Proverbs 1-4. “Acquiring Wisdom” As a father of three children, I think often about the legacy that I am building within my own family.  Proverbs 4 provides us with some good lessons on how to build and leave a meaningful legacy.  This proverb demonstrates that wisdom is so interconnected with legacy building that, without it, we are in danger of leaving a negative or destructive legacy that will...  Read More

1 Kings 4:1-34; Psalms 72, 127.  “An Eternal Legacy” Solomon was a prolific writer.  1 Kings 4:32 tells us that he wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs.  What a legacy, right?  Well, yes, that is until much of that was lost.  What we have remaining of Solomon’s writings is that which was inspired by God and was incorporated into the word of God.  So ultimately Solomon’s legacy was dependent upon t...  Read More

1 Kings 9:15-10:29; 2 Chronicles 1:14-17; 8:1-9:28.  “Legacy of Obedience” “The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself, and he must never send his people to Egypt to buy horses there, for the Lord has told you, ‘You must never return to Egypt.’ The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will lead him away from the Lord.  And he must not accumulate vast amounts...  Read More

1 Kings 8:54-9:14; 2 Chronicles 7. “Legacy of a Father” Solomon received a great legacy from his father David and he had an opportunity to pass it on to his son Rehoboam but failed.  Here is a story about a father who chose to pass on a legacy:“I need you,” was all his wife had to say for the successful traveling evangelist to come home.  Their sixteen-year-old son was pushing his limits and his ...  Read More

1 Kings 8:1-53; 2 Chronicles 5-6.  “Messiah’s Temple” In part of Solomon’s address to the people of Israel, he refers to the Davidic covenant.  Solomon recognizes that he has fulfilled the portion of the covenant that says one of David’s descendants will build the Lord’s temple.  However, what Solomon did not know was that this prophetic statement in 2 Sam. 7:12-14 was not only fulfilled by Solomo...  Read More

1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 3:15-4:22.  “Temple vs. Palace” Solomon did many great things and was a good king for a while, but as you will discover from your reading this week, not everything he did was right.  In chapter 7 of 1 Kings we read the details of the palace compound that Solomon built for himself.  Now certainly the temple of the Lord was impressive, but the palace of the Forest of Lebanon ...  Read More

1 Kings 3:16-28; 5:1-6:38; 2 Chronicles 2:1-3:14.  “Temple Building” This week’s reading covers the early part of Solomon’s reign over Israel.  During this time Solomon accomplished many great things, leaving a tremendous legacy.  He built the temple and a massive palace compound in Jerusalem.  He also built storage cities and outposts for the defense of Israel.  Because of the legacy that Solomon...  Read More

 This week’s reading covers the early part of Solomon’s reign over Israel.  During this time Solomon accomplished many great things, leaving a tremendous legacy.  He built the temple and a massive palace compound in Jerusalem.  He also built storage cities and outposts for the defense of Israel.            Because of the legacy that Solomon left we are going to look at what it means to build a legacy.  A legacy is far more than what we accomplish in our careers.  It involves choices that we make and things that we value.  I hope that, through this week, you are encouraged to evaluate your life and the legacy that you are currently building and the legacy that you desire to leave.  Read More

1 Kings 2:13-3:15; 1 Chronicles 29:23-25; 2 Chronicles 1:1-13; Psalm 83. “Wheels of Justice” Justice is one of the topics addressed today.  The passages in Kings and Chronicles describe the justice Solomon laid forth.  His justice was fair and took into consideration the counsel of his father, David.  It was also necessary in order to prevent chaos from coming.  Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Tru...  Read More

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