I’m sharing today at First 5 in our study of Galatians. We’d love to have you join us! Here’s a preview . . .

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Today’s Reading: Galatians 3:15-20

Galatians 3:18 (ESV) “For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.”

I’m a planner. In fact, one plan usually isn’t enough – I prefer to have a plan and at least one back-up plan. When my kids were little and my friends planned a girls’ night out, I had a babysitter on stand-by in case my husband couldn’t get home from work in time. When I fly, I like to have a mobile boarding pass and a paper boarding pass. I own two coffee makers so if one malfunctions, I don’t have to go without my all-important morning jolt of caffeine.

As a committed maker of back-up plans, I can identify with the Christians in Galatia. After Paul came to preach salvation by faith alone, the Judaizers spread a false teaching that said Christians needed to be circumcised to be saved. Maybe the Galatians just wanted to cover all their bases. Faith was important, but having the back-up plan of circumcision couldn’t hurt, right?

Paul addressed these issues in Galatians 3:15-20. Through his arguments, we see that our salvation doesn’t depend on our law-keeping but on God’s promise-keeping. And God always keeps His promises.

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Today I’m sharing over at First 5 in our study of 1 and 2 Chronicles. We’d love to have you join us in the app! Here’s a preview:

Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 32

2 Chronicles 32:8 (ESV) “‘With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles. ‘ And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”

My daughter came into the room with a writing assignment in her hand. “We don’t think you’ll know the answer to this,” she said. “But can you help me?” She and her brothers had already discussed their complete lack of confidence in my grammatical skills – how embarrassing! – but out of desperation, she came asking for my help anyway.

Have you ever felt that way as you approached God for help? Maybe you worry that your sin is too serious for His forgiveness. Maybe you wonder if He’s powerful enough to help with your problems. Maybe the storm of your suffering seems beyond His promises of peace. Your confidence in the Lord is weak, but you know He is the only place to turn.

In 2 Chronicles 32, we find the people of Judah asking the same question: Can we have confidence in the Lord’s deliverance?

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I’m sharing today in the First 5 app as we make our way through 1 and 2 Chronicles. Here’s a preview . . .

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2 Chronicles 10:19 (ESV) “So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.”

Every junior high seems to have one couple that everyone thinks will last forever. You’ll find them listed under “Cutest Couple” in the yearbook. Their relationship stands the test of time, extending beyond days and weeks to months and years.

At my school, we had a few of these couples, but none of them withstood the Great Breakup of 1991. In the course of one week, several boys dumped their girlfriends. Two of the couples had been dating for over a year, and we were all in shock that these love stories had come to an end.

I imagine that the Israelites felt the same way about the events of 2 Chronicles 10. God called Abraham to be the father to a great nation. (Genesis 12:1-3) God brought His people out of slavery in Egypt and brought them into the Promised Land. He gave them victory, wealth and strong leadership during the reigns of David and Solomon. It seemed like nothing could derail the success of God’s people.

And then Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, dealt so harshly with his people that Israel rebelled. (2 Chronicles 10:15-16) We read in 1 Kings 12:20 that Rehoboam was left to rule over only the tribe of Judah, and the other tribes of Israel made Jeroboam their king. From that point, until the fall of Israel in 722 B. C. , God’s people would be two nations: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.

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I’m sharing today in the First 5 app as we continue our study of 1 and 2 Chronicles. Here’s a preview . . .

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1 Chronicles 25:1a (ESV) “David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals.”

Every December, we pick a night when my kids pile in the car and we drive around to see Christmas lights. Our favorite house has an elaborate light display synchronized with Christmas music. However, last year, when we set our car radio to the station they use for the music, we heard nothing but static. We stared at the blinking lights for a while, but it felt meaningless without the music.

God created melody paired with words to touch our souls in a unique way. We may use music for celebration, comfort or Christmas light displays, but the greatest use of music is to lift our voices in praise to the One who created it.

In 1 Chronicles 25, we learn about the sons of Asaph, Heman and Juduthun, who were set apart by King David to serve with music in the temple. These names are recorded in God’s Word, which tells us that God cares deeply about our worship through music. We see throughout the Bible that our worship matters to God — and so it should matter to us. Music is one of the beautiful gifts God has given us for the purpose of worshipping Him.

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