Notes from my Bible Study for January 29, 2010

Today's Reading: Psalm 28, Genesis 26, 2 Chronicles 2, Luke 19:28‐46

Psalm 28 - I'm struck as I read this Psalm at just how much David counted God as the strength of his life. David was the mightiest king in all of the world, but he counted God as his strength. He didn't take pride in his military genius. He took pride in his God. David knew that nothing that he accomplished was possible without the strength of God. David relied upon God's strength and knew that he was nothing without it.

Genesis 26 - Genesis 26 is a good chapter to point out that the sins of the father so often visit the next generation. Such was the case with Isaac, who like his father Abraham lied about his relationship with his wife when he went to dwell in a foreign land. Like his father, Isaac feared that the men of the city would kill him so that they could have his beautiful wife. And, like God had done with her mother-in-law, God protected Rebekah.

We who are fathers should remember the story of Abraham and Isaac when we are tempted to sin. Our children learn best by observation, and if they observe sin in us it teaches them sin isn't serious.

2 Chronicles 2 - Solomon knew how to manage projects and people. He was the ultimate project manager, getting 153,600 people involved in the tasks of building the temple and quarrying in the hill country. He also knew how to work with other rulers. Hiram, the King of Tyre had a special place in his heart for the family of David.

I love what Solomon said in verse 5, "The house I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods."

Yesterday I spent some time in the Basilica of St. Mary in downtown Minneapolis. This beautiful Catholic church is marvelously ornate. But, it would not even come close to comparing with Solomon's temple. I'm blown away at how many times people shy away from giving to the house of the Lord. We should seek to make His house beautiful, for he is great, greater than all Gods!

Luke 19:28-46 - The triumphal entry marked the beginning of the passion week for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's amazing to think that this crowd of people who were so enamored with Christ on Sunday could turn so quickly against him.

It's also interesting to see how quickly Jesus moved from the adoration of the crowd to the rebuking of the people gathered at the temple who had turned the house of God into a "den of robbers."

I'm glad that Jesus wept over Jerusalem after the triumphal entry. It gives us a glimpse into the tender heart of God. He loved those who rejected Him.