A major theme in today’s Bible reading* is the created order responds to God’s majesty. The psalmist personifies creation and notes that the inanimate world recognizes the majesty of its Creator. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD— at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens proclaim…
In today’s Bible reading* we see some prayer requests that don’t tend to set well in our Twenty-First Century, Western Culture ears. Several of the Psalms — including some of today’s — are called imprecatory prayers. I’ve heard the definition before, but I checked again to ensure that I understood it correctly. An imprecatory prayer…
Twice in today’s Bible reading* we read of someone delivering news from the Lord. And both times, it was wrong. They were false prophets. In 2 Samuel 16:21, Ahithophel told Absalom to rape David’s concubines to demonstrate his contempt for David. Ahithophel also encouraged Absalom to pursue David and kill him. Hushai warned Absalom that…
Someone once said that holding a grudge is like drinking poison, expecting the other person to get sick. Today’s Bible reading* tells us about two of Absalom’s long-haul grudges. The first is when Amnon (Absalom’s half-brother) rapes his sister. Absalom stews for two years before killing Amnon. The next time is when Absalom has been…
Today’s Bible reading* is a familiar story for many of us: the story of David and Bathsheba. It is the lowest point of David’s life. This man is after God’s own heart. The story reveals David’s humanity. It reveals David’s fallenness. And then Nathan the Prophet arrives at David’s door with news of a man…
Today’s Bible reading* uses the word “awe” four times. (Psalm 65:5, 8; 66:3, 5) You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas.Psalm 65:5 (CSB) Those who live far away are awed by your signs; you make east…
