David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

 2 Samuel 2-5, 1 Kings 2:11, and 1 Chronicles 3:4, 29:26, 27 and 12:23-40

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. 2 Samuel 5:4-5

Day 94 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on David's ascension to the throne over all of Israel, including resolution of civil war.  Conflict and internal strife is inevitable, of course this is true also within the church. Check out this great post from DesiringGod.com where we are encouraged to tackle conflict head-on as conflict becomes an opportunity for grace.  The post provides examples of how Old Testament prophets, Peter, Paul and others tackled conflict head-on, resulting in God's glory on display and an advancing gospel.  It goes on to talk about how Jesus did not back down from heading into Jerusalem, ultimately going to the cross. The post includes a scriptural example from 2 Timothy where Paul writes Timothy about how to deal with false teachers and other opponents of the faith where differences manifest themselves:

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26

I, for one, am greatly convicted by this post.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has been gentle with me even though I know I am quite undeserving.  Thank You Jesus.  But again, I am not deserving.  My sin continues, including being harsh with others in conflict.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

1 Samuel 28, 31, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, and 2 Samuel 1, 4 

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

Day 93 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Saul and Jonathan's death, as well as David's reaction.  1 Chronicles 10:13-14 states the reason for Saul's death.  On the other hand, we have David who is a "man after God's heart" (see 1 Samuel 13:14, and Acts 13:22).

Saul sought affirmation and satisfaction from others.  Instead, God wants us to seek Him out and to gain satisfaction from Him.

This reference includes many verses about how God cares about a heart for Him.

We are all longing for something and too often we seek satisfaction from creation, not the creator. We should hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) as ONLY God will satisfy and fill the longing we all have. See John Piper on this.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who HAS filled me...well beyond what I deserve!  Thank You Jesus for satisfying my longing and then some!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But David found strength in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 25-30, 1 Chronicles 12:1-22

But David found strength in the Lord his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

Day 92 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues to focus on David on the run from Saul.  He and his men encounters Nabal, a wealthy but evil man who refuses to provide for David's army.  Nabal's wife Abigail provides for David and his men and the Lord strikes down Nabal, and David takes Abigail as one of his wives.  David once again is in a position to kill Saul (1 Samuel 26) but again does not take matters into his own hands (see yesterday and another recent post).  David gains refuge among the Philistines strangely enough but they will not allow him to fight Saul alongside them.  David's forces grow as many men abandon Saul and join David, joining the Thirty among David's might warriors (1 Chronicles 12).  The Amalekites sack David's home in Ziklag (1 Samuel 30) and he and his men are distraught over their families being taken captive and the town destroyed.  Yet David finds strength in the Lord, and goes to the Lord in prayer for wisdom about whether to attack the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30:7-8).

David's life is far from a life free of trouble - although he is anointed he is on the run from Saul for what some estimate as four years (while others choose not to speculate).  Jesus makes many promises for blessings but at least one difficult promise - that we will have trouble, particularly as believers (John 16:33).  David's life I suppose might have been easier had he killed Saul when he had the chance - arguably not from a believers perspective as God might see this as an attempt to thwart His plans. Regardless, the larger point remains that we should expect trouble and as David did, find strength in the Lord.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me strength.  I am not deserving for how You love me and give me strength.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.

1 Samuel 22:5-25:1, Psalms 52, 63, 54 and 57 

 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. 1 Samuel 24:5-7

Day 91 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Saul's continued pursuit of David.  While on the run and in hiding, David has an opportunity to attack and kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:3-4) yet he merely cuts off a corner of Saul's robe.  Afterwards, he is conscience-stricken by his own action.

According to the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase), "David recognized that the Lord Himself had placed Saul in the kingship. Thus, the judgment and removal of Saul had to be left to the Lord".

As I posted a few days ago, we may feel tempted to take matters into our own hands, but we must recognize that God alone is judge and justice belongs to the Lord.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus - I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues...please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

1 Samuel 21-22:5, Psalms 56, 34, 142 and 1 Chronicles 12:8-18 

Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.”  So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands. 1 Chronicles 12:18

Day 90 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on David on the run from Saul - he needs refuge, provision, confidence, etc. - and the Lord provides.  David leans on the Lord (as Psalms 56 and 142 record) and praises Him (Psalm 34) for how God hears and responds to his cries.  Of note here is how, consistent with my post yesterday how Jonathan loved David as himself and provided great assistance to David, we see David's mighty men coming to his assistance.

God of course provides these other men and the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty.  At first, David is leery of the men seeking to join him (1 Chronicles 12:17) but once the Spirit came on Amasai, David sees this as a God-inspired movement and David welcomes these men.

Again as I posted yesterday, we need these other brothers and sisters in Christ, and in particular, believing men need other believing men.  We can recognize these other men by seeing how fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22) manifest themselves in their lives.  We can also see how other men see our heart condition (see 1 Samuel 16:7), and how they discern a shared hunger and thirst for righteousness (see Matthew 5:6, and Acts 2:44).

My Prayer: Jesus, You are indeed an awesome God who loves me and who has provided many mighty men and warriors who have strengthened me in my journey with You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am grateful but not deserving.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me be a mighty man and warrior for others and other men.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

...he loved him as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 18-20 and Psalm 59

...he loved him as he loved himself. 1 Samuel 18:1, 3, and 20:17

Day 89 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on David's continued rise to prominence within Israel, and correspondingly, Saul's growing jealousy and anger towards David - and Saul seeks to kill David.  In the midst of this, Jonathan and David enjoy a flourishing friendship and this friendship is my focus today.

First, God commands us to love others (see Matthew 22:34-40 and John 13:34-35).  Next, we all NEED brothers and sisters in Christ, and in particular men need other men.  It is through unity with others - particularly other believers - where we draw strength.  That is why

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 16-17

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47

Day 88 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on David's anointing as king, his initial service to Saul to play the lyre to comfort Saul with his torment from evil spirits, and David's victory over Goliath (including Israel's subsequent victory over the Philistines in the battle that followed).

We know that as believers we will face trouble and difficulties - see John 16:33 - but even if the world throws the "kitchen sink" at us, we have the Lord.  We should pray that we have the peace of mind and confidence that David felt that day - that we know that we have a supernatural strength that comes when the Spirit of the Lord enters our life (see also 1 Samuel 16:13).  This is the 

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

1 Samuel 14-15

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23

Day 87 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Saul's utter disregard for the Lord's instructions with regards to how Saul should attack and completely destroy (1 Samuel 15:3) the Amalekites - nothing is to be spared - none of the "men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys" are to be spared in the attack.  But we see in 1 Samuel 15:9 Saul's disobedience.  

Note Samuel's very harsh and blunt response in v23 - that "rebellion (disobedience) is like the sin of divination" (which is akin to idolatry according to John Piper here).  Saul's action is not simply flirting with sin as I posted here - but explicit sin of commission. 

We can then understand how the Lord and Samuel ultimately reject Saul as king.

We do see hints that may help illuminate why Saul behaved as he did.

His own insecurities (vs humility) led him to seek approval of men vs approval of God. We see Saul seeking either his own glory vs that of God in a few places: 1 Samuel 15:12 (set up monument for his own glory), 1 Samuel 15:24 (afraid of own men), and 1 Samuel 15:30 (seeking his own honor "before the elders of my people and before Israel"). 

Caution for all of us who blatantly disobey God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always with me, providing for all of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I continue to sin...daily.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

1 Samuel 8-12

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” 1 Samuel 13:13-14

Day 86 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the beginning of Saul's downfall, which strangely enough is not soon after Saul's anointing.  Unfortunately, Saul fails to heed Samuel's instructions (see 1 Samuel 10:8) and Saul takes things into his own hands - 1 Samuel 13:11-4 chronicles the transgression and Samuel's rebuke of Saul.

When we don't see things unfold the way we expect, we are tempted to take things into our own hands - this of course becomes dangerous when we explicitly disregard God in the process as Saul does here. Abraham and Sarah could not wait - and also took matters into their own hands - see John Piper on how Abraham and Sarah lacked faith in what God can accomplish vs what is humanly impossible.  He uses Romans 9:6-9 as an example of how God accomplishes what only He can do.

Waiting can be difficult - DesiringGod.com provides another useful post on this topic here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done what only what You can do - on the cross and in my life.  Thank You for the many blessings that You pour out on me.  I am not deserving.  I continue to sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.”

1 Samuel 8-12

 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” 1 Samuel 12:20-25

Day 85 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Samuel's anointing of Saul as king over Israel.

A key theme and message throughout these chapters is how the Israelites rejected God as their leader and sought an earthly leader or King instead.  See 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 19-21, 10:19, 12:12, 17, and 19).  Similarly, although the OT is clear and it is prophesied many times that God will send the Messiah, when Jesus does arrive, it is the Jewish leaders and elders who also rejected God.  What is amazing is that God allows us to make such unwise and sinful decisions yet He does not reject us should we repent and turn to Him. Assuming we fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully (1 Samuel 12:24) and that we don't persist in doing evil (1 Samuel 12:25), we will remain His people and He will not reject us.

A couple of verses come to mind:

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Hebrews 10:26-27

  
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me the power to overcome sin and temptation in my life - I am grateful.  I know there is work to do but I am grateful for You in my life!  I am not deserving of such love.  I continue to sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.

1 Samuel 3-7

“They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven. 1 Samuel 6:10-12

Day 84 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on God's initial calling of Samuel and growth as a prophet, the Philistines capture of the ark of the Lord, the death of Eli, the return of the ark, the Israelites re-dedication of themselves to the Lord, and their victory over the Philistines.

According to John MacArthur*, "[t]he placing of the ark of God in the temple of Dagon was supposed to be a sign of Dagon’s power and Yahweh’s inferiority, a visual representation that the god of the Philistines was victorious over the God of the Hebrews".

*MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Location 11224). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

We as believers may claim to love God more than anything else, as we are commanded by God, yet our actions may belie this claim.  We may view what the Philistines did to plunder the ark and relegate God to a lesser position as something we would never do or have never done, but as John writes we may be deceiving ourselves (see 1 John 1:8).  John Piper also warns us about breaking the third commandment not to take the Lord's name in vain - he warns us that our worship may be "empty, futile, pointless, wasted".

God must come first:

Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

1 Samuel 1-2

Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 1 Samuel 1:18

Day 83 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on a transition from the period of Israel's history where they lived under a theocracy without a king to a period of time when God raises up three kings - Saul, David, and Solomon.  Today the focus is three primary stories as this transition begins: (1) Hannah's persistent prayer for a child and God's direct affirmative response resulting in not just the birth of the prophet Samuel, but three sons and two daughters; (2) the growth of Samuel in the presence of the Lord; (3) the sins of Eli's sons.

In particular, Hannah's story of anguish, prayer, and faith strikes me the most this morning.

First of all, after her prayers to God, even before hearing God's response, Hannah's disposition changed.  She went from weeping bitterly (1 Samuel 1:7, 10) to "no longer [being] downcast".  Second, while she prayed for a child, she made a vow that he will serve the Lord - meaning he would inevitably spend less time at home.  Of course, Samuel is born (1 Samuel 1:19-20).  While the birth of Samuel is indeed an answer to prayer, so is Hannah's peace and faith.

Prayer does something and in John Piper's words "causes great things to happen".  Referencing James 4:2, he remarks that we are fools if we don't ask for things in prayer.

I desire to grow in my prayer life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a remarkable God, the one and only true God.  You have blessed me beyond what I deserve and are worthy of my worship.  I am completely undeserving of such a God.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”

Judges 19-21

 Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?” Judges 20:26-28

Day 82 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the Israelites continued sin, this time of the Benjamites, and to a certain extent of the other tribes whose methods to forgive, restore and reconcile the Benjamites to all of Israel, according to my commentary* demonstrated "extremely questionable moral judgment". 

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Unfortunately, this is what sin does if we don't stop - in infects not just us but it can easily spread to the others around us and it can often lead to great internal strife - as it does here where the acts of a few lead to thousands of people dead.  The attempts and methods by Israel to forgive the tribe of Benjamin are not any less sinful and are reminiscent of other Biblical accounts to either cover up sin or make things right in our own eyes.  Judges 21:25 sums up (once again) this sad state of affairs: In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit (see also post yesterday).

Within today's reading, there ARE however glimmers of hope for what we SHOULD be doing - going to God for forgiveness and counsel when we are either dealing with sin in our own lives or in the lives of others.  This occurs several times in Judges 20 (v1,18, 23, 26); v35 captures God's will be done and stands in contrast to what my commentary* indicates how "the nation of Israel has sunk to a low ebb in which moral authority is no higher than self-will".

We should not stray from God and if we DO, we must repent and turn to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has forgiven me of my sins and given me victory over the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such an amazing gift.  I continue to sin - help me repent and turn to You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

Judges 17-18

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. Judges 17:6

Day 81 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on a man named Micah, whose idol worship and sin spreads from his household into the lives of an entire tribe (Dan).

My commentary* emphasizes how "[t]he power of individual influence shouts aloud in this seemingly well-motivated and innocent deviation from God’s directed pattern".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

As I have remarked before:
- freedom and free will to do what we choose is not freedom at all, as we are all born as slaves to sin, and believers should instead seek to become slaves to God
- who and what we place in our lives serve to influence our heart, thoughts and actions and we should be aware of we have (and isolate ourselves from these or remove them if we can), and replace them with

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Judges 13-16

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.  Matthew 5:27-30

Day 80 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Samson, whose love for an ungodly woman shows how flirting with sin can hurt us.  It is nonetheless amazing that of course God redeems Samson's sin to use him to destroy many of the Philistines.  Although Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord (Judges 13:1), He raised up Samson to lead and intercede on their behalf.  Far from a perfect leader, God used Samson to lure the Philistines into a trap (Judges 14:4). 

DesiringGod.com's post here warns us about flirting with sin and directs us to Matthew 5:27-30, where Jesus warns us about sin, emphasizing how sin includes matters of the heart, and Jesus directs us on how we should be prepared to take what some may see as drastic actions to address sources of temptation.

These are tough words indeed, but God hates sin and it separates us from Him - we must find ways to address it in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You love me and use my sin.  Thank You for Your grace and compassion and how You redeem my sin for Your glory and purpose.  I am humbled and of course undeserving.  Please forgive me as my sin continues - I am too easily distracted by the world.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.

Ruth 1-4

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. Ruth 4:18-22

Day 79 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Ruth, a young widower Moabite woman with great loyalty and love for her mother-in-law, an older widower Israelite woman named Naomi.

John Piper has a great summary of Ruth and he believes the key takeaway from Ruth is that "[i]t was written and it has been preached to give you some...encouragement and hope that all the perplexing turns in your life lately are not dead-end streets. In all the setbacks of your life as a believer God is plotting for your joy."

Both Ruth and Naomi suffer greatly but lean on each other.  In my view this is another great takeaway - unity centered on faith among believers helps us persist through the trials and tribulations of life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me great men and women believers who have helped me walk through dark valleys - thank You Jesus!  My faith has been strengthened through these people - angels indeed.  I am not deserving of how You bless me with these angels.  I continue to sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Judges 10-12

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Day 78 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) primarily focuses on Jephthah, a mighty warrior who rose to lead the Gileadites (a tribe of Manasseh). During this time, Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord and "sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites" (Judges 10:7).  Civil conflict also arose with Ephraim (Judges 12:1-4).  Jephthah overcame both the Ammonites and Ephraim in battle. 

DesiringGod.com has a great post on how Jephthah, along with Gideon, Barak, and Samson from the book of Judges, are captured in Hebrews - the faith hall of fame. The post references commentary* from Tremper Longman and Ray Dillard:

What a collection of human beings in the book of Judges! Strange heroes they are—a reluctant farmer, a prophetess, a left-handed assassin, a bastard bandit, a sex-addicted Nazirite, among others. It is easy at a distance to point out the foibles and failures of the leading characters in this downwardly spiraling story. 

But lest we get too proud, Paul reminds us, “That is what some of you were” (1 Corinthians 6:11). With similar mixtures of ignorance, frail obedience, and tangled motives, we, like them, were “washed, sanctified, and justified” by the grace of God. For all of their flaws, we are to learn from their faith. For it was in faith that Gideon, Barak, Jephthah, and Samson “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised”

*An Introduction to the Old Testament, Longman and Dillard

 Longman and Dillard reference 1 Corinthians 6:11 where Paul talks about conflict and sin among believers and he specifically calls out cheating and lawsuits among believers.  Paul then goes on to write how we should not be quick to be proud among such a crowd, assuming we are righteous while others are not:

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 

Longman and Dillard go on to encourage us that even though all of us as believers are broken, God called up for us one (Jesus Christ) who redeems our sin and uses it for His glory. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who rescued me...flaws and all!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love and such a gift.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Judges 8-9

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Day 77 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Gideon's final victory over Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian, and the remaining Midianite soldiers in battle.  Upon Gideon's death, we see Abimelek, Gideon's son - who was wicked in the eyes of the Lord (starting with killing all of his brothers except one) as he led the Israelites to prostitute themselves to the Baals.

Abimelek lost his way - he did not choose the path of righteousness as his father did.  Parents, myself included, worry and grieve over lost children.  I pray near daily (I should pray incessantly) for my kids and too often act out of worry which is not prudent.

I am comforted by John Piper's words on this topic.  Piper advises us to "hand over our souls and the souls of our children to the sovereign goodness and wisdom of God and forsake anxiety....We must build our present lives on the gospel and not on parenting successes and not be undone by parenting failures."  Piper wants us to "weave together" the following scriptures:

Romans 9:2-3: I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race...[.]

Romans 10:1: Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I also take comfort in 1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who wants me to cast all of my cares to You.  I KNOW You care for me, and You hear my prayers and cries.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love and the gift of salvation.  My sin continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided.

Judges 6-8:3

But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided. Judges 8:2-3

Day 76 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Gideon's call by the Lord to battle the Midianites who were oppressing Manesseh.  Gideon is reluctant and asks for signs from the Lord and the Lord does perform several signs to convince Gideon to serve in battle.  Ultimately, Manasseh, with only 300 men (as directed by God), overtake the Midianites.  Ephraim (to the south - see map) complained to Midian that he did not reach out to them to join him in battle against the Midianites and Gideon responds that it was not him that gained victory but God.

Others are watching us - for various reasons.  They expect us to be angry when we are wronged.  They are expect us to feel good about ourselves when something goes well.  Yet we exist to glorify God.  Many of the Israelites forgot this and the Lord gave them into the hands of the Midianites (Judges 6:1).  When God calls us, it is for His will and His glory.  God calls us to be a light.

Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. Isaiah 60:21

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have done great things - including many great things in my life and in those whom I know - I have seen Your hand.  Thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour out on my life.  Thank You for giving me victory over sin and death - I think of this today on Easter.  I am not not deserving of the blessings You pour out for me.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message fro me today and every day.

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

Judges 4-5

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” Judges 4:8

Day 75 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Deborah the prophet as she urges Barak to attack Canaanite forces in the north central region of the promised land.  Another woman Jael also gains mention of her bravery killing Sisera, commander of Jabin's (local Canaanite king) army.

Barak is cautious and is not fully convinced that the Lord will give Israel's enemies into his hands as Deborah indicates in Judges 4:7.  Barak is not unlike Moses who in Exodus 3-4 expresses doubt to God about how God will help us through challenges.  Moses even asked the Lord to send someone else to confront Pharaoh and rescue the Israelites (Exodus 4:13).

Most of us have expressed doubt when we've felt led by God to serve - should I really do this? What about this concern or that concern?

John Piper tackles this concern head-on in this great post "How Do I Take Risks Without Being Unwise?".  Piper believes that "the burden of the New Testament is to infuse the faith and love that leans toward self-risk rather than toward self-protection."  His post provides six tests to help sort through this when the question arises.  Helpful counsel for sure.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what words can describe - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings - I am broken and my sin continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Judges 2-3 

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:15-17

Day 74 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Israel's repeated failure to follow the Lord as a result of their disobedience to God's command to overcome the remaining inhabitants of the promised land (see previous post).  Israel "did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt.  They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them." (Judges 2:11-12).  God then gives Israel into the hands "of raiders who plundered them" (Judges 2:14).  God does raise up judges to save them but once these judges die, the Israelites return to their wicked ways (Judges 2:19).  Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar are all mentioned in Judges 3 as deliverers who save Israel - each providing temporary peace.

Our starting point should be that we are all (all of humanity) sinful and we exist in a fallen world - plagued not just by our own sin but also by the sin around us.  Believers can easily be seduced by the world.  

My recent study of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) highlighted this important warning and uses words from John:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:15-17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who has strengthened me and protected me - yet I know my sin continues and there is work to do.  Thank You God for protecting me but please forgive me for how I have fallen down.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’” When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim.There they offered sacrifices to the Lord.

Joshua 13, 15, 17, 24, Judges 1-2:5

The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’” When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim.There they offered sacrifices to the Lord. Judges 2:1-5

Day 73 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the death of Joshua and Eleazar (Aaron's son), their burial, as well as the burial of Joseph's bones - this latter burial done at the request of Joseph at his deathbed.  Once Joshua passes, we also see the failure of the Israelites to conquer the remaining inhabitants of the promised land. Judges 1 details these failures. 

My commentary* indicates "[t]he danger of an incomplete conquest is the lingering presence of pagan influence. As long as the Canaanites remain, the Israelites will inevitably intermarry with them, and, just as inevitably, turn to worship their pagan gods. Failure to drive out the inhabitants may indicate not only the softness of Israel’s resolve but also a certain fascination with the pagan culture about them. Whatever the reasons for their failure, God considers it a breach of covenant and knows that widespread idolatry is soon to follow."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. "

God expects much of us and ultimately we will all be held to account.  As believers, we must get to work (see John Piper's post on this)!  We must in Peter's words, "make every effort" (mentioned 3x in 2 Peter 1).

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:47-48

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me with much - my cup overflows.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I often fail to make every effort - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Joshua 22-24

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Day 72 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Joshua's farewell address to the Israelites, and he both encourages faithfulness to the Lord and warns them of harsh consequences of unfaithfulness.  He reminds the Israelites of what the Lord has done for them.  His words include the following passages:

You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you. Remember how I have allotted as an inheritance for your tribes all the land of the nations that remain—the nations I conquered—between the Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea in the west.  Joshua 23:4-5

“The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised.  Joshua 23:9-10

You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.  Joshua 23:14

This last verse echos sentiments I posted yesterday on how God keeps ALL of His promises as He is faithful.

Broadly speaking, by encouraging the Israelites to remember what God has done, Joshua encourages a heart of gratitude and thankfulness, which John Piper in this great post refers to as "an essential guardian of the soul, and therefore we should guard ourselves with gratitude".  He goes on to say:  "[e]vidently we are fair game for the devil when we don't abound with thanksgiving. Unless the song of thanksgiving is being sung in our hearts the enemy outside will deceive his way into the city of our soul, and the enemy sympathizers within will make his job easy".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done SO much for me - my words cannot do justice for the many blessings You have and continue to pour out on me.  Thank You Jesus!  God is good!  I am not deserving of such a great God.  I continue to sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

Joshua 18-21

 So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:43-45

Day 71 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the specific distribution (towns, borders, boundaries) of the promised land among the remaining 9.5 tribes of Israel on the west of Jordan, as well as distribution of allotments to the Levites and to Joshua.  Once all the land is distributed, we see how - despite the unfaithfulness displayed by the Israelites time and time again, - God is faithful and fulfills ALL of His promises.

As I peruse posts I've made on this topic, I'd like to highlight several great passages and verses:

God is praised for many attributes and deeds and for keeping His covenant with Israel, including:   

He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit. Psalm 105:8-11

The angel Gabriel brings Mary the great news that she will give birth to Jesus - our Lord and Savior, telling her the news and reassuring her of the certainty of God's word:

For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37

Paul writes of Abraham's faith in God's ability to delivery on His promises:

Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21

Psalms also gives us this verse highlighting God's faithfulness:

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Psalm 117:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE faithful...and Your word will NEVER fail - I can count on You like no other.  You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords and I know You love me and You will never leave or forsake me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love. I continue in my sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.