Category: Daily Encouragement

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21
  Romans 11:13-36
  Psalm 22:1-18
  Proverbs 20:7

2 Chronicles 21:1 — We’ve spent four chapters with Jehoshaphat – the most we’ve spent with any king since Solomon, and the most spent until Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29-32).

2 Chronicles 21:4 — How did good king Jehoshaphat’s son become known for filicide (the killing of one’s son or daughter)? He became known because of the pattern of compromise that his father engaged in through his dealings with Ahab. Perhaps the political unity that led to joint fundraising and joint expeditions were meant to lead to a joint kingdom dream. Likely Jehoram didn’t pick his bride – his dad assigned his heir (his eldest male descendant) to the daughter of Ahab.

2 Chronicles 21:12 — Elijah dominated the Kings (from 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 10), but this is the only mention of Elijah in the Chronicles, mainly because Elijah’s ministry was to the Northern Kingdom, while the Chronicles focus on the Southern Kingdom. Jehoshaphat kept intertwining himself with the Northern Kingdom (perhaps he wanted to undo Jeroboam’s split in 1 Kings 12:16). Unity, however, must be built on theology, not just proximity!

2 Chronicles 21:19-20 — What is the worst epitaph: that his bowels fell out or that he “departed without being desired?“

2 Chronicles 22:11 — Jehoshabeath (the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest) was used by God to preserve the line of the Messiah (Matthew 1:9)! By the way, who else was hidden as a small child (Exodus 2:3)?

2 Chronicles 23:1 — The covenant was renewed with a revitalized focus on the Word of the LORD (2 Chronicles 23:3) and the restoration of holiness (2 Chronicles 23:6). This covenant was expanded to all the people (2 Chronicles 23:16) and led to the purification of Israel (2 Chronicles 23:17).

2 Chronicles 23:19 — We have already read in 1 Chronicles about the 4,000 porters (1 Chronicles 23:5) and the list of their responsibilities (1 Chronicles 9:17-26). The point of writing about the porters again and their reintroduction is so that a new generation understood that the Temple had porters before and now in the rebuilt Temple they should fall in line with Joash’s renovations.

Romans 11:26 — God isn’t through with Israel yet! He has a plan for them, but today He has extended His mercy to you (Romans 11:30)!

Psalm 22:3 — Speaking of holiness, why did God forsake His son (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46)? It is because of this: God is holy and cannot look on evil (Habakkuk 1:13). God made Jesus to be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). This chapter records the sufferings and glory of Jesus.

• First Cycle: Complaint to God (22:1-2) … then confidence in God (22:3‑5)
• Second Cycle: Complaint (22:6-8) … then confidence and petition (22:9‑11)
• Third Cycle: Complaint (22:12‑18) … then confidence and petition (22:19-31)

Proverbs 20:7 — The lapse of Jehoshaphat’s obedience led to his children loss of blessing. How will your behavior affect your descendants’ blessings?

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37
  Romans 10:14-11:12
  Psalm 21:1-13
  Proverbs 20:4-6

2 Chronicles 19:2 — Yesterday we pointed out Jehoshaphat’s compromise; today he is rebuked for it. Yes, good people can do much good (2 Chronicles 19:7), but by their alliances “help the ungodly.” Dr. Peter Masters, pastor of Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle, talks about the sad state of those who are ungodly. We cannot gloss over those partnerships. The good news is that Jehoshaphat seemed to hear the seer because he instructs the Levites to warn the people about the wrath (2 Chronicles 19:10) that he was warned about (2 Chronicles 19:2). But we read that while he heard the seer, he didn’t follow the seer for he didn’t just partner with Ahab, but also with Ahab’s wicked son, Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 20:35). Again, the prophets warned him that God was judging him for an unholy alliance (2 Chronicles 20:37).

2 Chronicles 20:3 — Jehoshaphat was one of the few kings who didn’t try to solve battles on his own, but turned to the LORD and turned the whole nation to the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:4). His prayer was based on God’s past actions and promises (2 Chronicles 20:7) and the Solomonic dedication (2 Chronicles 20:9). This request was granted dramatically (2 Chronicles 20:17).

2 Chronicles 20:21 — How do you know the people really believed? They sent singers out “before the army.” That’s faith to go out armed with nothing but your vocal cords!

2 Chronicles 20:33 — This is the story of Jehoshaphat. Personally righteous, able to move the people to fear the LORD, but his desire for “unity” with the Northern Kingdom and his tolerance of the high places were the black marks on his impressive resume as a king following God. Today, many ministers are doing a great work for God, but they are allying themselves with those hostile to God. We must be willing to put faithfulness to God above “unity at any cost.”

Romans 10:14 — Yesterday we read about how salvation comes to those who believe in Jesus (that is done by calling on His name). God is sending out preachers with beautiful feet (Romans 10:15) with the Word of God (Romans 10:17); every Christian is called to go as well!

Romans 11:12 — God isn’t finished with the Israelites yet! It’s because of their rejection of Jesus that the Gentiles experience the riches of the Gospel. One day through their fulness, though, the world will be blessed even more.

Psalm 21:1 — Yes, in 2 Chronicles 20:27 we saw the king of Judah rejoicing in the salvation of God and for his answered prayers (Psalm 21:2). Never forget that the God of grace and salvation is also a God of wrath (Psalm 21:9).

Psalm 21:13 — Join with the Ambassador Baptist College Staff Quartet as they sing “Be Thou Exalted!”

Proverbs 20:6 — Phil Cooke tells of the challenge of finding faithful men (and women):

For instance, in many cases, I’ve had media people here in Hollywood tell me they’ve worked for “Fox” – with the inference that it means Fox Film Studios, or Fox Television. But with a closer look, I discovered they’d been an assistant at a local Fox TV station in a small town in the Midwest.

In another situation I had a client excitedly hire a producer from a famous church’s TV ministry, thinking that if they worked for that famous church, she had to be amazing. But I decided to make a few calls and discovered she had actually been fired from the church, and they were adamant they would never hire her again!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
  Romans 9:25-10:13
  Psalm 20:1-9
  Proverbs 20:2-3

2 Chronicles 17:5 — Psalm 127:1 reminds us that except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh in vain. Jehoshaphat’s father, Asa, was scared and used the treasures of the Temple (2 Chronicles 16:2) to protect his kingdom (2 Chronicles 16:3). Jehoshaphat, however, trusted God, and instead of gold going out, gold came in!

2 Chronicles 17:9 — The key to success was teaching the people the Law of the LORD. The people were under the Mosaic Covenant, and they needed to know and follow the laws of the Covenant. As people of the New Covenant (Dispensation of Grace), we need to know the commands of the New Testament:

• Those issued by Jesus (49)
• Total number of commands issued in the New Testament according to the Christian Assemblies International (1,050)

2 Chronicles 18:1 — Here’s the main compromise in Jehoshaphat’s life: affinity with Ahab. While he was a fellow Israeli, Ahab was also a Baal worshipper (1 Kings 16:31). Faithfulness to God may separate us from loved ones who are not faithful to Him (Luke 12:53).

2 Chronicles 18:26 — The king threatened prison for an unpopular prophecy, but Micaiah isn’t concerned about a mere earthly ruler. He knows God has threatened false prophets (Deuteronomy 18:22) with death (Deuteronomy 18:20).

Romans 9:25 — My fellow Gentiles … God has made us His people, His beloved, and His children. God has opened the door to us in this Age of Grace!

Romans 10:5 — There are two ways to heaven: 1) Fulfill the Law, or 2) Let Christ fulfill the Law for you (Romans 10:4). How can we let Christ fulfill the Law for us? Confess Him and believe (Romans 10:9), no matter if you are Jew or Gentile (Romans 10:12). Call upon Him and be saved (Romans 10:13)!

Psalm 20:5 — Rejoice in God’s salvation!

Psalm 20:7 — Who will you trust in? The LORD or chariots, horses, bank accounts, 401k, pensions, new autos, etc.?

Proverbs 20:3 — As Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14
  Romans 9:1-24
  Psalm 19:1-14
  Proverbs 20:1

2 Chronicles 14:2 — Did you notice something yesterday? The Chronicler never said whether Abijah did that which was good and right. He mentions a good incident, but then he omits whether Abijah did what was good and right (1 Kings 15:3-7a). Asa, on the other hand, lived up to his great-great-grandfather David’s love for God; the Scripture says that Asa sought the LORD (2 Chronicles 14:4).

2 Chronicles 14:6 — Are you agitated? Let God give you rest:

• God started rest (Genesis 2:2)
• God sanctified rest (Genesis 2:3)
• God is said to rest (Exodus 16:23)
• God scheduled rest (Exodus 23:11)
• God signed by rest (Exodus 31:17)
• God soothes with rest (Exodus 33:14)
• God’s Sabbath is rest (Exodus 35:2)
• God’s statute is rest (Leviticus 16:31)

Interestingly, this is the same phrase used in Joshua and Judges.

2 Chronicles 14:9 — Being outnumbered 2:1 is bad. A million-man army came against Israel, and Asa called upon the name of the LORD (2 Chronicles 14:10); the LORD answered (2 Chronicles 14:12)!

2 Chronicles 15:9 — A godly government attracted immigrants to the blessing of the LORD. There were conditions for these immigrants, however; some contained capital consequences if violated (2 Chronicles 15:13).

2 Chronicles 16:2 — What happened? Asa wasn’t scared by a million-man army, but now he’s scared of Baasha of the North! Hanani made this same observation (2 Chronicles 16:8). But unlike David’s response to Nathan (2 Samuel 12), Asa was angry (2 Chronicles 16:10), and from that point until the end of his life, he turned his back on the LORD (2 Chronicles 16:12). Interestingly, FiveThirtyEight.com has written an article on how Supreme Court justices go liberal with age; they surmise that it’s because of peer pressure, reputations, ideological drift, and other reasons.

2 Chronicles 16:9 — Here’s a song to help you hide this word in your heart!

Romans 9:3 — Accursed for my brethren. That is “agape” love. No room for antisemitism; the Messiah’s own flesh was of the seed of Abraham (Romans 9:5).

Romans 9:14 — Throughout our reading of the Bible this year, the contrast that this question raises has been stark. Are we more moral than God? Or do we need to adjust our definition of fairness to His?

Romans 9:22 – Ah, the controversial verse about election! John Piper weighs in, as does John MacArthur and non-Calvinists. Positions on double predestination affect the question – who fitted the vessels?

Psalm 19:1 — And back to Patch the Pirate for this song based on Psalm 19:1:

Psalm 19:7 — Interesting how we go from general revelation (the Creation by God) to specific revelation (the Law of God) so abruptly! Both warn the servant (Psalm 19:11). As Paul says, “thou art inexcusable” (Romans 2:1)!

Proverbs 20:1 — One of the most unpopular verses in the Bible. Alcohol has deceived tens of millions. Seek wisdom!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22
  Romans 8:26-39
  Psalm 18:37-50
  Proverbs 19:27-29

2 Chronicles 11:1 — Do you think Rehoboam was more bothered by their personal rejection of him or of the Lord’s desire for His people to dwell in unity (Psalm 133:1)?

2 Chronicles 11:9 — Chronologically, this is the first reference to Lachish as an Israelite city. We’ll hear more about Lachish when Hezekiah is fighting Sennacherib!

2 Chronicles 11:16 — This detail is left out of the records in 1 & 2 Kings. We read in 1 Kings 13 about the man of God who challenged Jeroboam’s false worship, but we don’t read about the many truly devout that followed the LORD God. Loyalty to the LORD must be stronger than family or tribal ties … but it lasted only three years.

2 Chronicles 12:5 — The first foreign invasion to reach Jerusalem since David had liberated the city almost a hundred years before. It happened because the people had forsaken the LORD.

2 Chronicles 13:10 — The political religion of Abijah is on display. While Abijah gives a tremendous challenge to the wayward tribes, we read in 1 Kings 15:3 that he walked in all the sins of his father, which 1 Kings 14:22-24 says was worship at the high places and carousing with sodomites. He defended the Temple and was vocal in his support of the LORD, but was it just because of his battles with Jeroboam? Or was it the one time Abijah did trust the Lord? See 2 Chronicles 13:18.

Romans 8:26 — If you’re feeling inadequate from our previous reading because of sin’s role in your life, this verse is encouraging. More so than a friend from church praying for you is the Spirit of God praying for you! He intercedes (vv. 26 & 27), working all things for good (Romans 8:28) in order to conform us to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29) and to glorify us (Romans 8:30)! This is encouraging (Romans 8:31)! When we are afraid of a lack of supply (Romans 8:32), false accusations (Romans 8:33), condemnation (Romans 8:34), or just something in the way of Christ’s love (Romans 8:35-39), we can rejoice!

Psalm 18:37 — The psalmist is experiencing the promised victory, and concludes by blessing the LORD (Psalm 18:46-50).

Proverbs 19:29 — Let’s contrast the blessings we read with the judgments that will come. Let’s prepare ourselves to avoid them!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19
  Romans 8:9-25
  Psalm 18:16-36
  Proverbs 19:26

2 Chronicles 8:11 — Compromise begins with well intentioned ideas. Eventually, we see massive destruction, but it starts with “good” ideas.

In 168 BC, Antiochus Epiphanes went into the Temple, stole the treasures, set up an altar to Zeus, and sacrificed swine. A horrendous act by a foreign invader.

But 500 years before Antiochus, an Israeli-born King of Judah, the very son of Hezekiah built altars in the Temple to Baal and every other idol (2 Kings 21:3-5). Surprisingly, his father, the good king Hezekiah, took treasurers from the Temple and voluntarily gave them to Sennacherib, king of Assyria (2 Kings 18:15-16).

Three hundred years before Mannaseh, King Solomon tried to mitigate his compromise that disobeyed the LORD:

In the Old Testament, God regularly warned His people against intermarriage with foreigners: “For they will turn your sons away from following Me” (Deuteronomy 7:4; see also Exodus 34:12–17). And because the kings of Israel would lead by example, the Lord prohibited them from marrying wives who would turn their hearts away from a relationship with God (Deuteronomy 17:17).

Yes, Solomon kept many of the commandments (2 Chronicles 8:13), but God demands complete obedience.

2 Chronicles 9:27 — God blessed Solomon so that silver was as stones. Yet, the following kings were so afraid of losing their kingdoms that they took the treasures of the Temple to bribe their way to continue in power. The northern kings were promised divine protection if they worshipped in Jerusalem, but they were so fearful that they rejected God’s offer (we read about Jeroboam in 2 Chronicles 6:6 and Jehu in 2 Kings 10:29).

2 Chronicles 10:8 — The son of the wisest man who ever lived rejected the counsel of the wise men of his father. How ironic!

Romans 8:10 — How can we have victory over sin?

• The Spirit of God dwells in us (Romans 8:9)
• The Spirit that resurrected Jesus can surely defeat mere sin (Romans 8:11)
• The Spirit can mortify the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13)
• The Spirit is leading us (Romans 8:14)
• The Spirit is the sign we are the sons of God (Romans 8:14)

Romans 8:15 — What benefits do we have?

• The ability to cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15)
• We are heirs of God (Romans 8:17)
• Future glorification with Christ (Romans 8:17)
• Incomparable glory in the future (Romans 8:18)
• Glorious liberty (Romans 8:21)
• Redemption of our body (Romans 8:23)

Psalm 18:20-21 — Who gives us the strength to obey and keep the ways of the LORD? As Paul showed, God gives us the strength to obey, and if we use the power He has given us, we can have deliverance (Psalm 18:17).

Proverbs 19:26 — Many a child believes his parents are keeping him from his potential, yet he is bound for shame and reproach if he rejects their upbringing.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10
  Romans 7:14-8:8
  Psalm 18:1-15
  Proverbs 19:24-25

2 Chronicles 6:13 — This is the first use of the word “kneeled”; it describes how the great King Solomon showed his humility before the King of Kings. Later Daniel, the chief of the presidents under Darius the Mede, would kneel three times a day (Daniel 6:10).

2 Chronicles 6:32 — Often we hear 2 Chronicles 7:14 quoted about America, but the people mentioned in 2 Chronicles 7:14 actually make up the nation of Israel, not the nation of America. What part of this passage applies to America? 2 Chronicles 6:32-33 mentions “the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel.” What is the purpose of the stranger (us) coming and praying to the LORD? “That all the people of the earth may know thy name and fear thee.” Israel had a universal mandate to spread God’s fame throughout the world!

2 Chronicles 7:21-22 — We’ve rehashed the topic here often, but the Chronicler wrote during the post-exilic time. He is emphasizing to the people that it was prophesied by the LORD around 965 BC that the beautiful house of the LORD would become an astonishment. It was destroyed in 586 BC or roughly 400 years later. But why? Because the Israelites forsook the LORD God and disobeyed Him to serve other gods.

Romans 8:2 — Christ Jesus has given us the authority and power to be free from sin! Look at what changes:

• our spiritual spouse (Romans 7:4)
• the law that governs our life (Romans 8:2)
• our walk (Romans 8:4)
• our mind (Romans 8:5)

Psalm 18:3 — God’s salvation is analyzed in Romans but glorified in the Psalms!

Proverbs 19:25 — Interesting that the smiting of a scorner will not help the scorner, but it will help the simple. Yet, reproving one with understanding will help the one reproved.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11
  Romans 7:1-13
  Psalm 17:1-15
  Proverbs 19:22-23

2 Chronicles 5:3 — Notice that they assembled for a feast. There are times where it is appropriate to celebrate and not to fast (Mark 2:19). Even though we have incredibly detailed records of other items, we cannot number the amount of sacrifices that were made to celebrate this building in order to glorify the LORD!

2 Chronicles 5:10 — What was within the Ark that was so holy that it killed Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:7) and the seventy of Beth-shemesh who looked inside (1 Samuel 6:19)? The two tables of the Mosaic Covenant containing the Ten Commandments written with the finger of God. The physical mark of the divine covenant with a designated human response.

2 Chronicles 5:14 — The glory of the LORD had returned! This is the first time the glory had been observed in roughly 450 years. Interestingly, during the Exodus, 5 of the 8 times the glory of the LORD appeared was in conjunction with the wrath of God against the murmuring of Israel, while the other 3 times were in coordination with the explanation of the Tabernacle, the dedication of the Tabernacle, and the first use of the Tabernacle.

• It appeared in the cloud at the introduction of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:10) following the murmuring of Israel (Exodus 16:2)
• It appeared atop Mount Sinai at the explanation of the Tabernacle to Moses (Exodus 24:17)
• It appeared in the Tabernacle at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:35)
• It appeared in the Tabernacle at the first burnt offering (Leviticus 9:23)
• It appeared in the Tabernacle after the spies returned and the Israelites wanted to stone Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb (Numbers 14:10)
• It appeared at the door of the Tabernacle during Korah’s rebellion (Numbers 16:19) before the earth swallowed Korah and the fire consumed 250 (Numbers 16:32, Numbers 16:35)
• It appeared in the Tabernacle when the Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron for killing Korah (Numbers 16:42) before 14,700 died (Numbers 16:49)
• It appeared at the door of the Tabernacle (Numbers 20:6) when the Israelites murmured (Numbers 20:1) before God told Moses to speak to the Rock (Numbers 20:8)

Now we see the glory of the LORD (1 Kings 8:11, 2 Chronicles 5:14) at the start of the dedication as well as the end (2 Chronicles 7:1-3).

What do we know about the glory of the LORD?

• It endures forever (Psalm 104:31)
• It is great (Psalm 138:5)
• Distant lands will see it (Isaiah 35:2)
• All flesh shall see it (Isaiah 40:5)
• It is the “rereward” (KJV) – meaning our rear guard (Isaiah 58:8)
• It will arise (Isaiah 60:1) and bring the Gentiles to its light
• It made Ezekiel fall on his face (Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel 3:23)
• It left the Temple (Ezekiel 10:4, Ezekiel 10:8) and went to the Mount of Olives (Ezekiel 11:23).

The Chronicler is with the Exiles who had returned and had read in Ezekiel’s prophecies that the glory was gone. But it had been there on Mount Moriah 500 years ago. About a hundred years before the Chronicles, the glory went from Mount Moriah to the Mount of Olives. But the glory of the LORD would return! It would appear less than 500 years later to those who prepared some special things for Mount Moriah. The glory of the LORD would return to Mount Moriah and once again go to the Mount of Olives. Now 2000 years after that, we behold that same glory (2 Corinthians 3:18)!

2 Chronicles 6:6 — Chronicles points out a word of the LORD that was not recorded in Kings – God’s declaration to David that He had chosen Jerusalem. Other references to His choosing Jerusalem fill the historical books, but the Scripture records the LORD communicating specifically to Solomon (1 Kings 11:13) and Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:32, 1 Kings 11:36). Unfortunately, Jeroboam rejected that message even though it was doubly communicated to him; he opted instead for evil counsel (1 Kings 12:28) that made the people sin (1 Kings 12:30).

Romans 7:12 – Yes, those two tablets contained within the Ark of the Covenant that we read about (2 Chronicles 5:10) are not sin (Romans 7:7) but the way to life (Romans 7:10) and holiness (Romans 7:12). Yet, no one can keep the holy Law, so it was found to be death (Romans 7:10). But now that we are dead to the death of the Law (Romans 7:4) and married to Christ, we can bring forth fruit!

Psalm 17:3 — When we are right with the LORD, following His way with His power, we have His salvation (Psalm 17:7). We are kept as the apple of His eye and under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8).

Psalm 17:15 — We shall not just behold the glory of the LORD, we will awake “with thy likeness.” What does this mean? Check 1 Corinthians 2:9!

Proverbs 19:23 — The fear of the LORD is the way of life that leads us to see the glory of the LORD. It also protects us as we read about in Psalm 17:9.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

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).

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
  1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30
  Romans 5:6-21
  Psalm 15:1-5
  Proverbs 19:18-19

1 Chronicles 28:2 — Notice that David was building a house for the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, but not a house for the LORD. He was building a footstool for the LORD! This is the first use of the word “footstool” in the Bible, but Isaiah emphasizes this word in Isaiah 66:1 – the entire earth is the LORD’s footstool, and Solomon will recognize that it is impossible to build a house for the LORD (2 Chronicles 2:6)!

1 Chronicles 28:5 — Notice also that the LORD forgave David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba by blessing him through his son Solomon. Yes, there were painful consequences, but God alone works all things together for good (Romans 8:28).

1 Chronicles 28:8 — Seventy-three times in the Bible it talks about keeping the Commandments. Since 200+ commandments apply to the Temple, this dedication of the preparation for the Temple occurs near the middle of the Chronicler’s work in order to remind those who lived 500 years later that the Temple they built was part of God’s eternal covenant with David (1 Chronicles 28:4, 1 Chronicles 28:7-8).

1 Chronicles 28:12 — The pattern was given (reiterated in 1 Chronicles 28:19) “… by the Spirit of God, who gave him the whole form of the temple, and all things relative to it; just as God showed to Moses the pattern of the tabernacle in the mount” (Gill’s Exposition of Scripture). See Exodus 25:9, Exodus 25:40, Exodus 26:30, Exodus 27:8. It was done that way because the plans were a copy of the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 8:5). Five hundred years later, the people addressed by the Chronicler had to rebuild the Temple after the teaching of Moses (Ezra 3:2). The new Temple was different in substance, yet of the same pattern.

1 Chronicles 29:11 — From Scott LaGraff, an operatic performance of this verse:

How great is Christ?

• He died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6)
• He died for sinners (Romans 5:8)
• He died for enemies (Romans 5:10)
• He saved us from wrath (Romans 5:9)
• He gave us righteousness (Romans 5:17)
• He offers all justification (Romans 5:18)
• He makes grace reign (Romans 5:21)

The incurable, spreading disease of death was checked by the perfect obedience of Jesus (Romans 5:19), the One who could fully keep the Ten Commandments and all the laws of the Torah. The only One who could do it! The reign of sin has ended, the reign of grace has begun!

Psalm 15:1 — As we read in Chronicles about the Temple, we see the qualifications necessary to abide in the Temple!

• Upright walk (Psalm 15:2)
• Worketh righteousness (Psalm 15:2)
• Speaks truth (Psalm 15:2)
• No backbiting (Psalm 15:3)
• No doing evil (Psalm 15:3)
• No taking up a reproach (Psalm 15:3)
• Not contemning the vile (Psalm 15:4)
• Honoring God-fearers (Psalm 15:4)
• Not breaking a vow (Psalm 15:4)
• Not loaning at usury (Psalm 15:5)
• Not taking bribes (Psalm 15:5)

As we’ve read in Romans and earlier in the Psalms, we can figure out how many people meet these stringent requirements. NONE (Romans 3:23)! Yet, through the perfect obedience of Christ (Romans 5:19) and His righteousness, we are seen to meet every one of them!

Proverbs 19:18 — The way of transgressors is hard (Proverbs 13:15) – do what you can to get your son out of the hard way, even if he whines!

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.