“The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.”— Proverbs 16:33 “God’s dice always have a lucky roll,” said Sophocles, one of classical Athens’ three great tragic playwrights. Here’s what Charles H. Spurgeon has to say, in Morning and Evening: If the disposal of the lot is the … More The events of our lives are in His hands
On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to … More Divine Insomnia
In Nehemiah 4, we come to two statements which contain elements of God’s awesome power and sovereignty, and also elements of our responsibility. The setting is the rebuilding of the wall and the fierce opposition from the enemies of the Jews. In verse 9 we read: And we prayed to our God and set a … More Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight …
As we begin reading the book of Ezra in our Bible reading plan today, here is John Piper, in “A Hunger for God” p 166: Israel had been taken into Babylonian exile. They had been there for decades. Now the time had come, in God’s reckoning, for their restoration. But how could this happen? They were a tiny, … More Piper on Ezra: “Massively hope-giving”
In our reading in 2 Chronicles today (22:7) we read: “But it was ordained by God that the downfall of Ahaziah should come about through his going to visit Joram.” Ahaziah decided to join Joram, king of Israel, in order to try to recapture Ramoth-gilead from Hazael, king of Syria. He had advisors that encouraged him … More Ahaziah and Ahab. Both corrupt. Both under God’s ultimate rule.
And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court,and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.Did you … More For we are powerless but our eyes are on you
As we read from 2 Chronicles 17-19 today, here is some help from the ESV Study Bible: 2 Chron. 18:28–34 Ahab is enticed into battle, as the spirit had promised (v. 20). His decision to disguise himself, while rather cynically directing Jehoshaphat to wear his royal robes, indicates his dominant role in the alliance and perhaps also represents a … More Checkmate: Ahab, Jehoshaphat and God’s sovereignty
Psalm 127:2 (the psalm for today, July 4) It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Charles Spurgeon wrote in Treasury of David: God is sure to give the best thing to his beloved, and we … More Spurgeon: Sleep like Jesus
In 2 Kings 8, we read of the Shunammite woman‘s obedience to Elisha to sojourn “wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine.” Elisha knew good and well who causes famines. God does.Leviticus 26:3–4 says, If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you … More Sovereign over famine and restoration
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number … More Ryle: Do a thing boldly, unflinchingly, and decidedly, when Jesus says, “do it.”
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 