“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Children are afraid of the dark. For adults, however, there exists a greater darkness than the darkness that exists between sunset and sunrise. Life is dark. Only the Bible describes man’s origins, defines his battles, and directs him through that darkness.

During the Creation Era man lost his way when he disregarded God’s prohibition and sinned against God. Like a high-beam spotlight God penetrated the darkness caused by sin and promised redemption.

Genesis 4:1-24 describes the consequences of Cain’s unbelief and rebellion, detailing his descendants and a culture of life lived outside of God’s presence. Chapter five described Seth’s descendants who began well by calling upon the Name of the LORD. Over time, however, Seth’s descendants intermarried with Cain’s descendants, and people, whose hearts and minds were blinded by sin, filled the world with darkness. God judged that world and destroyed every that had breath outside of Noah’s ark.

Almost immediately the light began to dim when one of Noah’s son sinned grievously against Noah and the LORD. It continued to dim until the Patriarchal Era when God spoke to Abram and gave him promises regarding the future. God’s Word was given during the Exodus Era to lighten the young nation’s path.

After the Conquest Era a deep darkness of idolatry and sexual immorality fell upon Israel. Like a soft wind blowing upon simmering embers, Ruth’s story kept the light from  extinguishing completely. During the Kingdom Era, David pushed back the edges of darkness by exalting righteousness; Solomon’s Temple was a beacon of light. Sadly, the kingdom divided into two nations, Judah and Israel. No smoldering coal of Bible literacy could be found in Israel, and they were carried into captivity by the Assyrians. A little over a hundred years later the Babylonians completed God’s promised judgment by deporting Judah into Babylon. It is no wonder that God raised up Ezra to teach those who returned to the land from their exile. The lights came on, and Judah learned a harsh lesson about Bible literacy. Truly, they discovered that the Word was a lamp to their feet and a light to their paths.

C. S. Lewis famously stated, “I believe that the Sun is risen, not because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” Scripture is the lens through which we are introduced to God, our origins, our fall, and His redemption of humanity through His Son Jesus Christ. Scriptures light our way in an otherwise dark world of occupants who think they see clearly, but are clearly blind.

Questions from today’s reading (Psalm 119:89-176):

• List the benefits of knowing and following God’s Word.
• With what does the psalmist liken God’s Word?
• To what extent does the psalmist pursue knowledge of God’s Word?

Solomon traveled to Gibeon to worship the Lord God of Israel. While there the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give to you” (2 Chronicles 1:7). Solomon recognized his limitations and responded with a request for wisdom, “Give me wisdom and knowledge that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1:10). The Lord acknowledged the wisdom of Solomon’s request and granted him wealth, riches, and honor as well. Solomon returned to Jerusalem.

Wealth, riches, and honor are tangible and measurable. How would Solomon know when (or even if) he actually possessed wisdom?

Immediately upon Solomon’s return to Jerusalem he faced a challenging situation. Two prostitutes sharing living arrangements had babies within days of one another. During the night one mother accidentally smothered her baby and switched her dead child for the living one. The next morning each mother claimed the living child as her own. The case was brought to Solomon.

Solomon shocked everyone present by requesting a sword with which to divide the living child. This action revealed the maternal heart of each woman. The real mother was willing to sacrifice mothering the baby she loved in order for him to live, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” (1 Kings 3:26a). The chilling response of the other mother is shocking, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two” (3:26b).

God answered Solomon’s request in an most unusual way—-through two prostitutes and two babies. When this shocking scene and verdict reverberated throughout all of Israel, everyone recognized the manifest wisdom of God, “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God, to administer justice” (3:38).

Later, in one of the few psalms written by Solomon, Solomon referred to this scene, “He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight” (Psalm 72:12-14).

This story urges careful attention to what happens immediately after praying. God’s answers may be as swift and surprising today as they were in Solomon’s day.

Wisdom Gone Viral

Solomon’s wisdom went viral before the existence of social media, “Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4:34). Solomon’s wisdom, insight and understanding—his fame—”spread to all the surrounding nations” (4:29-34). No one existed who was as wise as he and everyone desired to benefit from his wisdom. Some believe that Solomon’s wisdom-teaching influenced the great wisdom traditions of the world as they took his teaching back to their lands.

• Solomon understood relationships and sexuality long before television relationship-guru Dr. Phil appeared on the Oprah show. He warned of the peril of sexual sin throughout Proverbs.
• Solomon was poet laureate before such an honor ever existed, “He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five” (4:32). The Song of Songs is an unparalleled work of literature.
• Solomon’s keen scientific observations preempted the Discovery Channel, “He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish” (4:33). Proverbs is replete with insight into the the animal world.

The Queen of Sheba took advantage of having access to such a resource. Traveling two thousand miles on the backs of camels was not too far a distance to go to obtain such wisdom. Other kings and leaders traveled great distances to hear Solomon’s wisdom. Solomon typically fulfilled the promise the LORD made to Abraham that his descendants would bless the nations, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3b).

Solomon began his series on wise sayings by defining their nature and intent, “for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined mind and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion of the young—” (Proverbs 1:2-4).

Like a parched land thirsty for rain, the ancient world longed for the wisdom of God. Contemporary humanity is just as parched, but rather than hear the wisdom of God, people run to science, government, and psychology, ignoring timeless truth in favor of temporary fixes. With today’s printing capacity, the Bible is more available than ever, but few avail themselves to understand its story and know its wisdom—Jesus Christ who “became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Wisdom cries out still. Who will listen?

Questions from today’ reading (1 Kings 3-4; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 72):

• What does the manifestation of wisdom do for Solomon as he begins his reign as Israel’s king?
• What does Psalm 72 reveal about Solomon’s character?

Every person has a primary story or worldview from which they live. Only the Bible chronicles the primary story. Therefore, when the psalmist pens Psalm 119 he begins with, “How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the LORD’s instruction!” (Psalm 119:1) Without God’s revelation of Himself, origins, and redemption, man invents his own primary story. Sad is the person and people who create and live out of his or their own narrative, but happy is the person who discovers His Story and finds his place in that story.  Psalm 119 links Bible literacy with spiritual vitality.

Each of the 22 sections of eight verses is arranged acrostically according to the Hebrew alphabet. The Word of God or its synonym is the subject of all 22 sections.

The psalmist uses ten synonyms to describe the Word of God in Psalm 119:

1. “Law” – direction or instruction or body of teaching
2. “Word” – general term for God’s revelation
3. “Saying” – poetical synonym for “Word”
4. “Commandment” – authoritative command
5. “Statutes” – enacted Laws
6. “Judgment” – a judicial decision that constitutes a precedence, a binding law
7. “Precepts” – poetical word for injunctions
8. “Testimony” – a declaration of the will of God, a general word for ordinances that became God’s standard of conduct
9. “Way” – a metaphorical term describing the pattern of life marked out by God’s Law
10. “Path” – parallel to the word, “Way”

The Word of God is to be sought, delighted in and meditated upon, treasured and obeyed. Those who immerse themselves in His Word will be guided, illumined, and preserved.

Bible literacy drives spiritual vitality. Know it. Love it. Live it.

Questions from today’s reading (Psalm 119:1-88):

• What does each section reveal about the Word of God?
• What does each section reveal about the writer’s response to God’s Word?

David thoroughly prepared Israel for building a magnificent temple for the Name of the LORD. A significant glitch occurred toward the end of his life, however, that appeared to jeopardize the smooth transition of leadership to Solomon.

Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, sought to seize the kingdom for himself. He “put himself forward and said, “I will be king” (1 Kings 1:5). Adonijah was the eldest son (after the deaths of Amnon and Absalom), he had good genes, “he was very handsome,” and spoiled. Further, “His father never interfered with him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” (1:6). After obtaining Joab’s support, Adonijah threw a regal party for himself and invited most of the royal officials and household. His coronation party excluded, however, Solomon his brother, Benaiah the general over David’s special guards, Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet. Nathan appealed to Bathsheba to communicate the situation to David, which she did.

The position of power attracts self-seekers like nails to a magnet. Adonijah wasn’t interested in the position to further God’s kingdom, but rather to establish his own kingdom. He didn’t care about building a temple for the Name of the LORD; his plan included making a name for himself. He assumed, since all of his older brothers were now dead, that the kingdom belonged to him. His lack of childhood discipline created an attitude of entitlement (like many today).

Self-seekers are known as much by those whom they exclude as by those whom they include. Adonijah’s inner circle excluded David’s key leaders and God’s key spokesmen. Adonijah deliberately selected those who had “issues” with his father to establish his reign, and ignored those who would challenge his presumptuous actions.

Self-seekers throw their own lavish parties with the resources of others. They promise positions they may not be able to fulfill, and, most importantly, ignore the clear word of God about the matter.

Self-seekers capitalize on their physical attributes (looks, height, abilities) and heritage rather than on God’s call and plan. Their plans are for the “now” and for “me.” “Others” and “eternity” are not part of their vocabulary.

Self-seekers reap what they sow. Their plans may succeed for a while, but eventually their charm runs out, their money fails, and their lies are exposed. The day of reckoning may come slowly, but when it comes, it comes as a train wreck, bringing devastating destruction.

Idols are made by man, while man is made by God.

God cannot be seen with the naked eye, though metaphorically He has a mouth that speaks, ears that hear, hands that are outstretched, and feet that rest upon the footstool of earth. He is unbound by time and limitations. Idols, however, are made by human hands. The Psalmist describes the idols made by human hand and worshiped by the human heart,

“Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.

They have mouths but cannot speak,

eyes, but cannot see.

They have ears but cannot hear,

noses, but cannot smell.

They have hands but cannot feel,

feet, but cannot walk.

They cannot make a sound with their throats” (Psalm 115:4-7)

God, from the very beginning of the Bible’s narrative, is relational. He speaks to Adam and instructs him in the garden. He sees Adam and Eve hiding. He hears them excuse their disobedience when He confronts them. He promises Adam redemption. He slays an animal to cover the couple’s nakedness. He walks with Enoch, then translates him to heaven. He sees that the wickedness of man is great and speaks to Noah regarding His plans. He smells the aroma of Noah’s sacrifice and is appeased. He speaks to

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. He, the God of Israel, is relational.

Those who live outside of God’s presence create a god or gods that resemble themselves, “Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them” (Psalm 115:4-8). Images with a mouth that cannot speak; eyes that cannot see; ears that cannot hear; noses that cannot smell; hands that cannot feel; and feet that cannot walk. Images that represent their own spiritual reality: blind, deaf, dumb, and powerless. Instead of turning to the true God whom they may know, they create a mute idol–a reflection of their own inability to commune with the Most High God.

Therefore, the Psalmist urges Israel to trust in the LORD (115:9,11). Because He is the Maker of heaven and earth, He will help His people, He will shield them (115:10,11).

The God of the Bible is incomprehensible; no human could ever do Him justice, and no idol could ever capture His majesty, wisdom, and grace. Only as He reveals Himself through His Word and His Son can we even dare to know the Living God.

Questions from today’s reading (Psalm 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118):

• What does the LORD promise to be and to do for those who trust in Him?
• What affect does God’s presence have on creation?

• How does David prepare Israel for Solomon’s leadership?
• What will this transition of leadership mean for the nation of Israel?
• Describe the legacy left by David.

When men come to the end of their lives, those who truly care ponder their legacy. David fulfills his legacy both by giving sacrificially to the LORD’s house and by giving wisely of his counsel to his son. He gives his wealth “because of my delight in the house of my God” (29:3), a gift that motivates Israel’s leaders also to give joyfully and sacrificially to the LORD. His greater gift, however, is wise counsel from the Spirit for his son’s reign. David’s two-fold counsel to his son Solomon reveals key truths that fathers must understand for themselves and pass on to their sons:

1. You were made to know God: “As you for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands the intention of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found of you, but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9). Knowing God involves accountability—understanding that nothing is hidden from God—and spiritual hunger—for God doesn’t give Himself away to the casual seeker, but to the one who seeks Him above all else.
2. You were made to accomplish God’s purpose for your life: “Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God is with you. He won’t leave you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the LORD’s house is finished” (1 Chronicles 28::20). Solomon’s happiest years were those during which he honored God by building the temple and writing the Proverbs. As long as he sought the LORD, he prospered in his personal life and in his kingdom. He fulfilled the purposes for which he had been raised up by God. When he turned from these purposes and let his heart drift away, his life mirrored the vanity that he described in the book of Ecclesiastes. At the end of Solomon’s life, he contemplated his works and confessed the vanity of those projects to which he devoted the majority of his attention.

What David commanded Solomon holds true for every person today. The great quest of this life is to know God and to fulfill His purposes. Everything else is vanity and chasing after the wind.

Questions from today’s reading (1 Chronicles 27-29; Psalm 68):

• What does David understand about himself and his descendants? (28:4)
• How has this understanding impacted how he lives his life to the end, how he prays,  and how he counsels his son?
• According to Psalm 68 what has David learned about God and His relationship with His people and His role for their temple?

The only peace some people experience is the temporary “numbness” that comes from a prescription or liquor bottle. David experienced peace, God-initiated peace, in the midst of life’s turmoil. How?

David lived with an awareness of God’s presence. He knew that God knew him. Knew his past. Knew his present. Knew his purpose.

David did not live in isolation. Even in his thought life, “You perceive my thoughts from afar” (Psalm 139:3). Thoughts include motives. God knew why David thought the way that he thought.

God was familiar with all of David’s ways―not just directions that David took, but the internal mechanisms that made David uniquely David. His birth order. His personality. His flaws. Nothing was hidden by God, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Darkness shines as bright as the light of noonday with God. Therefore, David knew that the all-seeing, ever-present God would guide him perfectly, that He did not read reports or scan headlines to be brought up-to-date. God knows everything. All the time.

Transparency generates humility. And trust. David’s view of God as all-knowing and all-seeing didn’t cause him to cringe in fear, but confidently trust Him.

Therefore, David ended his psalm with a request, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). Introspection is biased. Man generally looks inside for good and discards or justifies the bad. Nothing is hidden from God’s searching look. David does not trust his short-sightedness to discern the anxiety that lies within. Only God correctly discern’s the heart’s condition. Only God sees the end result of present thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Perhaps it was this God-awareness that provoked David to seek the LORD after three consecutive years of famine and rectify a wrong done to the Gibeonites and to exhibit God’s kindness to Mephibosheth.

Peace accompanies the presence of God―peace that quietens anxious thoughts and calms fearful emotions. Because He knew David, David knew peace. Because David knew peace, he could extend that peace to others.

Because He knows me, I know peace. Because I know His peace I am able to extend His peace to others.

Questions from today’s reading (Psalm 131, 138, 139, 143, 144, 145):

• What do Psalm 138 & 139 reveal about David’s understanding of his life and purpose?
• According to Psalms 143 what sustains David when he feels most weak?
• According to Psalm 145 what does David understand about God’s reign as King and His kingdom?

“According to the last instructions of David, the Levites were counted from those twenty years old or more . . . They were to serve the Lord regularly in the proper number and in the way prescribed for them” (1 Chronicles 23:27,31).

Good leaders have a penchant for understanding and implementing effective structure so that their organization functions smoothly. Further, good leaders plan for the future, not merely for the present. David recognized that the coming temple would require an organized effective worship structure so that daily, weekly, monthly, and annual services would never lack qualified workers. David’s plan ensured that every Levite had the opportunity to serve and worship, that every singer had an opportunity to exercise his gifts, and that every priest had opportunity to fulfill his calling. Such organization utilized the gifts that God put in place and eliminated any sense of competition and ensured that everyone understood their role.

While today’s text may seem a bit repetitious, this careful attention to detail developed a foundation for orderly temple worship that lasted for a millennium. The fruit of David’s organization shows up hundreds of years later when Zacharias enters the temple to offer the sacrifices and encounters an angel. Had David not established this organization then Zacharias wouldn’t have been at the right place at the right time.

“So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord . . . then an angel of the Lord appeared to him” (Luke 1:8, 9, 11). And the rest is history. What you do or don’t do today matters tomorrow!

God uses organization. Things simply work better when they have order. Paul instructed new believers in the first century church to “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Order works! By it we are better prepared to receive the blessing of God.

Questions from today’s reading (1 Chronicles 23-26):

• What responsibilities were given to the Levites as they prepare themselves for service in the new temple to be built by Solomon?
• What role was music to play in the new temple?

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 prohibition regarding the forbidden tree, His merciful promise to man regarding redemption (Gen. 3:15), and HIs marvelous picture of redemption (Gen. 3:21). That story is the greater context of David’s imprecatory prayer in Psalm 109.

David’s military exploits give Israel reason to boast. His moral and familial failures, however, provide fodder for enemies to attack him, “They speak against me with lying tongues. They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I continue to pray. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love” (Psalm 109: 2-5). In response to their attacks David prays an imprecatory prayer asking “judgment for them, mercy for me.” He asks the LORD to:

• Raise up enemies for his enemies (109:6-7).
• Shorten the lives of his enemies (109:8).
• Cut off the continuance of their lineage and make their children beggars (109:9-10, 13).
• Take away their possessions (109:11).
• Withhold forgiveness for their sins (109:14-15).
• Curse them equal to their cursing of others (109:17-19).

David asks the LORD to be kind to him based on His covenantal relationship, “But You, Yahweh my Lord, deal kindly with me because of Your Name; deliver me because of the goodness of Your faithful love” (109:21). He appeals to God to answer this prayer to distinguish him from his enemies, “Help me, LORD my God; save me according to Your faithful love so they may know that this is Your hand and that You, LORD, have done it” (109:26-27).

Finally, David ends his prayer with gratitude toward God, “I will fervently praise Him in the presence of many. For He stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who would condemn him (109:30-31).

David’s imprecatory prayer reveals a number of encouraging truths:

• God vindicates and blesses those with whom He has made a covenant.
• Though David has the power to punish those who rise up against him, he trusts the Lord to vindicate him. Therefore, God’s people may ask the Lord to vindicate them and to punish those who rise up against them. Whether people today have the power to bring about vengeance, or they are powerless before men, they can hope in the God of the covenant, the Lord Jesus, to defend them ultimately.

Questions from today’s reading (Psalm 108, 109):

• What reason does Psalm 108:7-9 provide that guides David’s life and the interpretation of life circumstances?
• How does David’s confidence in God direct his prayer life and his interaction with others?