Short and Inspiring Meditations from the Old Testament for Daily Reading.
Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help (Ezekiel 29:16a NIV)
God sets reminders in our lives. They are needed to remind us of our folly in not putting our confidence fully in God.
If … Read the rest
So he did what the Lord had told him (1 Kings 17:5a NIV).
God will provide. Even though it is true, there is more to be said about it. God’s provision becomes visible and reachable to those who do what the Lord tells them to do.
Let us look at Elijah. He was a mighty … Read the rest
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her … (Judges 7:2 NIV).
The world has great confidence in numbers. So they have coined terms like “vast majority,” “overwhelming majority,” … Read the rest
The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (1 Kings 11:9 NIV).
The Lord can become angry. He can get angry when there is disobedience. But why angry with Solomon? Was he not one who was blessed with … Read the rest
Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it (Judges 8:4 NIV).
Here the pursuit of enemies and oppressors are described. In the process of pursuit Gideon and his men became exhausted. But there was more.
They had to face criticism from their own countrymen. … Read the rest
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out (Isaiah 42:3a NIV).
“Will God forsake me?” This cry shakes a Christian when sin, doubt, failure or discouragement comes to his life. And God’s answer points to His servant Jesus whose character is portrayed here.
He does not try … Read the rest
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NIV).
When you have an intense desire to know God, He promises to bless you with His Presence. This enables you to have continual favor with God.
And the Presence of God with you is the most unmistakable … Read the rest
The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers (Joshua 21:44a NIV).
God promises rest to His children. This is far greater than physical rest. Though physical rest is sweet, what God promises has deeper and more significant meanings. It is rest on every side: that is, comprehensive, … Read the rest
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4 NIV).
This is a bold promise from God’s Word. It talks about our desires. We all have desires in life. But we often doubt whether they will be fulfilled.
One reason for the doubt is the wrong nature … Read the rest
As soon as you hear the sound of the marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army (2 Samuel 5:24 NIV).
God signals to you. This is your time to move. Do that quickly. For … Read the rest
There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! (Joshua 10:14 NIV).
The miracle recorded here is unique in world history. The sun stood still and the moon stopped its movement. This happened at the prayer and … Read the rest
Make sure that there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison (Deuteronomy 29:18b NIV).
Times have changed. During the time of Moses it was obvious which were the other gods whom they would have chosen to worship. Today there are more dangerous gods.
Turning away from the Lord to worship them is … Read the rest
Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth (1 Samuel 23:28 NIV).
The right moment. That is when God acts. Even when every trouble that you are facing seems to close in on you, know that at the right time … Read the rest
You will forget the shame of your youth (Isaiah 54:4b NIV).
The dark secrets of your youth are known to God. He also knows how much your heart grieves over your past mistakes.
He also knows the constant accusation you are enduring in your mind over those shameful moments of sin. His heart grieves too. … Read the rest
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall (Malachi 4:2 NIV).
The sun referred to here cannot be anybody other than the Son whose face is “like the sun shining in all … Read the rest
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right (1 Samuel 12:23 NIV).
“Failing to pray” is a sin. Many Christians have not thought about failure to pray in this manner. … Read the rest
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the Lord helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12 NIV).
Our God is our helper. And there are times in the life of every believer when God comes to help in a mighty way. Ebenezer is … Read the rest
But those who stumbled are armed with strength (1 Samuel 2:4b NIV).
Stumbling can occur through external sources. For example, you can stumble when you hit your foot against a stone. Stumbling can also occur due to internal weakness. For example, when some muscles or tendons get sprained you can stumble.
In the life of … Read the rest
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2 NIV).
This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus walked the shores of Galilee. But this great light continues to shine even today. The simple question is, “Have you seen this … Read the rest
The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word” (1 Samuel 3:21 NIV).
These are days of signs and miracles and wonders. Most people think that God reveals Himself to them through such great happenings. It is true that God at times does reveal Himself in such … Read the rest
Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will neither see wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water (2 Kings 3:16b, 17a NIV).
God performs miracles only where there is expectation. Even when the need is pressing, many fail to expect God to do something … Read the rest
Let us start rebuilding (Nehemiah 2:18c NIV).
God is offering you an opportunity today. He is giving you a chance to rebuild your life. Whatever may have caused your life to lie in ruins, God is now inviting you to rebuild your life.
He is with you in this huge effort. Do not look at … Read the rest
Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10z NIV).
It is simple. Joy comes from God. His presence is full of joy and it radiates to you from there.
Joy cannot be bought. It is a gift from above. It cannot be imitated. If you try to do so … Read the rest
Nevertheless in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord’s covenant moved from the camp (Numbers 14:44 NIV).
Presumption is dangerous in Christian living. It puts you in trouble and brings sorrow. But what is presumption? It is acting on what you think is … Read the rest
We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them (Numbers 13:33b NIV).
Inferiority at first sight! This is what happened to the majority of leaders who went to explore the land of Canaan. They saw giants there who were stronger and more powerful than they.
But was not their … Read the rest
I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name (Isaiah 45:3 NIV).
Anxious tomorrows can say goodbye when God makes this promise come true for you; for He is summoning you by … Read the rest
The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights (Habakkuk 3:19a NIV).
There are different sources from which we draw our strength from. Some find strength in the comfort and company of relatives and friends, or in the fellowship of … Read the rest
His ways are eternal (Habakkuk 3:6z NIV).
Timelessness. That is what in human terms “eternal” means. We cannot think without hours and days and months and years. But God is not at all limited by our thinking. His ways are eternal. They are not bound by time.
To God our past, present and future is … Read the rest
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24 NIV).
Have you ever felt that the sky is like a bronze shield preventing your prayers from reaching heaven?
Have you ever felt that your prayers are falling into empty nothingness; reaching nowhere?
Have you ever felt no joy … Read the rest
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you” (Isaiah 35:3,4 NIV).
Fear! There might be no Christian who at some point in his life … Read the rest
