Latest Thoughts of the Day

Hosea 9:13

11/6/2025

"I have see Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place. But Ephraim will bring out her children to the slayer."

God had pronounced dreadful judgment upon Tyre, and we know that He fully brought that judgment to pass. Here he speaks of the life of Ephraim, chief among the tribes of the Northern Kingdom. The same sins are evident in Ephraim that were in Tyre, so when God turns His attention there, Ephraim will be destroyed forever, even as Tyre was. This came to pass, as well, as the Northern kingdom was overcome and expunged from history by the overwhelming force of the Assyrians. All of Israel was expunged—Judah, Benjamin and many Levites all became part of the Southern Kingdom, Judah. That group became known as Israel because they were all that remained of the sons of Jacob. God would have a place to send Jesus.

Daniel 6:17

11/5/2025

He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from hte power of the lions.

Darius, king of Persia was so impressed with God’s deliverance of Daniel from the mouths of the Lions that he had the account published in all the nations of the Empire. He saw God’s power to save individuals from certain disaster, to do miracles, to exercise control in heaven and on earth, to hold back even the natural instincts of wild creatures. Darius wants everyone to know about and to honor the God of Daniel. But he does not think to bow at the feet of this God. Rather, he imagines himself to be doing this God a favor by telling everyone about Him. But human authority is useless in drawing people to Christ. He is His own authority. Come to Jesus.

Ezekiel 16:10

11/4/2025

His horses will be so many that they will cover you with dust. Your walls will tremble at the noise of the war horses, wagon and chariots when he enters your gates as men enter a city whose walls have been broken down.

After God has used an enemy nation like a stick to discipline His people, He breaks the stick. Here he speaks of Tyre, a rich and powerful nation soon to face distruction from her enemies. Ezekiel paints a powerful word-picture of the destruction He will bring upon this nation. The overwhelming power of the invading army is shown by the cover of dust that will settle upon the ruins. The deafening roar of the chariots makes the reader tremble. Walls broken down pictures the helplessness to resist the power of enemy assault. All such judgments foreshadow that which fell for us upon our Savior Jesus.

Lamentations 3:27

11/3/2025

It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.

For his entire ministry Jeremiah has faced a nation that refused to bear the yoke God put upon them. God had given Judah over into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, but they would not have it, and the result was the colossal ruin of the land and seventy years of foreign exile. In his lamentation for Judah’s destruction, Jeremiah thinks of the blessing that comes when we trust and obey. May the young among us hear the challenge and submit to God’s will for their lives! Bearing the yoke is submitting to the parameters God ordains for your life. How much more profitable it would have been for Judah, had they been willing to bear the yoke. To some of us, this speaks of years of vanity and pride before we ourselves came to Jesus.

Jeremiah 27:3

11/2/2025

Then send word to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon through the envoys who have come to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah.

An international summit has been arranged by the king of Judah, with the kings of five surrounding governments sending envoys. God directs Jeremiah to appear at the summit, wearing a costume that looks like a yoke, because God wants the message to sink in. All these governments will be brought into submission to Babylon. God wants them all to know that this is happening by the sovereign hand of the God who raises up one and puts down another. The countries may either resist and be destroyed or cooperate and be spared. They did not come to Jerusalem to hear this message. By God’s grace He sent it to them there. Similarly, He surprises us with the grace He shows in Jesus.

Isaiah 34:3

11/1/2025

Their slain will be thrown out; their dead bodies will send up a stench; the mountains will be soaked with blood.

The entire book of Obadiah is given to describe God’s terrible judgment upon Edom after a thousand years of enmity that began with Jacob and Esau. When the judgment finally came (perhaps in part through Assyria and finished by Babylon) it was brought about by blood-thirsty and ruthless conquerors. The word-pictures in the Bible are terrifying. God goes beyond Edom to warn all nations of the terrible judgment that awaits them. None will escape. Fearing this, we begin to ask, “How might I escape this dreadful judgment?” God teaches us to as this question, and He gives us the only possible answer. Refuge from the wrath of God comes only through the means that God Himself has supplied. We must all take shelter under the blood Jesus.

Song of Songs 6:11

10/31/2025

I went down to the grove of nut trees to look at the new growth in the valley, to see if the vines had budded or the pomegranates were in bloom.

Going about the farm, checking things out, viewing the progress of the crops and enjoying the beauty of it all, the speaker will go on to speak of being wonderfully caught up in the excitement and joy of spiritual realities. “Set among the royal chariots of my people” is the way he will express it. It will have to do with His beloved, whose beauty and charm have captivated his soul. God can look at His creation and say, “It is good”. He looks at His church and says, “She is lovely beyond compare.” How wonderful to be part of a people so loved and admired and longed for as those who are in Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 7:15

10/30/2025

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in hiis righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

Man looks upon the outward form; God looks upon the heart. Solomon is speaking from his own deepest cynicism, with not even a hint of the reward God gives to the righteous who suffer or the agony of soul that the wealthiest often feel. We could all join Solomon in his bitter and resentful perspective, or we could rise to view the world no longer “under the sun.” Fearing God and keeping His commandments bring wonderful blessing to the one who believes. Doubting God and envying sinners will bring any of us to the cynical perspective that occurs the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon will eventually bounce back to viewing things from God’s perspective. He actually helps us look to Jesus.