Bible In 90 Days – Day 20

Reading: 1 Samuel 2:30 – 1 Samuel 15:35

Take Away(s):

• Intercessor. In 2:25, Eli rhetorically asks his sons about who will intercede for a man who sins against the Lord.  Praise God, we have an intercessor – the Holy Spirit!
• Ministering but now knowing. It’s interesting the distinction seen between 3:1 ans 3:7. In verse one, we see Samuel ministered before the Lord; but in verse seven, we see that he did not know the Lord.
• Words falling to the ground. Interesting phrase in 3:19.  My study bible says that everything that Samuel spoke was fulfilled.  His words had credibility as a prophet of God.
• Obedience vs. Sacrifice. Verse 15:22 boils it down to what God actual desires from the Israelites…and from us.  God is God and doesn’t really have “needs” as we would understand them.  What he desires is our obedience.  As I read this, my first impression is that God needed the stuff that was being sacrificed; but it was actually more about their obedience to His commands.  In our day, how easy it is to think that we can “give” our way to pleasing God.  Really, when we understand giving, it is more an obedience thing…

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Bible In 90 Days – Day 18

Reading: Judges 3:28 – Judges 15:12

Take Away(s):

• Deborah. So, whoever said there weren’t power and confident women in the Bible?  She was one of the five prophetesses in the bible.  I love what the ESV Study Bible says about Deborah: While the pattern of apostasy continues (esp. 4:1–3), Deborah distinguishes herself as the most godly of all the judges; it is ironic that the most distinguished judge was a woman (4:8–9). She was a prophet (4:4) and “a mother in Israel” (5:7), and many sought out her judicial decisions at the “palm of Deborah” (4:5). She instructed Barak in the conduct of the battle (4:9, 14) and led in the victory song in ch. 5, where she figures prominently (5:7, 12, 15). Deborah’s actions and words consistently pointed to God, not away from him, in contrast to the poor choices of judges like Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson.
• Jael. The cool part of the account of Jael fooling then killing Jabin (the king of Canaan) is that she was used of GOD.  Don’t miss this – God used and still uses women in profound ways to advance His kingdom and Gospel. Judges 4:23 On that day God subdued Jabin, the Canaanite king, before the Israelites.
• Gideon’s Ephod. I have a Tommy Walker devotional book that has a great take on the Judges 8:24-27 passage.  It’s called Don’t Worship Worship and it is about how the people and Gideon ended up worshiping an instrument of worship (the Ephod) instead of the One who was to be worshiped.  A good reminder to us to not worship the music, instruments, musicians, etc. that we use in worshiping got instead of God!

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 17

Reading: Joshua 15:1 – Judges 3:27

Take Away(s):

So when I read each day, I usually put a tic next to a verse or group of verses that just sticks out or that means something to me.  As I looked back over today’s reading, each one was a declarative statement that was made about God, to Israel or about the person making the statement.  The cool part is that these statements are true still today!

• 21:45. Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Unlike many of ours, God’s promises are ever true!
• 22:5. “But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Luke 10:27 – ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
• 24:14-15. “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” May the final sentence be true in me and my family – through the power of the Holy Spirit!
• Judges 2:3. [The angel of the Lord speaking to Israel after they broke their covenant with the Lord] “Now therefore I tell you that I will not drive them out before you; they will be thorns in your sides and their gods will be a snare to you.” If we don’t drive out or truly turn away from our sin (through the power of the Holy Spirit), our sin becomes a thorn in our side…constantly irritating and ensnaring us.  BUT: “…greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 16

Reading: Joshua 1:1 – Joshua 14:15

Take Away(s):

• Joshua Succeeds Moses. In Deuteronomy 31, Moses announces to Israel that Joshua will succeed him.  But it is not until a while later that God commends Joshua and commands him to lead Israel into the promised land.  As Moses continued instructing during this succession time, one could surmise that he is mentoring Joshua and ensuring that he is ready to lead – even assuring and encouraging him several times.  Just reminds me that I need to have this type of relationship with people in my life: at work, church, wherever I lead.
• Read it all! I love how the NIV makes clarifying comment on what Joshua read and to whom he read it, “³⁴ Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. ³⁵ There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them.”  Just a reminder to not pick and choose the “likable” parts of the bible to read and also to make sure we share THE WHOLE of scripture with kids – not just the “kid-friendly” stories.
• Caleb So when I read about Caleb in chapter 14 (¹⁰“…So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.), I get this image of my wife’s grandfather, who lived to be 99 years & 11 months old.  He was active way into his old age and was VERY independent and determined to be on his own, doing things his way…the old way!  We miss him!

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 15

Reading: Deuteronomy 23:12 – Deuteronomy 34:12

Take Away(s):

• Revelation. As I read 29:2-5, I had this image of the Israelites having an “ah ha” moment.  As if Moses is pulling back the curtain and revealing to them (even reminding them of) the things that they may have taken for granted while they wondered in the desert.  They lived the journey, but his words seem to indicate that they just didn’t understand the journey.  Again, Moses reminds them of their experiences.  Reading through Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, it often seems repetitive – the cool part is that there was a purpose for the repetition.  I think sometimes we overlook repeating or remembering things in our lives about God’s purpose, faithfulness, sovereignty, provision, all the awesome characteristics that we often overlook or think are far off with God.  I pray that I would have a constant revelation of God and His care and sovereignty in my life!
• I’m Glad for the Secrets. In 29:29, Moses says, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”  I’m glad I worship and serve a God who I can’t completely know or understand – if I did, I wouldn’t need Him.  Reminds me of a lines from Francis Chan’s book, Crazy Love, “Isn’t it a comfort to worship a God we cannot exaggerate?”  AMEN!

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 14

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1 – Deuteronomy 23:11

Take Away(s):

• The Complete Picture of Obedience. In 10:16, Moses says that the Lord demands that the Israelites circumcise their hearts.  They knew about circumcision – it was an act of obedience that was instituted long before by God to their forefathers.  It showed that they were set apart and that they belonged to God.  It was an outward sign of obedience.  But here, God says that outward is not the complete picture of obedience.  The heart also is where obedience rests – thus He commands that they circumcise their hearts – where our true self and intents lie.  I pray that my outward display of obedience match my heart condition of obedience.  I know that I can’t do it on my own, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• A Preview of Golgatha. In 21:22-23, we see the reason why Jesus’ body was quickly placed in the tomb.

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 13

Reading: Numbers 32:20 – Deuteronomy 7:26

Take Away(s):

• No Math!. Deuteronomy 4:2, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” Moses commands that the Israelites not alter or edit the commands that God had given through him.  Fast forward to our time.  How hard that command is for us.  We may not add or subtract anything from God’s Word overtly, but when we impose our opinions, likes, dislikes, feelings, etc. on top of His word…we do what is wrong before God.  In fact it is sin.  I pray that I am conscious about how I treat God’s Word and obey it myself “as written” and impart it the same to others.
• Just Talk! Several times in today’s reading it talks about reminding one’s children (and family) about God’s commands and what God has done – even saying to “impress” them on your children.  I pray that as Karen and I enter parenthood soon, we seek to do this with our children.

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?

Bible In 90 Days – Day 12

Reading: Numbers 21:8 – Numbers 32:19

Take Away(s):

• Balaam’s Talking Donkey. When I read the story of Balaam’s donkey, I wonder what it would be like if our “donkey” talked to us.  Stay with me… We all have “donkeys” in our lives.  You know, the things that we take our unwarranted frustration out on (umm, if I’m the only one here…just pray for me!).  They are the things that are the innocent victim of our anger or just irritation.  They can be live things or inanimate – but we see them as hindrances or irritants – just like Balaam did with his donkey.  If we believe Romans 8:28, we know that God uses “all things” – let’s think about the object or person we see as our hindrance…God may be using them for our good!
• Pleasing aroma. 29:6 talks about the the offerings being a pleasing aroma to the Lord.  Just think, our singing on Sunday – as well as our non-singing worship (Romans 12:1-2) – is a pleasing aroma to the Lord (when done in spirit and in truth, of course).  I pray that I’m not (in the words of Nacho Libre) “estinky” before the Lord as I worship.

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations

Bible In 90 Days – Day 11

Reading: Numbers 8:15 – Numbers 21:7

Take Away(s):

• Redefining Humility. As I’ve been reading about Moses and his interaction with God over the past few days, I initially found it hard to reconcile Numbers 12:3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth) with what seemed, at times, an arrogant attitude by Moses toward God. There are various definitions of the word humble – one that I think is displayed in Moses’ relationship with God is: “not proud or arrogant; modest.”  How often we think that humility is narrowly defined as being meek and mild – even wimpy!  Moses knew God and approached him with appropriate respect, but enjoyed a relationship that involved some honest conversation with God – and God was painfully honest right back!  He also lead the Israelites in humility, but with authority.  Reminds me of Christ’ leadership while on earth – he was humble, yet authoritative in a profound and powerful way.  What models we have in God’s word to follow as we lead at home, at work, and in an situation in our lives.  Praise God that through His Son, we have direct access to Him – freedom to call out His name and talk with Him at any time, in any place.  OH TO GRACE HOW GREAT A DEBTOR!

If you’re participating in BIND, what were your observations?