August 31 – A King’s Duty

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.” – Proverbs 31:8-9 (NASB)

The last chapter of Proverbs is made up of two poems which are generally attributed to a person named King Lemuel. The more familiar is the second one called “The Excellent Wife” verses 10-31. The first is “The Wise King” verses 2-9. We don’t know much about King Lemuel, other than what is revealed in Proverbs 31. The name Lemuel means “for God” or “devoted to God.” Based on this one passage we know that Lemuel was a king, he had a wise mother, and he wrote some poetry. Many commentators have surmised that Lemuel is actually King Solomon—in which case the mother would be Bathsheba. Others suggest King Hezekiah or that Lemuel and his mother are characters created Solomon as a picture of an ideal king and queen mother. The counsel from King Lemuel’s mother is good advice for any leader of men. Plead for those who cannot plead their own case, namely those who are otherwise ruined by their condition of weakness. A country’s leaders duty was to righteously uphold the case of the helpless in both physical (v. 6) and material (v. 9). May the Lord grant us many rulers like King Lemuel heeding this advice. 

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November 17 – Unsearchable and Unfathomable

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”  Romans 11:33 (NASB)

In the letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to those who were following Jesus and lived in Rome, he shares this praise of the Lord God which expands our thinking about His magnificence.   God knows everything and He acts in perfect wisdom.  We do not  claim to understand all that God has done in the past nor all that He brings to pass in our lives but that doesn't mean that we can't accept what He does.  Even as we find it beyond our understanding what God is doing, our faith and trust in God confirms His ways as perfect in wisdom and His knowledge as complete and lacking nothing.  We do not question what God does because we believe what He has said in the Bible and we remember how great He is and how much He loves us regardless of what is happening in our lives.  

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August 13 – From Promise to Reward

“The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:9b-11 (NASB)

We have selected three verse passage today from Psalm 19.  It is in these verses we find our promise while all the words are promises we point out some of them. God has been so faithful for all time to reveal His will through His Word in the Scriptures.  David, who wrote this psalm states that the judgments of the Lord are true and right in total.  In fact, David compares their value to fine gold by stating that God's word is more desirable than gold and sweeter than fresh honey.  This was David's experience and he gives his testimony.  We read these verses especially because of the last words in v. 11.  God gives us instructions in His Word because He wants us to be warned by them and to receive great reward that comes to us from keeping them.  God wants His word to become a part of our lives every day and promises us great reward if we do so.  

Note: If you have found hope and encouragement in these daily blogs, please share them with your friends.  

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August 6 – Depth of All Things

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” Romans 11:33  (ESV)
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”  Romans 11:36  (ESV)

Worship is most often associated with services in church on Sundays, special meetings, or even in our homes as we view and listen to worship services on television or radio.  But, worship can happen wherever we are anytime of the day or night.  In the letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul finds reason to express words of worship as he is writing the letter.  We do need often to be reminded how great a God we have.  All things are from Him. He made the universe. He made us.  Everything that we have has come to us through Him.  We don't really produce anything by ourselves apart from God.  The riches and wisdom and the knowledge of God is a deep resource without end.  We acknowledge that we cannot fully comprehend His ways.   And, all this is for the purpose of giving glory to Him.  That is the promise of this verse – from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  

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May 28 – Reminder to Remember – Memorial Day (USA)

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,” Psalm 105:4-5 (NIV)

Memorial Day is a special day for remembering. We know that this day has been observed in the United States of America for more than one hundred years. It began after the Civil War and was at first called Decoration Day.  But the idea of a special day for remembering is much older than that. We know that God prescribed memorials at several times in Bible days because He did not want His people to forget what He had done for them. Our verse today is one such reminder to remember. So today when we remember other important things like those who have given their lives while serving our country in wars, let's be sure to remember also our God and the wonders He has done for us. What He has done is recorded in the Bible and is for all people. Let's think too of how He has helped us in the past. All this will help us look to the Lord as we are reminded in our verse. Remember today and every day that God is with us helping us with every step we take.  

Notes on Memorial Day in USA

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