Latest Thoughts of the Day

Ruth 3:14

4/2/2025

So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before anyone could be recognized; and he said, "don't let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor."

The actual actions of Ruth in following Naomi’s advice could have the appearance of evil. People would have overlooked this as a servicing of Boaz' lust with an immoral woman, but that is very far from what actually took place, and it was better to wait until the outcome was secured before Ruth’s nighttime visit was made known. Boaz is concerned both with his morality and his reputation. Paul challenges us to avoid every appearance of evil. Gossips will gossip, but we ought not to help them do so. Thank You, Lord, for dealing with us discreetly as well as wisely. You treat us with respect and protection, even as you put our sin upon Jesus.

Judges 16:3

4/1/2025

Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, "Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands."

The celebration of triumph that the Philistines are arranging will be the gathering that will bring God’s judgment upon them by the hand of Samson. Their pride and cruelty calls out for a response from God, and it is His purpose in this instance to give them what they deserve. God does not always respond with quick retaliation for evil wrongs that societies inflict. God will judge every sin, but not often in a tangible way, visible to us in this life. We are reminded that God took vengeance for our sins by placing them upon His Son. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. We become the righteousness of God through Jesus.

Joshua 18:21

3/31/2025

The tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, had the following cities: Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keeiz,...

There could easily have occurred disputes between the tribes of Israel concerning ownership of various cities, but God kept these from occurring by assigning ownership by His authoritative decree. The armies of Israel must still battle to establish their rule, but they were battling to bring about the will of God for these conquered people. God had used the years after the Exodus to allow these peoples to fill up the measure of their wickedness and to make them the more ripe for destruction. Now the time had come, and the people God had prepared to conquer must move forward to fulfill God’s purposes. Behind the scenes, God has worked in each of our lives to place us in the exact locale that He purposes for us to glorify the Lord Jesus.

Deuteronomy 27:28

3/30/2025

"Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father's wife, for he dishonors his father's bed." Then all the people shall say, "Amen".

We are expected to agree with God, even when He speaks to a subject we would rather not talk about, or deals with something we would rather just ignore. Who we sleep with matters to God, and He regards Himself as having authority in the matter. The natural man tries to assure himself that it is not a big deal and that a great God couldn’t possibly be concerned about such matters. We may as well humble ourselves and acknowledge His authority, for we will certainly do so in the great Day of Judgment. Put Your finger on anything in our lives, Lord, and speak to us concerning Your will. Jesus died and rose again that we may live for You. Help us, Lord Jesus.

Numbers 27:18

3/29/2025

So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand upon him."

God is beginning to raise Joshua to the place of leadership he must occupy when Moses dies. At this point it is a public, visual, formal marking out of Joshua as sharing in Moses’ authority. Something like publicly setting him apart as vice-president. Life goes on in Israel, with Moses in his place of leadership, but the idea has been introduced in the ears and eyes of the people that Joshua is a man to watch. And, indeed, Joshua will walk worthy of his position of leadership, will show himself faithful and will earn the respect that the people will eventually be called to acknowledge. We watch the hand of God as He raises up a leader that will point in his way to Jesus.

Leviticus 20:22

3/28/2025

Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out.

Many of the laws and decrees that God had given to Israel were in order that they may have an identity as a nation that clearly contrasted with their neighbors. The purity of their relationship with God had to do with their being separate from the surrounding culture. If they became like those cultures, they would end up rejected, overcome, and expelled by them. The Christian today who truly follows Jesus in the way he lives will stand out as distinct. Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Cultures exist today that have vomited out their Christians. Help us rather to live for You as salt and light, Lord Jesus.

Exodus 30:27

3/27/2025

...the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense,...

Moses is laying out instructions for anointing the objects that are to be regarded as holy in the service of the tabernacle. It is clear that he does not envision a moving quickly through the room sprinkling at random the items that are to be used in worship. Moses’ intention is a purposeful dedication to the service of God accomplished by the anointing of holy oil . It becomes for us a picture of our own dedication to life as a Christian. God has set us apart, prepared us for service and anointed us by His Spirit in order that we may serve the Lord with gladness. It is not haphazard or casual, and is not a group experience. Lord, we offer ourselves to You. Anoint and use us as we serve Jesus.

Genesis 36:33

3/26/2025

When Bela died Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.

The rulers of Edom were appointed, not according to heredity, as the firstborn of the ruling king; but were chosen as rulers because of exploits that they had personally accomplished. This does not hinder God in keeping exact account of the rulers He raises up and those He brings down in His sovereign purposes. God will sustain Edom, the descendants of Esau, for many years, notwithstanding their unremitting enmity to the seed of Jacob. In His good time, God will bring punishment upon Edom and cause them utterly to cease as a national entity. The book of Obadiah will declare that dreadful judgment. Here we have God’s record of the early rulers of Edom. Every individual and what he has done will be brought to account one day. Our only Hope, O Lord, is Jesus.