Short and Inspiring Meditations from the Old Testament for Daily Reading.
And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage” (1 Samuel 10:22b NIV).
Are you hiding yourselves among the baggage today? You, who is chosen of the Lord, are supposed to come out and be at the front. Here, Saul, already anointed king by Samuel at God’s command was hiding himself among … Read the rest
“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the Lord Almighty (Haggai 2:9a NIV).
The first problem with the people of Israel was one of neglect. They had neglected the rebuilding of the temple of the Lord. God punished them by withholding blessings. Then encouraged by … Read the rest
He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on the earth (Isaiah 42:4a NIV).
With the Servant of the Lord, there is constancy to purpose. He has a purpose to accomplish on earth. And His entire focus is on the achievement of the same: It is to establish justice on the earth. … Read the rest
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor (Isaiah 9:4 NIV).
May the reading of this bring you hope. For what God did in the past, He will do again for you. Here the prophet speaks about … Read the rest
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart (Psalm 40:8 NIV).
In this verse there is a prophetic reference to Jesus Christ’s passion to do God’s will (Hebrews 10:5–7). In fact, Jesus’ entire life was characterized by a desire to God’s will at all times and in all … Read the rest
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare (Psalm 40:5 NIV).
Who plans for others?
Normally, parents plan for their children.
So, what does it … Read the rest
Who is this who darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? (Job 38:2 NIV).
Job spoke much in his suffering. We too speak much in our suffering. It is a natural human reaction. Quite often this kind of talk is emotionally charged.
Sometimes these speeches rage against God though those who suffer may not intend … Read the rest
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm (Psalm 20:7,8 NIV).
It always looks impressive to have numerous chariots and horses arranged in formation. In modern language chariots and … Read the rest
… Read the restAs the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways ,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8,9 NIV).
When your best plans fail; when your earnest prayers seem to go unanswered; … Read the rest
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon (Isaiah 55:7 NIV).
With God, there is compromise with sin and wickedness. According to His eternal laws, those who sin earn … Read the rest
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6 NIV).
Opportunities do not last forever. Favorable conditions may not last a lifetime. So it is wise to understand that there are seasons when God is much more near than otherwise.
He is patient; and does not give … Read the rest
The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly (Isaiah 60:22 NIV).
There is a key to understanding the way that God’s blessing and increase comes. It is the phrase, “in its time.” There is a time that God … Read the rest
At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages (Numbers 33:2 NIV).
Any journey has many stages; especially the journey of life. But is there any significance to recording the stages of that journey?
There has to be; otherwise God might not have asked Moses to do … Read the rest
… Read the restSurely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, … But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. … and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4a,5,6c
I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, … (Isaiah 48:17b,18a NIV).
God makes known His concern for you by teaching you. He teaches you many things especially through His Word. … Read the rest
I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. … From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you (Isaiah 48:3,6b NIV).
This is not an encouraging message but a rebuke from … Read the rest
Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence (Psalm 21:6 NIV).
This talks about the blessings given to the king whose desire God had granted. Surely this is the pattern in which God blesses all His children.
As you think about it; mercy shown to you, … Read the rest
… Read the restI make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will
This is what the Lord says to his anointed, … whose right hand I take hold of … to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: I will go before you … (Isaiah 45:1,2a NIV).
This is part of a famous prophecy about King Cyrus whom God used to rebuild the … Read the rest
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder (Isaiah 9:3 NIV).
Praise God that there is an enlargement that is destined for you. The restricting circumstances shall be removed. A great freedom of movement and increase will … Read the rest
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isaiah 6:5 NIV).
“Woe to me!” What other response is possible? The awesome majesty of God’s holiness cannot inspire any … Read the rest
What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it only bad? (Isaiah 5:4 NIV).
Listen to this complaint. The issue is “what more” had to be done. That implies that much had already been done. The vineyard is none else … Read the rest
You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance (Psalm 68:9 NIV).
When batteries run low, they need to be recharged. And when Christians are depleted of their spiritual strength, they need to be refreshed.
Long and intense spiritual battles can drain the strength of any Christian. It is then that he becomes … Read the rest
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1 NIV).
There are things beyond man’s control. And they can act at any time. Those who boast about tomorrow either close their eyes to this fact or think that such things may happen to others but not … Read the rest
According to each day’s need (1 Kings 8:59z NIV).
There is much wisdom in this prayer . It asks God to hear the prayer of His people and answer it “according to each day’s need.”
Prayer therefore can be made for all kinds of needs; but the wisdom is to ask God to answer “according … Read the rest
When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by (Exodus 33:22 NIV).
There is a cleft in the rock where God can hide you in. It is specially reserved for those who desire to see God’s glory.
Though … Read the rest
Whoever is for the Lord, come to me (Exodus 32:26b NIV).
Going along with the crowd is always an easy option. But what if the crowd decides to forget the Lord and do as they please? What if this decision leads to sin? It is then that you should remember this rallying cry, “Whoever is … Read the rest
So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians … So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:8a, 10 NIV).
This chapter in the Bible shows us the divine initiative. It tells us that God is concerned about … Read the rest
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place” (Exodus 13:19 NIV).
Focus on Joseph. He had become governor of the land … Read the rest
