We need more people from Issachar

Scripture

²³ These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, as the LORD had said:… ³² from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do… (1 Chronicles 12:32)

Observation

As the Chronicler lists those who joined the ranks of David’s army he numbered them and gave a descriptor. Coming to the volunteers from the tribe of Issachar, he pointed out that these were people “who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”

I understand that this description was not given as an evangelistic comment – it just seemed right for these men to join David at this time. But looking at the church today, we need more people like this. We need more people who understand the world, the times we live in, who know what the people of God should do – and most importantly (like this group of soldiers) sign up for service to that end!

Many of us either understand the church or the world, but we don’t understand both. We need men and women who deeply love Jesus and want to see his kingdom come, who also understand the world and the times we live in and are willing to do what it takes to bring the hope and good news of Jesus to people who are in desperate need of God’s love, hope, and forgiveness.

Application

Today, I will buy one or two magazines dealing with popular culture and I will read them cover to cover. I will do this prayerfully, asking God which of these things are things that accurately describe the times and world we live in – and toward which of these things I should steer my ministry.

Prayer

Thank you, God, that you are God of this city – God of these times. By the power of your Holy Spirit, help me to be a person who understands the time in which I live and know what needs to be done – all for your glory – that others may come to have a personal relationship with you! Amen.

Dedication for David

Scripture

¹⁷ David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” ¹⁸ So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the LORD. ¹⁹“God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it. (1 Chronicles 11:17-19)

Observation

I am very impressed with the dedication of David’s 30 mighty warriors who formed his principal guard. These men would do anything for David – even run the gauntlet for a cup of water.

I don’t think that David actually wanted the cup of water; I think he was daydreaming and remembering the well that had been taken by the Philistines. He said out loud – more to himself than to any other, “I wish I could have just one cup of water from that well that has been lost.” Their service to David, being what it was, three of these mighty fighting men got up and risked life itself to bring back a cup of this water. Now that is dedication!

Because David recognizes the sacrifice that it took for these three (and maybe to dissuade others from attempting the same thing) he refuses to drink the water. Instead he pours it out as an offering to the LORD. This thing that he dreamed of – he gives back to God with thanksgiving – a beautiful picture of worship!

Application

I want to lead like David: so inspiring people that they are willing to go to whatever end to accomplish the task. I would hope that my desires and directions wouldn’t be as capricious as asking for a cup of imported water – but their dedication to David says a lot about what kind of leader he was.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I ask that you would continue to develop the leadership gifts that you have given me. Let me be a leader like David so that I bring out the best in those around me. Give me wisdom to know what to ask for – and what desires to think about, pray about, but not say out loud. Amen.

The Wisdom of Solomon

Scripture

¹⁹ A feast is made for laughter, 
       wine makes life merry, 
       and money is the answer for everything. (Ecclesiastes 10:10)

Observation

Here we see the legendary wisdom of Solomon that is corrupt at the end of his days. Feasts are made for laughter, and wine can bring merriment, but is is because of this final comment that Solomon has turned to despair. Money was his answer for everything – and because of this, everything is ‘vanity of vanities’ everything is meaningless, there is nothing new under the sun. How disappointing.

We know from the account of Solomon’s life that his love of money and foreign wives that he stopped following the God of Israel and was led astray by his wives worship of other gods. When he was first serving as king he saw wisdom as the best gift to receive and asked God for this. Now, it appears that in his wisdom he knows that all of us end in death, that calamity strikes the rich and the poor – so might as well be rich if every thing else is the same.

But in the middle of his argument is the gaping hole left by God. All of what he said is true from a purely humanistic point of view, but believing in God, trusting not only on our own understanding, listening for insight that we alone could never have can bring greater feasts, deeper merriment and even help us to find answers when our money is gone.

Application

I am all for feasting and merriment but I will not agree with Solomon that money is the answer to everything. This is a fool’s argument. I will ask God to bless me with what I need, and trust that this is enough for today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I lift your name and your wisdom above all others today. I pray that your reign and your will be established and done here in the midst of us; Give me today all that I need for life and service and help me know this is enough. Enable me to be forgiving, remembering the depth to which I am forgiven in Jesus Christ. Keep my eyes, hands, and lips from evil today. May your name be praised! Amen.

The Prayer of Jabez

Scripture

¹⁰ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10)

Observation

In the middle of this really long list of descendants, without many comments, we find this prayer of Jabez. The prayer is simple, and we see that God granted his request. We don’t know why – but we do know that God answered. In this prayer that God answered, Jabez prayed four things: that God would bless him, that God would enlarge his territory, that God would be with him, and that Jabez could be free from pain.

I know that here there can be the danger of the prosperity gospel – that all we have to do is ask for it and God will give it to us – no matter what. I know that there are godly people who pray prayers like this only to see their territory decrease, and experience lives filled with pain – even though God is still with them (the example of Naomi comes to mind).

With that healthy corrective in place, let’s look at the exciting part of this prayer. Jabez asks God to do what only God can do. The faith that is shown in this prayer trusts that God’s desire is to bless, it is God’s desire to be close, God can keep us from pain, and God can bring enlargement and increase. Jabez trusts God for all of these things – and receives them!

Application

I, too, will trust that God can answer prayers. And I will look to him with the eyes of faith, knowing that God can do immeasurably more than all I could ask or even imagine. So, as I prayer this “Prayer of Jabez” I am fully trusting that this God who sent Jesus that I might have a relationship with him, will also hear my prayer!

Prayer

Dear God, please grant this prayer to me as you did to Jabez: “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” Amen.

Day of Rest

There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.

Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.

No Scheduled Reading

On Discipleship Journal’s “Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan” there are no assigned readings after the 28th of each month. Use this time to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past month, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revisit favorite or recently read passages.

I’m going to see if I can catch up on some of the reading and posts that I have missed and will post again on the first of next month.

Grace and peace to you!

Most Excellent Lover of God

Scripture

¹Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, ²just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)

Observation

This is how Luke begins his first of two volumes – his Gospel. We see that it is addressed to Theophilus, a name which means Lover of God, and we see Luke’s purpose in writing, “that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

From this, I deduce that this Lover of God, already knows something about Jesus, but has doubts that need to be assuaged, or he needs to be persuaded more fully. This is Luke’s intent, and I think we should keep this in mind as we read through this story of the good news of Jesus!

Application

It is good to remember that the Gospels, and the Bible for that matter, didn’t just drop out of the sky, but they were inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by particular authors at a particular time in history, and addressed to a particular group of people.

I will keep this in mind as I read. I will look for times where it seems that Luke is clarifying the person and nature of Jesus, I will look for times when Jesus’ more-than-humanity is revealed – for surely this is Luke’s aim.

Prayer

Inspiring God, thank you for Luke, thank you for Theophilus and all the other God-Lovers throughout history who have sought the truth and who have found you. Give me eyes to read this Gospel well – that I might have my doubts assuaged, and my errors of belief corrected as I read this account of your precious Son. Inspire my reading just as you inspired Zechariah, John, Anna, Simeon, Mary, and Jesus. Amen.

It Only Takes One

Scripture

¹ In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. ² He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. ³ He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. (2 Kings 18:1-3)

Observation

These bright words of hope come when we have heard that king after king ‘evil in the sight of the LORD.’ Finally there is a king that did not follow in his father’s footsteps. These verses are a reminder to me that we each come to God on his terms – we are not bound to the actions of our forebears. King Hezekiah did what was right – not what he had seen modeled around him. We aren’t told how he came to these decision, but we see God’s response. God granted him success in all that he did. He had success where his ancestors had failure. This is good news.

Application

Today, I will remember that I am not doomed to repeat the mistakes my ancestors made – I have to choose for myself. My hope is that I do not make all new mistakes, but learn from mine and the mistakes of those who came before me. I plan to seek the LORD with all my heart. That choice is up to me!

Prayer

Holy, gracious, and forgiving God. Thank you for this portion of scripture that reminds us that we are punished for our own deeds, not those of our ancestors. Give me the grace that I may live well according to your expectations – and to claim the blood of Jesus when I fall short. Amen.

A Holy Renovation

Scripture

¹³ The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD; ¹⁴ it was paid to the workmen, who used it to repair the temple.¹⁵ They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty. (2 Kings 12:13-15)

Observation

King Joash made it a priority to repair and restore the temple – the place that God had chosen to reside and to interact with humanity. All the money that was brought in to the temple as gifts were to be used in the repairs. I find it interesting that we see some of the priorities of the priests at this time of renovation when money was tight. The priests decided to go without some of the things they had been buying before. After all, what good are “silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles” when the temple is in a state of disrepair? I also appreciate reading that the priests didn’t follow the workers around to check and double check what was being done and the cost of everything because they didn’t have to – those entrusted with the money “acted with complete honesty.”

Application

Fix the leaky roof before you buy pretty furnishings and things that are nice to have. In this Bible story, I see important priorities illustrated. But the question is: in my life, what are the structural imperfections that could jeopardize everything? This must be my focus – to allow the Holy Spirit to work on me in such a way that these are renovated!

Prayer

God, I want you to work on the areas of my life that could jeopardize everything. I know that I am not aware of all of them, so ‘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.

Day of Rest

There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.

Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revist favorite or recently read passages.