Category: Year B

1 Chronicles 10:1-14

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            The books of Samuel and Chronicles contain, for the most part, the same content and material concerning the kings of Israel and Judah. Yet, whereas 1 & 2 Samuel gives a more straightforward narrative, 1 & 2 Chronicles often provides the narrative with explanatory comments.  So, we have such a story in today’s Old Testament lesson.  The last chapter of 1 Samuel gives an account of King Saul’s death, along with his sons.  However, in 1 Chronicles 10, we get the narration of their deaths along with a clear concise note on why King Saul perished in battle:
 
“So, Saul died for his breach of faith.  He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.  He did not seek guidance from the LORD.  Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse” (ESV).
 
            The original compiler of Chronicles did so for the Jewish exiles who were returning to Palestine.  He did not want to simply recount the important stories of the kings of Israel; he wanted the exiles to know exactly why they went into exile to begin with, and how in the future they could keep it from happening again.  So, Saul served as Exhibit A of the kind of person that erodes the true worship of God and lives against the grain of faithfulness to the Lord.
 
            The true measure of a person of God is not in titles, positions, or membership.  The real test of a God-follower is being faithful to the revealed will of God contained in Holy Scripture.  Thus, to read it, know it, and live it is one of our highest callings as God’s people.
            Eternal God, you remain the same throughout the ages of time.  Help me to be faithful to your standard of righteousness and live faithfully into the ways of Jesus, my Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 119:113-128

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Some people try to avoid sin.  Others sin with impunity.  Most try to steer clear of the biggie sins while indulging in so-called minor ones.  Sin is messy business.  But no matter the form or the attempt at dealing with or without sin, the bottom line is that we all sin because we like it.  We might not like the consequences of sin, but it tastes good while doing it.
 
            That is why we need a complete re-orienting of our hearts to hate every way that is contrary to God.  The psalmist proclaimed: “I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.”  If we sin because we like it, the way to avoid sin is to learn to hate it – to loathe it so badly that it is like a nasty stench in our nostrils.  Hating sin comes from the acquired taste of loving God’s commandments.  When we come around to cherish and desire God’s Word above everything else, then sin gradually becomes so odious to us that we want nothing to do with it.
 
            The reason the psalmist could proclaim such an extended love song to the commands of God is that he tasted how good they were.  And it caused him to forsake every false path to human enjoyment.  The reason I constantly encourage myself and others to read Scripture every single day with a solid plan is that it really does have the power to change our taste buds.  Sustained, consistent, daily eating of the psalms will teach us to want God and his ways while forsaking the dark path of insolence and oppression.
            God Almighty, I pray that you will deal with me according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.  I am your servant; give me understanding so that I might know and live by your commands and forsake the evil of the world.  Amen.

1 Samuel 18:6-30

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Anxiety tends to warp our thinking.  Maybe that statement seems a bit harsh.  After all, everyone is anxious at some time or another.  Anxiety is part and parcel of the human experience; it is something we all have in common.  However, when anxiety takes root in the heart it bears the fruit of unholy fear.  Today’s Old Testament story illustrates the insecurity and irrationality that an unchecked anxious heart can produce.
 
            King Saul was jealous of David’s success in battle.  Behind Saul’s anxiety was the concern that David was in the limelight.  It made Saul angry that David was getting all the attention.  Since he was the one in charge, Saul kept putting David in situations where it seemed that he would certainly fail.  But instead of failure, David had wild success in everything he did.  The text makes it clear that this was because “the LORD was with him.”  This made Saul even more anxious and afraid to the degree that he had malevolent motives behind everything he did toward David.  Even though it might not have looked evil on the outside, in reality the interior life of Saul was a mess, and it made him stupid.
 
            When Saul saw and knew that God was with David, it only reinforced his fear and led him down a dark path.  In contrast to Saul, David had a character developed in the lonely place of the pasture.  Genuine integrity is always forged in the secret place where no one is looking.  If we are only concerned for outward performance and/or perfectionism, all kinds of anxieties can develop and warp our sense of reality.  But if we pay attention to the inner person and allow God to create a deep faith within, then we can stand strong even when there are those who have ill will against us.
            Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Amen.

1 Samuel 8:1-22

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            In the days of the prophet Samuel, the people asked for a king.  They had never had one before.  Samuel, and others before him, served as Judges who led the people in special times and acted as intercessors between the people and God.  Samuel was not pleased that the people asked for a king because he understood that there were two realities behind the request:  1) Israel wanted to be just like all the other nations in having a king; and, 2) Israel was rejecting God as their rightful king.
 
            What the ancient Israelites wanted from an earthly king was what God himself was really supposed to do for them.  It is God who is Sovereign over everyone and everything; an earthly king only rules partially.  An earthly king cannot provide all of the people’s needs for them.  Yet, even in this present day and age, people of all kinds still look to earthly politicians and pastors to meet their every need.  This is why so many people get upset and have visceral reactions to politics and the church – far too many of them expect a human authority figure to do for them what God is supposed to do. 
 
            No other human being can fight your battles for you.  No other person can do your relational and spiritual work for you.  We must all take charge of our own lives and be responsible to develop and cultivate spiritual and relational practices that connect us with the God who is in charge of the universe.  We can then ask God for things according to his will, not ours.  God ended up giving Israel a king, even when it was not the best of ideas on their part.  Be careful what you ask for; you just might get it.
            All-wise God, I look to you for the discernment to even know what I ought to be asking for in prayer.  Guide me into truth and grace so that in everything I will make wise decisions that reflect your sovereignty over the church and the world. In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.