BibleStudyTogether DailyReadings
A 2-Year Chronological & Thematic Journey through God's Word
with Daily Comments from Dr. Del Tackett.
July 27
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 574 (7/27) – Daniel 2:1-23; Jeremiah 49:23-33; Acts 1:1-11
What a great testimony to the sovereignty of God: “He removes kings and sets up kings”. And then we read in Jeremiah of God using Nebuchadnezzar to remove Ben-hadad and bring about the end of the Assyrian Empire that God had earlier raised up to bring down Israel. I was reminded of Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The video overview of Acts is good.
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July 26
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 573 (7/26) – Daniel 1:1-21; Jeremiah 49:1-22; Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:44-53
We move now to Daniel because it chronologically follows what we have been reading. Babylon has brought God’s judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. Daniel and his friends now represent the people of God in a pagan land. The video overview is worth watching. “Milcon” or “Molech” is the god of Ammon, who is nothing before the Lord: “For who is like me?” The statement Jesus makes that “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” is stunning. Ascension Day is remarkable for it conveys the heart and will of God to delegate the kingdom work to the body of Christ.
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July 25
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 572 (7/25) – Jeremiah 7:1-34; Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18
It is hard not to shake one’s head at the horrific judgment God foretells today. But not so much at the judgment, but at the fact that God had done so much for them, yet from the day they left Egypt, “they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck.” It is also hard for me to not see the parallel with our own nation and culture. Pray for repentance for our culture. Remember, our passage from Mark comes from the last chapter of Mark (verses 9-20) which is highly regarded as not part of the original text.
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July 24
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 571 (7/24) – Jeremiah 22:13-23, 26:1-24; John 1:15-25
We jump from Jeremiah 22 to 26 because chapter 26 is chronically aligned and occurs at the end of Jehoahaz (called Shallum in 22:11, who reigned only three months, 609 B.C.) It should not surprise us that the world does not want to hear the Word of the Lord. Jehoiakim tried to put Jeremiah to death. Jesus told Peter that he would be put to death. This battle between truth and lie, good and evil, raged in Jeremiah’s day, in Peter’s day, and it rages in our day as well. Do not be deceived by the lies of the world and the twisting of good and evil, truth and justice, right and wrong.
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July 23
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 570 (7/23) – 2 Chronicles 35:20-36:5; 2 Kings 23:29-37; Jeremiah 22:1-12; Philippians 4:10-23
It is difficult to read of Josiah being killed in battle. After all the good things he had done, he did not seek the Lord about getting involved in the war of Egypt and Assyria against Babylon. It seems as if it is unfair. But God is never unfair and Josiah suffered the consequence of not listening to the Lord. You and I can suffer consequences as well. They may be well short of being shot by arrows, but the Lord disciplines those He loves. Sadder still is that Josiah’s sons obviously did not carry on their dad’s good works and we hear what we have heard over and over again: they “did evil in the sight of the Lord”.
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July 22
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 569 (7/22) – Jeremiah 48:1-47
God certainly sees nations and He judges nations. It might be profitable for you to make a list, as you read our passage today, of all the things that Moab was guilty of that brought about their judgment. The first couple are “because you trusted in your works and your treasures”.
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July 21
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 568 (7/21) – 2 Chronicles 35:1-19; 2 Kings 23:21-28; Jeremiah 47:1-7
I was struck today by the description of Josiah: “there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might…nor did any like him arise after him.” That is quite an epitaph. Wouldn’t that be wonderful to have our land filled with people and leaders who were sold out to the Lord. What a difference would we see in the media, entertainment, business, families, communities and politics if this were true?
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July 20
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 567 (7/20) – 2 Chronicles 34:29-33; Psalms 122:1-9, 145:1-21, 100:1-5; Philippians 4:2-9
What an uplifting reading for us today! Imagine what it would be like for Judah to finally have a king who was dedicated to serve the Lord and ruled that way. We should pray much of this back to the Lord today, to Him who is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”, who “raises up all who are bowed down”, who is “near to all who call on him”, who “preserves all who love him”. The list that Paul exhorts us to “think about these things” is worth memorizing.
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July 19
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 566 (7/19) – 2 Kings 23:1-20; Psalms 17:1-15; Philippians 3:12-4:1
Paul gives us a wonderful phrase of encouragement to “strain forward to what lies ahead” in the presence of “enemies of the cross of Christ” whose “god is their belly” and whose “mind is set on earthly things”. He assures us that our citizenship is in heaven, but we have work to do here on earth. What a great example we have in the amazing acts of Josiah, who beat into dust the idols of the land. Wouldn’t that be something if we could see our culture turn away from its idols? Pray for that repentance, Tuesdays, noon eastern.*
* Go to www.DelTackett.com/prayer for dial-in info and to sign up for a weekly reminder email.
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July 18
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 565 (7/18) – Habakkuk 2:2-3:19; Philippians 3:1-11
We have today a passage filled with both the majesty of God and the wicked actions of men, along with God’s judgment, found in the “woes” spoken against Babylon. It is worth your time to ponder each. Habakkuk’s conclusion in 3:17-18 is classic and would be good to memorize and make a commitment to live one’s life such that though we encounter hardships, we will continue to rejoice in the Lord and take joy in His salvation. Paul makes it clear that His standing before God does not come from his goodness or works of the law, but by faith. It echoes the same thing stated hundreds of years earlier by Habbakkuk: the righteous shall live by faith.
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July 20
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 567 (7/20) – 2 Chronicles 34:29-33; Psalms 122:1-9, 145:1-21, 100:1-5; Philippians 4:2-9
What an uplifting reading for us today! Image what it would be like for Judah to finally have a king who was dedicated to serve the Lord and ruled that way. We should pray much of this back to the Lord today, to Him who is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”, who “raises up all who are bowed down”, who is “near to all who call on him”, who “preserves all who love him”. The list that Paul exhorts us to “think about these things” is worth memorizing.
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July 17
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 564 (7/17) – Nahum 3:1-19; Habakkuk 1:1-2:1; Philippians 2:12-30
“Behold, your troops are women in your midst” is a similar phrase used against Babylon when it fell. When the men no longer act like men, the gates are “wide open” to the enemy. Assyria came under God’s judgment and was so destroyed there was nothing left of the empire to this day.
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July 16
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 563 (7/16) – Nahum 1:1-2:13; Philippians 2:1-11
The repentance of Nineveh that we see in the book of Jonah did not last. Under the king Tiglath-pileser III (745-~728), Assyria, with Nineveh as its capital, became a ruthless empire. The ESV Study Bible puts it this way: “The vast Assyrian Empire was established by bloodshed and massacre, cruelty and torture, destruction, plundering , and exiling such as has seldom been seen in history.” Nahum predicts the fall of this mighty empire. The opening description of God is rather stunning. Stop and ponder/discuss each of the characteristics that are given here. I was struck by this: in the midst of the terrifying attributes of God, we get this: “The Lord is good…” He is good to His covenant people, but woe to those who come under His wrath. The contrast in Philippians that we are to be humble is fascinating. Jesus is our example and His Spirit leads us that way. For Assyria, God humbled them forcibly.
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July 15
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 562 (7/15) – Zephaniah 2:1-3:20
I think it is good, as we go through our readings together, to make an effort to remember where these books fit into the larger story of God. Let’s cement in our minds, whenever we read Zephaniah from now on, that he was prophesying in the days of Josiah just before the fall of Judah and Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezar and Babylon. Context is always so very important. Note today the sovereignty of God who “cut off nations” yet the people were all the more “eager to make all their deeds corrupt”. Pretty sad.
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July 14
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 561 (7/14) – 2 Chronicles 34:14-28; Zephaniah 1:1-18
Huldah gives a clear message from God to Josiah that His judgment will not be stopped because Israel had forsaken the Lord: “my wrath will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.” That should cause our heart to break. But God was going to be gracious to Josiah because he humbled himself before the Lord. A good overview of the women who were called a prophetess in the Bible can be found [here]. As we read Zephaniah (the video overview is good) remember that prophetic genre must be read in that light. Translations are difficult. Verse 1:18, for example, in the ESV says “all the earth will be consumed” and that God will make a sudden end to “all the inhabitants of the earth.” In other translations, including Young’s Literal Translation, it reads, I believe more properly: “the whole land“ and “inhabitants of the land”. That makes a big difference, doesn’t it?
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July 13
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 560 (7/13) – Jeremiah 6:22-30; 2 Kings 22:3-20; 2 Chronicles 34:8-13; Philippians 1:20-30
Our passage today has special meaning to me. Early on in my Christian walk, I was somewhat bewildered that the Israelites could have “lost” the “Book of the Law” (which might mean the Pentatuch or just the book of Deuteronomy). How is this possible? Then I read Romans and Galatians to find that God had summed up all the commandments into one: love your neighbor. Then it hit me. I had lost the Word as well. The question was this: in finding it, was I going to do it. Josiah tore his robes. What was I going to do?
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July 12
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 559 (7/12) – Jeremiah 5:20-6:21; Philippians 1:12-19
Here is a good exercise for today. Note the character of the people (i.e. foolish, stubborn heart…), the references to God’s attempts to show them the truth (i.e. He gives the rain in its season), the descriptions of what the rebellion will bring (i.e. a siege mound will be raised against Jerusalem). Then ask if any of these characteristics are found in us today. Note, also, Paul’s conviction that his suffering is ultimately for the good and therefore he can rejoice in all things. May that be a characteristic of our own life.
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July 11
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 558 (7/11) – Psalms 133:1-3; Jeremiah 4:19-5:19; Philippians 1:1-11
Jeremiah tells us a familiar story. People are clueless about their perilous position. They don’t believe that God’s judgment would come upon them. They think they are wise when they are doing evil. Even in judgment “they refused to take correction… they have refused to repent.” Do we think that God will not bring judgment upon our nation? Let’s pray that He will bring, instead, a deep repentance.
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July 10
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 557 (7/10) – Jeremiah 3:11-4:18; John 21:1-14
- Note, as we did with Jeremiah, and as we will note with most of the prophets, how they weave in and out of the now and the yet to come. We read of the mercy and grace that God extended to the Israelites, and the “yet to come” when He says that the ark of the covenant will “not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again.” The video is good as we think of that time after the resurrection when Jesus was again with His disciples on the Sea of Tiberias. Think of the grace that was extended to Peter after He had betrayed His Lord, and now Peter is in full fellowship with Him.
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July 9
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 556 (7/9) – Jeremiah 2:14-3:10; John 20: 24-31
This struck me today: “the fear of Me is not in you”. What a telling and relevant assessment of not only Israel before its judgment and falling into the Babylonian captivity, but for our times as well. Much of our reading today rings too close: “I planted you a choice vine…how then have you turned degenerate?” and “who says to a stone, ‘You gave me birth’” and “you refuse to be ashamed”. Yet we have, in John, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The last verse of John 20 needs to be memorized, if you have not.
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July 8
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 555 (7/8) – Jeremiah 1:1-2:13
We now begin another of the major prophets. Jeremiah was known and consecrated for God’s purposes before he was formed in the womb, to bring messages of warning and judgment in the final days before the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian empire. This was a difficult assignment, because no one wanted to hear God’s Word, especially when they weren’t smooth words. The same is true today, but God’s people must remain faithful to His truth. The video overview is quite helpful.
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July 7
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 554 (7/7) – 2 Kings 21:18-22:2; 2 Chronicles 33:10-34:7
Chronicles gives us an exclusive look into Manasseh humbling himself due to the judgment that had come upon him. God honored that in much the same way He honored Ahab when he cried out to the Lord. But there isn’t a sense in either of these kings that there was a true heart change versus merely a response to their own circumstances. Josiah, however, brings a cheer from us, for he has a heart truly bent toward the Lord.
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July 6
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 553 (7/6) – 2 Kings 20:20-21:17; 2 Chronicles 32:32-33:9; Mark 16:14; John 20:19-23
It is difficult not to sense a deep sadness as we read of Manasseh and the clear prophecy of the horrible judgment that was going to come upon Jerusalem and Judah because of their sin, of which Manasseh was held responsible. I also can’t help but think of how our nation has embraced the same list of sins and moreso, led on by our leaders. Keep praying that God will grant us repentance as a nation. John 21:23 is a great example of the importance of looking at the “preponderance” of Scripture. Here is an [explanation].
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July 5
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 552 (7/5) – Psalms 90:1-17; Isaiah 66:1-24; 2 Peter 3:1-18
We come to the end of the marvelous book of Isaiah and 2 Peter today. Both end with the promise of God’s judgment, which will come upon both the ungodly and those who pretend to be godly, those who do all the outward things, but inwardly are not humble and contrite before the Lord. It is a sobering thought. Even Jesus told us there would be tares among the wheat. Moses in the Psalm asks God to teach us to number our days that we might get wisdom and rejoice all our days. Are you filled with joy and gladness today?
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July 4
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 551 (7/4) – Proverbs 26:1-28; 2 Peter 2:1-22
Today we read of fools, sluggards, whisperers, deceivers and liars. Peter warns of false teachers and those who speak loud boasts of folly and entice by sensual passions of the flesh. These are relevant warnings for us today.
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July 3
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 550 (7/3) – Isaiah 64:1-65:25; 2 Peter 1:12-21
Our passages in Isaiah today again weave in and out of the now and the will be. There are different interpretations as to what age chapter 65 is speaking. I see it as the fulfillment of the promises of God as they are found in Christ. How do you see it? Take, at least, the wonderful reality that God is sovereign and He will ultimately bring about His purposes and plans despite the persistent rebellion of man. As Peter points out, the prophets spoke the Word of God by the Spirit of God.
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July 2
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 549 (7/2) – Psalms 15:1-5; Proverbs 2:1-22; 2 Peter 1:1-11
Our three passages today deal with the virtues that accompany those who will “dwell on your holy hill” (15:1); “walk in the way of the good” (2:20); and not be simply faithful, but “effective and fruitful” (1:8). My suggestion is that you take the time to make a list of all of the virtues enumerated today, then discuss what each means and whether you see them manifested in your own walk (words, thoughts, deeds). This is not an exercise to cast stones on ourselves, but to be “partakers of the divine nature”. Note: Peter states that if we are lacking in these virtues it is because we have “forgotten” that Jesus has cleansed us from our former sins. We need to continually remember the depth of His love and payment on our behalf.
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July 1
Dr. Tackett's Daily Comment
Day 548 (7/1) – Isaiah 62:1-63:19
Today we again see the Word weave in and out of the now and the what will be, the promise to be fulfilled in Christ and His Kingdom. It is worth taking the time to discuss this as well as the nature and character of God that is revealed in our passage, for there are many different attributes. Can you list them?
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