With so much blaming flying around these days, questions arise about prosperity. Is it ok to seek prosperity in a world where others lack basic needs? How much is enough, and should I share more of what I have?

David revealed his perspective as he prayed for Jerusalem:

May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.

David sought peace and security and prosperity not for his benefit alone, but for the sake of his family and friends, and for the sake of the house of the Lord.

Peace and security are not a given—impossible to experience in many places in our world. I must remember that a quiet Saturday morning is a gift from the Lord, evidence of his blessings of peace, security and prosperity.

Seek prosperity? Absolutely, but do so in order to bless others and expand the flourishing of God’s ways among us.

You and I both know the world needs it.

Psalm 122 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Randy Fath

Men of ability flocked to David, especially when the elders of Israel anointed him king. Who would not want to throw in with such a leader? One group included David’s mighty warriors, who gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised.

One of the mightiest was Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a leader among the most powerful warriors. Ishmaiah grew up in the town of Gibeon, in the territory of Benjamin.

Do you remember when the Gibeonites deceived Joshua? They disguised themselves as weary travelers from a far land and made a binding covenant with Israel. Cunning people, yet possessing a certain faith in the Lord as they knew with certainty God would follow through on his promises to Moses.

Joshua let the Gibeonites live, but forced them serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the alter of the Lord. Then one descendent developed into a warrior and leader of renown—Ishmaiah.

We don’t actually know if Ishmaiah descended from the Gibeonites who fooled Joshua, or just grew up in the city of their name. However, as the Gibeonites assimilated into the society around them and faithfully served the alter, nothing kept them from joining David in this time of national upheaval.

It wouldn’t surprise me to know the Lord elevated the son of servers to a leadership position in a powerful military. David was the least among his brothers, and Ishmaiah from the least of communities. In the Lord’s economy, starting out among the least doesn’t matter. It’s who you throw in with along the way that makes the difference.

I Chronicles 12 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Simone Pellegrini

Life comes in fits and spurts. Often way too busy, and when activity finally slows I start thinking about the next busy stretch. I need to force myself to take a few minutes to pause and consider the Lord’s actions in my life.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

The psalmist wrote this line while reflecting on the history of Israel, how the people who once followed the Lord forgot the God who saved them. The Lord brought multiple calamities, but also continued to show mercy. Throughout the upheavals, the writer recognized the goodness of God.

How has God been good to you?

I sit typing in a warm house on a chilly Colorado morning, coffee close at hand—goodness from the Lord. I enjoy my wife and our children and their spouses and now a new granddaughter. Those relationships reflect God’s goodness that I don’t deserve, yet savor every day.

Wonderful extended family members, faithful friends, a certain amount of security, decent health, and a job allowing me to travel to fascinating places point to the Lord’s goodness. For all this and much more I give thanks. I could fill several pages going into depth. Perhaps I should.

How has God been good to you?

Pause and reflect, then give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 106 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Nathan Dumlao

There Goes The Neighborhood.

So reads the tombstone of Rodney Dangerfield, the comedian who made a living poking fun at himself and everyone else. Consistent to the end.

How would you like to be remembered?

Certainly not like King Saul. Wounded and facing death in battle, Saul took his own life. The chronicler wrote: 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, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned his kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Dead, gone, his legacy erased—tough ending for Saul. Although he started strong, Saul veered from the ways of the Lord and never returned—that’s the tragedy his life represents.

As sinful humans we all veer, but the refusal to turn back to the Lord leads ultimately to disaster. Life gets long, and we make plenty of wrong choices. Remember God welcomes us back when we approach him once again in repentance and humility.

A better epitaph would have read A Man Who Turned Back To The Lord. Too late for Saul—not too late for you and me.

1 Chronicles 10 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Alan Light