Isaiah is a pendulum of messages. One moment doom and gloom, the next, the promise of a deliverer. Darkness is coming. Then a light will dawn. So quickly does the tone bounce from one to the other it’s difficult to keep track with what’s going on. Continue reading Day 49: Isaiah
Today’s reading left a little depressed at first and then a little embarrassed. In the book of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher looks over the far reaches of human existence and declares, “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Then a book later, the writer of the Song of Songs pens lyrics that would rival anything in the erotica section of the local bookstore. Read some of today’s passages out loud and those around you might question what you’re into. Just the Bible. Continue reading Day 48: Love and … doubt?
A woman named Constance Cameron tells a story from her childhood of a time she was playing outside of an open window. Inside, a lady named Mrs. Brown was confiding a personal problem to Constance’s mother. She listened attentively even though deep down she knew she should not. She simply could not pull herself away. After Mrs. Brown had left, the mother, realizing her daughter had heard the conversation, called her daughter to her side. She asked, “If Mrs. Brown had left her purse here today, would we give it to anyone else?” Continue reading Day 47: The power of words
A simple glance through the book of Proverbs will quickly reveal that it is unlike anything else in the Bible. Outside of the first few chapters and the last, most of the book is a rather loosely connected collection of sayings. Some have worked their way into popular Christian thought like, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Others seem like they shouldn’t even be in the Bible. Continue reading Proverbs
Cover to Cover: Psalm 132:1-Proverbs 6:4 Key Passage: Proverbs 3:1-10 Verse of the Day: Proverbs 3:5-6 Key events / passages from today’s reading: Give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 136) Where can I go from your Spirit (Psalm 139) Praise the Lord from the heights (Psalm 149) Let everything that has breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150) The fear of the Lord is the beginning … Continue reading Day 45: When virtue becomes second nature
Despite their reputation as a source of inspiration, the Psalms can be difficult to read straight through like we are doing. For one thing, they can be a little repetitive. Two, there are some passages that make us squirm. This is especially true when we come to the imprecatory psalms. Reading them straight through as we’ve been doing can leave one with a little disappointment and not a few questions. Continue reading Day44: What kind of prayer is this?
Cover to Cover: Psalm 88:1-107:17 Key Passage: Psalm 88 Verse of the Day: Psalm 88:1-2 Key Events / Passages in today’s reading: Darkness is my only friend (Psalm 88) Teach us to number our days (Psalm 90) Sing a new song (Psalm 96) Make a joyful noise (Psalm 100) Bless the Lord, O my soul (Psalm 103) Verse that stood out: Sing to the LORD a … Continue reading Day 43: Sing a New Song
Cover to Cover: Psalm 68:28-87:7 Key Passage: Psalm 73 Verse of the Day: Psalm 73:26 Key Events/Passages in today’s reading: Save Me, O God (Psalm 69) I Envied the Arrogant (Psalm 73) Will the Lord Reject Forever (Psalm 77) Better is One Day (Psalm 84) Verse that stood out: Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided … Continue reading Day 42: Moving toward prayer
In a section of reading with some memorable verses, Psalm 67 sticks out for sentimental reasons. These were the verses read at my wedding. God has certainly blessed us in the last twenty years: two children that delight our souls; the privilege of serving as the pastor of three great churches with ministries that touch the world; plus, Alyson and I still really like each other. Continue reading Day 41: A Couple’s Prayer
Psalm 24 reminds us that the whole world belongs to the LORD. Being a part of that world, we should worship him in his glory. And yet, the Psalm pauses to ask, “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?” The answer is downright daunting, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” Not just anyone can approach the king and live. Only those who are worthy may approach the throne, those who have lived rightly and practiced justice. Continue reading Day 40: Give Us Clean Hands
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