Personal Devotions
Notes from Mark's personal Bible reading and meditation
With a goal to apply one truth from each day's reading to my life that day
Jun 30, 2023, 6:48 AM
Passage Read: Zechariah 3-6
Meditation Verse: 6:15
Thought
The people of Judah are building a temple right now, but Zechariah is prophesying about the Branch who will be a priest and king, like Melchizedek and in the same place as Melchizedek! When the Branch comes, He too will build a temple, but Zerubbabel will finish this current temple, so the Branch must build a different temple, another new temple. And people who are far away will help build that temple?
Jun 29, 2023, 6:49 AM
Passage Read: Haggai 1 - Zechariah 2
Meditation Verses: Haggai 2:18-19
Thought
Haggai began prophesying on the first day of the sixth month, and 24 days later the leaders and the people responded in obedience and began building the temple of the Lord again. It took some time for them to repent, but it was far quicker than their forefathers who never repented! Yet it was another three months, to the day, that the Lord finally sent word that He would withdraw their punishment and start bringing a blessing.
Jun 28, 2023, 6:51 AM
Passage Read: Habakkuk 3 - Zephaniah 3
Meditation Verse: Zephaniah 2:3
Thought
Humility and obedience, humility and righteousness are combined here. The Lord calls out to the humble of the land who do what He commands, He calls them to seek righteousness and to seek humility, and in so doing perhaps they will be sheltered from the Lord's anger on the day He judges Israel. Humility is key to obedience; humility is needed in order to seek righteousness. Because we must submit ourselves to God's leadership and lordship, to do what He requires.
Jun 27, 2023, 6:52 AM
Passage Read: Nahum 2 - Habakkuk 2
Meditation Verses: Habakkuk 2:3-4
Thought
This revelation doesn't answer Habakkuk's original complaint, but goes much bigger and further than that. This chapter speaks of the end of days and the punishment of all wicked, especially the great conqueror in the end times. Because of that, Habakkuk will have to wait even longer to see it fulfilled. He's looking for deliverance from the trouble that surrounds him, but God speaks of deliverance from an even greater enemy at the end of this age.
Jun 26, 2023, 6:53 AM
Passage Read: Micah 5 - Nahum 1
Meditation Verse: Micah 5:2
Thought
The priests of Jesus's day knew that the Messiah was supposed to be both in Bethlehem based on this verse, but they didn't recognize that his origin was from of old and from ancient times? It didn't occur to them that the Messiah might be someone very special and unique? Surely it would be hard to comprehend based on our usual experience and way of thinking, but when the prophet says that the one to come from Bethlehem and return as king would also be very ancient, shouldn't they expect something outside their experience?
Jun 25, 2023, 6:54 AM
Passage Read: Micah 1-4
Meditation Verses: 3:11-12
Thought
Zion will be destroyed because of her leaders. Rulers judge for a bribe, priests teach for a price and prophets tell fortunes for money. All are greedy for gain, none seek the Lord, understand His ways and do as He requires. They only think of themselves, their own benefit and how they can extort more money from the people. They do not fear the Lord, but use Him for their own gain. They don't know Him or walk in His ways.
Jun 24, 2023, 6:56 AM
Passage Read: Jonah 1-4
Meditation Verse: 1:12
Thought
Jonah, in effect, cared more about these sailors than about his own life or the life of the Ninevites. He was willing to drown to save the sailors because he thought it would prevent the Ninevites from being saved. That is some intense hatred. I've wanted to die before but never considered actually doing something about it! And all because he knew God would be gracious and save the Ninevites, if they repented. And he actually feared they would repent!
Jun 23, 2023, 6:57 AM
Passage Read: Amos 7 - Obadiah 1
Meditation Verse: Amos 8:4
Thought
Greed is behind so much evil today, whether it is those who are making so much money or those who are envious of the rich. All are motivated by greed, and greed makes men do so kinds of evil, from cheating and extorting and gouging the poor or robbing the rich. It's all evil. God's solution was for people to love their neighbor as themselves, to care for the needy and do good. If everyone cared for and about each other, they would treat each other fairly, reasonably, even generously.
Jun 22, 2023, 6:58 AM
Passage Read: Amos 3-6
Meditation Verses: 6:3-7
Thought
There are those who choose to ignore the obvious, the sin of Israel and God's anger over nothing being done about it. Instead they lounge around in all their wealth and comfort, they dine on whatever delicacies they desire, they strum away on their instruments, enjoying their entertainment, they drink wine and pamper themselves. They give no thought for the sin of their people, they spend no time grieving over the sins of Israel.
Jun 21, 2023, 6:59 AM
Passage Read: Joel 2 - Amos 2
Meditation Verses: Joel 2:12-14
Thought
The Lord is willing and able to restore the autumn and spring rains, if His people humble themselves and plead for mercy. He calls for fasting and weeping and mourning, but not just a noisy display, rather a real repentance, rending hearts not just clothes. God knows the difference; He's not fooled by a display of repentance, a likeness. What He calls for is true repentance, true change of heart and behavior.