Chronological Bible Blog

Psalm 98; Psalm 99; Psalm 100; Psalm 102; Psalm 104
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Psalm 99 is a great psalm of praise! This Psalm mentions the word Lord 7 times. I like verse 6 – “Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also called on his name. They cried to the LORD for help, and he answered them.” These were obviously some major characters in the Bible.

I love Psalm 99 verse 3 – “Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy!” I think sometimes in our modern world we can forget that God’s name is holy.  Jesus’ name is holy.  These holy names change things.  They change everything.  If ever you are ever feeling like you are being confronted by evil – maybe even in your sleep in a dream – call upon Jesus’ name and watch the evil flee from you immediately.  It is true… Jesus’ name is holy!  God’s name is holy!  I don’t know if anyone has a CD by Vineyard Worship with Kathryn Scott singing on it?  It’s called “Hungry, Live in London”.  This is a great CD and they have a wonderful song that includes lyrics saying, “You are the sovereign I AM, your name is holy!”  Beautiful tune…  And so true.

Today we read Psalm 100!  I will copy this short Psalm below. Does this Psalm speak to you? Do you feel joy while reading this song? I have read much of “The Life You’ve Always Wanted” by John Ortberg (a great book!) and he has a great chapter on JOY being a spiritual discipline. It is amazing to realize that Joy is a gift from God we should be experiencing every day. I pray you are experiencing joy as a spiritual discipline! Think this Psalmist in Psalm 100 was?

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

When is the last time you shouted for joy to God?  Do you regularly worship God with gladness?  Do you come before our Heavenly Father with joyful songs?  Do you know that you are God’s?  Is this fact alone worth being joyful about each and every day?

Psalm 102 is a great reminder to us on the importance to pray. To bring our troubles to the Lord. Psalm 102 can also definitely be a comfort for us during a time of sorrow.  I love the reminder about God in verse 27 (which Hebrews also reminded us of today in the verses above…) – “But you are always the same; your years never end.” God does not change.  He is perfectly consistent.  We are oftentimes inconsistent.  But, our inconsistencies do not change God’s consistency.  He is always the same – yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.  God is the one sure thing in life that you can count on – forever.

Psalm 104 is a beautiful hymn to the Creator!  I like all of the verses – verse 19 stands out to me because I can find some cool images related to this verse on the web!  🙂  “You made the moon to mark the seasons and the sun that knows when to set.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Tenth Avenue North’s song “Love is Here:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sBuajPzBTw

Do you believe Love is Here?  Click here for Love!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Psalm 92; Psalm 93; Psalm 94; Psalm 95; Psalm 96; Psalm 97
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Psalm 92 verse 4 we read a joyful verse! “For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.” When was the last time you reflected upon God’s deeds? When was the last time you reflected upon God’s work of his hands? Do you think this might be a good daily habit? Do God’s deeds make you glad? Do you sing for joy regularly for the work of God’s hands?

Bible.org’s commentary on Psalm 92 titled “Worship – Our Delight and Our Duty” is at this link.

Psalm 94 verse 14 is fantastic today  – “The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his own special possession.” I love this thought – that God will not reject us. He will not abandon us. We are his own special possession.  Do you believe that you are God’s own special possession?

Bible.org has a wonderful commentary on Psalm 94 titled “The Psalmist Speaks When Society Sins” at this link.

Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song “Indescribable”: “He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too.” Have you heard this song by Chris? Very joyful modern day psalm! Great tune… And great Psalms of praise in 95 & 95 today! Bible.org’s commentary on Psalm 95 titled “A Warning about Worship” is at this link.

Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing!  I love verse 1: “Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!” And I love the imagery in verse 12: “Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise.”

Psalm 97 verses 10 & 11 are so spiritually powerful & true: “You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right.”  I do believe that God protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.  Honestly, I believe that God does this in our lives much more often than we even consciously realize.  I am sure there are a few moments in our life when we fully realize we were being protected by God.  But, I also have a strong belief that God protects us from unforeseen things that never entered our consciousness.  Do bad things still happen to godly people?  Yes, of course they do.  Why?  I can’t answer this – I’ve heard C.S. Lewis’ book “The Problem of Pain” gets at this a bit.  I need to read it.  We are in a fallen world.  There is evil and an enemy in this world.  Bad things do happen.  But, overall, I believe these verses above are so true.  I do believe that light shines on the godly and joy on those who do right.  Do you believe these verses above to be true?  Have you experienced the truth of these verses in your life?

Worship Video: Psalm 94:14 reminds me of Third Day’s song “You Are Mine:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o-JPkq5rvE

Are you God’s? Click here to be His!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Psalm 1-2; Psalm 10; Psalm 33; Psalm 71; Psalm 91
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we read this reflection on the godly in Psalm 1 verse 2: “But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law.”  How well does this verse ring true with your life today?  Do you delight in being obedient to God?  Do you think about God’s Word, the Bible, day and night?  Should you? This year, will you?   

Psalm 2 today is a prophetic and Messianic Psalm!  This Psalm is frequently quoted in the New Testament in reference to Jesus as God’s Anointed and the great son of King David.  The word “Messiah” comes from the Hebrew word for “anointed one.”  And the word “Christ” comes from the Greek word for “anointed one.”  (as we read Anointed One in verse 2 of this Psalm today)

Verses 11 & 12 in Psalm 2 are encouraging and also a strong warning for us at the same time: “Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of your pursuits–for his anger can flare up in an instant. But what joy for all who find protection in him!”  I think the closing sentence should be a huge encouragement to us.  If we are seeking to love God and Jesus and other people with all of our hearts, mind, strength and souls – God knows it.  And he will provide eternal protection for us.  Yes, there will be suffering in this life – but joy can be found in knowing that we will have an eternity to spend with God and his royal son!

Psalm 33 verse 11 is strong today – “But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.”  I think the thing that grabs me about this verse is that it is God’s plans – not our plans – that stand firm forever.  Therefore, it’s only logical in my mind that we should align our lives such that they are part of God’s plan – God’s kingdom.  I think reading the Bible each day is one excellent way to discern what God’s plans are.  And then – once we know what God’s plans are, will we then align our lives with his plans?  Knowing that his intentions can never be shaken?  Or will we keep trying to forge out on our own…

Today in Psalm 71 verses 6 through 8 we read – “Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.” So true that God has cared for each of us since we were in our mother’s womb! This a beautiful thing to realize.  There is an interesting thought in these verses – if our live is an example to many – and well, yes, it really is no matter what we actually do.  Hopefully our life is a good example – but there could be seasons of bad example too. . . If our lives are good examples to many, why is this so?  I agree w/ the Psalmist – it is simply because of God in our lives. 

Today in Psalm 91:11-12 we read the words quoted by Satan to Jesus during the temptation in the desert: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” As you read this Psalm, do these words apply to Jesus only? Or to those who trust in the Lord as well? Do you believe that the Lord is guarding you in all your ways? Do you believe this is possible? (I hope your answer is yes) Do you recall Jesus’ response to Satan in Matthew 4:7: “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” What do Jesus’ words to Satan tell you about these words in the Psalm? Can we believe these words of the Psalmist, and also not put God to the test at the same time? As an example, maybe to just myself 🙂 , is driving over the speed limit putting God to the test? Is deciding to skip church one week (or for many weeks) because we have some chores to catch up on / or fun stuff to do / or because we’re just tired, putting God to the test?  Think we just might look like this little guy below to God when we come up with all of our excuses of why we don’t go to church…?

Worship Video:  Psalm 2:2 reminded me of the Chris Tomlin song “Jesus Messiah.” Here is a great live version of this song with Chris talking about why he wanted to write a song about Jesus with the word “Messiah” in it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz64E2y0_UI

Is Jesus your Messiah?  Click here to meet the Messiah!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Psalm 47; Psalm 48; Psalm 49; Psalm 84; Psalm 85; Psalm 87
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Psalm 47 is an awesome Psalm!  I can almost hear and feel music and a drum beat as I read this Psalm today!  This Psalm was used in later Jewish synagogue liturgies for Rosh Hashanah, the New Year Festival.  This Psalm has also been used by the Christian church in the Celebration of Jesus’ ascension, in particular with emphases on verse 5 – “God has ascended with a mighty shout. The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring.”  Do you hear and feel the music as you read this Psalm?  Verse 1 sets the stage so very well for verse 2 in the image below – “Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy! Shout to God with joyful praise!”

Psalm 48 is a celebratory Psalm of Mount Zion in Jerusalem, as verse 8 reads:  “We had heard of the city’s glory, but now we have seen it ourselves- the city of the LORD Almighty. It is the city of our God; he will make it safe forever.”

I like verse 10 a lot in this Psalm: “As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth.”  I have had the good fortune to travel many places on this planet, and I will admit that it always encourages me to no end when I see God being praised and worshiped in other cultures.  I always try to visit churches wherever I travel on Sundays, and I love seeing how different cultures worship God.  One of the most memorable experiences was in the Dominican Republic in a very impoverished community.  I honestly don’t know that I have ever seen a congregation worship God so wholeheartedly than I did that day in the DR.  It was beautiful.  The other thing I am reminded of when traveling is that when we are in relationship with Jesus, God is always with us no matter where we go.  When we’re 35,000 feet above the ground in an airplane, God is with us.  When we’re in the middle of nowhere that has no church – God is with us.  So, no matter where we go, if God is with us, we have the opportunity to praise God’s name to the ends of the earth!  Even if you’re traveling to some far off locale where no one else around you would praise God, will you?

Psalm 49 verses 1-3 are a fantastic teaching that the Word of God, the Bible, is for everyone, no matter what our lots in life may be – “Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! High and low, rich and poor–listen! For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight.” Are you listening today?  Are you paying attention to the wise words and insights of the Bible?  Are you truly studying the Bible and then applying the Bible’s teachings to your life?  Then, verse 15 in this Psalm is beautiful: “But as for me, God will redeem my life.  He will snatch me from the power of death.”  How about for you?  Will God redeem your life?  Like the parable of the lost sheep that we read about in Luke 15:3-7, has Jesus saved you from being snatched from the power of death?

Today in Psalm 84:5 we read: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.” Where does your strength come from? God? Or your own will-power? Why might it be a good idea to rely on God for your strength rather than yourself? Have you set your heart on a pilgrimage? Is the pilgrimage toward God? Do you think this will be a life-long pilgrimage? Later in this Psalm, verse 10, we read: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” This is a song many of us have probably sung before at church. What does this verse mean to you? What does one day in God’s courts look like for you? Why would one day in God’s courts be better than one thousand days elsewhere? Do you look forward to spending an eternity in God’s courts? Is your heart on a pilgrimage to God’s courts?

Psalm 85 is awesome today!  So many great verses…. I love verse 8 – “I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones. But let them not return to their foolish ways.”   I like that thought – God speaks peace to his people.  Are we listening carefully to what God is saying?  Are we receiving his peace into our hearts?   And so importantly – are we not returning to our foolish ways?  Verse 6 reminds me of the Jeremy Camp tune “Revive Me”, which is an amazing tune – “Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you?”   Do you need God to revive you?  Will you pray for revival?

Psalm 87 is a celebration of Jerusalem as the City of God, as we read in verse 3 – “O city of God, what glorious things are said of you!”  As we continue to read through the One Year Bible this year it is amazing to reflect upon how much focus there is on Jerusalem as the city of God.  Truly, so many of the Psalms glorify Jerusalem, often as a foreshadowing of the Heavenly City of God.  Indeed, as this verse suggests, many glorious things are said of Jerusalem in the Bible!

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the terrific CeCe Winans song, “Believe For It:”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd24fpsF1Qw

Do you believe God? Click here to Believe in Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10 NIV

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Psalm 42; Psalm 43; Psalm 44; Psalm 45; Psalm 46
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we read Psalm 42 verse 1, which is one of my favorite verses in the Bible! “As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”  That is so right on.  Lately these days I have been longing for God more than ever – and I love that.  I am thankful for that.  There have been seasons in my life – which can certainly be called “dry” seasons – where I have not longed for God.  Where I have not longed for the true Living Water.  I just love the picture this Psalm verse paints in my mind – a deer in the wilderness is fleeing from hunters.  It is literally dying of thirst as it runs.  It is tired.  It is weary.  It is running from death.  And it needs water.  It pants for streams of water.  Like this deer, I pray that I long for God in the same way.  As I flee from sin.  As I am tired.  As I am weary.  As I run from death.  I need God.  I long for God.   How about you?  Do you long for God these days as a deer longs for water?  Are you consistently drinking from the true Living Water?

I think Psalm 43 verse 5 starts off with a couple of questions that then answer themselves by the end of the verse – “Why am I discouraged?  Why so sad? I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!” I would agree with what this verse is getting at.  If I find myself to be discouraged or sad, it comes as no great surprise to me that I have been putting my hope in things other than God.  I have been perhaps even praising false idols.  And the sure fire way to be freed from the discouragement or sadness?  To put my hope once again in God and God only.  And to praise him again!  I think this Psalm verse is a great reminder to make sure we are not placing our hope in anything other than God.  For anything other than God will only leave us empty in the end.

Psalm 44 verse 3 is a wise statement about where the Israelites and our true strength and victory in life comes from! “They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strength that gave them victory. It was by your mighty power that they succeeded; it was because you favored them and smiled on them.”

Every time I read Psalm 44 verse 23 it reminds me of one of the amazing aspects of the Psalms – that the Psalms are people like us speaking to God – and in all sorts of emotional ways: “Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever.” This type of verse reminds me that it’s okay for us to not always talk to God in our “church voice.”  It’s okay to get a little bit passionate in our prayers to God.  I think God would prefer us to be real with him – where we are right now or at any given moment – rather than try to put on any special facades for God.  If ever you feel like you are at a loss for words for what you might want to say to God – how you might be needing to pray to God – surf through the Psalms…  you’ll very likely find voice for what you are trying to say. 

Today we read Psalm 46, which is an incredible Psalm! This Psalm represents a song of hope celebrating the certain triumph of God’s kingdom – even in the midst of times of severe trouble. This Psalm served as the inspiration for Martin Luther’s famous Hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Just after 9/11 I saw emails and posts on the internet floating around with the entirety of this Psalm. I would encourage you to keep this Psalm in your “back-pocket” as a Psalm to meditate upon whenever you personally might be going through times of severe trouble – or whenever our world might be going through times of severe trouble. Near the end of Psalm 46 in verse 10 we read a tiny little verse that I think is the key to this Psalm – “Be still, and know that I am God.” If you are going through a time of trouble in your life right now, will you take some time to meditate upon Psalm 46 and in particular verse 10? 

Psalm 45 is very likely a song of praise to King David on his wedding day.  Interestingly, after the Babylonian exile, this Psalm was applied to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the promised Son of David.  I can see how some verses in this Psalm could apply to both the current king of the day and the true king yet to come.  Verse 7 is a good example: “You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”  Below is Mary’s (Martha’s sister) anointing of Jesus from the Gospel of John chapter 12 verses 1-8.   

YouTube: Psalm 42 and my reflections above on Living Water reminded me of the Brother Yun book titled Living Water.  Brother Yun wrote the well-known book Heavenly Man, and Living Water is his second book.  Below is a 10 minute talk from Brother Yun about his imprisonment in China and his ultimate freedom in Christ.

Are you drinking deeply of the Living Water? Click here for Water!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 30:1-31:31
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Proverbs chapter 31 and the preceding chapter 30 are thought to be essentially an “appendix” to the overall book of Proverbs, as they are non-Israelite in origin. Chapter 29 was the final chapter of the Proverbs of Solomon.  Proverbs chapter 31 verses 1 through 9 consist of 3 sayings that King Lemuel’s mother taught him. The entirety of Proverbs chapter 31 demonstrates the significance and role of wise women in the ancient Near East, where the queen mother was often an influential figure. Who have been some wise women in your life?

Proverbs 31:8-9 today teaches us this powerful lesson: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”  Do you believe that God calling you to speak up in some way for the poor and helpless?  Maybe it’s somewhere in your city or neighborhood or home that this call is leading you to speak up…  Will you speak up?  Will we speak up? 

Proverbs 31:10-24 is a great reflection upon a godly wife.  I read a commentary that said such a wife is almost a personification of wisdom.  I like that thought!  And certainly it makes sense that a women / wife would be a personification of wisdom rather than a man / husband…  🙂   Just kidding!  I’m a guy, so I can make this kind of joke right?  In all seriousness, how about that thought for each of our lives – male or female – would it be a godly thing to move toward being a personification of wisdom?  Obviously I’d say that Jesus was the only human this side of heaven that will walk this earth as a pure personification of wisdom.  But let us seek wisdom in how we live our lives each and every day.  Let us seek God’s Wisdom that is worth far more than rubies…

Here is a little Proverbs 31 humor… while searching for an image for Proverbs 31 I came across this photo below.  The person who took this photo said “we call her the Proverbs 31 Doggie.”  Cute!  🙂

Proverbs 31:25-31 are a continued great look at what a godly woman does.  I really like verse 30 which seems so opposite of what our culture is often selling us today: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.”  I think this holds so true for women and men – our beauty or good looks or outer appearances do not last.  They are not eternal.  What matters is what’s inside – our relationship with and love of God and other people.  So, I think this is a great reminder for us to focus on what’s inside – which is what’s eternal.  And yes, our culture will continue to try to sell us on the latest fads to look better on the outside.  Will you refuse to buy into that which will not last?  Do you realize that holiness is beautiful?  This picture below comes from Memphis, Tennessee:

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Laura Story’s song “One Life to Lose:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4svhIdtcTE

Have you lost your life? Click here to find it!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Proverbs 25:1-29:27
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Proverbs chapter 25 verses 4 & 5 today are interesting: "Remove the dross from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice."  I believe dross is some sort of impurity that is in silver when it is heated up.  Actually, I just looked it up in the dictionary and dross means:  "impurity: worthless or dangerous material that should be removed; "there were impurities in the water"" or "[n. DRAHSS] Something that is useless or worthless is dross. This noun refers to the less-than-desirable parts of something. Near synonyms include: refuse, rubbish, and impurity. Another more specific use of the word dross describes the scum or slag thrown off from metals in the process of melting them. It traces back to the Old English dros, which corresponds to the Middle Dutch droes and the Germanic dros. All of these are words for dregs (less than desirable parts)."  So, this proverb is also saying the wicked in the king’s court is an impurity that must be removed for a secure reign with justice.   This makes sense in a governmental sense.  You don’t want crooks on the cabinet.  But, I think this also works well in our own personal lives.  Sin is a dross – an impurity – in our life that must be removed so that we will be of use to the "silversmith" – Jesus.  Do you have dross / sin in your life?  Will you allow God to remove the dross – the impurity – from your life through the work of his expert Silversmith, Jesus?  Please let Jesus heal you of the dross in your life.  Jesus is the only one who truly can!

In proverbs 25:6-7 today we read – "Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. It is better to wait for an invitation than to be sent to the end of the line, publicly disgraced!"  This reminds me of Jesus’ parable of not taking the best seats at the feast, or you may be asked to move down. But take the lowest seats and you may be asked to move on up. This is similar to Jesus’ teaching: "those who are first, shall be last. And those who are last, shall be first." Are you comfortable being last?  This Proverb today also talks about waiting for an invitation.  How are you doing these days on waiting?  Are you comfortable with waiting?  Are you even comfortable on waiting for God?  I’ll share with you that when I am in a season of "waiting" I have been incredibly encouraged by Isaiah 40:31 – "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  And I’ve also been encouraged greatly by the Lincoln Brewster song "Everlasting God" that has the awesome line – "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord!"  Amen!  Do you feel your strength rising as you wait upon the Lord? 

Proverbs chapter 25 verses 9 & 10 is a strong teaching – “So discuss the matter with them privately. Don’t tell anyone else, or others may accuse you of gossip. Then you will never regain your good reputation.”  This Proverb stands out to me for when we see someone who perhaps sins.  Maybe a brother or sister in Christ has a moral failing.  And then the big question is this – will we discuss the matter directly with that person, to correct them.  OR – will we discuss the matter with others and be a gossip?  Don’t get me wrong – there may be a time and a place to discuss the matter with others, such as a pastor, to get advice on how to discuss the matter with the person who stumbled.  But, we absolutely should not resort to simply being a gossip about someone else.  That’s seeing one sin of someone else’s and then creating another sin of your own!  (note that even though this image below shows two women, men can gossip just as much as anyone else!)

Proverbs 25:14 is spot on: "A person who doesn’t give a promised gift is like clouds and wind that don’t bring rain." Don’t be that person!  Make sure you give promised gifts.  And how about giving unexpected gifts?  Gifts for no particular reason?  When is the last time you surprised someone with a gift out of the blue?  Below is a great image for Proverbs 25:13 from today’s readings:

Proverbs 25 verse 15 is a beautiful meditation in the midst of our hussle-bussle world of today – "Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition."  Basically this Proverb tells us that we don’t need to be in a hurry or be loud!  Are you a patient person?  Do you speak softly / humbly?  Mind if I close the post out today with an image of a dog demonstrating patience with a cute kitten?   Thanks…  🙂  Do you demonstrate patience regularly like this dog is demonstrating below?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Jordan St. Cyr’s song “Fires:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOrSj9w01xw

Have you been through fires? Click here for Holy Water!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Chronicles 29:3-31:21
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

We are re-introduced to King Hezekiah of Judah in today’s readings!  The quantity of the Chronicler’s writings about the reign of Hezekiah is second only to the reigns of David & Solomon.  We’ll be reading about Hezekiah again in the coming days.  Reading about Hezekiah today was such a breath of fresh air after the atrocities of King Ahaz in yesterday’s readings…  Hezekiah is a hero!  He re-opens the Temple!  He reinstitutes the sacrifices to God!  You’ll recall from our readings in Second Kings chapter 18 verses 5 through 7 we got an overview of who Hezekiah was – “Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the LORD in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the LORD had given Moses. So the LORD was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did.”  Below is a coloured woodcut from Henry VIII´s Great Bible, from the year 1538, of King Hezekiah burning pagan idols:

We have great readings today in Second Chronicles chapter 30 about King Hezekiah inviting all of Israel and Judah to celebrate the Passover of the Lord!  Yeah, sure, they ended up celebrating it a month later than normal because not enough priests had been purified, nor enough folks gathered in Jerusalem at the original time.  But, in light of the Passover not being widely celebrated in many years, this was huge. I love Hezekiah’s letter that he wrote – and verse 9 in particular: “For if you return to the LORD, your relatives and your children will be treated mercifully by their captors, and they will be able to return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you.”  Think these words of Hezekiah’s could apply to us in our lives today as well?  Do you need to return to the Lord in any area of your life?  Is there a sin that you are still indulging in that is hampering your relationship with God?  Will you confess and repent of that sin?  Will you return to the Lord?  For the Lord your God is indeed gracious and merciful…

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Second Chronicles reminded me of Jars of Clay’s song “Two Hands:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0h2sUC6wPg

Do you have two hands? Click here to meet the One who gave you your Hands!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Kings 16:19-20; 2 Chronicles 28:26-27; Isaiah 13:1-16:14
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

HALF-WAY – Big news! We cross the halfway threshold in our Chronological Bible readings today! Whoo-hoo! Yep, June 30th marks the end of our first 6 months of readings and July 1st marks the beginning of our final 6 months of readings. Congratulations!

If by chance you’ve stopped reading the Chronological Bible at some point this past six months, how about starting back up with us again as we embark on our final six months? We’d love to have you on the journey with us once again! Let’s go!

In Isaiah chapter 13 we are beginning a new section of the book.  Chapters 1 through 12 were primarily chapters of judgment against the southern kingdom of Judah, as well as some mentions of the northern kingdom of Israel.  Chapter 13 begins 11 chapters of judgment on other nations, beginning with Babylon.  At this time in history (early 700’s B.C.) Babylon was still part of the Assyrian empire.  So this oracle from Isaiah was incredible in that it spoke of Babylon’s destruction even before Babylon became a world power!  Babylon brought about the downfall of Judah and Jerusalem later between the years of 605 and 586 B.C.   But then Babylon would be conquered by Cyrus the Persian in 539 B.C.  Below is a map of the Babylonian empire from the late 7th / early 6th centuries B.C.  You’ll note in this map below that the actual city of Babylon is located in modern day Iraq, about 90 kilometers south of Baghdad.

An interesting commentary I read on chapter 14 verses 12 through 15 is that some think Isaiah is giving a description of the fall of Satan from heaven in these verses.  However, most commentaries seem to say contextually that these verses are about the king of Babylon.  I do see how some could think that these 4 verses could apply to the fall of Satan – “”How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, `I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ But instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.”  Below is an engraving titled “Satan Falls” by the artist Gustave Dore:

In Isaiah we will read many prophecies against cities and kingdoms. I realize these can be tough to read in some ways.  As you read these prophecies, consider why these prophecies were written. Why were these prophecies proclaimed by Isaiah?   Bible.org’s excellent commentary on this section of the book of Isaiah titled “The Burdens Upon the Nations” is worth spending a few minutes reading at this link.

Today we read in Isaiah chapter 15 a message against Moab, or the Moabites!  Now, the big question for each of us is how many sermons in your life have you ever heard that touch on the Moabites??  I recall I heard a sermon years ago about the Moabites from Numbers 22 through 25, where the Moabites were first fearful of Israel (Num. 22) because of their size, and they realized they could not defeat them in open warfare.  So, they tried to get Balaam to curse the Israelites (Num 23 & 24), but Balaam wouldn’t do it because God was giving him messages of blessings upon the Israelites!  So, finally the Moabites decide to simply seduce the Israelites (Num 25) into worshiping their gods and this strategy worked!  To the point where God ended up killing 24,000 Israelites with a plague (Num 25:9) because of their disobedience!  A very bright map that shows where Moab is located in comparison to Judah and Israel is below:

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Sidewalk Prophets “You Love Me Anyway:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8BBCYFAYRI

Do you know that God loves you anyway? Click here for true love!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Isaiah 1:21-5:30
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Powerful readings in Isaiah today… The southern Kingdom of Judah is getting a stern warning from the prophet today!  A scary warning to the people of Judah for their disobedience comes at the end of our readings today in chapter 5 verses 26 through 30: “He will send a signal to the nations far away. He will whistle to those at the ends of the earth, and they will come racing toward Jerusalem. They will not get tired or stumble. They will run without stopping for rest or sleep. Not a belt will be loose, not a sandal thong broken. Their arrows will be sharp and their bows ready for battle. Sparks will fly from their horses’ hooves as the wheels of their chariots spin like the wind. Roaring like lions, they will pounce on their prey. They will seize my people and carry them off into captivity, and no one will be there to rescue them. The enemy nations will growl over their victims like the roaring of the sea. A cloud of darkness and sorrow will hover over Israel. The clouds will blot out the light.”  A random side note here, and definitely an indication of how much I’m swimming in our culture…  (as we all do to some extent – like fish surrounded by water – though, I think the Lord of the Rings has many redeeming values to it)  As I read these verses above, I thought of the orc armies from the Lord of the Rings running amuck over Middle Earth…

This map below gives a good overview of the growth of the Assyrian empire between 824 B.C. and 640 B.C. and how it engulfs Judah during this time period.  The prophet Isaiah was preaching his stern warnings right in the middle of this time period!

Isaiah chapter 5 verse 20 was directed at Judah in the 8th century B.C., but I wonder if this verse can have application to our world today? “Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.”  Can you think of any examples in our modern world where evil is portrayed as good and good is portrayed as evil?  I can think of far too many examples unfortunately.  This twisting of good and evil, light and dark, bitter and sweet did not make God happy back in eighth century B.C.   Think God is happy about this twisting of good and evil today?

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the For King and Country song “Joy:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5xIZZmVUJM

Are you Joyful? Click here for JOY!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!