Skip to main content

March 3 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 62

One of the things I hear people say when we read, for example, Deuteronomy is, "It's repeating itself."  "Didn't we already read/hear that before?"  The answer, of course, is, "You probably did."  

So, let me ask a couple of questions: 1) If it's repeated, doesn't that make it important?  2) If you're already read it before, shouldn't you remember some of it more accurately?

Happy reading!

DAILY READINGS

Deuteronomy 28-29 & Psalm 62

DAILY NOTES

Deuteronomy 28:1-14

  • If the people follow the commands of God, they are told they can expect blessings in return.  
  • These blessings will "overtake" the people.
Deuteronomy 28:15-68
  • If the people do not follow the commands of God, they can expect to be cursed in return.  Notice the imbalance of the amount of blessings verses the amount of curses.
    • The difference between the blessings and the curses is that these curses will pursue and overtake the people.
Deuteronomy 29:4
  • Read this verse with Verse 29
Deuteronomy 29:12
  • The people have been gathered for a reason.  God is prepared to make this covenant with them.  They are ready to become God's people and make God their God.  
Deuteronomy 29:15
  • Those who are not here today refers to future generations.
Psalm 62
  • I can't help but recall news headlines and television reports when I read this psalm.  Psalm 62 seems like a prayer of those people who were abused, neglected or otherwise hurt seeking justice against those who hurt them.  

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

I love the image of blessings overtaking the people.  Of course, curses can overtake the people, too.  Let's assume for now, though, that we seek to follow God's commands with all our heart, soul and strength.  Can you imagine what it looks like and feels like to be overtaken by your blessings?

Maybe we are overtaken with our blessings--we just don't realize it.

Stay blessed...john

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

February 16 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 47 Before the movie Shrek, the best known talking donkey was Balaam's donkey.  That's what we're reading about today.   Of course, that's only part of the story between Balak and Balaam.   DAILY READINGS Numbers 22-24 & Psalm 47 DAILY NOTES Numbers 22:2 Apparently, Israel is making a name for itself.  The Moabites are terrified and distressed/irritated by the news of what the Israelites are doing. Numbers 22:5-6 Balaam is, apparentely, a diviner with a good reputation.  Balak is "overcome with fear" and his response is to go to Balaam.  Balak knows that "whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:8 This is the recurring theme for Balaam.  He will only say what  God tells him to say.  That is, there's no money back guarantee.  Even if it doesn't align with what Balak wants, Balaam will only give the words that God gives him. There is no indication why Balaam w...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 3 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 93 After today we'll have finished another book of the Bible.  King David's place in the story of God is winding down. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 22-24 & Psalm 93 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 22 This is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving.  Psalm 18 is a variation of this psalm. 2 Samuel 23 David's reign (and life) are drawing to a close.  These are some of his last words and speak of men that have served under him.   2 Samuel 24 David wants a census of the people.  Since he later sees it as a sin, we can gather that he had prideful purposes for doing so.   The king repents, but also suffers the judgement of the sin.  Technically, 70,000 of the people he just counted suffered. Afterwards, David builds an altar to God. Psalm 93 God's rule over earth is celebrated.  This is what's called an enthronement psalm.  OTHER OBSERVATIONS There's an interesting observation to consider about 2 Samuel 24:1...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more