The Bible in a Year “Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusionContinue reading “When Sin Takes More Than It Gives”
Category Archives: The Bible in a Year
The Four Steps of a Faithful Life
The Bible in a Year “For Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” — Ezra 7:10 Among the many leaders God raised up in Scripture, Ezra stands out as a model of spiritual dedication. He was not a king,Continue reading “The Four Steps of a Faithful Life”
Building What Lasts Forever
The Bible in a Year “In the first year of Cyrus the king, the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded… and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid.” (Ezra 6:3) The decree of King Cyrus to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem mayContinue reading “Building What Lasts Forever”
Building the Altar Before the Walls
The Bible in a Year “They set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries.” — Ezra 3:3 One of the most insightful moments in the book of Ezra is the realization that the returning exiles built the altar before they rebuilt the city. Jerusalem stillContinue reading “Building the Altar Before the Walls”
When Evil Becomes Normal
The Bible in a Year “He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done; he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.” — 2 Kings 15:9 As I read through the history of Israel’s kings, one truth becomesContinue reading “When Evil Becomes Normal”
When Grace Finds the Worst of Us
The Bible in a Year “And prayed unto him; and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.” — 2 Chronicles 33:13 The story of Manasseh is one of the most surprising testimonies in all ofContinue reading “When Grace Finds the Worst of Us”
When Faithful Voices Are Mocked
The Bible in a Year “The posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun; but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.” — 2 Chronicles 30:10 One of the difficult lessons we learn while walking through Scripture is that obedience to God does not always produceContinue reading “When Faithful Voices Are Mocked”
When Success Becomes Dangerous
The Bible in a Year “When he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction.” — 2 Chronicles 26:16 King Uzziah’s story is one of the most sobering accounts in the Old Testament because it reminds us that a good beginning does not guarantee a faithful ending. Uzziah became king at only sixteenContinue reading “When Success Becomes Dangerous”
When Mercy Keeps Calling
The Bible in a Year “Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them; but they would not give ear.” — 2 Chronicles 24:19 One of the most revealing truths about the human heart is how stubbornly it can resist God even while surrounded by HisContinue reading “When Mercy Keeps Calling”
When You Do Not Know What to Do
The Bible in a Year “Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.” — 2 Chronicles 20:12 There are moments in life when we run out of answers. We have prayed, analyzed, worried, planned, and still stand staring at a problem larger than our strength. That is where Jehoshaphat found himselfContinue reading “When You Do Not Know What to Do”