Day 243 - 2 Chronicles 7 & Psalm 57

 Julie

"His steadfast love endures forever." God tells Solomon that he has chosen this temple as the place that he will hear the prayers of those who ask for forgiveness from their evil ways. He tells him that if they come here to sacrifice and repent then he will hear them and forgive them. However, if they choose to not follow the commandments of God then he will remove them from the land.

God has glory over all of the earth. This singer is praising God for his faithfulness and mercy, and for saving him. He vows to continue to praise God.

 

Michelle

Here again we see that his steadfast love endures forever.  I wonder how many times we will see this in the bible.  Your synopsis tells it all.  God repeats this over and over again throughout the generations.  Follow my commands and you will prosper and all will be forgiven, serve other gods and I will bring plague or you will not prosper.  It seems pretty clear.  

It's interesting sometimes how you find something different in the reading than I do.  I wonder if it's my mindset while I read.  I sometimes get distracted while reading and my mind goes to things going on in life.  This happened today.  When I read verse 4, I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts - men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.  I have felt this way recently and it took me immediately to a work situation.  In reading verse 10 it brought me back to the words "his steadfast love endures forever", although that is not exactly what it said that is what I thought.  The devotional highlights verses 2-3, "I cry out to God most high, to God, who vindicates me.  He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me - God sends forth his love and his faithfulness".  This sounds like how I have been feeling.  It talks about David in a dark and lonely cave, hiding from King Saul, in fear.  The question asked is "How did David climb out of his soul's dark hiding place?".  This hit me.  I felt this question.  It goes through how David was able to come out of it giving us steps to walk through.  "If you're in the dark, follow David's steps and walk toward the light:  (1) Cry out for mercy.  (2) Remember God's love and faithfulness.  (3) Verbalize your fears.  (4) Pray that God's will be accomplished in your life for his glory.  Then choose to worship God wherever you may be."  These are some solid steps to follow.  Like an instruction for getting yourself out of that dark place.  I will be writing these down to refer to when I am spiraling into the dark abyss.  

Day 242 - 2 Chronicles 5:2 - 6 & Psalm 56

 Julie

"For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." I love how often this is repeated over and over again. I have marked every time I have read steadfast love since I noticed it and now I wish I had done that from the beginning. I feel like it's an awesome reminder that his love is always there. 

Solomon finishes the temple and places the ark and prays to God asking for him to forgive the sins of anyone that repents in the house of worship. This could be where the Catholics get their practice of going to confession. Although, I did not see whether God has agreed to this yet or not. 

"In God I Trust." These are words that we have seen or heard most of our lives, although it's as we instead of an I. It's interesting that although we have heard this for so long it has not sunk in the way that it should. What I needed to hear this morning was the first 4 verses of this psalm. I do feel like this every day and I need to pray and say, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" That might need to be part of a daily prayer to help build that confidence and trust.

 

Michelle

His steadfast love stood out to me as well.  It does seem to be repeated quite often.  As we have read, the Ark is brought to the temple, Solomon dedicates it and gives prayer and asks God to forgive those that pray to him in the temple, forgiving their sins.  It does seem relative to the Catholic confession.  Makes sense.  The devotional with this section is pretty powerful.  It's called Loose Ends.  It talks about how God told David that he would not be the one to finish the temple, Abraham was promised descendants but would never see them, the prophets were promised a Messiah, but they didn't live to see him in the flesh.  That we can't always finish what we start and how that idea is counter to our sensibilities as women.  We have lists, planners, and people depending on us and we hate loose ends.  But that sometimes we are supposed to leave those loose ends dangling.  Never thought of this.  It talks about how David started preparing for the temple and that God said it wasn't his to build but that his son would build it.  "Much of the work we do for God is a continuation of what another person began."  Who would have thought that.  "If David had pressed ahead with constructing the temple, not only would he have been disobedient but he also would have deprived his son of a unique opportunity to use his wisdom, gifts and talents to serve God....The simple truth is that loose ends leave room for someone else to come along and continue the work in new and unique ways.  And God may want you to move forward to a different phase of life.  Leaving room for loose ends allows God's kingdom to extend beyond our influence and reach into eternity." I have never thought of it this way.  When it's time to move on from something, I always feel like it needs to be completed first, but this gives a whole other perspective.  That it's not that you are leaving it left unfinished, but allowing another the opportunity to continue and progress in their own God given way.  What a revelation.  This makes me think of things we are going thru now.  It's hard to walk away from things, especially when you have given so much of yourself to something.  But maybe, this is leaving the door open for God to put someone else there to continue what you started.  And while we may have bitter feelings about the way things are getting left and the issues that have arisen that are moving us out, that is for God to handle and whomever he puts in that place, as it may be their talents that need to be used in that situation now, or maybe they are needing what you were given while there and it's their time.  Such a different perspective to be given today. 

I think you are right about the psalm.  Verses 3 and 4 stood out to me as well and yes can be a constant prayer right now.  "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.   In God, whose word I praise--in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?".  Such powerful words.  And relates so heavily to how I am feeling lately.  Stop thinking about those around you that seem to be pushing against you in every way, but focus and put your trust in God to bring you through and past this, knowing he will take care of you.  

Day 241 - 2 Chronicles 3-5:1 & Psalm 55

 Julie

This explained in detail how Solomon built the temple. It described everything that he had made to put in and the exact measurements of everything. 

Cast your burdens on the Lord and trust in him to protect you and work in your life. If you cast your burdens he will take care of your enemies.

 

Michelle

The details of this temple make it sound quite magnificent.  I wish we had an actual pictorial representation of the temple.  It sounds amazing.  

I think your interpretation is correct.  A few parts stand out.  The beginning when it says, "my thoughts trouble me and I am distraught...My heart is in anguish within me....Fear and trembling have beset me...Oh that I had the wings of a dove I would fly away and be at rest...far from the tempest of the storm".  I feel this sometimes.  More often than I would like.  The last line really give you direction though, "But as for me, I trust in you".  That is powerful in that no matter what you are going thru or feeling, continue to trust in the Lord and he will take care of you.

Day 240 - 2 Chronicles 1-2 & Psalm 54

 Julie

God asks Solomon what he can give him, and Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge where some might have asked for long life or wealth. God actually points out that Solomon basically asked for the right thing and because he did God also granted him wealth. At that time, based on what we have read, people might have asked for those things. Honestly, I think that even now if God were to come down and ask that same question people would say long life or wealth. But the wisdom and knowledge of God will guide us further in our lives and open us up more for the glories of God.

This psalm was a prayer/hymn of David during a time that he was hiding from Saul. He is asking for God to protect him and deliver him from his enemies.

 

Michelle

I think you are correct, in that people now would first turn to life or wealth or popularity.  That seems to be the focus of many.  It makes sense that he would and should ask for wisdom and knowledge to lead the people, considering the vast number and overwhelming responsibility that is.  Asking God for those things would give you far more than asking anything else.  What gave me pause it that after reading that god will be blessing him with what he asked and that he will also provide him wealth, possessions and honor, what is then told about Solomon is how much wealth and possessions he accumulated.  It does this in previous readings as well.  It seems we hear alot about how much each king has even though that is not or should not be people's focus.  It's also interesting that the king of Tyre gives praise to the God of Israel in his response to Solomon.  As we have read there are many whom don't believe in our God yet this king gives him praise anyway.  Just leaves me with questions.  

The preface to this book talks about how Solomon's rule starts out strong because he seeks wisdom from God.  And while he receives that gift, as he gets to the end of his life he often turns his back on it.  It says we will hear about various kings of Judah and how they alternate bad and good until the Law of God is found, suggesting it was lost at some point.  It says that it illustrates that it is possible to start life dedicated to God and end it distracted by false gods and wrong priorities, even the kings of God's own people were not immune to the lure of self-centered desires and false gods.  There is also a devotional to the beginning of chapter 2 that speaks of something beautiful for God.  This devotional moved me to tears actually.  There is a quote from Dorothy Lee Sayers attached that reminded me what my talents are and that I should be using them to benefit God and myself.  It says, "[Work] is, or should be, the full expression of the worker's faculties, the thing in which he finds spiritual, mental and bodily satisfaction, and the medium in which he offers himself to God."  How powerful is that?  The devotional talks about how it is ok to want something for yourself as long as you don't cling too tightly to it.  That as the saying goes, One for you, one for me, that we should be using our gifts, wealth, possessions to help God and others.  The temple that is built is of the finest quality.  And that even though God doesn't need our things, he ordains our work and endows us with creativity and talent.  He designed us to be busy about the business of doing things for him, of making all kinds of things that reflect his regenerating grace and that glorify him.  The question asked at the end is, "In what beautiful enterprise might God be directing you to be involved?".  "Whether it's people, projects, aptitudes, or art, you are given the ability to create something that reveals and reflects some of his greatness.  Ask him to provide the resources...the helpers and materials needed to accomplish the goal.  Just be sure to give fairly and generously to the author of your gifts and talents.  Do a God-sized work for him."

The psalm sounds as if David is needing vindication from his enemies.  He asks God for help to be triumphant.  

Day 239 - Psalm 53

 Julie

This psalm is talking about a time where everyone is corrupt and there seems to be no one calling upon God for help. Even when it all seems hopeless we should continue to call on God. He will answer our call in his time and save us from the evil that surrounds us.

 

Michelle

This passage seems like all have turned from God and this person is questioning if there is anyone left that will call on God.  You are right.  When we feel hopeless we need to first turn to God, it all comes in his timing and we need to leave the punishment or justice to God to handle.   

Day 238 - Psalm 52

 Julie

Believe and trust in the steadfast love of God. Know that he will take care of those that are evil and speak lies. 

 

Michelle

This seems like someone is being chastised for speaking evil.  But the other person is saying he will trust in God's unfailing love.   

Day 237 - 1 Chronicles 29 & Psalm 51

 Julie

I am a little distracted this morning and trying to catch up from yesterday. David sings praises to God and dispels God's blessings on people for willfully tithing. 

This psalm seems to be asking for forgiveness from sin from one who is confessing their sins.

 

Michelle

What stood out to me today was verse 9.  "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord.  David the king also rejoiced greatly."  David did bless the people for their willing gifts, providing for the temple and following David's generous example.  What caused me to pause at this one is that the people rejoiced because their leaders were so giving, showing that even as they have much to give, it is all because of God and David even eludes to that fact in his prayer that all they have comes from God.  This can be inspiring for people to see their leaders doing what's right in the eyes of the Lord.  It draws them to follow as there is a level of respect that comes with that.  The part about all we have comes from God was a good reminder for me as well.  We do need to be thankful for what we have been given, but I think this stands out because of what we have been discussing regarding changes in our lives.  God provides all we have, so have faith and know that he will give what we need.   It also sounds like we will be reading more about David as we continue in the bible as it referenced others.

I agree.  The psalm sounds like someone confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness.  What stood out to me is verse 10, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me.  I am not sure why this one spoke to me.  But it made me want to pray this. 

I had to come back to this one because there was a devotional attached that I missed.   But it caught me.  "Until we stop making excuses, we aren't ready to be forgiven."  When we blame others, or our circumstances, or justify our actions, we are just making excuses.  We also can't change the name to cover sin, such as gossiping vs sharing, coveting vs admiring, lying vs explaining.  God doesn't buy it.  It tells the story of David having his lover's husband killed to have her trying to redefine adultery.  God doesn't forgive excuses, but he does forgive sin.  We need to take responsibility and confess.  It says, Repentance frees us, honesty renews us, and God's mercy cleanses us.