Read To Me Daily Semester 3Намуна

1KINGS 17-18:
In our journey through 1st Kings, we've arrived at the narrative of the different kings of Judah (which now includes the smaller tribe of Benjamin) and the kings of Israel (consisting of the 10 other tribes, sometimes called the Northern Kingdom). The kings on Israel’s side changed more rapidly and were 100% bad, while there was a mixed record among the kings of Judah. It will help your understanding to take note of the section headings, and to try to remember which kingdom is being talked about. Note in yesterday's reading how prophecy was fulfilled again and again. And although Baasha fulfilled the murderous prophecy against the house of Jeroboam, in chapter 16 verse 7, in God’s view the murders he committed were still counted against Baasha as sin. God’s sovereignty and omniscience does not conflict with our own personal responsibility for sin.

PSALM 120:
Today’s poem, Psalm 120, is the first of the Songs of Ascent. The HCSB Study Bible says this about the Songs of Ascent: 

These psalms were designed for pilgrimage processions to celebrate seasonal feasts in Jerusalem. The hymns contain numerous references to Jerusalem or Zion, the temple, Israel, peace, and adversity. The 15 songs, adapted from ancient hymns heralding the blessings and salvation of Zion, may have been sung on the 15 steps leading up to the temple.

JOHN 9:
Today we read John chapter 9. Ever since I was in high school this has been my favorite chapter of the Bible. This dates from the time that I found a tract from the American Bible Society in a rack in the foyer of our church. So in Indonesia also, I have made this chapter into a little book containing our translation. I like giving this chapter out to people I meet. Why? It is not because it answers people’s questions. It is because this chapter makes people ask the most important questions.

Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, without your help, we could never escape from the influences of the devil. Even we might be called his sons because we can so easily be led astray by him, and those who serve him. Without You, we would be his slaves and totally addicted to sin. You revealed yourself powerfully to those who believed in You, saying, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” We want to be your true disciples. Help us to obey your teaching. How different the truth You reveal is from what the world calls truth! What masquerades as truth in our world artfully conceals falsehood and confuses us. It leads to more bondage rather than to freedom. Lord, protect our minds from falsehood that is bombarding us through all the media. Thank You for the way You powerfully revealed yourself here as ‘I Am’. Hearing that, people of the world pick up stones. But we worship You.