RETURN TO THE LAND: Ezra 1:1-8

DAY 21: RETURN TO THE LAND     

LINK: Ezra 1:1-8               

Symbol: Brick Wall

The exile and return of the children of Israel to their land was prophesied in Jeremiah. Read Jeremiah 25:1-11 and Jeremiah 29:10-14. God is getting His people in the right place at the right time, for the coming of the Messiah. When has God put us in just the right place at just the right time?

BBC BACKGROUND from Ezra 1

Ezra 1 - Cyrus' Edict

This chapter opens in 538 B.C., 47 years after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36). The Persians had overthrown the great Babylonians, and Cyrus became king of Persia in 559. Isaiah 44:28-45:6 prophesied that Cyrus would help the Jews return to Jerusalem. He allowed them to bring back articles belonging to the temple that Nebuchadnezzar had taken away. 

Persian records show that many Jews had accumulated much wealth while in captivity. Consequently, many remained, preferring a comfortable life in Babylon. 

REFLECTION (written before I returned to the home of my ancestors, July 2012)

Next week, Lord willing, I will be walking the 120 acres of the land of my ancestors in Cross Fork, Pennsylvania. My grandmother left that town in 1906 after her parents both died within two weeks of one another, leaving her an orphan at 11 years of age.  I am the first to return to the land of my forefathers in over 100 years! I have wanted to go there for much of my life. It is a dream come true to finally be doing it (Of course, it took the wedding of a dear friend in Pittsburgh to prompt us to go).  

My grandmother never returned to that land, and sadly, because of the bitterness of becoming an orphan at such a young age and dishonest dealings from church families in Cross Fork that caused her to lose her inheritance, she was always bitter toward God. She never returned to Cross Fork or to God, and she did not like that I had made a decision to make Jesus my home. I will walk that land with both joy and weeping next week. 

Ancestral Land, Cross Fork, Pennsylvania, July 2012

This gives me just a little bit of a glimpse of what it must have been like for the exiles to return to their homeland and settle in the towns and villages of their ancestors after 70 years. They were returning home. What joy but also what sorrow to remember the past and what once was. 

Jesus is our home. He is where we need to return every day. Many of us are held in captivity in our souls, and we need to return to Him where we can settle and find peace and rest there. 

APPLICATION 

Return to your true home today. Walk His land. Find rest and peace. 

PRAYER 

Psalm 126 is a "Song of Ascent" recalling the joy of the returning exiles. The agricultural reference in 126:5-6 indicates that they would face bad seasons (Haggai 1:9-11), but God would give them rain and harvests (Haggai 2:15-19) and keep His covenant promise.  Let it be your prayer today:

When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion,

We were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter

And our tongue with joyful shouting;

Then they said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us;

We are glad.

Restore our captivity, O Lord,

As the streams in the South. 

(The Negev desert south of Judah that overflowed in the rainy season)

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.

He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,

Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

(Psalm 126:1-6)

I love verses 5 and 6 in The Message translation:

So those who planted their crops in despair
       will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
       will come home laughing,
with armloads of blessing.

And here is a beautiful rendition of this Psalm by Bifrost Arts:

THE EXILE: Daniel 3

YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE BEGINNER’S BIBLE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN NOW.

DAY 20: THE EXILE

LINK: Daniel 3                    

Symbol: Fiery Furnace

Why were these men being persecuted? (Daniel 3:6, 12)   

How did they react to this persecution? (Daniel 3:16-18)  

As Christians can we expect to be persecuted? (Matthew 5:11, 12) 

How are we to react to our persecution? (James 1:2, 3 and 1 Peter 4:12-14)

BBC BACKGROUND from Daniel 3

In Babylonian religious culture, statues were worshiped. The image in this chapter stood 90 feet high and 90 feet wide. The pressure to bow down to it must have been enormous; but like the food and wine in Daniel 1, Daniel and his three friends discerned that this would violate God's law and refused to worship the image (Exodus 20:3). So, they suffered the furnace of fire.

The fire killed Nebuchadnezzar's soldiers but not the four men in the fire.  The fourth man could have been an angel or the pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 91:9-12). 

Through this, they were protected from death and God was glorified among the Gentiles! Nebuchadnezzar did not turn to their God, but he did acknowledge that God is powerful and commanded his people not to speak against the God of all gods! 

REFLECTION

I lived in a pretty pagan environment during college. I got pressured and condemned quite a bit for following God in the midst of it too. But women have called me and thanked me over the years. Many have turned to Him. 

God richly rewards our obedience and glorifies Himself in the process!

D.L. Moody often preached on Daniel, and here’s an excerpt from the message: 

Daniel thought more of his principles than he did of earthly honor or the esteem of men. Right was right with him. He was going to do right today and let the morrows take care of themselves. That firmness of purpose, in the strength of God, was the secret of his success. (D.L. Moody, Bible Characters (Fleming H. Revell, 1888), 9.)

One of Mr. Moody’s associates, musician Philip P. Bliss, expressed this truth in a song that’s not used much today, but the message is certainly needed. The chorus says: 

Dare to be a Daniel! 
Dare to stand alone! 
Dare to have a purpose firm! 
Dare to make it known!  (Be resolute, p. 157)

¹

APPLICATION 

Dare to be a Daniel today!

PRAYER

Lord, glorify Yourself in how we relate to a lost world today. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

BETHLEHEM: Micah 5:2-4

DAY 19: BETHLEHEM     

LINK: Micah 5:2-4    

Symbol: Town with Star

Using a map of Israel (you can find one in the back of your Bible), find Bethlehem. Notice that it is close to Jerusalem, where the Wise Men expected the King of the Jews to be born. (Matthew 2:1-6)   

Why would God have wanted His son born in Bethlehem rather than Jerusalem? There are many answers, but one is that Bethlehem is called the “city of David” (Luke 2:4, 11) and the Christ was to be of the lineage of David. 

Song: "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

This video for children ties the prophecies from Isaiah 9 and Micah 5 together:

BBC BACKGROUND from Micah 5

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

The most important thing in Micah 5 is the prediction of the birth of a ruler who would come out of little Bethlehem (5:2) whose greatness would reach to the ends of the earth (5:4), and He would be their peace (5:5, see also John 14:27). Of course, this is a prophecy about Jesus, who was from "long ago"! 

In addition to these things, Christ will destroy Israel's enemies, purge Israel of false worship, and will execute vengeance on the nations who refuse to obey the Lord.

NO REFLECTION or APPLICATION today!

PRAYER

How is it that people cannot see that You came as the promised Messiah when so many prophecies are so specific? Open blind eyes, God. May many people see You in the coming Christmas season! Amen. 

THE NEW COVENANT: Jeremiah 31:31-34

DAY 18: THE NEW COVENANT      

LINK: Jeremiah 31:31-34                              

Symbol: Heart

What is a covenant? 

What was the old covenant? (Exodus 19:5)

What is the new covenant (Luke 22:20 & Matthew 26:28)?   

How does God write His laws on our hearts today?

BBC BACKGROUND from Jeremiah 31

The most important part of this whole chapter is the promise of a New Covenant (31:33) in which God would put His Law within them and write it on their hearts. The Old Covenant was the Mosaic Covenant from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. God had announced a series of punishments that would occur if they transgressed it (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28), and the final judgment would be the deportation to Babylon in 586 B.C. God's New Covenant would be an internalization of His Law, giving them the inner ability to obey. This would result from God giving them the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:24-32; Joel 2:28-32). The Holy Spirit did not universally indwell all believers in the Old Testament times. So, this was a new concept.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

As part of the New Covenant, God would forgive Israel's wickedness and remember their sins no more. A holy God could not "overlook" sin. So, sin's penalty would be paid for by a Substitute (Isaiah 53:4-6): JESUS! 

In the Upper Room, Christ proclaimed that the New Covenant was to begin through the shedding of His blood (Matthew 26:27-28; Luke 22:20). Our sins would be "overlooked" because Jesus would pay the penalty required of man for His sin and avert the wrath of a holy God.

As believers today, we enjoy the spiritual blessing of the New Covenant through the forgiveness of our sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual and physical blessings will be realized by Israel on a future day when they acknowledge their sin and turn to the Substitute for forgiveness (Zechariah 12:10-13:1).

REFLECTION

I am letting the realities of the New Covenant sink deep into my soul this morning as I meditate on God's everlasting love and His drawing of us to Himself through Jesus, the Substitute for our sins! Ahhhhhhh.

APPLICATION

Look at the complete picture of God given in Jeremiah 30 and 31 (Specifically look at 30:12-15; 18-22; 23-24; 31:1-9; 10-22; 23-34; 31:35-37; 33:19-22). Having this complete picture helps you understand the significance of the New Covenant!

PRAYER

Thank You most Holy God for overlooking my sin because of the Substitute, Jesus. It is in His name we pray, Amen.

THE SUFFERING SERVANT: Isaiah 53

DAY 17: THE SUFFERING SERVANT    

     

LINK: Isaiah 53   

                       

Symbol: Cross

Read the account of the crucifixion in Matthew 26:57 -27:66 (adapt for younger kids). 

Was Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled in Jesus? 

What specific details were fulfilled? For example, Isaiah 53:7 . . . “like a sheep that is silent before its sheerer” . . . Matthew 26:63; 27:12. 

Read Matthew 26:56. Why is it important that all the prophecies about Jesus’ death were fulfilled?

BBC BACKGROUND from Isaiah 53

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Parts of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 are quoted in the New Testament:

52:15     in Romans 15:21
53:1       in John 12:38 and Romans 10:16
53:4       in Matthew 8:17
53:7-8    in Acts 8:32-33
53:9       in 1 Peter 2:22
53:12     in Luke 22:37

It prophesies of a servant Messiah who would suffer and die for our transgressions.  He would be "disfigured, despised, stricken, afflicted, pierced through, crushed, oppressed, cut off, and numbered with the transgressors." This would pay the penalties for our transgressions and purchase our redemption. We would be "bought out of slavery," and the purchase price would cost us nothing, but Him, everything.  With this, we would have peace and healing. 

His death satisfied God's righteous demands for judgment against sin leading to salvation for everyone who believes!

WOOHOO!

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

It is such a paradox that the sad news of the suffering Servant is GOOD NEWS for sinning sheep!  

Pray through Isaiah 53:5-6 today and let it be your prayer of commitment if you do not already know this suffering Servant as your Savior!

These are also wonderful verses to memorize.

PRAYER through Isaiah 53:5-6

But He was pierced through for our transgressions, 

He was crushed for our iniquities; 

The chastening for our well-being (peace) fell upon Him, 

And by His scourging we are healed.

(And in His wounding, we found our healing. The Passion Translation)

All of us like sheep have gone astray, 
Each of us has turned to his own way; 
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all 
To fall on Him.

ONE WHO WILL FEED HIS FLOCK LIKE A SHEPHERD: Isaiah 40:9-11

DAY 16: ONE WHO WILL FEED HIS FLOCK LIKE A SHEPHERD          

LINK: Isaiah 40:9-11                   

Symbol: Sheep with Shepherd’s Staff

Why do sheep need a shepherd?

How is Jesus like a shepherd? 

Why do you think God’s angels told the shepherds to GO SEE baby Jesus?

BBC BACKGROUND from Isaiah 40

The book of Isaiah makes a shift from judgment in the first 39 chapters to comfort, restoration, and deliverance by God in the remaining 27. It is interesting to note that there are also 66 books in the Bible. The Old Testament contains 39 books. The New Testament contains 27.

The remaining 27 chapters are divided into three parts of nine chapters each. These three parts center around three events:

1. Deliverance from the Babylonian Captivity that was prophesied in Isaiah 39:7 (Chapters 40-48).
2. Rejection and restoration of the Suffering Servant- Jesus (Chapters 49-57).
3. Restoration of Israel and the world with the coming of the Messiah Jesus (Chapters 58-66).

The prophecies of Isaiah were written 100 years before Judah fell to Babylon.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

The voice of peace (vv. 9–11). Now the nation itself comes out of the valley and climbs the mountaintop to declare God’s victory over the enemy. To “bring good tidings” means “to preach the Good News.” The good news in that day was the defeat of Babylon and the release of the captive Jews (52:7–9). The Good News today is the defeat of sin and Satan by Jesus Christ and the salvation of all who will trust in Him (61:1–3; Luke 4:18–19). God’s arm is a mighty arm for winning the battle (Isa. 40:10), but it is also a loving arm for carrying His weary lambs (v. 11). “We are coming home!” would certainly be good news to the devastated cities of Judah (1:7; 36:1; 37:26). (Be Comforted: "Be” Commentary Series, p. 109)

REFLECTION

Over the last four days, we have learned quite a bit about Jesus from the book of Isaiah: 

• He is the promised one from the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1-5)
• He will establish peace and rest (Isaiah 11:6-9)
• He is the Light in a dark world (Isaiah 9:2)
• He will reign (Isaiah 9:6)
• He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
• He is the gentle caring shepherd (Isaiah 40:9-11)

Tomorrow, we will see Him as the Suffering Servant.

APPLICATION/PRAYER

Isaiah 40:11 (along with Matthew 11:28-30) is in Handel's Messiah! The music implies the gentleness of our God. I pray this movement in the oratorio gives you great comfort in this busy season. (And join me for Messiah Meditations at Christmas!)

PRAYER

Thank You for being our Gentle Shepherd. I pray we would all know Your wonderful care in the coming days. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

THE PRINCE OF PEACE: Isaiah 9:2-7

DAY 15: THE PRINCE OF PEACE    

LINK: Isaiah 9:2-7  

                  

Symbol: Globe with Dove & Crown

Listen to the news or read the newspaper together as a family, noticing how many times wars or violence is mentioned. Look up the meanings of PEACE in the dictionary. Find Scripture that tells us how to have peace in our lives. How does this prophecy relate to Jesus?

BBC BACKGROUND from Isaiah 9

In the time of Isaiah's prophecy, the people turned to demons instead of God (Isaiah 8:19; Deut. 18:10-12) which led them into greater darkness and decline. Yet, into this utter darkness (8:22), a light will dawn (9:2).

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

I love Isaiah 9 because it is the dawn after the darkness! It is the promise of the Messiah (Matthew 4:13-16) who will come from "Galilee of the Gentiles" (9:1). 

Jesus is the light in a dark world (Luke 1:78-79; John 1:9; 8:12)!

But the prophet looked beyond the first coming of Christ to His second coming and the establishing of His righteous kingdom (Isa. 9:3–7). Instead of protecting a small remnant, God would enlarge the nation. Instead of experiencing sorrow, the people would rejoice like reapers after a great harvest, soldiers after a great victory (see Jud. 6–7), or prisoners of war after being released from their yoke of bondage. Of course, some of this occurred when God defeated Assyria and delivered Jerusalem (Isa. 37). But the ultimate fulfillment is still future; all military material will be destroyed (9:5) because the nations will not learn war any more (2:4). 

Isaiah 9:6 declares both the humanity (“A Child is born”) and the deity (“A Son is given”) of the Lord Jesus Christ. The prophet then leaps ahead to the Kingdom Age when Messiah will reign in righteousness and justice from David’s throne. God had promised David that his dynasty and throne would be established forever (2 Sam. 7:16); and this is fulfilled literally in Jesus Christ (Luke 1:32–33; Zech. 9:9), who will one day reign from Jerusalem (Isa. 11:1–5; Jer. 23:5–8; 30:8–10). This kingdom is called “the Millennium,” which means “one thousand years.” 

If His name is “Wonderful,” then there will be nothing dull about His reign! As Counselor, He has the wisdom to rule justly; and as the Mighty God, He has the power to execute His wise plans. “Everlasting Father” does not suggest that the Son is also the Father, for each Person in the Godhead is distinct. “Father of Eternity” is a better translation. Among the Jews, the word “father” means “originator” or “source.” For example, Satan is the “father [originator] of lies” (John 8:44, NIV). If you want anything eternal, you must get it from Jesus Christ; He is the “Father of eternity.” (Wiersbe, W.W. Be Comforted. “Be” Commentary Series, p. 36–37)

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

Isaiah 9 is part of Handel's Messiah. We will be going through this oratorio little by little starting in December as a way of reviewing what we have learned in the three years of the Bible Book Club (35 out of the 53 musical movements are Old Testament Scriptures!)  

So, if you do not already have this oratorio, it will be a great addition to your Christmas music. After going through the Jesse Tree and/or the Bible Book Club, you will have a much deeper appreciation of the Scripture in this God-inspired oratorio!

You can find it here on the blog or download an electronic document. I go through it almost every year!

As a result of meditating on these verses today, I have been listening to Isaiah 9:2 & 6 in Messiah, and I danced all over the living room (my family is at the library, but they are used to me dancing)!

This is my favorite version:

PRAYER

Let this wonderful audio meditation in Isaiah 9 lead you into a deeper experience of God in prayer:

God In All Things · And He Is Named

THE LION AND THE LAMB RESTING TOGETHER: Isaiah 11:6-9

DAY 14: THE LION AND THE LAMB RESTING TOGETHER

           

LINK: Isaiah 11:6-9  

Symbol: Lion & Lamb

Have the children (and adults) role-play. The Lion should be fierce and roaring, and the Lamb should be sweet and innocent. Show how a lion might hurt a lamb today. Act out how a lion and lamb will act according to this prophecy. 

How is this prophecy different from today? 

Has this prophecy been fulfilled yet? 

How does this prophecy relate to Jesus?

BBC BACKGROUND from Isaiah 11

Isaiah 11:6 to the end of the chapter includes a description of the Messiah and His righteous kingdom where the curse will be lifted, peace and harmony will reign, and even wild animals will be tame! Peace will reign because “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:9; Jeremiah 31:34; Habakkuk 2:14).

   Then in that day 

The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, 

Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; 

And His resting place will be glorious.

(Isaiah 11:10)  

God wants to bless all peoples through the Messiah (the roots of Jesse) rallying all nations to have a part in the feast in God’s kingdom (Luke 13:29). This is in keeping with God’s promise to Abraham that through his descendants all peoples would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Isaiah 11:10 is a missional verse!

APPLICATION

Imagine the reign of the Messiah and His kingdom. Let Him reign in Your heart today and let Him lead you to peace. 

Bless "all peoples" today by praying for the Unreached People of the Day:

PRAYER

Lord, I praise You that You came to usher in peace. May we have peace today as we head into the holiday season very soon! Amen. 

THE SHOOT FROM THE STUMP OF JESSE: Isaiah 11:1-5

ATTENTION: DAYS 13-19 ARE NOT IN THE BEGINNER’S BIBLE.

DAY 13: THE SHOOT FROM THE STUMP OF JESSE

          

LINK: Isaiah 11:1-5        

             

Symbol: Tree Stump with Green Shoot

What is a prophet? 

Why is prophecy important in God’s word? 

How did this prophecy offer hope to God’s people? 

Do you remember who Jesse was? 

How does this prophecy relate to Jesus?

BBC BACKGROUND from Isaiah 11

Reign of the Righteous Branch

This is a Scarlet Thread of Redemption passage. Isaiah foretells the day when a shoot will spring forth from the seemingly dead stump of Judah. Isaiah glimpses a day when his people's trials will be over, a glorious kingdom will be established, and a Messiah comes to reign (11:1-9). Jesus would come from the line of David to be that Messiah and King (Review the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7. Also see Romans 1:3; Revelation 5:5, and 22:16). We also see the promise of the Spirit (11:2-3a) in this passage. Isaiah refers to the Holy Spirit more than any other Old Testament prophet (11:2; 30:1; 32:15; 34:16; 40:13; 42:1; 44:3; 48:16; 59:21; 61:1; 63:10-11, 14). All three persons of the Trinity are suggested in 11:1-2. 

REFLECTION

As I type this morning, there is a sense of holy awe that fills my heart, Jesus, the shoot from the stump of Jesse will come again in all His glory and He shall reign!

There is something so awesome about reading this prophecy, knowing that it was given more than 500 years before Jesus' birth (Matthew 1:6; Acts 13:22, 23)!

APPLICATION

This is the passage where the Jesse Tree gets its name. I hope you have found the time to make your own Jesse Tree for this Christmas!

PRAYER

Lord, the more I know Your Word, the more I see how You have perfectly planned everything. Your prophecies are true. Thank You that the root from the stump of Jesse lives in my heart today! Amen. 

JOSIAH FINDS THE LAW: 2 Kings 22:1-13; 23:1-3

DAY 12: JOSIAH FINDS THE LAW  

LINK: 2 Kings 22:1-13; 23:1-3   

 

Symbol: Scroll

Discuss how important God’s Word was to Josiah. 

Then discuss how important God’s Word is to your family. 

What are we doing to try to learn more of God’s Word?

BBC BACKGROUND from 2 KINGS 22 & 2 KINGS 23 

Excerpt from 2 Kings 22

Josiah of Judah - 2 Kings 21:26-23:30; 2 Chronicles 33:25-36:1

Reigned: 640-609 B.C. for 31 years
Character: The Best
Manner of death: Killed in battle by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt 

During Josiah's reign, Nineveh, the capital of the powerful Assyria that carried Israel away in 722 B.C., was destroyed in 612 B.C. by the Babylonians. In 609 B.C., the whole Assyrian Empire fell to the Babylonians.

Josiah reigned righteously and followed God completely. The 2 Chronicles account says that he began to seek the God of his father David when he was 16 years old and began to purge Judah of the high places, Asherim, and carved and molten images at age 20 (2 Chronicles 34:3-7). When he turned 26, he found the Book of the Law. One reading had such an impact on him that it changed the course of the nation of Judah and staved off God's judgment on Judah's idolatrous ways for a few more decades.

The prophets Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and Habakkuk prophesied during Josiah's reign.

Excerpt from 2 Kings 23 

Josiah moved quickly by gathering ALL the elders, priests, prophets (probably including Jeremiah and Zephaniah), and people to read ALL the words of the Book. It may have been the whole Book of the Law which included the first five books of the Bible (also called the Pentateuch with Penta meaning "five"), or it may have just been the sections promising to bless if God's people obeyed and discipline if God's people disobeyed (Deuteronomy 27:15-28). The effect of reading God's Word was wonderful. Josiah pledged himself to follow the LORD faithfully with ALL of his heart and ALL of his soul. Then the people followed suit.

His pledge was not just words but was followed up by action. He removed ALL the things connected to the worship of false gods that his ancestors had brought into Judah and Jerusalem. What a mess they had made, and what a tremendous amount of work to clear it all out, but Josiah followed through. In the midst of all of this, he did not disturb the man of God from Judah in 1 Kings 13:2-3 who had predicted Josiah's future actions, and the old prophet from Bethel who was buried next to him (1 Kings 13:31-32). The "Hill of Corruption/Destruction" mentioned in 2 Kings 23:13 is the southern hill of the famous Mount of Olives.

Josiah not only abolished idolatry but also reestablished the Passover feast commemorating God's redemption of His people from their bondage in Egypt. It is described in more detail in 2 Chronicles 35:1-19. An explanation of the Passover can also be found in our previous study of Leviticus 23 & 24 here.

This has been such a positive chapter, but it ends on a sobering note. Josiah reigned righteously for 31 years (640-609 B.C.), but he was killed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt in the battle of Megiddo (It is explained more fully in 2 Chronicles 35:20-27).

REFLECTION

Reading Josiah's humble reaction to finding and reading the Book of the Law reminded me of this video that I saw many years ago. It is a documentary of the humble reaction of the Mouk people of Papua New Guinea when they heard the Word of the Lord for the first time. Please watch it and weep for joy! It is eight minutes, but it is incredible. Their response is 11 minutes in. You will be VERY happy you watched it!

APPLICATION

What challenges me about Josiah is that he applied the Word to his life rather than just looking at it and thought it was a very "nice" book to read:

Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life! —even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. (James 1:23-25 - The Message)

We can do that too. It has been a long time since I shared a Bible study tool with you, but here is something I wrote many years ago about applying the Word of God:

BIBLE STUDY TOOL: APPLICATION - DO IT!

You know that Nike advertisement: Just do it! Application is the whole point of Bible Study. It is putting God's Word into practice - recognizing the voice of the Lord and responding accordingly. 

"I considered my ways, and I turned my feet to Your testimonies. 

I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments." 

(Psalm 119:59-60)

"The benefit of Bible Study is not derived from the method, 

the technique, or diligent effort to decipher the text. 

The benefit is obeying the voice of the Lord, 

receiving what He says and putting it into practice" 

(Search the Scriptures, The Navigators, 1974, out of print).

A good acronym for approaching application is S.P.E.C.K. 

Put on your "specks" and "see" how the Scriptures you have been studying can apply to your life!

S.P.E.C.K. stands for:

S -- Is there a SIN to avoid?
P -- Is there a PROMISE to claim?
E -- Is there an EXAMPLE to follow?
C -- Is there a COMMAND to obey?
K -- How can my heart KNOWLEDGE of God increase?

        (Heart knowledge is true, personal, intimate knowledge)

(I did not make this acronym up, but I have never been able to credit who did. I learned it from my discipler who learned it from someone else.)

Some suggestions for making applications:

1. Pray - We need His guidance. He knows where we need to grow and will lead us. It is about listening to what the Lord has for you.
2. Write it out - It clarifies what you plan to do in your own mind and is a record for reference. It is also helpful to write out a prayer regarding your application. Prayer personalizes the passage.
3. K.I.S.S. - Keep it to Simple Steps! Don't make it complicated and set yourself up for failure.
4. Be specific - It is easy to say, "I am going to pray more." That kind of application is seldom put into practice. It is far more meaningful to write down, "I am going to spend five minutes of my lunch this week in prayer for my brother's salvation."
5. Avoid being rigid or legalistic - Be flexible and focus on what is going on with your heart not what you are "doing." Using the example of praying for five minutes, I might be considered rigid if a coworker or child interrupted me in the middle of it, and I had only prayed for 2 minutes and 30 seconds! Let everything be led by the Holy Spirit who creates time and place. God looks at the heart.
6. Be accountable - Applications are very effective when we share them with others. It is part of "stimulating one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24) and also develops true oneness with other believers. We need each other, and another person can often tell us if our applications are unrealistic, unprofitable, or legalistic.
7. Memorize - It helps cement it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11).
8. Illustrate - A story, poem, or illustration can help you to retain the truth.
9. Make a reminder - I am very forgetful. Just like the person looking in the mirror of James 1! I have reminders of past applications in full view to help me remember that time with God. Right now, I have a card on my windowsill that says: "Presence 24/7/365" to remind me that God wants me "in His presence" all the time. If I am doing this in a group, someone writes down people's applications so we can ask each other how it went when we next meet. It is always encouraging to hear how God worked through it. 
10. Pass it on - We build up the body by passing on what we have learned. It also helps to cement the truth in our own life. This can be done with an accountability partner or someone we are discipling. Much of what discipleship is about is just passing on what you are learning from God. Discipleship delights God's heart and benefits everyone.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for Josiah. He walked in ALL Your ways, and he influenced ALL the people. Help us to walk in ALL Your ways too by applying what we are learning from You and to pass that on to the people around us. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

KING DAVID: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

DAY 11: KING DAVID 

LINK: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Here is an audio of me telling the story (right-click and "save link as" if you want to download it): DAVID

Symbol: Anointing horn

David was anointed by God. What does that mean? David was Jesus’ grandfather times 28 "greats" so David was in Jesus’ family tree. Get out baby books to show family trees or make a drawing of your child’s/children’s family tree. How is this Jesse tree like a family tree for those who are in God’s family?

BBC BACKGROUND from 1 Samuel 16

Saul had lost the kingdom, and the LORD told Samuel to anoint the new King of Israel. Samuel thought that, surely, Eliab was God's choice; but God told Samuel not to look at the outside appearance of the future king for "man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." So, the LORD led Samuel to anoint David, the shepherd boy, and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.

Sadly, the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit plagued him. In a strange twist, the very person who was to take his place as king, David, played the harp to soothe him and cause the evil spirit to leave.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

One of Jesse's sons had to be king because God knew that Jesus would be descended from the "root of Jesse" and be a "son of David." 

REFLECTION

I love the fact that God sees not as man sees, and He looks at our hearts. The first time I read this in high school, I decided, then and there, that I would never take inordinate amounts of time on my physical appearance, but I would take COPIOUS amounts of time for "spiritual grooming."

Proverbs 31:30 says "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."

APPLICATION

How much time have you been taking on your "spiritual grooming" lately?

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that You see through right to our hearts. Help us to spend time cultivating a heart for You alone. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen

Dorothy (a member of the 2007-2010 Bible Book Club) wrote me with the words to this song that are so appropriate for today's reading!

Words and Music by Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan

One by one Jesse's sons
Stood before the prophet
Their father knew a king
Would soon be found
And each one passed
Except the last
No one thought to call him
Surely he would never
Wear a crown

CHORUS
But when others see a shepherd boy
God may see a king
Even though your life seems filled
With ordinary things
In just a moment He can touch you
And everything will change
When others see a shepherd boy
God may see a king

One by one problems come
And dreams get shattered
And sometimes it's hard
To understand
But things like chance
And circumstance
They don't really matter
Our Father holds tomorrow
In His hands

CHORUS

Well it wasn't the oldest
It wasn't the strongest
Chosen on that day
And yet the giants fell
And nations trembled
When they stood in his way

CHORUS