365 Devotional Entries

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013) April 13  A mentoring relationship would have done wonders for Saul as he began his leadership role as king over Israel. Samuel was accessible to Saul, but Saul decided to "wing it," to his own detriment and the detriment of his people. 1 Samuel 15 details the foolish steps that led to Saul's rejection by God. Saul ignores Bible literacy and his spiritual formation. Back in Deuteronomy 17, the LORD... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 12 The proverbs describing a child's likeness to his parents, "An apple doesn"t fall far from the tree," and, "Like father, like son," could not be further from the truth in Saul and Jonathan's relationship. Jonathan interprets his and Israel's circumstances through a high view of God. Therefore he and his armor bearer take on an enemy outpost by themselves. God honors his faith in... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 11  Tall stature and good looks don't make for a good leader. Little men often reside in handsome and large bodies. Such is Israel's first king. Samuel anoints Saul as Israel's first king and warns him and the people of Israel about Bible literacy and obedience, "If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 10  During the transition between the Judges Era and the Kingdom Era, the ark of the covenant loses its original meaning and purpose. It no longer symbolizes the sacred meeting place between Holy God and sinners, but has become a lucky charm. Though Israel and her priesthood live sinfully before the Lord, they think that to have the ark of the covenant in their midst is to have God's blessing of protection. Much... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 9   As go the leaders, so often go the sons. Eli's sons are no different from the Israelites around them; they too do what is right in their own eyes: His sons are unregenerate. They are "corrupt; they did not know the LORD" (1 Sam. 2:12). His sons use the ministry for personal gain. They scorn the LORD's sacrifice and offering by making "yourselves fat with the best of all the... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 8 Several events occur that transition Israel from the Judges Era to the Kingdom Era . These events reveal the providential working of God as His linear purposes unfold: The birth of Ruth and Boaz's son, Obed, introduces the lineage of David, Israel's second king (though they are unaware of the importance of Obed's birth in the overarching story). Often the events of our lives resemble puzzle pieces... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 7  Naomi spends a large portion of her adult life in the dark. In Moab. She, her husband, and their two boys flee Israel during a time of oppression due to Israel's disobedience. Moses had warned Israel to obey the LORD and promised God's blessing upon them, "Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl" (Deut. 28:5). Sadly, Israel disobeyed the LORD and experienced His curse instead,... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 6  The Levites never imagined the evil that lurked within the city walls of Gibeah, which was nestled among towns inhabited not just by Levites, but by Aaron's sons, who were responsible for teaching the people God's ways.  Although the city of Jebus, belonging to the Canaanites, is a closer trip than Gibeah, the Levite does not feel safe staying there, so he travels later in the evening to Gibeah of the... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 5  The writer of Judges grants a peek into the private life of an Ephraimite family in Israel during the Judges Era when everyone did as he saw fit. It isn't pretty. Chapter 17 introduces Micah (whose name means "Who is like Yahweh?"), an Ephraimite, whose mother consecrates a portion of her recovered silver to the LORD for her son to make for her "a carved image and a molded... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible , NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 4   Reality TV gives people a sneak peek (sometimes too long of a peek) into the otherwise private lives of others. The writer of Judges offers a glimpse into the development of a judge that God raises up to deliver Israel from the Philistines. It isn't pretty. Manoah and his wife struggle with infertility. One day the Angel of the LORD appears to Manoah's wife and foretells that she will have a son. This... Read More