Daily Devotional
February 12 - 20, 2010
February 12
I Chronicles 5-6
"… and Jehozadak went along when the Lord carried Judah and Jerusalem away into exile by Nebuchadnezzar" (6:15). Chronicles briefly sketches the big picture of Israel's history, starting with Adam and Noah and including the terrible defeats by the Assryian and Babylonian empires. Certain Israelite genealogies end with the family being taken into exile (5:22, 26). Of course, that wasn't the end of the story. The God who promised a future to Adam, Noah, and Abraham was still working.
More than simply overlooking our failures, God redeems them. Israel's tragic exile produced saints like Daniel, who loved God in a foreign land.
February 13
Proverbs 20
"Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance" (v18). While our American culture emphasizes independent thinking, the scriptures encourage us to consult wise friends before decision-making. The "lips of knowledge" (v15) are more precious than silver and gold, so good counsel is extremely valuable. Talking about other people's choices is a very different thing: "do not associate with a gossip" (v19). A spirit of humility can lead us to seek help.
"Man's steps are ordained by the Lord" (v24). With prayer and thoughtful counsel, we can confidently make God-honoring choices.
February 14
Psalm 78
"That the generation to come might know … that they should put their confidence in God, and not forget the works of God" (v6). The "dark sayings" of the psalmist included encouragement and warnings. God's people, the Israelites, experienced amazing miracles, such as, "He led them with the cloud by day" (v14). Despite God's blessings, "they still continued to sin against Him" (v17). God was compassionate toward the sinners (v38), but they suffered much as well (v34).
"Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?" (v19). God wants us to consider the past and answer "yes," trusting Him also for the future.
February 15
Acts 27
"He took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat" (v35). Paul's actions remind us of holy communion- God's eternal provision. Eating during the Mediterranean storm was practical; they needed food to survive the journey. Yet Paul also ate to demonstrate that "I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told" (v25). His faith inspired the others, and "all of them were encouraged" (v36).
Wind and water raging around him, Paul believed that God would be faithful "exactly as I have been told."
February 16
Acts 27
"This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar" (v32). For some, Paul's imprisonment was a failure. He was not increasing in success or material goods, and he was not realizing personal goals. He had made the mistake of appealing to Caesar, so he was obligated to go to Rome for trial. Yet Paul preached about Jesus to Governor Felix, Festus, King Agrippa and Bernice, and all the other court officials. Being "set free" was not his main concern.
True freedom is learning to serve Jesus and be content "in whatever circumstances" (Phil 4:11).
February 17
Acts 28
"And he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law and the Prophets, from morning until evening" (v23). In Rome, Paul invited the Jewish leaders to come and listen to him talk about Jesus. His presentation was quite different from his encounters on Malta, where many were dramatically healed by the Spirit.
Paul's logical explanations and miraculous healings were both true to the Person of Jesus. We can't afford to choose "a method" of evangelism; in all ways and places, we are witnesses of Jesus Christ.
February 18
I Chronicles 7-9
"So all Israel was enrolled by genealogies … And Judah was carried away into exile …" (9:1). Being Jewish in ancient times was mainly a matter of proving one's ancestry. There were certainly converts in the community, but land-owning families could trace their genealogies back to Abraham. Tragically, the Babylonian exile years destroyed some of that continuity. Those who returned to Judah were only given land if they could prove their family line.
The inheritance of faith is much more secure. Through Christ, we enjoy "the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us" (Eph 1).
February 19
I Chronicles 10
"So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord …" (v13). This quick summary doesn't tell us about Saul's eternal destiny. What we do know is that his lack of faith cost him a kingdom. Consulting with a medium/witch demonstrated to the world that Israel's king did not have faith in God. God had chosen Saul and promised to bless him, yet when gripped by fear, Saul turned elsewhere for help.
God doesn't require us to be brave (even kings get frightened). But being His children means leaning on Him for help, trusting completely in His love.
February 20
I Chronicles 11 "Now these are the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave him strong support in his kingdom …" (v10). The deeds of the "mighty men" are better than super-hero stories. Benaiah "killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day" and killed a giant Egyptian with his own spear (v22-23). Jashobeam fought 300 men by himself. And three of David's loyal men risked their lives, breaking through the enemies' camp to get him a drink of water.
