I’ve recently started using a Two-Year Bible reading plan (using the Tyndale New Living Translation in case you would like to join me) and decided that I would occasionally drop a couple of takeaway lines from each day’s readings (I say readings because it is divided up daily with a portion of the Old Testament, a portion of the New Testament, part of the Psalms, and part of the Proverbs). In two years, you will have read the entire bible and the Psalms and Proverbs twice.
Today’s Old Testament reading was Judges 4:1-24 and involved King Jabin of Hazor’s army commander, Sisera, and what happened to him after ruthlessly oppressing the Israelites for twenty years. Anyway, the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help and He answered by having His prophet, Deborah, instruct Barak to assemble an army… they attacked Sisera’s army and soundly defeated them. Sisera ran and found a tent in which to hide that belonged to a family known to be friendly with King Jabin. Verse 21: “But when Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, Jael quietly crept up to him with a hammer and tent peg. Then she drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, and so he died.” Gotta say I like the last little bit… and so he died… I would guess so. From that day on Israel became stronger and stronger against King Jabin until they finally destroyed him.
New Testament reading was Luke 22:24-34 – the disciples are arguing over which of them would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom. Jesus, of course, says that the greatest are those who consider themselves the least and are servants to others first and foremost. My favorite verses in this, however, are 31-32: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up your brothers.”
Psalm 94:1-13 – God formed your ears… do you really think that He can’t hear you? God formed your eyes… do you really think that He is blind?
