you throughout the day to live for God’s approval, with eternity’s values in view.

Insight - The Dark Background of Psalm 90

Verses 7–12 indicate that Moses wrote Psalm 90 during the time of wilderness wandering—the 40-year period when 600,000 Israelite men (and their wives) died for unbelief (Numbers 14:21-23). What clearer reminder of Israel’s mortality could there be (Psalm 90:9-10) than an average of one funeral every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day, for 40 years.

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June 19

Psalms 98–103

A Joyful Noise (Psalm 98)

Key Passage: Psalm 98

Overview

Perhaps no other six psalms in the ancient hymnbook picture God’s praiseworthy character as graphically as the ones in today’s reading. God in His righteousness (98), in His exalted place of authority (99), and in His enduring love (100) demands and deserves admiration and adoration by His people. In view of God’s character, the psalmist pledges his obedience (101), expresses his dependence (102), and acknowledges his gratitude for God’s rich blessings (103).

Your Daily Walk

You’ll notice in Psalm 98:4 (and again in 100:2) that you are not required to make beautiful music, but only a jubilant or joyful song to the Lord.

Even monotones can praise the Lord in song. The writer of Psalm 98 knew what rejoicing in the Lord meant. Have you learned his secret? When God has done something wonderful in your life, when you are bubbling over with appreciation for His mighty deeds, how can you express your joy? How can you say “thank You” to God in a way that befits His majesty and splendor?

Answer: You can sing! “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (Psalm 100:1-2). One thing you can take with you throughout the day is a song.

Spend the next few minutes singing some of your favorite hymns or praise songs. Think about each verse as you sing it. You’ll have a song in your heart all day.

Insight - Praise Expressed Full-Circle

In Psalm 103, David constructs a “circle of praise” in which the entire universe breaks forth in a doxology to God: Finally, David ends where he began: “Praise the Lord, O my soul.”

POETRY IN THE
Psalms

English-speaking readers often think of poetry in terms of rhyming words (moon—croon; love—dove); however, the Hebrew poets worked with concepts or ideas rather than single words. Most verses in Psalms are composed of two lines that address or expand a single thought or concept. You will discover five different kinds of such parallelism in the Book of Psalms:

SYNONYMOUS: The thought of the first line is restated in the second line. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (19:1).

EMBLEMATIC: The first line uses a word picture to illustrate the thought stated in the second line. “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” (42:1).

SYNTHETIC: The second line adds to the thought of the first line in order to complete it. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want” (23:1).

ANTITHETIC: The thought expressed in the first line is contrasted with the thought of the second line. “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” (1:6).

CLIMACTIC: The thought of the second line expands and reinforces the idea of the first line. “Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength” (29:1).

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June 20

Psalms 104–106

Growing or Groaning? (Psalm 106)

Key Passage: Psalm 106

Overview

Book 4 of Psalms closes with three majestic portraits of God. He is the powerful God of creation (104, a psalm that closely parallels the creation account of Genesis 1); He is the faithful God of the covenant, who formed a mighty nation out of people in bondage (105); He is the long-suffering God of a stiff-necked people, who patiently disciplines but never deserts the objects of His love (106).

Your Daily Walk

Memories, like fire, can both bless with warmth and burn with searing heat. As you look back over the first half of the year, do your memories give you more pleasure or pain?

As the psalmist reviewed Israel’s history, he delighted in the faithfulness of God, who never failed His people, and despaired over the faithlessness of Israel, who repeatedly disobeyed God. The nation’s history spoke eloquently of the pain of waywardness and the persistence of God in guiding His people down the path of righteousness and blessing.

If you were asked to write “The History of My Life: Part 1,” would it read like Psalm 106? Would it include pleasant memories of God’s provision... and painful memories of your rebellious moments? Have you thanked God for the former? Have you experienced God’s forgiveness for the latter (1 John 1:9)? Have you learned a lesson in the process? Or are you—like the Israelites in Psalm 106— repeating your errors and forfeiting God’s blessings?

Take a quiet walk alone today, with just God and your thoughts for companions. Reminisce over the first six months of this year: the good times (thank Him for them) and the bad (confess your rebellious moments to Him). Ask God to help you grow wiser—not just older—for the rest of the year.

Insight - A Short History of Israel

With just five psalms (105–106, 78, 135–136), you can trace Israel’s entire history from creation to David’s enthronement.

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June 21/22

Psalms 107–110

Handling Slander (Psalm 109)

Key Passage: Psalm 109

Overview

Book 5 begins with a vibrant note of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance from danger (107). David voices praise for God’s help against his enemies (108), then cries out for vindication against those who have slandered him (109). But whether his enemies prosper or suffer swift punishment, David knows the future lies securely in the hands of God’s righteous Ruler, who will triumph over all (110).

Your Daily Walk

Character assassination. It’s a malady you won’t find in any medical text. And if it happens to you, you won’t end up in a hospital emergency room. But the pain is still acute, the damage severe, the recovery slow, the scars difficult to remove.

How do you react to unjust accusations and malicious slander over which you have no control? David responded with some of the strongest words found in Scripture (109:6-20). These denunciations sound so uncharacteristic of the “sweet singer of Israel” that some commentators have suggested David’s accuser (rather than David) is the one being quoted.

But David was zealous to defend the righteousness of God wherever it was attacked. His harsh cries were his way of expressing hatred for sin; in much the same way, Jeremiah would later take a hard line against loose living (Jeremiah 18:19-23).

But the question remains: How do you handle a slanderous attack? David’s advice would be this: Seek God’s help and let Him vindicate you (Psalm 109:26-27); let your enemies bring shame upon their own heads, not you (v. 29); continue to praise the Lord throughout the ordeal (v. 30).

Insight - Psalms of Vengeance

Psalm 109 is one of a number of “imprecatory” psalms in which the author asks God to judge his enemies (others include 7, 35, 55, 58– 59, 69, 79, 137, 139). In indignation over sin, the psalmist cries out for God’s swift punishment of evil.

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June 23

Psalms 111–118

God Understands (Psalm 118)

Key Passage: Psalm 118

Overview

Reasons for praising God are innumerable, but today’s psalms will at least get you started. You can praise Him for His tender care (111), His blessings for the upright (112), His remembrance of the poor (113), His watchfulness over Israel (114–115), His restoration of the sorrowing (116), and His enduring love (117–118).

Your Daily Walk

"Judge a tree by its fruit, not by its leaves." (Euripides)

"Examine the contents, not the bottle." (Jewish Talmud)

"You can’t judge a book by its cover." (Anonymous)

Three ways of saying the same thing: The only thing worse than making a surface judgment is being the victim of one.

What do you do when you suffer from superficial evaluations by your friends, superiors, or co-workers? Where can you turn when your actions or motives are misunderstood?

Turn to the One who experienced being misunderstood Him- self—“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone” (118:22). Jesus knew what it meant to be rejected unjustly, condemned wrongfully, and crucified unmercifully. He knows what you are going through. That’s why you can come to Him confidently to experience His presence (118:6), help (118:7), and protection (118:8-14) in times of misunderstanding.

Three times in the New Testament, Psalm 118:22 is quoted to show that human misunderstanding cannot thwart the good purposes of God (Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7). Put your initials next to one of those passages as your silent testimony of confidence in God’s ability to do the same in your life today.

Insight - Psalm 118, the Palm Sunday Psalm

Jesus was not the only one to quote from Psalm 118. Just a few verses earlier (Matthew 21:6-11), Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a colt to the acclamations of the multitude, who shouted the words of Psalm 118:26. (What are they?)

WORD PICTURES IN THE
Psalms

In addition to parallelism (see page 25), you will discover figures of speech in the Psalms—words or phrases used picturesquely to provide comparison, contrast, emphasis, or clarification. These word pictures serve to convey abstract concepts and difficult ideas through concrete images. Among the many kinds of figurative language in the Psalms, you’ll find:

• SIMILE: A stated comparison between two things that resemble one another. “He is like a tree planted by streams of water” (1:3; implying the godly man is sturdy, long lasting, immovable). Other examples: 1:4; 5:12; 17:8.
• METAPHOR: A comparison in which one thing is declared to be another. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield” (84:11; implying God guides and protects). Other examples: 23:1; 91:4.
• HYPERBOLE: The use of exaggeration to emphasize a point. “All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears” (6:6; implying “I am deeply saddened”). Other examples: 78:27; 107:26.
• ANTHROPOMORPHISM: The assigning of an appropriate part of a person’s body to God’s being. “He turned his ear to me” (116:2; implying “He is listening”). Other examples: 11:4; 18:15; 32:8.
• PERSONIFICATION: The assigning of the characteristics of a human being to lifeless objects. “My whole being will exclaim, ‘Who is like you, O Lord?’” (35:10; implying “I praise You from my innermost being”). Other examples: 77:16; 96:11; 104:19.

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June 24

Psalm 119

The Riches of God’s Revelation (Psalm 119)

Key Passage: Psalm 119:1-11, 97–105

Overview

The wonders of God’s Word fill the 176 verses of Psalm 119—the longest song in the Psalter and the longest chapter in the Bible. Like a prism breaking a beam of light into colors, the psalmist holds the Word of God to examine it from different angles. Seven synonyms for Scripture dominate the psalm, each with a lesson:

• Law (from the word teach)—God’s Word reveals His will.
• Decrees—God’s Word is faithful and true.
• Precepts—God’s Word gives particular instructions.
• Statutes—God’s Word has binding force and permanence.
• Commands—God’s Word possesses authority.
• Promise—God’s Word is reliable.
• Word—A term referring to God’s truth in all its forms.

Your Daily Walk

The motivation for studying the Bible should never be solely a “what’s-in-it-for-me?” mentality. An understanding of the benefits you will enjoy from a daily time in God’s Word can only encourage you to spend time mastering and being mastered by the Book of books.

Psalm 119 resembles a treasure chest of benefits. See if you can discover one benefit for each of the 22 sections (which run “A to Z”—alef to tav—through the Hebrew alphabet). For example, in verses 1–8 (“alef”), God’s Word spares the believer from shame; in verses 9–16 (“bet”), God’s Word cleanses.

Insight - God’s Word: Today, Yesterday, and Forever

The psalmist stressed the importance of God’s Word for him. Inspired writers have verified the importance of the Scriptures throughout the ages. Consider three examples: “[The Law is] not just idle words for you—they are your life” (Deuteronomy 32:47). “Meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

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June 25

Psalms 120–127

Hymn of the Highway (Psalm 121)

Key Passage: Psalms 120–121

Overview

Psalms 120–134, bearing the title “songs of ascents” or “songs of degrees,” were originally sung by Jewish worshipers on their pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles. These travel tunes reflect the thoughts of a pilgrim away from home, longing for peace, protection, and provision.

Your Daily Walk

The Iron Age world of the psalmist has given way to the silicon world of today. Advances in communication and transportation have radically altered the way people live. Distances that would have taken David days to traverse can now be covered by car in hours or by air in minutes. Where once it required weeks to deliver a message by courier, you can now phone or e-mail someone half a world away in seconds.

Thanks to technology, much has changed. But two things remain the same: the speed with which you can reach God in prayer (Psalm 120), and the need for safety as you travel (Psalm 121). Every time you buckle your seat belt today, remind yourself that “The Lord will watch over your coming and going” (121:8). Every time you dial a phone number today, let the first ring remind you that “I call on the Lord in my distress, and he answers me” (120:1).

Insight - Struck by the Moon, or Something More? (121:6)

A common Hebrew figure of speech is merism, which uses two extremes to speak of the totality of something.

Two examples illustrate the point:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (and everything in between, a merism for all of creation; Genesis 1:1).

“Lord,...You know when I sit and when I rise” (a merism for my every movement throughout the day; Psalm 139:1-2).

Now read Psalm 121:6. Using the principle of interpreting merisms as suggested above, how would you translate the psalmist’s thought?

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June 26

Psalms 128–134

Portraits of Harmony (Psalm 133)

Key Passage: Psalm 133

Overview

The pilgrim, continuing his journey to Jerusalem, contemplates the blessings of God upon his family (128), the deliverance by God from danger (129) and depression (130), the sufficiency of God (131), the joy of serving God (132), and the unity of the household of God (133). An outburst of praise concludes the pilgrim’s journey (134).

Your Daily Walk

Psalm 133 uses two Old Testament illustrations to describe the beautiful harmony of God’s people who can “live together” in unity (133:1). The first picture is of Aaron’s anointing (133:2).

. But the costly, fragrant oil pictured the beauty of the high priest’s spiritual role in bringing the nation to God. In the same way, unity in the body of Christ is a pleasing fragrance to God and an attractive aroma to those in the world who find peace so elusive.

The second picture is of the dew on Mount Hermon (133:3). In an arid land where rainfall is scarce and fickle, the dew brings life-sustaining moisture to parched ground. Through Israel's long, dry summers, plants survive and blossom because of the dew. Unity in the body of Christ is like that dew: a gift from God to bring blessing and fruitfulness in an otherwise barren world.

Read John 17:11, 21, and ask: “Do my relationships in the body of Christ provide the fragrance of ointment and the refreshment of dew?”

Insight - Ascent to the Holy City

Jerusalem, also known as Mount Zion, is located on a hill rising 2,600 feet above sea level. Because of its elevation, pilgrims arriving from any direction must go “up to Jerusalem.” The temple and walls rising above the surrounding terrain must have provided a breathtaking view for those arriving at the Holy City.

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June 27

Psalms 135–139

The God Who Is There (Psalm 139)

Key Passage: Psalm 139

Overview

From the heights of joy to the depths of sorrow, today’s reading spans a wide range of emotions. In recalling past dealings with God—both in creation and in the redemption of God’s people—the psalmist breaks forth in glad songs of praise (135–136). Reliving the desperate days of exile, the psalmist expresses deep sorrow (137). But even times of trouble can be met with acclamation (138) by remembering God’s infinite knowledge and unceasing presence (139).

Your Daily Walk

Psalm 139 beautifully depicts three of God’s qualities: His omniscience (He knows everything about you), His omnipresence (He goes everywhere with you), and His omnipotence (He is infinitely powerful enough to meet your every need).

The question arises, “If all that is true, then why should I pray?” There are many good reasons to pray, but here are just three:

1. Pray because God has commanded it (Jeremiah 33:3).
2. Pray because God delights in giving good gifts to those who ask (Matthew 7:7-11).
3. Pray because prayer changes things...but mostly, prayer changes people...and that means prayer changes you.

Notice in Psalm 139, how David’s attitude changes. In the opening verses, David is cautious, almost fearful, at the thought that his life is an open book before God. But by the end, he is humble and eager to please God—even in the secret compartments of his life.

Insight - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

Before you read Psalm 136, immerse yourself in a few of the many ways in which translators have captured the refrain, “His love endures forever” (repeated more than 20 times in the psalm):

“His kindness never fails.” (Moffatt)

“His love is eternal.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

“His mercy endureth for ever.” (King James Version)

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June 28/29

Psalms 140–145

A Heart Like God’s (Psalm 145)

Key Passage: Psalms 144–145

Overview

The six psalms you read today contain David’s prayer for protection from those who would harm him (140–141), as well as his testimony of trust in the One who is his refuge and portion (142–143). Because David has seen God’s care over his life in the past (144), his faith is fortified to look for God’s provision in the future (145).

Your Daily Walk

WANTED: A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART.

The position available? The throne of Israel. The One involved in the job search? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

When God wanted a man to do His will (1 Samuel 13:14), He found what He was looking for in an obscure boy from the pasturelands of Judea. Notice some of the qualities of David’s character, which many of his later writings reveal:

• 140:1,4,7 Confidence in God in time of danger
• 141:3-4 Hunger for righteousness
• 142:1-2 Transparent honesty before God
• 143:5 A good memory for God’s past work
• 144:5-8 A desire to see God’s justice prevail
• 145:1-21 Overflowing praise to God

God is looking for individuals like that today—people with a heart like David’s, with a heart like God’s (2 Chronicles 16:9). After studying David’s heart as revealed in Psalms 140–145, are you interested in applying for the position? Tell God so.

Insight - The Case of the Missing Letter

David’s last psalm (145) is also the last of eight acrostic psalms based on the Hebrew alphabet. One letter of the alphabet (nun) was omitted from the Hebrew text, causing the Hebrew reader to “stumble” at verse 14 (much the same way you might if you were reading the sequence “...J, K, L, M, O, P,...”). But wouldn’t you agree verse 14 is a good one to “catch” yourself on?

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June 30

Psalms 146–150

A Lifestyle of Praise (Psalm 147)

Key Passage: Psalm 147

Overview

It is appropriate in a book with the Hebrew title tehillim, which means “praises”—that the final five selections should be filled with precisely that. First, the individual believer voices praise for God’s trustworthiness (146); next, the nation Israel praises God for His tender care (147); then all creation praises God for His power (148); God’s choice servants join the chorus by extolling God for His love (149); finally, accompanied by a grand orchestra of instruments, all living things praise our matchless, mighty God (150).

Your Daily Walk

Congratulations! You have just finished reading the longest book of the Bible—the believer’s handbook of worship. While you are preparing to begin the Book of Proverbs tomorrow, pause long enough to ask yourself one question: “Is there anything different about my walk with God today for having spent the past month in the Book of Psalms?”

Psalm 147:1 gives three reasons for God’s people to praise Him: (1) It is good (pleasing) in God’s eyes; (2) it is pleasant (delightful) to the one doing the praising; and (3) it is fitting (appropriate) for all who share the praise experience.

Praise is like a bride’s wedding ring. The bride’s husband rejoices to see her wear it; she herself delights in it; and it testifies to the appropriateness of the couple’s relationship. Tie a small piece of colored yarn around a ring you are wearing to remind you throughout the day that it’s always in style to adorn your life with praise to God.

Insight - Inspired Psalms, Inspiring Psalms

The Book of Psalms has become the hymnbook of the ages. It is read, recited, or sung virtually every day. And in the majestic hymns based on its verses (such as Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” and Isaac Watts’s “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”) and innumerable contemporary praise and worship choruses, its messages still ring around the world.

THE NEWS YOU WON’T FIND ON TODAY’S
Front Page

Millions of people read a newspaper or watch the evening news every day. Unfortunately, much of the daily news is depressing.

It’s easy to focus on the day’s bad news while completely ignoring the good. The psalmists spoke of good news often, as you have read this month. They spoke of victory, of overcoming hardship, of the sovereignty and power of a living, loving God.

Funny how this kind of news never makes it to the presses.

If all the front pages were ours, here’s the good news we’d print for the world . . . which includes you:

• God is lovingly concerned with every person—and that means you! “I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer” (Psalm 40:17).
• Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross paid the penalty for the sin of every person, including you. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins...also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).,
• God freely gives salvation to every person who trusts in Jesus Christ and turns from a life of sin. “By grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). • God gives us not only eternal life, but new, abundant life now: “I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

That’s good news! And you’ll find pages upon pages more in your Bible. But there’s still bad news for those who refuse to hear the good news of Jesus Christ: “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus... with everlasting destruction” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).

Believe the good news of Jesus Christ. Invite Him to become your Savior and the Master of your life. Talk to Him about it right now in prayer. There will never be better news than this. So hear it. Accept it. And pass it on!

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Psalms

The Book of Psalms draws on Israel’s rich, thousand-year relationship with God to reveal the range of humanity’s experience with Him. In these poems and songs, David, Solomon, Moses, and other great men of God expose their greatest joys and deepest hurts. Psalms, the longest book in the Bible, covers a greater span of years than any other Old Testament book. Used as the temple hymnbook, Psalms is actually five books in one. Each of the five sections closes with a doxology.

June 1

Psalms 1-6

The Last Laugh (Psalm 2)

Key Passage: Psalm 2

Overview

The gateway to the Book of Psalms is guarded by two major declarations concerning God’s revelation of Himself: He can be known through His Word, which brings blessing (Psalm 1), and He can be known in the Person of His Son, who rules over creation (2). The servant of God can cling to Him with confidence, knowing that God’s help and consolation are assured in both good times and bad. No foe (3) nor failure (4), no frustration (5) nor cause for fainting (6) can change the fact that God is in control.

Your Daily Walk

Laughter has been called “the sensation of feeling good all over, and showing it principally in one place.” Everyone enjoys a good laugh unless that laugh is on him. Then laughter can become a painful, rather than a pleasurable, experience.

Psalm 2 describes the world’s rulers gathered together. With great fury and indignation, they shake their fists at God and threaten to overthrow His rule (2:3). And what is God’s response to their show of power and independence?

A cosmic guffaw, loud enough to shake the heavens (2:4), at the absurdity of the nations rejecting the sovereign Creator who fashioned them. From God’s perspective, they are fools who will not fall and acknowledge His greatness. And they are blessed indeed who put their trust in Him.

Find a copy of today’s newspaper and spend a few minutes scanning the international news. Over each frightening or discouraging headline, write, “GOD IS IN CONTROL!” That’s a truth no one, king or commoner, can avoid.

Insight - Something Old, Something New

These words summarize the relationship between the Old and New Testaments: The New is in the Old contained; the Old is in the New explained. Prove that by noting how the New Testament writers quote and explain portions of Psalm 2 in Acts 4:25-26 (quoting Psalm 2:1-2), and in Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 5:5 (both quoting Psalm 2:7).

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June 2

Psalms 7–12

Let’s Just Praise the Lord (Psalm 9)

Key Passage: Psalm 9

Overview

The enemies of God’s people are also God’s enemies. Responding to these enemies is David’s burden in each of the psalms in today’s reading. In the face of dangerous opposition, David seeks God’s justice (7), protection (9–10), and deliverance (11–12). The God who created humanity to rule over His creation is the God who will one day silence and subdue His enemies (8).

Your Daily Walk

A famous author once commented, "one of the difficulties in language is that all our words have lost their edge from loose usage.” Sadly, the church is not immune to this phenomenon. Christian clichés develop so quickly... so subtly. Words that once prompted heartfelt responses have turned into empty shells, phrases spoken more from habit than from the heart.

The exercise of praising God never became routine for David. Instead, it involved his heart's deliberate, reasoned responseto God. The first two verses of Psalm 9 summarize David’s pattern of praise. First, he rejoices in God’s person; then he publicly proclaims God’s wondrous ways. Put them together, and you have meditation turned into communication, inward delight turned into outward demonstration. In a word, praise.

Try David’s plan for praising the Lord right now. Take an aspect of God’s character that you discovered while reading today’s passage, and translate it into the language of praise by singing a hymn, composing a short poem of praise, or reading back to God the words of Psalm 9. Make this a habit, and you—like David—will become a person after God’s own heart.

Insight - The Psalm with the Split Personality

The absence of a title in Psalm 10 and the sequence of letters in the Hebrew text (every other verse of Psalms 9 and 10 begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, forming a handy and memorable acrostic) have led many commentators to conclude that Psalms 9 and 10 were originally one long song composed by David.

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June 3

Psalms 13–18

No Fooling (Psalm 14)

Key Passage: Psalm 14

Overview

In David’s day, as in ours, believers face many challenges to their faith, both from their own fearful hearts (13) and from those who foolishly deny God’s existence (14). The answer? Walking in fellowship with God (15), being sustained by His promises (16), and drawing upon His ever-available resources (17–18).

Your Daily Walk

Webster’s Dictionary defines an atheist as “one who denies the existence of God.” But why do atheists refuse to believe in God? Is it because...

• They cannot accept God rationally or intellectually?
• They are untaught and ignorant of the things of God?
• They are unwilling to repent of sin in their lives?

While each of those answers may be true, Psalm 14 highlights the root problem. Atheism is the by-product of a proud unwillingness to acknowledge sin before a holy God. David’s use of such descriptions as “corrupt...evildoers” shows that the basic issue is moral, not intellectual.

Understanding that will help you the next time you share your faith. Rather than trying to prove God’s existence (a common approach), focus instead on forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Intellectual objections can—and should—be answered. But only the grace of God can remove the guilt and stain of sin. Though you may not have the answers to all the questions, you can be confident you have the answer to the need of every human heart...because you have Christ in your heart.

Insight - What Is a Biblical Heart?

The word heart, used more than 700 times in the Bible and 100 times in the Psalms, actually has a broader meaning than the way it is often used today. It encompasses not only the emotions, but also the intellect (Job 38:36; Proverbs 2:10) and the will (Acts 11:23; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:6). The heart also refers to the personality and true character of a person.

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June 4

Psalms 19–24

In God We Trust (Psalm 20)

Key Passage: Psalm 20

Overview

God’s involvement in the lives of His people is the dominant theme of the psalms in today’s reading. God reveals Himself in the world and in the Word (19); He gives enablement and victory to those who do battle for Him (20–21); He sends His Messiah to suffer on the cross (22), shepherd His people (23), and establish His rule over the earth (24). Indeed, He is worthy to be trusted.

Your Daily Walk

Question: What do retirement funds, college degrees, and nuclear submarines have in common?

Answer: They are all designed to give you a sense of security— security for your future, security for your vocation, security for your protection. But do they?

Security in an increasingly insecure world—it’s one of today’s most sought after, and elusive, commodities.

Nearly 3,000 years ago, the ultimate military weapons were the chariot and the horse. Armies that could field a cavalry or chariot brigade were considered virtually invincible.

But Israel was to be different. God’s Law forbade her king to acquire many horses (Deuteronomy 17:16). Rather than put her confidence in strategic arms, Israel was to trust in everlasting arms, for God had promised to fight for His people. That is why David’s affirmation of trust in a delivering God (Psalm 20:7) is so appropriate. It’s the answer to the “national security” problem—both in his day and yours.

Using a pencil, list five things the world thinks you need to be secure. Then across the list, write in ink the words of Psalm 20:7—“We trust in the name of the Lord our God.” America’s coins are stamped “In God We Trust.” What sentiment is stamped on your heart?

Insight - And Speaking of Chariots...

Israel’s security was often threatened by chariot-equipped armies. What was the outcome of the skirmishes described in Exodus 14? Judges 4? 2 Kings 6:1-23?

GLOSSARY OF TERMS IN THE
Psalms

Refer to this graphic when you encounter unfamiliar terms, especially in the superscriptions (titles) of the Psalms. This will give you helpful information regarding historical background, author, musical setting, and usage of each psalm.

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June 5

Psalms 25–30

Praise and Thanks (Psalms 29–30)

Key Passage: Psalms 29–30

Overview

A growing relationship with God includes an ever-increasing understanding of what He can accomplish in your life as you trust in Him. He will guide you in His way (25), vindicate you when you’re wronged (26), and protect you when you’re in danger (27–28). David’s response—and the response God desires from every true believer— is an outpouring of heartfelt praise (29) and genuine thanksgiving (30).

Your Daily Walk

Praise and thanks. Psalms 29 and 30 provide a helpful illustration of the difference in those terms. Psalm 29, a song of praise, focuses on God’s glory as revealed in an earth-shaking thunderstorm. Psalm 30, a testimony of thanksgiving, centers around David’s experience of divine deliverance and his resulting gratitude to God. Psalm 29 illustrates praise, which is God-centered, focusing on God’s glory as revealed in His mighty attributes and works. Psalm 30 illustrates thanksgiving, which is more human-centered, highlighting the believer’s gratitude for God’s involvement in his life.

Understanding the difference between the two can add a new dimension to your prayer life. It’s easy to develop the habit of self-centered prayers in which your problems are central. And though petition is an integral part of prayer (Matthew 7:7-8), it is not the only part. As you take time to pray today, begin instead with praise for God’s glory and character (“You-centered” prayer). Make it a pattern in your praying that before you get caught up in your own concerns, you get caught up in God’s greatness. Then you, like the psalmist, will be both praising and thanking the Lord!

Insight - The Praise-Packed Psalms

Praise and thanksgiving permeate the Psalms—a fact seen in the repetition of the terms praise (175 times), thanks (27 times), and thanksgiving (5 times). It’s difficult to miss the psalmist’s intent that you learn to “praise the Lord” and “give thanks to the Lord.”

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June 6

Psalms 31–35

A Musical Manifesto (Psalm 33)

Key Passage: Psalm 33

Overview

Think of today’s reading as forming a pyramid. The outer two psalms (31 and 35) form the foundation and deal with the believer’s struggles against his enemies. In each case, David finds his refuge from external foes in God alone. David faces internal woes in the next level of the pyramid (32 and 34): unconfessed sin and secret fear. In each situation, the psalmist learns from his failures in the past so that he (and all who read his words) might respond rightly to similar perils in the future. The peak of the pyramid is formed by a beautiful psalm of praise to God, whose “plans...stand firm forever” (33:11).

Your Daily Walk

A little boy who loved to listen to music was bitterly disappointed because he could neither play nor sing. But a kindly gentleman encouraged him with these words: “There are many ways of making music. What matters is the song in your heart.” That little boy—Antonio Stradivari—took the man at his word and became the world’s greatest violin maker.

You may have an equally low estimation of your own singing ability. If so, Psalm 33:1-3 will challenge you with the privilege and responsibility of singing joyfully to the Lord. As if anticipating excuses, the psalmist commands us to sing. The character of God makes musical expression an appropriate part of worship, including instrumental arrangements (v. 2), songs of your creation, and joyful expressions of praise (v. 3). Your sovereign Creator is worthy of them all.

It’s time to sing! Sing with a praise CD for a time of worship and musical rejoicing in the Lord. It will help you carry a tune in your heart throughout the day.

Insight - Scripture Memory...Old Testament Style

Psalm 34 is one of seven acrostics in the Book of Psalms. When it was written, each verse began with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a memory aid for anyone who spoke Hebrew. This way, the reader could trace and remember David’s sequence of thought.

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June 7/8

Psalms 36–41

Looking Up from Down Under (Psalm 40)

Key Passage: Psalm 40

Overview

Every honest believer admits to having ups and downs, and David is no exception. In the face of great wickedness, he takes comfort in God’s loving care (36– 37). Despite inner conflict with guilt and discouragement, he finds strength in God’s help (38–39). Out of the darkness of his circumstances, David proclaims a shining testimony of God’s deliverance and mercy (40–41). No matter what life may bring, David knows that in God he has found a source of strength to rise above his circumstances, rather than sink beneath them.

Your Daily Walk

A report once read, “Ninety-five percent of all adults surveyed readily admit having occasional times of depression; the other five percent were too depressed to respond to the survey.”

Discouragement, depression, personal loss, a sense of hopelessness—they’re a universal experience. Psalm 40 describes one such moment in the life of King David, a time he likened to being “in the pits.” There he learned that the question is not, “Will I find myself from time to time in the pits?”—you will! Rather, the question is, “What will I do once I find myself there?”

David discovered a way to move from the mire (v. 2) to the choir (v. 3). Resisting the temptation to complain, get bitter, give up, or grow angry, David cried out to God, waited for His answer, and when it came, carefully gave God the credit.

Take time today to call a friend you sense may be struggling with feelings of depression and share David’s testimony from Psalm 40. You’ll be amazed how God will encourage you both.

Insight - Lend Me Your Ears...for Life (40:6)

Israel’s law made provision for a servant who, having fulfilled his obligations of service, loved his master and wanted to devote the rest of his life to his master’s service. This commitment was signified and sealed by piercing the servant’s ear. Read about this unusual symbol of total devotion in Deuteronomy 15:12-17.

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June 9

Psalms 42–49

A Mighty Fortress (Psalm 46)

Key Passage: Psalm 46

Overview

Book 2 of the Psalter begins with a collection of psalms attributed to the sons of Korah. The first two express the longing of the troubled soul for God (42–43), followed by a prayer for victory in the midst of trouble (44). By contrast, Psalms 45–48 extol God’s majesty (45), protection (46), and power (47–48). The section concludes with wise instruction concerning true riches (49).

Your Daily Walk

Every tomorrow has two handles: the handle of anxiety and the handle of faith. Which will you use to get a “handle” on your day?

Second only to the fear of standing before a large audience is the commonly expressed phobia known as “fear of the unknown.” Where do you turn for stability in an unstable world? You can turn to the same refuge the psalmist found.

In Psalm 46 the sons of Korah portray the worst calamities imaginable upon earth: earthquake, landslides, turmoil on land and sea (vv. 2–3). And when everything seems to be breaking loose, they proclaim that there remains an immovable Refuge: the God of Jacob.

Before you close your devotional time today, follow the instructions of verse 10. Remove as many distractions as possible, and be still before the Lord for a few minutes. Give Him any fears you may be harboring; then write down the words of Psalm 46:10 and carry them with you today. When fear, like acid, begins to eat away at your peace of mind, pull out your reminder from the Sons of Korah and refresh your memory. Your Refuge is the same “yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Insight - And Now a Word About the Authors

The sons of Korah were Levites, relatives of the man who died for his rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). One part of the family became temple doorkeepers (1 Chronicles 9:19), and another the singers and musicians in the temple choir (1 Chronicles 6:31-33, 37).

CATALOGING THE
Psalter

Just as the nation of Israel was divided into many different tribes, so the Psalms can be divided into many different types. As you journey through the Psalms, you’ll find it helpful to be able to classify each psalm that you read.

A majority of the psalms fall into one of three categories:

1. Lament Psalms. These are petitions addressed directly to God by the individual or community in the context of distress. They usually include a description of the problem, a confession of trust, and a vow of praise to God, uttered with the confidence that God can and will deliver His people (examples: Psalms 3–7, 22, 42).
2. Thank Psalms. These psalms, offered publicly by one or more worshipers, acknowledge God’s faithful actions on behalf of His people in the past, or express confidence in His promise to act in the future (examples: Psalms 18, 27, 62).
3. Praise Psalms. These hymns are based on the word praise or hallelujah. They are joyful expressions of adoration for God’s greatness, acknowledging Him as Creator, Sustainer, and Lover of His people (examples: Psalms 113, 117, 146–150).
   In addition, you will encounter:
   
   
4. Royal Psalms. Hymns describing the King, both earthly and heavenly, reigning over His kingdom (examples: Psalms 2, 95–96).
5. Woe Psalms. Poems expressing the psalmist’s righteous indignation at God’s enemies, and calling for God’s swift retribution (examples: Psalms 49, 109, 137).
6. Acrostic Psalms. Highly stylized poems in which each new section, verse, or line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet (examples: Psalms 9–10, 25, 37).
7. Pilgrim Psalms or Songs of Ascent. Songs sung by worshipers on the way up to Jerusalem for the yearly feasts (examples: Psalms 120–134).
8. Messianic Psalms. Prophetic songs describe the coming Messiah as King (Psalms 2, 24, 110), Servant (Psalms 22, 40, 69), and Son of God (Psalm 118).

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June 10

Psalms 50–54

Betrayed but Triumphant (Psalm 52)

Key Passage: Psalms 52, 54

Overview

God in His righteousness deals with sin in the lives of believers and unbelievers alike. For those who claim a false righteousness, there is a warning and rebuke (50). For those who acknowledge and turn from sin, there is forgiveness and restoration (51). The evil traitor (52) and the foolish atheist (53) face destruction, but the righteous one who suffers at the hands of evil men can trust in God’s ultimate victory (54).

Your Daily Walk

Take it from David: There is something worse than being wounded by an enemy—being wounded by a friend. And when a trusted co-worker has stabbed you in the back, how should you handle the natural feelings of resentment?

Answer: Handle them with prayer. When Doeg the Edomite reported David’s whereabouts to King Saul, it must have come as no surprise to either Saul or David, for Doeg was a known ally of the king. But when the Ziphites, whose border town of Keilah David had personally rescued from a Philistine onslaught (1 Samuel 23:16), betrayed their deliverer, the sting must have been intense.

Anger, bitterness, revenge, and a desire to run are natural responses to betrayal. But none resolves the issue or helps the one betrayed. For that, you must turn to God, who alone can heal the wound with a spirit of forgiveness and love (52:8-9; 54:6-7; 55:22).

Have you been wounded by a friend in recent days? Then finish this prayer: “Lord, You know I have every right to treat [fill in the blank] as my enemy. Though I could respond naturally, help me in Your strength to respond supernaturally.”

Insight - Strike the Records Clean

When David penned his plea, “Blot out my transgressions” (51:1), he was probably thinking of how he kept records of events happening in his kingdom, and he envisioned God doing the same. Can you think of any other metaphors for God removing our sins? (Hint: Try Psalms 103:12 and 51:2, 7.)

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June 11

Psalms 55–59

The Link of Faith (Psalm 55)

Key Passage: Psalm 55

Overview

Great peril can cause great discouragement and disclose great faith in God. Though David cries out in anguish to God when faced with betrayal by a friend (55), the vicious pursuit of an enemy (56–57), and the hatred of hostile judges (58), at the same time he demonstrates great confidence in God’s ability to vindicate him at the proper time and in the proper way (59).

Your Daily Walk

When the forecast calls for storms, ships need a strong anchor, buildings a sure foundation, and trees a deep root system. In each case, their survival through the storm depends upon a link to something that cannot be moved.

David’s anchor in stormy circumstances was an unshakable faith in an unchanging God. Each psalm in today’s reading describes an unsettling, disrupting influence that swept into his life. David pictures these onslaughts as raging winds and storms (55:8), as lions with teeth like arrows (57:4), as venomous snakes (58:4-5), and as snarling dogs (59:6). But rather than focus on the forces swirling around him, David concentrates on his link of faith to God (55:22; 56:10-11; 57:11; 58:11; 59:9). And since his anchor is fixed to an immovable Rock, David finds that he too is immovable because “you, O God, are my fortress” (59:9).

Is there a storm on the horizon in your life? Are you facing fierce opposition because of your faith? Using David’s expressions of trust, compose a statement of your confidence in the God who never changes. Let it remind you that you don’t need to fear the storms of life if you have a sure foundation—an anchor in the Lord.

Insight - Self-Portrait of a Traitor

Though the identity of the traitor described in Psalm 55:12-14 remains unknown to us, ironically, David was painting a graphic picture of his own treachery toward Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s staunchest allies and the victim of his murderous plot (2 Samuel 11).

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June 12

Psalms 60–66

Through the Night Watches (Psalm 63)

Key Passage: Psalm 63

Overview

The freedom to be transparent before God, to express to Him exactly how you feel, is an important part of prayer. David’s prayer life reveals the deepest emotions of his heart. The welfare of his nation (60) and the duties of his office (61) weigh heavily upon him. He yearns for a growing relationship with God (62–64)—a relationship his enemies do not experience. He stands in awe of God’s powerful creation (65) and revels in God’s matchless salvation (66), inviting all to “come and see what God has done” (66:5).

Your Daily Walk

Psalm 63 was penned by David “when he was in the Desert of Judah,” a desolate region where water is scarce, vegetation is almost nonexistent, and the heat of the day makes every activity a burden. These barren surroundings prompt David to write: “My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (63:1).

David knows that his thirst and hunger for God will be satisfied as he follows hard after Him. “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods” (63:5). In seeking God early, David will find elements of God’s character to reflect upon late into the night (63:6). In searching for Him in a dry land, David will find refreshment “in the shadow of your wings” (63:7). In cleaving to God, David will find God holding on to him (63:8).

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). How is your spiritual appetite? Carve out time to get alone with God today. Enjoy His presence; feast on His Word; let Him satisfy the yearning of your heart.

Insight - A Sleepless Night for a Thirsty Soul

In Bible times, the night was divided into three periods or “watches” for soldiers and shepherds: sunset to approximately 10:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and 2:00 a.m. to dawn. Read 63:6 to discover a telltale sign of David’s devotion to God.

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June 13

Psalms 67–72

Your Burden Bearer (Psalm 68)

Key Passage: Psalm 68

Overview

Book 2 of the Psalms concludes with six proclamations showing that God is worthy of praise and trust. The nations acknowledge God’s righteous rule (67), exulting in His care of the fatherless and homeless (68). He hears the cry of the distressed (69), speedily delivers the oppressed (70), strengthens the feeble-hearted (71), and exercises dominion over kings and kingdoms (72).

Your Daily Walk

It has been well said, “Our days are identical suitcases—all the same size—but some people can pack more into them than others.” In the midst of your busy schedule, never lose sight of the fact that God is busy too—on your behalf. As you read Psalm 68, jot down at least five things God has promised to do for you today—and every day.

In a world where people are often faceless figures, it’s encouraging to know there’s Someone to whom you’ll never be just a number. Someone who “daily bears our burdens” (68:19). Someone who enters into your joys and sorrows, exchanging your heavy burdens for His light ones (Matthew 11:28-30).

God longs to demonstrate His strength and power on behalf of His people. Have you drawn upon that strength today, enabling you to do in His strength what you would be powerless to do in your own strength? After all, “the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people” (68:35).

Insight - The Final Stop on a 400-Year Journey

The exact occasion for which David composed Psalm 68 is not known, but quite possibly it marked the bringing of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12). This joyous event climaxes a journey begun centuries before at Mount Sinai. There the ark had been fashioned; from there it went before Israel into the promised land. Now the ark reaches the summit of Mount Zion, where it will reside as the symbol of God’s abiding presence.

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June 14/15

Psalms 73–77

Man’s Questions, God’s Answers (Psalm 73)

Key Passage: Psalm 73

Overview

Book 3 of the Psalms begins with several selections by Asaph, a gifted musician appointed by David to direct the Levitic choirs. Asaph first probes the hard question, “Why do the wicked flourish (73) while Israel flounders (74)?” By focusing on God’s justice (75–76) and God’s faithfulness to His people (77), Asaph discovers a solid foundation of hope, even as the wicked seemingly “get away with murder.”

Your Daily Walk

A sheriff was asked by a local resident, “Do you think you will ever eliminate crime?”

The sheriff wisely replied, “I’m not naive enough to think that crime can ever be eliminated. There were prostitutes and pickpockets in the days of Christ. There was gambling and debauchery in the days of the prophets. There will always be some who submit to the soft, glittery pleasures of the world, and it will always be for the spiritually strong to lead those back.”

Asaph, in observing the criminal element in his day, was honest enough to ask God some searching questions: Is godliness really worth the struggle? Have I made the wrong choice? (73:13-14). Implied in those words is another protest: God, do You really care?

If you’ve asked the same questions, you need what Asaph found: perspective. As he drew close to the Lord (73:17), the psalmist saw that the wicked will be repaid for their sinfulness. The faithful will receive a great reward. All this will happen in God’s perfect timing.

In the meantime, you need strength for today—strength to forego the expedient and concentrate on the obedient.

Insight - Asaph—No Second Fiddle When It Comes to Music

Asaph was one of the singers appointed by David to direct the Levitical choral group (1 Chronicles 15:16, 19). He was also a fine musician (Nehemiah 12:46), and when the ark was brought back to Jerusalem, David appointed him the “chief” leader of all praise and worship before the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:4-5).

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Job

Job, perhaps the oldest book of the Bible, is set during the period of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). It tells the 4,000-year-old story of a man who loses everything—wealth, family, health, and prestige—and wrestles with the question “Why?” After a heavenly encounter between God and Satan, the book moves through three cycles of earthly debates between the grieving Job and four of his friends. It concludes dramatically as the sovereign God comforts the questioning man.

May 16

Job 1–3

Job’s Affliction and Lament

Key Passage: Job 1:1–2:10

Overview

Job, a God-fearing family man and wealthy landowner living in the land of Uz during the days of the patriarchs, becomes the focus of a heavenly conversation between God and Satan. Held up as a model of godly devotion and worship, Job’s faithfulness is attacked by Satan as the product of Job’s financial prosperity. “But just introduce a good dose of adversity,” Satan accuses, “and Job’s commitment will dissolve into cursing.” Practically overnight, Job loses his health, wealth, family, and reputation. But through it all, he steadfastly acknowledges God’s sovereign right to give blessings and to take them away, as He sees fit.

Your Daily Walk

How deep is your commitment to God? Do you worship Him because it is the socially acceptable thing to do? Because He has prospered you materially? Because the rest of your family follows Him? Because by doing so you hope to gain long life and good health?

What would happen if God suddenly put you through a Job-like experience? Broken health, death of a loved one, financial reversal, and disastrous fire. Job’s faith was severely tested in a furnace of adversity, not to ruin him but to refine him. Though Job was short on explaining the “why” of his ordeal, he was long on trusting the “who”—the One who had every right to give and withhold blessing. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (1:21).

Has God recently removed a blessing from your life? Could you think back to the time He first gave it to you? Didn’t you respond with thanks? Then make that the pattern for the way you respond now. In God’s strength, Job did; so can you.

Insight - Job—A Book, a Man, and a Whole Lot More

Two possible meanings of the name Job are found in the following: One comes from an Arabic root and means “one who turns back (repents).” Another derives from a Hebrew root and means “the hated (persecuted) one.” Notice how both prefigure Job's experiences in the book that bears his name.

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May 17/18

Job 4–7

Job’s First Answer from Eliphaz

Key Passage: Job 4:1-9; 6:1-13

Overview

Onto the stage now step three of Job’s friends, who will serve as self-appointed counselors for the next 28 chapters. Each friend represents a different point of view concerning the source of Job’s suffering. Eliphaz, the senior spokesman and “chief counsel for the prosecution,” bases much of his insight on personal experience. Older and more diplomatic than his two companions, Eliphaz couches his criticism in kinder terms. God is righteous and pure (4:17); man’s troubles (including Job’s) are brought on by himself. Job expresses disappointment with Eliphaz’s diagnosis, challenging Eliphaz to identify anything standing between him and his God.

Your Daily Walk

It is a rare and precious friend who knows when to speak and when to keep quiet. A well-intentioned word spoken to a bereaved individual at an inappropriate moment can do more harm than good.

Take it from a father who knows—one who sat by the bedside of his teenage daughter during her long hospitalization, then penned these wise words to those who would offer sympathy:

“Be prayerful about what you say. To us, the presence, not the sage counsel, of visitors was the most meaningful...We sensed little value in attempts to ‘theologize’ about the purpose of this trial. We needed encouragement for the immediate moment more than speculation about the past or present.”

Do you know others undergoing Job-like experiences today? Don’t glibly tell them, “I understand,” when you don’t. Instead, tell them, “I’m here...and I love you.”

Insight - An Examination of Eliphaz

• His name means “God is dispenser [of judgment].”
• He was a native of Teman (Job 2:11), a city located southeast of Palestine and famous for its wise men (Jeremiah 49:7).
• He was the leading spokesman of the group.
• He was clear-thinking and considerate, contending that people bring trouble on themselves (Job 5:7).

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May 19

Job 8–10

Job’s First Answer from Bildad

Key Passage: Job 8:8-19; 9:1-24

Overview

Bildad, the second of Job’s three friends to speak, relies more on tradition than on experience for his arguments. He goes back to former days to prove his contention that God is just, concluding that only those who pursue godlessness are in line for God’s chastening hand. Job responds that he is innocent—a claim that God cannot deny (10:7)—but he is nonetheless unable to explain why God would single him out for suffering.

Your Daily Walk

Inequities in life don’t make sense. The speeding car gets away, and you get ticketed for a burned-out headlight. The lax employee gets the promotion while you get passed over. The unsaved family next door has three new cars while you can barely make payments on your “lemon.”

But how do the inequities in your life stack up against those Job faced in the first 10 chapters of his book? Character assassination by Satan; loss of family, fortune, and health; false accusation from friends; and (worst of all) total silence from the only One who can right the record and verify his innocence.

Bildad’s answer to Job’s despair is that Job must be harboring some horrible secret sin. His solution? “Admit your sin and God will remove the suffering.” But how do you confess a sin that never existed in the first place?

Let James 1:1-12 guide you to a better answer. God is committed to developing patience in your life, and one way He accomplishes that is through the crucible of problems. Remember: Faith in the furnace is a faith that is being refined, strengthened, and deepened.

Insight - A Profile of Bildad

• His name means “son of contention.”
• He was a desert dweller, living in what today is a part of Arabia.
• He was more blunt and argumentative than Eliphaz.
• He charged Job with godlessness, contending that God never twists justice (8:3, 13).

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May 20

Job 11–14

Job’s First Answer from Zophar

Key Passage: Job 11; 12:13-25

Overview

Brushing aside the courtesy and restraint of the first two counselors, Zophar bores straight to the heart of the matter, as he sees it. “Will your idle talk reduce men to silence?...I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you...God has even forgotten some of your sin” (11:3, 5–6). Zophar accuses Job of abandoning the God of infinite wisdom and following his own ignorant ways. In response, Job defends his own integrity and reaffirms his steadfast confidence in God.

Your Daily Walk

True depression manifests itself in many different ways. In some people, it brings sobs and moanings without words; in others, fits of anger, rage, and even violence. Still others may experience an inability to perform simple tasks of personal care, such as eating, bathing, or dressing. For the Christian, there is the added sense of guilt, for he knows that God cannot abandon him. Yet the depressed person feels that God has.

A few passages in Scripture paint a picture of depression as dark as Job 14. Job, who knows God is on his side, who knows God is in control of both the oppressed and the oppressor, who knows that justice will ultimately triumph, nevertheless despairs of his very life. By dwelling on the greatness of his grief, he loses perspective on the greatness of his God.

One way we can pull ourselves out of depression is to focus on the Problem Solver rather than the problem. To help you do that, write down the words of Psalm 34:18. And if you feel yourself floundering in a sea of depression, consider seeking professional help as well.

Insight - Zophar in the Spotlight

• His name means “hairy” or “rough.”
• He lived in Naamah, located perhaps in northern Arabia.
• He displayed a holier-than-thou attitude.
• He charged Job with boasting, contending that God knows sin when He sees it and deals with it accordingly (11:2-6, 11).

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May 21

Job 15–17

Job’s Second Answer from Eliphaz

Key Passage: Job 15:1-16; 17:1-16

Overview

Job’s friends have spoken, and Job has refuted each argument. Chapter 15 begins a second volley of attacks on Job’s character as each friend seeks to offer the final word on Job’s baffling case. Eliphaz leads again by describing Job’s words as worthless talk. He denies Job has a true knowledge of God and broadly condemns all wickedness in man, a thinly disguised slander of Job’s spiritual life. Job responds by calling Eliphaz and his companions “miserable comforters” (16:2). From Job’s perspective, God is out to crush him, a thought that leaves Job broken in spirit and seemingly alone.

Your Daily Walk

It has been said, “The elderly are the only outcast group that everyone eventually expects to join.” Arnold Toynbee, on his 80th birthday, remarked, “I’m glad I’m growing old in England. Americans are dedicated to the new and super-efficient. It must be depressing to be old in the United States.” In the church of Jesus Christ, the situation is not much better. Those who stand to gain the most from the experience of the elderly, the next generation, often spend the least amount of time with them. Perhaps that is why Paul commanded Titus to have the older women teach the younger, and the older men to be godly models for the younger (Titus 2:1-8). Without Paul’s encouragement, this kind of guidance might not occur.

How do you treat the seniors in your church? Do you honor them and draw upon their wisdom in making spiritual decisions? Spend some time with someone 20 or more years your senior. You’ll leave wiser!

Insight - The Literary Genius in Job

The Book of Job stands out as one of the finest pieces of early literature. Please take a look at how it is structured with poetry in the middle and prose at the beginning and end. The book resembles a courtroom setting, where the three friends, as lawyers, accuse the defendant Job. In the end, though, God, the presiding Judge, has the final word.

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May 22

Job 18–19

Job’s Second Answer from Bildad

Key Passage: Job 18:1–19:6

Overview

Bildad launches his second volley of barbs at Job. According to Bildad, the light of the wicked goes out; he is ensnared in various traps, disease consumes him, and his family forsakes him. Bildad’s elocution is flawless, but his theology is faulty—a fact that Job quickly points out. Responding to his unsympathetic friend, Job acknowledges that God has had a hand in the things that have befallen him. His friends and family have failed him, and even his wife has spurned him. Mercy is seemingly nowhere to be found. But just when Job reaches the depths of despair, his faith is rekindled as he proclaims the certainty that “yet in my flesh I will see God” (19:26).

Your Daily Walk

What is the best book you’ve read this month? This year? In your lifetime?

You may never spend a day when books do not affect your life. (And surely every day should include time with the Book of books, the Bible.) Books can fortify, stimulate, inform, and challenge you. Through them, you can enter vicariously into the experience of the author, gaining a fresh, new perspective on the vastness of God’s creation and the depths of the human spirit.

When the Apostle Paul found himself in a Roman dungeon, he made two requests: (1) for a cloak to warm his body, and (2) for books to feed his mind and soul (2 Timothy 4:13).

Start today if you haven’t cultivated the habit of reading good books. Visiting your Christian bookstore will open a new horizon of information and inspiration for your daily walk with God. Who knows? You might even find a “best seller” or two.

Insight - Job’s Suffering—A Textbook Case

Broken down by the thought of his alienation from God and man alike, Job cries out: “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever!” (19:23-24). Turn to Matthew 5:18, and you’ll see Job’s wish was granted.

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May 23

Job 20–21

Job’s Second Answer from Zophar

Key Passage: Job 20:1-11; 21:22-34

Overview

Zophar, specializing in easy answers to difficult questions, now levels his second barrage against Job. He paints a vivid (and gruesome) picture of the fate of the wicked man in the hands of a holy God. If what Zophar says is true, Job’s life certainly provides Exhibit A. But as Job points out, this isn’t always true. Some wicked men live long and virtually painless lives. They are happy, well-fed, and at ease with life. They seem to prosper with impunity despite their godless lifestyle. The wicked are mighty this side of the grave, but then comes their destruction by God. Thus, there is little in Zophar’s words to bring comfort to the grieving Job.

Your Daily Walk

Are you experiencing feelings of jealousy toward someone who seems to be “getting away with murder”?

Then consider this:

• It is God who allows the wicked to prosper temporarily. He withholds His punishment (21:9); He allows them prosperity (21:16); He allows their family, field, and flocks to thrive (21:8-11).
• The prosperity of the wicked drives them far from God. They do not desire to know Him or even to talk to Him (21:15), in spite of His blessing in their lives.
• The destruction of the wicked is certain. Prosperity now will give way to calamity in the future, when the eyes of the wicked shall see their own destruction and His wrath (21:20).

God’s love is clearly visible in His long-suffering toward those who deserve punishment. Is that your attitude as well? Make these words your marching orders for today: “Love cures people—both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.”

Insight - Hasty Words, Hurtful Words

Zophar’s second speech must be interpreted by his opening statement: “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed” (20:2). His hurried response was cruel and incorrect. Zophar’s concept of God was nothing more than a reflection of himself: impatient and judgmental.

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May 24/25

Job 22–24

Job’s Third Answer from Eliphaz

Key Passage: Job 22:1-11; 23:1-12

Overview

Round Three of the debate between Job and his friends about Job’s predicament produces plenty of heat but sheds little light. Once again, Eliphaz leads the assault: “Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless?” (22:5). What began as courteous dialogue now turns into a grave accusation. Though there is no evidence to support Eliphaz’s charges, he insists that what he says must be true to explain Job’s circumstances. But Job remains firm in his conviction that he is innocent and God is trustworthy.

Your Daily Walk

It’s a good thing iron, coal, and bauxite don’t have a vote in the matter. If they did, chances are good there would be no such thing as steel, diamonds, or aluminum. Why? Because heat, pressure, and time are all involved in transforming these raw materials into something better. Take away the process, and you also lose the end product.

In chapter 23, Job acknowledges that God has put his faith in the furnace, not to ruin him but to refine him. Just as gold loses its impurities at a temperature of several thousand degrees, Job declares that “when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (23:10) — tested, purified, proven in character.

Take time today to read 1 Peter 1:1-9 carefully. Then, carry a piece of aluminum foil in your pocket or purse as a reminder that the heat and pressure you face today are God’s way of helping you reflect His glory tomorrow.

Insight - Seeing the Invisible God

Job’s trust in God is nowhere more visible than in 23:8-10. In his search for answers, Job goes “east...west...north...south.” And what does he discover? “[God] is not there...I do not find him... I do not see him...I catch no glimpse of him.” But Job realizes the ultimate question is not, “Can I see the invisible God?” (no, you can’t); but rather, “Can I trust the invisible God?” (yes, you can).

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May 26

Job 25–28

Job’s Third Answer from Bildad

Key Passage: Job 25–26, 28

Overview

Even long-winded debaters eventually run out of arguments, and such is the case with Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Bildad only underscores what he considers the crucial issue of Job’s case: Mortal man is defenseless to stand before a just God. Therefore, Job’s distress must be due to a breach of God’s righteous demands. Though Job agrees with the premise, he firmly believes Bildad’s conclusion is false. By painting a sweeping picture of God’s majesty and power in creation, he shows what folly it is to expect mortal man to discern and understand God’s ways (26:14). When Zophar chooses not to respond in turn, Job speaks to all three men about God’s wisdom.

Your Daily Walk

Human beings accomplished incredible feats during the 20th century. We put men on the moon, spanned continents by supersonic jet and satellite communications, and isolated causes and cures for diseases that used to kill millions of people. Our search for knowledge has pushed us to the highest mountain peak and the deepest ocean gorge.

But for all this knowledge and achievement, we have yet to discover a source of wisdom on earth that can pull all the pieces of life together for us. “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living” (28:12-13). Only in God can we find life’s answers. “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom” (28:28). Finite humans can discover many treasures for themselves; others can only be found in God.

Select a question you are wrestling with that defies human explanation. Make it a personal project to find all that God has said on the subject in His Word. That’s where wisdom begins.

Insight - God’s Wisdom Is Richer Than Topaz (28:19)

Topaz was precious in biblical times. It was in the breastplate of the high priest (Exodus 28:17) and among the stones covering the prince of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:13). John even mentioned topaz as part of the walls of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20).

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May 27

Job 29–31

Job’s Final Plea

Key Passage: Job 29:1-6; 30:1-8; 31:5-15

Overview

Rather than repeat his well-worn accusations, Zophar maintains his silence. But though Job’s counselors have run out of words, Job’s condition is just as perplexing as before. What makes the present predicament even more unpleasant for Job is his recollection of the past. In days gone by God had blessed him with protection, guidance, family, prosperity, dignity, and discernment. But now, all that has changed. Derision, disease, death, poverty, and tears have filled his life. And yet, 20 times over, Job affirms, “If I have erred in any way from God’s law, let me be punished accordingly.” Job does not fear the outcome when it is God who weighs his life in the balance.

Your Daily Walk

“The End.” Those words are often seen at the close of a book or movie. They mark the last page or the last scene. The story is over.

In Job’s case, those words lower the curtain on his attempts to explain his predicament: “The words of Job are ended” (31:40). The mystery remained unsolved; “The Case of the Suffering Saint” seemed as far away from a solution as ever. Then Job did a wise thing—waiting on the Lord (Psalm 46:10).

The urge to talk, defend, and demand explanations is strong. But take a lesson from Job. Sometimes it is preferable, and wiser, to say nothing, and merely to listen for the still, small voice of God. Is one of those “sometimes” right now?

Insight - Prosperity from a Peculiar Place

At first glance, 29:6 may not make sense, with illustrations of oily rocks and feet bathed in cream. Think of these as ancient Near Eastern imagery for prosperity. An abundance of cream indicates large herds of cows and goats. Oil streams indicate groves of olive trees that thrive in rocky soil, extracted in presses hewn from solid rock. Job did not attribute his prosperity to personal achievement, but rather to the providence of God (29:2-5).

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May 28

Job 32–34

Job’s Answer from Elihu (Part 1)

Key Passage: Job 32:1-9; 33:8-22; 34:10-15

Overview

Mired in depression and apparently no nearer to solving his problem, Job would hardly appear to need another counselor. But Elihu, younger than Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, has listened silently to their hurtful (rather than helpful) words. Now Elihu declares his evaluation of the situation in four lengthy monologues. Job has repeatedly affirmed his innocence, but Elihu reminds him that God sometimes uses adversity to get man’s attention and turn him from the path of destruction. Elihu reaffirms God’s perfect justice and calls for Job to confess his sins of pride and rebellion.

Your Daily Walk

Have you ever noticed certain phrases nearly everyone uses, but no one seems to believe? Statements like...

• “This will hurt me more than it hurts you.”
• “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”
• “The grass is always greener on the other side.” (To be honest, not only is the grass not greener, it’s not even edible.)

Take the first statement. Does it pain the parent more than the child when discipline is administered? Does God agonize when He must bring painful consequences upon His erring children? To find out, reread the last 20 verses of Job 33. Then spend a few minutes thinking about the role of discipline in life with your children: why it is important, why it is painful, and why God sometimes has to discipline His children.

Insight - How Should We Take His Advice?

Many different interpretations have been offered for Elihu’s speeches, from childish pomposity to honest, humble wisdom. Whatever the case may be, we know that God did not rebuke Elihu as He did Job’s other three friends (42:7). Perhaps God was more understanding of his youth, but then again, he may have struck some chords of truth.

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May 29

Job 35–37

Job’s Answer from Elihu (Part 2)

Key Passage: Job 35; 37:14-24

Overview

Though he offers a more satisfactory explanation than any of the other counselors, Elihu nonetheless errs in his assessment of Job’s situation. He accuses Job of making foolish statements to the other men; he wrongly assumes that his diagnosis will enable Job to see an immediate purpose behind his sufferings; he concludes that unexplainable suffering always has an educational value in the sufferer's life. Throughout Elihu’s comments, a strong confidence in the sovereignty of God can be found. He is just, holy, mighty, and unfathomable in His works. Only a clearer picture of Him will supply Job with the answers to his questions.

Your Daily Walk

Disillusioned by the uses people have made of science, Albert Einstein said that if he could live again, he would choose to be a plumber rather than a physicist.

Science still has nothing to say to the deepest levels of human experience. It can’t warm a heart chilled by loneliness or mend a heart broken by grief. It cannot remove sin's stain or ease guilt's pain. Elihu pointed to science as a testimony to God’s greatness and complexity, but only a word from God Himself could comfort Job in his hour of grief.

Tonight, under the stars, take out a flashlight and read the words of Psalm 19. Let them remind you again that there is a God of creation who knows the answers to life’s deepest riddles. The God who specializes in controlling the storm is fully adequate to handle any storm of doubt or confusion in your life today.

Insight - A View of Elihu

• His name means “He is my God.”
• By birth, he was a Buzite—a tribal group from Arabia.
• He had wisdom beyond his years.
• He provided an enlightened answer to Job’s misery that, though superior to the incorrect answers of the other three, still fell short of the perfect answer only God could provide.

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May 30

Job 38–39

God’s Answer to Job

Key Passage: Job 38:1-18

Overview

God has not spoken during the discourses of Job’s friends. But now He breaks His self-imposed silence to give Job what he frequently requested: a personal audience with the God of creation. Now God does most of the talking; Job is strangely silent. God begins by asking Job a series of questions about the created universe. Using 10 object lessons from the physical world, and 10 more from the animal world, God overwhelms Job with His greatness and grandeur, causing him to respond, “I am unworthy” (40:4). In light of God’s awesome power, what right does the creature have to demand explanations from the Creator?

Your Daily Walk

“Pick on someone your size” is good advice for bullies and for anyone who thinks he’s a worthy opponent for God.

Job demanded an audience with God, confident that if he could meet the Almighty face to face, he could hold his own. God granted his wish! But it wasn’t long before Job the warrior became Job the worshiper. Standing in the presence of his Creator, Job bowed low in awe and quickly realized his own sinfulness and smallness. Compared to the grandeur of God’s majesty, Job felt like nothing (40:4).

Do you, like Job, feel God owes you an answer for the present distress you’re experiencing? That’s a symptom you’ve grown nearsighted in your knowledge of Him. Today, keep an eye out for eyeglasses. Whenever you see a pair, let them remind you to keep your infinitely powerful and loving God in proper focus. Like Job, learn to walk with God...on your knees.

Insight - A Windy Answer for a Wounded Saint

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm” (38:1). God is often portrayed in Scripture accompanied by a storm—a dramatic way of underscoring what He is about to say. Look up the following passages to discover other times when God’s presence was accompanied by a tempest: Ezekiel 1:4, 28; Nahum 1:3; Zechariah 9:14.

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May 31

Job 40–42

Job’s Acquittal and Reward

Key Passage: Job 40:1-14; 42

Overview

Job has been confronted with God’s power and wisdom. But the question of His judgment and justice yet remains. Once again God uses interrogation: “Do you have an arm like God’s?” (40:9); invitation: prove that you know how to exercise true justice (see vv. 10–14); and illustration: “Look at the behemoth” (v. 15) to bring Job to the point of repentance for his presumptuous attitude. Though Job still finds God’s ways unsearchable, he is willing to trust God completely. Job emerges from his tragedy a man of renewed faith, having heard about God...and spoken to Him face to face.

Your Daily Walk

God doesn’t just patch—He renews.

God doesn’t just salve sins—He saves.

God doesn’t just reform—He transforms.

Job’s faith in God didn’t necessarily make life easier for him. In some ways, that faith was the reason for his calamity. (Remember chapters 1 and 2?) And Job’s confidence in God didn’t automatically answer all his questions about God. But it gave him a strength and stability to accept what each day brought: prosperity and poverty, blessing and bereavement, the unexpected and the unexplainable.

That’s what faith in God can do for you. One songwriter said, “Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God; through it all, I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.”

But before you can learn to trust Him, you must meet Him face to face. If you’ve never done that, read the next page carefully and prayerfully. Remember, the God who saved and sustained Job can do the same for you.

Insight - A Threefold Benediction of God’s Blessing (42:14)

The daughters born to Job after his suffering were given names symbolizing the beauty and glory of restoration: Jemimah (dove), Keziah (perfume), and Keren-happuch (beautifier).

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Ezra

In Ezra, the historical narrative of 2 Chronicles continues. After 70 years of exile, God fulfills His promise to return His people to their homeland. Under His sovereign direction, a Persian king now rules in Babylon, and the Jews are free at last to go home. The first group of returnees rebuilds the temple in Jerusalem (chs. 1–6). Fifty-eight years later, Ezra leads a second group back to Jerusalem to rebuild the spiritual and moral character of the people (chs. 7–10).

May 1

Ezra 1–3

Temple Commission

Key Passage: Ezra 1:1-8; 3:1-13

Overview

The people of God have paid dearly for their indifference and idolatry. For 70 years, they have languished in Babylonian exile. But though the situation looks bleak, God has neither forsaken nor forgotten them. At the appointed time, He raises a pagan Persian king named Cyrus, whose proclamation permits the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple—an event prophesied in remarkable detail fully two centuries in advance (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1-4). Sadly, only a handful of exiles respond to the invitation. Led by Zerubbabel and supported by the king’s treasury, about 50,000 Jews begin the long trek to their shattered homeland, where together they begin to rebuild the nation’s temple and the nation’s future.

Your Daily Walk

Could you try this experiment? Using a watch with a sweep second hand or digital counter, see how long it takes to find a paper clip, a postage stamp, and last year’s tax return. Ready . . . go! (Less than a minute—your house is arranged “decently and in order”; between one and three minutes—you could use some help; more than three minutes—you probably have small children around the house.)

Now ponder this observation. The myriad of numbers in Ezra 1–2 is not there to overwhelm you, but to show you that God is a God of detail and orderliness. In fact, those priests who sought their family records and could not find them were disqualified from the priest- hood because they couldn’t meet the legal requirements to prove their lineage (2:62). Take a moment to look up 1 Corinthians 14:40. Then put it to work in an area of your life that needs attention.

Insight - The Elusive Book of Ezra

In the English Bible, Ezra follows 2 Chronicles. But in the Hebrew canon, Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book, located just before Chronicles. The first division into two books in the Hebrew Bible was not made until 1448, more than 18 centuries after the material was written.

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May 2

Ezra 4–6

Temple Completion

Key Passage: Ezra 4:15, 24; 6:13-22

Overview

Zerubbabel knows that the task of rebuilding the nation must begin at the altar, not the workbench. The challenge is primarily spiritual, not architectural. Accordingly, Zerubbabel’s first priority is to erect the altar and reinstate Israel’s national feasts, which are the times God had appointed for the nation to celebrate His work. Once materials are gathered and assignments made, the actual work of rebuilding the temple can commence. But it is not long before the local residents lodge complaints with the king, bringing the work to a halt. Not until Darius comes to power 15 years later can the project be resumed and completed.

Your Daily Walk

There has yet to be a work attempted for God that did not produce criticism. In fact, if you want to avoid criticism, there is only one way: say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing. Zerubbabel’s goal of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem sprang from pure motives. He marched 900 miles through perilous wilderness. He labored neither for monetary gain nor public notoriety. But despite all that, he met with stiff criticism and opposition from the local Jewish population, who had embraced foreign wives and pagan ways.

No one so thoroughly appreciates the value of criticism as the one who gives it. But consider these wise words from H. A. Ironside, American preacher and commentator in the early 20th century, on how to face criticism: “If what they are saying about you is true, mend your ways. If it isn’t true, forget it, and go about serving the Lord.” Good advice to remember next time you are the target. After all, sticks and stones are only thrown at fruit-bearing trees.

Insight - How “Great” Can You Get?

The rebuilt temple was constructed with “large stones” (5:8). The size of these stones is not specified, but they were large enough for Jesus’ disciples to respond in amazement (Mark 13:1)—great stones befitting a great God.

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May 3/4

Ezra 7–8

Priests and Pilgrims

Key Passage: Ezra 7:6-10; 8:21-36

Overview

A striking feature of the Book of Ezra is that the name “Ezra” does not appear until chapter 7. The first six chapters chronicle the life and ministry of Zerubbabel in rebuilding the temple; now, chapters 7–10 introduce a priest named Ezra, whom God uses to rebuild the spiritual condition of the people. Ezra begins his task 58 years after the events of chapter 6. The people have a house for God, but not a heart for God. Ezra realizes revival must begin with a national return to the statutes and requirements of God as contained in the Mosaic Law. With the support of Persia’s King Artaxerxes, Ezra sets out with 1,753 of his countrymen (not including women and children; see 8:21) to cover the 900 dangerous miles back to Jerusalem.

Your Daily Walk

Do you remember your first Sunday school teacher? Are you currently, or do you ever hope to become, a teacher of God’s Word?

Those who devote themselves to the teaching of Scripture have accepted a staggering responsibility. According to Ezra 7:10, they are accountable in four ways: (1) They are to devote their hearts to obedient service, (2) to study the meaning of God’s Word, (3) to obey what they discover, and (4) to teach what they have learned. Far from being merely a classroom lecture, true Bible teaching is the overflow of one obedient life into the life of another.

Think of one teacher who has contributed to your spiritual growth by seeking, doing, and teaching God’s Word over the past year. How can you honor that person today with a note, phone call, or special gift? (That’s one good way to put 1 Timothy 5:17 to work.)

Insight - The Etymology of “King of Kings”

The title “King of kings,” which we often read and sing, was originally used to describe Assyrian kings. The title aptly described them, for they had conquered many nations. Later, the Babylonian and Persian kings borrowed it when they had built their empires (Ezekiel 26:7; Daniel 2:37).

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May 5

Ezra 9–10

Pollution and Purging

Key Passage: Ezra 9:10,17

Overview

The bad news of mixed marriages in the community tempers the good news of Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem. Jews are permitting their sons to marry heathen women from neighboring territories. Even the priests, Levites, and civic leaders are involved—a condition that the Law of God condemns and that Ezra finds intolerable. The process of righting these wrongs is painful, difficult, and time-consuming. But even those “rainy skies” cannot dampen Israel’s renewed commitment to personal and national purity.

Your Daily Walk

Marriage has been defined in many ways—some humorous, some tragic. Which would you say best describes yours? Marriage is...

• The peaceful coexistence of two nervous systems.
• a school of experience where husband and wife are classmates.
• a union that defies management.

Add to that list one more: Successful marriage always involves a triangle—a man, a woman, and God. The prophet Amos asked the right question more than 2,700 years ago: “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (Amos 3:3). The answer is obvious. Yet, many of God’s people ignore the clear warnings and prohibitions of Scripture.

If you are single, read 2 Corinthians 6:14; if you are married, meditate on 1 Corinthians 7:10-16. Let those verses remind you again that Christian marriage is designed for three (you, your believing spouse, and God) for life.

Insight - The Chronic Problem of Pagan Partners

Ezra 10:18-43 lists more than 100 men guilty of mixed marriages— the very sin condemned and forbidden in Deuteronomy 7:1-5. Israel’s history from the period of the judges onward illustrates the chronic nature of the situation (Judges 3:5-7) and its devastating consequences. (Nehemiah 13:23-28) and (Malachi 2:11) also deals with the recurring problem of mixed marriages.

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Nehemiah

Though the Jews have rebuilt the temple and put away their pagan wives, Jerusalem’s walls still lie in ruin. But God finds a wall-builder in Persia. Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king, leads the third expedition of pilgrims back to the homeland. Even though Nehemiah encounters fierce opposition to his reconstruction efforts, the project is completed in record time. Then the public reading of God’s Word triggers a significant though short-lived revival within the rebuilt walls.

May 6

Nehemiah 1–2

Construction of the Walls

Key Passage: Nehemiah 1:1–2:8

Overview

In ancient times, a city was only as secure as its walls. In the case of Jerusalem, the temple stands in glistening splendor, but the walls lie in ruin and rubble. Enter Nehemiah, cupbearer to the king of Persia and God’s choice to rebuild the city’s defenses. After four months of prayerful intercession for his people and homeland, Nehemiah finds his opportune moment. Armed with both a blueprint and a burden, Nehemiah shares his request with the king—and receives even more than he asked for. After inspecting Jerusalem’s precincts personally, Nehemiah rallies his countrymen with the faith-inspired cry, “The God of heaven will give us success” (2:20).

Your Daily Walk

Look around, and you will see people in need, whether it’s money, food, shelter, health issues, encouragement, or the hope of Jesus. You can pray two kinds: comfortable prayers (“Lord, meet that need”) and commitment prayers (“Lord, use me to help meet that need”).

Learn a lesson from the life of Nehemiah. Don’t pray to be comfortable in your circumstances; pray to be available and ready to do the will of God in every situation. In the process, some essential walls may get built. Find a quiet corner as you reread Nehemiah’s prayer of commitment in 1:4-11. Then make it yours.

Insight - Autobiography of a Powerful Prayer

Nehemiah’s memoirs bear eloquent testimony to the power of prayer in the life of a child of God. As you continue reading the book, catalog Nehemiah’s prayers and God’s answers.

• Nehemiah 1:4-11- What did Nehemiah pray for? What did God answer with?
• 2:4-8- What did Nehemiah pray for? What did God answer with?
• 4:4-12- What did Nehemiah Pray for? What did God answer with?
• 6:9, 14–16- What did Nehemiah pray for? What did God answer with?
• 13:14-31- What did Nehemiah pray for? What did God answer with?

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May 7

Nehemiah 3–4

Rallying the Workers

Key Passage: Nehemiah 4

Overview

Like the earlier reconstruction efforts under Zerubbabel and Ezra, the rebuilding corps under Nehemiah faces opposition both from without and within. As the walls rise, so does opposition from leaders in surrounding provinces. For each problem, Nehemiah seeks—and finds—a God-honoring solution: Ridicule is handled with prayer; threats of violence are dealt with by adequate preparation; discouragement is met with a personal example of faith in God’s power.

Your Daily Walk

Think of a time when you looked ridiculous. Perhaps it was at a costume party or on a fishing trip or in a school play. In any case, you dressed in such a way that others laughed at the way you looked.

Did you ever stop to realize that ridicule is the act of making someone feel ridiculous? That’s why it’s so painful. Through coarse jesting, misrepresentation, or mocking, someone makes you (or what you believe) an object of derisive laughter.

One of the tests of your Christian character is the way you handle ridicule. Do you explode in anger and retaliate? Or do you, like Nehemiah, leave the matter to God?

Jesus had some special words of comfort for those suffering ridicule and persecution in their walk with God: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12). Remember that the next time you or your godly views are laughed at. And if ridicule is not a problem you face often, perhaps you had better check to see if your light is really shining.

Insight - Nehemiah’s Notorious Neighbors

Several of Nehemiah’s persecutors are noted in historical sources other than the Bible. Sanballat (4:1) is identified as the governor of Samaria in the Elephantine Papyri. A rock inscribed with Tobiah (4:3) in ancient Aramaic script was found near present-day Amman, Jordan.

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May 8

Nehemiah 5–7

Completion of the Walls

Key Passage: Nehemiah 5; 6:15-19

Overview

With progress continuing to rebuild the walls, Nehemiah’s opponents shift their attacks from direct confrontation to subtle conspiracy. Sanballat and Geshem repeatedly try to sidetrack Nehemiah from his God-given assignment. Even a false prophet arises to lead Nehemiah into a potentially fatal trap, only to have his plan foiled by Nehemiah’s keen discernment. Despite loan sharks, deceit, espionage, and attempted assassination, Nehemiah and his dedicated band of bricklayers complete the city walls in less than two months—a feat even Israel’s enemies perceive is “done with the help of . . . God” (6:16). And now come new responsibilities for Nehemiah. As governor, he appoints (7:1), delegates (7:2), organizes (7:3), and utilizes the new leadership in the newly built city.

Your Daily Walk

How much of what others tell you do you believe without question? Jesus told His disciples to be “as innocent as doves,” but He also cautioned them to be “as shrewd as snakes” (Matthew 10:16). How are you doing?

Shemaiah hoped Nehemiah would be gullible enough to ensnare himself, thereby ruining the building project (6:10-14). Nehemiah realized Shemaiah’s suggestion was incompatible with God’s will because he knew the Scriptures. Look up Numbers 18:7 and you’ll see that what initially appeared to be a difficult decision for Nehemiah was quite simple when he recalled what God had already said.

Mastering your Bible is not just a good idea; it is essential for making wise, God-honoring decisions. Read 2 Peter 3:18 aloud and make it your personal growth project for today.

Insight - Whistle While You Work (7:1-3)

Nehemiah gave specific instructions about opening and closing the gates when the walls were finished. Because of the sparse population, he appointed residents to stand guard at vulnerable places in the wall. They joined the gatekeepers in standing guard.

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May 9

Nehemiah 8–10

Revival Within the Walls

Key Passage: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Overview

The first half of the Book of Nehemiah teaches valuable lessons about working for God; the second half emphasizes worshiping God. Beginning with chapter 8, the account becomes biographical rather than autobiographical (no longer is it in the first person, “I”). Now it centers on the spiritual rather than physical well-being of the people. The public reading and explanation of God’s Word brings a sweeping revival to the city. Rejoicing at the sound of God’s precious laws as preached by Ezra the priest, the people respond with prayers of confession, worship to God, and a fresh resolve to live godly lives in keeping with their commitment.

Your Daily Walk

Revival is the phenomenon perhaps most often discussed and yet least experienced by Christians today. The reason is not hard to find. Though the way to revival is simple, the price of revival is high. And few are willing to pay it. There were three main ingredients in Israel’s revival:

(1) the reading of God’s Word, (2) confession of sins, and (3) wholehearted commitment to God. The people made a solemn covenant to “follow the Law of God” (10:29)—a promise that only a decade later would be shamelessly broken.

Think of an area in your life that needs revival: your marriage, business ethics, or prayer life. Now count the cost. What good things will you have to give up to gain God’s best? What sin will you have to forsake? What action can you take now to show God you mean business?

Insight - The First Old Testament Commentaries

Ezra and his assistants read from “the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read” (Nehemiah 8:8). After their years of exile, many Jews no longer understood Hebrew, requiring interpretation and explanation in Aramaic, the language of the common people.

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May 10/11

Nehemiah 11–13

Resettlement Within the Walls

Key Passage: Nehemiah 13

Overview

With the walls in place and the nation's spiritual condition revived, Nehemiah now consolidates and organizes the populace. One-tenth of the people are chosen by lot to relocate within the city walls, while the rest remain in the suburbs. The walls are formally dedicated, and temple officers are commissioned to oversee the functions of national worship. After an extended leave of absence, Nehemiah returns from Babylon to find Tobiah living in a temple storeroom, and the people displaying a shocking disregard for God’s laws concerning marriage and the Sabbath. Assuming the role of reformer again, Nehemiah labored to restore national purity.

Your Daily Walk

People. You can’t live without them, but how often have you yearned to try nonetheless? Nehemiah’s greatest challenge came not from trying to lay bricks, but from trying to love the bricklayers! Perhaps he pondered questions like the one expressed by Peter in Matthew 18:21: “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”

If Nehemiah had stopped at seven, he never would have lasted through chapter 3 of his book! Notice Jesus’ reply to Peter: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22).

What Nehemiah did with bricks and mortar is well known; what he did with stubborn men and women, forgiving their offenses against him, is just as well documented in God’s Word. Nehemiah knew that forgiveness is our command from God; criticizing, grumbling, and condemning are not.

Insight - Malachi, a Prophetic Postscript on Nehemiah

Four centuries of divine silence follow the Book of Nehemiah. No Scripture was written during that time span, possibly because of the people's hardheartedness. Malachi, a contemporary of Nehemiah, left a brief but powerfully convincing record of the heedless attitude of their day.

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Esther

While Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah led some 50,000 people to their homeland, many more were reluctant to leave Persia. Esther’s story takes place against this Persian background. Chosen to replace the banished queen, Esther soon finds that she and her countrymen are threatened by a bizarre plot. Her faithful and courageous action saves God’s people from destruction and provides the occasion for an annual celebration still observed by Jews today—the Feast of Purim.

May 12

Esther 1–2

Esther’s Exaltation

Key Passage: Esther 1:1-12; 2:8-23

Overview

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah recount the return of about 50,000 Jews to their homeland after the Babylonian Exile. But thousands more remained behind in Persia. And though they were not concerned about God, God was still very much concerned about them. Nowhere is this more clearly visible than in the Book of Esther— the story of a beautiful Jewish girl who rises from obscurity to prominence when she becomes the new queen of Persia. Though God’s name is nowhere mentioned in the account, His hand is everywhere visible as He places Esther in the Persian palace and her cousin Mordecai’s name in the Persian chronicles “for such a time as this” (4:14).

Your Daily Walk

“Of all the bad luck! Why did that have to happen to me?” It’s truly amazing how quickly we credit our setbacks in life to bad luck and our successes to hard work.

You'll find many setbacks and successes as you read the Book of Esther. But one common thread runs through them all: God was at work behind the scenes. Esther’s unexpected promotion, Mordecai’s forgotten act of heroism—neither was an accident. Rather, God was weaving a beautiful lesson about sovereignty from the threads of their lives, showing that in their day, as in ours, God is in control.

It’s a truth found not just in the Book of Esther. Read about God’s sovereign control in Exodus 4:11; Psalm 115:3; Daniel 4:17, 25, 28; Romans 8:28.

Insight - A Fatal Plot at a Fateful Moment

At a strategic moment, Mordecai became aware of a plot devised by two eunuchs of the royal bodyguard to put King Xerxes to death (2:21-23). On this occasion, Mordecai secretly passed the news to Esther. Esther reported it in Mordecai’s name, and the conspirators were hanged. The incident was written up in the Persian court diary. Ironically, about 15 years later, Xerxes lost his life due to a similar plot.

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May 13

Esther 3–4

Haman’s Cunning Plot

Key Passage: Esther 3:1-6; 4:13-17

Overview

Esther has been made queen without her nationality being known. But now a new danger arises in the person of Haman, another recipient of a kingly promotion. Mordecai, who has already proven his loyalty to the king, refuses to worship Haman as the king has decreed, prompting Haman to respond with insane anger. Both Mordecai and all of his countrymen must die. False charges and a sizable bribe secure what Haman desires: the king’s permission to liquidate the Jewish population. Now, Queen Esther is faced with a life-and-death decision. Should she risk revealing her nationality to dissuade the king? Or should she protect her life and watch her countrymen be exterminated?

Your Daily Walk

“If I perish, I perish.” Is this the fatalistic cry of a queen resigned to her death, or the faith-inspired statement of a woman who serves a sovereign God?

Don’t miss the context: Mordecai has warned Esther that she will not escape Haman’s plot just because she is the queen. And he challenges her with this thought: “Who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14). Paraphrased, he was saying: “Esther, God has placed you in a strategic place at a critical moment to be the instrument of deliverance for His people. Your presence in the palace is not by accident but divine appointment.”

Do you find yourself in a situation similar to Esther’s, where you wish you could “hide in the palace” today? Then get ready. God has put you where you are for a purpose.

Insight - A Godless Book?

Esther is the only book in the Bible that never mentions God. Nevertheless, God’s hand of providence is more than evident throughout the story. In fact, by not mentioning Him, the author may have been trying to avoid antagonizing the Persians by mentioning a god other than their own, Ahura Mazda.

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May 14

Esther 5–7

Haman’s Humiliation

Key Passage: Esther 5:1–8; 7

Overview

Esther knows full well that entering the king’s throne room uninvited could be an immediate death sentence. But Esther courageously discovers that God has once again prepared the way. She invites Xerxes and Haman to a special banquet in their honor, and the invitation for the next day is repeated. But before that fateful second banquet, Haman builds a gallows 75 feet high on which to hang Mordecai; Xerxes discovers Mordecai’s unrewarded heroism; and Haman watches the honor he had craved go to Mordecai. At the second banquet, Haman is unmasked and dies the very death he had planned for Mordecai.

Your Daily Walk

Do you believe in prayer? Esther believed in prayer enough to go before the king at an unappointed time with an unlikely request, though it could have meant swift death (4:11, 16; 5:2). Would you have done that?

The story recounts a Midwestern town enduring a severe drought. Finally, all the townspeople decided it was time to gather the clergy and assemble for prayer. The entire town came together to pray for rain, but only one person—a small girl—brought her umbrella.

When you pray, are you like the townspeople or the little girl? Do you, like Esther, pray first and then live in the confidence of God’s answer? Are your prayers specific enough that, when God answers, you notice a difference? Write down a specific request for provision, protection, or guidance. For the next week, begin each day by focusing your prayer on that item. You might even put your umbrella in an unusual place to remind you to watch for God’s answer throughout the week.

Insight - The Hanging Everyone Would See

The height of Haman’s gallows (75 feet, or at least as high as the city walls) was designed to ensure that Mordecai’s downfall would be a citywide spectacle, visible both inside and outside the walls. Instead, Haman himself received the notoriety.

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May 15

Esther 8–10

Mordecai’s Exaltation

Key Passage: Esther 8:1-8; 9:1-2, 12–32

Overview

A Persian law sealed with the king’s ring could never be revoked. Though Haman is dead, the king’s decree calling for the extermination of the Jewish people lives on. Mordecai, who now occupies Haman’s former position of power, issues a counter-decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves on the same day as Haman’s edict. When the day of destruction arrives, the enemies of the Jews are annihilated, not the Jews themselves. Future generations will henceforth celebrate the Feast of Purim (so named for the lots that Haman cast and that God directed), recalling the days of earnest appeal to God and the stunning deliverance that He provided.

Your Daily Walk

Think back over the Jews’ troubles as recorded in the historical books of the Bible. During the years of the judges and kings, they experienced wars, famines, political upheavals, shattered families, and premature death. Later came captivity, dispersion, and exile at the hands of the Assyrians and Babylonians. During the 400 years between the close of the Old Testament and the opening of the New, they would be characterized by cold-hearted indifference, culminating in the outright rejection of the Messiah. They would be dispersed worldwide once again; attempts would be made to liquidate them once and for all. And yet, as you look at your map of the Middle East today, the tiny nation of Israel is boldly a part of God’s continuing plan.

If God can bring His chosen people through centuries of chaotic history and preserve them from extinction despite unbelief, disobedience, and indifference, what do you suppose He is capable of doing in your life?

Insight - The Courage of Esther—A Blessing to Others

Twice, Esther risked her life to come before the king’s throne on behalf of others. As Christians, we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16) in intercession “for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). What a privilege!

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April 16

1 Chronicles 10–16

Ark of God

Key Passage:1 Chronicles 11: 1-9; 13: 1-14; 15: 1-3

Overview

The ark of the covenant is a prominent feature of Chronicles, being mentioned more than 40 times. So, it should not be surprising that events surrounding the ark's journey to Jerusalem consume three whole chapters. The lesson is clear: the right action done with the right motives but carried out incorrectly produces deadly consequences. Three months elapse before the journey can be completed. But when the ark is at last installed in Jerusalem, David leads the people in celebration.

Your Daily Walk

The flashing blue lights and wailing siren make it clear that something is wrong. The motorist pulls over to the side of the road and listens in amazement as the officer announces, “I’m giving you a ticket for running a green light.”

Preposterous? Consider this: God gave David a “green light” to bring the ark to Jerusalem and led a joyous procession, but the merriment was cut short by God’s displeasure. An uneven spot in the road, a jostling of the cart, Uzzah’s steadying hand, and what began like a wedding march ended like a funeral procession—all because David overlooked God’s clear instruction in Numbers 4:15 regarding how to transport the ark.

How about you? Are you doing the right things with the right motives in the right way? Try this little test. Pick one area of Christian service you engage in regularly, and probe it with these two questions: (1) Are my motives right for doing what I do? (2) Am I seeking to do God’s work in God’s way?

Insight - Painting a Rosy Picture

If you compare Samuel with Kings and Chronicles, you’ll discover that the author of the Chronicles chose to record only the positive aspects of King David and Solomon’s lives. He was not trying to distort the people’s image of them, for his audience had no doubt read Samuel and Kings. Instead, his idealization of them foreshadows the coming messianic King.

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April 17

1 Chronicles 17–21

God’s Covenant with David

Key Passage: 1 Chronicles 17

Overview

David’s greatest dream is to build a house for God. The prophet Nathan encourages David in this God-honoring ambition. But God soon makes it clear to Nathan—and through Nathan to David—that only in Solomon's lifetime will the dream come to fruition. Though David is not permitted to build a house for God, God will build a house for David—a perpetual dynasty and eternal kingdom. In peacetime and war, through times of faithfulness and seeming faithlessness in David’s life, God remains true to His promise by preserving the line of David.

Your Daily Walk

Grab a sheet of paper, divide it in half, and for the next five minutes, make two lists. On the left, write “All the things I want to do for God in my lifetime.” On the right, list “All the things God wants to do for me in my lifetime.” Now compare lists. Are some of the items the same?

David experienced the death of a dream. He had his heart set on doing something great for God. Despite the prophet’s words of prohibition, David could have insisted on his way. He could have pursued his plans, built the temple anyway, and fulfilled his dream. But in the end, the temple would have stood silent and empty, for God was not in the plans. In the process, David would have missed a greater blessing that God had in store for him.

God may want you to attempt something great for Him or simply do something great for You. Are you available for either? Take your dream list and pray each part of it back to God. Consecrate your dreams, and then watch God work in and through you.

Insight - General David, Man of War

David’s life in chapters 18–20 reads like a chapter from World War II. At least a dozen battles can be discovered in the space of these 44 verses. How many can you find? How might this explain why God wanted Solomon, not David, to build the temple?

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April 18

1 Chronicles 22–27

David’s Temple for God

Key Passage: 1 Chronicles 22–23

Overview

David’s dream of a house being built for God is not denied—merely postponed. His son Solomon will erect the structure. But David is given the joyful privilege of planning and preparing for that tremendous architectural feat. A suitable site must be found; building materials must be secured; plans must be drawn; and priests, musicians, and officers must be organized to manage the worship services. After passing on the vision and responsibility of the project to Solomon, David passes on the reins of leadership as well.

Your Daily Walk

“Plan ahead. After all, it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” That humorous motto stresses the importance of short- and long-range planning. You can render many services for God on a moment’s notice: witnessing to your neighbor, visiting a shut-in, extending hospitality to a stranger. But many more acts of service demand planning and long-range goal setting. If you are going to build a new church, become an overseas missionary, or begin a new degree program, it won’t happen by accident—or overnight.

Presumptuous living in the future is wrong (James 4:13-17), but careful planning for the future is right (2 Corinthians 9:1-8). Plan a get-together tonight with your spouse or a friend to set at least one new goal in your ministry for God.

Insight - David’s Lasting Legacy to the Levites

Almost unnoticed among David’s other achievements, but of enormous spiritual significance, were his efforts to organize the tribe of Levi for effective ministry. As you read chapter 23, think about these insights regarding the Levites’ divisions and duties (and fill in the blanks!):

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April 19/20

1 Chronicles 28–29

David’s Final Words and Deeds

Key Passage: 1 Chronicles 29:20-30

Overview

Compare the opening chapters of David’s life with the closing ones, and you will come to a startling conclusion: David ends his life the same way he began it—with humble confidence in God. Despite his numerous accomplishments, David never let greatness go to his head. Instead, his final words to Solomon and the nation reflect the same wholehearted devotion to God that characterized the young shepherd in the pasturelands of Judea. With the dream of a temple entrusted to his son and the tokens of God’s blessings all around him, David dies “at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king” (29:28).

Your Daily Walk

In an amazing epitaph inscribed over King David’s life. To discover it, you must look in an unlikely place—Acts 13:36. There, you’ll read these words: “When David had served God’s purpose in his generation, he fell asleep.” In the 40 years David ruled the nation of Israel, several things were true of his administration.

1. He lived to serve. Instead of the pride, revenge, and self-seeking that characterized so many of Israel’s kings, David’s reign was marked by mercy, justice, and humility.

2. He lived to do God’s will. Pleasing God was David’s daily passion; obeying God was David’s greatest delight. And the result?

3. He followed God’s purpose for his life. There was a job to be done in David’s day and, by God’s strength, David did it.

You can’t have three without 1 and 2, for God’s will for His children involves the path of service (Ephesians 6:6). But as David learned, there’s no more delightful calling in life.

Insight - Three Kings Two Times Crowned
The double coronation of Solomon (23:1; 29:22) followed a pattern that began with Saul (1 Samuel 10:1; 11:15) and continued with David (2 Samuel 2:4; 5:3). In each case, the second coronation was a public confirmation of the first.

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2 Chronicles

Second Chronicles spans Israel’s history from its highest peak to its lowest ebb: from Solomon’s reign to the Babylonian Exile. First comes the building of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. Following years of power and world renown, Solomon dies, and the spiritual, moral, and military fortunes of the nation rise and fall with the quality of kingly leadership. The few righteous rulers cannot stop the nation’s downward slide, and God’s judgment ultimately falls: invasion, defeat, and captivity.

April 21

2 Chronicles 1–5

Solomon’s Temple

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 1, 5

Overview

Today’s passage can be easily summarized by reading just the first verses of chapters 1–3 and chapter 5:

“Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom.”

“Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the Lord.”

“Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord.”

“All the work Solomon had done for the temple of the Lord was finished.”

Hidden in those verses is the fact that building Solomon’s temple required the efforts of 153,000 laborers over seven years.

Your Daily Walk

What do you give the person who has everything?

If you think that’s a tricky question, consider the one Solomon faced: What do you give God who has everything?

More specifically, how do you build a house for God, whom even the highest heavens cannot contain (2:6)? Though no finite structure could ever surround the infinite God, it could reflect His glory and majesty, causing those who saw it to respond in awe, adoration, and worship.

That is your assignment today: to reflect the glory of the One who dwells in you (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Jesus said: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). You can do that through your words, your habits, your clothes, your actions, and more. These will either reflect or detract from the glory of the Lord.

Put a candle in a prominent place in your home or office to remind you of the importance of letting your light shine. After all, that’s what temples of flesh and blood are made for.

Insight - Pillars of Godly Character (3:17)

In front of the temple stood two brass pillars named Jakin and Boaz. The pillar to the south, called Jakin, meant “He will establish.” The pillar to the north, Boaz, meant “Strength is in Him.”

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April 22

2 Chronicles 6–9

Solomon’s Worship and Wealth

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 6: 1–7:3

Overview

The constructed temple now becomes the consecrated temple as Solomon inaugurates the worship services with a prayer of dedication. In it he commits himself and the nation to a faithful observance of God’s laws. By night God appears to Solomon to make a conditional covenant with him: if he will walk in the steps of his father, God will establish Solomon’s dynasty forever.

Your Daily Walk

Take two minutes to complete this sentence: “The most important thing I can do today to reverse the spiritual decline in my nation is.”

Ours is a society marked by activism, with interest groups lobbying and laboring for their particular viewpoints. Your first response might be to join a righteous cause. But today’s reading suggests an even more critical first step: to take a righteous pause. Before you let your voice be heard for God, let God hear your voice. Solomon’s prayer of dedication is a plea for God’s intervention in his nation's affairs. Eleven times, Solomon asks God to hear the repentant cry of His people, forgive their wicked ways, and restore their fortunes. Imagine Solomon’s delight when the Lord says, “I have heard your prayer” (7:12).

Prayer is the most powerful and yet, unfortunately, the most neglected weapon in the average Christian’s arsenal. Let your life be an exception to that rule today. Close your quiet time on your knees. Ask God to restore righteousness to our country’s government, courts, and congregations. Let it begin with you.

Insight - A Shrewd Diplomat from the South

The queen of Sheba visited Solomon to hammer out some trade agreements with her new competitor (9:1-12). Solomon’s empire spanned the route connecting South Arabia with Phoenicia and Syria. Moreover, Solomon had just made an agreement with Hiram, opening up a sea link to Ophir’s mineral wealth. The queen knew she would do well to befriend this powerful king.

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April 23

2 Chronicles 10–12

Corruption Under Rehoboam

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 10; 12: 13-16

Overview

Solomon’s vast wealth comes from many sources: tribute from neighboring nations, trade with foreign powers, and taxation of his own people. Those heavy taxes led to civil unrest, which, after Solomon’s death, erupts into full-scale civil war. The result is open hostility between the North and South and the formation of two distinct national entities: Israel (10 northern tribes ruled by Jeroboam) and Judah (two southern tribes ruled by Rehoboam).

Your Daily Walk

When it comes to dieting, some people will go to great lengths to maintain their slim widths. When it comes to hard work, many will stop at nothing. And when it comes to personal revival, some use incredibly thin thread to mend their ways. Why? Because it is easier—and less painful—to opt for half-hearted compromise than to pay the price of whole-hearted commitment to God.

Rehoboam followed the Lord only as long as it was politically expedient. Once his kingdom was solidly established, he had no further use for the Law of the Lord—or the Lord of the Law. But in the end, Rehoboam was the loser for his foolish decision.

Think of your life as a shiny new penny. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once. And you cannot spend half a penny—it’s an all-or-nothing transaction. Find a penny and hold it in your hand as you talk to God about your life and how you will invest the remaining years of it in His service.

Insight - A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Beginning with chapter 12, the Chronicler narrates the course of the kingdom of Judah over 350 years—from the division of Solomon’s kingdom (about 930 B.C.) to the destruction of Jerusalem (586 B.C.). Of the 19 men and one woman who occupied David’s throne during this period, one commentator has said they “ranged in character from the strongest and best to the weakest and worst.” Who, in your opinion, was the best? The worst?

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April 24

2 Chronicles 13–16

The Reign of Asa

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 14, 16

Overview

Rehoboam’s son Abijam “committed all the sins his father had done before him” (1 Kings 15:3). And yet he is God’s instrument of judgment upon an even more wicked king—Jeroboam in the North. In a titanic struggle involving more than a million fighting men, Israel suffers a devastating defeat; over half of her army is destroyed. After Abijam’s three-year reign is a decade of peace. His son Asa follows in the military footsteps of his father by defeating Ethiopia. But Asa’s greatest contribution comes not on the battlefield but in the sanctuary, as he purges the nation of idols and renews the altar of the Lord.

Your Daily Walk

It is difficult to believe that the Asa of chapter 14 and the Asa of chapter 16 are one and the same. Early in his reign Asa “did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (14:2). He zealously destroyed the altars, high places, images, and groves that were drawing his people away from the Lord. When confronted by a million-member Ethiopian army, he cried out to God: “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army” (14:11).

But later, Asa made an alliance with the heathen king of Syria and tried to appease him with silver and gold from the house of the Lord. Asa locked up the prophet of God who rebuked him for his foolish alliance, and he died of a foot disease when he “did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians” (16:12).

Which part of Asa’s reign characterizes your life? Pick one of Asa’s godly traits and turn it into your personal project today. God will honor you for it.

Insight - How Old Can You Be and Still Be Young?

In 13:7, King Abijam refers to events in the first year of Rehoboam’s reign when he was “young and indecisive and not strong enough to resist them.” In fact, according to 12:13 Rehoboam was already 41 years old.

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April 25

2 Chronicles 17–20

The Reign of Jehoshaphat

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 17; 19:4-11

Overview

Godly King Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah is chronicled rather thoroughly—and with good reason. Jehoshaphat knows the key to spiritual revival is renewed commitment to the Law of God. He institutes a nationwide Bible reading program, using the princes, Levites, and priests as teachers. The people’s response is overwhelming, showering their king with gifts of love and gratitude. But his godly reign is nearly cut short by a foolish alliance with Ahab and later by a coalition of forces from Moab and Ammon.

Your Daily Walk

Perhaps when you came to today’s reading, Jehoshaphat was little more than a funny-sounding name to you. But his life is well worth studying, for he epitomizes the kind of person God searches for (16:9).

Jehoshaphat was noteworthy in his manner—“He did not consult the Baals” (17:3), but “sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel” (17:4). His conduct and pursuits were exemplary.

Jehoshaphat was noteworthy in the blessings he enjoyed— strength and stability from the hand of God and riches and honor from the subjects he ruled (17:5).

What was the secret of this monarch who received such high commendation from God? Simply this: “His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord” (17:6). His first love was not wealth, power, or any of the kingly trappings; it was a deep love and delight in the Lord. What’s your first love?

Insight - Jehoshaphat’s Major/Minor Emphasis

In the 1 Kings narrative, Jehoshaphat’s reign is covered in only one chapter because it does not contribute to the demise of the South. In Chronicles, however, four chapters are given to his reforms to revive and preserve Judah’s religion.

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April 26/27

2 Chronicles 21–25

The Reign of Joash

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 21: 1-17; 22; 24: 1-22

Overview

Were it not for God’s promise to David centuries before, Jehoram’s reign might mark the end of the Davidic dynasty. Blessed with godly parents, Jehoram chooses instead to follow the pagan practices of his wife Athaliah (daughter of Ahab and Jezebel). In only eight years, Jehoram manages to undo most of the godly reforms for which his father and grandfather labored so zealously. But even Jehoram’s wickedness is surpassed by that of the cruel queen-mother Athaliah, who murders her own grandchildren and sets herself up as monarch over Judah. In a thrilling story of danger and suspense, her one surviving grandchild, Joash, emerges to preserve the royal line of David...the line that eventually leads to Jesus Christ.

Your Daily Walk

There’s a sobering commentary on the passing of wicked Queen Athaliah: “All the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been slain by the sword” (23:21). Two things characterized the scene after Athaliah’s death: happiness and harmony. The world was a better place to live when she was no longer around.

Will there be mourning or merriment when your days on earth are through? Here are some epitaphs that were never hung over the lives of Athaliah or Jehoram. Would one provide a fitting epitaph for you?

“He brought Sonshine to the lives of others.”

“She was a carrier of contagious happiness.”

“He squandered his life on those he loved.”

“She harbored many a hurting friend, but never a grudge.”

“His calling in life was great—and greatly pursued.”

Insight - The Funeral No One Attended

When wicked Jehoram died of a divinely inflicted disease (21:18-20), no one regretted his passing. He was buried in a place apart from the “tombs of the kings” with no mourners nor the customary burning of spices in his honor (Jeremiah 34:5; 2 Chronicles 16:14).

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April 28

2 Chronicles 26–28

The Reigns of Uzziah and Jotham

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 26: 1-5; 27: 1–28:4

Overview

Uzziah assumes the throne of Judah at age 16. His 52-year reign is marked by mighty military and agricultural achievements. Sadly, his life ends on a bitter note: In proud arrogance he intrudes into the priest’s office—and so is excluded from the temple for the rest of his life. His son Jotham continued in the ways of God. But the reintroduction of Baal and Molech worship under Ahaz sent the nation into a downward spiritual spiral.

Your Daily Walk

Does God have a say in every area of your life? Before you answer too quickly, run through a mental checklist of your daily activities: sleep, meals, leisure time, family life, work life, study habits, church duties, personal relationships, and physical fitness. Are God’s “fingerprints” visible in each area?

God considers every minute of your life important—not just the portion you spend in church, prayer, or Bible reading. He cares about the books you read, the food you eat, the friends you cultivate, and the habits you practice. Uzziah learned that God prospers the person who seeks the Lord and orders his steps accordingly (26:5). That doesn’t mean you’ll be free from problems or adversaries. Uzziah still faced daily “faith testers.” But armed with the strength of the Lord, he emerged victorious from many battles. So can you.

Put your name in place of Uzziah’s in 26:5: “As long as ____________ [seeks] the Lord, God [will give] ____________ success.” Which areas of your life need to come under His control for that verse to describe you?

Insight - Darkness and Death in a Valley of Fire

The Valley of Hinnom, which marked the southern boundary of Jerusalem, became noted as the scene of atrocious pagan practices, including child sacrifice (28:3; 33:6). It was later defiled by Joash when he turned it into a city dump (2 Kings 23:10), the perpetual fires of which became a symbol for hell.

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April 29

2 Chronicles 29–32

The Reign of Hezekiah

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 29, 32

Overview

The Chronicler records not a word about the Assyrian assault and dispersion of Israel at this point—though they profoundly affect Hezekiah’s life and rule in Judah. Inheriting a disorganized and disheartened country, Hezekiah nevertheless puts first things first. In the first month of his administration, he reopened the house of God, restored the long-neglected temple worship and Passover celebration, and declared war on idol worship and pagan practices. When the Assyrian King Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem, the situation looks hopeless. But going to his knees, Hezekiah discovers that his great God specializes in great miracles.

Your Daily Walk

Have you ever tried to do the right thing, only to have it turn out all wrong? You help a friend who has a financial need, and your check bounces. You stop to assist a motorist in distress and get your pocket picked in the process. You prepare a special lesson for your church class, then forget to set your alarm. Hezekiah could identify with your plight. The king who faithfully stood for God soon found his “reward” was a swarm of Assyrian soldiers at the city gates. Instead of sulking or griping, Hezekiah responded by letting his faith in God shine through.

Unexpected blessings are wonderful; unexpected trials are often bitter pills to swallow. But God will use even unexpected trials to bring unexpected blessings if you’re ready for them. You can be if you have the same frame of mind as Hezekiah.

Insight - Killing Three Birds with One Stone

Hezekiah’s decision to delay the celebration of Passover one month not only provided time for the priests to be consecrated, but also gave people from distant regions time to travel to Jerusalem. When the kingdom was divided after Solomon’s death, Jeroboam moved the date for celebrating the Passover back one month so his people wouldn’t be tempted to go to Jerusalem. Thus Hezekiah’s move brought unity to the divided kingdom.

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April 30

2 Chronicles 33–36

Captivity by Babylon

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 34; 36: 17-23

Overview

Manasseh, Judah’s longest-reigning king, is also its most wicked. He seals the nation’s fate by reestablishing Baal worship and turning the house of God into a pagan temple. By the time his grandson Josiah attempts to right the wrongs through godly reforms, it is too late to avert Judah’s approaching doom. The end comes during the reign of Zedekiah, as Babylon mercilessly slaughters and pillages the nation, burns the temple, destroys the walls, and takes the survivors back to Babylon, where they languish for 70 years. But the book closes on a note of hope. As the Exile draws to a close and Persia replaces Babylon in world dominance, Persia’s king makes an amazing statement: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah” (36:23).

Your Daily Walk

There is no life so shattered or so wicked that God can’t make something beautiful out of it if there is a change of heart.

Manasseh’s life was spent defaming God and defiling His people —so much so that they did “more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites” (33:9). Surely, Manasseh was a hopeless candidate for personal revival. Stripped of his kingdom at last, bound, fettered, and imprisoned in Babylon, Manasseh realized his folly, turned to God in humble submission, and prayed for mercy. Restored to his throne, he spent the rest of his life repairing the damage of his earlier years.

God is still looking for “Manassehs” today who—regardless of their past—are willing to give the shattered remains of their lives to God and say, “I need You.”

Insight - Babylon, the City That Should Have Stood Forever

The city of Babylon straddled the Euphrates River and was protected by a system of outer and inner walls, surrounded by wide moats. Numerous towers and huge brass gates guarded the city. Yet, with all this protection, the kingdom of Babylon fell to Persia in a single day.

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1 Kings

The story of King Solomon’s illustrious life is told in the first half of 1 Kings. Under his leadership, Israel rose to great power and glory. The crowning touch of his reign and his life comes with the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. But Solomon’s zeal for God cools as pagan wives turn his heart away from his worship of God. He dies a man religiously divided, leaving behind a nation that soon divides physically into the northern nation, Israel, and the southern nation, Judah. The next century sees the decline of the two nations, as each one grows more and more indifferent to God’s prophets and precepts.

April 1

1 Kings 1-4

Solomon’s Rise to Glory

Key Passage: 1 Kings 2: 1-4; 3: 1-15

Overview

As David’s life draws to a close, his son Adonijah attempts to usurp the throne from the rightful heir, Solomon. But the plot is foiled when David publicly proclaims Solomon his true successor. In the final hours before his death, David charges Solomon to walk with God in integrity and truth—a request Solomon fulfills in the early days of his reign. When God presents him with a “blank check,” Solomon asks for wisdom to rule skillfully rather than for wealth to live lavishly. God gives him both.

Your Daily Walk

Humility is a paradox: the moment you think you’ve found it, you’ve lost it. There has yet to be written a book titled Humility and How I Achieved It. Yet, God expects and rewards an attitude of servant-like humility.

Solomon had everything going for him: godly heritage, distinguished family name, financial security, and the one true God on his side. But he also had a realistic view of himself. He knew his weaknesses: partiality, insensitivity, impatience—weaknesses that, if left uncorrected, might doom his reign from the start. In childlike humility, he asked for what he needed from God, not merely what he wanted.

Here is a sentence to complete and a project to begin: “I know I am weak in the area of [what?], but this month, with God’s help, I’m going to strengthen that area of weakness [how?].” When you ask Him, God will strengthen you (see Isaiah 41:10).

Insight - Did They Use a Different Calendar?

Many scholars pointed out the discrepancies between biblical chronology and archaeological evidence. However, we now know that some historians counted the year of a king’s ascension in their calculations while others did not. Some would count the years when two kings reigned together, while others would not. This understanding has cleared up many difficulties with dates and has increased scholarly respect for the Bible.

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April 2

1 Kings 5–8

Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem

Key Passage: 1 Kings 6: 1-14; 8: 12-61

Overview

Before his death, David had charged Solomon with the responsibility of building a house for God in Jerusalem. At last, it is time to make that dream a reality. Nothing is too good for the place where God’s glory will dwell: cedar trees from Lebanon, costly stones, tons of precious metals. For seven long years, Solomon planned and prepared the temple. When, at last, the ark of the covenant is installed in the Holy Place, the cloud of God’s presence fills the house of the Lord.

Your Daily Walk

The reason people may sometimes feel like complete failures is because they fail to complete. Look around your home or office and make a list of all the jobs, projects, and assignments you’ve begun but have never brought to completion. Wouldn’t you agree that one worthwhile task carried to a successful conclusion is worth 50 half-finished tasks? It wasn’t until the temple was completed that God’s glory took up residence there—God’s stamp of approval upon a job well done.

On a sheet of paper, jot down three unfinished tasks. Perhaps it’s a Christian book you’ve never finished reading, an unsaved neighbor you’ve been meaning to get to know, or a family project that has never gotten off the ground. Next to each one, write a realistic date for completion and mark your calendar. Turn those half-done jobs into well-done jobs for God (Matthew 25:21).

Insight - The Tabernacle and Temple—A Study in Contrasts

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April 3

1 Kings 9–11

Solomon’s Fame, Fortune, and Failure

Key Passage: 1 Kings 9: 1-9; 11: 1-13

Overview

Under Solomon’s able leadership, the nation’s boundaries expanded to five times the area ruled by David. Financially, Solomon enjoyed prosperity as tribute from neighboring nations flowed into the treasury. But even as the nation prospered, the seeds of spiritual decay were being sown. Solomon’s passion for pagan women, of whom he took hundreds to be his wives and concubines, turned his heart from the God of heaven to the gods of men. Result: God tears most of the kingdom away from Solomon’s son.

Your Daily Walk

Find a flashlight, some aluminum foil, and a piece of black paper. In a dark room, lay a piece of foil on the paper and shine the flashlight on it. Then, move the beam of light so that it hits the paper but not the foil. Which is brighter: light hitting the paper (and being absorbed) or light hitting the foil (and being reflected)?

Hearing of Solomon’s wealth and wisdom, the queen of Sheba wanted to learn firsthand if the reports were true. She concluded: “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel” (10:9). Rather than absorbing the glory himself, Solomon reflected God’s glory. When others saw the king’s greatness, they, too, gave glory to the King of Kings.

Meditate on Matthew 5:16 throughout the day, looking for creative ways to reflect, rather than absorb, the glory of God.

Insight - Developing Your Talent for Talents

Though the precise weight (and therefore the value) of Old Testament monetary measures is unknown, the talent was approximately 75.6 pounds. Using these numbers and a conservative gold price of $500 per ounce, the total value of the gold mentioned in 1 Kings 10:14 was about $400 million!

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April 4

1 Kings 12–16

A Nation Torn in Two

Key Passage: 1 Kings 12

Overview

Solomon’s great wealth is a result of the soaring taxes he exacts from his countrymen. After his death, his son Rehoboam must decide if he will continue or cancel the harsh taxation policies of his father. Following foolish advice, Rehoboam increases the tax burden—and spawns a national “tax revolt.” When the dust settled, the United Kingdom was no more, and in its place stood a divided kingdom of two distinct nations (Israel and Judah) ruled by two decadent kings (Jeroboam and Rehoboam).

Your Daily Walk

A grade school class wrote essays on the subject “What’s Wrong with Parents Today?” One child said it all: “We get our parents so late in life that it is impossible to do anything with them.”

Parents, you received your children when they were only minutes old—but at what age will they receive you? Parents are prone to give their children everything except the one thing they need most: time—time for listening, time for understanding, time for helping, time for guiding. It sounds simple, but in reality it is the most difficult and sacrificial task of parenthood.

Whatever spiritual legacy Rehoboam received from his father, Solomon, it apparently did not help him learn to love the God of Israel. The spiritual vacuum that resulted after Solomon’s death led to the fracturing of the nation. Will your home be any different? Call a family council this evening to evaluate how you spend time together as a family—and how often.

Insight - The Divided Kingdom Doubly Divided

Most readers will be familiar with the divided kingdom—10 tribes in the north (Israel) and two tribes in the south (Judah). But did you know there was a time when the northern 10 tribes nearly divided again? Two power blocks, led respectively by Tibni and Omri, struggled for control of the northern kingdom. In the end, who prevailed as king of the north (16:22)?

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April 5/6

1 Kings 17–19

Ministry of Elijah in the Days of Ahab

Key Passage: 1 Kings 18:20–19:21

Overview

Chapter 15 begins a pattern that will extend throughout the rest of 1 and 2 Kings. The writer flip-flops in his account between the nations of Israel and Judah, first describing the reigning power in the North, then moving to the South, and so on. He traces the parallel stories of two nations in spiritual decline, occasionally highlighting a prophet (such as Elijah) or a king (such as Ahab) who contributes significantly to the spiritual rise or fall of one of the nations. Today’s reading centers around the mysterious (yet very human) person of Elijah, the prophet who courageously faces a heathen Israelite king and 850 pagan prophets of Baal, only to flee for his life from the murderous Queen Jezebel.

Your Daily Walk

How often do you pray the prayer of inconvenience?

In James 5:17-18, Elijah is held up as a model of prayer. He was no super-saint but rather “a man just like us.” He got tired, discouraged, and anxious on occasion, but his first reaction was to take everything to God in prayer.

The remarkable thing about his prayer life was how often he prayed inconvenient prayers. He prayed for a drought, then watched as God answered his prayer... and dried up his only source of water. He prayed for fire from heaven, knowing it would make him a marked man in Jezebel’s eyes. His constant prayer was, “God, do something great...and I’m available if You need me.”

Examine your prayer life. Which do you pray: “God, save my heathen neighbor,” or, “God, use me to help lead that neighbor to You”? Take a situation you are facing today, and write out your own prayer of inconvenience to God.

Insight - And Speaking of Jogging Enthusiasts...

With his life on the line, Elijah “ran for his life” (19:3) from Mt. Carmel to Jezreel to Beersheba—a distance of about 110 miles. He took no chances.

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April 7

1 Kings 20–22

Reign of Ahab

Key Passage: 1 Kings 20; 22:29-40

Overview

You will be disappointed if you expect a climactic finish to the Book of 1 Kings today. Originally 1 and 2 Kings were a single continuous account, and the division between them in the English Bible is only literary, not historical. Today, you will read about the conclusion of Ahab’s wicked reign in Israel and briefly examine Jehoshaphat’s righteous reign in Judah. Ahab’s life is one long illustration of a man with no heart for God. In spite of God’s powerful display on Mount Carmel and two heaven-sent victories over the Syrians, Ahab shows utter disregard for His commands.

Your Daily Walk

Fighting against God can be a dangerous business. Ahab tried it, and it cost him his life.

In today’s reading, notice how God made Himself known to Ahab many times. God showed Israel’s king that He rules in the affairs of humanity. Despite fire from heaven, two divinely provided victories over superior foes, and the ringing declaration of the prophets, Ahab would not be swayed from his wicked ways. Refusing to be convinced that there are no accidents with God, Ahab became the object of one such “accident.” Disguising himself to avoid the prophetically decreed end of his life, he was struck by an arrow sent flying at random and guided by a divine hand straight to the one chink in his armor.

Think back over the first week of this month. How has God demonstrated His reality and His power to you through daily displays of protection and provision? Write in the margin how you responded and how you’d like to respond.

Insight - Murder Without a Weapon

Ahab cared nothing for the Law of God, a fact seen in his disregard for the divine restriction on transferring land from one tribe to another (21:1-3; Leviticus 25:23-28; Numbers 36:7-8). In shameless greed, he allowed Jezebel to mastermind Naboth’s murder—a crime for which he would later be held responsible by God (21:18-19).

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2 Kings

As the glory of the once-united kingdom eroded, Israel and Judah pursued a collision course with captivity. Despite the efforts of Elisha and the prophets, the division ends in double deportation. Corrupt Israel is captured and dispersed by the Assyrians in 722 B.C.; almost a century later, in three waves of conquest, Judah is taken to Babylon. In 586 B.C., the city of Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. God’s patience is long. His pleading is persistent. His love is sometimes challenging. As a result, the kingdom divided (in 1 Kings) becomes the kingdom dissolved (in 2 Kings).

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April 8

2 Kings 1–3

Elijah's Successor

Key Passage: 2 Kings 3

Overview

The prophetic ministry of Elijah provides the bridge between 1 and 2 Kings. God directs His spokesman to pronounce a sentence on Israel’s wicked King Ahaziah for seeking counsel from idols rather than God. It’s Elijah’s last prophetic pronouncement. With his replacement Elisha looking on, Elijah is transported to heaven by a fiery whirlwind and chariot, leaving behind both a mantle and an unfinished mission: to call the people of God to righteousness.

Your Daily Walk

The time to prepare for a crisis is before, not after, it hits. The time to learn to swim is when the water is calm and shallow, not when the flood tides rage. When you are prepared, the unexpected storms of life can become occasions to show where your confidence lies.

In chapter 3, wicked King Joram of Israel and godly King Jehoshaphat of Judah are allied against the Moabites, preparing to attack them from the southwest. After a hard seven-day march, they find themselves in the middle of the wilderness with no water. What a revolting development—and what an excellent attitude test! Joram responds by blaming God; Jehoshaphat responds by beseeching God. Joram looks for a loophole; Jehoshaphat looks for a lesson God wants him to learn.

The same heat from the sun hardens the brick and melts the butter. How do you react when the heat is on? Before the first crisis of your day arrives, spend some preparation time with your Crisis Counselor to get His perspective on your problems. You’ll find His professional prescription in James 1:2-4. Read it, write it out, and carry it with you. Memorizing the first of those three illuminating verses will help you respond rightly when those crises come.

Insight - A Bloody Mirage

God showed His creative genius not only by supplying water but also by tricking the Moabites into a foolish attack. The red sandstone of Edom (see 2 Kings 3:16-24, Genesis 25:30), common in that area, caused the water to look like blood.

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April 9

2 Kings 4–8

Miracles of Elisha’s Ministry

Key Passage: 2 Kings 4: 1-7; 5: 1-14; 6: 1-23

Overview

Today’s section is filled with miracles God performed through His prophet Elisha. While Elijah’s ministry mainly consisted of public displays of God’s power, Elisha’s is largely private: miracles of provision (for the widow, the deceased son, and the poisoned prophets); miracles of perception (reading the king’s mind, opening the eyes of the young servant); and miracles of protection (removing the threat of the Syrian army). Each shows God’s willingness to do for the nation what He does for the individual—provide, protect, and defend all who will turn to Him.

Your Daily Walk

Read the sentence in the next paragraph carefully, counting the number of times the letter F occurs. Write your answer in the margin.

“The bride's father paid for half of the festivities; the unpaid balance of the bill he left for his new son-in-law as a wedding gift.” Did you spot 5...6...7? The correct answer is 10. It’s one thing to have “eyes to see” hidden letters in a sentence, but infinitely more significant to have eyes to see God at work in the world around you. Elisha’s young servant was distraught when he saw the soldiers of Syria surrounding the city of Dothan. The outlook was grim; there seemed to be no hope of escape. Then, in response to prayer, God opened the servant’s eyes to see the angelic host He had dispatched to protect His prophet.

You will never “see” many things until you view life from God’s perspective. Look up these verses to test your spiritual acuity today: Psalms 25:15; 101:3; 119:18; 123:2; 141:8.

Insight - Two Kingly Books Compared

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April 10

2 Kings 9–12

The End of Ahab by Jehu

Key Passage: 2 Kings 9: 1-10; 10: 1-11; 11: 1-21

Overview

In an ironic twist, the prophet of God anoints a new king in Israel for the purpose of destroying the existing king and his family. Jehu wastes no time carrying out his divine mandate against the family of Ahab. Politically and spiritually, the situation is not much better in the South. Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, usurps the throne and seeks to secure it by killing her grandchildren. Only 1-year-old Joash escapes; six years later, he emerges as one of Judah’s brightest reformers.

Your Daily Walk

Imagine for a moment that the minimum age requirement has been lifted for candidates for the presidency of your nation. And imagine further that the “kids of the kingdom” have pooled their voting power to elect a 7-year-old child as president. Would that worry you? If so, why?

Now read the last verse of chapter 11 and the first two verses of chapter 12. It really happened in the nation of Judah, not by popular vote but by divine appointment. And the amazing thing is this: “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him” (12:2). As long as young Joash listened to godly counsel, the nation enjoyed godly leadership.

Now ponder this sobering thought. Somewhere in your country today, there may be a 7-year-old who will one day be president. Perhaps that child is in your home, church, school, and neighborhood. How are you seeking to influence the children in your life for God? Today’s investments will pay rich dividends tomorrow—if you are faithful.

Insight - Curious Facts about Judah’s Monarchs

• The only queen to rule Judah was _____________ (11:1, 3).
• The longest reign was Manasseh’s, lasting _______ years (21:1).
• Josiah was _______ years old when he became king (22:1).
• Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin each ruled only _______ months (23:31; 24:8).

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April 11

2 Kings 13–17

Israel Is Destroyed

Key Passage: 2 Kings 13: 14-19; 17:4-41

Overview

The time is coming when God will scatter the 10 tribes of Israel throughout the nations because of their idolatry and wickedness. After the death of Elisha until her downfall, Israel’s leaders will aimlessly try to cope with the mounting national crisis, but they will find no help. Reduced at last to a vassal state under Assyrian domination, Israel stages an uprising to throw off the Assyrian yoke. But the revolt is utterly crushed, and many Israelites are deported. Israel’s long-delayed judgment has come at last.

Your Daily Walk

Why does the unrighteous prosper at the expense of the righteous, and why does God not seem to do anything about it? Isn’t He concerned? Doesn’t He want the righteous to prosper?

Don’t misinterpret God’s seeming inactivity today. He is neither unconcerned nor impotent to judge the unrighteous for their wickedness. He is simply longsuffering in withholding deserved judgment to give men and women every possible chance to turn to Him in faith (2 Peter 3:9).

During Israel’s 200-year history, all of her kings (19 out of 19) and most of her people did evil in the sight of their God. Patiently, He waited for them to turn from false gods and return to Him, but it never happened.

Are you presuming upon God’s patience in your own life? Are you putting off accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior or giving an area of your life to God? Then, you are in the same precarious position as the nation of Israel. What will you do about it today?

Insight - So That’s Where the Samaritans Came From!

After the Israelites were deported, other conquered nations were transplanted to take their place. They intermarried with the remaining Israelites (a violation of the Mosaic Law) and gave birth to a mixed race of people, the Samaritans, who pure-blooded Jews hated for their mixed race and mixed religion.

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April 12/13

2 Kings 18–21

Hezekiah’s Godly Rule

Key Passage: 2 Kings 18: 1-7; 19:8- 20; 20: 1-11

Overview

After the captivity and deportation of Israel, the author’s focus shifts to the surviving kingdom of Judah—whose days are also numbered. During this critical hour in Judah’s history, God raises a righteous reformer named Hezekiah, who institutes sweeping changes in the nation. Hezekiah’s heart for God is nowhere more visible than in his prayer life, which is both persistent and potent. But the spiritual dynamic that marks his life is strangely absent in the life of his son, Manasseh, whose wicked leadership brings the nation to the brink of collapse.

Your Daily Walk

Try your hand at a word association game. Jot down the first five words that come to mind when you read the word youth.

Did you think of words like enthusiasm, idealism, or immaturity? (If you have teenagers at home, your list probably looked more like car keys, cell phone, car keys, money, and cell phone.)

In a period of Israel’s history when black despair hung over the nation, a young, inexperienced king took an uncompromising stand for God and turned the tide of spiritual decline. Hezekiah’s youthfulness was tempered by his commitment to obey God’s commands at any cost. His age became an asset, not a liability. Yours can, too, if you become “an example for the believers in _______, in _______, in _______, in and in _______.” (1 Timothy 4:12). Make one of those areas your exercise in exemplary living today.

Insight - The Sign of a Swift Recovery (20:1-11)

In response to Hezekiah’s fervent prayer for length of days, God gave the king a sign that he would undoubtedly be healed of his critical illness. The reversal of the sun’s natural course—rather than its mere deceleration—helped relieve the king’s anxiety and strengthen his faith. For the natural sequence of events, read the verses in this order: 1–6, 8–11, 7.

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April 14

2 Kings 22–25

Judah’s Godless Ruin

Key Passage: 2 Kings 22, 25

Overview

Josiah, yearning to turn his spiritually lifeless nation back to God, knows the place to begin is with the temple. He repairs the long-neglected house of worship and, in the process, discovers the forgotten Book of the Law. In it, Josiah reads prewritten history: Israel’s promised judgment by dispersion and Judah’s chastening if she does not learn from Israel’s fate. After Josiah’s death, the palace, priests, and people alike return to their corrupt course. It is left for Babylon to initiate the nation’s collapse.

Your Daily Walk

How do godly parents end up with rebellious children?

Yesterday, you read about Manasseh—the vilest king in Judah’s history and the son of Judah’s greatest reformer, Hezekiah. Today, you learn about another servant of God, Josiah—father of three idolatrous sons. How could this happen? There are no easy answers, but this much seems clear: the parents’ firsthand knowledge of God never became more than secondhand information to the children. Through oversight or neglect, the parents never challenged their children to discover how God could be real in their own lives.

God has no spiritual grandchildren. Each new generation must respond to Him personally and find Him all-sufficient. Think back over the times God has shown Himself to be real in your life, and then answer one of these penetrating questions: (1) Parents, are you denying your children vital learning experiences regarding spiritual truth? (2) Children, are you resisting your parents’ efforts to show you the reality of faith in God?

Insight - Two Kingdoms Summarized

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1 Chronicles

The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles describe the same period of Jewish history as 2 Samuel through 2 Kings, but from a different perspective. Chronicles provides a priestly commentary on the people of God during this historical period. After tracing King David’s royal line back to the beginning, 1 Chronicles outlines the spiritual significance of David’s righteous reign, demonstrating how the nation prospers when its leaders honor and obey God.

April 15

1 Chronicles 1–9

The Line of David and Israel

Key Passage: 1 Chronicles 1

Overview

Chronicles does more than just recount the same political history contained in the books of Samuel and Kings. It gives a priestly perspective on the history of God’s people, a sort of divine commentary on the kingdom period. It carefully weds the nation’s history with the active hand of God. Chronicles centers on the southern kingdom of Judah. First Chronicles opens with a lengthy series of genealogies tracing the line of David back to Adam. The genealogies provide clear evidence of God at work throughout history by selecting a people for Himself and then protecting a family within that people to provide leadership.

Your Daily Walk

Today’s section is not a candidate for “Favorite Devotional Passage of the Year.” Apart from providing some dubious practice in Hebrew pronunciation, it serves little purpose except to fill nine chapters of the Bible. Why is it there?

It is there to show you the historical basis of your faith. The opening chapters of 1 Chronicles form the skeletal framework of the entire Old Testament. They unite the Old Testament into a unified whole, showing that it is history and not merely legend or myth. From Adam to Abraham, Boaz to Benjamin, they’re all there to show the outworking of God’s plan and purposes throughout the generations. Although today’s reading could be a great cure for insomnia, stay with it until the point of the passage sinks in: God has a plan for history; He has a plan for Israel; and He has a plan for you.

Insight - A Legacy to Build On

Written by Ezra, the books of Chronicles encouraged the returned Jewish remnant to remember their spiritual heritage as descendants of God’s chosen people. Focusing almost exclusively on the royal line of David and the Levitical priesthood, they demonstrate how God kept His covenant promises through centuries of turmoil. In emphasizing God’s grace and forgiveness, Chronicles was a positive message of encouragement for those facing an uncertain future.

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March 15/16

1 Samuel 1–3

Samuel’s Call and Childhood

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 1: 1-20; 3: 1-21

Overview

The period of the judges is nearly at an end. One last judge remains: Samuel, a man of godly character and integrity who will guide the nation from judgeship to kingship. Samuel’s early life parallels that of another famous judge—Samson. Both are the offspring of barren women and the answer to fervent prayer; both are consecrated to the Lord’s service from birth; both enter a society marked by moral decline and spiritual apathy. But while Samson spent much of his life avoiding his calling, Samuel willingly embraced his. Even as a child, he was quick to obey the voice of the Lord.

Your Daily Walk

Disciplining children—once considered standard operating procedure for parents—is becoming rare; in its place, permissiveness reigns.

But that’s nothing new. A thousand years before Christ, the Bible paints a picture of the ruin of a family because the father failed to discipline his children. Eli, the high priest of God, allowed his two sons to do what was right in their own eyes. In shameless greed, they stole the best parts of the sacrifices offered to God. In response, God said He would “judge [Eli’s] family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them” (3:13).

As parents, our role as disciplinarians is not just a good idea but our God-given duty. If you are a parent, God has instructions for you to follow in your child-rearing assignment (Proverbs 19:25; 23:13-14). Read about it, build upon it, and watch God bless.

Insight - A Four-Question Quiz (with Only One Answer!)

1. Who was the last judge in Israel?
2. Who was the first prophet in Israel after Moses?
3. Who anointed the first two kings in Israel?
4. Who was the only man in the Old Testament to have two books of the Bible named after him?

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March 17

1 Samuel 4–8

Israel’s Defeat

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 4, 6, 8

Overview

When faith in God wavers, faith in man-made objects increases. In a scene reminiscent of the golden calf incident at Mount Sinai, the people of Israel carry the ark of the covenant into battle, confident that its presence will ensure victory over the Philistines. Instead, they suffer a shattering defeat in which 30,000 lives are lost (including the two sons of Eli), and the ark of the covenant is captured. Upon hearing the news, Eli falls backward and breaks his neck—a symbolic picture of a broken nation. It remains for Samuel to assume the reins of leadership and to guide the people back to repentance. But his declining years prove no more successful than Eli’s as Samuel’s sons once again corrupt the priesthood, causing the nation to clamor for a king so that “we will be like all the other nations” (8:20).

Your Daily Walk

The desire to keep up with the Joneses is nothing new. It was present thousands of years ago when the Israelites demanded a king just like their neighbors had. It’s a human tendency to want what someone else has. Call it what you may—covetousness, lust, envy, the grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side syndrome—but God calls it sin. Contentment, not covetousness, should mark the lifestyle of God’s children.

Check up on your CQ—your “Contentment Quotient.” What purchases in the last 30 days were prompted more by envy or greed than by genuine need? If so, what needs to change about our spending habits and attitudes if we are to be good stewards of the resources God has given us? We must remember that Jesus told us to seek “first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

Insight - An Inglorious Birth at an Infamous Moment

Before her death, Phinehas’ wife gave birth to a son and named him Ichabod (“no glory” or “the glory has departed”)—a fitting title for a child left orphaned by disobedient parents (4:19-22).

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March 18

1 Samuel 9–12

Saul’s Selection

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 10; 12:6-25

Overview

From all outward appearances, Saul’s selection as the first king of Israel is an outstanding choice. From a human perspective, his kingly demeanor and imposing presence make him a promising candidate. Saul is anointed by Samuel, installed as king at Mizpah, proven in battle against the Ammonites, and confirmed as king at Gilgal. But the fact remains that God—not Saul—should be king over Israel.

Your Daily Walk

What does it take to lead a nation? See if you can list the “Five Indispensable Qualities of a Leader.”

Perhaps you thought of things like a commanding presence, eloquent speech, an aura of authority, toughness of character. But study the early years of Saul’s reign—the only part of his life that received God’s commendation—and you’ll discover something interesting about Saul’s leadership style. He held his peace with dissenters, and he refused to make examples of them when they were proven wrong; he gave God the credit for his successes; he didn’t think of himself more highly than he ought; he was sensitive to the needs of the people. In short, he was a faithful servant of God and the people he was trying to lead.

What is your leadership style? Do you seek to serve or be served—to meet needs or have your own needs met? Remember, man looks at (and applauds) the external appearance; God looks at (and rewards) the internal attitude (see 1 Samuel 16:7). Which leadership role will you turn into an opportunity to serve this week?

Insight - Warfare and Weaponry in Israel’s Army

The soldiers of Saul’s army most likely carried small, round shields made of leather with wooden frames. Those at the front held larger rectangular shields to form a solid wall against the enemy. Once they were engaged in hand-to-hand combat, they fought with clubs, axes, poles, and swords.

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March 19

1 Samuel 13–15

Saul’s Rebellion and Rejection

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 13: 1-14; 15: 1-23

Overview

Saul is faced with a critical test only two years into his reign. Confronted by a Philistine onslaught, would he obey God’s word as delivered by Samuel? The answer is a resounding “No!” At Gilgal, Saul assumes a priest’s role and offers sacrifices that only a Levite can offer—thus blatantly disregarding God’s Law. Samuel’s announcement that God will take the kingdom from him only spurs Saul on to greater efforts at doing God’s work—but not in God’s way. By ignoring Samuel’s command from God to annihilate the Amalekites, Saul seals his fate.

Your Daily Walk

Is God pleased when you use company time to prepare your Bible study lesson? How about driving 65 mph in a 55 mph zone? Is it OK to cheat on your income tax if you give the benefits of your creative math to God?

There is a fundamental question that you will face many times during your lifetime: How important is obedience to God’s Word? Or stated another way: Is keeping His commands more important than trying to do something else you think will please Him more? For King Saul, the question carried life-or-death importance. He concluded that God would overlook his incomplete obedience because of the sacrifices he offered, the money he gave to God’s service, and the time he spent in God’s house. The decision cost him his kingdom— and eventually his life.

When God speaks, do you listen? And then do you act? You can not learn the lesson Saul completely failed to learn too well: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice” (15:22).

Obeying God with half a heart can only lead to a broken heart.

Insight - If God Is For Us...

Saul’s army was ill-equipped compared to the Philistine army. Except for Saul and Jonathan, Saul’s army didn’t even have swords and spears (13:22). In addition, the Philistines had three thousand chariots while the Israelites had none (1 Samuel 13:5).

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March 20

1 Samuel 16–19

David in the Court of Saul

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 16–17

Overview

The rejection of a king after the people’s heart (Saul) sets the stage for choosing a king after God’s heart (David). A young shepherd more suited to the pasture than the palace, David possesses few claims to fame. He is a good marksman with a sling, an excellent lyre player, and the youngest of eight sons from a Bethlehem family. But David’s heart attitude is one of undivided devotion to God— a quality readily visible in the way he dispatches the Philistine giant Goliath and handles Saul’s jealous attacks.

Your Daily Walk

Do you see life from God’s perspective?
Here’s a quick way to find out. Simply answer these three questions honestly:

1. Do you see a calamity in every opportunity or an opportunity in every calamity?
2. When confronted with a Goliath-size problem, do you respond, “He’s too big to hit,” or like David, “He’s too big to miss”?
3. Do you feel that you’ve been put out to pasture, or do you see your present circumstances as proving grounds?

If you chose the second response to each question, then you see life from David’s (and God’s) perspective, the perspective that views one plus God as a majority in any situation, the perspective that enables you to walk with God when you are at peace and when you are pursued.

To sharpen your perspective, spend some extra moments today reading Psalm 139, a page from David’s diary that shows the heart attitude God delights to find.

Insight - David, the King Without a Crown

In 16:13, Samuel anointed David as the second king in Israel’s history. But not until 2 Samuel 5:3 did David assume the reins of leadership over all 12 tribes—a wait of about 15 years. During that interval, God had many important lessons to teach the young king-elect how to shepherd His people.

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March 21

1 Samuel 20–23

David on the Run from Saul

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 20–21

Overview

Today’s section paints a peculiar picture: David, the king-elect of Israel—anointed, approved in battle, and awaiting the inauguration of his reign—is fleeing for his life from the deranged Saul. Saul’s pursuit drives David to take desperate measures, such as eating the forbidden shewbread at Nob and feigning insanity at Gath. But Scripture records that David’s confidence in God never slackens, as his frequent petitions to God for direction and protection testify.

Your Daily Walk

Do you find yourself attracted to great individuals? Do you find something magnetic about a gifted athlete who performs effortlessly on the playing field or a musician who plays an instrument or sings with consummate skill? If so, then you’ve also probably felt a sense of defeat and frustration, for you knew you could never be like the great individual you so admire.

David was a great man of God in the truest sense of the word. He excelled as a warrior, writer, administrator, and musician. Perhaps you wish your life could be like his. But that isn’t possible, is it?

When the Bible paints a picture of a believer, it paints blemishes. Victory and defeat, joys and heartaches, faith, and faithlessness, are all there, so you can identify with David. The same relationship he learned to experience with God day by day, you can experience.

As believers forgiven by God’s grace, we never stop learning and growing. How about you? Are you mired in an unfortunate situation as David was? Then, learn from it and move on. Get back in stride with God. Pick a quality you admire from David’s life and work on it in your own life today.

Insight - Psalms Written in the Crucible of Experience

The Psalms are songs of worship and praise, written by David and others as emotional responses to crisis experiences. Some of David’s most moving psalms were written during Saul’s murderous pursuit. For an inside look, read Psalms 34, 52, 54, 57, 142.

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March 22/23

1 Samuel 24–26

David’s Mercy Toward Saul

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 24

Overview

After a brief delay in dealing with a Philistine threat, Saul returns to pursue David. Saul’s renewed zeal nearly pays off as (unknowingly) he traps David and his men in a cave. Then, miraculously, the tables are turned as David stands poised over King Saul with the power of life and death in his hand. And though vengeance is within his reach, David refuses to end the life of God’s anointed. Again, in chapter 26, the scene is repeated, this time in the Wilderness of Ziph. Once again, David must make a choice. Once again, David resists the temptation to assume God’s role by prematurely ending Saul’s life.

Your Daily Walk

Picture the tall, youthful figure of David standing over King Saul, who is finally at his mercy. What thoughts must David be wrestling with? Hatred for his mistreatment? Pity for the demented king? The exhilaration that, at last, his moment of revenge has come? No, there is no hint of animosity or vengeance. Instead, David knew that his own life belonged to God. David’s only desire is that his own life be spared until God fulfills His promise.

Are you waiting for a chance to avenge a wrong suffered? God wants to replace that spirit of bitterness with a spirit of love and forgiveness. But, as in David’s case, the choice is yours. Are you willing? Then let Ephesians 4:31-32 show you the way.

Insight - Rest in Peace, Old Testament Style

You may have seen old gravestones marked with the letters “R.I.P.”— Rest In Peace. The Old Testament analogy is found in 1 Samuel 25:29 (KJV)—“Bound in the Bundle of Life.” This saying is often applied to life beyond the grave, and the first letter of each Hebrew word is found on virtually every Jewish tombstone. The phrase is taken from the custom of binding up valuables in a bundle or sack to prevent them from being damaged or lost (Genesis 42:35).

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March 24

1 Samuel 27–31

Saul’s Downfall

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 27–28, 31

Overview

After months of running for his life, David concludes that leaving Israel entirely is the only way to escape Saul’s relentless pursuit. By convincing the Philistines he is a true defector, David is given the city of Ziklag as his base of operations. But instead of aiding the enemy, David and his army methodically destroy Philistine strongholds. Meanwhile, Saul’s desperate attempts to counter the Philistine threat finally lead him to consult with a medium (i.e., a witch) from Endor. Instead of the promise of victory, Saul hears alarming predictions of death and defeat—forecasts that come true the very next day as he and his sons die on the field of battle.

Your Daily Walk

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”

That’s a well-known slogan initially describing the grit and determination of a certain branch of the military. But despite the slogan, even a good soldier knows when it is best to get going in the opposite direction.

David was a first-rate soldier. Consider his military accomplishments: he whipped Goliath with one stone, led a rout of the Philistine army, and leveled several Philistine cities while living in Ziklag. If anyone could hold his own against an enemy, it was David. Why then did he decide to run from Saul’s army and hide in Ziklag? Because he knew that sometimes it was wiser to get out than to get tough. Fighting with Saul would have served only to reduce David to Saul’s level of petty jealousy and revenge.

Are you defending your rights against someone who has wronged you? Instead of “fighting it out,” let God fight for you. Meditate today on Psalm 37:1-8: “Do not fret...trust...delight...commit...be still...do not fret.”

Insight - No Middle Ground with a Medium

Saul’s visit with the witch of Endor not only violated God’s Law (Leviticus 19:31), but it also contradicted Saul’s actions in 1 Samuel 28:3, in which he expelled all witches and mediums from Israel.

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2 Samuel

David, the king-elect in 1 Samuel, becomes the king-enthroned in 2 Samuel, ruling first over Judah and then over all Israel. Characterized at first by victory and success, his reign is soon marred by the dual sins of adultery and murder. The aftershocks of unrest rock the kingdom for the rest of his life and beyond. Despite his personal weakness, David remains “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) because of his repentant attitude and his responsiveness to God’s will.

March 25

2 Samuel 1–4

David’s Divided Nation

Key Passage: 2 Samuel 1: 1–2:7

Overview

The books of 1 and 2 Samuel are a single, continuous story. In 1 Samuel, the mood is one of death and despair; in 2 Samuel, a ray of hope shines through. In 1 Samuel, Saul’s dynasty is destroyed; in 2 Samuel, David’s dynasty is established. But the transition of power is not a simple one. Proper mourning for Saul, the inauguration of the leader, the purging of the former regime’s influence, and the overthrow of rival factions—all must be done before David can rule in peace.

Your Daily Walk

Make a mental list of three candidates for the title “My Least Favorite Person on Earth.” Pick one name that seems to emerge as the prime contender. Now ask yourself this question: “How would I react to the news that [their name] had met a violent death?”

In a sense, David’s prayers had finally been answered. Without raising a finger against God’s anointed, David had finally been vindicated in his claim to the throne of Israel. The man who had tried so long and hard to snuff out his life was now dead. Yet, instead of rejoicing over the misfortunes of Saul, David wept unashamedly at the news. He even composed a beautiful song of testimony as a perpetual memorial to Israel’s first king.

Do you love your enemies? Can you highlight their virtues and strengths—and minimize their faults and failings—without bitterness or envy? That’s what divine love is all about (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Ask God to give you a heart like David’s. Then, turn your list of least favorite people into a prayer list. It will revolutionize your prayers; it may even turn some of your enemies into friends.

Insight - The Irony of David’s Tears

Deep mourning for Saul (1:11-12) came from the people he had hated and persecuted most severely. Compare this to the weeping of Jesus over the city of Jerusalem just days before its inhabitants would nail Him to a cross (Matthew 23:37-39).

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March 26

2 Samuel 5–7

David’s United Nation

Key Passage: 2 Samuel 5: 1-5; 7: 1-29

Overview

With the death of Ish-bosheth, the people of Israel transferred their allegiance to David as their rightful king. As his first official act, David conquers the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem and makes it the nation’s capital. However, something more than political and military reform is necessary. The worship of God must return to its place of primacy. Knowing this, David made plans to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and build a place for it to reside. In the process, he learns some hard lessons about doing God’s will in God’s way and in God’s timing.

Your Daily Walk

Think carefully about each question in this true/false quiz:

1. True or False? If God has placed a desire in my heart, then it must be His will for me to accomplish it.
2. True or False? If my goal is to please and glorify God, then how I go about it is really insignificant.
3. True or False? Doing God’s will in something other than God’s way cannot truly be God’s will.

David had two ambitions in the early years of his reign: to bring the ark to Jerusalem and to build a house for God there. To accomplish the first, David chose the expedient—rather than the obedient—mode of transportation, costing an unsuspecting man his life. David’s wish to build a majestic temple for God was commendable, but it simply wasn’t God’s plan for David’s life.

It’s wonderful to dream big dreams for God. But be sure those dreams are implemented in God’s way, in God’s timing, and with the people God intends to use.

Insight - Finding the Chink in Jerusalem’s Armor

Jerusalem was ideally suited for defense: Located on a hill with steep slopes on three sides, attackers most easily approached from the north, but strong walls blocked their way. David and his men sneaked through the water shaft from the Gihon spring (located outside the wall) into Jerusalem.

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March 27

2 Samuel 8–10

David’s Expanding Nation

Key Passage: 2 Samuel 8–9

Overview

Once the opposition to his rule has been silenced, David can secure his kingdom against foreign invasion. In quick succession, the Moabites, Syrians, Edomites, and Ammonites fall to David’s troops, causing the neighboring powers to surrender without a fight. Extensive new territory and enormous amounts of tribute are added to David’s kingdom. But David nurses no spirit of revenge, as evidenced in his dealings with Mephibosheth.

Your Daily Walk

Here’s another true/false quiz. According to 8:1-14:

1. True or False? David defeated the enemies of the Lord.
2. True or False? The Lord defeated the enemies of David.

To check your answers, reread the passage, circling all the verbs describing David’s actions (“David defeated...subdued...fought...struck down”) and all the verbs describing God’s actions (“The Lord gave David victory wherever he went,” 8:6, 14). Who fought the battle? David did! Who gave the victory? God did! David could not do God’s part, but neither would God do David’s part. It was a cooperative effort from start to finish, with God providing the power and protection and David swinging the sword and smiting the enemy. For David to go out in his strength—or sit idly by and expect the job to get done in God’s strength—would have proven disastrous. But by teaming up with God, David was invincible. The attitudes, “God, You don’t need me,” and “God, I don’t need You,” are twin formulas for disaster.

Check up on your battle plan for today. Then, jot down a challenge you are facing and the strategy you will use to ensure you come out a winner.

Insight - Half Shorn, Fully Shamed (10:4)

Even to this day, cutting off a person’s beard is regarded by Arabs as the height of indignity, comparable to that of flogging or branding. Many would rather die than have their beards shaved off, which shows the severity of the insult to David’s men.

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March 28

2 Samuel 11–14

David’s Adultery and Its Aftermath

Key Passage: 2 Samuel 11–12

Overview

At a time when David should have been on the field of battle, he finds himself instead on the roof of the palace. A casual glance, a lustful thought, an inquiry, and the king of Israel sets in motion a chain of events that culminates in adultery and murder. While David’s sinful acts are followed by heartfelt repentance, the fruit of those acts continues to ripen for years within David’s family in the form of murder, incest, treachery, and open revolt.

Your Daily Walk

Do you use or abuse the authority God has given you?

Scan chapter 11 and circle the word sent every time you discover it, for therein lies the key to David’s downfall.

While it was common practice for the king to send others to do his bidding, such practice was subject to abuse. David “sent Joab” to the battle front (11:1), when David should have accompanied him there. David “sent someone to find out about” Bathsheba (11:3), though he had no business doing so. David “sent messengers to get her” (11:4), though she belonged to another man. David “sent . . . with Uriah” (11:14) that loyal soldier’s death certificate. It is a wonder that when David’s wicked plan was complete, God “sent Nathan to David” (12:1) to uncover the ugly scheme. Using God-given authority for your own convenience may seem expedient now, but in the long run, it will prove bitterly expensive.

List the roles of authority you fill today (e.g., parent, deacon, manager, teacher). Then, turn your list into a prayer project as you ask God to make you a “sanctified sender.”

Insight - The Subtle Slide from Sin to Sin

The leap from a covetous thought (11:2) to the calculated murder of one of his most loyal soldiers would probably have been unthinkable to David. But because one “little” sin relentlessly escalated into others—idleness, selfishness, covetousness, adultery, treachery, murder—the net result was the same.

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March 29

2 Samuel 15–18

Revolt Against David

Key Passage: 2 Samuel 15, 18

Overview

Of all the sons mentioned in the Bible, none is as physically handsome and yet so emotionally and spiritually scarred as Absalom. Of Absalom, Matthew Henry writes, “In his body there was no blemish, but in his mind nothing but wounds and bruises.” Today’s reading describes the fulfillment of Nathan’s prophetic judgment upon David. While his transgression had been done in secret, the shame, dishonor, and murder within his own family circle would be done before all of Israel. But the most tremendous heartache would be Absalom’s attempt to usurp his father’s throne. David’s faith in God and love for his wayward son never diminish, though they are severely tested. Driven from Jerusalem, cursed by his countrymen, and disgraced by his son, David is eventually vindicated and restored, though at tremendous personal and national cost.

Your Daily Walk

Psychologists can probe your past, tell you why your heart is broken, and help you cope with it. They aren’t in the business, however, of fixing broken hearts. But God is. He specializes in reconstructive surgery on shattered lives—taking the pieces of an empty shell and turning them into something beautiful and purposeful and glorifying to Himself. Prodigal children, fractured marriages, splintered homes—they’re His specialty.

Do you have a job for the Mender of broken hearts? His office is always open. No appointment is necessary.

Insight - Diary of a Disgraced Dad

What thoughts must David have been thinking? What emotions must he have felt as he saw his favorite son mocking the kingship and openly disgrace the family name from the palace rooftops? What tears must he have shed in private before God when seeing his own trespasses come to fruition? His thoughts and prayers are written down in his “diary” for you to read in Psalms 3–4, 62–63.

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March 30

2 Samuel 19–20

Unrest and Violence in the Land

Key Passage: 2 Samuel 19

Overview

Overcome with grief for his slain son Absalom, David mourns so loudly and long as to seem ungrateful for those who risked their lives to return him to the throne. This stinging insight, delivered by David’s field marshal, Joab, shakes David from his fit of depression and stirs him to resume the reins of power. However, his homecoming is not a particularly pleasant one. By addressing his own tribe (Judah) and inviting them to restore him as their king (which they readily agree to do), David isolates the other tribes in a national display of jealousy. A revolutionary named Sheba stages an untimely rebellion, and only after it is crushed can David rule a united kingdom.

Your Daily Walk

Yesterday, you read how Absalom ignored Ahithophel's supportive counsel and followed Hushai's intentionally misleading counsel. Today you read how David avoided a mass mutiny of his friends by listening to the wise words of Joab.

Advice is one commodity of which there will never be a shortage. Everyone is quick to give advice. But any counsel is only as good as its source. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked” (Psalm 1:1). There is counsel you should avoid. “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise” (Proverbs 19:20). There is counsel you should seek and apply. And how do you tell the difference? “The plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” (Psalm 33:11). Counsel that is true to God and His Word is the kind you should seek and follow.

Take a decision you are facing today, and share it with a godly person from your church or community. Listen carefully to the counsel that’s given. Then do it. God will honor you for it.

Insight - And Speaking of Wise Counselors...

Don’t miss the story of the wise woman of Abel (20:14-22), who saved her hometown from destruction by confronting Joab.

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March 31

2 Samuel 21–24

David’s Last Words and Deeds

Key Passage: 2 Samuel 22; 24:18-25

Overview

Today’s reading covers six topics which, though out of strict chrono- logical order, form an appendix to the main body of 2 Samuel: (1) a severe famine sent in judgment for Saul’s treatment of the Gibeonites; (2) a series of wars with the Philistines; (3) a beautiful psalm of deliverance and praise; (4) a list of David’s mighty men of valor; (5) a sinful census; (6) the severe punishment that followed. The closing paragraph of the book portrays David in his most natural pose: worshiping the Lord in humility.

Your Daily Walk

How do you respond when you have failed God—and you know it? Do you find yourself running to Him or from Him?

Near the end of David’s life, he ordered a census of his troops— a census motivated by pride, not necessity—a census that angered God and forced David to select his own punishment.

In most pagan religions today, the emphasis is on appeasing— rather than approaching—an angry god. But notice David’s reaction after ordering his sinful census. He knew his actions were wrong and he deserved the chastening of the Lord. But he saw more mercy in God than in man. So he responded: “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men” (24:14). Even in the midst of being disciplined, the arms of the Lord are the safest place to be, and David knew it.

Pain is never pleasant because pain hurts. But there is a pain that comes from your Father in heaven who cares too much to allow you to sin with impunity. Read Hebrews 12:5-11, and thank God for His discipline in your life. It’s a sure sign you are His child.

Insight - From Threshing Floor to Something More

Araunah was known as a Jebusite (24:18), one of the original inhabitants of the city of Jerusalem. Many believe his threshing floor is the rock formation preserved under the Dome of the Rock, on or near the site of Solomon’s temple.

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Joshua

The first of 12 historical books, Joshua provides the link between the Pentateuch and the rest of Israel’s history. It picks up the story of Israel, where Deuteronomy left off, and follows the nation from the wilderness into the promised land. The first half of the book (chapters 1–12) describes Joshua’s victorious seven-year campaign as the Israelite army fulfills God’s command to remove pagan influences. In the second half of the book, God’s 40-year-old promise is fulfilled. Israel has a homeland.

March 1/2

Joshua 1–5

Preparing the People for War

Key Passage: Joshua 1: 1-8, 16–18

Overview

Moses, “the servant of the Lord” (1:1), is dead. In his place stands General Joshua, one of only two adults surviving the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Joshua must guide the nation across the flood-swollen Jordan River and into battle against the fortified cities of Canaan—indeed, not an assignment for the fainthearted. Spying out the town of Jericho, crossing the Jordan, circumcising the new generation—each step brings comforting reminders of God’s promise to fight on behalf of His people.

Your Daily Walk

The coach is giving his pre-game pep talk to the local football team. The opposing team looks enormous to the players, obviously outweighing, and no doubt outplaying, them at every position. Somehow, the coach’s encouragement rings hollow: “OK, men, now I want you to go out there and be strong, be courageous, don’t let their size terrify you.” But then an amazing thing happens. The coach, a man of unequaled strength and skill, lays aside his whistle and playbook, dons a jersey, and announces to the team: “I will be your quarterback, and in my strength, we cannot fail. So be strong!"

The opening chapter of Joshua was no mere divine pep talk. Instead, God was providing Joshua with the bedrock assurance he needed to face Canaan's towering giants and fortified strongholds. Humanly speaking, the battle seemed already lost, but from God’s perspective and through His strength, the battle was already won. Since Joshua could face his giant-sized challenge courageously, what is one situation in your life today in which you, too, can draw courage from the promise of Joshua 1:5?

Insight - Joshua, the Renamed General

Joshua’s original name was Hoshea (Numbers 13:8), which means “salvation.” But during the wilderness wanderings, Moses changed his name to Jehoshua, “Jehovah is salvation.” Joshua is a contracted form of Jehoshua and the Hebrew form of the New Testament Greek name Jesus.

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March 3

Joshua 6–8

Central Campaign

Key Passage: Joshua 6: 1–7:5

Overview

The walled fortress of Jericho stands like a taunting giant in the path of the approaching Israelites. There can be no skirting the issue: Jericho must be conquered. But how? The strategy God delivers to Joshua is truly unique and designed to ensure that if the walls fall down, there can be only one explanation—God did it. Joshua leads the people on a daily lap around the city walls, culminating in a seven-lap marathon on the seventh day. At last, comes the moment to shout, and Jericho’s walls turn to rubble. But after victory comes disobedience. Achan steals some of the forbidden spoils, resulting in the defeat of Israel’s army.

Your Daily Walk

Hate is a strong word. And to say that God hates something is even stronger.

Yet the Bible lists many things that God hates: idolatry (Deuteronomy 16:22); wickedness (Psalm 45:7); pride, lying, murder, discord (Proverbs 6:16-19)—in a word, God hates SIN.

Today’s reading explains one reason why God finds sin so abhorrent: it leaves scars on the innocent as well as the guilty. Achan’s sin—seemingly so private and harmless—resulted in 36 lives needlessly lost in battle and an entire nation left in disarray.

Are you tempted to disobey God, concluding, “It’s my life, and I can do with it as I please”? Ask yourself: “What will disobedience cost me personally? How will it affect others around me?” God has the strength for you to be an overcomer (Romans 8:37). Will you turn to Him right now and use that strength?

Insight - Long Odds at Ai

Overconfident from their smashing victory at Jericho, the people urge Joshua to send a token force against Ai (7:3). Joshua agrees, sending only 3,000 soldiers (7:4). But because of Achan’s sin at Jericho, the people “were routed by the men of Ai...The hearts of the people melted” (7:4-5). The lesson is clear: With God on your side, you can’t lose; without Him, you can’t win.

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March 4

Joshua 9–12

Moving South and North

Key Passage: Joshua 9: 1–10: 15

Overview

“Divide and conquer” is a classic strategy for military conquest, and Joshua uses it to perfection. With Jericho and Ai secured, he accomplished Phase One—dividing the land in half, thereby isolating the northern and southern confederacies. Next, he begins a “mopping up” operation in the South and North. But the thrill of victory is tempered by the knowledge of what should have been. The Gibeonites, hearing the astounding fate of Jericho and Ai, trick Joshua into signing a pact of protection, causing the Israelites to defend rather than defeat one of their enemies.

Your Daily Walk

“Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

Fortunately for Sir Henry Stanley, on that fateful day in 1871, deep in the heart of central Africa, he “presumed” correctly. Many times, though, the presumption can get you into trouble, particularly if it is a presumption about God’s Word.

Yesterday, you read about Achan, a man who presumed that God wouldn’t mind if he stole a few “trinkets” from the crumbling ruins of Jericho—and he paid for it with his life. Today, you read about godly Joshua falling into a presumptuous sin by failing to consult the Lord. The Scriptures make it abundantly clear that presumption can bring serious consequences.

What important decision are you facing today? Don’t presume you can make a wise choice without God’s help. With His Spirit dwelling in you and His Word available to you, He can guide you into a wise course of action—if you let Him.

Insight - Trace the Troops Across Canaan

Understand the full force of these chapters by using the maps in the back of your Bible to follow Israel’s conquest. See if you can locate all the cities mentioned in the book, and try to discover Joshua’s plan of attack. For example, his all-night march from Gilgal to Gibeon covered 20 miles of treacherous terrain, uphill most of the way (10:9).

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March 5

Joshua 13–17

Portions for Five Tribes

Key Passage: Joshua 13: 1-7; 14

Overview

The conquest is complete, and portions of the land are now assigned to the tribes who have fought so valiantly in the strength of the Lord. Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh, who previously requested land east of the Jordan, now receive their new homesteads. Still full of vigor at the age of 85, Caleb requests and receives Mt. Hebron in Judah’s area as his inheritance—even though it contains giants and walled cities.

Your Daily Walk

Chapter 14 features Caleb; at first glance, he may appear to be a proud, self-reliant soldier. After all, how often do you hear an 85-year-old claim to have the energy of someone half his age? But Caleb wasn’t blowing his own horn. Instead, he was boasting in the Lord: “I followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly...Just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years” (14:8, 10). He was merely giving credit where credit was due.

Stop right now and brag a little on the Lord. Think of one way God has shown Himself strong on your behalf over the past week, and tell a friend or loved one about it sometime today. Then you’ll be doing what Caleb the soldier (and David the psalmist) loved to do so much: “My soul will boast in the Lord” (Psalm 34:2).

Insight - Cutting Up Canaan for the Tribes (See Map)

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March 6

Joshua 18–21

Portions for Seven Tribes

Key Passage: Joshua 18: 1-10; 21:43-45

Overview

Seven tribes remain to receive their hard-earned “property inheritance.” After ordering a survey of the land, Joshua divided it into seven parcels and distributed it by lot. In addition, six cities of refuge are designated to protect innocent manslayers. The Levites, whose inheritance is the priesthood rather than property, are given 48 cities in which to live. With the tabernacle in place in Shiloh, the task of dividing up the land is complete.

Your Daily Walk

Today’s passage will either interest you or bore you. On the surface, it appears to be little more than a long list of unknown towns, obscure families, and meaningless details. You’ll be tempted to skim the material—and skip the blessing.

But put yourself in Joshua’s sandals for a moment. Imagine America as the promised land. For seven long years, you have been taking stronghold after stronghold to rid the land of its pagan occupants. Then, one morning, trumpets blare forth the news:

The war is over! The land is yours. Victory is complete. It is time to celebrate and divide up the promised land.

You listen breathlessly as Joshua describes the borders of your piece of the promised land. You pinch yourself. After all the years of waiting, God has kept His word!

Does that do anything for your faith and confidence in God’s promises to care for you? If so, write the words of Philippians 4:19 on a card, then sign and date it. Let it remind you today—and every day—that you are taking God at His word.

Insight - Growing Room for the Tribe of Dan

Dan’s allotment was a small territory compressed between the northwestern hills of Judah and the Mediterranean Sea, a portion that proved too small for Dan’s 64,400 families (Numbers 26:42-43). The majority of the tribe migrated north, made war on the inhabitants of Laish, and then settled there (see Judges 18).

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March 7

Joshua 22–24

Joshua’s Last Words

Key Passage: Joshua 24

Overview

In his 100+ years, Joshua seldom saw an uneventful day—and the closing chapters of his life are no exception. Scarcely have the tribes unpacked when civil war threatens to break out. A memorial built by the eastern tribes is misinterpreted as an idol by their western neighbors, and only quick action by Joshua prevents bloodshed. Years later, in the final hours of Joshua’s life, he gathers the nation together and delivers an emotional charge, pleading with them to remain true to the Lord—yet knowing full well they would depart from Him. Joshua concludes with a ringing ultimatum: “Choose . . . this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

Your Daily Walk

When a man lies on his deathbed, you can be sure he won’t fritter away those precious moments in small talk. His every word will be fraught with importance. Listen carefully, for he is revealing his innermost thoughts.

Joshua gathered his dwindling strength and immediately appealed to Israel for a fresh resolve to put away idolatry and serve God alone. After all, God had brought their fathers out of Egypt. It was God who parted the Red Sea and decimated the Egyptian army. It was God who stopped the Jordan, flattened Jericho, and sent the Canaanite armies fleeing. God gave them a land they did not deserve, cities they had not built, and vineyards they did not plant. Is it any wonder Joshua drew an imaginary spiritual line on the ground and declared: “Choose . . . this day whom you will serve”? What keeps you from wholeheartedly committing to serve God? Has something or someone replaced God as the object of your affection? Choose today the one you will serve.

Insight - Joshua’s One Glaring Failure

When Moses died, Joshua was prepared to lead. However, Joshua had no trained successor, and the resulting lack of experienced leadership set the stage for the chaotic period of the judges.

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Judges

The Book of Judges stands in stark contrast to Joshua. Whereas Joshua shines brightly as a book of obedience and victory, Judges is a sad book of disobedience and defeat. It covers a turbulent period of 350 years in which the nation passes through seven cycles of sin: servitude, supplication, salvation, and silence. Thirteen judges—including Deborah, Gideon, and Samson—arise to deliver the people from their oppressors and restore them to a proper relationship with the one true God.

March 8/9

Judges 1–5

Conditions During the Judges

Key Passage: Judges 2:6-23

Overview

Efforts by Judah, Simeon, and the other tribes to purge the land of its pagan inhabitants are not successful. Pockets of godless influence remain—sometimes active, sometimes dormant, but always a source of spiritual stumbling. As Israel sinks into immorality and idolatry, God allows powerful neighboring countries to oppress and enslave the people. Cries of repentance bring God’s hand of deliverance in the form of a judge who throws off the yoke of oppression. Over and over, the cycle repeats itself: sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, silence.

Your Daily Walk

A task half done is as useless as a task that has never begun. The skydiver who almost pulls the ripcord in time, the architect whose bridge almost spans the mighty Mississippi, and the chef who almost bakes the cake long enough—each experiences the agony of an unfinished task. Good intentions and careful workmanship count little if the task is never completed.

Over the Book of Joshua could be inscribed, “They almost finished the job.” Tragically, Joshua's conquests gave way to complacency in Judges. God demanded complete extermination of Canaan’s false worship; Israel settled instead for tolerance and, in the process, fell into sin and forfeited God’s fullest blessing. What area of your Christian life needs “follow through” today?

Don’t let incomplete obedience prevent you from fully enjoying God’s presence and power. Meditate on Psalm 1:1 and notice the blessing God promises for those who don’t walk, stand, or sit where they shouldn’t.

Insight - How Not to Obey a Command

Under Moses, the people were given three commands when they entered the land (Deuteronomy 7:1-5): (1) destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan; (2) avoid intermarriage with pagan neighboring countries; and (3) shun false gods. Compare Judges 1:27-36, 2:11-13, and 3:5-7 to see how obedient they were.

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March 10

Judges 6–8

Gideon, Conqueror of Midian

Key Passage: Judges 7

Overview

After briefly describing the lives of five minor judges, the narrative now focuses on Gideon, God’s instrument of salvation against Midian. Gideon is introduced in a way that is both humorous and pathetic: cowering in a winepress as he threshes out a handful of wheat, trying to escape the notice of the Midianite oppressors. But God takes that unlikely candidate for greatness, confirms His will through the twin miracles of the wet and dry fleece, equips Gideon’s army with trumpets, pitchers, and torches, and sends him out to rout the Midianites—without a single weapon.

Your Daily Walk

True or False: God never changes.
True or False: God’s methods never change.

If you said the first statement is true, you are right. “[He] does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). His character is immutable—unchanging. He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). But what about His methods? They are as unpredictable as the weather. Warfare takes on a new perspective when the God of Israel is fighting on your side. How do you conquer an enormous army? Man’s method: get a bigger army. God’s method: get rid of most of your army, “arm” the rest like children at play, and have them stand still.

God’s methods are infinite in their variety, but His goal is always the same: to bring about victory so that there can only be one explanation—God did it! Examine your life and the life of your family. Do you see evidence that this principle just might be the key to understanding what is happening in your life—and in theirs?

Insight - A Mighty Victory at a Memorable Rock (7:25)

Gideon’s band of 300 men routed a Midianite army of 135,000 (8:10). In God’s strength, they enjoyed victory against odds of 450 to 1—so striking that later an Old Testament prophet would refer to it twice in his book. Can you name the prophet? (Hint: The references in his book are 9:4 and 10:26.)

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March 11

Judges 9–12

A King and Six Judges in Israel

Key Passage: Judges 9: 1-6, 50–57; 11: 1-6, 29–40

Overview

In a day when “everyone did as he saw fit” (21:25), it is not surprising to find ambition, jealousy, and brutality. Abimelech, son of the godly Gideon, sees his father turn down the opportunity to become king. But unlike his father, the son will not be denied. He usurps control of the nation, murders 69 of his 70 brothers, and rules for three terrifying years before his life is brought to an end by a divinely guided millstone. By contrast, another of Israel’s judges, Jephthah, overcomes a horrible family background to become a zealous commander.

Your Daily Walk

“Heritage—something you will spend your life trying either to live up to or to live down.”

There are many areas of your life over which you have no control: your gender and height, the color of your eyes, the wealthiness of your parents. All that is part of your heritage from birth. In most cases, you can do little to change it.

But while you had no vote in the matter of your ancestors, you have much to say regarding their descendants because you are one of them. Were you born into a godly family? Then, be careful. So was Abimelech. Were you born into a broken home or under regrettable circumstances? Then take heart. So was Jephthah, and God used him mightily. Your heritage is neither an excuse to hide behind nor a guarantee of future godliness. But good or bad, it can bring great glory to God if you allow Him to make it a springboard rather than a millstone in your life.

If you feel your past has hindered your service to God, ask Him to give you opportunities that glorify Him with your future.

Insight - Unusual Deaths in the Bible

Abimelech is not the only Bible character who died an unusual death (9:52-54). Can you recall who died

• from a “splitting headache”? (Judges 4:17-21)
• because of a backward glance? (Genesis 19:26)
• on a mountaintop while old but still vigorous? (Deuteronomy 34:1-7)

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March 12

Judges 13–16

Samson, Conqueror of Philistia

Key Passage: Judges 13, 16

Overview

Samson’s life resembles a fairy tale in reverse. From birth, he is blessed with godly parents, favor from the Lord, supernatural strength, and the acclaim of his countrymen. But by the end of his life, he is blind, impoverished, and performing the humiliating duty of a beast of burden. Equipped for the task of delivering Israel from Philistine oppression, Samson instead spends much of his life violating his Nazirite vow and compromising his calling. Only rarely does his performance live up to his potential. But God gives him one last portion of power, and by his death, Samson destroys more Philistines than he did during his entire lifetime.

Your Daily Walk

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word stewardship? If your thoughts naturally turn to money, then you’re normal. But is God concerned only about you being a good steward of your material wealth? No, it goes way beyond that.

Jesus told His disciples, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (Luke 12:48). Certainly, that includes the treasure God has entrusted to you. But what about your time and talents?

Samson had so much—yet used it so selfishly. What about the special abilities God has given you? Are you using them or abusing them? Talk to your pastor about a talent that needs to be put to use in the Savior’s service. Then, look for an opportunity to use it.

Insight - Samson, A Mirror of Israel

Samson’s life of the tragic hero epitomizes the nation of Israel during the time of the judges. Both began with heroic triumphs over numerous enemies. Both were consecrated to the Lord and given special power. Moreover, while Samson disobeyed God in desiring to marry a foreigner of dubious reputation, Israel similarly sold herself to foreign gods. For both Samson and Israel, these actions led to destruction.

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The Cycle of Judges

As you read through Judges, notice how the nation of Israel moves through the same five-step cycle a total of seven times: SIN brings SERVITUDE; Israel cries out to God in SUPPLICATION; God sends SALVATION in the form of a judge; there is a period of SILENCE...until the next SIN begins the cycle again.

March 13

Judges 17–21

Idolatry and Immorality

Key Passage: Judges 17, 21

Overview

Today’s section is an appendix to the first 16 chapters of Judges. Chronologically, it fits after chapter 3, but the writer has placed it here intentionally as a fitting climax to the book. The people are building their idols of wood and metal, devising their systems of worship, and even hiring Levites to serve as priests over their phony religions. Morally the nation is at such a low ebb that rape and homosexuality scarcely cause an eye to blink. And when Israel’s national conscience is finally pricked by a shocking “telegram” sent to the 12 tribes, the response is brutal outrage, resulting in the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin.

Your Daily Walk

Assume for a moment that you are a doctor. Write in the margin the first five vital signs you would check to determine if a patient is sick or healthy. Now, imagine that you are a spiritual doctor. What five “vital signs” would you check to determine if your nation is spiritually sick or healthy?

The lesson of Judges is clear. People left to do what seems right in their own eyes will end up doing what is wrong in God’s eyes—gross idolatry, immorality, brutality, and injustice. When God’s objective standard of right and wrong is discarded, people will not only hit bottom morally—they will break clean through.

You have the privilege of making your voice heard for God and for good through emails, phone calls, and even letters to policy-makers at all levels of government. Educate yourself about the spiritual sickness in our nation, then take 10 minutes today to write and pray.

Insight - The 1,100-Shekel Question

In 17:2, Micah confesses to the theft of 1,100 pieces (i.e., shekels) of silver—a total of nearly 30 pounds of the precious metal. Elsewhere in the Book of Judges, that exact figure becomes prominent again. Can you remember who else paid out that much money? And to whom? And for what?

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March 14

Ruth 1–4

Ruth: An Old Testament Love Story

Key Passage: Ruth 1, 4

Overview

Yesterday, you read five of the darkest chapters in all of Scripture; today, you’re reading four of the brightest. The remarkable thing to remember is that the events described in both portions occur at approximately the same time. The Book of Ruth is a cameo story of love, devotion, and redemption set in the black context of the era of the judges. It is the story of a Moabite woman willing to forsake her pagan heritage to cling to the God of Israel and His people. Because of her faithfulness, God rewards her by giving her a new husband (Boaz), a baby son (Obed), and a privileged position in the lineage of Christ (she is the great-grandmother of King David).

Your Daily Walk

After reading Ruth’s four-chapter love story, turn to Hebrews 11:6. The words will have a familiar ring, but don’t slide over them casually. Do I genuinely believe God rewards those who diligently seek Him?

Think back over the difficult decisions that confronted Ruth: staying in her homeland of Moab where she was known and loved, or moving to Israel where she was largely unknown and unloved; starting a new home of her own, or living with her bereaved mother-in-law; worshiping the familiar gods of Moab, or worshiping the true God of Israel. As she diligently sought to walk with God in a godless nation, Ruth learned firsthand that God rewards God-seekers.

Are you struggling with some misfortune today? Take heart from Ruth’s example. Diligently seek God’s will and His ways. If they are believers, ask your in-laws (if you have some) to join you in prayer about the difficulties you are facing.

Insight - Typecasting in the Book of Ruth

Notice how the characters’ names foreshadow the action in the Book of Ruth: Naomi, “pleasant one”; Elimelech, “my God is king”; Mahlon, “sick”; Chilion, “pining”; Orpah, “stubbornness”; Ruth, “friendship”; Boaz, “in him is strength.”

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1 Samuel

Following the destructive period of the judges, Samuel—prophet and king-maker—is called by God to rebuild Israel spiritually and politically. In time, he anoints Saul as Israel’s first king. But Saul soon proves unable to rule even his own heart. Samuel anoints the young David to take Saul’s place, which causes a fierce rivalry resulting in David’s flight into the wilderness to escape the murderously jealous king. The book ends with the death of Saul, clearing the way for David’s glorious reign.

March 15/16

1 Samuel 1–3

Samuel’s Call and Childhood

Key Passage: 1 Samuel 1: 1-20; 3: 1-21

Overview

The period of the judges is nearly at an end. One last judge remains: Samuel, a man of godly character and integrity who will guide the nation from judgeship to kingship. Samuel’s early life parallels that of another famous judge—Samson. Both are the offspring of barren women and the answer to fervent prayer; both are consecrated to the Lord’s service from birth; both enter a society marked by moral decline and spiritual apathy. But while Samson spent much of his life avoiding his calling, Samuel willingly embraced his. Even as a child, he was quick to obey the voice of the Lord.

Your Daily Walk

Disciplining children—once considered standard operating procedure for parents—is becoming rare; in its place, permissiveness reigns.

But that’s nothing new. A thousand years before Christ, the Bible paints a picture of the ruin of a family because the father failed to discipline his children. Eli, the high priest of God, allowed his two sons to do what was right in their own eyes. In shameless greed, they stole the best parts of the sacrifices offered to God. In response, God said He would “judge [Eli’s] family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them” (3:13).

As parents, our role as disciplinarians is not just a good idea but our God-given duty. If you are a parent, God has instructions for you to follow in your child-rearing assignment (Proverbs 19:25; 23:13-14). Read about it, build upon it, and watch God bless.

Insight - A Four-Question Quiz (with Only One Answer!)

1. Who was the last judge in Israel?
2. Who was the first prophet in Israel after Moses?
3. Who anointed the first two kings in Israel?
4. Who was the only man in the Old Testament to have two books of the Bible named after him?

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February 15/16

Numbers 17–20

Dying in the Wilderness

Key Passage: Key Passage: Numbers 20: 1-13

Overview

Throughout their wilderness wanderings, the children of Israel are reminded of two things: death and hope. Death as the result of their unbelief at Kadeshbarnea, and hope in the promise that God would still give His people a land of their own. God’s authority continues to rest with Moses and Aaron, as demonstrated in the miracle of Aaron’s budding rod. And the priests and Levites are still God’s chosen servants to lead the nation in corporate worship. But death becomes the constant companion of the Israelites on their march: death in the sacrifices, death of the red cow for purification, and the death of the high priest Aaron.

Your Daily Walk

Find a hammer, nail, and piece of wood. Drive the nail halfway into the wood, then remove it carefully. What do you have left? (To make this a truly memorable experience, drive the nail into your front door or perhaps your favorite piece of furniture.)

That illustration provides a parable of the permanent results of sin. Once confessed, we receive God’s complete forgiveness (1 John 1:9)— like removing the nail from the piece of wood. But you will not be able to erase entirely the scars that sin leaves behind.

Are you, like Moses, tempted to “strike a rock” when God has told you to “speak softly”? Weigh the consequences ahead of time. Christ not only died so that sin might be forgiven, but He died so that sin might be avoided. Thank Him for a scar or a nail hole you’ll never have to carry because you were willing to say no to sin and yes to Him.

Insight - Cow in the Old, Savior in the New

Chapter 19 describes God’s provision for the people’s uncleanness by using water mingled with the ashes of a red cow. This curious rite becomes more apparent in the light of Hebrews 9:11-14 as a foreshadowing of Jesus. Just as the ashes of the sin offering had a purifying effect when applied by water, so Jesus’ offering for sin purifies everyone to whom it is applied by His Spirit.

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February 17

Numbers 21–25

The Bronze Snake and Brash Seer

Key Passage: Numbers 21–22

Overview

As the Israelites march to Canaan, they meet and defeat three enemies: the Canaanites, Amorites, and Bashanites. But on the heels of victory, they suffer defeat at the hands of a persistent foe: grumbling. Because of the people’s constant complaining, God sends fiery snakes to chasten His rebellious nation. The threat of Israel’s advance prompts the neighboring pagan nations to hire the prophet Balaam to bring down a curse upon God’s people. But instead of a curse, Balaam delivers a sweeping witness to the glorious future of Yahweh’s nation. What Balaam could not do with his voice, however, is accomplished by his evil influence, as the Israelites give in to idolatry and mixed marriage.

Your Daily Walk

Find a small piece of sandpaper and tuck it in your pocket or purse. Then, read the next few paragraphs thoughtfully and prayerfully.

In chapter 21, the nation of Israel conquered three national powers. Smashing victories! Stunning triumphs! But for some of the people, it wasn’t enough. After all, they were still on the wrong side of the Jordan and didn’t possess even a spadeful of the Promised Land. Their impatience led to criticism, and criticism to fiery judgment.

One key to consistency in the Christian life is to simply give God time to work. Rough edges take time to smooth. Growth to maturity never occurs overnight. But each day can be a step in the right direction.

Is God using a little sandpaper on your life right now? How can you cooperate with, rather than oppose, the work of the Master Carpenter?

Insight - Jesus and Numbers—They Go Together!

Look up the following verses in Numbers to discover how they provide a preview of Jesus centuries before His birth:

• Snake of bronze (21:4-9; John 3:14)
• Water from rocks (20:11; 1 Corinthians 10:4)
• Manna (11:7-9; John 6:31-33)

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February 18

Numbers 26–30

Second Census

Key Passage: Numbers 26:52-56; 27:18-23

Overview

Now that the journey is virtually over, it is time for a second census to assess Israel’s military strength and apportion the soon-to-be conquered territory of Canaan. In addition, it is time to appoint Moses’ successor—the one who will lead the people in their conquest. God’s choice is Joshua, one of only two generation members who left Egypt to survive the wilderness wanderings and enter the Promised Land. Under Joshua’s leadership, the nation will enjoy military victory and spiritual vitality as they obey God’s commands and fulfill their holy obligations.

Your Daily Walk

After multiplying from a family of 70 to a nation of 600,000 fighting men in the space of about 400 years, Israel declined in population during the next 40 years. In part, the lack of growth was because of the numerous judgments God sent to discipline Israel’s disobedience: for example, 14,700 dead after Korah’s rebellion (16:49); 24,000 dead after following Balaam’s teaching (25:9).

Is God enlarging or shrinking your sphere of influence? Jabez, an obscure Old Testament figure, prayed in 1 Chronicles 4:10: “ ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” God delights in blessing His obedient children. Talk to Him today about an “expanded border” with which you want to be entrusted.

Insight - Tallying Up the Second Census by Tribes

Can you add up these numbers and find the grand total?

1. Reuben - 46,500
2. Simeon - 59,300
3. Gad - 45,650
4. Judah - 74,600
5. 5. Issachar - 54,400
6. Zebulun - 57,400
7. Ephraim - 40,500
8. Manasseh - 32,200
9. Benjamin 35,400
10. Dan - 62,700
11. Asher - 41,500
12. Naphtali - 53,400

What is the grand total?

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February 19

Numbers 31–33

Preparing to Possess the Land

Key Passage: Numbers 33

Overview

During the final days of his life, Moses is active in at least three roles: commander-in-chief of Israel’s army, administrator of the nation’s internal affairs, and travel guide bringing the people to the plains of Moab. The Israelite army, using only a token force of troops, exterminates Midian for its idolatrous influence. Later, Moses had to deal with the request of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh that they be allowed to settle east of Jordan. The section closes with a review of the travel route from Egypt to Moab.

Your Daily Walk

Numbers 33 is both one of the darkest and one of the brightest chapters in the Bible. It is a dark chapter because it chronicles the journey from Egypt to Moab—a journey that should have taken just a few weeks but consumed four decades plus the lives of an entire generation.

But the picture is not all dark, for chapter 33 also portrays the nation's movements under God's watchful eye. Guided through the barren wilderness, provided with manna from heaven, and protected from marauding bands, the people experienced God’s tender care daily, even as they felt the sting of His discipline.

Christian, do you view God’s discipline in your life as “pain with a purpose”? God loves us too much to allow disobedience to go unpunished. Having read chapter 33, write these words in the margin of your Bible: “A chapter that should have read differently.”

A chapter is being written in your life today. How will it read? Learn a lesson from Israel’s mistake: Take God at His word.

Insight - Victory Without Casualty

Chapter 31 describes the Midianites' extermination—a command God delivered earlier (25:16-17). This most remarkable confrontation would prove to be Moses’ last military battle. Twelve thousand Israelite troops engaged an innumerable host of Midianites. When the battle was over, and the Israelites assembled to determine their losses, not a single man was missing—a miraculous case of divine protection!

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February 20

Numbers 34–36

Entering the Land

Key Passage:Numbers 34: 1-15