I Chronicles 22

“And has he not granted you rest on every side? ... Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God” (22:18-19). King David had wanted to build the Temple in Jerusalem, but because he had been involved in much violence, the Lord gave the task to Solomon. David understood that God had helped Israel win battles not to build an empire, but to live in “peace and quiet”, worshipping the Lord and obeying his ways as a light in the world (22:9).

“Do not be afraid or discouraged” (22:13). The Israelites needed courage for peacetime, just as they did for war; the same Lord who fights our battles empowers us to live our day-to-day lives for his glory.

Romans 6

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” (8). Paul told the Roman believers they were empowered for righteousness. As the New Adam, Christ lived and died united with our ordinary humanity, so he takes believers with him into his resurrection (5:12-19). “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God” (10) – and we join him. We are no longer slaves to sin; following Jesus, we can offer ourselves to God for his purposes (13).

Jesus leads us into a glorious new adventure. “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (4).

Romans 5

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1). According to Paul, being forgiven by God is just the beginning of our new lives as his beloved children (10). We get to experience a life of spiritual peace and fellowship with Jesus instead of guilt; each day we receive God’s “abundant provision of grace” (17). Even our sufferings are transformed into opportunities to know Christ more intimately (3).

Not only are we forgiven, but God gives us his own Spirit to convince us that we are known and loved. “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (5).

Romans 4

“It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith” (13). Paul explained that no one was ever made right with God because of the Law (14); instead, God has always accepted people by grace through faith (16). This faith is not a casual agreement with doctrine, but the passionate trust of Abraham which launched him out into God’s promises (18-22).

Just as Abraham by faith left everything and embraced a new life, faith in Jesus results in death to the old way and a new life of obedient trust in the One who died and rose again for us (25).

Psalm 74

“Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary” (3). Written after Jerusalem’s Temple was destroyed by the invading Babylonians, this psalm mourns the way the enemy “roared ... smashed ... burned ... defiled” the sanctuary where God had met with his people (4-8). Israel’s own rebellion brought about this tragedy, just as sin always destroys humanity’s fellowship with God. Yet the people called on the Lord to remember his covenant and show mercy (20).

“But God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth” (12). Our powerful and compassionate King does not leave us to manage sin’s catastrophes; instead, he comes to rescue us.

Psalm 73

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold” (2). The psalmist described how he almost ‘lost it’ due to deep frustration as he watched evil people get away with their wickedness (4-11). His justifiable anger, however, turned into bitterness (21-22). Overwhelmed by rage, he realized that if he lashed out, he would hurt those around him (15). Instead, the psalmist “entered the sanctuary of God” and found new perspective, recognizing God alone is the Judge (16-17).

“You hold me by my right hand” (23). When we bring our anger, pain, and other emotions into God’s presence, he holds us tightly. We may fail, but he is our strength and our peace, forever (26).

I Chronicles 19-21

“Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel” (21:1). While Kings tells of David’s adultery, Chronicles focuses on another sin: when David turned away from trusting the Lord’s power and wanted to count his army, so he could rely on Israel’s own resources. The Lord had given David countless victories, and he had even promised to give David an enduring kingdom and great name – a “house” (17:11- 13). Instead, David “sinned greatly” by looking elsewhere for security, and his people paid the price (21:8).

“The Lord will build a house for you” (17:10). Jesus said that the life of discipleship requires “losing” ourselves (Mark 8:35), surrendering control, so that we find our purpose in him.

I Chronicles 16-18

“Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (16:10-11). King David brought the ark into Jerusalem and set it up in the tabernacle (there was no Temple yet), and he instructed the Levites to lead continual worship to the Lord there. They were to “extol, thank, and praise” the Lord by remembering what he had done for Israel (16:19-22). Singing, the people joined in worship with the heavens, sea, fields, and trees, and “all the families of nations” (16:28-33).

Worshiping, Israel remembered God was their Rescuer. “Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name” (16:35).

I Chronicles 14-15

“And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel” (14:2). Just as Israel existed because of God’s desire to bless Abraham and the whole world, David’s kingship existed to bless God’s people. As David led the people in trusting God for wisdom in battle (inquiring of the Lord, 14:9,13), and worshiping God for his goodness (ch 15), he experienced success (14:17).

“So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts” (15:29). When we live by trust and worship, the world sees evidence that God is real.

Romans 3

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (22). Jews received “the very words of God” (1), and this Law created accountability and consciousness of sin (19-20). Although all humans break God’s law, it was fulfilled perfectly through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the Word of God in flesh. He atoned for our sins (25) and showed us what faithfulness to God looks like (21-26). Rather than boasting about ourselves, we humbly trust in him (27).

“For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (28). In an insecure world, we can live securely, because our relationship with God has been set right by Jesus.

Romans 2

“A person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code” (2:29). Paul urged Jewish and Gentile believers to understand that they were all “loved by God and called to be his holy people” through Christ (1:7). He reminded them that “God does not show favoritism” (2:11); everyone is equally sinful and equally forgiven by Christ’s sacrifice. Passing judgment on others is dangerous, as it implies that we ourselves have no need of repentance (2:1-4).

“Circumcision of the heart” means that we put no faith in cultural signs of religion. Our true selves are laid before the Lord in repentance and faith, so the Spirit can take control.

Psalm 72

“Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds” (18). The psalmist knew that God alone sets the standard for the kind of leadership that produces true blessing. And while no human ruler can bring about the perfect conditions of peace, justice, prosperity (3-7) and help for the oppressed and poor (12-14), the “royal son” Jesus Christ, King of Kings, calls leaders and followers everywhere to live by the values of that kingdom, even in our broken human communities.

“Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed” (17). We are called to extend the Savior’s blessing however we can, until he returns to set up that perfect kingdom.

I Chronicles 12-13

“David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?” (13:12). Uzzah’s terrible death halted David’s immediate plans to bring the ark “to be with him in the city of David” (13:13). He and all Israel realized that God was not an idol to be owned, treated lightly, or used to glorify themselves. The God who covenanted with Israel was Creator of heaven and earth, worthy of awe. The ark must be handled exactly as God instructed, respecting his holiness.

“The Lord blessed his household ...” (13:14). Despite our sins, God desires to dwell among us and bless us. Rather than keep us at a distance, in Christ he comes near.

I Chronicles 9-11

“Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance” (10:13). Chronicles offers a blunt assessment of King Saul’s reign, pointing out that as King of Israel, Saul should have trusted the Lord for guidance. After Saul’s failure, David’s rise was not due to personal achievements: “And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him” (11:9).

“The Lord brought about a great victory” (11:14). The brave exploits of David and his warriors demonstrated courage (ch 11), but Israel’s real strength was the Lord. He saves “by many or by few” when we trust him (I Sam 14:6-7).

I Chronicles 7-8

“The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow ...” (8:40). Writing many years after Israel had broken apart, both kingdoms had been defeated and exiled, and some had returned to Judah to rebuild, the author of Chronicles recorded the names and details of many ordinary Israelite families and clans. God’s covenant with Israel had world-wide implications, yet he worked among real individuals in their daily lives: loss (7:22) and victory (8:13), marriages, births, deaths.

“They had many wives and children” (7:4). Whether or not anyone outside our small circle knows our names, God sees us, knows us, and values us. Like Israel’s descendants, our daily lives are visible witnesses to his reality and grace.

Romans 1

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God...” (1). Writing to Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome (a church Paul had never visited), Paul called them God’s holy and loved people (7). Despite their backgrounds and their common sinfulness (18-32), they had been rescued by “the gospel ... the power of God that brings salvation” (16). Paul knew all about the obstacles to faith, yet he was “eager” to preach to both Greeks and non-Greeks, wise and foolish (14-15).

“The righteous will live by faith” (17). The good news is that Jesus knows we have failed to honor God (18-32), and he rescues us by his righteousness, not our own.

Acts 28

“Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe” (24). By the time Paul reached Rome, many people in the Jewish communities scattered across the Roman Empire had heard something about Jesus and were “talking against this sect” (22). However, the gospel kept steadily spreading through the witness of ordinary believers, not just apostles (14), and both Jews and Gentiles were turning to Christ. The surprising thing was that often those most concerned with religion, who knew the Law, refused to believe (25-27).

“It is because of the hope of Israel that I bound with this chain” (20). The humble, the hurting, and the spiritually thirsty recognize that in Jesus our hopes are fulfilled, Jew and Gentile both.

Acts 27

“So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me” (25). Paul, a prisoner, along with his traveling companions (1- 2), faced great danger as they sailed to Italy (1-2). Paul tried to warn of the disasters (10) ahead if they sailed through winter conditions, but no one listened. They endured fourteen days of terrifying storms and the ship broke apart, but the prisoners and crew were saved. God had kept his promise: Paul would testify in Rome (23).

“In this way everyone reached land safely” (44). False accusations, chains, a violent storm, a broken ship – nothing can stop God from keeping his promises. We are safe in his hands.

Psalm 71

“Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds” (17). The psalmist counted on God to be his Rock of refuge year after year, from youth through old age, and all the troubles between. “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me ... till I tell of your power to the next generation” (18). He felt attacked by those who questioned his commitment to God’s ways (9-13), but he knew that he was “a sign to many” of God’s faithfulness (7).

“As for me, I will always have hope ...” (14). Our hope in God is not just for a crisis moment, but in his long-term plans for our good (19-21).

Psalm 70

“But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God” (5). To the Lord, the psalmist could admit that he was “poor and needy” in the face of attacks from the enemy. The worst dangers were not external, but internal: discouragement, anxiety, and the constant human temptation to turn to ungodly sources to satisfy our needs. Knowing our spiritual enemy desires our ruin (2), the psalmist called out, “Come quickly, Lord, to help me” (1).

“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you” (4). When we admit our weaknesses and seek what we need in the Lord, we find that his answers are better than all our hopes.