2 Kings 10:32-12:21 ~ Acts 18:1-22 ~ Psalm 145:1-21 ~ Proverbs 18:1
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Old Testament - Eventful readings today in 2 Kings 11 for the coming of a 7 year old king of Judah, Joash! Below are 2 images for 2 Kings 11 verses 13 & 14: "When Athaliah heard all the noise made by the guards and the people, she hurried to the LORD's Temple to see what was happening. And she saw the newly crowned king standing in his place of authority by the pillar, as was the custom at times of coronation. The officers and trumpeters were surrounding him, and people from all over the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets."If God can work all things together for the good of the nation of Israel through a 7 year old boy turned King (Joash), do you trust God can work all things together for good in your life? (Roman 8:28) What is something recently in your life that seemed unlikely or small (like a 7 year old king) that God turned into a good in your life?
It is great to see that in 2 Kings 12 Joash is passionate for the repair of the Temple in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 12 verse today 9 tells us: "Then Jehoiada the priest bored a hole in the lid of a large chest and set it on the right-hand side of the altar at the entrance of the Temple of the LORD. The priests guarding the entrance put all of the people's contributions into the chest."
New Testament - Today's readings in Acts 18 are important in that Paul is beginning his work of building the church in Corinth through his ministry! We of course are very familiar now with Paul's letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians - today we get a glimpse of how Paul's relationship with the city of Corinth began. Verses 9 through 11 let us clearly know that the Lord was very involved in Paul's ministry in Corinth: "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't be silent! For I am with you, and no one will harm you because many people here in this city belong to me." So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God." How are you involved in helping to build or support the church today? What are some ways that God has called you to love and serve your local church? How about the global church?
Per Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion today: "Corinth was the political and commercial center of Greece, surpassing Athens in importance. It had a reputation for great wickedness and immorality. A temple to Aphrodite - goddess of love and war - had been built on the large hill behind the city."
Psalms - I love the imagery today in Psalm 145 verse 9! "The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation." Do you believe that God is good to everyone? Do you feel God's compassion being showered upon you right this very moment?
Proverbs - Proverbs 18 verse 1 is a great reminder that God created us to be in community with others! "A recluse is self-indulgent, snarling at every sound principle of conduct." Are you in community with others? In what ways? Are there some ways that God might be calling you to go deeper into community with others? Are you part of a church community? Think God would want you to be part of a church community? Why or why not?
Worship God: Today's Proverb reminded me of the importance of the message in the Point of Grace song "How You Live:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q2R0FBZt3U
How are you living? Click here for Life!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love." Psalm 145:8 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you experience - consciously - God's grace and compassion and love each and every day of your life. Pray that you never experience God's full anger.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
2 Kings 12:13-15
13 The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD; 14 it was paid to the workers, who used it to repair the temple. 15 They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.
The repair of the Temple was inspired by Joash, who was crowned in the Temple when he was seven. I believe this 'childhood experience' had a big impact on this king. His kingship was granted by the LORD in the Temple. It seemed that it was not only King Joash was reverent, he inspired his people (the carpenters and builders, the masons and stonecutters) were reverent. They did not have accounting records. But they acted with complete honesty. This makes me think of the early church (e.g. Acts 2:43-47) when they sold their properties and shared among them with similar honesty.
Psalm 145:15-16
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
These two verses give me a new understanding in the present time when climate changes and food becomes a scarcity. We should know that it is God that provides suitable amount of rain, light etc. that let the food grows.
Posted by: Frederick Y | June 27, 2011 at 04:48 AM