Topic: Learning to smile while suffering

Psalm 39 is written to Jeduthun, a temple trumpet player (I Chronicles 16:42). This is thought to be a song of instruction and guidance when faced with suffering.

Topic: Joy of Confession (Psalm 32)

In Edgar Allan Poe’s story, The Tell-Tale Heart, the main character committed murder. Unable to escape the haunting guilt of his deed, he begins to hear the heartbeat of the victim he buried in his basement.

Topic: Fear of the Lord (Psalm 25)

What are our greatest fears? How will I meet the bills next month? Who will I marry? Are there enough groceries for tomorrow? These types of fears will dictate how we live our lives. It is not until our chief fear is the fear of the Lord that we will live our lives fully for God.

Topic: The Rock (Psalm 18)

Some commentators indicate that this Psalm was one of the last ones that David wrote. Psalm 18 is David reflecting on his life filled with ups and downs and yet through it all God never left him.

Topic: Firm Foundation

The hymn, How Firm a Foundation, has a fourth verse that goes like this: “The soul that hath leaned on Jesus for repose, I will not, I will not desert to His foes; That soul, through all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

Topic: Importance of Worship (Psalm 4)

The goal for November and December will be to read a Psalm everyday beginning with Psalm 1. On Thursday’s I will write about the specific Psalm of the day. For today, Psalm 4 will be our focus.

Topic: Bad Dad, Godly Son

Last week our weekly thought revolved around King Joash and his almost-revival. As long as Joash had godly influence, he led Judah to seek the Lord. Once the godly influence was gone, Joash led Judah to forsake the Lord.

Topic: Almost Revival

The rise to the position of king is a fascinating one for Joash (Jehoash) (II Kings 11). Upon the death of her son, Athaliah (the mother of King Ahazia) had the remaining royal family killed and set herself upon the throne.

Topic: Ministry of Elisha

The book of 2 Kings transitions from the ministry of Elijah to the ministry of Elisha.Elijah was divinely directed by God to seek his successor, and Elijah found Elisha out in a field plowing on his father’s farm.

Pastor Chuck Swindoll has written a good overview of II Kings. I have provided some of his article for you today.

Topic: Elijah and King Ahab

No person in the Old Testament is more vividly portrayed, or has as much fascination than that of Elijah.

Topic: Who was Elijah?

No individual in the Old Testament is more vividly portrayed than Elijah. The New Testament attests to his greatness and reveals what an impression he made upon the nation of Israel.

Topic: Lessons from King Solomon

Solomon reigned as king over Israel for 40 years. He achieved a great deal during the first half of his reign.

Topic: Build a House for God

1 Kings 6:11-13 says, "Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying, “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father. I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.”

Topic: Making sense of First Kings

The book of 1 Kings is the sequel to 1 and 2 Samuel. First Kings begins with the last days of King David and the pronouncement of Solomon as King.