Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 87, 1 Samuel 9-10.
Reading through the Bible book by book has helped me make connections that I’d missed before. The book of Judges ended with the horrific story of the Levite whose concubine was raped and murdered in the land of Benjamin. (Read Judges 19-21). Next, all the tribes of Israel went up against the Benjaminites. Thousands were killed on both sides and the tribe of Benjamin was defeated. In the end, though, Israel decided they didn’t want the tribe of Benjamin to be wiped out, so they devised a plan to repopulate the land of Benjamin by providing the few remaining men with virgin young women from Jabesh-Gilead plus those captured from Shiloh.
This week, reading 1 Samuel, Israel demanded a king and God chose a man of Benjamin. Benjamin, y’all. And the Lord confirmed this in front of all the people, choosing the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of the Matrites, and Saul, the son of Kish, by lots.
What a powerful example of God’s ways being higher than ours! And what a powerful reminder to study the WHOLE Word.
Lord, I often don’t understand what You’re doing. Sometimes I don’t know why You’re leading the way You do. Help me to trust You, to believe that You are at work even in the craziest of daily life situations in this crazy world. Help me to walk by faith day after day. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 years: Psalm 73, Judges 21
People always joke about Leviticus being the hardest book in the Bible, with maybe Numbers and Job being close runners up. Well, so far this year, I’ve read all three of those books, and none of them light a candle to how hard Judges has been for me. To see again and again the depravity of men, even so called “good men” like Gideon and Samson, has broken my heart time after time.
Judges ends with these words,
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Judges 21:25 ESV
Whether people obey Him or not, Almighty Jehovah God is the Supreme, Sovereign Ruler. He is the King over Heaven and Earth. He rules over all creation, though mankind chooses to disobey Him, doing whatever seems right in their own eyes. We choose to follow our own deceitful, corrupted hearts rather than following the Lord.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 14:12 ESV
As an atheist, I saw helping others as a way I could make my mark in the world. I wanted people to think well of me. I wanted to be a good person. I made up all kinds of rules for myself and tried my best to keep them, but I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have any motivation higher than my own pride, and I didn’t have any strength higher than my own will power. Like these men in Judges, I was doing whatever seemed right to me, whatever was right in my own eyes, and that way led me straight to the center of the City of Destruction via the Slough of Despond. (Have you ever read “Pilgrim’s Progress” by John Bunyan? Might I suggest listening to an audio version of it. I’ve been listening to this versionread by Nadia May and I love it.)
But the Bible reveals another path. A better path. A path of humility and power, God’s power.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV
Heavenly Father, Your Way is right. All Your ways are good. Help us to know You, rightly discerning the path of life. May Your Word be a light to our feet and a lamp to our path. May Your goodness be a fetter, binding our wandering hearts to Thee. Lead us straight to You. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
From Everlasting (Psalm 90) – Sovereign Grace Music
FORMERATHEIST58
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 72, Judges 20
And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you? Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.”
But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel.
Judges 20:12-13 ESV
You have to read Judges 19 in order to understand Judges 20, so please start there. I wrote some thoughts on Judges 19 here. Today, considering Judges 20, I’m thinking about how often people protect the perpetrators and turn their backs to the needy. Unfortunately, it’s all too common that the criminals with a good reputation who the community rallies behind to support, while the lesser-known victims are left with no one to defend them. May it never be.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 61.
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Isaiah 11:1-4 ESV
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV
May we be vessels of His mercy and justice, of His grace and truth. May we be impartial as He is. May we help the poor and broken, remembering that we are poor and broken recipients of God’s amazing grace.
May there be unity within the light, may the body of Christ be united as ONE MAN to fight against the evil one and the powers of darkness.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – Casting Crowns
FORMERATHEIST58
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 71, Judges 19
I think Judges might be my least favorite book of the Bible. 🥺 Chapter after chapter we read how vile, wicked, foolish, and inhumane people can be. This chapter must be the worst of all!
First off, why does the Levite have a concubine in the first place? Then, why was the concubine unfaithful to him and why would she leave him to live with her father? And then, why does her father keep insisting on keeping the Levite so late into the evening? But it gets much worse from there … You’ll have to read it for yourself.
This morning, though, what I’m still thinking about for myself, is that this Levite didn’t want to stay the night in Jebus because it was a city controlled by heathens. He insisted that they keep traveling to the town of Gibeah, an Israelite town, where he expected to find safety and hospitality. And yet, Gibeah is the very city where his concubine was violated and abused all night, to her death. 😫
I find myself asking questions like these:
Are Christians today so perpetually angry, bitter, and selfish that we, likewise, are unable to be places of mercy for the wounded traveler looking for help?
Are Christians today safe spaces for our brothers and sisters in Christ to get a few moments of peace in the midst of the storms of life?
Are Christians today hospitable and generous to the stranger in our midst?
Are Christians today committed to protecting the hurting and needy, or do we send them on down the street to be devoured by wolves and taken in by frauds?
Are Christians today humble and kind to the broken, or are we so busy feeding our own flesh that we can’t be bothered to take care of others who need someone to throw them a lifeline?
Let’s be faithful to inspect our own eyes for the logs that are lodged there, instead of just pointing fingers at lost people doing what lost people do.
Oh, Heavenly Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours. Thank You for Your saving grace. Thank You for pursuing me and bringing me into the safety of Your fold, for hiding me under the shelter of Your wings. Help me to do likewise. Give me eyes for the needy, the helpless, the hurting. Burden my heart for them. Set the captives free, Lord! Free those chained to addictions of all kinds, pornography and gambling, alcohol and drugs, selfishness and greed, laziness and gluttony. We need Your grace, Lord. Help us, Father, by Your steadfast, powerful mercy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, we pray. Amen.
Psalm 71 Hymn – Psalm Musicals
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 70, Judges 17-18
It seems that Micah is about using God rather than serving Him. He wants a priest and an ephod and carved images, not so he can rightly know and love God, but so that he can get them to do what he wants.
God isn’t a genie in a lamp that we can rub when we want our wishes granted. God doesn’t live to do our bidding. We need to know God rightly, so we can worship Him rightly. Wrong beliefs lead to wrong actions. Every. Time.
Quit following your heart and start leading your heart to follow God. His ways are right. His ways are better. Every. Time.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your immense mercy and grace. You didn’t have to love me. You didn’t have to save me. But You did. Thank You. I want to serve You for You are worthy. Give me discernment to recognize what is good and what is evil, and give me the power to choose good. For the Glory of Your Name and Your Kingdom. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Ten Shekels or the Lamb – Chris Sandford
Is He Worthy – Andrew Peterson – Highrock
Are you USING GOD … Or WORSHIPPING GOD? – FormerAtheist58
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 69, Judges 16
Judges 16 has lessons for both men and women. I have been blessed with two sons as well as two daughters. I see lessons here for both of them.
Sons, guys, be careful who you fall for. The wrong woman will lead you in the wrong direction. Strong men can become weak men in a woman’s hands. Get to know who a woman really is before you give her your heart. If you see that she has a selfish, manipulative, deceitful spirit, RUN!
Daughters, ladies, be careful how you use your seductive powers. You can manipulate a man into doing things both you and he will regret. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Don’t manipulate men, making them your puppet. It will only lead you astray.
For all of my children, for all of you reading this, it’s not too late. God can work through you to accomplish HIS purposes. He is the God of second and third and fourth chances. He is the God of redemption. He is on His throne. He works even through SINFUL men and women like Samson and Delilah and Bill and Kim.
Heavenly Father, I pray for my sons and my daughters, my granddaughters and my grandsons, men and the women. May their hearts belong to You. May You be their greatest treasure. Protect them from the sins of deceit and manipulation. Teach them and strengthen them to guard their hearts. Fill their hearts with pure, holy desires, that they would love what You love and hate what You hate. And remind them that it’s never too late to return to You. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Come Thou Fount – Shane and Shane
GOD WORKS even through SINFUL MEN and WOMEN like SAMSON and ME 🙋🏻♂️🙋🏼♀️
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 68, Judges 15
In Judges 15:11b (ESV), Samson explained to the men of Judah that he had taken vengeance on the Philistines for, “As they did to me, so have I done to them.” This reminded of the words of Jesus and Paul and Peter.
“But I [Jesus] say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Luke 6:27-31 ESV
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21 ESV
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
1 Peter 2:13-23 ESV
Does God work even through our sin? Yes, certainly, He does. But, His desire is to be glorified in our humble submission to His will.
Check your motive. Is your heart fixed on God’s glory or your own? Are you thinking about bringing justice or bringing judgment? Are you seeking vengeance and vindication or repentance and restoration?
Heavenly Father, help me to be kind in the face of spite, helpful in the face of animosity, and patient in the face of irritability. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that my heart would burn with love rather than anger. Help me to remember that the anger of man will never achieve the righteousness of God. Give me a spirit that seeks to overcome evil with good. In the name of Jesus Christ, the One who ultimately and completely overcame evil with good, I pray. Amen.
Shane and Shane – Only There
If SAMSON met the GOLDEN RULE – FormerAtheist58
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 67, Judges 14
There are some parts of the Bible that I just don’t understand. I’d put the story of Samson and particularly Judges 14 in that category. That’s one reason why it’s so good to read through the whole Bible – so you can’t skip over those “not so favorite” parts.
Is it ok for me as a sold-out, all-in, evangelical follower of Jesus Christ and believer in every word of the Holy Scriptures to struggle with what the Bible means here? Yes, I think it is. When my kids don’t understand what I’m doing and why, they are forced to trust what they do know about me and obey on that basis.
I know that God is good. I know that He inspired the men who wrote the Bible. I know that He is sovereign over the affairs of humanity. That
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV
Heavenly Father, some things are hard to understand. Help me to trust You in my life, and in my reading of the Word. I know that You are good. I know that You are working all things together for good for those that love You and are called according to Your purposes. I know that Your ways are different from mine and higher than mine. I pray that I would trust You in all things and cast all of my anxieties on You, trusting that You care for me. I pray that You would give me wisdom as I read Your word and help me to apply it to my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and King, I pray. Amen
TRUSTING GOD when you don’t understand what He’s doing – FormerAtheist58
All Creatures – Shane and Shane
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 66, Judges 13
An angel appeared to Hagar in the desert (Genesis 16) and to Mary, the mother of our Savior Jesus (Luke 1). The Lord answered the prayers of Hannah when she asked for a son (1 Samuel 1). Abigail’s discernment and quick actions spared David from having revenge on foolish Nabal (1 Samuel 25).
Here, in Judges 13, the Lord has chosen Manoah’s unnamed wife, a barren, childless woman, to be His messenger to her husband.
Sisters, God wants to use YOU as a blessing to your husband, your children, your church, and your community. He has a purpose for YOU. If you’re married, encourage your husband as your head by sincerely, genuinely sharing your life with him. Whether you’re married or not, whether you have a house full of kids or not, if God has chosen you as His child, then He has chosen you to be His ambassador, a messenger of the most high God.
Brothers, God wants to use YOU as a blessing to your wife, your children, your church, and your community. He has a purpose for YOU. If you’re married, encourage your wife as your helper by sincerely, genuinely listening to her. If God has chosen YOU as His child, then He has chosen YOU to be His ambassador, a messenger of the most high God.
Heavenly Father, I pray that we would call out to You, seeking You, morning by morning and evening by evening and that we would hear Your voice as You answer me. Thank You for choosing me to be a vessel of Your grace. May that grace overflow to my husband and my children and their children. May that grace bring glory to Your Name. Give my husband and I discernment as we listen for Your voice. Help us to know when You are speaking and grant us unity in Your Holy Spirit. Help us both to be humble toward each other and to You. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Give Me Jesus – Fernando Ortega
Does God only speak to MEN? – FormerAtheist58
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In researching more about Jephthah, I stumbled upon two very interesting articles about the possibility that Jephthah didn’t actually sacrifice his daughter as a burnt offering.
If you’re struggling today to understand God’s Word or God’s will, remind yourself of the things that you KNOW, the things you can be absolutely sure of.
God is by nature holy and good, and His Word is always true.
Man is by nature fallen and not good, and we can easily be led astray.
If you can’t understand what God wants you to do, study and keep studying, reminding yourself that God will never lead His children to sin.
So Good to Me – Zach Williams
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Teach What is Good 
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