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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 23 November 2025:
Psalm 99:1 — The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
The psalm opens with a jolt, a reminder of God’s raw, unfiltered sovereignty. His rule is not symbolic or ceremonial; it is real, active, and absolute. Heaven moves at His command, angels obey without hesitation, and creation itself quakes under His authority. The question confronts us directly: When was the last time the holiness of God made you tremble? James tells us that “even the demons believe — and shudder.” A chilling indictment. Demons, who have no hope of salvation, still respond to Jesus with more reverence than many professing Christians. Knowledge of Christ should not make us casual; it should melt us. It should overwhelm us with His purity, His power, His majesty, His nearness. Pray for a knowledge of Jesus that brings reverence, not fear that drives you away, but fear that draws you down to your knees in awe. This kind of knowledge transforms you. It changes how you see sin, people, work, worship, trials, and obedience. The higher your view of Christ, the more your life will align with Him.
Psalm 99:4 — The King in his might loves justice. You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
This verse reveals what many modern Christians prefer to ignore: God loves justice. Not tolerance, not moral ambiguity, not compromise. Justice, real justice, grounded in the nature of God Himself. The psalm goes on to show what this looks like in the lives of God’s servants: “They called to the LORD, and he answered them… they kept his testimonies… you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.” God forgives, yes, but He also disciplines. His people called on Him with repentant hearts, and He answered with grace and correction. Not because He is harsh, but because He is holy. We see this pattern throughout Scripture. Job’s friends were rebuked because they misrepresented God. Proverbs reminds us that God repays every man according to his works. And the New Testament does not soften this, it sharpens it. Paul says God disciplines believers so that “we may not be condemned with the world.” Hebrews declares that if we lack discipline, we are “illegitimate children.” Jesus Himself says, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline.” Mercy does not negate justice. Grace does not eliminate holiness. God disciplines because He loves, and His discipline is always aimed at restoring us to righteousness. True worshipers embrace both His tenderness and His severity.
Psalm 99:6 — Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
The great leaders of Israel, Moses, Aaron, Samuel, were all marked by the same pattern: they called on the Lord, and the Lord answered them. Their greatness didn’t come from talent, brilliance, charisma, or position. It came from dependence. They knew where power came from. They embraced weakness so they could cling to God. The real lesson is simple: God works through those who seek Him, not those who impress Him.
Psalm 99:8 — O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
God forgives fully, but He also sanctifies fiercely. Forgiveness removes condemnation; discipline removes corruption. God does both. He wipes away guilt, but He does not wipe away responsibility. He pardons, and then He trains. He pardons, and then He prunes. Expect both from a Father who loves you too much to let you stay the same. The good news is you can trust God’s discipline, and grace makes growth safe, no fear of condemnation or failure for the one willing to walk in faith towards Christlikeness. However, grace is not there for you to be irresponsible – your loving God will not be mocked – for your benefit.
2 Chronicles 1:1 — Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.
Solomon’s success didn’t begin with political maneuvering, charismatic leadership, or iron-fisted control. The text gives one reason: the LORD his God was with him. Every accomplishment flowed from God’s presence, not Solomon’s performance. The same remains true today: greatness is never self-generated; it is God-bestowed. Influence without intimacy with God is hollow. Success without God’s presence is failure in slow motion. The men God truly establishes are the men who remain dependent on Him.
2 Chronicles 1:5 — The bronze altar… was there before the tabernacle of the LORD; and Solomon and the assembly sought it.
Before Solomon asked for anything, he approached God through sacrifice. He sought God’s mercy before God’s wisdom. He honored God’s holiness before requesting God’s favor. This is always the right order. Approaching God begins with humility, sacrifice, and worship.
2 Chronicles 1:9 — O LORD God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth.
Solomon recognizes that he stands inside a promise God made long before he was born. God promised Abraham a nation as numerous as the dust. God promised David a son on the throne. Now Solomon stands as living proof that God keeps His word. Every believer stands in the same reality. You are the product of promises God made before your lifetime, and He intends to fulfill His purposes in and through you.
2 Chronicles 1:10 — Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people.
Solomon’s request reveals a humble, servant-hearted posture. He does not ask for dominance but discernment. Not for victory but wisdom. Not for wealth but understanding. His heart is aligned with God’s heart: leadership is not a platform for self-promotion but a calling to serve.
2 Chronicles 1:11-12 — Because this was in your heart… wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor.
God honors the man whose ambitions are not self-centered. Solomon didn’t ask for fame, security, revenge, or luxury. He asked to serve well. And God delighted to give him more than he asked. God is generous. But generosity flows toward hearts shaped by humility. God rewards the man who seeks to serve others more than himself.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) — 23 November 2025: Ask God for a trembling, reverent knowledge of Him that renews your worship, deepens your obedience, and reshapes your ambitions toward selfless service. Then walk in that fear of the Lord by choosing wisdom over self-advancement in one concrete decision today.
Pray: “Lord, You reign in holiness and power, and we bow before You with reverence. Give us a deeper knowledge of Your glory, one that humbles us, convicts us, and transforms us. Teach us to tremble rightly at Your holiness and rejoice boldly in Your mercy. Shape our hearts like Solomon’s, that we would seek wisdom over status, service over ambition, obedience over comfort. Rescue us from casual faith and shallow reverence. Discipline us where we need correction, strengthen us where we are weak, and establish us in Your purposes. Make our lives a testimony to Your faithfulness, and let every step we take today honor Your name. Amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 