Psalm 79-82.  “Recorded Variety” Although all four psalms come from the same individual, there is yet great variety in their contents.  The first two psalms are reflections of the nation.  The third psalm is a spiritual reminder on a holiday.  The last psalm refers to God, the righteous Judge.What are some of the characteristics of journals?  Providing you have journaled, if you were to look throu...  Read More

Psalm 75-78.  “Expressions of the Psalms” Years ago, Dr. Ron Allen visited the church I was at to speak on the Old Testament.  Dr. Allen is the senior professor of Bible exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary.  One of his favorite topics is the Psalms.In a book he wrote on the Psalms he noted, “Only a Philistine could fail to love the Psalms.  Of all the books in the Old Testament, the Book of ...  Read More

Psalm 50, 73-74. “Leading Worship” Today—and for the next three days—we will be reading “Psalms of Asaph.”  Asaph and his sons, who worked under his direction, were given orders by King David to “proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of harps, lyres, and cymbals” (see 1 Chronicles 6:31-39; 15:16-17; 25:1-2).Numerous Levites were given various responsibilities as it pertained to worship.  A...  Read More

Psalm 88-89, 144-145.  “Musical Tunes” The psalms today reflect the journals of three men.  The first, Psalm 88, reminds us of several things; one would be the variety of emotions each man is experiencing.  Heman describes a despairing heart.  Furthermore, his purpose is unique in that it is purely a cry to the Lord in desperation.  Whereas, Ethan’s psalm describes more the historical events of Da...  Read More

Psalm 131, 133, 138-141, 143.  “Encouragement in the Psalms” The collection of psalms today provides tremendous encouragement for each of us.  After reading through these psalms I found myself feeling a bit guilty for the times I ever question God’s involvement in my life.  These psalms remind us of God’s presence, protection and provision.And again David expounds on God’s qualities: Psalm 131—bec...  Read More

This week I read an article by a woman who had been keeping a journal for 20 years.  She said it seemed natural for her to continue when her father suffered a major stroke.  She described the benefits of her journaling during the five years she cared for her father until his death.  She observed, her daily entries provided her with perspective and a unique sustenance.I must admit I am not the most...  Read More

This week I read an article by a woman who had been keeping a journal for 20 years.  She said it seemed natural for her to continue when her father suffered a major stroke.  She described the benefits of her journaling during the five years she cared for her father until his death.  She observed, her daily entries provided her with perspective and a unique sustenance.          I must admit I am not the most faithful, but I see many benefits to journaling.  Within this week’s passages, we will see how it benefited Solomon as he keeps records of people and situations (and later writes 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs).  We will read of men whose responsibility it was to record the blessings and actions of God for the people of Israel.  We will read David’s journaling as he uses words to worship God meditatively.  Read More

Psalms 68-70; 86, 101. “Dealing with Guilt and Shame” In reading Psalm 69 today you probably made many direct connections to the life of Jesus.  Verse 9 was quoted by the apostle John (John 2:17) and verse 21 was fulfilled with Jesus on the cross (John 19:29).How can we, though, connect verse 5 to Jesus since it indicates that the Messiah was guilty of sin; and yet Scripture is clear that Jesus n...  Read More

Psalms 61-62, 64-67.  “Overwhelmed” Have you ever felt overwhelmed with life?  Have you ever felt distant from God and troubled?  If so, don’t be alarmed.  We have all been there, every person, including Jesus.  The first four verses of Psalm 61 seem to indicate that Jesus experienced these emotions as well.The very fact that Jesus experienced these emotions tells me that our experience of them is...  Read More

Psalms 39-41, 53, 55, 58.  “Doing God’s Will” Have you ever struggled to do God’s will?  You know what I am talking about; those situations where what you should do is very apparent and yet you still rebel and choose to sin.Jesus never had that kind of experience, for He always followed God’s will.Psalm 40:6-8 declares that Jesus delights to do the Father’s will.  These verses are also quoted in H...  Read More

Psalms 35-38.  “Mistreatment” Have you ever considered the treatment that Jesus received from those He came to save?  I think Psalm 35:11-14 provides insight into how He felt and increases our understanding of the mistreatment He received.  The ones He has prayed for, fasted for, and grieved over are now rejoicing because of the trouble He is now in.A striking example of this is in Luke 19:41 when...  Read More

Psalms 27-32. “Imprecatory Psalms” Psalm 28 is what Bible scholars call an imprecatory psalm.  This is because the psalmist asks God to judge the wicked and the enemies of the righteous.  Some have been troubled by the presence of such psalms.  They wonder how a God of love and grace could receive such a request.  Will God really act in response to this request?Today I am challenging you to think...  Read More

Psalms 22-26. “At the End of your Rope” Psalm 22 is another psalm of David or the beloved one and, once again, it is prophetically speaking of the Messiah.  This psalm is so interconnected in the life of the Messiah that the first line was spoken by Jesus as He hung on the cross.  The four gospel accounts give us information on the details of Jesus’ crucifixion, but Psalm 22 allows us to enter in...  Read More

Psalms 12-17; 19-21.  “Joy of the Messiah” When I was in seminary, one of my professors challenged us with this question: how can the ancient prayers written in the psalms to God, be God’s Word to us today?  The answer, I propose to you, is that the psalms are prophetically the prayers of Jesus, the Messiah Himself.  I know this may be a different way of understanding the psalms for you, but I bel...  Read More

When I was in seminary, one of my professors challenged us with this question: how can the ancient prayers written in the psalms to God, be God’s Word to us today?  The answer, I propose to you, is that the psalms are prophetically the prayers of Jesus, the Messiah Himself.  I know this may be a different way of understanding the psalms for you, but I believe that there is sufficient biblical evidence to support this.            So, as you read through the psalms this week, I hope you enjoy some insights into the life of the Messiah by reading through the prayers of the Messiah.  Read More

2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Kings 2:1-12; 1 Chronicles 29:26-30; Psalm 4-6,8,9,11. “Final Thoughts” David left a rich history.  He was an amazing leader and powerful soldier.  His life was committed to God in such a way that he was described by God as a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14).At 70, David left words of advice and experience for Solomon and many others.  David had learned many lessons, and ...  Read More

1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 29:1-22. “Inactive” It is almost possible to read this passage and assume that King David, now rich in years, was unaware of what was taking place.  Bathsheba inquires of him whom he intended to make the next king.  Nathan inquired similarly.However, Bathsheba and Nathan do acknowledge that David is aware of the fact that his son, Adonijah, was crowning himself king.  Furt...  Read More

1 Chronicles 26-28. “Order” These chapters are describing great organization and preparation.  There are people placed in charge of music, finances, priestly duties, gatekeeping, record keeping, administration, judging, baking, and so forth.There are several lessons here for us.  One would be the charge that David placed before each person; “Do your job in honor of the LORD” (22:17-19).  The seco...  Read More

1 Chronicles 23-25.  “Priests” The duties of the priests were specific.  The qualifications and responsibilities were detailed and established by God.  It was a temporary fix until the permanent solution came.The earthly high priest entered the Most Holy Place year after year to offer blood not his own, but that of an animal.  He would offer the sacrifices time after time which never removed the s...  Read More

2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22.  “Perspectives” I appreciate the balance we receive by having the opportunity to read the same story from two passages.  The two accounts prove the trustworthiness of the incident, and yet it also provides different perspectives.  Today’s reading starts off with an example of varying perspective.  One account leads us to believe God tempted David, but the other acc...  Read More

2 Samuel 22; Psalm 18.  “Divine Descriptors” David was truly gifted with the pen.  He had the ability to poetically phrase commanding statements.  He had a wonderful vocabulary that expounded his capacity to describe experiences and people.  Another large part of his writing gift was his awareness of God’s working in his life.  He was constantly aware of God’s hand in each of his experiences.What ...  Read More

2 Samuel 19:31-21:22; Psalm 7; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8. “Highs and Lows” “Vision is looking at life through the lens of God’s eye.” – Charles SwindollIt is natural and understandable that we most often view things from a human outlook instead of “through the lens of God’s eye.”  However, it is amazing when we are able to view things from God’s angle.  Perhaps what is most amazing is the enormous diff...  Read More

It is natural and understandable that we most often view things from a human outlook instead of “through the lens of God’s eye.”  However, it is amazing when we are able to view things from God’s angle.  Perhaps what is most amazing is the enormous difference between how we perceive something and how God sees it.  There is often a remarkable twist and noticeable difference between the two.  God’s intentions and purpose are exciting to observe.  This week’s theme has much to do with our unique view of things.  Read More

2 Samuel 17:15-19:30; Psalms 3, 63.  “Death Results from Sin” “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race.  Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.  Yes, people sinned even before the law was given.  And though there was no law to break, since it had not yet been given, they all died anyway…” (Romans 5:12-14a).Absalom’s death was tragic and unnecessary....  Read More