Reading With the People of God #10 KingdomSample

Focus of the month: (Kingdom)

7 Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel, 8 and I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall waste them no more, as formerly, 10 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 11 When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’ ”.

- 1 Chronicles 17:7-14

Trusting God's Word in Every Season

Our reading today will present some fulfillment or closure to previous narratives and prophecies. One of the amazing things you discover as a student of God’s Word is that, in time, all reveals itself. God’s Word comes true! In an effort to get his kingdom back (specifically the land west of the Jordan River), David continued to deal with rebellion, this time from a man called Sheba, an Israelite. Broken relationships sown see their reaping now as the lives of ten concubines ended up damaged. Amasa, who had just finished fighting a bloody war, will be killed by Joab. Amasa replaced Joab as the commander of David’s troops. Joab will now usurp that position. David will allude to Amasa’s blood in 1 Kings 2:5 and the need for Solomon to take care of Joab. He did!

We will see an interesting situation throughout the history of Israel, where a woman’s daring initiative is responsible for resolving a crisis (see also Judges 4:17-21; 9:52-54; and 1 Samuel 25:14-35). Thank God for you, women of faith!

Paul’s section in Romans 15 will see him linking himself with the “strong” in his appeal that they “bear with the failings of the weak” (v.1). Think of all the instances of self-denial in the life and teachings of Jesus (Mark 8:34; John 13:3-5). Paul will begin to bring his letter to a close. He compliments the Roman believers and mentions his satisfaction with his ministry to the Gentiles (v.19). At the beginning of Romans, Paul had mentioned his oft-delayed plans to visit Rome. Now, he discloses a further plan…the evangelization of Spain. Evidently, he desired to use Rome as a “springboard” for further work in the West.

His specific prayer requests in vv.30-32 can teach us today. A study of Acts 21:15-28:31 will provide insight regarding God’s answer to these prayer requests. V. 4 will contain a principle of great significance for us today.

“Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction.”

Not only did it serve the needs of its own day, but it will still be relevant to us. As you read today, may you let the Scripture speak to your deepest need.

* Primer contributed by Brian Mott, Ministering Elder, Middle School Bible Teacher