July 20th One Year Bible Readings

2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17 ~ Romans 6:1-23 ~ Psalm 16:1-11 ~ Proverbs 19:20-21
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture with Tom Dooley’s terrific NLT 1996 readings at this link or The ESV Bible: OT + NT + Psalms + Proverbs or Daily Audio Bible ~

Old Testament - Today we begin the book of Second Chronicles!  Are you ready to read about the reign of King Solomon?  Let's go!

~Second Chronicles~
Author: Unknown
Date: Fifth century B.C.
Content: Second Chronicles contains the history of Judah that was begun in First Chronicles. It deals with the glory of Solomon's reign, with a special emphasis being placed upon the glory of the temple. This emphasis is made because a priest point of view pervades the book. The remaining kings of Judah are discussed, with a stress upon how the religious affairs of the nation were going. Hezekiah is given mention because during his reign an extended revival took place. The destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people to Babylon are described, and the book ends with the Persian king's decree to let the people return home.
Theme: Judah's history is described from a religious point of view in this book. The righteous kings are commented on and the evil kings are named so that all can see who is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation. The religious leaders and their ultimate failure to remain true to God added to the sin of Judah - until God allowed his own chosen people to plunge themselves into ruin, as an example for all time that God will not tolerate sin. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers "The One Year Bible Companion" pp. 7-8) More commentary on Second Chronicles is at this link.

Today in 2 Chronicles chapter 1 we read about King Solomon asking for wisdom and knowledge from God. In verse 7 we read these words from God to Solomon - "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." In verse 10 we will read this amazing response from Solomon to God: "Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" Solomon could have asked God for anything - more wealth, more power, more strength, more whatever, but he simply asked for wisdom and knowledge. Why? Because he wanted to lead God's people well and distinguish between right and wrong. Amazing. How would you or I answer this question today? What if God came to you today and said the same thing to you from verse 5 - "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." What would you ask for? Would you ask for Wisdom? Would you ask for Knowledge? If so, God offers these to you and me right now. Where? I believe wisdom and knowledge is offered to us through study of the Bible and by living in a loving and right relationship with God. We can receive the gift of God's wisdom today! If we would answer this question from God differently - maybe wanting more money, or power, or fame, or whatever - do you think we might forfeit gaining wisdom? So, again, what if God were to say to you right now this same statement he said to Solomon? "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." What do you ask for?  Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of Solomon praying to God for wisdom:

New Testament - Today in Romans chapter 6 verses 17 & 18 we read: "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Do you believe that you were ever a slave to sin? Is it possible that you are still a slave to sin now? How can you be freed from being a slave to sin? Or, better yet, Who do you think can free you from being a slave to sin? Are you wholeheartedly obeying the teaching to which you have been entrusted? Where can you consistently find the teaching to which you have been entrusted? Do you consider yourself a slave to righteousness? Do you like the idea of being a slave to righteousness?

Today we read Romans 6:23! I pray that this is a verse of Scripture that you have truly memorized, meditated upon, and fully understand and agree with:

Bible.org's fantastic commentaries on today's Romans readings titled "An End to the Reign of Death" is at this link and "The Stupidity of Sin" is at this link.

Psalms - Today we read Psalm 16, which I absolutely love!  I could probably share with you some thoughts on just about every verse in this Psalm. Verse 1 tells us: "Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge."  Do you believe that God will keep you safe if you come to Him for refuge? And verse 2 is so true: "I said to the LORD, "You are my Master! All the good things I have are from you.""  Everything good thing in our life - absolutely everything good thing in our life - comes from God.  Do you believe this? Verse 3 reminds me to rejoice for and pray for our pastors and spiritual mentors: "The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!"  Do you appreciate your pastors / ministers / priests and spiritual mentors?  And do you appreciate other godly people you know too?  Are they true heroes?  Do you pray for these folks regularly? If not, will you?

And verse 11 is a powerful closing to this Psalm 16 and perhaps a prayer for us to pray fervently: "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever."   Do you want to be shown the way of life from God?   Do you want to be granted the joy of God's presence?  Do you want the pleasure of living with God forever?  Have you prayed to God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit to give you these things in your life?  Will you pray this prayer?

Proverbs - Proverbs 19 verse 21 is so true : "You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail." I am so amazed by how God's purpose continues to steer the course of my life - tossing to the side my frivolous plans that were not part of His purpose.  I think we do well to realize that God absolutely has a purpose for our lives - and that we very likely do not know what it is.  :)  Well, that's not always true.  I do think many of us have a good indication of what God's purpose is for our lives.  But I think perhaps more of us do not.  And that's okay.  I believe that if we stay close to God in a loving relationship and seek to live godly lives, God's purpose can't help but take over the course of our life.  Without our even realizing it at times.  There was that movie several years back called Mr. Holland's Opus, where the lead character realized that "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."  I submit that "God's purpose is what happens if you are seeking after Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength."  Let us pray that God is the Master Planner in our life today!  And let us also pray that God will reveal to us if we are ignoring His plans for us in any way and if we are perhaps in danger of planning to build a "tower of Babel" in our life in the place of God...

YouTube:  Today's readings remind me of Anne Wilson’s song "My Jesus:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmIw0F4wHZo

Is Jesus yours? Click here for You to be His!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you truly understand that the wages of sin is death. Pray that you also truly know that through a saving faith in Jesus, your sins have been forgiven and that the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus. Pray for everyone you know to come to know this as well. Pray for revival in your city.

Comments from You:  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

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Comments

[Ramona]

II Chronicles 1-3:17

O, to be like Solomon and have the sense to ask God for His Wisdom in each and every situation. Then once I was given the Wisdom because I’ve asked for it to use that Wisdom wisely. I know that it is God’s desire for everyone to seek Him and ask for wisdom because I’m told to ask,

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
(James 1:5-6)

Romans 6:1-23

16 Don't you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.

Taking responsibility for the choices we make is a hard thing to do. But Paul says we will become slaves to our choices. In the USA it seems that there are a lot of people blaming everyone else for the choices they have made instead of them blaming the person who looks back at them while they stand in front of the mirror. What I must do is make sure I’m not playing the same “Blame Game” I’m accusing many people of doing.

Psalm 16:1-11

David certainly knew who is God was. He knew his attributes His character; His ways in order to write a Psalm that speaks to and encompass all the fears, joys, hopes and longings we humans have.

Proverbs 19:20-21

21You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail.

I’ve heard it said that God will never go against anyone’s will but he sure knows how to make you willing, just ask Jonah.

Grace and peace,
Ramona

[Robert Bieberdorf]

2 Chronicles

I believe I am going to gain some important insights and a new hope for a time such as this. We all have all just returned from a foreign country. so to speak. The end of Covid is here and now people are adjusting to a new life. Just like Chronicles was written to those refugees who returned from Babylon, we are experiencing the same questions about our future. The same question God puts before me, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you”. My answer is for the wisdom and knowledge to move into the future. Lead my family, friends, and community towards healing and see the past in a new light. I am excited to see what is going to happen!

Psalm 16:3

I truly believe in Mike’s attitude that it is important we listen and pray for our pastors at this time too. Their leadership right now is imperative to how we proceed in the following months.

In our church they have embraced the wonderful scripture from 2 Chronicles 7:14, “ If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, than will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Let us hope it is not in the interest of planning to build a tower of Babel or as Ramona suggests, doing a Jonah.