Day 152
2 Samuel 1:1-2:7; John 20:10-31; Proverbs 13:20-14:4
David
was “anointed … king over the house of Judah” (2 Samuel 2:4). Jesus was
given a higher honour: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). “A good man
leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). The
greatest inheritance we can leave to the rising generations is the
spiritual inheritance of faith in Jesus Christ – “that they may believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may
have life in His Name” (John 20:31).
Day 153
2 Samuel 2:8-3:21; John 21:1-25; Psalm 69:1-12
God
gave His own gracious promise concerning the reign of David: “For the
Lord promised David, By My servant David I will rescue my people Israel
from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies”
(2 Samuel 3:18). Jesus indicated to His disciples, notably Peter, what
He was going to do through them: “the net … was full of large fish”
(John 21:11). Note also Jesus’ purpose for His disciples – “I will make
you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Those who long for much blessing to
come, in our day, upon the Church of Christ, say, with the Psalmist,
“Zeal for Your House consumes me” (Psalm 69:9).
Day 154
2 Samuel 3:22-5:5; Acts 1:1-22; Psalms 69:13-28
David
ascended to the throne of Israel – “they anointed David king over
Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3). “He reigned for forty years” (2 Samuel 5:4).
Jesus ascended “into heaven” (Acts 1:11), to the right hand of God, the
Father Almighty. There, He reigns forever and ever. As we look to this
mighty Saviour, we find “sure salvation” (Psalm 69:13).
Day 155
2 Samuel 5:6-6:23; Acts 1:23-2:21; Psalms 69:29-36
The
world cannot understand the working of the Holy Spirit – “when Michal,
daughter of Saul, saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord,
she despised him in her heart” (2 Samuel 6:16). She didn’t understand
what David was doing – “I will celebrate before the Lord” (2 Samuel
6:21). “Some … made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine’”
(Acts 2:13). They didn’t understand what God was doing – “I will pour
out My Spirit on all people …” (Acts 2:17). Whatever the world may
think, God’s people must always say, “I will praise God’s Name in song
and glorify Him in thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).
Day 156
2 Samuel 7:1-8:18; Acts 2:22-47; Proverbs 14:5-14
“The
Lord gave David victory wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:14). The victory,
given to Jesus, was a greater victory than any victory given by God to
David. Concerning David, Scripture says, “David died and was buried, and
his tomb is here to this day” (Acts 2:29). Concerning Jesus, Scripture
says, “God raised Him from the dead …” (Acts 2:24). How important it is
that we have faith in Christ if we are to be raised, with Him, to
eternal life: “The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent
of the upright will flourish” (Proverbs 14:11).
Day 157
2 Samuel 9:1-10:19; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 70:1-5
The
kindness of God is shown in different ways. We read of “God’s
kindness” being shown to Mephibosheth – “he always ate at the king’s
house” (2 Samuel 9:3,7). Nevertheless, we are also told, at the end of
the chapter, that “he was crippled in both feet” (2 Samuel 9:13). We
read also of a man who did not receive worldly goods – “Silver or gold I
do not have”, but he did receive healing – “In the Name of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth, walk.” We see him, “walking and jumping and praising God”
(Acts 3:6,9). We should not demand that the kindness of God must always
be shown in the same way. We do, however, have every encouragement to
join with the Psalmist in praying, “I am poor and needy; come quickly to
me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay” (Psalm
70:5).
Day 158
2 Samuel 11:1-12:31; Acts 4:1-22; Psalm 71:1-8
“David
pleaded with God for the child”, born of his adultery with Bathsheba,
but “the child died” (2 Samuel 12:18). David prayed that “the Lord may
be gracious to me and let the child live” (2 Samuel 12:22). The child
died, but the love of God did not cease (2 Samuel 2:24). In Acts 4, the
apostles are “called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a
man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed” (Acts 4:9). They
do not speak only of the healing. They speak also of salvation (Acts
4:10-12). The Name of Jesus Christ is the Name of our salvation. The
Name of Jesus is the Name which declares that the love of God never
ceases. Whatever our outward circumstances may be, God’s salvation
remains constant. In His salvation, we rejoice. As we read of God’s
salvation, we may come to Him and pray, with the Psalmist: “Be my rock
of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for
You are my rock and my fortress” (Psalm 71:3).
Day 159
2 Samuel 13:1-39; Acts 4:23-5:11; Psalm 71:9-18
There
are things happening which bring great distress to the Lord’s people.
“When King David heard all this, he was furious … Ammon … had disgraced
his sister Tamar” (2 Samuel 13:21-22). “Why do the nations rage …
against the Lord and against His Anointed One” (Acts 4:25-26). “My
enemies speak against me” (Psalm 71:10). How is all this to affect us? –
“As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more.
My mouth will tell of Your righteous deeds, of Your saving acts all day
long — though I do not know how to relate them all” (Psalm 71:14-15).
Day 160
2 Samuel 14:1-15:12; Acts 5:12-42; Proverbs 14:15-24
There’s
a difference between human popularity – “Absalom’s following kept on
increasing” (2 Samuel 15:12) – and divine approval – “more and more men
and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number” (Acts
5:14). A man can gain popularity because the people are gullible – “A
simple man believes anything”. A wise man seeks divine approval – “a
prudent man gives thought to his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).
Day 161
2 Samuel 15:13-16:14; Acts 6:1-7:19; Psalm 71:19-24
The
Bible contains many stories. The readings in 2 Samuel and Acts tell us
about events that took place a long time ago. Stephen’s message, in
Acts, stresses that all of the stories are part one Story – the Story of
God in action. Take away God, and what do you have left? – You have a
human story, but you don’t have God’s Story which needs to be told by
each generation to the next generation. God’s Story is the greatest
story ever told. It’s the Story of “the God of glory.” God gives His
promise. God fulfils His promise (Acts 7:2-3,17). We look at the “great
things” God has done, and we say, “Who, O God, is like You?” (Psalm
71:19).
Day 162
2 Samuel 16:15-18:18; Acts 7:20-43; Psalm 72:1-20
How
are we to die? This is an important question. There’s a difference
between dying in shame and dying in glory. The death of Absalom (2
Samuel 18) is a shameful death. The death of Stephen (Acts 7) is a
glorious triumph. Stephen’s death is preceded by a mighty proclamation
of God’s Word. Stephen affirms God’s faithfulness to His people down
through the generations. We might sum up Stephen’s great message in the
words of Psalm 72:18-19 – “Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvellous deeds. Praise be to His glorious Name for
ever; May the whole earth be filled with His glory.” Stephen’s message
is full of thanksgiving for the past. His death proclaims hope for the
future.
Day 163
2 Samuel 18:19-19:43; Acts 7:44-8:3; Psalm 73:1-14
King
David was held in extremely high regard in his day: “My lord the king
is like an angel” (2 Samuel 19:27). We must remember that he was no more
than a man who was seeking to “provide a dwelling-place for the God of
Jacob” (Acts 7:56). Think of all that God has done for Israel. Think of
all that He has done in Christ. Say, with the Psalmist, “God is good”
(Psalm 73:1).
Day 164
2 Samuel 20:1-21:22; Acts 8:1-40; Proverbs 14:25-35
“God
answered prayer on behalf of the land” (2 Samuel 21:14). At the heart
of all the confusion of many events involving the nations, there is God –
the God who hears and answers prayer. What happens when God hears and
answers prayer? – People hear and believe “the Good News about Jesus”
(Acts 8:35). As we consider the events involving the nations, we must
never forget the teaching of God’s Word – “Righteousness exalts a
nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
Day 165
2 Samuel 22:1-23:7; Acts 9:1-31; Psalm 73:15-28
2
Samuel 22 begins with a tremendous declaration of who is and a
marvellous expression of trust in Him – “The Lord is my Rock, my
Fortress and my Deliverer … my Rock … my Shield and the Horn of my
Salvation … my Stronghold, my Refuge and my Saviour” (2 Samuel 22:2-3). A
similar testimony is found towards the end of Psalm 73 – “God is the
strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26). Such was the
testimony of David, in the Old Testament, and Paul, in the New
Testament. Paul “spoke boldly in the Name of the Lord” and “the Church …
was strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers,
living in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:28,31).
Day 166
2 Samuel 23:8-24:25; Acts 9:32-10:23a; Psalm 74:1-9
“His
mercy is great” (2 Samuel 24:14). These words of David are powerfully
demonstrated in the call to Peter to take the Gospel to Cornelius, the
Gentile. God’s mercy is not only for the Jewish nation. It’s also for
the Gentiles. Now, the Gentiles belong to the people whom God has
“purchased”, the people whom He has “redeemed” (Psalm 74:2).
Day 167
1 Kings 1:1-2:12; Acts 10:23b-11:18; Psalm 74:10-17
God’s
purpose does not stand still. It moves forward. “So Solomon sat on the
throne of his father, David, and his rule was firmly established” (1
Kings 2:12). “The circumcised believers … were astonished that the gift
of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles” (Acts
10:45). Israel’s true King – the Lord Himself – is the God of salvation
for both Jews and Gentiles: “But, You, O God, are my King from of old;
You bring salvation upon the earth” (Psalm 74:12).
Day 168
1 Kings 2:13-3:15; Acts 11:19-12:19a; Proverbs 15:1-10
Solomon
asked for wisdom – “a discerning heart to govern Your people and to
distinguish between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:9). “The Lord was
pleased that Solomon had asked for this” (1 Kings 3:10). In Acts 11:24,
Barnabas is described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and
faith.” It is the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to live, by faith,
as good people who are learning to distinguish between right and wrong.
He gives us the power to choose right rather than wrong. In Proverbs
15:8, we read that “the prayer of the upright pleases the Lord.” True
wisdom involves calling upon the Lord in prayer, receiving strength from
the Lord, doing His will and pleasing Him. The prayer of the upright
leads to the pursuit of righteousness. It’s the way of living which is
loved by the Lord - “the Lord loves those who pursue righteousness”
(Proverbs 15:9). The pursuit of righteousness is not to be half-hearted.
It’s to be a whole-hearted pursuit of God Himself.
Day 169
1 Kings 3:16-5:18; Acts 12:19b-13:12; Psalm 74:18-23
"God
gave Solomon wisdom" (1 Kings 4:29). When wisdom is recognized as
God-given, the people of God say, "Praise be to the Lord today" (1 Kings
5:7). True ministry, which promotes "wisdom unto salvation", is based
on the prompting of the Spirit and leads to the proclamation of the Word
(Acts 13:4-5). The work of the Lord is to be done by those who are
controlled by the Lord. "Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild
beasts" (Psalm 74:19). The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The
beast is a symbol of evil. This is a prayer that we may be led by the
Holy Spirit. It's a prayer that we will be delivered from evil.
Day 170
1 Kings 6:1-7:22; Acts 13:13-41; Psalm 75:1-10
In
the reign of Solomon, God fulfilled His promise to David (1 Kings
6:11-13). There is, however, a greater fulfilment: "From David's
descendants God has brought to Israel the Saviour Jesus, as He promised"
(Acts 13:23). When we consider what God has done, we say, with the
Psalmist, "We praise You, God, we praise You, for Your Name is
near; people tell of Your wonderful deeds" (Psalm 75:1).
Day 171
1 Kings 7:23-8:21; Acts 13:42-14:7; Psalm 76:1-12
The
Temple is built. The glory goes to God: "Praise be to the Lord, the God
of Israel" (1 Kings 8:15). God's purpose was not, however, to be
limited to Israel: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you
may bring salvation to the ends of the earth" (Acts 13:47). He is not
only the God of the Jews. He is the God who calls all nations to worship
Him: "You alone are to be feared" (Psalm 76:7).
Day 172
1 Kings 8:22-9:9; Acts 14:8-28; Proverbs 15:11-20
The
majesty of the Temple was not merely human. The glory belonged to the
Lord. His glory would be among His people, as they honoured Him by doing
His will. The servants of the Lord must always say, "we are only men
... We are bringing you Good News, telling you to turn from these
worthless things to the living God" (Acts 14:15). The most important
thing is this: "the fear of the Lord." "Great wealth" is nothing without
it (Proverbs 15:16).
Day 173
1 Kings 9:10-11:13; Acts 15:1-21; Psalm 77:1-9
"We
believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved"
(Acts 15:11). Once we have been saved, we are to live a godly life (Acts
15:20). This is the way in which God's blessing is to remain and
increase in our lives (1 Kings 11:9-11). There are difficult times in
the life of faith, times when we can only ask questions (Psalm 77:7-9).
These are not the questions of unbelief. These are the questions of
faith seeking understanding.
Day 174
1 Kings 11:14-12:24; Acts 15:22-41; Psalm 77:10-20
"They
obeyed the Word of the Lord" (1 Kings 12:24). They were "commended ...
to the grace of the Lord" (Acts 15:40). Obedience to the Word of the
Lord and being commended to the grace of God - these two things belong
together. We can only promise obedience to God "in dependence on divine
grace." If we do not feed our faith on "the deeds of the Lord" (Psalm
77:11), our obedience will waver. "I will consider all Your works and
meditate on all Your mighty deeds" (Psalm 77:12). This is the way of
strengthening faith and obedience.
Day 175
1 Kings 12:25-14:20; Acts 16:1-15; Psalm 78:1-8
"The
Lord will raise up for Himself a king over Israel" (1 Kings 14:14).
There was much "sin" among God's people (1 Kings 13:33-34). God did not
abandon His purpose of salvation. His saving purpose finds its
fulfilment in Christ. He is the Gospel ("Good News") which God has
called us to preach (Acts 16:10). When Christ is preached, the Lord
opens the hearts of men and women to respond to Him (Acts 16:14). Christ
is the message which we must "not hide ... from our children". We must
"tell the next generation" of Him (Psalm 78:4).
Day 176
1 Kings 14:21-16:7; Acts 16:16-40; Proverbs 15:21-30
The
history of the kings was, for the most part, a history of rebellion
against God. So few were asking the question: "What must I do to be
saved?" (Acts 16:30). God has given His answer to this question:
"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). "The
path of life leads upward for the wise" (Proverbs 15:24). This is the
wisdom which leads to salvation, eternal life, heaven. It's the wisdom
which is faith in Christ.
Day 177
1 Kings 16:8-18:15; Acts 17:1-21; Psalm 78:9-16
Elijah
confronted King Ahab in the Name of the living God (1 Kings 18:15). The
apostles confronted Caesar in the Name of "another King ... Jesus"
(Acts 17:7). It was in the Name of the Lord that the authority of Egypt
was brought to nothing: "He did miracles in the sight of their fathers
in the land of Egypt" (Psalm 78:12).
Day 178
1 Kings 18:16-19:21; Acts 17:22-18:8; Psalm 78:17-31
In
the relationship between God and the gods, we see (a) the conflict
between good and evil (1 Kings 18); (b) God's way of salvation - He
leads people out of the darkness of ignorance and into the light of
knowledge (Acts 17:23); (c) God's word of warning - Where people choose
error and darkness rather than truth and light, there is judgment (Psalm
78:17,31).
Day 179
1 Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 18:9-19:13; Psalm 78:32-39
As
a prophet of God, Elijah brought this message to the people: "This is
what the Lord says" (1 Kings 21:19). This was Paul's ministry: "teaching
them the Word of God" (Acts 18:11). Elijah's ministry was the
denunciation of the evil king, Ahab. Paul's ministry was the
proclamation of "the Kingdom of God" (Acts 19:8). In our proclamation of
God's Kingdom, we must remember that God is our Rock and our Redeemer
(Psalm 78:35).
Day 180
1 Kings 22:1-53; Acts 19:14-41; Proverbs 15:31-16:7
Here's
a spiritual principle for everyone who seeks to be faithful to God: "As
surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me"
(1 Kings 22:14). In Ephesus, there was a riot. The crowds shouted,
"Great is Artemis ("Diana" in the King James Version: Artemis is the
Greek name for the Roman goddess, Diana) of the Ephesians" (Acts
19:28,34). In the present day, in our preaching of God's Word, we must
remind people of this - "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus
20:3). We must be clear in our message concerning Jesus Christ: "There
is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved"
(Acts 4:12). In Christ, we enjoy salvation. Living in the strength of
His salvation, our "ways are pleasing to the Lord" (Proverbs 16:7).
Day 181
2 Kings 1:1-2:25; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 78:40-55
"Where
now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" (2 Kings 2:14). With each
succeeding generation, God is looking for those who will commit
themselves to the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace" (Acts
20:24). "He brought His people out like a flock; He led them like sheep
through the desert" (Psalm 78:52). How does God do this in this
generation? - He works through those who give faithful testimony to the
Gospel of His grace. He works through those do not hesitate "to proclaim
... the whole will of God" (Acts 20:27). He works through those who
call on men and women to "turn to God in repentance and have faith in
our Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:21).
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