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We talked about 1 Kings 18 this week in our focus passage and in it we see a bold challenge of the prophet Elijah against all the false prophets of Baal. It is good to remember, as our discussion led us to, that not all idols are cast in gold or silver. We all have idols that are far more sneaky that find places to take root in our lives. We give too much time and attention to certain activities, we place our trust and hope in things or people that do not deserve it, or we find our worth outside of the love of God. Whenever we do so we are making something into an idol–and this can even happen to good things.

Whatever draws us from God needs to be examined and we must be ruthless in removing all that hinders our relationship with him.

Let us take 1 Kings 18 as warning as well as these words from the Psalmist:

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
they have eyes, but do not see;
they have ears, but do not hear,
nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them become like them,
so do all who trust in them.

Psalm 135:15-18

For those of you out there who really like to have a plan, I want to remind you that next week is when we throw it into high gear. You might wonder, “I thought reading the Bible in a year was already high gear.” Well, you may be right. But we begin our history blitz in week 7 and that means reading about twice as much as usual for three weeks.

I’ll get into the why next week, but I bring it up now because I wanted to draw your attention to the amount of reading we have currently. We finish up Job and Hebrews and toss in a few Psalms. This makes it a lighter load. So, if you look ahead and your knees shake at the thought of so much of 1 & 2 Kings and Chronicles, feel free to get a head start. (Also, look ever further ahead and notice the week following our history blitz is especially light, so you always spill over into that week).

I figured it is no use telling you that this is a good week to think about reading extra once the week is over.

Habukkuk 1
2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
4 So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.

We are to read Scripture in light of Scripture, getting a fuller understanding the more we take in the breadth of the Bible. It is hard to understand God’s wisdom in just a single verse. With these Minor Prophets I’ve emphasized the whole message we receive by their words. There is word of judgment, but also a promise of hope and restoration. At times it is even more than restoration as God promises to make something new for his people that is greater than what has come before.

I think this is a good practice. But as you read the Psalms or this intro to Habakkuk, it is good to see that at times we’re a people who grieve. We grow frustrated. The truth is still the truth–God is in control and at work. But we don’t always see it clearly.

God can handle this. He doesn’t want us to live in that place. But we can pass through it with all conviction, spilling over our fears, frustrations, and questions to God. He knows our weakness and we see in his Word that he is compassionate and is moved by our prayers. If you are going to be angry, just don’t try to hide it from God. He may have good word to share with you.

5 “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

Welcome to just the second week of this quarter in Year in the Bible.

You may have noticed some changes on the site. I wanted to update things to reflect that this is the summer quarter, so the tree that we had, which comes from Psalm 1, now has grown leaves. The hope is that we can, at least for these two quarters, parallel that tree. As we read God’s word, study it, pray through it, and seek him there, we should be growing in knowledge and understanding. We should mature and bear the fruit of the Spirit who is at work in us. Once we get to the fall and winter, don’t read too much into the leaves falling off.

This week we finish Mark, which just flies by. Our focus passage for this week comes from Mark chapter 10, when the disciples are asking about having greater honor among the disciples. Mark is the shortest gospel and speeds ahead to the passion week of Christ. There it slows down as Mark takes more time to focus in on the events of Christ’s last week.

We go ahead into Joshua as well, with Israel continuing their conquest of the promised land. Compared to the slow progress, geographically speaking, of Israel in the last few books of the Old Testament, Joshua moves along quickly and covers a lot of ground.

If you have specific questions throughout this week, send them on my way. I’m happy to help as best I can.

Just a little update here about the very large editorial staff for this site and its resources. They do not exist. So if you find a post with one minor typo, that is a success. I personally still cringe whenever my wife draws them to my attention, but I have slowly learned to live with it. But sometimes those typos create more confusion, like this week’s focus passage.

My apologies to any who have looked at it and had no idea what I was talking about. I made a couple of scripture references that made no sense–not even to me as I looked back at it. One was the wrong chapter and another left out the chapter reference altogether (making it appear as though I suggested you casually go back and read 14 chapters). I have since made the corrections. Sorry for any inconvenience. The file is posted below.

Q2 W1 Focus Passage Joshua 3

If you ever find a major typo, feel free to let me know. Leave it in a comment or a send an email. I’ll take them gratefully as humility reminders.