TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17
Romans 6:1-23
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 19:20-21
2 Chronicles 1:1 — The break in the Chronicler’s account transitions between David, the recipient of the eternal covenant, and Solomon, the builder of the house of the LORD. Adonijah’s attempted insurrection isn’t the focus here (1 Kings 1), rather the focus is on the beginnings of God’s relationship with the Kingdom of Israel.
2 Chronicles 2:5 — Solomon organized a crew of 150,000+ workers to build this great house for God because God is great. What a great reminder! Let’s not have the world ridicule us because of our second-rate effort to please God. Let’s give Him our best in all that we do! Make sure, though, that we have the right theology to complement our effort (see 2 Chronicles 2:6).
2 Chronicles 3:7 — Twelve times in our passage today we find the word “gold.” The ancient rabbis taught:
He who has not seen the Temple in its full construction has never seen a glorious building in his life.
You may not have gold to give to the LORD, but do you have hours, skills, or dollars that can be used to serve Him?
Romans 6:1 — Those that confuse the Age of Grace with the “Age of No Rules” almost always ask this question: “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” The ignorance behind the question provokes a stern response from Paul (and repeated in Romans 6:15). We are new creatures, freed from sin (Romans 6:7). What should be our attitude toward sin?
- Dead to sin (Romans 6:2)
- We should not serve sin (Romans 6:6)
- Freed from sin (Romans 6:7)
- Dead indeed unto sin (Romans 6:11)
- Let not sin therefore reign (Romans 6:12)
- Neither yield ye your members unto sin (Romans 6:13)
- Sin shall not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14)
- Made free from sin (Romans 6:18 and Romans 6:22)
Paul has a point – if you’re a follower of Christ, stop sinning and start serving the LORD!
Romans 6:23 — From Earl Martin:
Psalm 16:8 — Just like Paul says – if we are followers of the LORD, we don’t have to be moved. We are free from sin and from its power!
Psalm 16:10 — While the Old Testament doesn’t tell us who wrote this psalm, Peter declares its Davidic authorship in Acts 2:25, Acts 2:29-31, and Acts 13:36. David must have wondered what the Spirit was telling him (1 Peter 1:11) of the sufferings of the Holy One.
Psalm 16:11 — Hebrews 11:25 says that sin has pleasures for a season, but this is the first time since Elihu spoke to Job that we are told how we can have pleasure!
- Job 36:11 – Obey and serve Him
- Psalm 16:11 – Thy right hand
- Psalm 36:8 – The LORD’s river
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 – In infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses
We can have pleasure, but remember we are:
- not to love pleasure (Proverbs 21:17)
- not be given to pleasure (Isaiah 47:8)
- to be careful of whom we have pleasure with (Ezekiel 16:37)
- not to be choked with pleasures (Luke 8:14)
- to be careful of what we have pleasure in (Romans 1:32)
- not to have pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:12)
- not to love pleasure more than God (2 Timothy 3:4)
- not to serve divers pleasures (Titus 3:3)
- not to enjoy the pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25)
Proverbs 19:20 — Why do we have an entire book of counsel, instruction, and wisdom? Because it was given by God to Solomon, and it’s a special gift (2 Chronicles 1:12).
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