Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022
This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT.
Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 17-20, Psalm 11, 50
Background:
David and Goliath - is there a better-known story in the Bible? David has been anointed by God and is sent to take provisions to his brothers. He challenges and defeats the giant and becomes part of the royal household. This leads to Saul's jealousy and the beginning of his attempts to kill David.
We begin something in today's reading that will become common from this point on. Psalms that are believed to be written in response to certain events will be included with the reading of the day. Today we have Psalms 11and 50 - both focusing on finding refuge from enemies.
We begin something in today's reading that will become common from this point on. Psalms that are believed to be written in response to certain events will be included with the reading of the day. Today we have Psalms 11and 50 - both focusing on finding refuge from enemies.
Daily Devotional: "The Difference"
David brought supplies from his father to his brothers who were camped with Israel at Ephes-Dammim, facing the Philistines. When he walked into camp, he saw what was causing everyone else to cower in fear - Goliath, the giant from Gath. He defied the Israelites with words of derision and no one could find the courage to face him.
David entered the camp and was incensed that this Philistine was insulting the armies of God. He volunteered and after suffering derision and disdain, he went out to face the gigantic foe and defeated him.
What was the difference between David and the experienced, trained soldiers of Israel? Why did he act when others cowered? Why did he take the challenge when no one else would? It is not that complicated.
The difference between David and everyone else was God! David sought the glory of God and made his decisions on the basis of the belief that Yahweh was the Living God!
When the soldiers saw the giant, they feared for their lives. When David saw him, he feared only for the glory of God.
Israel's best soldiers cowered because they saw only their own lack of capability compared to Goliath. David assumed that the power of God would go with him to guide and strengthen him.
The difference? God! David sought God's glory, served God's purposes, and saw God at the center of all things.
David entered the camp and was incensed that this Philistine was insulting the armies of God. He volunteered and after suffering derision and disdain, he went out to face the gigantic foe and defeated him.
What was the difference between David and the experienced, trained soldiers of Israel? Why did he act when others cowered? Why did he take the challenge when no one else would? It is not that complicated.
The difference between David and everyone else was God! David sought the glory of God and made his decisions on the basis of the belief that Yahweh was the Living God!
When the soldiers saw the giant, they feared for their lives. When David saw him, he feared only for the glory of God.
"For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)He was not concerned about himself, but about how this Philistine's insults reflected on the Living God!
Israel's best soldiers cowered because they saw only their own lack of capability compared to Goliath. David assumed that the power of God would go with him to guide and strengthen him.
“The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37)David's absolute confidence in and dependence on God was demonstrated in his words to Goliath himself.
“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.” (1 Samuel 17:45-47)David did not fight in his own power and abilities, but in the name of Yahweh himself. He did not fight to glorify himself or to make himself famous, but to demonstrate to the world that "Israel has a God" and that the God of Israel was awesome and powerful.
The difference? God! David sought God's glory, served God's purposes, and saw God at the center of all things.
Father, you are the Living God. May my life be lived for your glory, your purposes and in the complete knowledge that you are who the Bible says you are and you do what the Bible says you do!
Consider God's Word:
Do you factor the power of God into your daily life and decisions?
Do you live with the assumption that there is a Mighty God who will work in powerful ways in your life?
Do you live with the assumption that there is a Mighty God who will work in powerful ways in your life?
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