Victory in Christ

When the Philistines found out that David was now king, they went looking to attack him.  David heard of their plan and asked for advice from the most reliable source.  “And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” (2 Samuel 5:19)  How great would it be to have a conversation with our Heavenly Father!  Even though we are not able to hear His voice like David did, we still have the opportunity to speak to Him any time day or night and know that He will hear us and we can hear from Him by reading our Bibles. These are privileges that should not be taken for granted.

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 5; 1 Chronicles 11-12

We have all seen a child stretch out their arms as far as they can and say “I love you this much”.  The Psalmist describes the range of God’s love.  “But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,” (Psalms 103:17)  His love for us has no end or beginning, it has and will always be there for us.  He shows His love for us in many ways, but one way stands above all others.  “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:9-11)  We are told here that since God loved us so much that we should show love to others as well.  Jesus even said that would be how we can be recognized as His disciples.  “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Today’s reading: Psalms 102-104

Saul lacked true faith in God and that led to his demise. “So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance.” (1 Chronicles 10:13 NKJV) Jeremiah tells us that if we do have true faith in God, we will be able to withstand any trial that comes our way. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV) 

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 7-10

It is hard to imagine how anyone could hate the Creator and Sustainer of this earth, but the Psalmist describes people that do.  “The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever.” (Psalms 81:15)  Jesus told us that someone who had that feeling towards His Father had the same feeling toward the Son.  “Whoever hates me hates my Father also.” (John 15:23)  He also told us why a person would hate something so good.  “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:20)  He continued on and told us what we need to do so that we do not show hate toward our God and Savior.  “But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (John 3:21)

Today’s reading: Psalms 81, 88, 92-93

As we read thru these genealogies we see many unique names, some that are almost impossible to pronounce. It is interesting to find out the origin of these names. In verse 15, we see the name Jehozadak. The meaning of this name is “Jehovah is righteous.” What a great truth to think of every time your name was spoken or written. Our Jehovah God is truly righteous. “For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.” (Psalms 11:7 NKJV) 

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 6

God has promised us that everything will work together for good for everyone who loves Him. (Romans 8:28)  He does not promise us that those who love Him will have the most earthly wealth.  The Psalmist shares some thoughts in the 73rd Psalm that may be familiar to us.  “For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalms 73:3)  He continues on with the thought that following God was vanity and that he could have followed the path of the wicked and been rich.  Those thoughts change when he considers our time on this earth is very short when compared to eternity.  “Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.” (Psalms 73:20)  “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalms 73:26)  “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” (Psalms 73:28)

Today’s reading: Psalms 73, 77-78

This section of scripture continues the genealogies.  Some of these names we know nothing about other than their relatives.  At first glance we might think this person did nothing of value in their life.  Just because they were not known for some great accomplishment does not mean they did not live a life faithful to God.  If we live all of our days faithful to Him and never gain any fame or fortune, our reward will be great.  If we live our life striving to be seen and honored by men, Jesus tells us the reward we will receive.  “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Matthew 6:1-5)

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 3-5

In chapter 49 the Psalmist reminds us that riches of this world are not to be envied nor feared.  “Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?” (Psalms 49:6)  Money is necessary for us to live, but the pursuit of great riches has the same end for everyone who strives for it.  “For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.” (Psalms 49:10)

Today’s reading: Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87

Reading thru all of these genealogies can be tedious reading, but we are told that every bit of God’s word has purpose.  “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  One of the things we see from these family trees is the root of Christ that was prophesied.  “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” (Jeremiah 23:5)  Another thing we can notice is some of these names are not mentioned anywhere else in scripture.  The one place we should all strive to have our name listed in is the Lamb’s book of life.  “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5)

Today’s reading: 1 Chronicles 1-2

Do you ever look at parts of God’s creation and marvel?  David did, and he wondered how with the vastness of the universe God could know and care for us all.  “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)  Jesus told us that God knows everything about us down to the number of hairs on our head.  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)  Even though He does know all of the details of our looks, that is not what is important to Him.  “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Today’s reading: Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21