2CHRONICLES 9:
Yesterday we heard God’s famous response to Solomon, which is so often applied as a promise to America. It is stretching it past the breaking point to apply that promise to America. First of all, our country does not have a personal relationship with God like that of Israel in Solomon’s time. We also skate over all the conditions of humbling ourselves, turning from wicked ways, and praying. And we are not in the position of having made corporate sacrifices to the Lord.

PROVERBS 28b:
Here is today’s highlighted verse:

Pro. 28:26 NLT Those who trust their own insight are foolish,
but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

The parallelism between the two lines implies a comparison made explicit in the GNT:
Pro. 28:26 GNT It is foolish to follow your own opinions.
Be safe, and follow the teachings of wiser people.

MATTHEW 11a:
Jesus’ instructions to the disciples in chapter 10 show that He wants total commitment— even if it means dying in his service.

Mat. 10:38 NLT If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

2CHRONICLES 7-8:
Yesterday we heard Solomon’s famous prayer at the dedication of the temple. He understood that the people would need forgiveness from the Lord, and requested the Lord’s mercy.

PROVERBS 28a:
Another favorite:

Pro. 28:8 NLT Income from charging high interest rates
will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

MATTHEW 10b:
Yesterday we heard the list of the twelve apostles, and the beginning of the instructions to them as He sent them out. It is clear that Jesus gave this message for more than just the twelve. The word ‘apostle’ (which is a word transliterated from Greek) means ‘one sent with a message’ or a ‘representative’. This happens to be the exact meaning of a word transliterated from Latin: missionary.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

2CHRONICLES 6:
Yesterday we heard of the various things that Huram-abi made under Solomon’s direction for the temple, and of the dedication of the temple. In today’s (not reverent) language, we might say that the Lord ‘showed up’ for that dedication, just like He did for the dedication of the tabernacle.

PROVERBS 27b:
Our hightlighted verse for today:

Pro. 27:21 NLT Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but a person is tested by being praised.]

MATTHEW 10a:
Many stories were brought together by Matthew in chapter 9, including the calling of Matthew— who is most likely the writer of this book. Note that opposition is ramping up against Jesus from the religious teachers and the Pharisees. Like at the end of John 4, Jesus spoke of the need for God to send workers into the spiritual harvest.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.