Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read
slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God,
thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for
you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Proverbs 29:11
Proverbs 29:11
Understanding to grow in
Here we see the difference godly leaders can make. Jehoshaphat appoints
judges, instructing them to judge justly, and
so for God not man, “who is with you whenever you give a verdict.” Likewise
Jesus promises to be especially present when the church judges Christians in
sin (Matt 18v15-20). Jehoshaphat also appoints priests and Levites to
administer the law and settle disputes, urging them to be faithful and warn
people against sin so that God’s wrath doesn’t come upon them as leaders.
Surely this is a word to today’s ministers when tempted not to speak plainly
about sin and its consequences. Jehoshaphat's uprightness is further proved when faced with an enemy. he resolves to “enquire of the LORD” and “proclaimed a fast.” And so “every town” came to seek God. This is the nature of
kingship. A faithful king leads the people into faithfulness, and vice versa. The king's amazingly honest prayer reminds us that as
God’s friends, even if we don’t know how to act in the face of need, we can
know a peace that “transcends” our understanding in committing the matter to
him in prayer (Phil 4v6-7). As we feel the
forces of evil and forces of secularism gaining ground, we need to hear this. We may be powerless
and uncertain about how to respond, but we need do nothing more than cry out to
God and trust and so obey his word. As you read note how Jehoshaphat displays faith.Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.