A Quick Thought from 1 Kings 3

Solomon’s Start – 1 Kings 3

Highlight

“Give therefore, thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad…”  1 Kings 3:9

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally…”  James 1:5

Explain

Solomon realized his deficiencies and asked God for understanding or wisdom to judge and lead Israel.  God was pleased with the request and blessed Solomon.  This has an oddly “genie in the bottle” feel to it at first.

Apply

Solomon was wise enough at first to realize his needs for fulfilling his responsibilities.  It is exactly the same for us.  From Proverbs 8 and James 1, we see God desires for us to ask for His wisdom.

Respond

God, we ask for Your wisdom, understanding and discernment.  Please help us to behave ourselves wisely as was recorded of David.

A Quick Thought from 1 Kings 2

Vengeance – 1 Kings 2

Highlight

“Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the host of Israel…”  1 Kings 2:5

Explain

This chapter describes the vengeance on three people that wronged King David and one blessing in which King Solomon carried out in his first years on the throne.

Apply

The relationship between David and Joab is an interesting study.  Joab was extremely faithful to David, but at the end it appears it was only so he could hold a level of power.  David overlooked or put up with some of his poor decisions, but that changed after Joab killed his son, Absalom, and then sided with Adonijah to attempt to keep Solomon from the throne.

Respond

May we let God carry out any judgement required on our behalf.  And may God use us to correct wrongs against others.

A Quick Thought from Psalm 148

Praise the LORD – Psalm 148

Highlight

“Praise ye the LORD.  Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.”  Ps. 148:1

Explain

Psalms 148-150 are psalms of praise to the Lord for all He is and all He has done for us.

Apply

I love the fact that it is not God instructing the praise, rather it is the psalmist encouraging it out of pure thankfulness.

Respond

God, we praise You today for Your mighty works and Your love for us.  Praise the Lord.

A Quick Thought from Psalm 139

The Presence of God – Psalm 139

Highlight

“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!”  Ps. 139:17

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Ps. 139:23-24

Explain

The Psalmist declares the amount of thought that God has towards us, from our earliest moments in the womb to our thoughts and actions as an adult.  Who better than God to ask to search and try us to verify we’re on the right path.

Apply

It is humbling and incredible to realize God has any knowledge of us at all, nonetheless numerous thoughts about us.  God knows us better than we know ourselves, therefore, He is the one that should search our hearts and guide our path.

Respond

Search us, God.  Try our thoughts and show us our faults and wickedness.  Please lead us in Your way.

A Quick Thought from Psalm 119 (Zain-Ain)

The Word – Psalm 119 (Zain-Ain)

Highlight

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.”  Ps. 119:128

Explain

The Psalmist declares his allegiance to God’s word.  Here he makes the declaration that he considers God’s word to be true, hates the evil way and let’s the chips fall where they may.

Apply

We need to come to the conclusion that God’s ways and teachings are true and accurate following it no matter the repercussions.  Follow to the point of despising the world’s way.

Respond

Lord, please give us the strength to follow Your teachings even when it is costly and flies in the face of common sense or acceptable practice.

A Quick Thought from Psalm 103

The Lord & His Word – Psalm 103

Highlight

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”  Ps. 103:8

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.”  Ps. 103:10-11

Explain

David points out the mercy and grace of God for those that will put their trust in Him.  David’s psalms help us understand the nature of God that are sometimes harder to distinguish in the narratives of the Old Testament.

Apply

We can praise God that He has forgiven us of our sin and given us a way of escape from the eternal punishment of our sin.

Respond

May we live with the confidence that we are redeemed, remain humble realizing it was none of our doing, and be grateful because it was all of God’s doing.

A Quick Thought from Psalm 19

The Law of the Lord – Psalm 19

Highlight

Psalm 19 gives six outcomes of the law of the Lord.  The law of the Lord is:
Perfect —->  Converting the soul
Sure —> Making wise the simple
Right —>  Rejoicing the heart
Pure —>  Enlightening the eyes
Clean  —>  Enduring forever
True & Righteous  —>  More desired than gold & sweeter than honey

Explain

What a great psalm where David declared God’s creative hand as evident just by looking.  He then described the power and many aspects of the law of the Lord.

Apply

The word of God leads to salvation, which in turn begins to make us wise, enlightening our eyes to things around us and allowing us to rejoice in His goodness and mercy forever.  Oh, how sweet & valuable.

Respond

Thank You, Lord for Your word to help us gain wisdom and most importantly salvation.  Give us courage to proclaim Your word.

A Quick Though from 2 Samuel 24

Sinful Census – 2 Samuel 24

Highlight

“And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great…”  2 Sam. 24:14

“And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which cost me nothing…”  2 Sam. 24:24

Explain

King David, moved by pride, had his general, Joab, take a census of the people to determine the number of warriors they had.  God then let David know of his sin and gave him a choice of punishment.  David chose the punishment that was in God’s hand versus man’s hand.  In David’s offering he buys the threshing floor of one of his men instead of just taking it.  It needed to be a cost to him.

Apply

King David showed great wisdom in relying on the mercy of God versus man.  David was also right to realize sacrifices  that aren’t ours to begin with aren’t sacrifices.  They are just religious acts.  Obedience is better than sacrifice, but that doesn’t negate the need for sacrifice in our lives.

Respond

May we have the wisdom to go to God for mercy and not seek the world’s way.  May our sacrifice in service and giving be from us and not of someone else’s time and possessions.

A Quick Thought from Psalm 51

Restoration – Psalm 51

Highlight

“Behold thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”  Ps. 51:6

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt no despise.”  Ps. 51:17

Explain

David cried out to God for restoration after his sinful actions surrounding his infidelity with Bathsheba.  David explained it was the inward change that God was looking for and not sacrifices.

Apply

Obedience is better than sacrifice and a contrite heart leads to forgiveness and restoration in our life.  A humble heart with faith in God is key.

Respond

May we not look to our outward actions, but allow God to change us from the inside out.

A Quick Thought from 2 Samuel 11 & 12

Sin & Its Shame – 2 Samuel 12

Highlight

“And Nathan said to David, Thou are the man…”  2 Samuel 12:7a

Explain

King David had taken Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and once he found that she was pregnant he attempted to cover the sin with deceit and ultimately Uriah’s murder.  God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David with his sin.

Apply

“Thou art the man” – The gig is up.  Those words had to pierce through David’s heart.  There is an angst and relief when we know a sinful charade we’ve played is over.  There is angst for the punishment and hurt we’ve caused and relief knowing that the game is over and the compounding of sin and our made up story is over.  It is important that we keep short accounts with God, because the pain and destruction of our sin is too costly.

Respond

God, please help us to keep short accounts with You.  Help us to go to You multiple times a day.