For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I find it interesting that today if we add together the numerical value of the day and the month it equals the last two digits of the year. I have no idea why I find that interesting, but I do.
We need to be more careful not to offend our friends than strangers because, while it may be harder to offend a friend than a stranger, it is immensely harder to win back a friend once they have been offended. If someone I do not know does something that makes me suspicious of their motives it is easier for them to overcome that suspicion than it is for someone I trusted who does the same thing.
There is so much in this psalm. I will highlight today a couple of lines which I wish to model in my life:
I will start my days by coming to God in prayer.
As God makes clear to me the way He wants me to go, I will follow that path.
I know that doing as God desires will lead me to experience greater joy than any other course I may choose.
When Governor Festus took over from Felix, the Jewish Council attempted to resurrect their plan to ambush and kill Paul as he was transferred from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Festus instead asked the leaders of the Council to come to Caesarea to make their case. The Council did as Festus asked. When the Council made their accusations before Festus, they offered no proof. Festus, rather than dismissing the case for lack of evidence, suggested that Paul be transferred to Jerusalem for trial. Paul, recognizing that Festus was not going to release him, used his rights as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar. Later, Festus claimed that the only reason he did not release Paul was because Paul had appealed to Caesar and thus Festus was no longer free to release him. How often do we attempt to blame our actions on others?
The passage continues to list genealogies. However, it includes a short two verse reference to a man named Jabez. There was a book written about this man and the prayer he prayed which was a big deal among certain circles for a period of time. I will say that I think studying what Jabez prayed is less important than why God granted his request. The passage tells us that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. Are we more honorable than our “brothers”, those who live around us?