Song of Solomon 1-8, Singleminded Pursuit

 “I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love.”

‭‭Song of Solomon‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Read Context

I love that God decided to place this passage on young love in the midst of Scripture.  Of course it has some passionate imagery related to this married couple, but. It also points to the passion with which I should be pursuing Christ!  Lord, help me to chase after You like the bride was searching through the city for her husband!  I pray that my delight and attention could be naturally and singularly directed toward You!!!

1 Kings 3-4, Wise Prayer

 “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.”

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬, ‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Read Context

Solomon’s wisdom was that he asked God for something that positively impacted all the people around him rather than just asking for a blessing himself.  I have been thinking about this lately, so much of my prayer time tends to focus on what would be helpful or be a blessing to me…Lord, fill my mind with other people while I am talking with You!

Psalm 65-67, 69, 70- Mighty Savior

 “You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. You establish the mountains by your power; you are robed with strength. You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Gods strength and power are endless and we should be in awe of every act!  Thank You Lord for loving me…

1 Chronicles 7-10, Legacy Destruction

 “Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the Lord because he did not keep the Lord’s word.  He even consulted a medium for guidance,  but he did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. ”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

What a tragic end to a legacy…dying because of your unfaithfulness and taking your entire family with you.  It is so critical that I trust in God rather than my own strength or strategies.  Lord, help me to see it clearly when I am doing anything of my own rather than from You!

Psalm 81, 88, 92, 93- Fruitful Result

 “The righteous thrive like a palm tree and grow like a cedar tree in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they thrive in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green, to declare, “The Lord is just; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭92‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

These Psalms remind me that God is faithful and righteous in everything He does, and He calls me to the same high standard.  Lord, I am not righteous on my own, but wholly need to rest in Jesus.  Lord God I want to be so close to You that it is like I am permanently in Your presence.  Let me bear fruit for You all my days!

Psalms 73, 77, 78- Present Presence

 “Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory. Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.  But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all you do. ”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭23‬-‭26‬, ‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Nothing is better than Gods presence!  Lord, allow me to know Your presence always!

1 Chronicles 1-2, Jesus vs Lineage

 “Adam,  Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Noah’s sons:  Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Shem,  Arpachshad, Shelah, Eber, Peleg, Reu, Serug, Nahor, Terah, and Abram (that is, Abraham).”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬, ‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

The detail of recording all those generations is intense!  I am guessing that these Israelite people put a lot of value in identifying their lineage…so different how that we have a Jesus who adopts us no matter our lineage!  Praise Him!!!

Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21- Guiding Presence

 “I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides you.” I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely. You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16‬:‭2‬, ‭8‬-‭9‬, ‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Lord, how refreshing that You are with me through all of life’s circumstances! All the good that I have in life is directly from Your hand and I can rest knowing that You are right beside me…

1 Samuel 13-14, Seek Guidance

 ““All right,” Jonathan replied, “we’ll cross over to the men and then let them see us. If they say, ‘Wait until we reach you,’ then we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we’ll go up, because the Lord has handed them over to us #— #that will be our sign.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

It is an encouragement that Jonathan is taking direction from God…something his father was not doing well.  Lord, help me to hear Your voice, and then follow You!

1 Samuel 9-12, Serious Calling

 ““As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.  I will teach you the good and right way. Above all, fear the Lord and worship him faithfully with all your heart; consider the great things he has done for you. ”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

This is Samuel speaking to the new King Saul.  It stands out to me that his role was very serious as a mentor, not just an opportunity, but a strong calling that if ignored or minimized would be seen as sin. Lord, help me to take seriously the role you have given me as I walk with men through challenging seasons!

I Samuel 4-8, Desiring God

 “Time went by until twenty years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel longed for the Lord. Samuel told them, “If you  are returning to the Lord  with all your heart, get rid of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths that are among you, set your hearts on the Lord, and worship only him.  Then he will rescue you from the Philistines.””

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Gods presence was far from the people and they felt that distance, desiring God be close to them.  It was obvious that they had allowed other idols to take Gods place and they felt the distance.  They longed for the Lord…I believe we can feel this today when we enter “dry season” when God feels far away.  This allows us to look around and remove idols and remember the sweetness of relationship with Him.  When those idols are removed and we turn our attention to seek Him, there is a fresh desire for intimacy with our Creator.  Lord, help me to stay in seasons where I long for You and we have sweet times together!

Judges 1-2, Fast Falling

 “The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.  They worshiped the Baals  and abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed other gods from the surrounding peoples  and bowed down to them. They angered the Lord,  

I did this to test Israel and to see whether or not they would keep the Lord’s way  by walking in it, as their ancestors had.” ”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬, ‭22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

The things the God does to help us see that we need Him and are better off when we follow Him are incredible.  It’s crazy to me how quickly this happens as I read about the Israelites, but in reality it happens even faster in my life.  Lord, keep my eyes focused on You and help me to follow You only!

Joshua 19-21, Promises Fulfilled

 “So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all he had sworn to their ancestors. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled. ”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭21‬:‭43‬-‭45‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

How amazing that God gives them a home, rest, victory and good things!  Is the God we serve different in character to this God, obviously not!  

Lord, thank You for keeping Your promises and delivering good things to Your people!  I think it is important that we remember that although God provided perfectly and gave them good things, all of it came through trials, battles and following God wherever He was leading. Lord, give me patience to follow You through any trial, every battle and let me see clearly where You are leading!

Joshua 16-18, Love & Justice

 “As a result, ten tracts fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which are beyond the Jordan,  because Manasseh’s daughters received an inheritance among his sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of Manasseh’s sons.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Gods care for the weak (Manasseh’s daughters, at least in that culture) has always stood out to me.  He is not shaped by culture or man’s expectations but His character always points to love.  Lord, give me eyes to see the weak and help me to work toward justice for their good!

Joshua 1-4, Strong & Courageous

 “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous?  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

It was really interesting that 4 times in chapter 1 Joshua is reminded to be strong and courageous…then immediately the people of Jericho were described in just the opposite way. I am thankful that God repeats the things that are important, because I think I often miss what He says the first time.  In this case they could be strong and courteous, not because of who they were, but because God was with them…or fearful and weak because He was not with them.

Lord, help me to know You so well that I am confident You are with me every step of the day!

Deuteronomy 32-34, Psalm 91- Love & Faithfulness

 “How happy you are, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is the shield that protects you, the sword you boast in. Your enemies will cringe before you,  and you will tread on their backs. ,”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭33‬:‭29‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

How incredible that God cared for Israel, and now cares for us!  We have been saved and protected by God personally…Lord thank You for Your faithfulness and Love to undeserving people!!!

Deuteronomy 30-31, Blessed Obedience

 “See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity.  For I am commanding you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live  and multiply, and the Lord your God may bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

There is still blessing in obedience, but thankfully we are indwelled by the Spirit of God.  We have the added strength and direction of God living in us!  How impossible would obedience have been in their time?

Deuteronomy 14-16, Celebrations

 “You are to hold a seven-day festival for the Lord your God in the place he chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands,  and you will have abundant joy.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

I love how celebrations are important to God.  Celebrations that highlight family, food and joy.  Occasions to remember all the blessings He has given us.

Deuteronomy 11-13, Blessing vs Curse

““Look, today I set before you a blessing and a curse:  there will be a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God I am giving you today, and a curse, if you do not obey the commands of the Lord your God and you turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods you have not known.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭11‬:‭26‬-‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Read Context

Gods intention behind this was to use both the blessing and curse to prove that He was indeed God and sovereign.  God’s character has not changed, so does He still operate under a similar principle with us as believers today?  Obviously, we have the Holy Spirit permanently dwelling in us to help guide us.  And we don’t loose Him if we are disobedient…

He does bless us with sweet joy, peace and contentment when we are walking closely with Him!  But that does not prevent us from suffering trials…when we are not walking closely, we tend to make less wise decisions that lead to additional suffering, despair and isolation.  We feel far from Him and we intentionally pull away from others…And we still experience trials in addition.  It seems like the same pattern.

Lord, help me to follow You closely so that I can experience the joy and peace of your presence and know You more fully.

Numbers 28-30, Sacred Feasting

“You are to hold a sacred assembly on the tenth day of this seventh month and practice self-denial;  do not do any work. Present a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma: one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. All your animals are to be unblemished.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭29‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Tead Context

I love how much celebration the Lord commands the Israelites to participate in.  Days of rest, days of feasting, days or remembering, days of joy!  All days they were prohibited from working, and reminded instead of Gods love for them, and the reality of their sin.  Lord, help me to know how to build more of this into my life!!!