Day 56: Jeremiah 23:9-33

So this is not the Bible in 90 days, but I'm continuing through.  Maybe my next go round will be 90 days.  I'm going to read through the Message next as I'm sticking to my wee NIV right now.

I don't know how anyone can say that the God in the Old Testament is a God of wrath.  They haven't read Jeremiah.  Don't get me wrong, he is wrathful here, but there is so much compassion, so much aching and longing, so much mercy.

I love God.  I do.  He is just, no doubt, but he is also soooooo good.

He rages against the false prophets, but doesn't he have a right?  Hello, they've helped contribute to His people's failings and lostness.  He rages against Israel and Judah and the nations (aka the world), but again, these are a people who have turned against him and sought their own measure of justice and right.  They have killed and murdered in their own names and caused needless sufferings.  My goodness, life is so much better if you seek God first - something I have to learn over and over and over.  Yes, God foretells and brings about wrath and judgment and justice, BUT he is full of love and mercy.  Why?

He does not abandon His people, the Israelites.  Throughout these chapters, God says again and again, "I will be there God and they will be my people."  If that is not a loving, caring, longing father/parent, I don't know what is.  He gives them truth - this punishment will come, but he also gives them hope - lives, marry, learn, grow because I'm bringing you back!

Not only will Israel be his people, but all nations will be blessed because of them.  God will fulfill his promise to David and to the Levites (God is so COOL!), check out Jeremiah 33:17-18.

I leave you with these words from Jeremiah 29:10-14.  Take them to heart dear ones.

This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

Day 55: Jeremiah 11-23

Jeremiah has a rough deal.  I like Jeremiah, always have because I feel his pain.  I understand his humiliation and struggle and - dare I say it - even doubt.  God pushes and pushes and pushes Jeremiah.  "Jeremiah, buy a linen belt...."  "Jeremiah, go down to the potter's house..."  "Jeremiah, ..."

"O LORD, you deceived me, and I was deceived; 

you overpowered me and prevailed.  

I am ridiculed all day long; 

everyone mocks me.  

Whenever I speak, I cry out

proclaiming violence and destruction.

So the word of the LORD has brought me 

insult and reproach all day long.

But if I say, 'I will not mention him

or speak his name,'

his word is in my heart like a fire,

a fire shut up in my bones.

I am weary of holding it in; 

indeed, I cannot."

Jeremiah 20:7-9

I like Jeremiah, because he tells it how it is.  I have been reluctant, even resentful as Jeremiah is at times.  You may find me too harsh, but READ Jeremiah.  He is clear.  This, this calling God has given him, it is by no means easy.  It is indeed a struggle.  He curses the day he was born, wishing that he had never been born!  If that's not struggling, I don't know what is.  Jeremiah is honest, and what is more, this is all in God's word.  Life is not all puppy dogs and roses.  God knows that.  He gives us hope.  God is just and merciful.  God knows this is and would be a struggle for Jeremiah, but it was still a calling that had to be carried out.  Jeremiah puts things in perspective.  If this was that hard for Jeremiah, how do you think God felt?  Sure he was angry and right to be so, but don't you think that God, who is loving and just, would also be aching for his people.  He has been the whole time.

Jeremiah's heart was breaking and he was tired and anxious and done.  So was God.

You may feel that is too much personification for the Almighty, but I think that makes Him all the more approachable.  What He asked Jeremiah to do - it was no easy thing.  What He was doing Himself - it was no easy thing.  He had to do this thing because of His character, but there is hope.

"So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land."

Jeremiah 23:7-8

So then, in the meantime, to quote one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time, Sara Groves, "Jeremiah, tell me about the fire.  I wanna know, I wanna know more now..."  I want to know what it is like to have God's spirit and presence so press you, that you must speak it out.  I have known that before.  I want to know it again - with all the blessings and all the pain.

Day 54: Jeremiah 1-10

Well friends, I must say that I really don't think I've read the Bible before at all.  I have read it, but I don't know where my mind was.  I'm definitely reading it now, comprehending it and marveling at it - at God's Word.

Jeremiah - again I feel lucky to have the background that I do having read about the kings not too long ago.  Even if I didn't, the book gives some background, but the context carries more meaning when you actually understand the history to which it refers.

If you ever feel ill equipped for ministry, read Jeremiah 1.  If God calls you, he calls you and he gives you what you need to do his will.  So don't worry.  It is a scary thing, but as trite as it may sound, God is bigger than our fears and he will carry us through.

I love the voice of God in Jeremiah, or the voice Jeremiah lends to God.  The Scriptures were written by human authors and God used their own unique styles and voices for his good work.  So either way, I love the language and the content.  Like Isaiah, there is a great deal of metaphor and description and darn good poetry.  The main imagery here in these chapters, God calling to his bride, his unfaithful bride.  The theme is pretty clear and it repeats throughout these chapters.  There is a clear yearning here, God is calling his people to come back to him.  He pleads with them, "Just repent.  Show me with your heart that you desire to truly follow me and not prostitute yourselves to the desires and gods of these other nations." 

"Oh, my anguish, my anguish!  I writhe in pain.  Oh, the agony of my heart!  My people are fools; they do not know me.  They are senseless children; they have no understanding.  They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good."  Jeremiah 4:19,22.

What has been true and clear up until this point (and will continue on) God desires a transformed and faithful heart.  He does not desire lip service or routine.  He wants the real deal and doesn't He deserve it?  Without it and because of there great unfaithfulness, prostitution really, God exacts judgment.  In His judgment He is just.  You can see that so clearly here in Jeremiah.  There is judgment for all nations, but there is also hope.  Just as it is clear that if Israel/Judah were to repent they would be saved, so to would it be for those of other nations.  God is just and merciful.

May I remember that and may this be my prayer:

"'but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 9:24

Day 52-53: What I've learned from Isaiah

So it's taken me about a month to get back into things.  I must admit I've been plagued by a bit of passivity lately, thank you Joyce Meyer.  On the other hand, I've faced a lot of stress lately, getting sick consistently, starting a new job and trying to ignore God.  All three of these things will keep you very busy, if you let them.  The new job is going well.  I'm an investigator for CPS now, but I still have other things to look into, like Linguistics...  I'm trying to figure out this health thing, thankfully my insurance contracts with Mayo Clinic, Woo hoo!  Ignoring God, well that's just stupid and stubborn.  I get that way sometimes, but according to Isaiah, I'm not the only one with that problem.

Isaiah is a beautiful book and reading the Bible as I am, from start to finish, I find it is easier to engage.  I understand what's happening in Israel and Judah because I read that background in Kings and Chronicles, etc.  So reading what Isaiah has to say makes more sense in light of that.

God is understandable in this book and maybe it's because of the poetry and voice that comes out here in Isaiah, that indeed Isaiah uses, inspired by God himself.  I would like to make a brief comment on the theory/ies posited that Isaiah is written by multiple authors and that there is more than one Isaiah.  I think this really is a compilation of one man's prophesies/writings.  Why?  If one were to gather all my writings together, over my lifetime, they would be much like Isaiah's.  They wouldn't all be in order, they'd be different genres and voices and rather eclectic.  That's the way I am and I think we all are.  I say why not?  Why couldn't it be one man?  It makes sense to me.

Back to what God is saying.  I love God.  He is God, holy and wonderful and terrifying, but he is also loving and good and all of these things saturate Isaiah.  God has a heart, not only for Israel and Judah, but for all the nations.  Really there is no difference between Israel and the other nations, except that God chose them to be his people and bring his salvation to the world through them.  I mean look at their track record, they really were no better than any other nation (they should have known better, being God's people, but that is another matter).  If you don't think the God in the Old Testament is merciful, read Isaiah.  If you don't think is merciful AND just, read Isaiah.  If you don't think God is feminine as well as masculine, read Isaiah.

I never really cared much for Isaiah, before, but reading it now and reading it in light of all that has gone before, well it makes so much more sense.  It makes more sense and I am still amazed.  I am still amazed by God.  Isn't that how it should be?  In spite of everything God calls to his people, he pours his mercy and judgment on them and at the same time says, I am bringing hope, not just for you, but for all peoples now and peoples to come.  Thank you God!  Thank you my LORD and my life!  Thank you and forgive me for taking you for granted.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah.  Now: sleep.

Day 49-50: Isaiah 1-28

We've made it to fifty!  I may eventually catch up to where I'm really supposed to be.  I know I said no playing catch up, but it is not out of necessity, it is just something I may be able to do in the future.  For now it really only seems feasible that I am able to do the required reading for the day.  It's not that I am wasting my time, just using it wisely in all aspects of worshiping God and bringing honor to him.  Sometimes it's about building others up and sometimes it's about receiving that building up.  Ah community!  I would be done reading the Bible if I locked myself up and just read it, but that is not what God has intended for me, for you, for any of us.

Moving forward, Isaiah...  We've met him before back in Kings and Chronicles.  He is Isaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah (1:1).  Check back too and you'll see.  So Isaiah is prophesying toward the end of the Northern kingdom as they are overtaken by the Assyrians and also toward the end of the Southern kingdom (Judah).  He doesn't quite see the demise of Judah, he does of Israel (the northern kingdom), but not his own home.  Still his words about that matter are pretty clear: the end is coming for both because of the unfaithfulness of the Israelites.  A worse fate awaits for the nations that will enslave the Israelites, but the nation will be scattered nonetheless, with only a remnant remaining.

There is a lot of hope in Isaiah.  Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of disaster and warning and judgment as well, but there is always hope and it is an eternal hope as well.

Chapter 1 of Isaiah, as I've been saying all along, it does not matter how you worship the LORD or if you prescribe to the letter of worship, unless your heart is in it also.  That is essentially what chapter 1 says and then in chapter 2 we move to the last days and how there is hope for the future, for all nations as all will come to the "mountain of the LORD."  Pretty cool.  God is a God of this earth and loves all peoples.  Surely, he chose the Isrealites for his people, but his desire is that all nations know Him.  I love God!

Isaiah is chalk full of "Messianic passages."  It's true, chapter 7 talks about the virgin birth; chapter 9 carries that famous line, "For unto us a child is born,... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  Chapter 11 speaks of the root that will come from Jesse and the Spirit of the LORD will rest upon him.  Things pointing to Christ and yet unbeknownst to Isaiah or the Israelites and something they would never see or experience, but we have the benefit of full knowledge, which makes all the more wonderful.  I imagine that the people in Isaiah's day, the ones who perhaps listened to him, wondered what does this mean?  I imagine there was some immediate fulfillment to these prophecies, but did they have any idea of what the ultimate fulfillment of these prophesies would be?  I feel sorry for them that they missed out.  I am sorry for myself as well, that I take this knowledge for granted.

So throughout Isaiah, we have God being completely just and completely holy.  Isaiah 6, his call to follow the LORD.  Isaiah is found in awe of the holy, holy holy, LORD God and rightly responds that he is unworthy.  God's response is pure grace, he makes Isaiah clean and uses this man for His will.  Isaiah is open and willing.  God that my heart would be as open and willing as his.  "Here am I.  Send me!"

God calls his people and the nations into account.  He calls the Israelites into account, but assures them that he will not completely destroy them.  There will be a remnant.  They will return and truly follow the LORD (Is. 10).  It is through this remnant that all nations will be blessed.  All people will come and call on the LORD because of this (Is. 11, 14, 19, 25).  There will be a lot of grief first though, and people will be called into account, the Israelites as well as the other nations, but God is faithful.  The future he is forecasting is scary and bleak, but ultimately there is rejoicing; there is peace and hope.

Isaiah is beautiful and poetic and there is a lot there, just in the power of God and his broadcasting his plans for his people and the nations.  I encourage you as you read Isaiah to have an open mind and be willing to allow God to speak to you.  At times he is harsh, as he is here in Isaiah, but it is often wrapped in love and in hope, as it is here in Isaiah.  Remain open to him and remember that He does not desire words or meaningless sacrifices.  He desires our hearts, that is our firm and committed devotion to Him.  It is no small thing to ask, but we can be girded up by the faith of those who have gone before us.  The faith of people like Isaiah and the remnant, who faced uncertainty, far greater than our own.  They had but a glimpse of Jesus and we have seen all that he was and has done.  We are far better off, but at times I find that my faith is far less.  O God, help my unbelief!

Day 48: Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs

If your heart is heavy with the things of life.  If you are feeling worn down and sorrowful, Ecclesiastes is a book that you may find appealing.  What is the saying, misery loves company?  Well it's true.  I have often found solace in this book and as bleak as it can be, it has brought much perspective to me over the years.  Don't be angry with the author of Ecclesiastes, whether it's Solomon or someone else.  We have all been or are going to be in this place at some point in our lives, that is we will if we have some modicum of self reflection within us.  And that self reflection; being in that place is okay.  If it weren't, why would it be in the Bible.  Okay, let's just say now, God made a mistake.  This downer of a book was never meant to be a part of His Word.  Don't be silly.  It's here for a reason and its reason is good.

Common themes again persist throughout Ecclesiates, riches are meaningless, toil is meaningless, wisdom is meaningless, all living things reach the same end - death.  It's bleak, I know, but there are glimpses of hope and perspective throughout.  Chapter 3:1-15 has long been a favorite of mine, despite it's overall poetic nature, it again assures us that at whatever point in life we are, it is okay.  It is okay to grieve, it is okay to dance; it is okay to be quiet and it is okay to speak; it is okay to love and it is okay to hate.  There is a time for everything.  God has ordained it, let it be.  Live life for "He has made everything beautiful in its time (11)."  I find comfort in that.

Friendship is important.  That is another key theme in Ecclesiastes, a message of hope amidst despair.  Ecc 4:9-12, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."  Friendship is important and, well, it keeps us together.  There are benefits to both parties, and yes the lying down together thing speaks to friendship because think of a time, different than our own, when that wasn't so taboo.  It's something that would be done for survival, lack of space, yadda yadda yadda.  We were not created to be alone, we were made to be in community.

Stand in awe of God (chapter 5).  He is in heaven and we are on earth.  It gives you some perspective.  When you are talking to the Almighty Creator, don't babble on as the pagans do (Jesus' words), let your words be few (Ecc).  God is Creator and we are the unrighteous sinner.  "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins (Ecc 7:20)."  It gives me perspective.  It reminds me that I do not do as I ought and that I stand before the one and Holy God.  I should be humbled and I should be in awe.  He deserves no less.  We cannot understand God fully, but we can seek to serve him and live our lives as best we can (Ch 11-12).  "Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man..  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (12:13-14)

You can be irritated by the author of Ecclesiastes because he seems so stuck on the meaninglessness of things and has no hope for redemption, but remember, we can look back at things with eyes wide open because we have the fullness of revelation and the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  How much more, we should read this book in light of that.  There is hope and just as there is that, all this other stuff is true too.  Let us bring light and hope into the lives of others.  God, let me.

Song of Songs or Song of Solomon
Solomon potentially had a lot of writings here in the Bible.  I don't really have much to say about this book, except that it is an excellent bit of poetry and you can feel the emotions of each of the people within it.  I think what strikes me most about this book is the intimacy of this book and I don't mean sex.  What abounds throughout is how well the lover and the beloved know each other and how they long for each other.  It is a mutual love and a deep love and one that comes from open and ready hearts.  When that doesn't occur, that is the downfall of relationships.  It may only be from one party, but that's all it takes.  I've seen that too often in my life.  "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."  That's important.  Don't chase after something you are not ready for.  If you do, you must be willing to accept it as it is, with all your heart.  God may I truly be open to hear and see and receive you and may I also be willing to be open to give and bleed and let go all of me.

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.  It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.  Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.  If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned." Song of Songs 8:6-7

Day 47: The end of Proverbs and a little meaninglessness

My decision for my job came much sooner than I thought it would.  I'm still on the fence about Bible translation, simply because there is so much to do and be here.  I don't think it's wrong to find ministry and be open to the will of God wherever you are.  Here I am LORD!

I will be an investigator of CPS starting pretty soon, within the next month.  It's extremely daunting and scary, but I think it's the right decision and if it's not, God will let me know pretty quick...

Proverbs:
21:2 "All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart."
21:3 "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Here we are again with matters of the heart and the fact that God continues to look at our inmost being rather than just our outward actions.  He looks at our reasoning, our motives and thoughts.  I pray that mine would be to serve you fully.

Again there are pretty common themes, disciplining your child in a proper weigh, following the advice of your parents will make them proud and honored.  Watch out for the poor and seek to bring them aid.  Be careful what you say and how you say it because it could bring life and joy or death and destruction.

These verses struck me, as they have before, and you too may find them familiar as we are called to do this centuries later through the words of the New Testament.  25:21-22, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you."

Also remember the gift that friends are and that their wisdom can bring much health to your own life.

The three things, even four sayings toward the latter portion of chapter 30 are interesting to read and I encourage you to spend some time with these.  At the least it brings you into God's creation and reminds us how intricate and wonderous this world truly is; this world that God has created for us.

Chapter 31.  It's interesting that this is an acrostic.  I'll just be honest with you, the woman described here is too good.  I cannot comprehend how anyone, male or female, could do and be all the things this woman is, but what this woman reminds me of, is the character of God.  The way that he nurtures and cares for us.  Just giving you something to think about.

Ecclesiastes: It is said that this is written by Solomon and as such it gives me a new perspective on the king I don't like very much.  Ecclesiastes is not a book to read if you want to feel uplifted, but it is still a good book to read and learn from.  All is meaningless and there is nothing new under the sun.  This is the common theme throughout the book and the author tries various means to seek out meaning - through wisdom, through folly, through righteousness, through debauchery and pleasure.  Still we all meet the same fate, death.  This is true and I have been where the author of Ecclesiates has gone.  I have hated life.  I have felt that all was meaningless and "a chasing after the wind."  Still, the author has it right, "without [God] who can eat or find enjoyment?"  He is the author of our life and our reason for existing.  With him there is hope, but we'll get there.  The author has not yet, so tomorrow, more despair moving to hope.  All of it is honesty and life.  Blessings!

Day 45-46: I'm baaaack with the rest of Psalms and Proverbs

So sorry for the very long hiatus.  Things started happening and quite frankly I decided not to stay up too late because I was getting worn down.

Back to Psalms -

136 - fun choral psalm

137 - By the rivers of Babylon... I like this psalm.  It's a psalm of exile and heartbreak.  It's an angry psalm too.  Puts things in perspective and it's okay to feel those things at times.

139 - One of my all time favorites.  In high school and junior high, I would read this A LOT.  It is good to be reminded that God has created and he knows us deeply and intimately and he loves us.  We were created to be with him and he is all around us, never leaving us.  It's comforting and powerful and transforming.  Good for bad self-esteem day.

143 - Hey check it out!  The Holy Spirit is in there!

145 - "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations."  If that's not the kingdom of God, I don't know what is.

150 - A great way to end.  "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!!!!"

Proverbs
I have to admit, proverbs has never been a favorite book of mine and it kind of irritates me a bit.  I suppose it's important and good.  Short, pithy sayings are always good right?  Well sometimes...  I've looked at Proverbs from many sides and been encouraged to study it on many occasions, but my reaction is generally, what's the use?  I know that's rather pessimistic and perhaps this reasoning is part of the reason I have not been too gung ho about keeping up with the reading lately.  Still I've found some pretty important things in Proverbs that cannot be passed up.  So without any further ado...

1:7 - "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge"  It's basic and has been touted as the foundation of Proverbs.  However, as basic as it may be it is true.  You cannot have a right understanding of God or of faith or of life without first recognizing and standing in awe of the Almighty Creator of the universe.  This is something I am still learning and constantly reminded of.

Another theme of Proverbs then is, if you want wisdom, seek the LORD.  Don't fall prey to the fool or pride or your own knowledge and strength.  Seek the LORD; "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6.

The importance of words.  This too is a theme in Proverbs.  Be careful what you say and how you say it.  You may do more damage than you thought and by your words and tone, you may be able to heal a multitude of hurts.

Proverbs is also filled with simple insights, truths, and reminders that this life we lead is not perfect and comes with its own limitations.  "Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy." 14:10; "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief." 14:13.  "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." 15:1.  "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred" 15:17.  "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" 16:9.  A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" 17:17.  For my friend Dani, "Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent - the LORD detests them both" 17:15.  I know Dani would agree with that.

An old song that we still sing sometimes, goes something like this, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" 18:10.  "[T]here is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" 18:24.  That friend I like to think of as Jesus.

I've been struggling recently with plans.  I'm contemplating taking on a different job within my current organization, CPS.  It is a difficult decision and one that I am not taking lightly because people's lives are involved, but it could be a potentially very advantageous career move for me.  Secondly, I'm still trying to discern what, if any role God would have me play in Bible translation.  There are a lot of things that I would like to do with my life, but is it really what God wants.  "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails" 19:21.  God, I pray that would be so.  May I not be caught up in pride or my own desires that I lose sight of you and your will for this life.

Tomorrow (hopefully) the rest of Proverbs.

Day 43-44: Psalm 90-135

So as you read the psalms in a grouping like this, you really notice their similarities and common themes.  That is probably why many of them are grouped the way they are.  It's not a profound statement, but something that I've noticed.  God is our refuge and strength.  He is our shield and shelter.  I will follow the LORD with all my heart, for the LORD is good and his love endures forever.  God is righteous and will judge all peoples.  Sing to the LORD!  Praise Him!  Do not be far from me, O God.  God listens to the cries of his people.  You delight in those that follow your law with their whole heart.  You delight in the faithful.  You show great mercy to those who seek you.  Interestingly enough, these themes are present throughout the rest of Scripture and the Scriptures that we've been reading.  It's not surprising to find them here, they are just more poetic.  :)

Some of my favs:
Psalm 91 - I love the imagery in this psalm and it is my comfort psalm.  When I need to know that God is with me, even when I can't feel him, I read this psalm.

Psalm 100 - Short, sweet and to the point.  "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 102 - I can understand the sentiments of the "afflicted man" perhaps too well.  "For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.  My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food... For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears"  I've had many days of suffering, both physical and emotional.  There are still days when I struggle, but I am not in a time of mourning now.  Still I can understand those times and hopefully that gives me some perspective.

Psalm 103-4 - "Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being praise his holy name."

Psalm 108 - "My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.  Awake, harp and lyre!  I will awaken the dawn.  I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.  For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies."

Psalm 110 - a Messianic psalm.

Psalm 115:1 - "Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."  This was a verse that was used during my college years and it still strikes a chord with me today.

Psalm 116 - Again, I understand what it means when it says, "The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.  Then I called on the name of the LORD: 'O LORD, save me!'"

Psalm 118 - The LORD is with me.  I will not fear.  Another messianic nod - the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

Psalm 119 - The alphabet in Hebrew and how wonderful God's laws are that I meditate on them day and night.

Psalm 121 - My help comes from the LORD...

Psalm 130 - It's short and self explanatory.  It speaks to the cry of my heart.

Psalm 133 - I sang the first verse in Kid's praise 7 with Dani, but I also heard this psalm read in a round, yes, like singing, but speaking.  It was beautiful and powerful and I love the imagery of this simple psalm.

Day 41-42: Psalm 46-89

I don't have another big rant to give to you, but I'll just share some of my favs from this selection.

Psalm 46 - I know it's kind of a staple, but "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."  God being our refuge and strength is a recurring theme in the psalms and just a good reminder.  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Amen.

Ps 49 - If you want to know what a life is worth, I found this interesting and for me, I can't help it.  It points to Christ's death and resurrection.  "No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him - the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough - that he should live on forever and not see decay."

Ps 51 - The whole thing is great and is a good penance psalm for me.  This has oft been the cry of my heart, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."  Remember matters of the heart?  "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Ps 63 - Pure longing for God.  I do not always feel that way and sometimes it is difficult for me to remember the days that I have felt this way, but reading this psalm reminds me and puts it into perspective.  "On my bed I remember you, I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me."

Ps 67 - Much like the oft quoted blessing, "May God be gracious to us and Bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, our salvation among all nations."  For our God is a God who desires for all people to know him.  It reminds me that I am to share his Good News with everyone.

PS 69 - Vivid imagery of suffering and clinging to God.  My hope is in You, LORD.

Ps 71 - God has been with me from my youth, from my birth.  "Do not cast me away when I am old..."

Ps 73 (and the psalms of Asaph - love them.  They seem to be a bit more communal in nature and seem to be more for the assembly gathered for worship, whereas David's psalms seem much more personal.) - God desires faithfulness of heart.

Ps 78 - Remembering God's works for his people Israel.  This is a retelling of Israel's people in poetic form.  I think that's a good way to do it.

Ps 80 - I love the refrain "Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved."

Ps 84 - Much like the song, Better is One Day, here is where it comes from.  I think the actual psalm is even more beautiful though.  :)

Ps 88 - This is a true lament.  It has no neat ending that claims that God has rescued me.  It leaves you hanging and that's how we feel sometime.  If that's the place where you are, which is okay, this psalm is for you.  It's good to know we're not alone.

Ps 89- "I will sing of the LORD's great love forever;" sound like another familiar song to anyone else?  Again, there is much greater depth in the psalm itself.  "Praise be to the LORD forever! Amen and Amen."

Day 39-40: Psalm 1-45

So perhaps I was a little hasty when I said that I hate poetry.  I think, deep down, I really do like and enjoy it.  I really love the psalms.  I took a class in college about the psalms and learned all about the different kind of psalms and parallelism.  So parallelism was the literary device that the Hebrews, and other ancient cultures, used in their poetry, like we use rhyming or free form today.  As a youngun, I was often frustrated by the repetition of the Bible, I mean, not only the psalms use this literary device.  Now that I am aware of it, let's just say I have a new perspective.  I love parallelism, because you have to be a little clever to say almost the same thing again and yet still be different.  There are different kinds of parallelism, you know the whole comparison thing: the wicked man... but the righteous man... that's parallelism.  A new perspective, for me.


Secondly, I really love the psalms because when I couldn't read the Bible, when I was so dead inside and angry at God, the only thing that could get me to crack open the Bible, was the psalms.  I found myself in them and that is the beauty of poetry; that is the beauty of symbolism and metaphor and just plain truth.  "Be merciful to me, LORD for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.  My soul is in anguish.  How long, O LORD, how long?" Ps 6:2-3.  It was words like this that spoke to my grieving and broken soul.  "How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?" Ps 13:1-2.  The psalms of lament were a balm for my pain because it made me feel a little better knowing I wasn't the first or the only one to feel these things.

Then slowly and slowly I could rejoice.  "Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" Ps 42 and 43.  "Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness" Ps 29:1-2.  The healing was a long process, but the LORD's psalms helped to get me there.  So here is some small advice: if you are angry, read the psalms.  If you are sad, read the psalms.  If you are lost and questioning God, your faith, and everything you know, read the psalms.  If you are joyful and want to give God the glory due his name, you guessed it - READ THE PSALMS!!!!  It is good medicine and better than a spoonful of sugar.

Since there are 45 psalms that I read through I'd like to leave you with some thoughts on some of my favorites:

Ps 1 and 2 are considered Messianic psalms.  They are oft quoted and pretty good ones to lift you up.  They also give you a good hint at growing in the LORD.

Psalm 8 - I love that despite us being so low and lowly, God still cares for us and has really given us a great gift in this life.  "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

Ps 18 - I love the descriptions of God.  They are so vivid.

Ps 19 - more awesome descriptions of God and his creation.

Ps 22 - This Jesus calls to mind on the cross.  I heard in a Good Friday sermon once that as Jesus was dying it was the afternoon hour of prayer for the Jews and according to custom, he called to mind a psalm and it was this psalm.  Whether that is 100% true or not, this psalm become so amazingly powerful when you look at it through the lens of Jesus being crucified and in the end resurrected.  "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations... all who go down to the dust will kneel before him...They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn for he has done it."

Ps 23 - so many contrasting images: still waters, valley of the shadow of death, eating a table with one's enemies... it's comforting to know that amidst trials, God is ever present and holding us fast.

Ps 29 - One of my absolute favorites because some time in high school I convinced myself that I should memorize a not-so-well-known psalm.  I chose this one.  I can't really recite it to you, but I love the parallelism in it.  It's AWESOME!!!  At the time I tried to memorize it, I just thought it was repetitive.  I still love this psalm and it reminds me how awesome God is.

Ps 34 - Taste and see that the LORD is good!  Even in trial, God is good.  God is so good, try him and see.

Ps 42-43 - They should really be one psalm (remember chapters, verses, and even in this case the titles for the psalms were added later).  These helped me through some really dark days and reminded me that the love of my life is God and all his greatness.  My Savior and my God!

Day 37-38: Job

So begins the poetry section of the Bible and I'm not a real big fan of poetry.  Although, I think I appreciate the parallelism of the Bible to the iambic pentameter.

I will try to be precise, but the problem is simply: I understand Job and I do not understand Job.  I understand Job's feeling, of cursing the day you were born and waiting, begging to die.  I know those feelings; I know them well.  However, I cannot say that I can call myself upright like Job.  I know I've faltered and sinned and blackened this beautiful creation that God has made time and time again.  I have been humbled beyond measure.  No, I cannot call myself righteous.

I despise Job's friends, for they really are no friends at all.  I hope and pray that I will never heap sorrow upon sorrow as they do for Job.  Job is suffering, his family gone, his flesh is being eaten away and his friends simply say to him again and again, "You must have sinned!  God punishes the wicked.  You must repent for your sin and God will bless you again."  My response would be, "Thanks guys.  Can you go now because you're not helping me."  It would have been better for these "do-gooders" to sit in silence with Job and simply grieve with him.

There is is one friend, Elihu, with him I also identify.  He is tactful in his rebuke, nonetheless it is a rebuke.  It is also born out of truth and that truth which the Spirit compels us to speak.  I understand Elihu, for I have stood in his place; not often, but I have been there.

Then comes the word of God and these are powerful, sarcastic, awesome words.  And I mean awesome in its truest sense.  There is something that strikes a little fear into you here.  If anyone tells you that sarcasm is not Christian, tell them to read Job, particularly Job 38:19-21:

¹⁹ "What is the way to the abode of light?
       And where does darkness reside?

 ²⁰ Can you take them to their places?
       Do you know the paths to their dwellings?

 ²¹ Surely you know, for you were already born!
       You have lived so many years!

Ah, I love vindication.  I love these last few chapters of Job and if ever I need humbling, which I often do, or if I need to remember who God is, I come here.  Job's response is appropriate and filled with humility, ⁴ "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. ⁵ I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more."  God gives him a little more and then Job responds again, ¹ Then Job replied to the LORD :

 ² "I know that you can do all things;
       no plan of yours can be thwarted.

 ³ You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
       Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
       things too wonderful for me to know.

 ⁴ "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak;
       I will question you,
       and you shall answer me.'

 ⁵ My ears had heard of you
       but now my eyes have seen you.

 ⁶ Therefore I despise myself
       and repent in dust and ashes."

It's hard to measure my measly complaints against such an Almighty God.  The thing is though, he does see and hear me.  He is not always harsh in his reply, sometimes it is as gentle as a guiding wind, or a warm touch from a friend.  Job needed a good shaking up.  We might wonder at God since he so haphazardly allowed Satan to inflict him.  God did allow Satan, but maybe it was like the plagues in Egypt, so he could show how great he truly is.  I know that sounds conceited, but it's God, the creator of the universe; he deserves some props.

God, I see and hear you and I know that you see and hear me, in my brightest and darkest times.  Forgive me for my lack of faith.  I repent in dust and ashes and pray that I may hold fast evermore to you.

Day 36: Esther

Not to be confused with the Sara Groves song, that's about a different Esther... still a good song though.

Reading Esther is like visiting an old friend.  I've read her book so many times that as I read I find myself in anticipation of what is coming next.  It's fun and I like Esther, a lot.

Things I didn't notice before, or didn't really figure out (what can I say, I'm slow), I didn't understand the whole different names for the eunuchs.  It turns out that there were different eunuchs assigned to the harem and to the king's concubines.  So here's the deal if you become a concubine, you are no longer in the harem.  I'll let you all figure out the subtleties there.  Hence, the different eunuch.  That was really a minor point, but I had a little "aha" moment with that.

So King Xerxes is kind of a hot head, that was not something new, but definitely wanted to comment on it.  I mean he's "burning with anger" on several occasions.  He regrets what he does to Vashti, but doesn't undo it because he's the king (I think it was a pride thing).  At least with Esther and Haman, well at first, he goes off to the garden to cool down a bit, but then he comes back all in a rage because it looks like Haman is trying to take advantage of Esther.  Oopsy for Haman.

On to serious matters, what I really love about Esther, well is her courage and her humility.  Esther is a rule follower and as much as I dislike rules, I am a rule follower, a do-gooder.  Alas, it is true.  I always want to please, whether it's my parents, my boss, friends...  Esther was too.  She wanted to please Mordecai, then the kings court (eunuchs), the king and in the end God and her people.  Of course it's the latter part that becomes the most important.

Now I know that God is actually never mentioned in the book of Esther, but I really do feel his presence, I mean Esther does fast and asks her fellow Jews to fast with her.  Could it be to fast because she is seeking the will of God?  I like to think so.  Would she fast to clear her head?  No.  I'm pretty sure she was seeking the guidance of some deity as that is the purpose of fasting and since she was a Jew, I think it's safe to assume that deity was the LORD God.

Back to being a rule follower, Esther just doesn't resign herself to fasting and seeking guidance from God immediately, she has to be prompted to that point.  She has to be reminded that she suffers along with her people, despite her position of power.  She's afraid to speak on behalf of her people because she's afraid to break the rules.  She's afraid that she'll jeopardize her relationship with the king and she's afraid she'll be put to death.  Those are strong motivators.  Her cousin, Mordecai's advice is still stronger, (Esther 4:13-14) "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. ¹⁴ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

That's pretty powerful stuff.  Mordecai reminds her that essentially, God can raise someone else up to help the Jews, but what if, what if all of this happened to Esther just so she could help her people.  It makes sense.  It made sense to Esther.  I think those words are good for us all to remember, especially when we're asking the question, why am I here?  I've asked that question and as I shared at Crash, this verse was my answer, "Maybe for such a time as this."

I think the point of that is simply, if we spend so much time looking around for other things we could be doing to make a difference, or if we're stuck in a moment, as U2 says, or in discontentment, we need to consider the present.  We need to consider that this time and place may be just where God wants us and needs us.  Let us be present and aware, lest we miss out on the opportunities that God has for us to be blessed and be a blessing.  Then maybe our dark spot can become a bright spot. ;)

Day 35: Nehemiah

Despite being the shortest man in the Bible (sorry, couldn't resist), if you ever need a good guide for leadership, look here.

Nehemiah starts out by seeking God, seeks God in the middle of everything and ends by seeking God.  These stories of the exile are always bittersweet.  They hint of what might have been and what once was for the Israelites.  Instead, what they are left with is the skeletal remains of their city and of their people, but it is still a people of hope.

Nehemiah begins out of grief and a desire to help his people and his homeland.  He wants to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, not for himself, but for his people because they used to be a people set apart by God in this land.  Now they are God's people wandering and forced into exile and ridicule.  Now that there is a chance to rebuild something of what once was, he wants to be a part of that.  He wants it, but Nehemiah still seeks God first.

He is granted the request of his heart and returns to Jerusalem.  Nehemiah returns with the blessing and edict of the king and he also brings with him a smattering of encouragement for his countrymen.  He encourages them to join him because God is with them and indeed, it seems He is.  The people take heart and start building, but like with the Temple, they are soon face to face with opposition.  Nehemiah reports of the courage of his people: "we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their hearts" (Neh 4:6).  Then Israel's enemies plot against them and the pray to God.  They continue the work with Nehemiah's encouragement, "Our God will fight for us!" (Neh 4:20).  They continue to build with half the amount of workers because the other have stands guard with their spears and their swords, but they persevere.

Nehemiah leads his people through hardship, he comes through for them and works just as hard as they do.  When some are being oppressed by their own people, Nehemiah stands up for them and points back to what God says.  They are disobeying God by essentially enslaving their countrymen just so they can stay afloat or even make a profit.  He calls them out and they are humbled.

I think there are a lot of parallels in Nehemiah, especially to today.  How many of us desire a leader to see our toil and fear and frustration?  I know I do.  Nehemiah did because his heart was in the right place.  He sought God and He brought God and His word to the people.  The people were so distraught by this because they realized how far they had fallen short, but this time, Nehemiah doesn't chastise them.  No. He says, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our LORD.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."  (Neh 8:10)

That's the kind of leader I want.  I want someone who is so passionate after God they can show me the truth and though it might cause me pain, they will yet encourage me when I need it, chastise me when I need it and continue to push me to do what is right in the eyes of the LORD.  Perhaps the leader of our country doesn't fit this profile, perhaps neither does the leader of my church, but I know many who do and who are leaders in my life, in my church, in this country.  I have Ezras and I have Nehemiahs.  Those two were contemporaries of one another, so it's good that I can see and have both who exhibit the qualities of these people after God's own heart.  Thank you Scott and Maxie and Kelly and Rob and Karyn for following God's heart as you encourage us to move forward as well.  Thank you to all of you who follow God's call and push us to as well.

Day 34: Ezra

So I got a bit caught up in the dates of Xerxes/Ahasuerus, Artexerxes and Darius.  Of course, all my Bibles are still packed and well, I'm still not sure.  Sometimes titles are given instead of names and that makes sense, so Xerxes/Ahasuerus is probably not Xerxes the I, but the son of Cyrus and that makes sense as well.  Xerxes is the Greek for Ahasuerus which is the Hebrew for another Persian word which is a title.  Okay, good to know.  I know I said I wasn't going to be all scholarly, but for my peace of mind, I needed to know and that's okay too.

Moving on, Ezra: this is a book of hope, perseverance, obedience and repentance.  Where do I get that?  Well, let's find out, shall we?

Hope: Ezra picks up where Chronicles leaves off and repeats the same decree of Cyrus, but adds "...let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.  And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem."

So they do.  Again, God is concerned with matters of the heart and so it comes across in His word, Ch.1:5, "everyone whose heart God had moved - prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem."  Cyrus also gives them articles from the temple that were taken by Nebuchadnezzar.  I just think God is awesome.  He worked in the King's heart to allow his people to return, just as he promised and he allowed them to save some face as well.  Yeah, He's pretty cool.

Then we have a list of those who return 42,360 plus servants and animals.  That is sad because it truly is only a remnant.  But then there is rejoicing because the first thing they go about doing is building the altar and they celebrate to the LORD, the Feast of Tabernacles and burnt offerings.  Then they lay the foundation for the temple, bittersweet, joyful that the LORD's temple is being rebuilt, sad because it is only a shadow of what it once was.

Next comes the trickiness of it all.  So I'm guessing the "enemies of Judah and Benjamin" are probably the Samaritans who kind of sort of want to worship, have kind of sort of been "sacrificing" to God along with all of their other gods.  I'm pretty sure God said He is a jealous God, so I think it may be safe to say that it's kind of like facebook, they just want to have as many friends/gods as they can get.  The Israelites say no, and then trouble starts.  Eventually it ends with Darius (hence my timeline confusion), but because he does his homework and he too, like Cyrus, recognizes the LORD God.  Again the Israelites go with gusto and the temple is finally finished, Passover is celebrated (obedience), and then enter Ezra.

So even amidst obstacles from neighbors and edicts from kings, the Israelites persevere.  They do put off the building of the temple for a while, but they pick it back up despite the edict not to.  They build, despite fear for their safety.  They press on because God is worth it.

Ezra brings with him more support from the King, a different King again at this time, and the Law.  Ezra's account may seem, perhaps a little pretentious, but it is also transparent.  I believe he really did seek the LORD and encourage the Israelites to do so.  That was his calling, his job.  He was like the high priest, at least descended from him and how many other people could really claim that lineage... just saying.  God was with and he led the people to repentance.  Despite the past sin, God showed mercy and allowed his people, albeit a remnant, to return home.  He also showed them mercy again as they had committed the same sins, marrying the people of the other nations around them.  To try and start things right again, this time, Ezra calls them into account, to obey, immediately, and asks them to do what God had asked them to do from the beginning.  Harsh?  Perhaps, but this path had led them to destruction before.  Ezra is trying to keep them from making the same mistakes.

I think I could use an Ezra, someone to point me toward truth and right and God's way.  Oh wait, I do have Ezras.  I have Dani and Kelly and my mom and Janine and Paula and Kelsey and Kyla and Stacia and Erin and so many more.  Thank you for allowing me to see your example of faith.  Thank you for pushing me to follow, persevere, obey and repent.  Thank you for giving me hope.  May I be that for you as well.  Blessings to you all!

Day 31-33: The Rest of Chronicles

So I decided to take my own advice.  I got a little behind in the reading, so I'm picking up where I left off, the end of Chronicles.  I also am a bit behind on the blogging, but moving, chasing after hormonal teenagers, more moving, falling down stairs and being sick all day will do that to you.

Let's finish up Chronicles then and may I say I really enjoyed this retelling of the annals of the kings of Judah.  It's like reading different versions of the Gospel, you get different perspectives.  It's quite fascinating and I didn't want to mesh too many things into one, so I'll cover the end of Chronicles and move onward to post-exile with Ezra and Nehemiah the next few days.  As always, follow at your own pace and feel free to dialogue with me at any point in your journey.  Don't forget to check out back posts.

1 Chronicles 25 - Check out Asaph.  We'll get to read his and his sons psalms later.  Pretty cool.

If you ever need info in a pinch about genealogies, Chronicles is the place to go.

1 Chronicles 28 David announces that Solomon will follow him and build a Temple for the LORD.  Solomon mentions that in Kings, but we don't really see that by David.  David does give Solomon a charge on how to handle some of his officials, but not the temple.  So now we see that David does give Solomon this charge.

2 Chronicles 5:11-13 - I will always remember this passage from Kid's Praise 7: Psalty's Hymnological Adventure through Time.  Oh memories.  Dani and I sang this in a play for our church, "For He is good and his mercy endureth fore -e -e -ever."  Good times.  I will always remember the names Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun.  I am particularly fond of Jeduthun.

2 Chronicles leaves out Solomon's fall from grace (his lusting after all his wives and building of the high places).  Interesting...

I like the added information, like about Rehoboam, 2 Chron 11:16 "Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the LORD, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the LORD, the God of their fathers."  I like that, there were still people in all Israel who were devoted to the LORD.

It's so amazing, here throughout what we've read previously and continuing through Chronicles, it still shows you that it is a matter of the heart.  The Israelites turn away, and then they turn back, like in 2 Chron 12 and God hears them, just like Solomon asked in his prayer at the dedication of the temple.  So you get this more intimate look into the lives of the Kings of Judah and how exactly they were and were not devoted to the LORD.  Abijah, Kings says, wasn't fully devoted to the LORD and yet here in Chron we get to see how he was devoted in some way.  For Asa we see how he fully did right in the eyes of the LORD and how he called the people to enter into covenant with him to serve the LORD their God with all their heart and soul (no wonder Jesus said that was the greatest commandment.  It is literally said again and again).  We also see how Asa did not fully seek the LORD toward the end of his life.  Then we have Jehoshaphat (another great name) who wholeheartedly sought the LORD, again until the end when he made an alliance with Israel.  Still we have soooo much more information.  And it goes on and on.

I could summarize forever, but the point is clear.  Just look how many times wholeheartedly or faithfully or seeking the LORD with all their heart, etc. are mentioned.  That's the point.  You can clearly see how things go well for Israel/Judah and its people when they are devoted to seeking the LORD and how things get messed up when they are devoted to seeking everything else besides God.  Too often my heart strays.  I wonder how many amazing blessings I may be missing out on.

I love seeing another side to these kings how good and how bad they were.  Kings hints at these things, but with Chronicles you get a deeper inside look.  At the end we are left with the exile, but hope, for the King of Persia, Cyrus, says: 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you--may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.' (2 Chronicles 36:23)

As for the rest of the events of the Kings of Judah, are they not written in God's Holy Bible?  Check it out!  :)

Playing Catch up: Day 28 The rest of 2 Kings; Day 29 & 30 The Recap that is 1 Chronicles (1-23)

Because these deserve to be divided up.

Day 28: 2 Kings 16-25

So in the end the Israelites get carted off by the Assyrians and Samaria was resettled.  Thus became the hodge podge of combined religions that existed in Jesus' day.  That was really cool for me to kind of understand that a little.  Good foreshadowing and good background for later.

Now into the meat of things.  My favoritist kings are in these verses: Hezekiah and Josiah.  Hezekiah, there was no one like him, either before or after him.  Josiah, I see him as a champion of the LORD.  Both men had hearts that yearned after God, but although Hezekiah did what was right in God's sight and he destroyed the high places and Asherah poles that the kings before him failed to do.  He did some other pretty amazing things too, like bringing water into Jerusalem (I think it was an aqueduct).  So Hezekiah was pretty awesome.  He was also peeps with Isaiah, as in the prophet.  That's not to say that Hezekiah didn't make his fair share of mistakes and his response to the LORD's saying that disaster will come to Israel/Judah was relief that he would be safe.  (I'd probably have the same reaction).  Still it is not perfect, but Hezekiah followed after God without turning from him.  He was faithful, not without fault, but faithful.  On the downside again, he fathered, perhaps the most wicked king Judah would ever know, Manasseh and he did not do what Josiah would do - bring back the Law.

 

So after Manasseh and Amon comes the second boy king, Josiah.  He was eight when he became king.  He brought back the heart to Israel.  He found the Law of Moses and his reaction, I love his reaction.  He tears his robes in absolute grief for not having followed God as he should.  It's the most appropriate response and its sincere.  If only my sincerity for my sin and neglect would be as much.  And then his next response is also wonderful, he inquires of the LORD and what does the LORD say, "I have heard you" (2 Kings 22:19).  

 

It's beautiful.  I may sound rather gushy, but I love the heart of these two kings.  I love how Josiah doesn't just keep the Law to himself, but he calls all the people, "This is what we should be doing!  Let us consecrate ourselves to the LORD anew."  That's his job as king, to set an example and to bring the people closer to their Heavenly King.  Again, that may sound simplistic or trite, but sometimes God is pretty basic.  That's usually all he really wants is the basic things.  It doesn't mean he doesn't want us to question or think, but when it comes down to it, what He wants most is obedience and surrender.  That obedience and surrender is a safe thing because God is good and loving and just and if we share faith in his Redeeming Son, then we have nothing to fear.  

This is why I love the Old Testament.  This is why I love these kings, the good ones; my heart breaks for the ones who follow evil.  They've missed it.  I cheer when Israel is shown mercy and my heart is wrenched when destruction and punishment befall them.  My heart is wrenched, but I know it is also justified because I ultimately trust that God knows so much better than I.

Josiah is the last blazing beacon of hope before Judah falls.  There is redemption, it is a long time coming, but through it all God is faithful.  The rest of the story will only prove this more and more.

 Day 29 & 30 1 Chronicles 1-23

So Chronicles is not the easiest of reads as anyone can attest.  Not only is it chock-full of genealogies, but it is also a retelling of the history of Judah.  It's not a complete repeat of Kings, but it is a retelling of those things dealing with the kingdom of Judah.  So be prepared to hear some things again.

On a bright note, it may add some different insight to what has been said before.  I found out that Joab was David's nephew.  At least that's what I think I can tell from the genealogy (1 Chron 2:13-17).  It's always fun to see where the odd sister is listed.  Makes me smile because I know God appreciates women and their names are there for a reason.  (Like all the kings of Judah listed their mommas.)  

Here we see more of the militaristic exploits, like how many men were exactly with David across the tribes of Israel.  Small but interesting details, at least to me.  Couple of questions though, Elhanan killed Goliath's brother, but 2 Samuel says he killed Goliath.  A copy error or another name for David?  I've heard both explanations and both are plausible.  Neither one takes away from the truth of God's word.  What happened, happened: David killed Goliath.  Perhaps someone else killed his brother or perhaps David had another name.  Seemed to be a lot of that going around: Abram/Abraham, Jacob/Israel, Saul/Paul...  The second question I have, did God incite David or Satan?  Contradiction?  No I don't think so.

Ultimately all things are under God's control, even Satan.  God allows Satan certain freedom, like us.  So, God could have allowed Satan to do what Satan desired, which ultimately achieved God's purpose: David repented and sought the LORD instead (another example would be Job).  God is not evil or vindictive though.  God hardened Pharaoh's heart/Pharaoh hardened his heart.  Either way, God's will was accomplished: by such wonders and divine miracles His people were released from bondage.  Perhaps this is too simplistic for you, but trust me, I spent a lot of time questioning this in the past.  I understand.  Keep asking, keep wrestling, but always point your questions to God and to His people and to prayer.  God will not abandon your seeking.  He did say, you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jer 29:13).  I don't question this as much anymore.  Now it's more of trust.  I still question, but this, I've let it go to God.  I pray that someday you will be able to take whatever is keeping you mired below and release it to Him.  It is freeing.

Enough for now.  Blessings all!

Second Hiatus: Becaus Garth deserves it!

See you in a bit.  Garth, here I come!!!!!!!

Day 27: Lots of Evil and a Little Good (2 Kings 5-15)

So I don't have much to say.  Elisha does his miracle things so check him out.  Quite frankly I prefer Elijah, but that's okay.

Namaan (it's like vacuum, two a's and two u's) puts down his pride and gets healed of leprosy.


The boy king Joash gets help from Jehoiada the priest and takes the kingdom from his mother.  Joash rules in goodness and that starts a stretch of good for Judah, not following in the ways of David, but Joash, which I guess is pretty good.  The high places remain.  He also repairs the temple.  Good for you boy king!  Then we have Amaziah and Azariah/Uzziah - good names, good kings.

In Israel, though, evil reigns.  There is a glimmer of hope with Jehu.  He does the will of the LORD by destroying the evil king of Judah, Ahaziah (not to be confused with Amaziah or Azariah) and the rest of Ahab's family.  We get to read the lovely verses of how Jezebel's blood and body are licked up by dogs with nothing left but her skull, feet and hands.  Oops!  Oh the Bible you are not a delicate read.

I had some hopes for Jehu.  I mean he seemed to want to follow the LORD and the LORD allowed his family to reign for four generations.  That is something in the kingdom of Israel.  However, he still did evil in the eye of the LORD.  He did not worship Baal, but he still followed Jeroboam (as all the Israelite kings do) and he worshiped the golden calves.  Why?  Why when the LORD is clearly in front of you?  I don't know.  Maybe Jehu didn't know either.  Maybe he still didn't trust God.

It takes trust, right?  It's an important thing.  In the end too, we have to be willing to give up control and step into the unknown.  It is kind of an unknown thing, following God, because we are never sure what he will ask.  Whatever he asks though, as hard as it may be or seem, I have found it to always be worth it.  God is worth the risk.  He has never disappointed.  The disappointment usually comes from my own failings.  Forgive me for my unbelief God and help me believe and follow you strongly every day!

Lastly I leave you with this: "So Pekah killed Pekahiah" (2 Kings 15:25).  Oh silly kings of Israel and your names.  :)