July 26

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2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34
1. (2011) Interesting how God establishes even a nation through it's reverence toward Him:

In the third year of his reign he sent his officials ... With them were certain Levites...and the priests...They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

10 The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats.

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah...

Romans 9:25-10:13
1. (2011) Although Paul is writing about Israel in his day, the warning is applicable to us:

For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.

...What knowledge? John Stott ("Romans: God's Good News for the World", p. 281) writes "they did not know the righteousness that comes from God..but sought to establish their own"..."As Calvin justly commented, 'the first step to obtaining the righteousness of God is to renounce our own righteousness'".

Even our most righteous acts "are as filthy rags"!

Psalm 20:1-9

Proverbs 20:2-3
1.(2011) Verse 3:

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Years Read
2011