Listening to the Word

2 Chronicles 6-7; Psalms 135; Romans 4 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant…Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, through all generations. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.” Psalm 135:3, 13, 14 Why is it “pleasant” to praise God’s name? We were created by God to know him and worship him. This is our life’s purpose. When we spend our life trying to make a name for ourselves through our skill, beauty, wealth, or achievements we find our life is empty and these idols don’t satisfy. The Psalmist invites us to instead worship the living God whose name reveals his nature and character. As we worship God each day, all day, with our words and life, we find the pleasant, peaceful beauty of the Lord gracing our lives with his presence. When brothers and sisters in God’s family dwell together in unity, it is also pleasant. Why? - Because we enjoy in the unity of the Spirit, God’s presence...

1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalms 99; Romans 3   “…We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin…There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:9, 22-24 The covenant between God and Israel at Mount Sinai was to set Israel apart from the nations as God’s holy people so that they would be a witness to the nations of God’s covenant-ways and the blessing of walking with him. The covenant with Israel renewed God’s promise to Abraham that he was ‘blessed to be a blessing’. Israel’s failure to live by God’s covenant-ways illustrated to the world the power of sin, made clear by their failure to obey God’s laws. Paul’s gospel emphasized that all, Jews, and Gentiles alike, are under the power of sin, and all need the atoning sacrifice of a Savior. All have sinned and all are justified freely by God’s grace, through faith in Ch...

1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalms 98; Romans 2   “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth…Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:1, 2, 4 Justice and righteousness are the foundation of God’s throne. After outlining God’s judgment of our rebellion, perversion, and sin in Romans 1, Paul warns us not to play god and judge others. We are all guilty of violating God’s ways and we all fall short of his holiness; yet, we know our desperate need for God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness should fill us with compassion and mercy toward others. When we judge others, we show contempt for the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience toward us. It i...

1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalms 97; Romans 1   “God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness…For I am not ashamed of the gospel…” Romans 1:9, 16 What do we think of when we think of the word “gospel”? Do we focus on the mechanics of our sin-separation from God and the atonement of Christ for our sin, reconciling us with God and the world around us? It is possible to focus on the various parts, aspects, steps, or laws in the gospel, forgetting that the heart of the gospel is God’s love for us in Christ. Jesus Christ our Lord is the gospel in summary. Paul preached the gospel of Jesus, Son of God, Lord of heaven and earth. Paul was not ashamed of Jesus Christ or of speaking about him to anyone whom he met. Are we? How confident are we to live and share the gospel wherever we are? “Lord Jesus, you are the good news which has transformed my life. You alone are the hope of the world, for your glory.”

1 Kings 4-5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalms 101; 2 Thessalonians 3 “I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life – when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing...” Psalm 101:1-3 David enjoyed the presence of the Lord so much that he was willing to avoid and resist the presence of sinful behaviors wherever possible. When our focus is on ourselves, we try to approach God on our terms. When our focus is on God, we approach him on his terms. David knew the holiness of God and he resisted sin in the power of the Spirit. David’s standard was to be blameless. We know he often failed in that effort; but when he failed, his cry of repentance was focused on restoring the presence of the Lord in his life (Psalm 51). What is our standard of behavior? We live in a sin-sick generation that celebrates and promotes that which God hates. Are we choosing to be friends of God...

1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalms 78; 2 Thessalonians 2 “…and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the desert. Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place had had prepared for it…But the bronze altar…was in Gideon in front of the tabernacle of the Lord;…” 2 Chronicles 1:3-5 The ark represented guidance and blessing, but had often been used as a ‘good luck charm’. The Tent of Meeting (or tabernacle) and the bronze altar built by Moses represented repentance and true relationship with God. Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice before the Lord and to seek his face. The Lord honored Solomon’s heart-intent with an amazing question, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (2 Chronicles 1:7). When we seek God’s presence and relationship, we also receive counsel and provision. When we just seek direction (the ark and ephod), we can approach God like a vendin...