Day 151: 1 King 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72

I had it in my mind that Solomon did alright for awhile, but now I notice that the first thing he did was marry an Egyptian princess and offer sacrifices to other gods.  I also forgot about the "cutting the baby in half" story.

Day 150: Psalms 119:1-88

I see the Psalmist's deep love for the law and God's precepts.  It seems to me that this is not our natural inclination.  My kids do not "love" my rules.  I know, that is a way we show our kids we love them and maybe at some deep level they, too, "love the law".  But there is still a large part in my kids that think they know better than I do.  Just like me with God too often.

"I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts."  This sounds like such nonsense to unbelievers.  To them, freedom means no rules.

I found it helpful to read this Psalm with replacing the word "law" with "Word". Since we have the whole scriptures and not just the Torah, I think this is a cool way to read 119.

Day 149: 1 King 1-2, Psalm 37, 71, 94

How does someone "become king without David knowing about it?"  Adonijah's response was not what I expected as I was reading along.  I figured he would fight back when he found out Solomon was going to be king.  Instead he pleads fro mercy.

I didn't think it was such a big deal when Adonijah asked for Abishag to marry.  Apparently it was a political move that Solomon quickly saw through.  Thank goodness for footnotes for stuff like that.

I like Psalm 71.

Wow!  That was a lot of reading today.

Day 148: Psalm 111-118

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Does this mean that people who do not fear God cannot be wise?

The Lord remembers us and blesses us. (115:12) I think of all the times I forget people or things or even to talk to God.  How awesome that he remembers me all the time!

I like this verse: "You, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.."

In these psalms, forever is a recurring theme.  "His righteousness endures forever." "His faithfulness endures forever." "His love endured forever."

Day 147: 1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127

There is so much structure and organization among the Israelites.  I wonder if this was similar to other people groups or if it was unique.

I'm sure there was a part of David that wanted to be the one to build God's house.  But he confidently handed off the job to Solomon, with some detailed instructions and some strong encouragement.  He also endorsed Solomon to the people so that they would respect and follow.  Passing the torch is a good thing.

I am so impressed with the generosity of the people as they prepare to build.  

I can imagine Psalm 127 being written by Solomon right after he takes over since he is speaking about building, both a "house" and a family.

Day 146: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145

138:8 "The Lord will fulfill HIS purpose for me."  Not: he will help me fulfill MY purpose for me.  Then why do I live that way so much?

139 is so personal. Perceiving my thoughts, familiar with all my ways, knows words before I speak them.  This is comforting but scary at the exact same time.  My cause that I am fasting for this month is Ohio Right to Life.  I don't know how you can read this Psalm and not believe that life begins at conception.  When I see scenes of Obama coming out of church, I think things like that.  

I like 145:16 "You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."

Day 145: 1 Chronicles 23-25

What a complex business it was to maintain worship.  They took it extremely serious.  It was a full time job for a whole lot of people.  And it was a "family" business for the Levites.  There was never an issues of what you wanted to be when you grew up.  I assume the people from other tribes who were warriors, shepherds, etc. had a great deal of respect for the Levites.

Day 144: Psalm 108-110

David said he was a man of prayer (109:4).  That's what I want to be!

Psalm 109 talks about what David wants to happen to the wicked.  When I think of wanting justice, I guess my mind goes to righting wrongs, helping the oppressed, etc.  But justice goes the other way as well.  Justice and mercy are definitely interesting concepts to think about.

Okay, I am typing this at 11:59 pm.  I almost forgot to read today!  Week-ends are out of my normal routine.

Day 143: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30

I wonder if there is anyplace else where God lets someone choose their punishment.  Interesting...I have done this with my kids before.

22:19 "Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God."

Ps 30:5 "His anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

Day 142: Psalms 95, 97-99

The concept of hardening your heart is interesting.  My footnotes compare it to a hardened lump of clay or hardened loaf of bread.  Nothing can restore it and make it useful.  This does not happen all at once, but is the result of a series of choices to disregard God's will.  If you resist God long enough, He may toss you aside like hardened bread, useless and worthless.

Psalm 97: "Let those who love the Lord hate evil."  Do I always hate evil?  I'm afraid that too often indifference is a more accurate word.

Psalm 99: I think of people I have known who I am never quite sure how they will react to something.  They are unpredictable and so swayed by the situation, their mood and who knows what else.  How great it is to know that God is not like that.  Perfect righteousness and justice to me mean consistency.  God's character and response to me never ever changes.

Day 141: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57

I love some of these phrases from 2 Sam 22. "He reached down from on high and took hold of me."  "He rescued me because he delighted in me."  Not for any other reason.  Reminds me of the line from the shack: "I am particularly fond of you."  "You stoop down to make me great."  

Psalm 57:  I love how every time David is in a tough situation, whether it is the result of others actions or his own sin, he runs straight to God.  

Day 140: Psalm 5, 38, 41-42

I wonder about the verse 5:5, "you hate all who do wrong."  I have always heard and lived by "hate the sin, love the sinner" and assumed that this was an attribute of God as well.  Psalms like this one also make me think about who my enemies are.  "Not a word from their mouth can be trusted."  

Psalm 38: I know I have a consequences in my life as a result of my sin, but I am not sure my sin brings me to the place David's did in this Psalm.  He seems physically, mentally and spiritually crushed and broken before God.

I love Psalm 42.

Day 139: 2 Samuel 19-21

I am struck by how quick the Israelites switch their loyalties...David to Absalom and then right back to David.  Not sure but Chapter 19 to me seems like different people coming before David who is back on the throne with various business matters which he must attend to.

The woman in chapter 20 was definitely brave.  I'm sure that Joab had quite a reputation as being ruthless, and for her to even speak to him was probably risky.  But her actions saved a whole city!

In 21 it is hard to understand David turning Saul's descendants over to be killed.  We don't know that they were bad people.  Apparently it was a cultural thing.

Day 138: Psalm 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64

Psalm 26: I guess I always mistook "blameless" for "sinless".  My notes say that blameless is rather being consistently in fellowship with God, clearing your record when you sin by asking forgiveness. 

Psalm 40: verses 9-10 speak to evangelism and "not sealing our lips".  I think of all the trivial, meaningless things I am more than happy to tell people but too often keep my mouth shut about the most important thing.

Psalm 58 makes me think of the cause I am fasting for this month...babies who are aborted.  This Psalm talks about injustice in our leaders and I can't think of a more obvious example than a government which supports abortion.  "In your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth."

I see a recurring theme through most Psalms of a cry for justice.  We definitely see a lack of it everyday on our world.  It definitely frustrated David to no end, and since we know David is a man after God's own heart, we can probably assume that it frustrates God as well!

Day 137: 2 Samuel 16-18

I'm not sure what the take away from the story of Shimei is.  This guy us just following along with David cussing at him and throwing stones.  David chooses not to respond.  Hmmm.

Sorry, I am really struggling to follow this story with Absalom and Joab.  There are a bunch of names and here and I need someone to give me a summary of the story.

Day 136: Psalm 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55

I like Psalm 12 and the contrast between the lies of men and the truthfulness of God.  These 2 things are so far from each other that I can't even begin to comprehend it.

Psalm 13 repeatedly asks "How long?"  I think in the midst of any bad situation, we always want the answer to that.  As long as we know it is not forever, we can bear it.  But we know that it can't be forever, because this life is finite.  

Psalm 28 goes from crying out for help to having a heart that leaps for joy.  Man, God is good!

Day 135: 2 Samuel 13-15

A sad story of Amnon, Tamar and Absalom.  

How sad for David to watch what his son, Absalom developed into.  My notes seem to indicate that Absalom's actions and disobedience were a consequence of David's sin.  How do we know this?  When I see people who live lives of disobedience, how do we know if generational sin is involved?

Day 134: Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122

Psalm 32: I was reminded by my notes that confession means that we agree with God.  He already knows so it is not just merely telling him something.  And I think some people go through the motions, but don't AGREE with God.  Obviously this is not true confession because since you are not agreeing with God, you probably won't change.

Psalm 51:  Sinning against God vs. sinning against man definitely gives me some food for thought.  Too often I think the latter is what keeps me on the right track rather than the former.

I think a previous Psalm talked about true sacrifice is worshiping God.  This Psalm talks about sacrifice being a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. God is so not about slaughtered animals or money being dropped in the offering plate (although those are required too).  He wants us.

Psalm 86: I can sit for an hour and ponder verse 15 and it's power.  "But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness."

Day 133: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20

The story of David and Bathsheba clearly shows the progression of temptation...sin...deceit...consequences.  I wonder about all the things I do, that if written down like this, would conclude with 11:27  "But the thing 'Beth' had done displeased the Lord."

Nathan does such a great job confronting David.  I know he was a prophet and this is the kind of thing he did, but I think we can definitely learn from his technique and choice of words.

I thought it was interesting that Chronicles (which has been closely mirroring 2 Sam) left out the Bathsheba story.  My notes said that 1 Chronicles was written to focus on God's long-term interest in Israel and on the temple as a symbol of God's presence among them.  The story of D and B didn't fit this purpose.

Day 132: Psalms 65-67, 69, 70

In Psalm 66, as it talks about refining us like silver, I think about a discussion of this on the radio the other day.  The pastor speaking said that he went to talk to an actual silversmith to see what this process was like.  He talked about the extreme heat, the impurities which are burned off, etc.  He then asked the silversmith when he knew the process was finished.  The silver smith answered, "That's easy.  When I can look at the piece of silver and see my reflection, I know it is finished."  How cool is that!?!??!

70:30-31 reminds me that God wants my worship more than anything else I can sacrifice to Him.

day 131: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 20

Love the phrase "When the Ammonites realized they had become a stench in David's nostrils..."

I like Psalm 20, as it is written like a blessing.  "May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

Day 130: Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75

I like Ps 50 when it talks about God doesn't need out sacrifices.  We are just giving him what is His anyways!  Sacrifice doesn't even seem like the right word in that case.  Unfortunately, too often we view our giving (time, money, whatever) as such a huge gift.  It's not ours!  It's God's to begin with!!

Short comments today.

Day 129: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

Chapter 8 is definitely the glory days for David.  He is having one victory after another and doing all the right things....seeking God's counsel, dedicating plunder to God, etc.  Since I know Bathsheba is just around the corner, I wonder if his pride and self view might be rising through all these victories....

But chapter 9 shows that David is still very much a man of integrity.

I like the concept of dedicating things we receive, whether through battle or work or whatever to the Lord.  I guess by tithing we do that.  But do we keep the other 90% and consider it "ours?"

Day 128: Psalms 25, 29, 33, 36, 39

An interesting note: 72 (almost 1/2) the Psalms talk about enemies.  Enemies are those who oppose not only us (I was having trouble relating to this part), but also God's way of living.  We can view temptations - money, success, prestige, lust - as out enemies.  This was helpful for me.

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths."  I think that is what we re doing by reading through the Bible this year.

In Psalm 29 it talks about how mighty God's voice is.  If it is powerful enough to break trees which are 30 feet in circumference, why can't I hear it sometimes?  I'm guessing that is my closed ears, rather than Him not speaking.

Psalm 39 is a good one today for my Birthday!  It's always a day when you ponder life somewhat and think about how much has past and how much MIGHT still lie ahead.  Help me to not be like verse 6: "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro; He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it."

Day 127: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17

It is kind of funny to read about building a house for God so He doesn't have to live in a tent any longer.  God turns it around with the emphasis of building David's dynasty.  Of course this ultimately is building a "house" for God since Jesus is going to be part of that dynasty.

I didn't realize (or maybe I had forgotten) that 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles are very much the same accounts.

Day 126: Psalm 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132

(96:2-3) "Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples."  Why don't I open my mouth!?!?

101:6-7 speaks of who we choose as friends and models for our lives.  

Wow, this is a lot of reading yesterday and today.  What happened to the day we had 3 verses?

Day 125: Psalm 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68

I think that what we are doing by being in the word everyday this year (and hopefully years to come) is Psalm 1:3. "Planting our tree by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers."

I love when God shows emotions like in 2:4.  "The One enthroned in heaven laughs."

In Psalm 15, did people think they could do all these things like be blameless, speak only truth, keeps all oaths, etc.?  For me, they just illustrate what is required to be with God.  Obviously I can't be blameless, so this Psalm points me to my need for Christ to cover my shortcomings.

Psalm 22 reminds me of Job.

Not sure if I connected Psalm 23 with David having been a shepherd before.  "Shepherd" was just not another term to David.  He totally understood the concept of dependence and protection more than most people using that term.

Awesome is a word which is so common place in our world.  As I see it used in many of the Psalms, it makes me look at it in a new light.  Someone who is worthy of my awe.  We use it for our kids, a good movie, and even a pizza!  Maybe that is part of our problem in sharing our God with people.  Words just don't suffice anymore.  hmmmmm......

Day 124: 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23; 1 Chronicles 13-16

I had to read the footnotes and bio on Michal to really get insight into her life and the way she reacted to David's act of worship (dancing before the Lord with all his might).  Kind of interesting.

I guess the Israelites were not carrying the ark the way they had been instructed and so they suffered consequences (Uzzah).  I imagine them being so enthusiastic about doing the right thing (bringing God back to the center of their nation), that they forgot to do it in an obedient way.  They got it right on the 2nd go around though.  

Day 123: Psalms 106-107

"They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass." (106:20) That sounds so absurd and ridiculous and backwards, but so are the things that we put before God.

The recurring verse in 107 is "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men." Why do I so often forget to be thankful? I often think how self-focused my teen-age kids are. They live with a sense of entitlement. All the things they receive and "own" are just expected and a normal part of their world. I would like to think that I am not that way, but I am. Sure, I have my moments of thankfulness....seeing that there is nothing I have, be it things, or relationships, or opportunities or whatever that didn't come from God. But most times, I just take it all for granted. Thanksgiving Day is only 1/365th of what it should be!

Day 122: Psalm 133

Sorry I am a day late for those of you who are reading right on schedule. Week-ends seem to push me out of my daily routine!

Okay, when I saw we had one Psalm for our reading, I assumed it was one of those really long ones. 3 verses? I don't get it.

This psalm obviously talks about how pleasing it is to God when there is unity within the church. My notes give 3 reasons why this is important:

1. it makes the church a positive example to the world and helps draw others to us.
2. it helps us cooperate as a body of believers as God meant us to, giving us a foretaste of heaven
3. it renews and revitalizes ministry because there is less tension to sap our energy.

Good points. By the way, if you haven't noticed we have read over 1/3 of the Bible!

Day 121: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12

"Mighty Men" always makes me think of Robin Hood and his Merry Men.

Again I am blown away by the numbers in chapter 12. That is a ton of men! I think people were just tired of living under Saul's poor leadership and they were really rallying for a cause.