Daily Devotional

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), June 6 "Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 4:7). Solomon uses the phrase "under the sun" at least twenty-nine times throughout the book of Ecclesiastes to describe life "down under" -life here on earth. Everywhere he looks "under the sun" he sees meaninglessness, "Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), June 5 "Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance" (Ps. 89:15). Neither Jeroboam (Solomon's former administrator) or Rehoboam (Solomon's son) experiences God's blessing. Both kings live for their own acclaim and reject the counsel of God. Jeroboam Years before Jeroboam became king, the prophet Ahijah informed him that he would rule over the house o... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), June 4 People are hungry-physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Their brokenness forces them to express this hunger by seeking temporal satisfaction in every realm of their existence. Someone said long ago that humanity is cursed with Marie Antoinette's disease, "Nothing tastes." Physically, this world races toward sexual fulfillment of every sort, except the love God designed-between one man and one... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), June 3 Toddlers are social terrorists. They understand, "Mine!" and quickly react selfishly toward anyone who threatens their possessions. Selfishness is a part of the sin--a DNA download from Adam and Eve; it must be dealt with at the cross of Jesus Christ. Sharing, however, is a training issue, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). Sadly, many ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), June 2 The sluggard first appears in the Proverbs with a warning, "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise" (6:6). "How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep-so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man" (6:10-11). Two types of poverty exist in Scriptu... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), June 1 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" (Prov. 18:10). The unrighteous, however, run everywhere else for security (sex, sleep, laziness, food, gossip, lying, bribery, bank account, possessions, etc.). The book of Proverbs is like a mirror. It reveals the attitudes and actions of two types of people: those who fear God and live accordingly, and those who rebel against God and ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 31 The most powerful weapon for evil or instrument for good weighs between 2-3 ounces and takes up 3-4 inches of a person's entire body mass. Its impact far belies its tiny size. What instrument/weapon is this? The tongue. The tongue is the heart's mouthpiece. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). It communicates life or death. Proverbs has much to say about the power of the tongu... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 30 Solomon is born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Succeeding his father to the throne brings him more wealth than he ever dreamed. Yet Solomon does not live unaware of the dangers that accompany wealth: The possession of wisdom trumps great wealth, "Happy is the man who finds wisdom . . . her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the thi... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 29 Cain and Abel demonstrate two ways of walking-the way of folly and the way of wisdom. Abel fears the Lord; Cain does not. Abel understands that God may only be approached through the substitutionary death of another, while Cain chooses his own way. The contrast continues in Abel's replacement, Seth, and his descendants, who begin to call upon the Lord. Cain's descendants, however, continue in the way of their forefat... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 28 "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He ponders all his paths" (Prov. 5:21). God-awareness brings sobriety to every situation and every relationship. God-awareness differentiates those who walk uprightly from those who walk in unrighteousness. God-aware people live out the initial truth that introduces the book of Proverbs, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (1:7).... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 27 From childhood contemporary man is conditioned to follow his heart. For example, the elders in The Land Before Time told their dinosaur children, "Follow your heart." The heart, however, cannot be trusted! Jeremiah describes the heart as "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). Solomon warns man to guard his heart, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it s... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 26 Solomon's wisdom went viral before the existence of social media, "And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon" (1 Kings 4:34). Solomon's wisdom, insight and understanding-his fame-spread to "all the surrounding nations" (4:31). No one else as wise as Solomon existed, and everyone desired to benefit from his wisdom. Some b... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 25 When God blessed Abram, He blessed the world, "And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 12:3). It is through the nation of Israel that God gives the promises regarding the coming Redeemer and the pictures of sacrifice that interpret His redemption of humanity. Israel's story is the world's story; therefore, when people hear who God is for Israel, some respond in faith. They mus... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 24 A conditional promise accompanies the inauguration of Solomon's temple. Lest Solomon or Israel think that having a temple will ensure God's presence regardless of the people's behavior, the LORD warns, "But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and t... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 23 At its inauguration Israel's temple stands out from all other temples. Its Most Holy place, where the ark of the covenant dwells, is filled with God's glory, "And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD" (1 Kings 8:... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 22 The furnishings made for the Tent of Meeting by the craftsmen under Moses' leadership are nearly five hundred years old and probably a bit shabby when Solomon builds the temple. A new temple requires new furnishings. Therefore, Solomon commissions Huram of Tyre to construct and decorate new furnishings, plus a pillar to stand on each side of the Temple's entry. Each pillar is named: Jakin, the name of the south pill... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 21 "And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him?" (2 Chron. 2:5-6). God commanded Abraham to take Isaac to Mount Moriah and sacrifice him there. It was on Mount Moriah that God provided a substitute (Gen. 22). It was on Mount Moriah that Abraham worshiped God in gratitude for His prov... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 20 "Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how go out or come in . . . . Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:7,9). Many who enter politics today "fake it until they make it." They rel... Read More

The One Year Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 19 Numerous times throughout the Psalms the Psalmist refers to God as "the God of Jacob." Why not "the God of Abraham" or "the God of Isaac"? Numerous chapters of the book of Genesis cover Jacob's 136 years, chronicling the beginning of his life in utero until his death in Egypt. Jacob begins his life poorly as a schemer and suffers the consequences of self-reliance. He only learns to trust God and... Read More

The One Year Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 18 Israel's forefathers passed down their history to their children's children. They were committed to Bible literacy, "What we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us . . . we will not hide . . . telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done . . . that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may a... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 17 Prosperity, possessions, and position often "pad the nests" of the wealthy and prevent them from experiencing the struggles faced by those without such advantages. The writer of Psalm 73 finds himself struggling with envy as he compares his circumstances with those of the wicked who prosper, "But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 16 Before David passes the baton of leadership to Solomon, he prepares Israel to become a community of worshipers by separating the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to "prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals" and to "give thanks and praise to the LORD" (1 Chron. 25:1, 3). They are "instructed in the songs of the LORD" (25:7) so that they may lead Israel in worship. At least fourt... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 15 The only peace some people experience is the temporary "numbness" that comes from a prescription or liquor bottle. David experiences peace--God-initiated peace--in the midst of life's turmoil. How? David lives with an awareness of God's presence. He knows that God knows him. Knows his past. Knows his present. Knows his purpose. David does not live in isolation. Even in his thought life, "You understa... Read More

The One Year® Chronology Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 14 The Bible is an unsanitized story about a real God, who has a real relationship with real people, who have real problems. Had the Author of the Bible sanitized its story, no man would have hope. Every people group has a story of origins, but no story compares to the Bible's narrative. It begins with God's creative goodness, bringing all creation, including mankind, into being, His great wisdom in giving man a prohibiti... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 13 Early in his reign, David understands that his position as Israel's king comes with great responsibility. Psalm 101 reflects David's desire to honor the LORD in his new position, "I will behave wisely in a perfect way" (101:2a). "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" (101:3a). "I will not know wickedness" (101:4b). "Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 12 "God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations" (Ps. 67:1-2). Adam and Eve's rebellion alienates their descendants from God. Every person is born with a sin nature and needs to be born again, spiritually. God promises the first couple redemption through a coming Seed of a woman, who will crush the serpent's hea... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 11 David's psalms open a window to his heart and mental anguish as he navigates a life peppered with challenges and failure. David failed Israel and his own family when he committed adultery and murder. Imagine having to live with the emotional fallout of such failure! Past failures take joy captive and replace it with despair. Psalm 40:1-4 reveals several truths that cast light on how David turned the desolation of failure... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 10 Seventy-five of the Psalms are attributed to David (seventy-three have his signature; Jesus attributes Psalm 2 to him, while the author of Hebrews attributes Psalm 95 to him). One-third of these flow from the days of his conflict with his son Absalom. David's greatest worship flows out of a heart broken by the grief of betrayal and loss. Betrayal and loss cause deep pain, and out of the cocoon of pain either bitterness ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 9 Throughout the Psalms, David exemplifies "casting your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). David is a man of prayer. The psalms reveals why he is a man of prayer: David cared deeply about righteousness (unrighteousness frustrated him), David prayed against evil and evildoers, "Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 8 David has spent his youth tending sheep (one of the oldest professions of man-Gen. 4:2). His knowledge of the needs of sheep and the importance of good shepherding are therefore foundational to his leadership as Israel's king and to his understanding of who God is for His people. David did for his flock on a small scale what he does for Israel as their king. He merely reflects who God is for His people--their Shepherd. P... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 7 Creation declares God's glory, while the Bible tells His Story. No man can miss God's glory. Both day and night communicate continuously the glory and majesty of God to every man in every tongue and language. The psalmist ascribes a voice to all of creation-"Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 6 David was obviously introduced to the Bible's narrative as a teenager. He had no idea, however, that he would be part of that narrative, studied by millions. The Bible narratives chronicle God's dealings with David, while David's psalms provide insight into his spiritual formation. David's "last words" capture the essence of his life, "Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 5 David thoroughly prepares Israel for building a magnificent temple for the Name of the LORD. A significant glitch occurred toward the end of his life, however, that appears to jeopardize the smooth transition of leadership to Solomon. Adonijah, David's son by Haggith, seeks to seize the kingdom for himself. He "exalted himself and said, 'I will be king'" (1 Kings 1:5). Adonijah is the eldest son (after ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 4 Death's approach has a way of prompting men to ponder their legacies. David fulfills his legacy by giving sacrificially to the LORD's house, preparing the Levites for their future, and by giving wise counsel to his son. He gives his wealth "because I have set my affection on the house of my God" (1 Chron. 29:3), a gift that motivates Israel's leaders also to give joyfully and sacrificially to the LORD. H... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 3 "For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years old and above . . . by number according to the ordinance governing them, regularly before the LORD" (1 Chron. 23:27,31). Good leaders have a penchant for understanding and implementing effective structures so that their organizations function smoothly. Further, good leaders plan for the future, not merely for the present. David recognizes t... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 2 "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel" (1 Chron. 21:1). David orders Joab to take a census of Israel's army. At the end of nine months, Joab reports his final tally, minus the tribes of Levi and Benjamin. Immediately, God confronts David for his foolishness--it isn't pretty! David's moral failure of adultery and his cover-up attempt have tarnished his greatness as Israel&#... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), May 1 While the chronicler narrates David's journey to the throne of Israel and his tenure on the throne, David himself records songs and psalms that illuminate his theology--the beliefs about God that ground his emotions during turbulent times. The song recorded in 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18 are one and the same. Rich theology fills both passages: The LORD is worthy of praise and hears those who cry out to Him--"I ... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 30 It takes three years of drought before David prays about the cause of the drought. The LORD connects the dots between the lack of rain and Saul's breaking covenant with the Gibeonites, "It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites" (2 Sam. 21:1). Afraid of the Israelites as they began conquering the land of Canaan the Gibeonites deceived Joshua and Israel by pretending t... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 29 Some men go through mid-life crisis; Absalom's life, however, ends in a mid-air crisis. While on the battlefield Absalom's head gets caught in a tree. He is "left hanging between heaven and earth"-literally and figuratively (2 Sam. 18:9). Earlier in the story, the Scriptures describe Absalom's appearance, "Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good loo... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 28 "When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba . . ." (2 Sam 16:1). 2 Samuel 16 describes David's encounter with two men (Ziba and Shimei) while he is on the run from Absalom. They represent three kinds of men that appear during a crisis. Ziba, an opportunist, misleads David concerning Mephibosheth to steal Mephibosheth's property/inheritance. David, thinking that his d... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 27 Amnon is obsessed with the beauty of his half-sister, Tamar. His desire becomes a sickness that goes viral. Jonadab, his cousin, devises a plan for Amnon to get what he wants. Amnon pretends to be ill and requests that his father grant him access to Tamar's culinary skills. David grants his wish. Tamar bakes Amnon the bread that he requests. He refuses to eat in front of the servants, sending them away. Taking advantag... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 26 "And when her mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" (2 Sam. 11:27). It seems today that celebrities can't do anything in secret; the paparazzi post themselves around their homes, tail their cars, and even tap their phones to uncover juicy celebrity tidbits. Rulers, however, seem to get awa... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 25 Sometimes kindness backfires. It has nothing to do with the one expressing the kindness, but with the one receiving the kindness. This person may have a kindness-receptor flawed by suspicion-ascribing ulterior motives to the benefactor. That's exactly what happened with King David and Hanun, "It happened after this that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. Then David said,... Read More

The One Year Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 24 Hundreds of years have passed since the LORD revealed to his servant Moses that Israel would one day be blessed with a permanent place of worship (Deuteronomy 12). It would be a place chosen by God "to put His Name" (Deut. 12:5,21). Israel would go "there" to make sacrifices, offer their offerings, and show their gratitude to God (12:6-7, 11, 14, 18, 26-27). After years of warfare, King David and Israe... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 23 The song recorded in 1 Chronicles 16 grants a look into David's happy heart. Joy bubbles up when he recalls the promises of God to Abraham regarding a land, descendants, and a people. A thousand years later David himself has become a part of that fulfillment! Who would have thought it? David's personal identity is enmeshed in the promises of God regarding a land and a people. David acknowledges: God's wort... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 22 The early days of David's reign reveal his heart after God. David seeks the LORD when attacked by the Philistines. On two occasions the Philistines pursue David in the Valley of Rephaim. Both times, David seeks the LORD, and the LORD makes him victorious (2 Sam. 5:17-25). He doesn't assume that God's direction for the first conflict is the same for the second conflict. In fact, God instructs him differentl... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 21 From the Patriarchal Era comes a promise that won't begin its fulfillment for almost a thousand years. Jacob blesses his son Judah on his deathbed, "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people" (Genesis 49:10). Following the "Judah" thread throughout the metanarrative captures a truth about God... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 20 David learns much about leadership by the negative example of his predecessor, King Saul. David was a blessing to King Saul and his army, but because of paranoia and pride, Saul sought to assassinate his greatest asset. Saul reigned by fear and drove away those who might challenge his leadership. David, on the other hand, surrounds himself with mighty men, "who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all... Read More

The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 19 Hundreds of years before the Kingdom Era, Moses records God's promise regarding the Amalekites, who had fought against Israel during the early days of their departure from Egypt: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven"" (Ex. 17:14). Moses repeats this promise... Read More

The One Year Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), April 18 Beware of the thoughts that you entertain. It won't be long before you fulfill them. David has been on the run from Saul for over a decade. He still has about two years to go (though he is unaware that the end of running is in sight) before the tribe of Judah crowns him king. Fearful, negative, and suspicious thoughts have a way of laying their eggs in our minds until they hatch. That's what happens with David, "A... Read More