Read 2 SAMUEL 22:26-37

Writing in The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer said: “On our part there must be surrender to the Spirit of God, for His work it is to show us the Father and the Son. If we co-operate with Him in loving obedience God will manifest Himself to us, and that manifestation will be the difference between a nominal Christian life and a life radiant with the light of His face.”

The “light of God’s face” is one way of speaking about His favor or blessing. Today’s passage is a powerful reminder that the Lord is on the side of His people! This psalm of praise dates from late in King David’s life and is also recorded in Psalm 18. Reflecting on his life, the king rejoiced in God’s loving faithfulness to him.

Specifically, David exulted that God was his “lamp” (vv. 29–30), meaning that God was his ongoing source of knowledge, wisdom, hope, and blessing. Against all odds, the Lord can turn “darkness into light” or make it possible for a single warrior to “advance against a troop.” As David wrote elsewhere, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1).

The rest of this passage also focuses on God’s character. He is faithful, blameless, pure, and perfect. He loves to save the humble and humble the proud. When the wicked think they are devious enough to outsmart Him, He proves no one can. His Word is flawless. He is our shield, protector, and Rock. As needed, He provides strength, stability, confidence, security, and success. He paves “a broad path for my feet” (v. 37), the righteous, obedient path where we find His guidance and protection.

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Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 and David’s here form narrative “bookends” for the historical books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Read both passages and notice the similar theological points and key themes. In what ways do these prayers help us understand and interpret all the history in between? How can they shape your own prayers?

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 28

Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed, “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans.” This was the lesson that David learned when he initially had it in mind to build a temple for God.

If you have been paying attention, you probably noticed that this is the third time this story has been told. The first was in 1 Chronicles 17, which described David’s experience. The second occurrence is 1 Chronicles 22, where David recounts these events to his son Solomon. In today’s passage, David tells the story to “all the officials of Israel . . . the officers over the tribes, the commanders of the divisions in the service of the king, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of all the property and livestock belonging to the king and his sons, together with the palace officials, the warriors and all the brave fighting men” (v. 1).

Since this is a story about how David misread God’s intent, you might think that the author would want to keep it under wraps. Why let everyone know that David was wrong? But there is much more to this story than David’s mistaken idea. Ultimately it is a story about God’s faithfulness. The Lord set aside David’s plan because He had a better plan of His own.

The reason David’s story is repeated in 1 Chronicles is not to highlight the king’s mistake but to underscore God’s promise and Solomon’s responsibility. The Chronicler does this to remind the returned exiles of their obligation to God. The covenant made with David included a condition that Solomon did not meet (vv. 7–9). The return of God’s people to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple were evidence of God’s grace.

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This account of David’s charge to his son Solomon was more than a glance back at a greater time. It was a reminder of God’s enabling power. Does your church look back to a golden age when things seemed to be better? Instead of seeing it as a record of what you have lost, try to view it as measure of what God can do today.

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 26:28-27:34

In a sermon preached at New Covenant Baptist Church in Chicago in 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. urged: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”

Every functioning community requires administration. Our text today provides us with a list of many of the officials who assisted David. Some were legal functionaries whose responsibility was to judge cases from the Law of Moses and who probably served outside Jerusalem (26:28–29). Others were made responsible for “every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king” (26:32). They might have been responsible for the collection of tithes and taxes. David’s administrative structure included military commanders, tribal leaders, those who oversaw his properties and storehouses, as well as counselors. David’s leadership was a spiritual matter, but it also had a civil dimension. Part of his shepherding responsibility was to tend to the government of his people.

Scripture teaches that civil government is a reflection of common grace. Civil government serves the common good. One of its benefits is protection. But this kind of administration comes with a cost. This is why paying our taxes is a Christian obligation. For this reason Paul admonishes us: “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (Rom. 13:7).

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In addition to paying taxes, you should also pray for our leaders: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1–2). Remember them in your prayers today.

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 21

Many banks and investment companies have a feature on their websites that provide a 360-degree snapshot of all your assets and liabilities. Subtract your liabilities from your assets and the resulting figure is your net worth.

David’s census of Israel seems to have had a similar intent. This was probably David’s attempt to calculate all the military resources at his disposal (v. 3). A census was not absolutely forbidden in Scripture. The Law of Moses prescribed that a ransom be paid to the Lord for each person counted (Ex. 30:12). The nature of David’s sin in this instance is not entirely clear. Did he count the people without collecting the required ransom? Or was it something else?

Certainly spiritual forces were in play as well. According to verse 1, Satan was the one who incited David to take this action. Interestingly, the account of this incident in 2 Samuel 24:1 says that the Lord was angry with Israel and “incited David against them.” God and Satan had different agendas. Satan’s intent was destruction. God’s aim was divine discipline.

As a result of his rash action, David was asked to make a terrible choice, and his decision led to a plague in which seventy thousand men died (vv. 12–14). If it had not been for God’s own merciful intervention, the plague would have destroyed Jerusalem.

The sight of the angel of the Lord positioned between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword extended over Jerusalem, prompted David to intercede for Israel and the plague was halted (v. 16). In a mysterious conjunction of judgment and mercy, the spot where the destroying angel ceased his terrible work also became the location of the temple David’s son Solomon would build.

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Having been forgiven through Christ we are “being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph. 2:22). You may be living with the consequences of your own sinful choices or those of someone else. Consecrate those circumstances to God. He will build upon the ruins.

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 20

Oliver Cromwell once told a painter commissioned to do his portrait: “I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughnesses, pimples, warts and everything as you see me, otherwise I will never pay a farthing for it.” Similarly, the Bible does not airbrush its heroes but rather depicts them “warts and all.”

With this in mind, notice what the Chronicler does not mention in today’s chapter. The opening statement of verse 1 will be familiar to anyone who knows the story of David, as it surely would have been to the writer’s original audience: “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces.” This is how 2 Samuel 11 begins the account of David’s sin with Bathsheba. But instead of describing David’s fall, the Chronicles account speaks of Joab’s victories over the Ammonites and Philistines. The reason has to do with the writer’s purpose in this section. The fact that the next chapter describes David’s “great sin” of numbering the people is proof that the author is not trying to whitewash David’s record. The focus of this section is on David’s military victories.

The fact that David experienced so much military success at what was arguably the lowest point in his spiritual life should sober us. Success and prosperity are not proof of God’s acceptance or of our spiritual health. Success can make us arrogant. In our prosperity we can be less aware of our need for God. Is it possible that David misinterpreted God’s blessing? Did he come to believe that he could do no wrong?

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David’s experience of victory in the midst of spiritual defeat should encourage us. God does not abandon us, even when we fail Him: “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20). Even at our lowest, God continues to care for us and provide for our needs.

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 14

One challenge facing the American colonies after they declared independence from England was establishing the commercial viability of the fledgling nation. John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and second president of the United States, went to Amsterdam to obtain a loan so the new country could pay its war debts. He found that the bankers were reluctant to grant the loan until the Dutch parliament formally recognized the United States as a country.

In 1 Chronicles 14, the author highlights three indicators of David’s success. First, David received support from Hiram, the king of Tyre. This Phoenician port city was an important center for shipping. By supplying cedar logs and craftsmen to build David’s palace, Hiram was doing more than engaging in a business transaction. He was acknowledging the legitimacy of David’s rule.

Second, the expansion of David’s family was evidence of David’s growing prosperity. Even the opposition of the Philistines gave David a kind of legitimacy, since it meant that they viewed him as a viable threat. The fact that the Lord answered when David inquired of Him is the third proof that God was behind his rise to power. David’s predecessor Saul knew that God had removed His hand of blessing from him when he inquired of God “but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets” (1 Sam. 28:6).

The mode of David’s victory in verses 13 through 16 was proof of divine support as much as the victory itself. The advance of David’s men was masked by the sound of wind in the tops of the Balsam trees. Not only did God give David the plan, He enlisted the support of creation itself in David’s cause.

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Most people believe the secret to success is a combination of optimism and persistence mixed with a dash of luck. Surely anyone can succeed if they try hard enough! But God was the key to David’s success. Are you hoping for success today? Then seek God first. He will show you what true success looks like.

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 13

Sixty years ago people often dressed for church in their “Sunday best.” Men wore a jacket and tie or a suit. Women wore a dress and sometimes gloves and a hat. Today in most churches casual dress is the norm. Does this say anything about our view of what it means to come into the presence of God?

David learned a hard lesson about God’s holiness when he determined to move the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem. David’s initial attempt to move the ark ended in tragedy when Uzzah was struck down for touching it. The judgment may seem harsh, but those who transported the ark failed to obey the regulations outlined in Scripture (Ex. 25:12–15; Num. 4:5–15). Because the ark represented God’s presence, it had to be treated as a sacred object.

“The fate of Uzzah is a fearful warning against over-familiarity with God,” commentator Michael Wilcock says. “His attitude toward the thing should have been as reverent as his attitude toward the person.” Reverence for God is important—it is the focus of the first petition in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9). God can be our friend, but He is not a buddy.

Uzzah’s tragic death was intended to make an important point. God’s holiness is not to be trifled with. Similar to other instances of divine judgment, like the destruction of Achan’s household or the death of Ananias and Sapphira, it drove home a forceful truth to the whole community (see Joshua 7; Acts 5:1–11). God’s aim was not to drive His people away. This is evident from the subsequent blessing that came upon Obed-Edom the Gittite when the ark remained with him for the next three months. If Uzzah’s death was a warning, Obed-Edom’s blessing was an invitation.

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True holiness is not a matter of wearing a suit or a tie but of being “clothed” with righteousness. This is only possible if we clothe ourselves with the righteousness of Christ. Hebrews 10:19 tells us that we can come into God’s presence with confidence if we draw near “by the blood of Jesus.” Have you drawn near? You can do so now by faith.

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 11:10-47

In his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell contends that the form of hero stories in many cultures is the same no matter where it is told. This basic story line is found in fantasy epics and many novels.

Today’s passage describes the accomplishments of “the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors” (v. 10). Jashobeam raised his spear against 300 opponents (v. 11). Eleazar stood his ground and defended a plot of ground against the Philistines when the rest of the army fled from the enemy (vv. 12–14). Three men broke through the Philistine lines to bring water to David. (vv. 15–19). Abishai became as renowned as the three men who did this and had the honor of acting as their commander (vv. 20–21). Benaiah is credited with several feats (vv. 22–25). The remainder of chapter 11 lists the names and background of David’s “mighty warriors.” The accounts in this section all share two characteristics. First, they had bold faith. Each of those mentioned acted bravely despite overwhelming odds. Courage is not the absence of fear but the determination to act in the midst of fear. Faith is the expectation that God will accomplish His will through our action (and sometimes in spite of it). David’s mighty warriors not only acted heroically, they showed that they possessed a heroic faith.

Second, these accounts reflect the mutual devotion that was felt by David and his men. David’s warriors were devoted to their king, willing to risk their lives on his behalf. David in turn was devoted to his men. He did not take their sacrifice for granted. Instead of seeing it as a tribute to his own leadership, David viewed their courageous acts as something that should be offered to God.

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Most often our battles are “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:12). In order to live courageously for God, we require time in prayer in His Word. Commit to living boldly for the Lord!

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 7

A children’s Bible song sung for years in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School goes: “I may never march in the infantry / Ride in the cavalry / Shoot the artillery / I may never fly o’er the enemy / But I’m in the Lord’s army! Yes Sir!”

In this section, the Chronicler records the genealogy of the tribes of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. The author emphasizes the military strength for several of the tribes. There’s no specific timeframe given here, and some of the numbers seem to date from the time of David. In the genealogy of Ephraim he mentions another notable military leader, Joshua the son of Nun and Moses’ successor (v. 27). Notable women are also mentioned, including the daughters of Zelophehad, who were one of the first to request inheritance rights for women, and Sheerah, “who built Lower and Upper Beth Horon as well as Uzzen Sheerah” (vv. 15, 24).

The first recipients of this book could not have helped noticing the difference in their circumstances compared to these earlier days. They had no military might. The scope of the land they inhabited was significantly reduced. Those who had returned to Jerusalem must have felt like aliens in their own land. “By anyone’s standards, the fifth century was hardly a golden age for the people of God,” Old Testament scholar John Sailhamer explains. “Their future as a kingdom and a distinct people of God, in fact, seemed bleaker at that moment than perhaps ever before.”

The author’s purpose was not to discourage them by pointing to a glorious but unrecoverable past but to remind them of the power and glory of God. And though their circumstances were different, their mighty God remained the same. He had raised up mighty warriors before and He could do it again.

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This view of the past served as a reminder that they were still the same people of God and heirs of the same promises. Are you facing a difficult change in circumstances today? Remember the God of your past is also the God of your present and your future. Jesus promised: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 2:3-55

One of the main characters in the popular Chronicles of Narnia series is the lion, Aslan. In this series of fantasy stories, Aslan represents Jesus Christ. Perhaps author C. S. Lewis got the idea for Aslan from the title ascribed to Jesus in Revelation 5:5.

The genealogy in today’s passage narrows the focus to the line of Judah. This reflects the author’s interest in David and his kingdom. David’s ancestor Jacob had predicted: “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his” (Gen. 49:10). Jacob’s prophecy describes the future preeminence of the tribe of Judah as well as the advent of the Messiah.

One interesting feature of this list is the theme of redemption, which is evident in the backstory of some of those mentioned. The line of Judah is traced through Perez, a child who was conceived through trickery (Genesis 38). Hezron and Ram were ancestors of Boaz, who married Ruth the Moabite (Ruth 4:18–22). Bezalel was the craftsman who was empowered by the Holy Spirit to build the tabernacle (Ex. 31:2–5). God had “filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills” in artistic craftsmanship (Ex. 35:31).

This history of redemption would have been especially significant for the original audience of this book. Chronicles was probably written during the second or third generation after the return from exile in Babylon. Still coping with the consequences of divine discipline and struggling with disappointment over the new normal, no doubt some still wished they could return to an earlier golden age (see Hag. 2:3).

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God can redeem our failures and mistakes. Be encouraged today by the reminder of God’s promise. Review this verse to focus your heart on God’s faithfulness: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11).

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Read 1 CHRONICLES 1:1-2:2

Because of people’s growing interest in tracing their family history, Ancestry.com has become the largest for-profit genealogy company in the world. Subscribers can use the Internet to access billions of historical records and submit DNA samples to learn about their roots.

This month we will take a deep dive into God’s genealogical database as we study the book of 1 Chronicles. Although genealogical lists play an important role in 1 Chronicles, it is also a book of history that focuses primarily on the dynasty of David. The first chapter describes David’s lineage, beginning with Adam and Abraham’s descendants.

The list is impressive. There are 200 proper names in the first chapter alone! With so many unfamiliar names and so little narrative, we may be tempted to give up and turn to a more familiar passage. We should remember that each name listed in this book represents someone’s story. We will learn some of the details along the way, but only God can know the whole story. We should also take heart because these lists of names show us that the God who made us is also the God who knows us. He knows us by name and is familiar with every detail of our lives. The God whose actions are described along with the names listed in this book is the God of their history and of ours.

This is especially true of Jesus Christ, who “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3). As we begin this study, let’s ask God for the patience to persevere in our reading. Our circumstances may not be identical with theirs, but if we know Jesus Christ as Savior, we have become part of this story.

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This list of names in Chronicles is more than a genealogy. It is a kind of faith history. Why not get things started by doing some research into your own family’s faith history? Ask family members about their journey of faith. How does it compare to your own? Look for an opportunity to share your faith story with your family members as well.

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Read TITUS 1:1-9

New parents quickly realize the fragility and dependency of the new life entrusted to them. A newborn requires protection, love, and nourishment, and a growing child will need godly parents to provide education, discipline, and leadership.

The church also needs godly leadership for healthy spiritual maturity. Paul wrote to his “true son in our common faith” (v. 4), Titus, in order to help the fledgling churches in Crete along this path of spiritual growth. After an introduction reminding Titus of “the hope of eternal life” (v. 2) and Paul’s own apostolic call, Paul’s primary concern was one of church organization: to “appoint elders in every town” (v. 5).

Paul delineated the qualifications for being an elder. In the moral realm, an elder must be “blameless” (v. 6)—not in the sense of being sinless, but of being upstanding in the public community. An elder should also be “faithful to his wife” (v. 6). In an age when adultery and womanizing were commonly accepted, Paul called leaders of the church to marital faithfulness. Leadership ability was also important. Elders’ children should “believe” (v. 6) and not lead lives of licentiousness and disobedience. One who cannot govern his own family is ill-suited to govern God’s family.

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Read 3 JOHN 1-8

The Letters of John have a kind of telescopic effect, each letter focusing further in. First John addresses the general Christian community, 2 John addresses a particular church and its concerns, and 3 John addresses an individual leader named Gaius. Though we know very little about this man, 3 John provides us with important lessons about the Christian faith.

We learn, for example, that “the elder” was delighted to hear about Gaius’ faith (v. 1). Notice that the letter commends Gaius not just for doctrinal correctness (“faithfulness in the truth”) but also for a total life of faith (“how you continue to walk in it”). Here was a man who lived out his faith toward others. Gaius’ displays of Christian love were so wellknown because “some believers came and testified” (v. 3) about it.

We are not given many details, but it appears that Gaius had demonstrated love by hosting other Christians who were traveling through the area. In an Empire where Christianity was a minority religion and often viewed with suspicion, hospitality was a true blessing to traveling Christians. These individuals may have been strangers to Gaius (v. 5), but he received them in great love, and a report had made its way back to the elder.

Gaius clearly took his faith seriously, and the letter uses the occasion to praise Gaius in his work and to encourage him to remain steadfast in it. John reminds Gaius that these strangers had gone out “for the sake of the Name” (v. 7), that is, as traveling missionaries. Of course, such people would receive “no help from the pagans” (v. 7), which is why it was all the more important “to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth” (v. 8).

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Read 1 JOHN 4:7-12

A church member once told the pastor that the church should have a sign out front warning people away, and then launched into a litany of complaints about all the problems within the congregation: gossip, cliquish mentalities, selfish behavior—and too many complainers!

How contrary this is to the picture of Christian life in today’s reading. The shining attribute of the Christian community should be love, a theme that will continue for the next few days. In fact, the community is twice addressed as “beloved” (also translated as “dear friends,” vv. 7, 11); and Scripture calls us to love one another three times in six verses.

While this should underscore the call to love one another, God’s own love is mentioned twice as much—six times! In other words, the foundation for Christian love is that “God is love” (v. 8). Central to God’s love is the coming of Jesus Christ as an atonement for sin. If we want to know anything about love, we must first look to the true source and example: the Father’s sending the Son into our world.

Notice the important connection with yesterday’s point, that those who are from God must confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. This affirmation is not merely an intellectual belief; it is the very basis of Christian communal life. When the Incarnation becomes the basis for our love, we demonstrate that we are “born of God” and know Him (v. 7). It means that “God lives in us” (v. 12). But most importantly, it means that God’s love “is made complete in us” (v. 12). That is, if people want to know God’s love, they should be able to look to God’s people as the expression of that love.

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This Sunday you have an opportunity to embody Scripture’s call to love one another as God has loved us. As you worship with the community of the “beloved,” avoid self-serving conversations and actions. Instead, find someone in need and focus on serving them rather than having your own preferences as the priority.

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Read 1 JOHN 4:1-6

Many people might remember the litmus test from high school chemistry lab. Strips of litmus paper are dipped into a liquid solution to determine the acidic or base levels of that liquid. In general, if the paper turns red, the solution is an acid. If it turns blue, it is a base.

Just as the chemistry litmus test reveals acids and bases, so also a spiritual litmus test will “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (v. 1). In the ancient world, many teachers and self-proclaimed prophets vied for the Christian community’s attention. Here was a test for the spirit behind the teaching: “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God” (vv. 2–3). Only those who acknowledge the full divinity and the full humanity of Jesus are from God. In fact, the spirit that denies these truths “is the spirit of the antichrist” (v. 3).

Believers may be tempted to despair when they observe so many false spirits proclaiming error around them. The forces arrayed against God and the truth seem so powerful and even wellaccepted. Scripture offers a reassuring reminder: there is victory over these false spirits “because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (v. 4).

While these false teachers claim to be speaking for God, in truth the world’s viewpoint has utterly penetrated their own thinking. They are not from God, but “from the world” (v. 5). In the end the community of believers must not worry about popularity, only about adhering to the truth from God which they have been given.

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The messages bombarding us can be confusing. The next time you wonder about a message you hear, test it with today’s spiritual litmus test. If the message affirms who Jesus is—fully God and fully human—it is from God. If it denies those truths, no matter how popular it is, avoid it as “the spirit of falsehood” (v. 6).

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Read 1 JOHN 2:12-17

When a worried child expresses doubts about their own worth or their parents’ love, what does any responsible parent do? They comfort the child by repeating over and over again a message of reassurance and encouragement. The same seems to be the case in the first part of today’s reading. Speaking to a community whose confidence about their own relationship with God may have been shaken, John offers a repeated message of reassurance and encouragement. And while the “children,” “fathers,” and “young men” may be specific age groups, these designations may also be a way of addressing the entire community. Regardless of their spiritual progress, whether new to the faith or longtime Christians, the truth is the same.

First, they “have been forgiven on account of his name” (v. 12). The problem of sin has been dealt with once and for all. Second, because of the forgiveness they have in Christ, they “know him who is from the beginning” (vv. 13a, 14b). Despite any doubts, their relationship with God is genuine. Finally, because they have been strengthened by forgiveness and relationship with God, they “have overcome the evil one” (vv. 13b, 14c). The victory that belongs to Christ is theirs by virtue of their relationship with Him.

As a result, the last part of our reading spells out the practical implications: “Do not love the world or anything in the world” (v. 15). The warning about the “world” here refers to the domain of Satan: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (v. 16). Because we belong to God, our loyalty and love should be with Him, not with the sinful lusts and possessions of the world. Only the one who abides in God will “live forever” (v. 17).

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Do you know people who need Scripture’s reminder that they can find forgiveness in Christ? That He offers genuine relationship and spiritual victory? Encourage and reassure someone today about the truth of the gospel. Consider writing a note, making a phone call, or even stopping for a visit to make God’s message to them real.

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Read 1 JOHN 2:3-11

In the early church, Gnostic Christians claimed to have a “special knowledge” that set them apart as super-spiritual. Many commentators have suggested that the secessionists of 1 John were a similar group who claimed a special spirituality because of their “superior knowledge.”

As our passage today demonstrates repeatedly, true spiritual maturity lies not in claims of knowledge or personal experience of God, but in the way one lives. Knowledge of God will be demonstrated by obedience to Christ’s commands and by walking as Jesus did.

In fact, this is not a “new command” at all, but one given “since the beginning” (v. 7). The command to love God and neighbor has its roots in the Old Testament (see Deut. 6:5; 19:9). The command itself is not new, but the scope has been enlarged. The call to love has been embodied in the person of Jesus and His command to all followers: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

Quite naturally, then, our reading ends by linking together obedience to God’s commands and our love for one another. Those who claim to walk in the light of Christ are identified by how they treat “a brother or sister” in Christ (v. 9). Love for others is not what brings you into a saving relationship with Christ, but it is a tangible sign of that relationship. Conversely, “anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness . . . because the darkness has blinded them” (v. 11). In short, the true test of an authentic relationship with God is not an empty claim of “knowledge,” but a life marked by obedience to Christ’s command to love one another.

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Confession of sin can be difficult, even painful. But Scripture shows us that confession is essential to fellowship with God. Spend time today asking the Holy Spirit to show you areas of sin. Then confess those sins before God in repentance, knowing that He has promised, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins” (1:9).

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Read Numbers 32

At noon on May 22, 1889, more than 50,000 people poured into the Oklahoma Territory, rushing to stake their claims to cheap land offered by the federal government. It was the beginning of the Oklahoma Land Rush. Those who illegally slipped into the territory early were called “Sooners,” which became the state’s nickname.

The Reubenites and Gadites came to Moses to stake their claims to land on the east side of the Jordan River. This land had been conquered as part of Israel’s early military victories. The problem, from Moses’ perspective, was that allowing them to do so might discourage the rest of the nation from obeying God and entering Canaan, thus repeating the previous generation’s disobedience (vv. 6–15).

How could he approve their request and yet avoid this danger? The Reubenites and Gadites responded with a wise solution: They promised to cross the Jordan River with the rest of the nation, going to war along with their brothers even though their inheritance was already won. This answered the obedience question, showing their genuine commitment to God’s plan and promise. It also answered the political question, showing their genuine commitment to the other tribes and acknowledging that the entire nation had won the land to which they now wished to stake a claim (v. 18).

Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – SETTLING THE LAND EAST OF THE JORDAN RIVER →

Read Numbers 22:1-23:26

You might remember Francis the Talking Mule, star of seven popular movies during the 1950s. Francis was a U.S. Army mule who befriended a young soldier named Peter. Francis would talk to Peter—but only to Peter, which of course led to many humorous and difficult situations.

The only donkey that has actually talked in real life belonged to Balaam. Balaam was a pagan diviner or soothsayer, a person who claimed to be able to foretell the future and to have some influence with the gods and divinities.

The Moabites and Midianites were petrified. They had heard of Israel’s recent victories and feared they would be next to be overrun by the “horde” (22:4). They felt they needed supernatural help, and they decided to pay for Balaam to use his skill to pronounce a curse on their enemies. Though Balaam was not a follower of God, apparently he knew His voice when he heard it. The Lord told him not to dare to curse people whom He had blessed (22:9–12). Despite his greed (see 2 Peter 2:15–16), Balaam at first obeyed, perhaps out of fear or concern for his reputation—a curse that didn’t work would be bad for business. But when offered a higher price, he couldn’t resist moving in the desired direction.

The famous episode with his talking donkey took place on the way to deliver his curses (22:21–35). God mercifully sent this miraculous warning to impress upon Balaam the seriousness of His previous command not to curse Israel (23:19). His “path [was] a reckless one” (22:32), flirting with disobedience. In a bit of divine comedy, Balaam ended up not cursing but blessing the Israelites multiple times!

APPLY THE WORD

As Balak and Balaam discovered, God is the King of kings, whether or not people or nations acknowledge His rule or even believe in His existence. Praise the Lord today for His sovereignty. Rejoice that you can have a personal relationship with God. And thank Him for His guidance and protection in your life.

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Read Numbers 8

Expositing Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, New Testament scholar D. A. Carson wrote: “In much contemporary evangelism, there is little concern for whether or not God will accept us, and much concern for whether or not we will accept him. Little attention is paid to whether or not we please him, and much to whether or not he pleases us. . . . As a result, there is far too little stress on God’s character and the requirements of the kingdom, and far too much stress on our needs.”

Today’s passage presents an instructive contrast. In order to serve in the tabernacle, the Levites were required to meet God’s standards for purity and holiness. Following the dedication of the tabernacle, the next step was the consecration of the Levites.

The Levites’ one-day ceremony was rich with spiritual symbolism. Water—sprinkled and used for bathing and washing clothes—represented cleansing. There was even a special recipe and ritual for preparing holy water (see Lev. 19:9). Shaving their entire bodies signified completeness. Bulls were offered as a sin offering and burnt offering to make atonement. The laying on of hands indicated substitution—they represented the nation (vv. 10, 16–18). And their public presentation by Aaron, the high priest, showed that they were now prepared and qualified for service.

Males served between the ages of 25 and 50. It appears that there was a five-year period of training, with full service beginning at age 30 (4:3). Perhaps because the job was physically strenuous, retirees could assist or perhaps stand guard, but no more than that. What an honor it must have been to be a Levite, but also a serious responsibility with God-given standards. The same is true for ministry today.

APPLY THE WORD

Specifically pray for the leaders of your church by name. Ask the Lord to keep them strong in faith as they lead the congregation. Pray for their purity of heart and obedience to God. Pray that they may have the physical health and strength for ministry. And ask the Lord how you can encourage and support them and their families.

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