Exodus 21-24

It took me 15 minutes to read this passage.  God takes three significant steps in the passage to help Israel understand the Law that is being presented to them.

1.      God explains how to apply the 10 Commandments to their lives.  Immediately after speaking the foundation of the Law to all the people God speaks to Moses and gives him examples to pass on to the people of how these Laws apply to their lives.

2.      God repeats his promise to provide Israel and inheritance, and calls on them to get ready to do their part in fulfilling God’s promise.

3.      God shows his glory to the 74 leaders of Israel.  God includes Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron in that group.  Not only does God reveal himself, in some manner that we don’t fully understand, but he also dines with them.  God displays his desire to be known by the people of Israel by making a personal connection with the leaders of Israel.

Stuart

Proverbs 3

It took me about 5 minutes to read this chapter of proverbs. Solomon recorded some insight on dealing with the problems that we face in life. Too often we put all the focus on what we are able to do. When we do that we have the tendency to forget what God is able to do. (And we know he can do anything) In verse 5 we're told to trust God. When we face struggles in this life that we can't seem to get through; trust God. We can't overcome temptations; trust in God. We aren't being effective in planting the Gospel seed; trust God. God doesn't work according to our rules, so we need to trust in Him. That is the display of wisdom.
Stuart

Exodus 18-20

It took me 10 minutes to read this passage.  I always read the story of Jethro in chapter 18 with a smile.  Sometimes we Christians get so focused on listening to God that we forget that He can, and does, speak through fellow believers.  Jethro saw the process of judgment that Moses had set up and it resulted in a few judgment but many, many frustrated people.  Anytime you get 2 million people together there is going to be conflict.  Resolving those conflicts requires an ample number of judges.  Moses had probably been trained to delegate as we was schooled in Egypt. Yet, after 40 years to tending the sheep he might have forgotten the finer points of managing people.  But it only took a gentle reminder from his father-in-law to wake Moses up to the fact that God had already provided the means to help rule this great people.

Stuart

Proverbs 2

It took almost 2 minutes to read and ponder this passage. Solomon personafies four virture that we draw towards as our fear and respect of God grows.
Lady Wisdom; whom I discussed yesterday.
Brother Knowledge; this virtue is much like a good brother; a friend but also a helpful and trustworth companion.
Good Sense; describing him as a scout who monitors the direction we have laid out for traps and pitfalls.
Finally Solomon mentions Insight with the description of a lookout; someone who searches the horizon for any oncoming danger.
These are four "companions" who blosom is our live because of an on-going right relationship with God.
Stuart

Exodus 16-17

It took me almost 10 minutes to read this passage.  In these chapters Moses records two situations when Israel intended to challenge Moses’ leadership, but in actuality they questioned God.  Moses clarified this point with them.  God showed his mercy by not destroying those who sought for food on the Sabbath or those who complained about the lack of water.  God showed his grace by giving them food and water as they needed it.

Stuart

Proverbs 1

It took me a couple minutes to read the introduction and the first few lessons that Soloman recorded. Solomon speaks of wisdom as a man speaking of a woman. (Bear with me on this) The irony of this comparison is obvious.
Ever since Adam that has been a God-planted desire in men for women. Yet we don't even begin to understand that which we seek. God has made men and women completely complimentary of each other. That means if there is a lack of understanding of this truth it will lead to frustration in both genders.  Solomon knew wisdom, but he also misunderstood wisdom, and he grew frustrated by wisdom. Yet he was aware that wisdom was like a woman calling out from the street corners, seeking those who sought her; just like God intended.
Thank about that. . . . .
Stuart

Exodus 14_15

It took me 10 minutes to read the story of Israel’s salvation through the water.  In 14:22-23 Moses contrasts to attitudes of the two companies of people who entered the path God had carved through the water of the Red sea. 

First in was the nation of Israel.  A mass of people who had know labor and slavery for centuries.  They had seen the wonders that their God performed in Egypt and as they entered the seabed the were not terrified of what God was doing.  They WALKED through the sea.  I’m not sure I would have WALKED through the Red Sea.  If they were terrified and fleeing from the army of Egypt I believe they would have RUN; running for their lives.  The great wonder of a path through the sea seemed to have calmed them and brought a peace about the community.  I don’t think they strolled through the sea, their walking was with a purpose, but neither did they run.  They had a deliverer who would ensure their safety.

The second group was the vicious and fierce army of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.  I wonder if they paused at the shore of the sea and marveled at the walls of water on the right and left?  They tore onto the seabed in full pursuit of Israel.  They were a people with a purpose as well, to enslave those whom God had emancipated.  They counted on horse, chariot, and spear to resolve their dilemma.  But they took the special path that God had created for Israel for granted.  They didn’t consider who had parted the sea, or what kept it open.  They saw an opportunity and arrogantly tried to use it for their advantage. 

Two groups entered the divided sea, only one group came out alive.  Those who had put their faith in God.

Stuart

Exodus 12-13

It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage.(Which I read this morning, even though I didn't get this entry logged until now)
In recounting the story of Passover Moses adds details about who is acceptable as the table. In chapter 12:43-49 God's gives the neccessary details:
   No one unwilling to conform to God's standard is acceptable.
   A life-long slave who is owned AND sealed with the covenant of Abraham may eat. A rebellious slave or temporary endentured servant is not welcome.
   No one who is passing by, or who only has a curiosity about God's law can share in this meal.
These are nearly identical guidelines to describe the depths of the family of God that is the Church.
Stuart

Psalm 24

It took just a minute to read this psalm. Our God, David says, is not an impotent ruler. He is the ruler of a mighy army. An army that is strong and ready for battle. We tend to seperate the spiritual and physical into different realms, and in doing so we often negate the power that the spiritual world has in the physical sphere. But God's power is not limited to the spiritual reality. He is able to work his will "on earth as it is in heaven." Knowing that adds greater weight to God's authority and power. But we should accept this knowlege with great comfort; as people of faith that power is for our protection, not our destruction.
Stuart

Psalm 23

This short psalm took less than a minute to read. Goodness and Mercy; where do we want them in our lives? David said that they would be "following after" him. I would rather have them beside me; surrounding me. What part of God's nature has Goodness and Mercy in our wake? Maybe I need to view this psalm more from the view of a shepherd. David's flock knew his voice and recognized his form. I picture David out in front of the flock singing. The sheep heard his voice and surely followed him. If David wished to go to a new field he would begin walking and singing, and the flock would follow. So how do Goodness and Mercy follow? Surely David employed the use of dogs to keep any straggling sheep close to the flock. Those trailing dogs provided the goodness of keeping the flock together and mercy as the first line of defence from any rear attacks by predators.
Stuart

Exodus 9-11

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. Every time I read about the 10 plagues I'm bother by one phrase that is repeated throughout the confrontation. This is the phrase; "God hardened Pharoh's heart." How could God continue to allow Pharoh free will while still hardening his heart? I think God hardened Pharoh's heart by continuing to challenge Pharoh's authority. Considered by many a god Pharoh was not accustomed to being challenged or questioned by anyone; even another god. After a few years of such treatment Pharoh's ego was much larger than he was capable of supporting. The fact that God repeatedly challenged Pharoh led the man's ego to harden his heart. As God spoke Pharoh chose to refuse the command, not a request, to allow Israel to travel and worship. God hardened Pharoh's heart because he knew the nature of man, and the response of a powerful man like Pharoh.
Stuart

Psalm 22

It took me a couple minutes to read David's words in this psalm. I'm still not sure how I feel about Peterson's MESSAGE. Since I've studied this psalm to some length I think he hit the points in some places but missed them in others. Regardless, the psalm ends in a powerful message that recognizes God's power and authority. He always does what he says he will do. We need to hold on to that as well, because sometimes we forget that God is not "like" us.
Stuart

Exodus 5-8

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  Moses asked God some questions at the end of chapter 5.  Why? Why? Moses asked God.  God’s nature never changes.  When Jesus was asked why he would often respond with a question back to the asker, or not seem to answer the question at all.  When Moses asked Why God seemed to step around the immediate question and instead gave the answers that Moses needed to hear.  God’s answer was full of hope and joy.  It was an answer all about promises made that were ready to be fulfilled.  I think Moses received God’s answer and believed him; that Israel’s “present suffering are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)  Here in Exodus God reminds us of the pattern that he has followed throughout history; the fulfillment of God’s promises are always proceeded with pain, despair, and suffering, but the promise fulfilled is ALWAYS greater than the pain that proceeded it.

Stuart

Psalm 21

It took me a little over 1 minute to read this psalm. How does God show his strength? David pointed to a few ways: arm loads of gifts, a prosperous and long life, colorful clothing in abundance, the frustration of his enemies plans. God did all these things in David's life so that the crowd shouldn't have missed it. But some of the people did. While David was singing God praise there were still people cursing the king whom God had put in charge of his Kingdom. How does God show his strength in our lives today?
Stuart

Exodus 1-4

It took me 15 minutes to read the story about the first 80 years of Moses’ life.  In 4 verse 1 Moses seeks to escape God’s plan by pointing out that the people of Israel won’t believe anything Moses says.  God gives Moses three wonders to validate his message.  Moses must have been impressed, but he was still skeptical.  In the last three verses of chapter 4 Moses and Aaron brought together the leaders of Israel.  Moses declared God’s message to them and showed them the wonders from God to support his message.  The leaders of Israel believed Moses.  But more than that; they worshiped God.  Moses’ message was not focused on the deliverance of Israel from hardship and slavery, it was focused on God, who would bring about deliverance for Israel from hardship and slavery.  Too often we don’t follow Moses’ lead when we share the Gospel.  It is not a message about our salvation, but rather a message about our God who works in the lives of people with faith to bring about salvation.

Stuart

Psalm 20

It took me just a minute to read this psalm of David. In his poetic way David asks us to define the source of our confidence. Is it our wheels? Is it our army? Is our confidence based upon mankind and the creations of men? What happens to all the works of man? What we call a home today will one day be consider a ruin. A leader of men will soon be another corpse in a casket. Our vehicles will rust, our army will die off, all of our creations will rot away.  Our trust needs to be directed towards God; at all times, and in all circumstances.
Stuart

Mark 13-16

It took me a total of 20 minutes in two settings to read this long passage.  What amazes me most about Jesus’ response to his accusers and tormentors is that fact that he offered no response.  What a series of temptations.  These same tests have faced millions of Christians through the centuries, even today.  So many of them have take up their crosses, died to self, and then willingly, with the help and strength of the Holy Spirit, received the pain and suffering in order to glorify God.  They endured the same way Jesus did; by looking beyond right now and seeing into eternity.

Stuart

Psalm 19

It took me about 2 minutes to read this psalm. The lessons that the day and night teach are deafening in their silence. Their arguments for the presence and handiwork of God are irrefutable because of their truth. David starts his psalm with these thoughts and then carries them on - examining all of God's creation. We see the wonders that God displays in the artwork of the physical world: wonders that could only have their origins in a wonderful and awe inspiring God.
Stuart

Mark 10-12

It took me just over 15 minutes to read this passage.  Three people came to mind as I read this;

The first was the teacher of the Law in 12:28-34.  Mark’s Gospel account does not show this encounter to be confrontational, but rather a pure exchange of faith.  Jesus commends this teacher as one who is very close to God’s Kingdom.  I wonder if this man was Nicodemas or Joseph or Arimathea?

The second was the poor widow in 12:41-44.  She had virtually no money on which to live.  But what she had she gave to the work of the Temple.  What happened next?  Did she sleep hungry that night?  Did a neighbor invite her to share their meager meal later the same day?  Did she starve to death the same day Jesus hung on the cross?  Did she meet and soon marry a widower who had sons, a house, and wealth?  All of these are possibilities of how she lived her life.  All we know about her is that she followed scripture as best that she could.

The third of Judas Iscariot; even though he is not mentioned anywhere by name.  We read of Peter’s thoughts and actions during this important week, but what about Judas.  Which of the events that Mark records pushed him further on the road to betrayal?  Salvation by grace which Jesus spoke about in 10:17-31?  Jesus’ life of service and humility and his call for his followers to live the same type of life? The praises of the Jerusalem crowd in 11:10?  Jesus’ teaching that repeatedly humbled the Jewish leaders in chapter 12?  It is amazing that after all of the events, and even more, that he witnessed Jesus do, Judas thought the best thing for him to do was to sell rabbi’s life for a sack of money.

Stuart

Mark 8-9

It took me about 12 minutes to read this passage.  Jesus taught a number of lessons in the passage, but I want to focus on the very last lesson in chapter 9; the refining fire is for our good. (verses 49-50)  In 8:34-35 he addressed a similar point; suffering will be present it our lives.  God allows and in many cases purposes suffering in our lives, not because he wants to see us squirm, but rather because he wants us to stand firmly on the faith that he has given us, rather than the temporary facades that we have created.  Do I desire pain?  Do I pursue want? Do I invite affliction? No, no, and NO!!  But that may be exactly what God has planned for me to bring about the greatest fruit in my life and the greatest glory for his name.

Stuart

Mark 6-7

It took me 10 minutes to read this passage. Mark records the events that led Jesus back to his hometown. His childhood friends could not get past the memories of little "snot-nose" Jesus playing around the carpenter shop. We need to be able to give up the same types of myths for those people with whom we've grown up. God can work wonderful changes is their lives as he had in ours. We just need to let them shine through our memories to show what God has done.
Stuart

Mark 4-5

It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage. Why did Jesus tell so many stories? They were like riddles for which he withheld the solution. In the middle of chapter 4 Jesus explained the purpose behind the stories; to create readiness. We need to adopt that approach in presenting the Gospel. There are stories all around us that can be used to present the Gospel.
Stuart

Mark 1-3

It took me a lottle over 15 minutes to read this part of Mark. At the end of the first chapter Mark records a meeting between Jesus and this man. The man speaks out of faith and despair to Jesus. In 1:41 Jesus explains the motivation for all that he is doing in proclaiming the Godpel: "I want to."
Stuart

Psalm 18

It took about 5 minutes to read David's psalm of thanksgiving. David continues his pattern of pointing out the evil of those who are oppressing him, then recognizing God exercising his power to bring about the good that he had planned regardless of the intensions of the assialants. David describes how he was hemmed in by his enemies (not only the Philistines but also Saul). Notice how he describes God's salvation; "He stood me up on a wide-open field," God took David from the confines of a tight place to freedom available in the wide open places. God could have only delivered David out of the difficult spots he was in, but God didn't stop with that. He didn't stop until David was free and far removed from the stresses of the attacks. Then he gave David space. What a wonderful picture of David's deliverance.
Stuart

Genesis 47-50

It took me nearly 20 minutes to read this passage.    We are often moved by Jesus reaction to Martha and Mary’s grief over the death of their brother Lazarus. (John 11:35)  When we read of godly people being moved to sorrow we can feel the impact of their lives.  Joseph is no different.  At the death of his father, from whom he had been separated for years, he wept sorrowfully.  When his brothers sought his favor after their father’s death, he wept again.  What broke his heart?  Maybe that they didn’t believe he had dropped any ill will toward them for selling him into slavery.  But Joseph understood God’s plan and how their acts of selfish hatred and fulfilled God’s plan.  Therefore, he had no ill-will to harbor.  He saw God working out his will in acts of justice, and acts of selfishness.

Stuart

Psalm 17

In just a couple of minutes I read this psalm. This is another psalm where David contrasts his desire to seek God with the attacks against his life by outsiders. David's life was indeed a stream of oppression. In the fields as a shepherd there were literally lions seeking his life. As a young warrior there were the Philistines always pressing the attack. As a general David led the charge against the enemy where tens of thousands of the oppressors of Israel were killed. But through all of these trials, and victories, David kept coming back to God. He ends this psalm with words of hope that he would see God's face.
Stuart

Genesis 43-46

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  The story of Joseph’s life is powerful in terms of faith.  It is a wonderful story of how God works providentially in his people’s lives.  We understand all the Joseph does as second in command of Egypt, but sometimes we neglect to see the impact his faith had on the people around him.  For 9 years Joseph had been leading Egypt when his brothers came back the second time to get food.  The administrators and stewards who worked under Joseph had learned his character.  Part of that is revealed in 33:23 when Joseph’s manager responded to his brother’s explanation about the money they had brought the first time.  “..the God of your fathers has blessed you…”  was his answer.  There was a pantheon of gods in Egypt, but the God of Israel was not one of them.  Here was an Egyptian official who spoke of the God of Israel with an understanding of how he works and how he blesses.  There can be no other explanation other than the influence of Joseph.

Stuart

Psalm 16

It only took a minute to read this psalm. We like the freedom to make choices. We choose out friends, our spouces, our houses, and our churches. But there are also many things that we cannot choose; soome of those are pleasant and some are disheartening. We cannot choose our family. The consolation is that in most cases they don't get a choice with us either. One other choice over which we have no control David speaks about in this psalm; that God chooses us.  Specifically: God choose me! (Verse 5) That choice made by God is a very good thing. But don't let it go to your head; he not only choose you, but he has individually choosen billions of others; all of them with out even asking them before he made the choice. You can rebel against God's choice, or you can revel in it, but it doesn't change the fact that God choose you.
Stuart

Psalm 15

It takes less times in the Message to read psalm 15 than in the NIV; under a minute.  I think the way Peterson wrote out David’s from this psalm are right on the mark.  David lists the characteristics that God is looking for in the people who will following him.  The list is short, but it is neither simple nor easy.  Learning to allow God to develop these characteristics in our lives is critical to being useful to him.  Though David failed in many of these at least once in his life, I believe that he held these ideals out before him as his “targets”.  Knowing that God wanted people to live with the attributes is a good start to fulfilling them.

Stuart

Genesis 40-42

It took me about 14 minutes to read this story about Joseph.  I think the cupbearer was older than 40.  Sure it was traumatic to be thrown in prison, especially in ancient Egypt, but his difficulties were compounded by the confusion of the dream.  There are still cultures today that consider every dream to have a meaning about our life.  Imagine the importance a culture like ancient Egypt placed on dreams.  Joseph was still a young man, in his late teens early twenties.  After the cupbearer’s dream this young imprisoned slave had the audacity to say that he could explain the dream.  Three days later the cupbearer’s dream was fulfilled exactly as Joseph had said.  So why didn’t the cupbearer remember Joseph’s request?  Because he was over 40 and three days had passed.  That of course is the natural reason.  There was a supernatural reason as well.  Joseph needed more time to grow in humble service.  Two years later God was done training Joseph.  Now Joseph was the man that God needed for the job of saving the world, and specifically, keeping God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel.  It just goes to show that God can use people over 40, with rapidly disappearing memories, to work out his will on earth.

Stuart

Psalm 14

I read this psalm in less than 2 minutes. If God looks at our life outside of our faith, there is nothing of value. When we allow God into our lives he turns us around. And when God turns us around we are filled with his energy - skipping rope without missing a step. We are also filled with his joy - expressed in a laughter that sounds like a song.  When we walk in faith we take on the innocence and freedom of well parented children.
Stuart

Genesis 37-39

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. When God presented Eve to Adam the man shouted with joy about the "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh." Somehow that joy lost its luster over the generations. By the time Jacob's sons threw Joseph in the pit the term "our flesh and blood" had become a term not of endearment but of derisen. That reality did keep the brothers from killing Joseph out of jealosy, but that was the extent of their concern. We too face the same struggles; when those closest to us become our adversaries. We must grow to depend upon God grace, not only in living our lives but also in loving our siblings.
Stuart

Psalm 13

This psalm can easily be read in less than a minute. However, grasping David's point will take me longer. There is no question that at many times in life we deal with awful situations. Times when the pain of anguish tries to consume us. David shared his secret for dealing with those time; he carelessly cast himself into the arms of God. My question is HOW? I don't believe it is a physical act. I believe it happens when we  change our attitude. When we give up self-defence, but continue to take up the defence of the oppressed. When we stop concerning ourself with ourself, and begin to seek ways to meet the needs of our oppressors. When we stop trying to be right, and look for the ways to bring out the good in everyone. When we never try to "get even" with someone who's hurt us, but leave room for God to act. I'll admit, I haven't suceeded following David's plan..........yet.
Stuart

Genesis 33-36

It took about 15 minutes to read this passage. Chapter 33 recounts the meeting of Jacob and Esau. Jacob had been gone for at least 14 years, and during that time God had removed Esau's anger against Jacob. When they met it was a joyous reunion. But their conversation in chapter 33 shows two distinct faiths: Jacob spoke often of what God had given him, while Esau spoke only of himself. Both men had received God's blessings but it was only Jacob who acknowledged God's work in what he had accumulated. Jacob spoke of his family and his livestock as gifts of God's grace.
Stuart

Psalm 12

It only took a minute to read this psalm. Once again David speaks of the evil that people express in every area of their life. God's remedy is truth. His truth spoken with the purpose of healing the ache found in the soul of those the world has abandoned. David sees that God is seeking to purify our lives by the truth. David only had a shadowy glimps of what God meant. The fullness of the reality of Messiah was hidden from David. But we, to whom God's full revelation has been revealed, understand that Jesus is God word of truth. It is only in Jesus that the prisoner can be set free.
Stuart

Genesis 30-32

It took me 20 minutes to read this passage. In 31:4-5 Jacob makes the observation that Laben had changed his attitude toward Jacob and his family. But he also proclaimed that God hadn't changed; that he never changes. That was not only true in Jacob's day, it is just as true today. Our God never changes, and therefore he never fails.
Stuart

Psalm 11

It took just 1 minute to read what David wrote. The words that we all need to hear again and again are at the end of this psalm. David speaks of "God's business". God makes it his purpose to set things right. I'll admit that I don't always see that happening. To me, that lack of confirmation is frustrating. But then I see and experience God's grace in amazing ways and this question comes to mind; if God is faithful to provide his grace when its needed then surely he will provide his justice at the right time. Too often I forget that the perfect time of making things right, the time when judgement was passed on the sins of many was that Friday on the cross. On that day Jesus took all of my punishment to the grave. On that day God put my life in line with his law. And not only my life but the lives of countless others. That was when God completed his business of setting things right.
Stuart

Genesis 27-29

It took me nearly 20 minutes to read this passage. (I did get interrupted once)  Why is it that Jacob stayed around the tents, and didn’t get a wife while his brother was out in the country and married two women from people outside of Abraham’s covenant?  I can’t answer why, but keep in mind that Abraham didn’t die until Jacob was around 15.  Maybe he spent time with his very wise grandfather.  His dad was a man of faith as well.  Maybe Jacob liked to listen and learn.  But he never really connected with God until he was off by himself in Bethel on the way to Laben’s house.  Then he had that terrifying dream when God confronted him.  God didn’t condemn him for his deceptions, God saw in Jacob the man he would become; Israel.  It was with that man that God passed on the covenant he had made with Abraham and Isaac.  Though shaken by his dream, Jacob agreed to God’s terms and set off, already a different man then the one who had lain down with that rock pillow the night before.

Stuart

Psalm 10

It took me nearly 2 minutes to read this psalm. Though its not denoted who wrote this psalm, they viewed the world of their time much like I see the world today; the wicked reign unchecked. The ruthless abuse the weak. Even many of the righteous disregard the law. Where is God in all of this? The psalmist wonders the same thing. But the last two verses spill over with the hope that God's presence brings. Orphans will have parents. The homeless will have homes. The rule of terror will be ended. When will this happen? When God moves.
Stuart

Genesis 24-26

It took me nearly 20 minutes to read this passage.  There are a number of stories in this passage; all of them about Isaac’s life.  Chapter 24 is the last exercise of faith recorded regarding Abraham.  He sends his servant on a mission to get a bride for Isaac.  Abraham must have spent some time discussing this with God because he offers the servant only one plan.  There is no plan B.  When the servant questions Abraham’s plan the old man of faith doesn’t say, “Well if that happens you need to ……”.  Only one plan.  From our point of view that doesn’t make much sense.  When dealing with people there should always be multiple plans in place to address the contingencies that will arise because of people’s quirks.  But Abraham expresses his faith in God’s sovereignty by offering only one plan.

Stuart

Psalm 9

I finished this psalm in a little over 1 minute. I really appreciate Peterson's description of God in verse 9; "God's a safe-house for the battered," having been exposed to CODA I've heard some general truthes about battered women. On average abused women do not permenantly leave their abuser until their 8th try. That is a lot of abuse. In this life all people are abused by the enemy of our souls, and some will never leave their abuser. The main reason CODA exists is to provide a safe-house for those abused so that they can adjust their lives to a less violent existence. When they are in a stable environment they have a greater chance of making rational choices, and living productive lives. God's purpose is the same as CODA's, that's what David says in Psalm 9.
Stuart

Genesis 21-23

It took me about 8 minutes to read this passage.  There was a saying among the people of Israel, who had only recently come out of slavery in Egypt; “On the mountain of God, he sees to it.”  That saying must have been spoken through the generations, but God wanted his people to understand how the saying got its start.  Much like the phrases “all men are created equal”, and “no taxation without representation” among Americans.  How many of us really understand the history that led to those words being written down, and the social and political power of such a statement.  For generations the people of Israel, held in slavery, had been quoting the words of Abraham and may not have understood why Abraham spoke those words initially.  They were words of astonished worship at what God had done.  The very existence of the people of Israel was the fruit of those words.  We, like those of Israel, need to understand why we speak certain phrases, because when we understand why the words were first spoken then we will understand the lesson that God is still seeking to teach his people.

Stuart

Psalm 8

It took about 1 minute to read this psalm. Even today, in much of the world, God's name is a household name. Not just in David's Israel either. In home in virtually every country on earth the God of the Bible is known. He may not be revered or respected as he deserves, but his name is known. And that is a big start. The institutions of the world tremble when God's name is spoken. And when people begin to grasp the truth of his message and the power of his name demons begin working frantically. David asked why God even gives us a second look? God answered that question numerous times over; because he loves us. That love is what makes God's name a household name.
Stuart

Genesis 18-20

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  I was interrupted a couple of times.

There was a cry against Sodom and Gomorrah; and it wasn’t just God’s righteousness that was crying out for justice.  There must have been victims calling out to God.  Victims of all sorts of crime and injustice.  This was not a place of alternate lifestyle people dwelling in harmony; it was a city of violence and destruction.  How did Lot survive?  The Bible doesn’t indicate how large the city was (Jonah was told the population of Nineveh) so we don’t know how small a percentage 4 people was of the population, but I would guess that Lot’s family was a rarity indeed.  Christians sometimes do God an injustice when we focus all of our condemnation on the homosexual intent of the mob outside of Lot’s house.  There was so much more corruption involved in the life of Sodom; and the victims’ voices moved God to act.

Stuart

Psalm 7

It took me less than 2 minutes to read this psalm. David says that he looks all around him, and sees evil everywhere except with God. God is more than able to correct the evil, and he seems to be standing by waiting for the time to act. But men persist it evil. David calls our focus back to God; there we are to look for guidence. Justice may not flow in the time or direction that we desire, but God's justice is always there. He is not neglegent or blind to the evil of men. David praised the God who makes everything right. So should we.
Stuart

Genesis 15-17

It took me about 7 minutes to read this passage which recounted two covenants, and one poor plan. In 15 God makes a covenant with Abram about his descendants. Specifically, that they would posess the land in which Abram dwelt as an outsider. In 17 God covenants with Abraham that his descendants would be many, and the source of kings. The first covenant was accepted when Abram made an animal sacrifice. The second was accepted when Abraham made his body a living sacrifice.
Stuart

Psalm 6

It took only a minute to read this song of David. The focus of the psalm escapes me. David seems to be putting forth two requests: an end to the discipline that God is giving, and an end to the struggle with the forces of evil. He ends the psalm with a summary of evil's character; cowardice.
Stuart

Genesis 12-14

It took me about 12 minutes to read this passage. Apperance is everything to people. After heeding God's call Abram receiveds God's blessings; first in protection and provisions, then in possessions. When wealth is measured in heards and servants Abram is found with over 300 men of fighting capacity. That is potentially 1,000 servants living with him. The size of his herds must have been in the thousands as well. Abram knew that God had provided this wealth. And he wanted no one to threaten God position as provider. That is why he rejected the reward from Sodom's king. We need to be just as warry of other people's actions in our lives. Anything that could take away God credit for the changes in our life should be rejected.
Stuart

Psalm 5

It only took a couple minutes to read this psalm. God has welcomed those who seek him. He opened the door and invited them in. But he didn't stop with the welcome: he clothed those who seek him in his delight. He pours out his delight on those who seek him out. What two wonderful lavish gifts from the creator Father to anyone who will seek him out.
Stuart

Genesis 10-11

It took me about 7 minutes to read this passage.  In the middle of the lineages of Noah, Shem, and Terah is the 9 verse story of Babel.  It is almost a side note, and a brief explanation to answer the question;  if all people originated from Noah then why don’t all people speak the same language?  My question is; what was the offense at Babel that led God to such a divisive solution?  I think the answer is in 11:4.  The people arrogantly sought fame, something of their own making, to be the source of their unity.  The people sought to put themselves in place of God by becoming the most famous people on earth.  They also challenged God to stop them; notice the attitude God commented about in verse 6.  God could have wiped them out again; he’d already proven his power, but his word prevented such action.  God could have raised up an army or a plague.  Instead he exercised his power without compromising his covenant of promise to Noah.  He changed the words they spoke; creating languages.  Without the ability to easily understand each other the people’s arrogance transformed into frustration and mistrust.  The breakdown in communication was followed by a breakdown in common will.  The collective arrogance was broken and the dream of replacing God was smashed.  Without the cost of one life, God had humbled humanity.  Just as we still deal with the effects of Adam and Eve’s initial rebellion against God, modern man has also been impacted by God’s humbling of the people at Babel.

Stuart

Psalm 4

It only took me a minutes to read this psalm. Often times God finds us just like David describes himself; in a tight spot. Whether it be caught between the results of our sin and our choice to sin, of the threats and evil plans of our oppressors. When David found himself there before he called out and depended upon God. David doesn't say he took a way all the pain, or the oppression. But God did replace the "tight place" with "room". Those are the expectations we need to have for God; not that he would eliminate that which seeks to destroy us, but give us the room so that we can continue to live out our faith under the chilling breath of those threats.
Stuart

Genesis 6-9

It took me almost 20 minutes to read this passage.  Here in 9:6-7 God puts down his “foot”; no more murder.  But why did he wait so long?  Noah was 10 generations after Adam, 9 generations from that first murder why was there such a delay?  God did make it clear in the same passage where he outlawed that which by nature should never have been that man’s purpose is all about life.  Our earthly purpose in life is to live bountifully for God’s glory. 

Stuart

Psalm 3

I only needed a minute to read the first psalm, in the sequence of the book, attributed to David. When he wrote this he had been king for years. He had comitted audultry and the consequences of his attempts to keep the sins secret play out in ways he had never anticipated. He must have also realized that those he had sought would develop a faith like his; Absalom and some of his other sons, completely missed that part of David's life. Somehow they missed his daily surrender to God. They looked past the king's willingness to be foolish before God, to grovel in the presence of the All Mighty. Absalom must not have understood the freedom a heart receives when sins are confessed to God, and sacrifices offered with repentance. Absalom must not have understood the real source of David's strength; "Real help comes from God."
Stuart

Genesis 3-5

I needed about 15 minutes to read this passage. Cain murdered Abel is a jealsous rage. The God of life put a warning mark on Cain. A mark that indicated a curse with a curse - do not kill this man to avenge Abel. Everyone must have known Cain and Abel. This first generation removed from the garden couldn't have been too numerous. Maybe even a second and third generation had been born. If everyone knew the brother they also knew the story. Nothing like this had ever happened. So why did God not require life for life? Why did God protect the man who sought to be like God; ruling over life itself?
I don't have any idea right now.
Stuart

Psalm 2

One minute. That's all it took to read this psalm. No matter how many experts reject the notion of God, he would like to point out that his invisible throne is still well established. No matter what laws or policies are laid down to reject God's right to first place in our lives, His claim is still valid. That invisible quality is why faith is required in dealing with every aspect of God. The rummors of God's demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Stuart

Genesis 1-2

It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage. Moses used one word to introduce God's revelation about the creation. It translates to the phrase "In the beginning". However, we know that the creation wasn't the beginning of God, or even the start of his plan of creation or redemption. God foreknew all of these this before he first commanded the newly formed physical world to radiate his light. But these events do relay the beginning of the story of man. As the key actor in this drama God sets up a beautiful stage upon which the story will unfold. Then he introduces the main character. Act 1, scene 1. This is a love story, with many subplots and who-dunit type questions. But it is always about the Gospel; God's redemption of fallen man.
Stuart