Psalms 119:1-88 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, April 7, 2019 “EIGHT WORDS DESCRIBING THE SCRIPTURES Psalm 119 is the longest of all the psalms, containing 176 verses. Using the Hebrew alphabet which has 22 letters, the unknown writer has produced an acrostic poem with eight lines beginning with the Hebrew “aleph,” the next eight begin with the letter “beth,” and so forth. The writer used eight different terms for the Scriptures: law,…Keep Reading

1 Kings 1-2; Psalms 37, 71, 94 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 29, 2019 “IT AIN’T OVER TIL IT’S OVER” David was in his final days, but his eldest living son Adonijah rebelled against David as had his older brother Absalom. With the help of Joab who had been a general in his father’s army and Abiather the priest, he attempted a coup which would unseat Solomon before he could be…Keep Reading

Psalm 111-118 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 28, 2019 “PRAISING GOD” The thought running through all the psalms in today’s reading is “Praise God” (111:1,10; 112:1; 113:9; 116:19; 117:12). The word “praise” is not found in Psalm 118, But the praise is clear: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!” (v.1). Let me draw attention to Psalm 115:16-18: “The heavens are the Lord’s…Keep Reading

1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 27, 2019 “GUESS WHO MOVED” David prayed for Solomon: “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you. Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all, and that…Keep Reading

Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 26, 2019 “OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN” David asks, “O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow’ (Psalm 144:3-4). He had asked the same question in Psalm 8:4, but with an added thought: ‘When I look at your heavens, the…Keep Reading

1 Chronicles 23-25 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 25, 2019 “ORGANIZATION” One of the great organizers of the 20th century among churches of Christ said, “Organization makes water flow up hill.” Our readings today can be summed up with one word. The chronicler tell how David organized the priests and Levites for service in the temple which he, himself, would never see. One measure of leadership is how the leader prepares…Keep Reading

Psalms 108-110 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 24, 2019 “JESUS NOW RULES” Psalms 108 and 109 seem to be a compilation of several other psalms. Our focus is on Psalm 110, which quoted by more in the N.T. than any other psalm. Both Jesus and Peter say that David wrote it (Matthew 23:43; Acts 2:33-35). Verse one is quoted or alluded to at least 25 times, 10 of which are in…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicle 21-22, Psalm 30 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 23, 2019 “DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PASSAGES” That the text of the Bible contains some difficulties can hardly be denied, as volumes have been written about some of these. I’m not speaking of those who wish to attack the inspiration of the Scriptures, but of those who firmly believe them and seek to deal honestly with the difficulties. For…Keep Reading

Psalms 95, 97-99 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 22, 2019 “NOISY WORSHIPPERS” We will look at Psalms 97-99 first. Psalm 97 begins with “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice” (v.1). Psalm 99 says, “The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble” (v.1). Rejoicing and trembling are not incompatible. “God will judge the world with righteousness, and the people with equity” (Psalm 98:9). But there is more than justice and equity. The…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 22-23; Psalm 57 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 21, 2019 “THE MAKING OF A LEADER” David was in the field tending his father’s sheep and perhaps dreaming of someday having sons who would tend his sheep. He had no idea what lay ahead for him. His father didn’t have great expectations for him either. When Samuel came to the house of Jesse to anoint a successor to Saul whom…Keep Reading

Psalms 5, 38, 41-42 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 20, 2019 “DISCIPLINE IS NOT PLEASANT” David knew firsthand the truth of Hebrews 12:11: “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” In Psalm 5:1-2, David cries out, “Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. give attention to the sound…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 19-21 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 19, 2019 “FORGIVENESS IS NOT A ONE-WAY STREET” Some people read the imprecatory psalms (those in which David asks God to destroy his enemies) and conclude that David was vindictive. They misread those psalms. In our reading today, the rebellion of Absalom has been put down and David returns to Jerusalem. Some who had been loyal to the house of Saul feared that…Keep Reading