In today’s Bible reading* David appoints Solomon as his successor. Some of the men are chosen by family lineage and some are chosen for specific service in the Temple by casting lots. (1 Chronicles 24:7, 25:9, 26:14) So what is “casting lots”? Casting lots was similar to throwing dice. And people would make decisions based…
Today’s Bible reading* includes two Imprecatory Prayers. In light of the Israel-Hamas conflict going on as I type [in 2021], I think these Psalms are timely. Depending on your news source, you may have heard about the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory of Gaza and the recent bombing of a building housing international media…
One might read today’s Bible reading* and ask, “Is this a Bible contradiction? How can you possibly reconcile 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1?” We’re told that God punished David for conducting a census of the people under his reign. What could be wrong with that? The LORD’s anger burned against Israel again, and…
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…
Today’s Bible readings* highlight God as a mighty warrior. David found himself in dire straits and he knew that God had delivered him. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge. My shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior,…
Psalm 42 in today’s Bible reading* gives us a remedy for spiritual depression. Note that I qualified depression as spiritual depression, which should be seen as separate from clinical depression.* Most of us know what it’s like to be depressed, to be blue, to be down in the dumps. That’s the meaning of this word…
