Latest Thoughts of the Day

Jonah 3:9

4/26/2025

Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from His fierce anger so that we will not perish.

Jonah’s message to Nineveh had been only judgment, with no mention of mercy at all. Nevertheless, the leadership of the city must have heard that mercy was a possibility with the God of Israel, so they lifted what hope they could, and they garnered a terrific response of repentance. They did what they could outwardly and trusted God to look upon their hearts. Ultimately, to Jonah’s chagrin, God did recognize the repentance for what it was and remembered mercy, and for the time spared that great city. The Ninevite leaders were right about God’s propensity to mercy, even though the prophet who had spoken to them was content to hide it. It was still 840 years before Calvary, but God was looking ahead with steadfast purpose to Jesus.

Obadiah 16

4/25/2025

Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually, they will dink and drink and be as if they had never been.

God is speaking final judgment upon Edom. One of their offenses was that they took refuge in drunkenness, determining not to take seriously the things of God. They were, as it were, on His holy hill, but they sought mental and spiritual oblivion. Oblivion they will be given, along will all the nations that forget God. Men everywhere are drunk today with power, with influence, with lust, with riches, with experiences they have pursued in a way that blotted out God. Even while enjoying His good things, they have used them to push away the thought of God. But it is appointed to man once to die and after this, the judgment. Help us, Lord, to find refuge in Jesus.

Amos 7:13

4/24/2025

"Don't prophesy anymore at Bethel, for this the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom."

The priest that the king of Israel has appointed for himself is telling Amos, the prophet of God where he is permitted to prophesy. The assumption of the priest is that Amos is working as a prophet for the same reason he is serving as a priest—to earn his bread. The basis of his command is the good pleasure of the king he serves. God is not in any of his thoughts, so he does not really understand anything that Amos is saying to the people of Israel. People’s attitude toward the clergy is often like this today. It is a business and it is allowed to operate only where they permit it to do so. Help us, Lord, to live by a spiritual authority given to us by Jesus.

Joel 2:26

4/23/2025

You will have plenty to eat until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord yout God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.

The strong dealings of God with Israel has put them through terrible deprivations, but now God speaks of His purposes to bless. In verse 23 He talks of giving them a “teacher for righteousness”. Following Him, they will find blessings to abound. In a few verses He will speak of Pentecost, 720 years before it will come to pass. God is speaking of the blessing He longs to bring upon His people. He connects that blessing with a Special Person. He mixes the dynamics that exist today between God and His people. The heart of God longs to bring His people to the place of blessing and abundance in relation to His Son, Jesus.

HOSEA 10:11

4/22/2025

Ephriam is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her fair neck. I will drive Ephriam, Judah must plow and Jacob must break the ground.

God is speaking here like a project coordinator juggling staff assignments in order to accomplish company goals. The skills that are needed for this kind of job are perfect in God Himself, and He has His purposes for every company on earth. Speaking of Israel in such terms helps us appreciate God’s sovereign direction over all the affairs of men. Sometimes we are not allowed the staff assignments for which we think ourselves most qualified. Sometimes we must do work that we consider beneath us. At other times we are assigned way beyond our pay scale. Help us, Lord, wherever You have placed us, to use the strength You supply to bring glory to Jesus.

Daniel 9:20

4/21/2025

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill--...

Daniel gives us a dynamic picture of his prayer-life before God. It seems to move from one element to another, aloud and silent, submitting and yearning, confessing and appealing. It is the Lord his God to whom he lifts his heart, and as he does, he opens himself to God. Daniel thinks of his entire yearning heavenward as having to do with God’s “holy hill.” Clearly it is more than real estate on Daniel’s mind. Daniel knows the significance of God dwelling with His people. He longs for reality of relationship that touches every place where God’s people now are. It is akin to our yearnings for God’s church in every place, that men will draw near to Jesus.

Ezekiel 36:29

4/20/2025

I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you.

These promises of blessing come on the heels of the promise of wide and deep spiritual blessing. Stony heart changed to heart of flesh, cleansing of all sin, desire and power to live for Jesus will be given to hitherto unwilling servants, caused and enabled to walk in His ways—these are the spiritual blessings. Healthy crops and security against famine are tossed in at the end. Lord, we long to see Your people, Israel experience these blessings. We are thankful that You have included us in these blessings even now, and that in Christ we have wonderful promise of eternal life. We fear no famine, since we trust in the One who did not spare His own Son, but sent us Jesus.

Lamentations 3:50

4/19/2025

...until the Lord looks down from heaven ad sees.

Jeremiah is beside himself with grief concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, and he feels he will never stop weeping until He feels heard and understood by God. But that will be enough. Reassurance by the Holy Spirit that God has heard our cries and is Himself with us is enough for any of us. The old hymn said, “If Jesus goes with me, I’ll go---anywhere!”. “I’ll count it a privilege here His cross to bear. If Jesus goes with me I’ll go---anywhere!” It seems to be more than talking himself into assurance by remembering verses. And this is certainly true for us. We need His promise, but we need His presence. Lord, You promised that you would not leave us comfortless, but that you would come to us. Reassure us of Your presence with us, Lord Jesus.