The Bible in 90 Days #15-21

Wow – I can’t believe I’m starting my 3rd week of reading through the Bible in 90 Days. So far, it’s actually been easy – which makes it abundantly clear to me that it’s a God-thing. :)

Day 15 – Today we finished up the  book of Deuteronomy.  I enjoyed this book because it was a nice re-cap of everything that God commanded the children of Israel since bringing them out of Egypt.  I kept thinking “what would the USA be like if God would send a messenger with these same sort of rules and regulations for us?”  Makes you wonder.  

Day 16 – Moses has died and Joshua takes over as leader.  Now, after 40 years of wandering in the dessert, they finally gain access to the Promised Land.  The main message in today’s text seems to be “Don’t be afraid or discouraged!  Be strong and courageous!”  These words are used over and over again in these first 14 chapters, which leads me to believe that Joshua and the people needed the reminder – just like we still do today.

Lately, I’ve been depressed – I’m not going to lie.  One day, I might feel pretty good, then the next day I’m in the depths of despair (quoting my friend Anne of Green Gables).  I think I need to write these words and post them somewhere that I’ll see them every day – maybe even several places.  What I’m going through isn’t exactly the same thing as having nations to conquer in battle; but the message still applies.

Day 17 – Today we finished up Joshua and moved into the book of Judges.  One of my favorite Bible verses comes from the book of Joshua (24:15) and was included in today’s reading -

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the  gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. {emphasis mine}

Day 18 – It’s interesting to me how the children of Israel are on such a cycle of serving God, then going astray, over and over again.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, as we’re still like that to this day.  I just find it frustrating.  God is gracious, that’s for sure!  I’m not sure I would be so gracious if I were the one in charge.

I find the account of Deborah interesting, though the whole story of Jael, Sisera, and the tent peg murder are rather graphic!

Today’s reading ends with the story of Samson, which we’ll finish reading tomorrow. 

Day 19 -  I’ll admit that I’m glad to be finished with Judges and moving on to I Samuel.  I was thinking, though, as I read through the accounts of the judges, what life would be like in the US today if God would send some judges our way.  It was very clearly spelled out what was allowed and what was not, and what the punishment for disobedience would be.

The account of Samson, too, is interesting. Though it’s a familiar story for all of us (from childhood on up), there are a lot of implications there – I’m sure many men today can relate with Samson’s situation – weakness brought on from the temptations of a woman.  Scary stuff!

Day 20 – I am so not a political person.  As a matter of fact, I try to steer away from political discussions (probably also because I’m not the confrontational type).  However, this whole account in the early verses of I Samuel is so political that it’s hard to not get drawn into it.  The children of Israel remind me so much of the US as a nation today – they didn’t like the way things were so they started begging for a king, “we” didn’t like the way things were so we started demanding change.  Pretty much the same thing, huh?

Where did it get them?  Well, they got the king they begged for, but it didn’t turn out too pretty, did it?  Saul ended up turning away from God and His ways and God did the same to Saul (turned his back on him and found a replacement).  Hmmm . . . wonder how long it will be before the US sees this same type of thing?

Day 21 – Today’s reading was a classic “good vs. evil” story. No matter how many times I hear of or read the account of Saul and David, it is always exciting and interesting. 

I cannot believe that today marks 3 weeks of faithfully reading through the Bible – 12 pages a day. Tomorrow we’ll be starting into II Samuel and by the end of the 4th week, we’ll be finishing up II Kings.  Lots of interesting stuff coming up, I’m sure!