July 27th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37 ~ Romans 10:14-11:12
Psalm 21:1-13 ~ Proverbs 20:4-6

Old Testament - Today in Second Chronicles chapter 19 verse 7 we read – “Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you.” It is important to realize that this verse was said not as a curse upon someone, but really as a blessing and perhaps a warning. Jehoshaphat says these words to judges he is appointing. Why would Jehoshaphat say these words to judges? Why should judges have the fear of the Lord upon them? What is the fear of the Lord? I believe it is a healthy and strong sense of God’s presence – a sense so strong that it would prevent these judges from administering any injustices. Because they know God is in the room. How about for you and me in our lives today? What if I were to say to you right now – “Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you.”?  Would you accept this as a blessing? Or would you think of this as some sort of curse? Do you want the fear of the Lord to be upon you? Why or why not? Right now in your life – is the fear of the Lord upon you? Will you consider praying for the fear of the Lord to be upon you?

Below is an image from today's readings from Second Chronicles 19 verse 1 through 3 - "When King Jehoshaphat of Judah arrived safely home to Jerusalem, Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. "Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?" he asked the king. "What you have done has brought the LORD's anger against you. There is some good in you, however, for you have removed the Asherah poles throughout the land, and you have committed yourself to seeking God."

New Testament - Romans 10 verses 14 & 15 are a powerful call to share the Gospel with a world that so desperately needs it! "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!""  Are you bringing good news to people in your life?  Do you realize that you do not necessarily need to go abroad to share the Gospel with people who really have probably never heard it before?  Yeah, sure, maybe in our hometowns people have heard the name Jesus.  But have they really heard about the love and life and forgiveness and healing that Jesus offers?  Do they really know who Jesus truly is?  How will they know unless you tell them? Will you tell them?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "Without Excuse" is at this link and "Man's Failures Do Not Frustrate the Purposes of God" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 21 today follows up Psalm 20 from yesterday - yesterday's being a prayer for victory for the king as he goes out to battle - and today's being a psalm of praise for victories granted to the king.  I like the credit given to God in verse 1 - "How the king rejoices in your strength, O LORD! He shouts with joy because of your victory."  The king is not rejoicing in his own strength.  He is not claiming victory as his.  He is giving credit to God!  How about you in your life today?  Do you give credit to God for the blessings and gifts he has given you?  Do you shout for joy and rejoice simply because God is in your life?

Proverbs - Proverbs 20 verse 6 definitely gives me something to think about - "Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?"  This is a challenging Proverb for me because I feel like I have many good friends.  Many who are loyal.  And some who even seem faithful.  But... yet.... there are still times on occasion when these friends do let me down.  Or I know for a fact, I let them down on occasion.  It's our human nature.  Fortunately for us, long after this Proverb was written, we were given the most faithful friend we could ever dream up or imagine in Jesus.  Jesus really should be our best friend.  I had a friend kind of shock me with this thought by continually referring to Jesus as his best friend at a lunch we had a few years ago.  For some reason I was very comfortable with Jesus being my savior.  But my friend?  My best friend?  Well, it was a new concept to me.  And maybe this is a new concept to you.  I do honestly believe Jesus wants to be our best friend.  And he will undoubtedly be the one true and loyal and faithful friend we all can have - now and forever.  So, is Jesus your best friend?

Speaking of Jesus being our friend forever - are you familiar with the Delirious song called "What A Friend I've Found"?  It's beautiful.  The chorus repeats the name of Jesus 3 times and then says "friend forever".  Check out lyrics to the song at this link.  You can listen to a brief sampling of the song online at amazon at this link - surf down to Disc 2, song # 4 to sample.

Comments from you - What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Ramona]

Mike,

You have reminded me of something in your comments on the Romans reading today so I have ran to Mr. Strong’s Concordance to do a little research. The words translated world, Go into all the world—etc in the King James Version really need to be looked at carefully—at least the Greek behind them because the English word world well, is just one word while there are seven Greek words translated into English as world/earth/land or country. (one is just a small variation.)

1) gē --(1093) Ghay - Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application): - country, earth (-ly), ground, land, world.
2) aiōn—(165) ahee-ohn' From the same as 104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future): - age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end). Compare G5550.
3) aiōnios—(166)--ahee-o'-nee-os 165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well): - eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).
4) Katachthonios --(2709)--kat-akh-thon'-ee-os From 2596 and χθών chthōn (the ground); subterranean, that is, infernal (belonging to the world of departed spirits): - under the earth.
5) kosmokratōr—(2888)--kos-mok-rat'-ore From 2889 and 2902; a world ruler, an epithet of Satan: - ruler.
6) Kosmos --(2889)--kos'-mos Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]): - adorning, world.
7) oikoumenē--(3625)--oy-kou-men'-ay Feminine participle present passive of 3611 (as noun, by implication of 1093); land, that is, the (terrene part of the) globe; specifically the Roman empire: - earth, world.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
(Matthew 13:22 KJVR)

The word world in the above passage is the Greed aion (#2), and age, a course of time. In the Great Commission, that Jesus sends us and all his disciples on is not the “world” I have usually equated or think about when I hear the word “world.” It’s fun to look up these things and may be a big eye opener. It also validates or confirms Mike’s comment.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Vance Brown]

2 Chronicles 19 (NKJV)
4
So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers.
5
Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
6
and said to the judges, “TAKE HEED TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING, FOR YOU DO NOT JUDGE FOR MAN BUT FOR THE LORD, WHO IS WITH YOU IN THE JUDGMENT.
7
NOW THEREFORE, LET THE FEAR OF THE LORD BE UPON YOU; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”

NOTE:
It is interesting that this passage deals with judges of the land and righteousness.

Judges are very important for the spiritual health and strength of a nation, or for the spiritual destruction of a nation. Judges must "let the fear of the LORD be with" them.

Otherwise, there will be hurtful and destructive brokenness if they rule with unrighteousness, and if people follow what is sin.

In my study of the Scripture, I am studying the idea of “broken”, so I can surrender to what it means to experience the healing brokenness which works repentance which leads to salvation and life. (2 Corinthians 7)

In my studies, I came across a very interesting Greek word which is LUO, which means to break. The interesting part is there are several facets to the word “break”—to this Greek word LUO.

I also discovered that there is connection between judges and brokenness (Greek: LUO) as well as our lives and brokenness (Greek: LUO). See short summary below.
~~~

Matthew 5:19
Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

GREEK: LUO
to do away with, to deprive of authority, whether by precept or act to declare unlawful

John 10
35
If He called them gods [i.e., judges], to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

GREEK: LUO
metaphor, to overthrow, to do away with

KEY THOUGHT: We have the freedom to deprive God’s Word of having authority over our lives by declaring it to be unlawful for us, but we can never overthrow or do away with God’s Word ~~~

John 10:34-36
34
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? [Psalm 82:6]
35
If He called them gods [i.e., judges], to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),
36
do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
~~~

NOTE: The phrase “you are gods” refers to “judges and rulers”. See context from original verse in Psalms

Psalm 82
1
God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. [Hebrew elohim, mighty ones; that is, the judges]
2
How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3
Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4
Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.
5
They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable.
6
I said, “You are gods, [Hebrew elohim, mighty ones; that is, the judges] and all of you are children of the Most High.
7
But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.”
8
Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations.
~~~

2 Chronicles 20 (NKJV)
20
So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: BELIEVE in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”

NOTE:
I really like this note from the “Spirit Filled Life Bible” on this verse.

“believe, [HEBREW -] ‘aman (ah-mahn): Strong’s # 539:
To be form, stable, established;
also, to be firmly persuaded; to believe solidly.

In its causative form, [the Hebrew word] ‘aman means ‘to believe,’ that is, to ‘consider trustworthy.’

This is the word used in Genesis 15:6, when Abraham ‘believed’ in the Lord. Here in 2 Chronicles, [the Hebrew word] ‘aman appears three times in one verse and could be translated: ‘Be established in the Lord,…and you will be established.’

The most famous derivative is ‘amen’ which conveys this idea: ‘It is solidly, firmly, surely true and verified and established.’
~~~

May we truly walk in the Lord, be established in His Word and His Word be established in us—so we can be solid and established as persons.

Since God’s Word cannot be broken, if we try to “break” God’s Word, we will only break ourselves and our lives. This will not be a healing pain which brings life. This will be the consequence of death to sin and foolishness.

Romans 11 (NKJV)
5
Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.

NOTE:
Thank God for GRACE – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. We will never – ever – be able to please God or be made righteous through our own works.

GRACE BELIEVED, RECEIVED – leading to and enabling obedience – is the key.

Psalm 21 (NKJV)
13
Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.

NOTE:
May the Lord be exalted as we worship and praise Him! May He be exalted in and through our prayers and lives.

Proverbs 20 (NKJV)
5
Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

NOTE:
May we walk in intimacy with the Lord throughout the day to be able to “draw out” with understanding what is hidden from the casual glance.

As we speak and walk in wisdom as led by the Spirit and the Word, may our hearts and other people’s hearts will be opened to God’s wisdom and grace.

Vance

[John]

Romans 10:14-21

Israel (Present)

Paul has been saying that Israel did not operate by Faith, but by works. They did not know Christ - the Righteousness from God. But Israel (nation) is not written off - all they have to do is confess and believe in their heart. All they have to do is 'call on the Name of the Lord'.

[NOTE: Earlier Paul talked all about God's sovereignty and election. Now Paul is talking about choosing to believe. A fair question is: Which is it? The answer is: both. How that works - more Godly men than me will admit they do not know. If someone is a "believer", it is just a concept that we will struggle with in doctrine. If an unbeliever balks and gets hung up on the concept of election, they should be looked in the eye and told:

'Fine. What do you choose? - Will you believe in your heart Christ was raised from the dead, and confess with your mouth - "Jesus is Lord"? That is all it takes to be saved. The important thing is salvation, not arguing about "election". That can all be worked out later - and if not - it certainly will be understood in heaven.']
=====================================================================================
So back to Romans 10 - How can the nation of Israel come to call on the name of the Lord? By the spreading of the gospel:

Word sent out ==>Word preached==>Word heard==>Word believed==>Call on the name of the Lord.

That is what was and is done, but not all Israelites accepted the Gospel. Paul says, and so it was foretold. Cites Is 53:1. Which to a Jew, when a teacher cites first line of a Chapter in Scripture they should look to whole Chapter - which here is describing the Messiah. A subtle message to the Jew to go back and review Scripture. Isaiah was prophesying that Israel would reject the Messiah - and they did.

Rom10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." NIV

It is interesting to do a word study on ear, ears, hearing and see how God seems to access one through the "ear". When "eye" is used for gaining information it is the eye that leads to stumbling/sin. (I wonder if it is because "eye" sounds like "I"???) Remember the Word was originally to be heard around the campfires in the Exodus. Parents were to recite it to children, and everyone was to meditate on going to sleep. It was not about reading the scrolls.

In Christianity: Seeing is not believing. Believing is seeing. Faith comes from hearing the message.
The order of events is : Hear==>Believe==>Perceive
=====================================================================================

So did they hear? Did they understand?

Moses prophesied in Deut 32 in the song of Moses, and Isaiah prophesied in Is 65:1 (another whole chapter for Israel to look at because of the first line being cited) when talking about Judgment and Salvation:

That non-Jews would hear and understand, but the Nation of Israel supposedly seeking God was a "disobedient and obstinate people". They heard, but out of stubbornness they did not understand - rather wanting to cling to their ways.

[John]

Romans 11:1-12

Israel (Future)

So did God Reject his people? Did God change His mind about his covenants and promises?

No, and I (Paul) am a prime example. I am a Jew, I am saved. Paul cites Elijah who thought he was the only faithful one left in Israel. God informs him - No, there are 7,000 others who have not bent their knee to Baal. There is always a remnant. There is a "remnant" in Israel now - the nation of Israel does not believe, but there are some. James leads a church in Jerusalem. Jews that have righteousness through faith in Christ. A remnant chosen by Grace. (Chosen being Gk. ekloge the act of picking out, chosen.)

Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."

"Paul left the previous verse noting that the remnant was chosen according to the election of grace. Now he reminds us what grace is, by definition: the free gift of God, not given with any eye to the performance or potential in the one receiving, but only given out of the kindness of the giver." - David Guzik
==================================================================================
The Nation of Israel does not believe, but some citizens do. The rest are hardened in their obstinance, just as Isaiah and David wrote.

[Note: There is some Christian teaching from certain ministries out there that: it is not Israel's fault that they do not believe. God has hardened their hearts. Eyes that could not see - ears that could not here. How does that explain the remnant in Paul's time or the Messianic Jews today?. I believe God hardened the nations heart, just like he hardened Pharaohs. That is - their hearts had already shown a predisposition to unbelief and stubbornness, and at some point God says - Ok - you want it that way - I will reinforce that feeling in you. Yet there are some in the nation that will believe.

It reminds me of the concept of an unbelieving Gentile. If one keeps rejecting the word of God. Keeps rejecting Christ - at some point there will be no more chances. They will be let loose to do it their way.]
==================================================================================
So Israel has stumbled over Jesus, did they fall beyond recovery? Can they be saved? Yes.

Because they stumbled, Salvation came to the Gentiles - as foretold in Old Testament. Salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous. To make them want what we have.

[Note: Over the centuries have Christians done a good job of "making Israel want what we have"? Sometimes. But there is a distinctly historical issue of anti-Semitism amongst a good many Christians and Christian churches. I pray for that to occur less and less if not be eradicated. When we are told to love one another as Christ loved - it should be to all people.]

But if their stumbling causes riches (abundance) to the Gentiles and the World, then how much more abundance when God's people are brought into the sheep pen? Or how much more fruit when the Jewish nation is grafted back into the tree?

[Ramona]

2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37

Seeking God and obeying God are two separate events. Jehoshaphat, like the many good kings before him, didn’t cross the finish line, he didn’t complete his race. There seems to be this pattern that keeps popping up concerning the good kings, they fail and fall. They do so well until they get near the end of their life.

I think what we see in Jehoshaphat and Asa is an arrogance and complacency that develops with an ever so subtle shift from relying on God to relying on self. Like the moon that reflects the sun’s (Son’s) light, we too reflect the light of God’s glory. Where we fail is when we begin believing, after many years of reflecting that light, that we are the light. I wonder if the danger in our Christian walk is not when we are baby Christians but when we are mature, in that great “sugar state.”

Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. [Eph. 2:10.] (Psalms 100:3 AMP)

Grace and peace,
Ramona