Latest Thoughts of the Day

Hosea 4:19

3/17/2026

A whirlwind will sweep them away and their sacrifices will bring them shame,

Israel, under the name of Ephraim here, has rushed into enthusiastic worship of the false gods of the land. God threatens utter destruction that makes all their false worship of false gods to be an embarrassment. In the context, God warns Judah not to follow their example. God is able to pick them up and remove them like a tornado lifts and destroys everything in its wake. And such will be the case for those who abandon God and seek refuge and strength elsewhere. But God does not stop pleading. His judgment will last until they respond in repentance and faith. He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Let them look ahead to the Savior God is promising in the person of His Son! God moves history toward the coming of Jesus.

Daniel 11:19

3/16/2026

After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own country, but will stumble and fall, to be seen no more.

Daniel is given a vision of a powerful king who will arise in the north with what appears to be invincible power. He hardly know which way to turn, he is so successful. But the tide turns. His ambitious new venture does not succeed, his “insolence is turned back”, he tries to retreat to his home base, but stumbles and falls and is no more. We are not sure who this king is and where to place him historically. But we see God’s tremendous power to utterly humble the one who makes everybody on earth tremble. God is able to turn the tide. We have seen this in history many times, O Lord. We marvel at Your mighty power and we worship Your Son, Jesus.

Ezekiel 48:19

3/15/2026

The workers from the city who farm it will come from all the tribes of Israel.

Is Ezekiel speaking of the daily functioning of society in the new heavens and the new earth? It is a metropolitan life with urban workers still involved somehow with agriculture. Old loyalties and rivalries will not be utterly forgotten, but in their working out they do not hinder the smooth running of society. Organization and order are everywhere displayed, and the milieu seems entirely harmonious. This is the kind of thing we long for in human institutions today, but human history has not produced a model for us to study. We long for resolution and peace at the end. We long to see multitudes living together in harmony and cooperation. We know it is part of God’s purpose for Mankind. We look for it in the glorious reign of our Lord Jesus.

Lamentations 5:19

3/14/2026

You, O Lord, reign forever; Your throne endures from generation to generation.

When we are done weeping for the terrible calamities we have endured, our hope and our confidence rise when we remember God’s sovereign power over all. Jeremiah has finished his book of Lamentations, but his trust is in the God who, behind and through every adversity, is accomplishing His purpose to exalt His Son, Jesus. Almost two thousand years in the future, Martin Luther will write, and we will sing, “Let goods and kindred go. This mortal life also. The body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever. “ All Jeremiah sees with his eyes is disaster. The hope that brings him through is a looking forward to the triumph of God’s ultimate purpose. It is not over until it is over. In that great day, every knee will bow to Jesus.

Jeremiah 52:19

3/13/2026

The commander of the imperial guard took away the basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, pots, lampstands, ladles and bowls used for drink 9fferins--all that were made of gold or silver.

The final result for Jerusalem will be an absolute laying waste of everything. But before that, there is a systematic dismantling of a regime, with special attention and care for things of value. Seventy years later, the items mentioned in this verse will be systematically returned to Jerusalem, by a king who is successor to the kings of Babylon. Destruction is coming. Systematic dismantling is first. Though the destroying forces are waging war against His people, God yet controls all to the glory of His Name. Lord, help us to see the world this way! Man rages; God directs all to His glorious purpose. Power is restrained, awaiting the future manifestation of the glory of our Lord Jesus.

Isaiah 66:19

3/12/2026

I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations--to Tarshish, to the Libyans and Lydians (famous as archers) to Tubal and Greece. And to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame os seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations

Isaiah finishes his book with a picture of the missionary activity God will direct to all the distant nations of the world. Those who have survived the judgment through the work of Jesus Christ will be sent forth as messengers. Those who have not heard will hear. God will ultimately receive the glory due His Name in every land and among every people in the whole wide earth. Survivors will go forth to declare His glory. Even unto our day, an army goes forth to declare salvation in our Lord Jesus.

Song of Songs 2:2

3/11/2026

Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.

When a man “falls in love” he comes to value the charm or the beauty or the loveliness of one particular woman in a way that emotionally excludes all others almost with disdain. Many plays and movies have involved the theme of this kind of love, and the interest of audiences to be involved in such plots and circumstances never lets the theme get old. It is the kind of love that Solomon declares for his beloved in this verse, and it is analogous to something that God actually does feel for each one of those for whom He has laid down His life. In some wonderful way, God loves each one of us with this special kind of love. Although beyond the scope of our comprehension, somehow our lover, God, is our husband, Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 10:19

3/10/2026

A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

It may be fun to get drunk, but somebody has got to pay for the wine. Solomon is able to slide easily into the realm of folly as a kind of excursion, but he is too wise to imagine that things just happen of themselves. Reality keeps bringing Solomon back, and very often his view of reality makes him a cynic. Cynicism does not finally win for him. “Fear God and keep His commandments” becomes the final solution. But trouble and turmoil of spirit is often the battle of a wise man. Whatever your advantages may be, you must eventually settle down with the world as it is. And the world as it is cannot be overcome apart from God. We face a spiritual battle, and our victory is Jesus.