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You
Are Being FollowedBy Paul Chappell
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Friday, May 25, 2012
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with
me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth
over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
LORD for ever."
Psalm 23:4-6
I read about a little boy who had been invited to a
friend’s birthday party. He was so excited and started
counting the days until the party. But the morning of
the party he was devastated when he found that a
blizzard had struck their little town. The snow was
falling in wet, heavy flakes, and the wind was howling.
"I don’t think you should go to the party," his father
said. The little boy was so disappointed.
He began to importune his father, begging to be
allowed to go. Finally, much to his surprise, his dad
said, "All right, you can go to the party." The little
boy bundled up in his hat and coat and mittens and
started down the street to his friend’s house. When he
got to the door, he turned around and saw his father
turning to walk back home. It was then he realized that
his father had been walking behind him all the way to
make sure he was safe.
There may be times when we feel like we are alone,
but in truth we are always surrounded by the love and
goodness of God. There is never a time when we are truly
on our own. Even when we do not believe Him as we
should, "he abideth faithful" (2 Timothy 2:13).
The struggles and battles you face today do not have to
be fought and won in your own strength. The Creator of
Heaven and Earth is your "very present help in
trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
Today's Rooted Principle:
God has sent His goodness
and mercy to follow you every step you take this day.
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Old Testament
Reading
1
Chronicles 25
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CHAPTER 25
1 Moreover David and the captains of the
host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and
of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with
harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number
of the workmen according to their service was:
2 Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph,
and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the
hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order
of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of
Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah,
and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father
Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and
to praise the LORD. 4 Of Heman: the sons of
Heman; Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, and
Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and
Romamtiezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and
Mahazioth: 5 All these were the sons
of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up
the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three
daughters. 6 All these were under the
hands of their father for song in the house of
the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the
service of the house of God, according to the king's
order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. 7 So the
number of them, with their brethren that were instructed
in the songs of the LORD, even all that were
cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.
8 And they cast lots, ward against
ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher
as the scholar. 9 Now the first lot came
forth for Asaph to Joseph: the second to Gedaliah, who
with his brethren and sons were twelve:
10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons,
and his brethren, were twelve: 11 The
fourth to Izri, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 12 The fifth to
Nethaniah, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 13 The sixth to Bukkiah,
he, his sons, and his brethren, were
twelve: 14 The seventh to Jesharelah,
he, his sons, and his brethren, were
twelve: 15 The eighth to Jeshaiah, he,
his sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
16 The ninth to Mattaniah, he, his
sons, and his brethren, were twelve:
17 The tenth to Shimei, he, his sons,
and his brethren, were twelve: 18 The
eleventh to Azareel, he, his sons, and his
brethren, were twelve: 19 The twelfth
to Hashabiah, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 20 The thirteenth to
Shubael, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 21 The fourteenth to
Mattithiah, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 22 The fifteenth to
Jeremoth, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 23 The sixteenth to
Hananiah, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 24 The seventeenth to
Joshbekashah, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 25 The eighteenth to
Hanani, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 26 The nineteenth to
Mallothi, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 27 The twentieth to
Eliathah, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 28 The one and twentieth
to Hothir, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 29 The two and twentieth
to Giddalti, he, his sons, and his brethren,
were twelve: 30 The three and
twentieth to Mahazioth, he, his sons, and his
brethren, were twelve: 31 The four and
twentieth to Romamtiezer, he, his sons, and his
brethren, were twelve.
CHAPTER 26
1 Concerning the divisions of the porters:
Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore,
of the sons of Asaph. 2 And the sons of
Meshelemiah were, Zechariah the firstborn,
Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the
fourth, 3 Elam the fifth, Jehohanan the
sixth, Elioenai the seventh. 4 Moreover the
sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn,
Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the
fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth, 5 Ammiel the
sixth, Issachar the seventh, Peulthai the eighth: for
God blessed him. 6 Also unto Shemaiah his son
were sons born, that ruled throughout the house of their
father: for they were mighty men of valour.
7 The sons of Shemaiah; Othni, and Rephael,
and Obed, Elzabad, whose brethren were strong
men, Elihu, and Semachiah. 8 All these of the
sons of Obededom: they and their sons and their
brethren, able men for strength for the service,
were threescore and two of Obededom. 9
And Meshelemiah had sons and brethren, strong men,
eighteen. 10 Also Hosah, of the children of
Merari, had sons; Simri the chief, (for though he
was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the
chief;) 11 Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the
third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren
of Hosah were thirteen. 12 Among these
were the divisions of the porters, even
among the chief men, having wards one against
another, to minister in the house of the LORD.
13 And they cast lots, as well the small as
the great, according to the house of their fathers, for
every gate. 14 And the lot eastward fell to
Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise
counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out
northward. 15 To Obededom southward; and to
his sons the house of Asuppim. 16 To Shuppim
and Hosah the lot came forth
westward, with the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of
the going up, ward against ward. 17 Eastward
were six Levites, northward four a day, southward
four a day, and toward Asuppim two and two.
18 At Parbar westward, four at the causeway,
and two at Parbar. 19 These are
the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and
among the sons of Merari.
20 And of the Levites, Ahijah was
over the treasures of the house of God, and over the
treasures of the dedicated things. 21
As concerning the sons of Laadan; the sons
of the Gershonite Laadan, chief fathers, even of
Laadan the Gershonite, were Jehieli.
22 The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his
brother, which were over the treasures of
the house of the LORD. 23 Of the Amramites,
and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the
Uzzielites: 24 And Shebuel the son of
Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the
treasures. 25 And his brethren by Eliezer;
Rehabiah his son, and Jeshaiah his son, and Joram his
son, and Zichri his son, and Shelomith his son.
26 Which Shelomith and his brethren
were over all the treasures of the dedicated
things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the
captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains
of the host, had dedicated. 27 Out of the
spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the
house of the LORD. 28 And all that Samuel the
seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of
Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated;
and whosoever had dedicated any
thing, it was under the hand of
Shelomith, and of his brethren.
29 Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his
sons were for the outward business over Israel,
for officers and judges. 30 And of the
Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a
thousand and seven hundred, were officers among
them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the
business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.
31 Among the Hebronites was Jerijah
the chief, even among the Hebronites, according
to the generations of his fathers. In the fortieth year
of the reign of David they were sought for, and there
were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of
Gilead. 32 And his brethren, men of valour,
were two thousand and seven hundred chief
fathers, whom king David made rulers over the
Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the
king.
CHAPTER 27
1 Now the children of Israel after their
number, to wit, the chief fathers and
captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers
that served the king in any matter of the courses, which
came in and went out month by month throughout all the
months of the year, of every course were twenty
and four thousand. 2 Over the first course
for the first month was Jashobeam the son of
Zabdiel: and in his course were twenty and four
thousand. 3 Of the children of Perez
was the chief of all the captains of the host for
the first month. 4 And over the course of the
second month was Dodai an Ahohite, and of his
course was Mikloth also the ruler: in his course
likewise were twenty and four thousand.
5 The third captain of the host for the third
month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, a chief
priest: and in his course were twenty and four
thousand. 6 This is that
Benaiah, who was mighty among the
thirty, and above the thirty: and in his course
was Ammizabad his son. 7 The fourth
captain for the fourth month was Asahel
the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and
in his course were twenty and four thousand.
8 The fifth captain for the fifth month
was Shamhuth the Izrahite: and in his course
were twenty and four thousand. 9 The
sixth captain for the sixth month was Ira
the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite: and in his course
were twenty and four thousand. 10 The
seventh captain for the seventh month was
Helez the Pelonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in
his course were twenty and four thousand.
11 The eighth captain for the eighth
month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the
Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four
thousand. 12 The ninth captain for the
ninth month was Abiezer the Anetothite, of the
Benjamites: and in his course were twenty and
four thousand. 13 The tenth captain
for the tenth month was Maharai the Netophathite,
of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty
and four thousand. 14 The eleventh
captain for the eleventh month was Benaiah
the Pirathonite, of the children of Ephraim: and in his
course were twenty and four thousand.
15 The twelfth captain for the twelfth
month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel:
and in his course were twenty and four thousand.
16 Furthermore over the tribes of Israel:
the ruler of the Reubenites was Eliezer the son
of Zichri: of the Simeonites, Shephatiah the son of
Maachah: 17 Of the Levites, Hashabiah the son
of Kemuel: of the Aaronites, Zadok: 18 Of
Judah, Elihu, one of the brethren of David: of
Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: 19 Of
Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali,
Jerimoth the son of Azriel: 20 Of the
children of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Azaziah: of the
half tribe of Manasseh, Joel the son of Pedaiah:
21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in
Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel
the son of Abner: 22 Of Dan, Azareel the son
of Jeroham. These were the princes of the tribes
of Israel. 23 But David took not the number
of them from twenty years old and under: because the
LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars
of the heavens. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah
began to number, but he finished not, because there fell
wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put
in the account of the chronicles of king David.
25 And over the king's treasures was
Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in
the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in
the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah:
26 And over them that did the work of the
field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son
of Chelub: 27 And over the vineyards
was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of
the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the
Shiphmite: 28 And over the olive trees and
the sycomore trees that were in the low plains
was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars
of oil was Joash: 29 And over the
herds that fed in Sharon was Shitrai the
Sharonite: and over the herds that were in
the valleys was Shaphat the son of Adlai:
30 Over the camels also was Obil the
Ishmaelite: and over the asses was Jehdeiah the
Meronothite: 31 And over the flocks
was Jaziz the Hagerite. All these were the
rulers of the substance which was king David's.
32 Also Jonathan David's uncle was a
counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son
of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:
33 And Ahithophel was the king's
counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's
companion: 34 And after Ahithophel was
Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the
general of the king's army was
Joab.
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New Testament
Reading
John
9:1 |
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a
man which was blind from his birth. 2
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did
sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man
sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God
should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work
the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the
night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long
as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the
ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed
the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,
(which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way
therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8 The neighbours therefore, and they which
before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this
he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is
he: others said, He is like him: but he
said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they
unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He
answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay,
and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool
of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I
received sight. 12 Then said they unto him,
Where is he? He said, I know not.
13 They brought to the Pharisees him that
aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the
sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his
eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked
him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He
put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This
man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath
day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such
miracles? And there was a division among them.
17 They say unto the blind man again, What
sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He
said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did
not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and
received his sight, until they called the parents of him
that had received his sight. 19 And they
asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was
born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His
parents answered them and said, We know that this is our
son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by
what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened
his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall
speak for himself. 22 These words
spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the
Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess
that he was Christ, he should be put out of the
synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He
is of age; ask him.
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Proverb of the
Day
Proverbs
25 |
1 These are also proverbs of
Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied
out. 2 It is the glory of God
to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to
search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height,
and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings
is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross
from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for
the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from
before the king, and his throne shall be established in
righteousness. 6 Put not forth thyself in the
presence of the king, and stand not in the place of
great men: 7 For better it
is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither;
than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of
the prince whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go
not forth hastily to strive, lest thou
know not what to do in the end thereof,
when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and
discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he
that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine
infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in pictures of
silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and
an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise
reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold
of snow in the time of harvest, so is a
faithful messenger to them that send him: for he
refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 Whoso
boasteth himself of a false gift is like
clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long
forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue
breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey?
eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be
filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Withdraw
thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of
thee, and so hate thee. 18 A man that
beareth false witness against his neighbour is a
maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of
joint. 20 As he that taketh away a
garment in cold weather, and as vinegar
upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an
heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry,
give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him
water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals
of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so
doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the
corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and
in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to
a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far
country. 26 A righteous man falling down
before the wicked is as a troubled
fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27 It
is not good to eat much honey: so for
men to search their own glory is
not glory. 28 He that hath no
rule over his own spirit is like a city
that is broken down, and without
walls.
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