Psalm 73

This psalm took me 10 minutes to read. Verse 25 are some of the words in Rich Mullins' song "My One Thing". I'm thankful for the reminder that evil will never be rewarded in eternity. Fairness is defined over the long haul, not in the "justice" that we might see in this life.
I didn't read any of the bigger chapters today, but I'm still two days ahead of the plan. I'll try to stay that way, but I often find myself slipping now and again.
Stuart

Psalms 72

This psalm is attributed to Solomon, son of David. It is a song to be sung by the ruler, so that God will bless the ruler, and the people over whom he rules.
It would be a good psalm for our political leaders to recite daily.
I read this psalm in about 5 minutes.
Stuart

2 Samuel 11-13

It took me about 20 minutes to read these three chapters, which are some of the saddest and tumultuous chapters regarding David’s life.  They cover his sins against Bathsheba and Uriah, Nathan’s curse, and finally Amnon’s sin of rape and his murder.

David’s response to Amnon’s act of rape and two years later Absalom’s murder of Amnon are very troubling.  Why was he silent?  Why didn’t David demand justice for Tamar’s rape?  Why  didn’t he require Absalom’s life for that of his brother? Is it because David saw these acts as the fulfillment of the prophet Nathan’s words from 2 Samuel 12:11-12? 

It should not be surprising that the first response committed against David was that of a sexual sin; just as he had committed adultery with Bathsheba.  Nor should we be surprised that the second reprimand against David was that of murder; just as he had committed the murder of Uriah.

Stuart

2 Samuel 8-10

In these chapters is the picture of war-grace-war. David continues to show that he is allowing God to shape his heart and policy, by fighting against God's enemies AND extending grace according to his promise.
It too me 10 mintues to read this passage.
Stuart

Proverbs 31

It took me about 5 minutes to read through this chapter. The first nine verses contain a repeated challenge to all those who seek to live out a godly life. Then there is the Biblical discription of a godly woman in verses 10 through 31. But I had never noticed that the number of attributes matches the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet. That requires some more investigation.
Stuart

2 Samuel 4-7

In these chapters we see a growing display of the godliness in David's life that showed why God favored him as king, and how God's favor continued to develop in David's life.
Prior to this point David's expressions of worship to God have been in songs. In the second part of chapter 7 David's wordhip overflows in prayer. Even at the news that God has chosen another to build a temple for His name, David still reaches up to God in praise and thanks giving.
This passage took me about 15 minutes to read.
Stuart

Proverbs 30

I am one day ahead on reading in 2 Samuel, and there will be three days to get further ahead. Since this Sunday was very busy with Global Day of Prayer, and preparing other lessons, I skipped the longer reading for today, and only read from Proverbs.
I don't know who Agur was, but God gave him some words of wisdom through the observation of the people and world around him.
It took me about 5 minutes to read this chapter, and 10 minutes to put this blog entry together.
Stuart

2 Samuel 1-3

These three chapter relate three struggles that David faces as he transitioned from outlaw to King in Israel.  At the news of the death of Saul and Abner David writes a lament for each to express his sorrow at the loss of these great men.  David spends no time focusing on their sinfulness and short comings, but rather looked to how God had used them to advance His Kingdom.
I spent about 15 minutes reading these chapters.

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Philippians

There were a couple thoughts that stood out as I read the letter:
1. Paul not only could talk "forever", he could write "forever" as well. Twice he stated in the letter "in conclusion"; 3:1, 4:8.
2. I wonder if the names Paul mentions were any of the people whom he encountered in his first visit to Philippi. (Acts 16:12-40)
It took me about 20 minutes for this passage.

1 Samuel 29-31 & Proverbs 29

Saul's kingship began so "right". He was humble in his own eyes, and willing to take on a servant role. At first he listened to Samuel, but after a while the accomplishments that God had provided through Saul went to Saul's head. Not all of Saul's life was a waste; he raised a son who would have been a very worthy and honorable king; Johnathan.
But Saul's rejection of God's authority impacted not only his life the lives of his sons as well. Though they were not necessarily rejected by God, He permitted their deaths to minimize the power struggle the Kingdom of Israel would face.
The final chapter of 1 Samuel is bitter sweet; Saul's arrogance resulted in his life ending in humiliation. But it also introduces the reign of David; a king after God's own heart. A not so gentle reminder to us who are following David's God to never let our egos rise above where God want us to stand.
I took about 15 minutes to read these passages.

1 Samuel 26-28

These three chapters tell three different stories from the lives of David and King Saul. The first is about the two of them, the second about David and his flight from Saul's rule, and the third is about Saul's final attempt to seek God's guidence; through the sinful act of divination.
Chapter 26 presents a powerful and important message to 21st century people; That God's sovereignty supersedes our desires. The details deal with murder for the sake of safety; God's lesson is that he and only he has the authority to take life. David recognized this, and showed the king that his fear of God's judgement was greater than his fear of Saul's sword. Once again the encounter ended with Saul speaking a blessing on David and his future rule of Israel. (1 Samuel 26:25)
I spent about 15 minutes reading this passage.

1 Samuel 23-25 & Proverbs 28

I wasn't able to get the passages read during the day. So I took some time at night, after sorting laundry and running the dish washer. It took me about a 1/2 hour to read through these four chapters.
In 1 Samuel, David is fleeing from the irrational wrath of Saul, and then finds himself in the same state of wrath toward Nabal. Fortunately, Abigail steps in and keeps David from taking revenge into his own hands.
Proverbs 28:26 speaks about the very situation that Nabal created: "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." These words in Proverbs echo the situation of Nabal and Abigail.

1 Samuel, Chapters 20-22

This is a sad passage that shows how corrupt and selfish King Saul had become. His selfishness had led him into irrational judgement, seeking "revenge" against David, when David had lived faithfully to King Saul.
It took me 15 minutes to read this passage.

Why didn't I start this earler?

With all the struggles that Christians face as they try to read through the Bible on a regular basis maybe seeing similar struggles being over come will help.
I have been a Christian for over 26 years and God placed on my heart a passion to spend time in his word. I remember times in college where I would be late for class because I wanted to finish a passage that I was reading.
So here's what I'm going to work on; every time I finish a passage I'll make some comments about what God showed me, or how that passage I just read touched my life. I am on schedule to read through the Bible in 2007. I am using Discipleship Journal's "Book-at-a-time Bible reading plan", which is found at this link: http://www.navpress.com/Magazines/DiscipleshipJournal/BibleReadingPlans/
Today, May 21st, is a "reflection" day. I plan on reading anyway, so that I can keep on schedule. Most of all I hope that this helps.

In Christian hope;

Stuart