I Kings 20  This is a remarkable story of Adonai giving Ahab another chance..  Ben-hadad, the king of Aram ( Syria) and 32 kings with him, threatened Israel.  He first demanded all the silver and gold, as well as all the wives and children of Ahab. Then he wanted Ahab to allow his soldiers to enter Samaria and take anything they wanted.  Ahab would have allowed the first but refused the second.  It is at this point that a prophet, sent by Adonai, comes and says,  " Thus says the Lord, 'Behold, I will deliver them into your hand today, and you shall know that I am the Lord'" 

The Lord works a miracle for Ahab.. allowing Israel to have victory over the vast armies that had come against the small army of Israel.  

The counselors of Aram told Ben-hadad that the God of Israel was only the god of the mountains and that they would have victory in the valley.  So, the next year Aram waged war against Israel again.. in the valley, and God again  gave the victory to Ahab's small army again.... "therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord." 

Unfortunately, Ahab decided to make a peace agreement with Ben-hadad and let him go instead of destroying him as the Lord commanded. When the prophet reproves Ahab he goes home "sullen and vexed." 

Ahab was able to see the Hand of God at work with his own eyes.. on the mountain where Elijah challenged the priests of Baal;  the 3 years without rain and the return of rain by Elijah's prayer;  the victories over the armies of Aram.... and yet he still refused to acknowledge that Adonai was the only True God. 

Are our eyes open?  Do we see what the Lord wants us to see?  Do we know that He is the Lord and that He rules over all the nations.. even ours?   Ahab, as evil as he was, received grace.. opportunities to turn to God.  No one - is too far from the Lord' s mighty Hands.  As Peter wrote, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." ( II Peter 3:9) Even someone as evil as Ahab. 

Father in heaven, we know that the Day is coming when all of heaven and earth will be destroyed by the power of Your mighty hand.  And we know that a new heaven and a new earth "in which righteousness dwells" has been promised. We thank You for your patience.  We thank You for the grace that You show to even those with the hardest of hearts. May this word of Truth - that salvation is available to all who will call upon the Name of the Lord - run rapidly throughout our land.. that many more will turn from sin and receive grace. Indeed, we plead for the lost to be saved. Have mercy on them, Lord God.  And may we be the people we ought to be - "holy in conduct and godliness" and "diligent to be found in Him in peace, spotless and blameless" ( II Peter 3:11;14).  May we grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. " To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen" ( v18) 

 I Kings 19  After the great display of God's power on Carmel, Elijah prayed for rain.. and the rain came down.  Elijah ran.. faster than Ahab's chariot.. to the entrance of Jezreel.  But... when Jezebel heard what had happened, she threatened Elijah's life... and Elijah ran away. 

Elijah was so discouraged that he prayed for God to take his life.  He was also exhausted and feeling totally alone.  He went to the desert in the far south of Judah.. as far away as he could get from Jezebel and her threats. There, he laid down and slept. Twice he was woken up by an angel who fed him bread and gave him water.  Finally, he regained enough strength that he traveled 40 days and nights to Mt Horeb - Mt Sinai, the Mountain of God - 200 miles away.  This same place was where Moses had met face to face with Adonai.  Here is where Elijah also meets with Adonai. 

"What are you doing here, Elijah?"  the Lord asks him... twice.  Between those two questions, Adonai revealed Himself to Elijah - He sent a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire... Displays of the power of God over all the earth. But, it was the still, small voice - that Elijah finally recognized.. and knew God's Presence with him, there on the mountain at the entrance of a cave.  This does not change Elijah's answer to God's question.. but Elijah is ready to go back and do what God tells him to do. 

Elijah is told to anoint a new king in Aram, a new king in Israel, and a new prophet to take his own place. 

Elijah does the last thing.. first, finding Elisha working in the field. Elijah gives his cloak to Elisha.. calling him to follow.. and he does. 

This year of 2020 has left many of us feeling like Elijah - discouraged, exhausted, and afraid.  Perhaps, our Lord could also ask us, "What are you doing here..?"  What are we doing here?  We need to listen to our Shepherd's voice.. to know His Presence.. so that we can go and do what He tells us to do.  Maybe He just wants us to find and "Elisha".. someone to take on the Lord's work.  Maybe He has another assignment for us.  Whatever it is, we will not find it by running away.  We will not find it in the wind, earthquake, or fire.. We will find it in Him.  Be still, He tells us, and "KNOW that I am God."  The rest of that verse is a truth we need to stand on - " I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted in the earth." ( Psalm 46:10) 

Father in Heaven, our Everlasting Father, Christ Jesus, the Son, we come to honor You - the Exalted God who is Lord of hosts, our stronghold, our Deliverer, the One in whom we trust.  David wrote, "Most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God - I praise his word- in God I trust; I have no fear; what can human power do to me?" ( Ps. 56:3-4)  Like Elijah, we are weary and discouraged by the sins of our land.  We are exhausted by the continual bad news.  We are ready to cry out "Enough"! Yet, we know that You are God and that all things are in Your Hands.. and we are in Your Hands.  So, we pray, '"Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven... let Your Kingdom come.."  And, " Let Your name be hallowed.. our God, who is a consuming fire!"  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 I Kings 18 - Elijah is sent back to Israel.. to Ahab.. to restore the rain, and to restore the people of Israel back to God. 

This dramatic display of God's power is.. majestic, powerful, amazing.. and merciful... 

All Israel is summoned to Mount Carmel -  the 450 prophets of Baal are also summoned.  

Two bulls are presented.

Two altars are prepared. 

Two sacrifices are offered. 

The prophets of Baal went first.  They laid out their sacrifice.  They offered their prayers.  They cried out. They pleaded. They jumped up and down. They cut themselves.  They shouted all day long.. . "But no voice came, no one answered, no one paid attention." ( v29) 

As the time of the evening offering approached, Elijah stepped up to the plate... 

He rebuilt a broken down altar with 12 stones. 

He "arranged the wood, cut up the bull and laid it on the wood."  He had the men drench the altar, the wood, and the bull with water, three times.. until the whole trench that he had dug around the altar overflowed with water. 

Then Elijah prayed. "Adonai, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God is Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your Word.  Hear me, Adonai, hear me, so that this people may know that you, Adonai, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back to You." ( v36-37)

"Then the fire of Adonai fell."  The people saw it and fell on their faces as the bull, the wood, the water, and the stones.. and even the dust .. everything was consumed.  

 Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 4:23 - 24 " So watch yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the Lord your God has commanded you. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."

The writer of Hebrews echoes this truth -  "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.. " ( 12: 28-29) 

Gratitude - for an unshakable kingdom of our Unshakable God. The evilest king in all of Israel could not shake God or Elijah, the Lord's servant.  We serve this same God.. who will one day consume all of heaven and earth as we know it. He will judge the wicked and they will not escape, even as the priests of Baal did not escape Elijah.  

Gratitude - because our God has turned our hearts back to Him, in spite of everything.. and has brought us, who trust in Jesus Christ the Savior.. into His unshakeable Kingdom of Light. 

Thank You Father, we exalt Your Holy Name, for You are the Living God and there is NO other. Be near to us this day as we offer thank offerings from grateful hearts.. not for food that perishes.. but for the Bread of Life, the Living Water, the Savior, Jesus Christ, through whom we come to bring our offerings of thanks.. in His Blessed Name we pray. amen. 

 I  Kings 17  Elijah, the man of God,  came from Gilead, on the eastern side of the Jordan river.  He went to Ahab, the evil king,  and boldly pronounced God's judgement.. " As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there will be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." 

Ahab and Jezebel had embraced the worship of Baal,  believed to be the "god" of rain and fertility.

 Elijah's pronouncement is that Adonai, the true  God of Israel - lives!  And the truth is.. Adonai alone controls the rains and the harvest.  For three and a half years this truth is proven before all of Israel. 

Adonai sends Elijah away to the brook Cherith where he miraculously brought food by the ravens and where he had water to drink for a while.  When the brook dried up, Adonai sent Elijah on a journey of about 80-90 miles, to Sidon, to a gentile widow.. who was on her last bit of food. 

The fact that this woman agrees to Elijah's request for a drink and some bread is remarkable.  The fact that she recognizes the God that Elijah served as the living God, is also remarkable.  The fact that this woman's grain and oil never ran out.. is miraculous. The fact that later, her child dies and she appeals to Elijah, who then prays for this child.. and brings him back to his mother... alive by the grace of God.. is beyond anything she could have imagined or hoped. 

This God.. Adonai.. whom Elijah served.. is our God. He is Almighty God. There is nothing that is impossible for Him.  Tozer wrote this.. "Acquaint thyself with God. To regain her lost power, the Church must see heaven opened and have a transforming vision of God... The God we must learn to know is the Majesty in the heavens, God the Father  Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, the only wise God our Savior."  

Let us remember and meditate upon the Majesty and Might of our holy God, who has never changed and Who never will. The God of Elijah still  judges sin,  overcomes evil, and provides for His children who completely trust their whole lives to Him. 

Father in heaven, we lift our eyes towards You, placing our trust in You alone. The world pulls us down into the darkness and sickness and sin, but You have sent to us a Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.  We give You a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise.  We seek Your Presence, Your Spirit alive in us that we might know You more and more.. our God, the Almighty King.  Be glorified in Your people as You do remarkable, impossible, and amazing miracles among us, that all the world will know that You alone are God and there is no other. In Jesus' name we pray.   Amen. 

 I Kings 16 While Asa was ruling Judah, Israel had a string of kings - Baasha had killed Nadab.  After Baasha died, his son Elah reigned 2 years. Zimri, his servant, killed him and all his household.  Zimri lasted 7 days before he was confronted by Omri, the head of the army.  He burned down the king's house around himself and Omri reigned for 12 years.  After Omri died, his son Ahab became king.  

Every one of these kings did more evil than the one before him.  Ahab became even worse when he married Jezebel and added Baal to the idols that Israel already had.   Each king provoked God with their idolatry.  The Complete Jewish Bible says it this way, " [Ahab]... did more to anger Adonai the God of Israel, than all the kings before him."( v32)  They angered God "with their worthless idols.." ( v26)

In Tozer's book The Knowledge of the Holy, he writes this about God's holiness - "God is holy and He has made holiness the moral condition necessary to the health of His universe. Sin's temporary presence in the world accents this. Whatever is holy is healthy; evil is a moral sickness that must end ultimately in death. The formation of the language itself suggests this, the English word holy deriving from the Anglo-Saxon haling, has, meaning 'well, whole'. Since God's first concern for His universes is its moral health, that is, its holiness, whatever is contrary to this is necessarily under His eternal displeasure. To preserve His creation God must destroy whatever would destroy it. When He arises to put down iniquity and save the world from irreparable moral collapse, He is said to be angry. Every wrathful judgment in the history of the world has been a holy act of preservation. The holiness of God, the wrath of God, and the health of the creation are inseparably united. God's wrath is His utter intolerance of whatever degrades and destroys. He hates iniquity as a mother hates the polio that would take the life of her child." 

Over and over Israel, and later Judah, practiced idolatry and immorality.  This made God angry and He brought His righteous judgement upon them.  

As we look at our current world, we see the same "moral sickness" rising up more and more.  We know that the wrath of God will strike down all that are evil.  Tozer also wrote this.. "In the moral conflict now raging around us whoever is on God's side is on the winning side and cannot lose; whoever is on the other side is on the losing side and cannot win. Here there is no chance, no gamble. There is freedom to choose which side we shall be on but no freedom to negotiate the results of the choice once it is made. By the mercy of God we may repent a wrong choice an alter the consequences by making a new and right choice. Beyond that we cannot go." 

Father in heaven, we choose You. We do not have and do not want any worthless idols.  We want to be whole and well - completely Yours.  Help us to stay in Your Presence, walking in Your Light.  Come Spirit and guide us in the ways of Jesus our Lord and Redeemer, to the glory of His Name.  amen. 

 I Kings 14-15  Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, ruled Judah.  Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, ruled Israel.  Both failed to live in whole-hearted devotion to Adonai.  

Jeroboam's son fell sick and he sent his wife, in disguise to ask a prophet of God if the son would die.  The prophet knew instantly who the woman was and told her the bad news- that not only would the child die, but the whole of Jeroboam's line would be wiped out and Israel would eventually be exiled from the promised land. After Jeroboam died, his son Nadab became king. 

Rehoboam reigned 17 years in Jerusalem, provoking the Lord with his evil idolatry.  When he died, his son, Abijam became king and reigned for only 3 years.  He also did evil.  After he died his son Asa became king.  Asa reigned for 41 years.. " and Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father."  Finally!

Asa got rid of the idols, the cult prostitutes,  and even deposed his grandmother, Maacah, because of her horrid idols.   He restored what he could in the temple, renewed a treaty with the king of Aram, and fought against Israel's attempt to take Ramah. 

After Asa, Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. 

Meanwhile, Jeroboam's son Nadab only reigned 2 years over Israel, continuing the evil of his father.  He was killed by Baasha from the tribe of Issachar.  He wiped out all the line of Jeroboam, fulfilling the prophecy.  But, Baasha also did evil, just like Jeroboam. 

I think the thing that amazes me the most in these passages is that Asa turned away from the idolatry of his father, his grandfather and his grandmother.   II Chronicles gives a more detailed account of Asa's rule.  When Judah came under attack from Ethiopia, Asa called out to the Lord in prayer and "the Lord routed the Ethiopians before Asa".   

In 11 Chronicles 15:2 the Lord says to Asa through the prophet Azariah, "Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." 

This truth is powerful, wonderful, and vital.. for everyone individual and every nation.  The Lord, Almighty God is with us when we are with Him!  If we seek Him we will find Him! He wants our whole-hearted devotion.  Anything less will not do. 

Unfortunately Asa's treaty with the king of Aram was a wrong decision that resulted in a rebuke from the prophet Hanani.  Instead of repenting, Asa put Hanani in prison. When Asa became severely diseased in his feet, he refused to ask the Lord for healing... and he never recovered. 

Father in heaven, You have given us the ability to choose how we will live. When we choose what is right in Your sight, You are honored and we are blessed.  But, when we choose what is evil in Your sight we must also realize that we are choosing the consequences.. spiritual alienation and eternal death.  We pray for Your grace and mercy, to help us choose life.. to choose Jesus Christ.. to choose redemption and obedience and surrender.. all the days of our lives.  Help us to have whole-hearted devotion to You- for when we seek You we find You!  Hallelujah !  Bring our country back to You, Lord. Bring us leaders who will lead us to You and not away from You.  We need You more than ever.  Thank You for hearing our cries and bringing us hope in our eternal King Jesus.  In his name we pray. Amen. 

 I Kings 13  The Lord sent a prophet to tell Jeroboam that the altar he was making sacrifices on was going to split apart and that one day a king named Josiah would burn the false priests on it.  As Jeroboam reached out to condemn the prophet his hand shriveled up.  God's authority became perfectly displayed right before his eyes.  Jeroboam was stopped in his tracks and asked the prophet to pray for his healing.  God answered that prayer. 

The rest of this chapter is  difficult.  The man of God had been told to not eat or drink anything there in the land.  He refused anything from Jeroboam and left to return back to Judah. But, an old prophet heard about this, chased after the man of God and convinced him that an angel had told him to have him come back and stay with him. The old prophet was lying.  The younger prophet fell for it... and ended up dying on the road home. 

Evil Jeroboam lived on.  The old lying prophet lived on.  The young man of God died. 

God's ways are not our ways.. we cannot begin to understand some of the ways God works.  Yet we know that He is always good... always wise.. and always working to fulfill His purposes. 

We may constantly ask "Why?" But, we do not always get an answer.  In fact, most of the time God does not explain things to us.  He just asks us.. commands us.. to trust Him.  Trust Him that He knows best. Trust Him to complete His plans.. perfectly. Trust Him when we don't understand.  As the proverbs passage says:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. "  To "trust in the Lord" - means to lean and have confidence in Him..to be supported by Him;  To not lean on our own understanding - to not support ourselves by what we think we know.   "In all your ways".. on your journey and in your conversation.. day by day.. "acknowledge Him" - SEE Him in everything you do, every path your take.. observe, recognize, sense.. KNOW the He is there.  In other words - Live in His Presence.  Just what Solomon had been told to do... 

Father in heaven, we come before You with thanksgiving - to honor Your Name and to give You our praise. Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts than our thoughts.  Yet You show us mercy and give us grace, that we might come boldly to Your throne and call upon You in times of need. Help us Gracious God, to be completely obedient and faithful. Keep our feet from falling. Keep our hands from doing evil and our hearts from what is vile.  Deliver us from evil and from the evil one, from lying lips and false idols.  Salvation is from Your hands and we are so grateful.  Hallelujah! In Jesus' name.  Amen. 

 I Kings 12 Solomon's son Rehoboam became king after Solomon's death. Unfortunately, he did not have his father's wisdom.  Because of Solomon's unfaithfulness to the Lord, the kingdom of Israel would be ripped in two.  Rehoboam was the instrument of this failure. Refusing to listen to the people, refusing to listen to the counsel of older men.. Rehoboam tried to make himself out to be more powerful than his father.  The result was a disaster for the whole nation. 

Jeroboam, one of Solomon's enemies, was appointed to be king of Israel, leaving only the tribe of Judah and some of the tribe of Benjamin under Rehoboam.  But, Jeroboam was unfaithful to the Lord also.  He was fearful that his people would turn from him when they went to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.  So he built his own places of worship, made two golden calfs, set up his own priesthood, and  lost God's favor. 

Choices.. both kings had to decide whom they would serve.. and both chose the wrong way.  Just a generation away from being a blessed nation, to being one torn apart.  Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

We are definitely in a time where choices have been made.. where our nation is at risk of being torn apart. Where leaders are not choosing to turn to the One True God.  More than ever we are being called by God to stand up.. to stand firm.. to be faithful and obedient to God's Word, no matter what.  

Father, help us to have the steadfastness of Christ and the Love of God in our hearts.  Open our hearts and eyes to Your Truth that we might follow You and live each day for You.  We serve You alone.  We worship You alone. Keep us in Your Mighty Hands. Strengthen Your people, your church, so that we can overcome evil with good; overcome hatred with love; and overcome lies with the Truth.  We ask these things in Jesus' name, the Name above all names, our King forever. Amen. 

 I Kings 10-11  Chapter 10 describes the height of Solomon's reign - tons of gold poured into Israel. National leaders came to hear his wisdom and to honor him.  Year after year Israel and Solomon prospered.  But... 

King Solomon loved women.  Foreign women.  Women from countries that Adonai had commanded Israel not to intermarry with..  Solomon married 1000 of these women.  Just as the Lord had warned, these wives turned Solomon's heart away from Adonai.  He built altars for their foreign gods.  He worshiped at their idols - Ashtoreth, the fertility goddess of the Sidonians; Milcom, the detestable idol of the Ammorites ( a cultic "king")   Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab.. and Molech the detestable idol of Ammon, (which is thought to be associated with human/ child sacrifices.) 

"Now the Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice." ( 11:9)

Adonai raised up adversaries against Solomon.  He warned Solomon that the kingdom would be torn in two after his death. Solomon's one son, Rehoboam, would lose control of 10 tribes and retain only the tribe of Judah.. and that was only for David's sake.  After 40 years as king of Israel, Solomon died. 

How could this happen?  How could a man with such great wisdom become a fool? And more importantly.. did he ever repent and turn back to God?

"... if you will live in my Presence.. in pureness of heart and uprightness.. "  Adonai had spoken these words to Solomon directly.. and yet he failed.  He failed by turning away, letting his heart seek other gods, and living for himself and his wives.  If the wisest man to ever live did this.. why do we think that more wisdom or knowledge can solve anything?  It can't!  The only way we can live to please the Lord is to live in His Presence. 

Father in heaven, You are altogether holy.  Your holiness is nothing like anything we can know or comprehend, for You are God alone.  In truth, as Tozer wrote, You are.. " unique, unapproachable, incomprehensible and unattainable."  Only by Your Holy Spirit can we begin to grasp the Truth of Who you are.. and we do so by faith.. that You supply.  Come fill us again!  Father, we want to live in Your Presence, so that we will not fail to remain faithful and pure before You.  We need Your grace and mercy to keep close to You. So, we take refuge in You. We cling to You. We keep our eyes turned to You, in Jesus Christ our King, who  abides in us and we in Him.  With every prayer and petition.. we give thanks, for Your love is unfailing and You will not let us go!  Hallelujah! Amen. 

I Kings 9 The Lord comes to Solomon for a second time.  20 years have passed.  The temple has been completed and consecrated.. and the glory of the Lord had filled  it.  The promise that had been given to David is repeated to Solomon, " As for you, if you will live in my presence , as did David your father, in pureness of heart and uprightness, doing everything I have ordered you to do, and observing my laws and rulings; then I will establish the throne of your rulership over Israel forever, just as I promised David... " 

".. if you will live in my presence..."  The NASB translates it "if you will walk before Me.. "

Think about this - the divine Presence - God coming to dwell among His people.. 

We first learn of this manifest Presence of God in Genesis 3:8  "And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden."  From the beginning God desired to walk with His people.. but sin now blocked the way. 

The Lord appears in some way.. we are not told details.. to Noah and to Abraham.  But, it is much later that we read about His manifest Presence.. to Moses and to Israel.  He is there in the burning bush.  He is there on Mount Sinai.  He is there is the pillar of cloud and fire.  And He is there.. in the dedication of the tabernacle.  He came to dwell in the middle of the camp of Israel. 

Many years pass until Solomon builds this temple and God fills it with His Presence... this place where He has set His Name... and the promise is that He will continue there as long as His people live "in His Presence"... in pureness and uprightness. 

But, Israel did not continue to live in the Lord's Presence.  Ezekiel records his vision, while in exile.. "Then the glory of the Lord parted from the threshold of the temple.. " ( Ezekiel 10:18) The saddest day of all... until.. 

It is the birth of Jesus that brings the glory of the Lord back to earth, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." ( John 1:14)   

It is after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ that God's manifest Presence come again fully to those who love Jesus and keep His word.. " and My Father will love him and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.. "  Jesus tells them. ( John 14:23 )  The Holy Spirit comes - " And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each of them."

Each individual who believes and trusts in Jesus Christ receives the Holy Spirit.  " Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" ( I Corinthians 6:19)

Just as the glory of the Lord filled Solomon's temple, His Spirit fills us who will live in His Presence.. who walk with Him in purity and uprightness.. in His love and holiness.  We who present our bodies as living sacrifices, "acceptable to God.. [our] spiritual service of worship" ( Romans 12:1) 

Father in heaven, thank You for this amazing truth.  You are ever Present in us, Your people, through the work of Your Son, who has redeemed us and brought down the barrier between us.  Your Spirit.. abides in us as we walk with You.. as we live in Your Presence day by day.  Help us to understand these truth more fully and to live our lives accordingly.  We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, the One who came and dwelt among us and the One whom we will see face to face one day soon. Amen. 

 I Kings 6  This chapter describes the building of the temple. It took 7 years to complete.  It took David's heart and Solomon's wisdom to bring this building to completion.  Cypress and cedar, stones prepared at a quarry so that no hammers, chisels or iron tools were used in the house itself.  Gold overlays everywhere. It was an amazing feat of architecture and construction. 

Chapter 7 describes the building of Solomon's palace and the making of all the bronze work for the temple. 

And finally in chapter 8 we have the dedication of the temple.  If Solomon's life had stopped right there.. we would have had no doubts about his love for and devotion to God.  The depth and height of his prayers! 

Solomon testifies to God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promises to David.  He acknowledges the greatness of a God who does not dwell on the earth and who cannot be contained in the heavens.  He pleaded that God would honor this house built for His name -That God Himself would be Present there;   hearing every prayer, plea, and cry directed toward it.  Solomon's prayer also acknowledges the need for repentance.. ".. if they turn back to you, acknowledge your name, and pray and make their plea to you in this house... "

Solomon addressed the circumstances that would precipitate these prayers.. 

v31 - when a person sins against another.. 

v33 - when the nation is defeated by an enemy

v35 - when there is a great drought

v37 - when there is a famine.. a blight.. a windstorm, etc - "no matter what kind of plague or sickness.." 

v38 - when an individual is plagued by their own conscience... "hear in heaven where you live, and forgive and act, and since you know what is in each one's heart, give each person what his conduct deserves.. " 

v41 - when a foreigner comes and prays.. 

v46- " If they sin against you - for there is no one who doesn't sin - and you are angry with them.." 

" May your eyes be open to the plea of your servant and to the plea of your people Israel, so that you will hear them whenever they cry out to you. "  ( v52) 

Solomon's closing prayer is powerful:  " May Adonai our God be with us, as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or abandon us. In this way he will incline our hearts towards him, so that we will live according to his ways and observe his.. laws and rulings.. May these words of mine, which I have used in my plea before Adonai, be present with Adonai our God day and night, so that he will uphold the cause of his servant...  Then all the peoples of the earth will know that Adonai is God; there is no other. So be wholehearted with Adonai our God, living by his laws and observing his commands, as you are doing today." ( v57-61)

 Let us learn from Solomon, the wisest man to ever live.. how to pray:

  We do not look towards the temple..  for it is gone.  But, we look towards Jesus, whose Name is above all names.. who is God with us.. who will never leave us or forsake us.. the One greater than the temple is here! He is PRESENT!  But, we must, like Solomon told Israel -  turn back to God; acknowledge His Name; and pray! We must be careful about what we do.. knowing that we do live in His holy Presence. 

Father in heaven, You are our refuge and strength .  You are our ever-present God. Your are here!  Your glory left Solomon's temple, but You have given us Your Spirit to dwell in us, to fill us, so that we can know Your glory more and more.  We pray for our land, Father.  That people will turn back to You, truly repenting of their sins.. sins against You and sins against each other; sins that plague their own consciences.. and may they acknowledge that You alone are God, "Supreme over the nations, supreme over the earth" and there is no other.  And may they cry out to You in the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Hear our cry for our nation.. for our communities, for our families.. we pray.  In Jesus' name. Amen. 

 I Kings 4:29  " Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore."  

We are told that Solomon's wisdom was greater than any other man.  

His wisdom was displayed in proverbs and songs. 

His wisdom was displayed in his understanding of nature - trees and animals. 

And his wisdom was displayed for all the world to see. 

Yet... tucked into this summary of Solomon's officials and provisions are several red flags warning of what was ahead.. 

Verse 20 "Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing."

And verse 26 "and Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots, and 12,000 horsemen." 

Why are these concerning?  It goes back to Deuteronomy 8 where God warned Israel that when they settled into the land he was giving them,  to "Beware lest you forget the Lord Your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances.. lest when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your hearts and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiplies, then your heart becomes proud and your forget the Lord your God.. " 

 and  17:14ff where God gives the laws for a king, knowing that the time would come when Israel would desire their own king.  Verse 16 says this, "Moreover, he shall not multiply horses for himself.."  Verse 17 is significant also.. "Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he increase silver or gold for himself."

Just little things.. that will turn out to be big things.. later. 

Solomon had asked for wisdom to discern what was good or bad.. good or evil.  He had the God-given ability to make the right choices. But, even he, the wisest man to ever live.. failed. 

Thinking about this takes me back to Genesis 2-3.  God commanded Adam to eat freely from any tree in the garden except "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.. " But, when the serpent deceived Eve and she ate from the tree... she chose evil over good.   It looked good.  It was desirable.  It delighted her. And it brought death.  The same is true for Solomon. The book of Ecclesiastes reveals the hard lessons that he learned.  He writes, "the conclusion, when all has been heard, is fear God and keep His commandments because this applies to every person. for God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil." 

What little things are we choosing? Things that look good, delight us, and are desirable.. but will turn out to be big things that ruin our lives, our testimonies, our families.. our relationship with our Savior? 

Father, open our eyes, please!  May we know Your Word and walk in Your ways.. fully, completely, always.. choosing good, choosing obedience and surrender to Your will!  Holy Spirit, search us and know our hearts and see if there are any hurtful ways in us.. that we might repent.  Lead us in Your ways that lead to life everlasting. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who has conquered death and sin and who leads us to what is good and right and perfect in Your sight. Amen. 

 I Kings 3  "Solomon loved Adonai, living according to the regulations set forth by David his father... "  but... "he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places."

This chapter records Solomon's encounter with God at Gibeon. Samuel had gone to Gibeon to offer sacrifices... 1000 burnt offerings.  Even though this was not the right place to be offering sacrifices, God still met with Solomon there, in a dream.  When God asks Solomon what he wanted, Solomon asked for understanding and wisdom to rule God's people.  ( A wise request!)  This pleased God and this request was granted, plus some... 

What an honest, heart-felt, unpretentious request - "So now, Adonai my God, you have made your servant king in the place of David my father; but I am a mere child; I don't know how to lead! Moreover your servant is among your people, whom you chose, a great people so numerous that they cannot be counted. Therefore, give your servant an understanding heart able to administer justice to your people, so that I can discern between good and bad - for who is equal to judging this great people of yours?" (v7-9)

An understanding heart. 

Administration of Justice

Discernment between good and bad. 

Would that every person in authority would ask for and receive such a gift!

 Adonai answers Solomon's request and adds even more gifts to Solomon. Then Solomon returns to Jerusalem and there offers more burnt offerings and peace offerings before the ark of the covenant.  This is the right place for worshiping God.  A needed change in Solomon's life. 

The example of Solomon's ruling in the situation of the two women who each claimed a living child as their own.. allows all the people to see God's wisdom was at work in Solomon.  It further cemented the establishment of his place as king of Israel and Judah. 

 God Himself says that it takes a "wise and understanding heart"  to "discern justice".  This kind of heart only comes from God.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians that man's wisdom was foolishness to God.  James wrote about true wisdom..  This " wisdom from above - is.. . pure.. peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy .. "  He says, " Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom." 

Father in heaven, today we pray for wisdom from above for our nation, for every person in a place of authority, and for every one of Your children.  Help us to walk in Your truth and show by our actions Your wisdom and light. May we do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with You.   We pray for Your peace.  We pray that Your Name will be glorified in Your people.  We ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 I Kings 2  David... the man after God's heart, the mighty warrior, the king of Israel, the beloved psalmist,  the one chosen to produce a line of descendants that would eventually lead to the Messiah,Jesus... died and was "buried in the City of David."   His final words are recorded here for us. 

First, David instructs Solomon to "be strong; show yourself a man."  Obey God's charge. Walk in God's ways.  Keep God's word.  The promise was Solomon's to keep.. "if  you do, Adonai will fulfill what he promised me when He said, ' If your children pay attention to how they live, conducting themselves before me honestly with all their heart and being, you will never lack a man on the throne of Israel.'" 

Then, David gave instructions about things that needed to be done so that Solomon's throne would be secure. 

Joab had betrayed David by killing Abner and Amasa.  He needed to be dealt with. 

Barzillai the Gileadite had shown kindness to David and should be repaid with favor. 

Shimei had cursed David and deserved to be punished. 

Adonijah, Solomon's older brother, who had tried to usurp the throne, wasn't done with his plotting.  He came to Bathsheba and convinced her to ask Solomon for Abishag, the young woman who had ministered to David in his last days. Solomon saw through this request, realizing that it was a threat against him and ordered his brother to be put to death. 

Abiathar, the priest who had betrayed David, was dismissed from service. Joab was executed for his betrayal.  Shimei was given a chance to live, but failed to keep the conditions and was also executed. 

After all this, then ".. the kingdom was established in the hands of Solomon." 

I would like to skip over these things and move on to the next chapter.. but, I feel the need to hesitate here and think about what God was doing.  David was set apart by God for a purpose that was beyond anything he could have imagined when he was a young man out watching his father's sheep.  As he laid on his deathbed, did he think about all the things he had experienced?  The day the giant fell, the day he cut off the hem of Saul's robe... the day he lost his son.. the day he took Bathsheba?   His biggest concern, it seems, was not the past, but the future.  Would Solomon keep the law of God and keep the throne of Israel?  It was David's greatest desire and hope that it would be so. 

Perhaps David was given a glimpse of the Son who would come and keep all the commandments of God, fulfilling all of the Law, and Who would reign forevermore.. the One who was called the Son of David and the Son of God.  David put his faith in God's promises. He did not see them fulfilled during his lifetime.. but his hope was not in vain!

Father, our hope is in You.  Your infinite grace falls like rain and we lift up our vessels of faith, to receive what we need.  Your mercies are new every morning and we gratefully receive that which we do not deserve.  Like the psalmist we thirst for You and long to be in Your presence.  When we are downcast we remind ourselves of You... knowing that You are Sovereign, You are omniscient and omnipotent .  We will put our trust and hope in You alone. We may not be able to see the things we hope for, but we have faith that brings us assurance that Your every promise will be fulfilled.   Strengthen us and be glorified in Your church today, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 I Kings 1  David reigned for 40 years and at the ripe old age of 70 became bedridden.  As was the custom,  his caretakers included a  beautiful young woman who waited on him and kept him warm.  It is at this fragile time in David's life that his son, Adonijah decides to usurp the throne.  He does it behind his father's back by enlisting horses and chariots, a squad of 50 men to run before him, and some of his father's own advisors - Joab, the leader of the army and Abiathar the priest.  Adonijah planned his own coronation by holding a feast outside of Jerusalem and inviting all his brothers - except Solomon.   He also excluded Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, Rei and "the mighty men who belonged to David. 

Nathan is the one who deals with the rebellion of Adonijah.  Somewhere along the line, David had promised Bathsheba that Solomon would be king after him.  Nathan goes to Bathsheba, who understands that she and Solomon are in danger if Adonijah becomes king.  Going to David, Bathsheba explains what is going on and David takes action immediately. 

Solomon is appropriately anointed as David's successor to the throne.  He rides the king's donkey.  He is anointed by Nathan and Zadok.  The shofar is sounded.  He ascends to David's throne.   David kept his vows.  Solomon was king of Israel and Judah.  Adonijah's plans failed and he ran for his life after all his supporters fled for their lives. 

What I find interesting in this account is the contrast between the two brothers. 

Adonijah exalted himself.  He was considered handsome and spoiled.  He was probably the oldest of David's sons at that time, so he considered it his right to become king.  Yet, he chose to go behind his father's back and to take the throne for himself.  There is no mention of the Lord in all of Adonijah's plans. 

Solomon did not seek the throne for himself.  David had vowed before the Lord to appoint Solomon to the throne.  Everything that happened was done properly and legally.  God's blessings were prayed upon Solomon, by David and by the people. 

Father in heaven, this account of Adonijah and Solomon, brings to mind the challenge that our nation is facing today.  We pray that Your will be done in our country and that the man of Your choosing would be our president.  We pray that whoever that may turn out to be, would bow before You, seek You with all of his heart, mind, and soul, and serve You fully.  May everything be done as it should and may Your name be exalted.  Father, bless us with Your grace and mercy.  Thank You that no matter what, You are our refuge and help, our God, who never fails!  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 

 II Thessalonians 2  As we await the Day of the Lord, Paul reminds all of us to be careful that we are not deceived. We need to know what the Word says and be cautious of any who go against it.  Truth is found in God's word. We need to  believe the Truth, know the Truth, study the Truth, and walk in the Truth.  Paul says that "faithfulness .. has its origin in the truth" ( v13) .  The Lord has chosen us, delivered us, and is making us holy by His own Spirit.  In this we can "stand firm"! 

(Strap on that belt of Truth!)

Chapter 3 In this final chapter, Paul appeals for the church to pray for him.  Verse 1 is a great prayer for God's servants everywhere.. and for each of us as well - ".. pray for us that the Lord's message may spread rapidly  (run freely) and receive honor ( be glorified)..."  

EM Bounds writes this, regarding this verse, ".. the prayer for the spread of the gospel gives the same energy to the Word of the Lord, as the greatest outlay of strength gives success to the racer. Prayer in the pew gives the preached word energy, facility, and success.... Praylessness in the pew is a serious hindrance to the running of the Word of the Lord."  (The Weapon of Prayer)

Paul gives some final instructions to the church:

v5 "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and the perseverance which the Messiah gives." 

v12.. ".. settle down, get to work, and earn your own living.."  

 We should also  be "an example to imitate".. and a help to those who need to change their ways. (v9,15)

Father in heaven,  we desire to walk in the Truth and to be actively doing all we can to see that the Truth, the word of God spreads rapidly throughout our land.  Help us to be faithful according to Your word and diligent in praying as we must.  Holy Spirit, come and fill Your church today, let the Word of God run freely and be glorified in our world today.  In Jesus' name we ask this. Amen. 

 II Thessalonians 1  Paul continues to commend the church for their faith in God and their love for one another.  They were experiencing persecution, but were persevering and trusting God.  Paul focuses on the end result - that "the name of our Lord Yeshua will be glorified in [them].  

Paul's prayer -".. we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill by His power every good purpose of yours and every action stemming from your trust." 

May we be also encouraged by Paul's reminders here:

"God's judgement is just.." ( v5)

Those who persevere and keep trusting God through persecution and trouble.. will "be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which you are suffering." (v5)

God will justly "pay back trouble to those who are troubling" us. ( v6)

When Jesus returns He will judge the wicked with the "just penalty of eternal destruction". ( v9)

But, He will be glorified by those who have trusted Him. ( v10). 

Two ways to live.. two ends are possible - eternal life or eternal destruction. Choose God's mercy or choose His wrath.  The time is drawing near.  May we persevere in faith and love!

David wrote this in Psalm 39:

"Make me grasp, Adonai, what my end must be,

what it means that my days are numbered; 

let me know what a transient creature I am. 

You have made my days like handbreadths;

for you, the length of my life is like nothing.

Yes, everyone, not matter how firmly he stands,

is merely a puff of wind. 

Humans go about like shadows;

their turmoil is all for nothing." ( v4-6) 

And like David, we need to realize this truth and come to the same conclusion: " Now, Adonai, what am I waiting for? You are my only hope." (v7)

Father in heaven, we are all like a "puff of wind", living in this world with all its troubles and tribulations. Open our eyes to see clearly who You are and to see also, who we are in Christ.   May we recognize that our days are like handbreadths - and we do not know when that time will end.  May we be alert and ready, enduring in faith, persistent in love and holiness.  Living in a manner worthy of our calling.  Lord God, You are infinitely merciful, and are extending that mercy freely to all who will turn from their sins and receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  I pray for our nation, for our world, that You will send forth workers into the harvest field and that there will yet be a mighty harvest of souls for the Kingdom of God, to the glory of Jesus Christ our Messiah and King.  Amen. 

 I Thessalonians 5 

 Paul wanted his readers to remember that Christ is coming at any time and they needed to be ready. We  also are "people who belong to the light".  We need to remain alert and sober.. walking in faith, love, and hope.  We belong to Jesus, our Deliverer, who has given us LIFE, so no matter what happens to us in this world.. we will live forever with Him.  Hallelujah!!

As the Church, the Body of Christ, we are to  "encourage and build each other up".  This includes showing respect to those who guide, teach, and even rebuke us, so that we are changed for the better. 

We are to live at peace with each other.  

We are to be patient with each other.  

We are to do good to each other. 

Paul concludes his letter with this, "Always be joyful. Pray regularly. In everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with the Messiah Yeshua." ( v16)   

Hold onto good and keep away from evil... this is our commission and purpose in Christ Jesus.  

I love this benediction -my prayer for you today - . " May the God of peace make you completely holy - may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. The one calling you is faithful and He will do it."   Amen and amen!

 I Thessalonians 3-4  Paul's heart, like the heart of a father or mother, was concerned for his spiritual children.  He knew that they were experiencing persecution, and even though he had warned them, he was anxious to know that they were standing firm in their faith.  When Timothy went to them and returned with good news, Paul was overjoyed!

We can all relate to this somewhat.. when our children grow up and leave home, we know that things will happen in their lives and we know that their faith will be challenged.  How wonderful it is when we see them growing in their faith!  As John wrote, " I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." ( III John 1:4)

Paul prayed "as hard as" he could for these dear people.  He wanted to come and see them for himself, so great was his love for them.  He prayed for their love to increase even more.  He prayed that they would have inner strength to remain holy.  He prayed that they would stand blameless before God at the coming of Jesus Christ.  A great example of prayer for one another!

Paul reminded the church of his teachings about  how to live "in order to please God".   Here, he reminds them that these instructions come from Jesus Himself:

Be holy... stay away from immorality, managing impulses and lustful desires.  To honor one another and to  live a clean life. (4: 3-7)

 To Love - and keep on loving.. do it more and more! (v9-10)

"Also, make it your ambition to live quietly, to mind you own business and to earn your living by your own efforts.. " ( v11) 

Paul ends this chapter, encouraging the believers that they did not need to fear for those believers who had died, but to trust that they will meet again on that day when Jesus comes! 

Father, in this time and on this day,  we look to You for peace and hope. What joy it is when we see our children and our brothers and sisters in Christ walking in Your Truth and Light. We are truly encouraged! We thank You for the reminders in Your Word to live in a way that pleases You.. to act in holiness, in love, and with integrity.  We look for the return of our Lord Jesus, with hope and faith.  We pray for the lost, that they might turn away from all evil and receive the salvation that is only through faith in Jesus.  Help us, Your church, to live blameless and holy lives of love and grace, to the glory of Your holy name. In Jesus we pray, amen. 

 I Thessalonians 2  In this chapter Paul describes how he and Silas and Timothy had come to Thessalonica after they had suffered in Philippi - "we had the courage, united with our God, to tell you the Good News even under great pressure. ( amid much opposition  NASB)" ( v2)  

As God's ambassadors to the church, Paul and his fellow workers:

Had pure motives, not desiring to trick or confound them. ( v3)

They did not try to win their favor by flattering or falsely presenting themselves. (v4-5)

They did not try to assert their authority over the people. ( v6) 

They were "gentle... like a mother feeding and caring for her children." ( v7)

"We were so devoted to you that we were glad to share with you not only God's Good News but also our own lives.. " ( v8)

They "worked night and day not to put a burden on any[ of them] " (9)

Their behavior was "holy, righteous and blameless". ( v10)

They treated them "the way a father treats his children ..." (v11)

They "encouraged.. comforted..and appealed" to them to "lead lives worthy of God.. " (v12) 

The people of Thessalonica heard the Word of God and received it.. and it changed them!

Paul called these people his "glory and [his] hope". 

All of these characteristics are important as followers of Christ who want to share the Gospel with those around us.  We need to be bold.. (Father, give us boldness and courage!)

We need to have pure motives and honest, loving, gentle... holy and righteous.. and caring attitudes towards those with whom we share God's Word.   Like a Mom.  Like a Dad. Like Jesus. (Father, may we imitate Paul's example as we go into the world and share Your Word with others.)

Father in heaven, thank You for Your grace that is higher than the heavens and Your faithfulness that reaches to the skies.  We praise You, for Your righteousness is greater than all the mountains on our planet and Your judgements are deeper than the sea.  We take refuge in the shadow of Your wings, Adonai. We find life in You. We have light in Your light. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and fulfill Your purposes in us today. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our glorious Lord. Amen.