Isaiah 18-22 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, July 17, 2019 “ON THAT DAY” In our readings today, Isaiah continues the theme of God at work among the nations. Nations rise and fall, rise again, and fall again. Isaiah foresaw a ray of light, a day of hope, which he describes in 19:16-24. His predictions apply first to the victories and defeats of fleshly armies. Second, they refer to the time of the…Keep Reading

Psalm 56:3-4 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, July 17, 2019 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God, whose word I praise– In God I Trust and Am Not Afraid.” I admit it; I get afraid, and there are days that I want to run and hide; to take the wings of morning and fly away. Some days I just need the loving arms of the Savior, and…Keep Reading

1 Peter 5:6-7 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, July 16, 2019 The Lord said, “Call to me and I will answer you.” I had been invited to a family reunion. It was a big annual event for that family. I was a little hesitant because that happy gathering had been known to turn into Family Feud (and I don’t mean the game show). Nevertheless I went because I had been asked to…Keep Reading

Isaiah 13-17 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, July 16, 2019 “GOD’S HAND IN HISTORY History and theology are two different disciplines in the halls of academia as well as on the street corner and in many pews of the churches. God’s hand has been in history since Genesis 1:1 and will remain so when history is no more. Embedded in his oracle against Assyria, Isaiah announced: “This is the purpose that is…Keep Reading

2 Chronicles 28, 2 Kings 16-17 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, July 15, 2019 “THE CURTAIN FALLS ON ISRAEL” The inspired historian recounts the same facts as were laid out in Micah 6:1-5 and then says, “Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your…Keep Reading

Job 5:8 Ref: Proverbs 18:24 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, July 15, 2019 “God and Friends Who Listen” “But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.” Job 5:8 “If I were you,” or “If I were in your place, I would…” These are the words that are easier to say than to hear. They are usually spoken from a far different perspective than…Keep Reading

2 Kings 12-13; 2 Chronicles 24 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, July 5, 2019 “MONEY MATTERS Money does matter. It mattered in the days of Joash and it matters today. It had been over 150 years since Solomon’s temple had been dedicated. No matter how grand the structure, time will take its toll. In addition, Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, upon the death of her son the king usurped the throne and…Keep Reading

Micah 1-7 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, July 14, 2019 “GOD HAS TOLD YOU WHAT HE WANTS” The ministries of Amos and Micah overlapped by about 10 years. The northern kingdom fell during Micah’s ministry. The theme of both is much the same: While the Gentile nations were corrupt, the corruption of Judah and Israel was worse because they were God’s covenant people whom he had blessed. Through Amos, God had said…Keep Reading

Isaiah 9-12 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, July 13, 2019 “LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS” Isaiah delivered a message of judgment and destruction to Israel and Judah much as did Amos: “And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness” (Isaiah 8:22). We again have a divine “but.” “But there will be no gloom for her…Keep Reading

Psalm 118:13 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, July 13, 2019 “You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the Lord helped me.” We do live in a pushy world. The psalmist felt shoved to the point of falling, but the Lord helped him. Who hasn’t felt pushed into a situation, decision, or conversation? Well-meaning Christians have tried to push people into a relationship with Christ; but it doesn’t work that way….Keep Reading

Amos 6-9 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, July 12, 2019 “MEDDLING AMOS” Let your imagination transport you to the days of Amos. He has taken it to the nations around and then he trains his sights on Judah, Israel’s sister. The “Amen corner” in Israel must have responded with shouts of joy. The Gentile nations had sinned against natural law; Judah had sinned against God’s clearly revealed will, a situation which had…Keep Reading

Job 4:4 DEVOTION FOR TODAY, July 12, 2019 “You Have Strengthened Faltering Knees” “Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees” (Job 4:4). The Moffatt Translation says, “Your words have put people back on their feet.” You can knock a man down in this world, but you can’t kick him back up. They were words that should have been in praise of a person’s goodness, but…Keep Reading