Latest Thoughts of the Day

I Chronicles 15:15

7/13/2026

And the Levites carried the ark of God with poles on their shoulders, as Moses hd commanded according to the word of the Lord.

What does God want us to do and how does He want us to do it? David had been dancing with joy when God struck his friend Uzzah dead. This is serious business and God has specifically spoken. This is not your ark, given to you to do with what you like. This ark belongs to God, and your attitude toward it shows your attitude to Him. You have also shown a dis-respect for the Word of God. You made decisions without consulting Him. And you have not respected the authority God has given to the Institution He has appointed to direct religion in this country. David’s respect and awe concerning God’s word becomes more like what we see in our Lord Jesus.

2 Kings 13:13

7/12/2026

Jehoash rested with his fathers and Jeroboam succeeded him on the thone. Jehoash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Isael.

There was a smooth transition of power to his son, and Jehoash, was buried with honors in the capital city of the northern kingdom, Israel. Jeroboam goes on to fulfill the prophecies of the dying Elisha, and God continues for a time to give success to Israel, notwithstanding their departing from Him into idolatry. Within a century God’s judgment will come upon Israel, and the nation of the ten tribes will be utterly destroyed and dispersed. We watch God miraculously preserve His people, destroying the very army that had brought destruction to Israel. The line of Judah will be preserved, as the people of God press on toward the coming into the world of the Messiah. We see the unfolding of the story of Jesus.

I Kings 11:23

7/11/2026

And God raised up against Solomon another sadversary, Rezan son of Aliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezar king of Zobah.

Solomon’s beginning to worship false gods began small, as he made accommodations for the wives he married for political reasons. He began to look at this compromise as a necessity to carry on his rule, but God saw it as a departure from Him. God did not allow a major nation to wage war against Solomon, but He raised up a multitude of little, petty, individual forces to trouble and annoy. Is this what happens to us? Dozens of irritating annoyances that demand petty solutions? Are these the things that rob us of peace and success? Solomon could tell us to fear God and to keep His commands, but he let it all slip. Help us, Lord, to take seriously Solomon’s example. Solomon needed Jesus.

2 Samuel 13:20

7/10/2026

Her brother, Absalom said to her, "Has that Amnon, your brother, been with you? Be quiet now, my sister. Don't take this thing to heart." And Tamar lived in her brother Absalom's house, a desolate woman.

Amnon is heir to the throne, so any open move at all to avenge the rape of his sister would be interpreted politically. So, even in e-mails words are veiled so as in no way to make known Absalom’s real intent. Two years later, he will murder Amnon. Meanwhile, he cares for his disgraced sister. David does nothing about Amnon’s sin against Tamar, and this only adds to the resentment that will result in Absalom’s rebellion to David, The prophet Nathan had said that the sword would never leave David’s household. Very bad things in David’s household do not overrule the good things which point to Jesus.

I Samuel 16:12

7/9/2026

So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and had handsome features.

This is the first appearance of David in the Bible. David will go on to do things that will figure significantly in God’s story of our redemption, so much so that his name will appear over a thousand times in the entire word of God. But he enters our view as the least significant of a family of many brothers. His appearance will be significant to us at first, but the thing that has impressed the Lord concerning him is his character. The “Son of David” who will come in a thousand years will “have no form or comeliness that we should desire him’. David’s life will point forward in many ways to Christ. It is in terms of character that we will reflect the image of Jesus.

Ruth 2:11

7/8/2026

Boaz replied, "I have been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-lw since the death of your husband--how you left your father and mother and your homeland nd came to live with a people you did not know before."

The fact that Boaz appreciates and values the sacrifices he sees in Ruth tells us much about his character. Most men would want only a little information about this strange woman’s past and would be ready to forgive “whatever” it was. Boaz admired Ruth’s character and appreciated her kindness. Their primary attraction to one another was based on character. To the degree that any of our relationships are based on character they are strong, fruitful and significant. After one thousand three hundred years, this union resulted in the birth of our Lord. Had Boaz not been drawn to Ruth, we would not have had Jesus.

Judges 11:20

7/7/2026

Sihon, however, did not trust Israel to pass through his territory. He mustered all his men and encamped at Jahaz and fought with Israel.

Jephthah is presenting an argument to the king of Ammon to answer Ammon’s claim to Israel’s land, that the political dispute between the nations may be settled without war. Jephtha looks back several hundred years to a precedent that supports his argument. Ownership over the land had been secured when the inhabitants of the land had waged war against Israel and lost. Clearly, God had given this land to Israel. Ammon does not see it this way and goes ahead with war with Jephtha’s army, and loses dramatically, granting another victory to Israel. We see the wisdom and knowledge of Jephtha, and are the more amazed at Jephtha’s foolish vow. Great men have great weaknesses. Help us, Lord to submit our wills to Jesus!

Joshua 12:12

7/6/2026

The king of Eglon, one, the king of Gezer, one...

The title “king” was given to what were more like mayors of important cities, but each in this list were cities the Lord had promise to deliver to the Israelites. His judgment had been passed upon their wickedness, they had been given time to repent, and the judgment had ultimately fallen. The “one” following each name was like a check-mark, as the conquered foes had been checked off. When men and governments become enemies to believers in God’s kingdom, we may emotionally deliver them up to God, to dispose of according to His wisdom. The evil they may do to us is cancelled, and all continued involvement will be for our good. Unless they repent they shall all likewise perish. Thank You, O Captain of our Salvation, for conquering Your enemies and ours. We rally behind King Jesus.