July 15th One Year Bible Readings

1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30 ~ Romans 2:25-3:8 ~ Psalm 11:1-7 ~ Proverbs 19:10-12
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Old Testament - In First Chronicles 21 we read about David taking a census after being tempted by Satan.  Satan didn't force David to do this - Satan tempted him and David fell prey to the temptation.  This census was a sin because David was seeking to demonstrate how mighty "his" army was - when he should have realized all that he had came from God and that David's true strength came from God and not his army. The census was a sin of pride.  (And it is very interesting to note that Joab, who is not one known for his scruples, realizes this census is a sin!) And so we read in verses 14 & 15 - "So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand people died as a result. And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But just as the angel was preparing to destroy it, the LORD relented and said to the death angel, "Stop! That is enough!" At that moment the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."

New Testament - Paul's writings in Romans 3 verses 7 & 8 today are so powerful for us to remember always: ""But," some might still argue, "how can God judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?" If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach!"  Have you ever thought in any way along the lines of "well, it doesn't really matter if I sin?"  This is such risky thinking.   Let me highly encourage you to read the Bible to see what it says about sin and in particular these early chapters in Romans.  In reading these chapters in Romans do you see the risk, and really the stupidity, in continuing in unchecked sin?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Romans titled "No Excuse for the Jews" is at this link.

Psalms - Today we read Psalm 11, which is one that you might miss the full meaning of if you didn't know some of the commentary behind this Psalm.  Basically in this Psalm King David is expressing his unshakable trust in God to other people around him who are very scared of enemy attacks.  Knowing this - check out verse 1: "I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, "Fly to the mountains for safety!"  Like David, do we really trust in God for our protection?  Or do we sometimes rely on others or our own cunning - or, our own fear - for protection?  Are there times when we are faced with a challenging situation that we feel like running away from it?  “Fleeing to the mountains” for safety?  When, instead, should we simply trust in God for our protection and move forward in spite of the fear within us?  Is there an area of your life where you need to turn over more trust in God for ultimate protection?  Will you flee to God only instead of fleeing to the mountains?

Proverbs - Proverbs 19 verse 11 is a bit challenging for me: "People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs."  I can see the point of restraining our anger.  But overlooking wrongs...  I guess I'm having a hard time with this one.  I believe there is a point where we do need to speak the truth in love to someone about their wrongs.  If we simply overlooked their wrongs, then would we really be doing them any favors?  I mean, I guess we would be keeping the peace by overlooking wrongs, but I'm just thinking there is a time and place to speak the truth in love.  In love.  Not in anger.  Let me know what you think on this one?  I know just recently I posted up about not getting into an argument with a friend over the way he left a voicemail to me with a bad tone.  And that seemed to be the right thing to do, and correlated with a recent Proverb we read.  And today's Proverb indicates we earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.  I see where this Proverb is often / generally true - but is it always true?  Let me know your thoughts on this in the Comments below if you will!  Thanks!

YouTube Video: Today's readings in Romans reminds me of Jeremy Camp's song "Let it Fade:"

Will you let your old life fade?  Click here for your new life!

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Pat]

My thoughts on Proverbs 19:11 – Life is a balance scale with love on one side and detest on the other. The situations we face in life can easily tip the scale one way or the other. As Christians we must constantly strive to see that the scale tips in favor of love and not of detest. That does not mean that we have to either like or accept what others do wrongly to us or other people who are hurt, but that we must expend more energy on loving than dwelling on what was wrong. The more serious the wrongdoing, the harder to balance the scale. For instance, in the case of an abusive relationship of any type, the person being abused is neither encouraged nor expected to overlook the abuse and stay in the abusive relationship. However, unless the one being abused can strive to keep love alive in his/her life, the abuse will become the center of all thoughts and emotions. It will build a wall separating the abused one from being able to love or trust anyone including God. We must overlook wrongdoings in so far as we prohibit them from controlling our lives but that does not mean that the wrongdoing is either justifiable or acceptable!

[MG]

5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence
his soul hates.

And yet there is so much violence in the OT. When something needs to be accomplished--God sends (or allows?) war to accomplish the end desired.

The incredible amount of war and slaughter in the OT makes it hard for me to wrap my heart and mind around how God--who is unchanging--can also be the one responsible for using war to accomplish his purposes. Jesus could have come to throw off the yoke of Roman oppression, but instead he became victorious over it by his submission to the death and then (of course!!) his resurrection. He told Peter that he who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. He extended the Kingdom of God to Gentiles--he did not start a campaign to wipe them out.

I feel that I am not articulating this fully, but it's been on my mind so much because of our readings.

[Paul]

You asked about "overlooking wrongs". I consistently believe that there are items in life that rise to the level of confrontation with another person. A proverb is not an absolute command but rather a principle upon which to build our lives. So I would say to you that for the most part, it is good to overlook a wrong, that is forgiveness. I would also say that if a brother contiues to sin, go and reprove them in private (Matt. 18:15); but before you go... I believe there is a process we must go through and that is the process of forgiveness. Forgiveness and restoration of fellowship are two things that I believe Jesus enforces here. I tell church members constantly who may complain about someone else... have you spoken with them? (No) they say... well then cease the gossip and either forgive and overlook the offense or go talk with them and work it out. The rantings of a pastor.

[John]

MG,

There was a comment by David Guzik for Romans 3 that applies to your question - it addresses the idea of "Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?"

"In theory, the most dramatic example of someone who might ask this question is Judas. Can you hear Judas make his case? “Lord, I know that I betrayed Jesus, but You used it for good. In fact, if I hadn’t done what I did, Jesus wouldn’t have gone to the cross at all. What I did even fulfilled the Scriptures. How can You judge me at all?” The answer to Judas might go like this: “Yes, God used your wickedness but it was still your wickedness. There was no good or pure motive in your heart at all. It is no credit to you that God brought good out of your evil. You stand guilty before God.” - David Guzik

God used the tribes of Israel to wage war on tribes in Canaan as the judgment and punishment for those that reject God. Rahab was spared and said 'we know of your God", they had heard and knew about the God of Israel - yet instead of seeking Him they rejected Him. The judgment was righteous and it also showed the Glory of God by using an unknown nomadic group to defeat the powers in the area.

When attacked and God was consulted He brought Israel great victories. David never lost a battle. The attackers were utilizing free will and the disposition of their hearts when attacking Israel - God used their disposition to bring Israel victories.

When Israel continually sinned against God, they were attacked and carried off - Assyria, Babylon, Romans.... Again this was the judgment of God who used the pre-disposed disposition of warlike conquering entities to fulfill his purposes and plan for judgment on Israel. Yet, a remnant (varying sizes) would be preserved. Most nations of that size would never have survived those kinds of dispersions. they would have been assimilated and forgotten.

Finally, Jesus' death and resurrection was not a victory over Rome oppression - it was a victory over death and Satan. Jesus' way is the way of God (He is God) - the gospel is the mission - it is never to be spread by the sword. Of course man, being screwed up their were abuses of Jesus' message (the inquisition, Crusades, etc.) - but that was done by leaders who were either not "true believers" - or let the "desires of the world" take over their thought instead of keeping their eye heavenward.

In the end the judgment and bloodshed in Revelations will make the Old Testament seem like a picnic in the park. That of course will be God's judgment in toto.

I probably left out some Old Testament examples, but they can all be explained in the same pattern as the three examples given above.

[R]

Hi Mike,

I will need to think on this for a while but one thing I know, in the Hebrew usually the word translated to English as Transgression, is not the same as the one for Sin. Could this possibly be a personal boundary violation and not the doing something wrong “sin?”

Boundary issues can be a simple as someone who is an acquaintance thinking they have access to your personal information or info that is not privy to them because of their relationship. Example: When I was involved in teaching a Bible Study to homeless men, who happened to me sexual predators, I was very aware that I needed to have a strong sense of decorum around them no hugs, no physical signs of affection: you get the drift.

One day one of these men saw me hug and kiss on the check someone who used to be a co-worker, in fact the former Comptroller of my school who was a Christian. d We would mutually encourage each other and pray in times of strife and acrimony on the job. I hadn’t seen this gentleman in about three years and we by happenstance ran into each other. After we converses for about half-an-hour on the street and we went our ways, one of the Bible Study Members, walked up to me and demanded I should do the same thing to him.

Well three weeks after I began that study, this gentleman tried to get up a posse to gang-rape me, to put me in my place, which I latter, way latter, found out they had done before to someone else and the church did nothing about it because, “We after all are supposed to forgive our brothers.” Forgiveness and holding someone accountable for their actions are two separate things I think we get the two confused and mix up boundary violations with out right sin, which it could turn out to be if left un-checked.

I will think on your questions regarding this Proverb throughout the day. [Mike go back and read the question you wrote when you first began this blog, or at least when I joined at the beginning of the year, and you will see that the complexity of your inquiries to the readers and your insights have exploded exponentially. God is indeed blessing you in your spiritual life so that you can be a blessing to others.]

[John]

Romans 2:17-29

[If it is not clear that Paul was talking to moralists, Jews or both before - in verse 17 Paul specifically addresses the Jewish people and the LAW.]

If you know God, know His Will, know and ascribe to the LAW, teach and preach the Law - DO YOU OBEY THE LAW?

Very convicting. We know from history that the nation of Israel, in fact, broke the Law all the time.

vs.24
As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

No greater example than David and Bathsheeba. After all was said and done - the people knew what David had done, the Gentiles knew, and they mocked David and God.

2Sam12:13-14
"Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD."
Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die." NIV

Paul is saying the same thing goes on today - you talk the talk - but do you walk the walk. The result is Romans, Greeks, all enemies of God mock God and blaspheme Him because of your actions.

Circumcision
By Circumcision the Jew was asserting to be a member of God's people, the ones who received the LAW - and were to follow the LAW.

[i. The Jew believed that his circumcision guaranteed his salvation. He might be punished in the world to come, but could never be lost.

ii. In Paul’s day, some Rabbis taught that Abraham sat at the entrance of Hell and made certain that none of his circumcised descendants went there. Some Rabbis also taught “God will judge the Gentiles with one measure and the Jews with another” and “All Israelites will have part in the world to come.”

iii. Circumcision (or baptism - or any ritual in itself) doesn’t save anyone. In the ancient world, Egyptians also circumcised their boys but it did not make them followers of the true God. Even in Abraham’s day, Ishmael, the son of the flesh, was circumcised, but it did not make him a son of the covenant.

iv. Circumcision and baptism do about the same thing that a label on a can does. If the outer label doesn’t match with what is on the inside, something is wrong! If there are carrots inside the can, you can put a label says “Peas” but it doesn’t change what is inside the can. Being born again changes what is inside the can, and then you can put the appropriate label on the outside - David Guzik]

If a Gentile were to keep the righteous requirement of the law (through his conscience, as Romans 2:15 shows) within his heart, would he not be justified, instead of the circumcised Jew who did not keep the law? The point is emphasized: having the law or having a ceremony isn’t enough. God requires righteousness. - David Guzik

verse 29
No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

Rightness before God is:

not about works - How many would that be 50, 100, 1,000, 10,000? and even then you have to deal with your sin before God.

not about parentage

It is about God's work in our hearts, which shows itself in fruit - and that only happens when you accept Christ and put God in charge of your life.

Doesn't matter what men say about your life. you can trot a million witnesses out before God saying - 'He is a good guy', it matters only how God judges you on that day.

I don't think any of us want our judgment based on every little thought and action we have had in our lives - we need Christ as our intercessor, as our Redeemer, as our Savior. So when God looks at us - God only sees Jesus.

[John]

Romans 3:1-8

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS
So what advantages to being a Jew?
- many - Nation of Israel is God's chosen people, God made wonderful promises (covenants) to the patriarchs, God entrusted them with His Word, God promised them a Redeemer,etc. Much was given to Israel, (and much was expected).

Shouldn't the lack of faithfulness on Israels part nullify God's faithfulness? Nope. God sent the Redeemer as he said, and His covenants will be fulfilled. How many times in Old Testament readings did we read '[God speaking] I am not doing this for you, or because you merit it - but because I PROMISED your forefathers.'

God will be true to his word and fulfill all he promised. We as Christians would not have it any other way. For if God went back on his word to the Jewish people, why couldn't He go back on his word regarding Salvation.
======================================================
[REMEMBER THIS IS ABOUT JUDGMENT NOT SALVATION]
vs 5-6
"But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?" NIV

[Repost]
In theory, the most dramatic example of someone who might ask this question is Judas. Can you hear Judas make his case? “Lord, I know that I betrayed Jesus, but You used it for good. In fact, if I hadn’t done what I did, Jesus wouldn’t have gone to the cross at all. What I did even fulfilled the Scriptures. How can You judge me at all?” The answer to Judas might go like this: “Yes, God used your wickedness but it was still your wickedness. There was no good or pure motive in your heart at all. It is no credit to you that God brought good out of your evil. You stand guilty before God.” David Guzik

Another example (diff. spin):
You have a child. Child is kidnapped, treated heinously, and killed. Person is arrested and goes to court.

You (the parents) sit there, and judge says - 'You know, I am feeling kind of good today, full of mercy and love, and compared to you (defendant) I look even more righteous than I did yesterday - [bangs gavel] Case dismissed.'

[AS THE PARENT OF THE CHILD - HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?]

I imagine you would be horrified. You would cry for justice. You would want a fair, honest, righteous judge to try the case. One whose characteristics above did not change from day to day - a consistent judge.

'The same yesterday, today, and tomorrow'.

NOTE: "Whoever you are - even if you are an unbeliever - you do believe that some people ought to be judged. Now you may not think you ought to be, but you believe somebody ought to be judged. Everyone believes that. We have that innate sense within us today, and God has put it there." - J. Vernon McGee

Here's the deal - Because Jesus (God)is not capricious, but immutable - HE is that fair, honest, righteous judge, and HE will judge everybody. He has the right to judge the World, because He created the World and everything in it.

There will be no specious arguments, there will be no lawyer's tricks, there will be no excuses,..—If the "Let us do evil that good may result" argument comes up - well, I don't think it will go over too well.

For the "saved": varying rewards.

For the unbeliever: varying punishments.

[Vance]

I Chronicles 21

24But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying what it is worth. I cannot take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!" 25So David gave Araunah six hundred pieces of gold[k] in payment for the threshing floor. 26David built an altar there to the LORD and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And when David prayed, the LORD answered him by sending fire from heaven to burn up the offering on the altar. 27Then the LORD spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.

David’s shows what you give—with right attitude of love, sacrifice, surrender, and worship – a seed of obedience planted – is what God is able to bless. Notice in verse 27, AFTER David offered his sacrificial gift of love, that the Lord “spoke to the angel, who put the sword back into its sheath.”

Being a new creation / justification (declared righteous) –
Comes through a gift received by faith in Jesus’ Name
Blessing –
Comes through obedience

Proverbs 19 verse 11 - "People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs."

The second part of this verse clearly indicates that we are to overlook wrongs ALL of the time. I say this because it seems to me that the idea of “earning esteem by overlooking wrongs” is outside the context of “speaking the truth in love”.
Rather, I see it as our fundamental approach to people— whether people we feel we need to speak “truth” to or whether people who strive to embody truth. The fundamental principle is this: Do not be LOOKING for wrongs in others. Do not be have the approach to people of LOOKING for something to “correct” or "fix" in them.

Sometimes I have been guilty of this, as I have honestly desired to share Christ with others.

Basically, offer people—no matter who they are—the same grace that Jesus gave us.

2 Corinthians 5:19
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.

After all, it is better to attract others with “honey” and "sweetness" – so we can pray about how to speak truth into their lives as God provides the opportunity if that is needed.

Colossians chapter 4

5
Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.
6
Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.

That way, when we speak truth-- even if it is hard truth-- people can see our heart is for them.

[Stacey]

Prov 19:11 11People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.

I liked what Vance said. I believe that this scripture points out the need for walking in the Spirit and seeing the fruits of the Spirit grow in your life. Gal 5:22. Several places in the New Testament talk about New Life in Christ and how the two fold process is to 1)put to death the natural man and his way of thinking and responding and 2) put on new life in Christ. Look at Eph 4:17-5:21 and Col 3:12-14. Humility, kindness, compassion and generousity are all actions of intentionality. I choose to be this way. I choose to overlook an offense and show humility and kindness to someone else. One reason for intentionally setting my heart to overlook offenses is so that the enemy cannot use this as an open door to tempt me to get angry.When I get angry, the enemy has turned me around to walking in the flesh. To get back on track, I need to repent and turn around again and ask God to put me back on the path of walking in His Holy Spirit. I've found it easier over time to avoid the battle of my own flesh vs. Spirit as much as possible. Col 3:12-14 speaks of clothing and putting on virtues. I believe that means getting up each morning and intentionally choosing to walk in all of God's ways. If you are blessed enough, as I am, to work in a very worldly occupation, then offenses will come up all day long that need to be overlooked and responded to with the virtues of walking in the Holy Spirit. It is quite often on the spot that I must call out to the Lord in prayer, "please Lord, give me the right words to say. Keep me O Lord walking with You in ways that honor You." and then do what the Lord tells me to do and say what the Lord tells me to say. Intentionally...as 1Thess 4:11-12 11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Make it your ambition--put on New Life in Christ each day with intentionality. May God bless you richly this day.

[R]

I Chronicles 19:1-21:30

21 24But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying what it is worth. I cannot take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not offer a burnt offering that has cost me nothing!"

No matter how many times I’ve read this verse, it always takes my breath away causing me to search my soul and ask myself, “Have I offered up to God burnt offerings that cost me nothing?” Have I taken what does not belong to me and given it to God? These are sobering questions and most of the time I find answers I really do not want to claim ownership.

Romans 2:25-3:8
If one could be circumcised outwardly, as a representation of what was has happened on the inside, yet be uncircumcised in heart, then the outward signs Christians use to identify themselves to others as Christians, me included, can hide an empty shell of an unregenerate believer. Uhg!

The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceeding weak - who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.
(Jer 17:9-10 JPS)

God always knows the truth about us, the real truth and is not afraid to tell us what we need to hear.

Psalm 11:1-7

Mike, thank you for the insight about this Psalm, it helps to understand that David went through the same struggles I go through in dealing with friends who try to convince you to take the easy way out when God is telling you to go in a different direction.

Proverbs 19:10-12

Mike maybe verse eleven,
Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense (AMP),
Should go with or be seen in the light of the twelfth verse,
The king's wrath is as terrifying as the roaring of a lion, but his favor is as [refreshing as] dew upon the grass (AMP).

Both verses deal with rage/anger and favor or ignoring something. When you have a king or leader who makes decisions or judgments out of rage and anger without thinking things through then people are placed in harms way because the government is not stable. Then the king or leader will be the talk of every conversation in the country and not seen in a favorable light.

Maybe I’m way out in left field but Proverbs can be tricky reading. There are verses that appear to be disjointed but if one takes a step back and gives another look a connection can be seen. In the Amplified Bible’s translation, the first verse implies that these are a kind of puzzle,

THE PROVERBS (truths obscurely expressed, maxims, and parables) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

I believe this implies reading this book may mean you have to get your hands dirty by digging and mining through all the verses

[Nicole]

I think in the Proverbs reading.. We do earn our esteem by overlooking wrongs. Yes, there is a point where we do have to speak the truth IN LOVE, but for the most part, we have to overlook it. If we constantly feel the urge to "speak the truth" we really have to ask ourselves and make sure we are doing it in love and not in anger.. I have problems with that too. I'm learning to take it day by day, minute by minute... I'm in a situation to where I've been asking God to help me overlook!! But thats what I think.. Hope it helps ya out

[Brandie]

to me I know God protects me no matter where I am. For example, during tornado season he protects my family during those times and I am praying for him to protect me and my family just because I am not a fan of the twisting dust that comes out of the sky. I also have enough sense to get into some kind of shelter when need be.

People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.
Would this be by always finding the good in people..cause that is what I do...but if not let me know if I am in the 'wrong'...

[Suzan]

In reading this passage, I reflect on a situation I recently encountered. I believe to overlook does not mean to dismiss...but rather, during the heat of the moment (argument/situation), to remain non-judgmental and do-not act on in an immediate sense, rather...overlook and reflect, pray. Deal with the situation/words at a later date after having reflected in fairness and love.

Suzan http://360.yahoo.com/suzangm

[Pat]

In this Proverb of overlooking wrongs, I take it to mean that we overlook wrongs done to us; like turning the other cheek and not holding a grudge more than judging some one who has sinned and done wrong in another area. We are always more eager to find wrongs in the lives of others rather than ourselves.

[Proverbs]

Yeah, Proverbs was confusing at first glance. I think the writer is referring to us being a ppl of forgiveness, not holding anger, or the such, in our hearts. Silly little disagreements/spats (offenses), need to just be brushed aside at times. I dont believe he is referring to ppl who are commiting sins, that we just turn a blind eye to it, because thats not what scripture says we are to do. I think the word "offense" is clearer.
But no matter what, if I am sinned against, its my benefit to forgive that person who wronged me; its better for me ultimately and its a good witness. So I think the key word here is: forgiveness.

[Lisa]

Relationship and Obedience: Seems like David must have skipped his time with Jesus that day. Yes, it was a favor that God sent someone to warn him. We keep trying to "fix" the old life- God offers us something new. We keep wanting to lean on our own understanding and "count" our positives in the situation instead of remembering "God's will be done" God's will was for David to trust Him- David chose to disobey and learned the hard way. Obedience is better than sacrifice. And it's our way or His High Way of loving, trusting, knowing Him through being obedient. Sometimes overlook, sometimes pray, sometimes confront, but always obey. I'm working on it, and He is patient with me.