God I thank you that you have kept me over the years. I pray for exceeding faithfulness and joy to be poured out on all who take time and read this devotion of mine.
Lord you have lead me to seek out and to know more of king solomon so today I continue in 1 kings chapter 4:29-34
Solomon's Wisdom
29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.
The wisdom that you put in Solomon was even greater than what you have put in Bill Gates, but I can clearly see and can relate to how much Mr. Gates has acquired through his wisdom. Wisdom goes far beyond good ideas. I have so many good little ideas but I have no clue on how to implement them or how to get the funding to start them. I am in such desperate need of Godly wisdom that goes past gut instinct but becomes attuned listening to the throne room of God. Today I ask that you would lead me in every phone call and in every email, in my comings and goings.
It is written that there are numerous items of information of wisdom recorded by solomon that are no longer available to us, I pray that God you would reveal the artistry and wisdom to this generation in forms of songs, art, poems and dance.
"There must be more than this, Oh breath of God come breath on us"
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
It's monday again, and I continue my devotional series but I'm going to leave 1st kings for a little while. Yesterday I sang a song from Jeff Deyo called "Jesus I surrender." This morning I'm going to explore that song what it means to me and look at the scripture verse Jeff based the song off of.
Here's the chorus:
Jesus, I surrender
I draw nearer
I fall down
Master, be my Savior
Be my shelter
Be my God
One of the observations I've had is that the farther I get away from God many things seem to fall apart. Songs that remind us to surrender give us a great chance to come close again to God and remarkably the life issues that you were struggling with begin to work themselves out. When I was singing this song I was thinking of returning to the very throne of God, the most logical thing to do when coming to the throne of God after a long time away would be to fall down in worship. Many people on sunday had chosen to come to the front and fall down to the lord, for them I see a great passion and if I see it for sure the Lord sees much more. The chorus continues to say Master be my Saviour, this is a great cry to the Lord it says I'm sorry for disobeying you or simply ignoring you, please save me. He then continues to say be my shelter which speaks of habitation, I don't want to live apart from you, I want you to be my God which is my everything.
The scripture verse that Jeff based this song from was:
Psalm 5:7 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
7-8 And here I am, your invited guest—
it's incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
prostrate in your inner sanctum,
Waiting for directions
to get me safely through enemy lines.
to find out more about Jeff Deyo visit http://www.jeffdeyo.com/
Thank you Lord for your servant Jeff I pray that you bless him with strength health and peace for him and his family.
Lord I also pray that you would fill our congregations with inspiration from heaven to write and pen beautiful songs that will touch many generations.
Here's the chorus:
Jesus, I surrender
I draw nearer
I fall down
Master, be my Savior
Be my shelter
Be my God
One of the observations I've had is that the farther I get away from God many things seem to fall apart. Songs that remind us to surrender give us a great chance to come close again to God and remarkably the life issues that you were struggling with begin to work themselves out. When I was singing this song I was thinking of returning to the very throne of God, the most logical thing to do when coming to the throne of God after a long time away would be to fall down in worship. Many people on sunday had chosen to come to the front and fall down to the lord, for them I see a great passion and if I see it for sure the Lord sees much more. The chorus continues to say Master be my Saviour, this is a great cry to the Lord it says I'm sorry for disobeying you or simply ignoring you, please save me. He then continues to say be my shelter which speaks of habitation, I don't want to live apart from you, I want you to be my God which is my everything.
The scripture verse that Jeff based this song from was:
Psalm 5:7 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
7-8 And here I am, your invited guest—
it's incredible!
I enter your house; here I am,
prostrate in your inner sanctum,
Waiting for directions
to get me safely through enemy lines.
to find out more about Jeff Deyo visit http://www.jeffdeyo.com/
Thank you Lord for your servant Jeff I pray that you bless him with strength health and peace for him and his family.
Lord I also pray that you would fill our congregations with inspiration from heaven to write and pen beautiful songs that will touch many generations.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
GOOD MORNING, LORD
Most of us wait until we're in trouble,
and then we pray like mad hatters.
Wonder what would happen if,
some morning,
we'd wake up and say,
"Anything I can do for You today, Lord?" -Burton Hillis
and then we pray like mad hatters.
Wonder what would happen if,
some morning,
we'd wake up and say,
"Anything I can do for You today, Lord?" -Burton Hillis
Friday, September 26, 2008
God's wisdom
Today I continue in 1 kings chapter 3 v 16 -28
A Wise Ruling
16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, "My lord, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.
19 "During the night this woman's son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't the son I had borne."
22 The other woman said, "No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours."
But the first one insisted, "No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine." And so they argued before the king.
23 The king said, "This one says, 'My son is alive and your son is dead,' while that one says, 'No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.' "
24 Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."
26 The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!"
But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"
27 Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother."
28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice
How do we know that this wise ruling is from God? Maybe Solomon was just a smart guy. To find that answer lets look into previous books and see if this is the wisdom of God or just the smarts of man. Has God made a similar ruling in the past? Solomon's father David divided a land in 2 to expose the truth in 2 Samuel 19:29. God also had two trees in the garden one for eternal life and one for the knowledge of good and evil. Throughout the bible you see God offering choices to expose the truth in our hearts. Instead of just exposing us in our sins he covers us with grace and gives us a choice, wether or not we obey the choice reveals the truth.
"I will choose to say, blessed be your name"
A Wise Ruling
16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, "My lord, this woman and I live in the same house. I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.
19 "During the night this woman's son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn't the son I had borne."
22 The other woman said, "No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours."
But the first one insisted, "No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine." And so they argued before the king.
23 The king said, "This one says, 'My son is alive and your son is dead,' while that one says, 'No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.' "
24 Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other."
26 The woman whose son was alive was filled with compassion for her son and said to the king, "Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don't kill him!"
But the other said, "Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!"
27 Then the king gave his ruling: "Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother."
28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice
How do we know that this wise ruling is from God? Maybe Solomon was just a smart guy. To find that answer lets look into previous books and see if this is the wisdom of God or just the smarts of man. Has God made a similar ruling in the past? Solomon's father David divided a land in 2 to expose the truth in 2 Samuel 19:29. God also had two trees in the garden one for eternal life and one for the knowledge of good and evil. Throughout the bible you see God offering choices to expose the truth in our hearts. Instead of just exposing us in our sins he covers us with grace and gives us a choice, wether or not we obey the choice reveals the truth.
"I will choose to say, blessed be your name"
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Let the wise listen and add to their learning, Prv. 1:5
Today I continue through the book of kings chapter 3:1-15
1 Kings 3
1AND SOLOMON made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the City of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem.
2But the people sacrificed [to God] in the high places [as the heathen did to their idols], for there was no house yet built to the [a]Name of the Lord.
3Solomon loved the Lord, walking [at first] in the statutes and practices of David his father, only he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
4The king went to Gibeon [near Jerusalem, where stood the tabernacle and the bronze altar] to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. One thousand burnt offerings Solomon offered on that altar.
5In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. And God said, [b]Ask what I shall give you.
6Solomon said, You have shown to Your servant David my father great mercy and loving-kindness, according as he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart with You; and You have kept for him this great kindness and steadfast love, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
7Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of David my father, and I am [c]but a lad [in wisdom and experience]; I know not how to go out (begin) or come in (finish).
8Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who cannot be counted for multitude.
9So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge and rule this Your great people?(A)
10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11God said to him, Because you have asked this and have not asked for long life or for riches, nor for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize what is just and right,
12Behold, I have done as you asked. I have given you a wise, discerning mind, so that no one before you was your equal, nor shall any arise after you equal to you.
13I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings equal to you all your days.
14And if you will go My way, keep My statutes and My commandments as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days.
15Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
We wouldn't have the book of proverbs or the song of solomon if he did not pray this prayer. I love how God moved in his dreams, he was gracious and kind. In my opinion I do not believe God showed up because Solomon gave a thousand burnt offerings, I believe God showed up like he did because Solomon had opened his mind to God that day. Solomon was consumed with God more than the offerings were consumed. God is awesome and He granted solomon an awesome gift, and some with a condition. If you walk in my ways and obey my statues and commands as David your father did, I will give you long life. Just like in the ten commandments it says Honour your mother and father and you will be given long life. So in a sense God was saying, "Yes you have lost your father, but I will be your father and guide you in the ways you should go."
So today I want to clarify that God is Abba Father and there is none like him in all the earth.
Step by step you'll lead me and I will follow you all of my days
Please post a comment if you have read this devotional, even if you just leave your initials that would be great.
1 Kings 3
1AND SOLOMON made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the City of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord, and the wall around Jerusalem.
2But the people sacrificed [to God] in the high places [as the heathen did to their idols], for there was no house yet built to the [a]Name of the Lord.
3Solomon loved the Lord, walking [at first] in the statutes and practices of David his father, only he sacrificed and burned incense in the high places.
4The king went to Gibeon [near Jerusalem, where stood the tabernacle and the bronze altar] to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. One thousand burnt offerings Solomon offered on that altar.
5In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. And God said, [b]Ask what I shall give you.
6Solomon said, You have shown to Your servant David my father great mercy and loving-kindness, according as he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart with You; and You have kept for him this great kindness and steadfast love, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne this day.
7Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of David my father, and I am [c]but a lad [in wisdom and experience]; I know not how to go out (begin) or come in (finish).
8Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people who cannot be counted for multitude.
9So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge and rule this Your great people?(A)
10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.
11God said to him, Because you have asked this and have not asked for long life or for riches, nor for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize what is just and right,
12Behold, I have done as you asked. I have given you a wise, discerning mind, so that no one before you was your equal, nor shall any arise after you equal to you.
13I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings equal to you all your days.
14And if you will go My way, keep My statutes and My commandments as your father David did, then I will lengthen your days.
15Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. He came to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
We wouldn't have the book of proverbs or the song of solomon if he did not pray this prayer. I love how God moved in his dreams, he was gracious and kind. In my opinion I do not believe God showed up because Solomon gave a thousand burnt offerings, I believe God showed up like he did because Solomon had opened his mind to God that day. Solomon was consumed with God more than the offerings were consumed. God is awesome and He granted solomon an awesome gift, and some with a condition. If you walk in my ways and obey my statues and commands as David your father did, I will give you long life. Just like in the ten commandments it says Honour your mother and father and you will be given long life. So in a sense God was saying, "Yes you have lost your father, but I will be your father and guide you in the ways you should go."
So today I want to clarify that God is Abba Father and there is none like him in all the earth.
Step by step you'll lead me and I will follow you all of my days
Please post a comment if you have read this devotional, even if you just leave your initials that would be great.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Changing of the guard
Continuing in the book of 1st kings chapter 2:13-46
Yesterday I left off with David's final charge to Solomon regarding cutting off the people who would cause trouble for the kingdom. As a good son and wise leader, Solomon followed through with wisdom to carry out David's orders. King solomon in the next chapter prays for wisdom and he was given it, I believe this is an example of the foreshadowing of wisdom and that he began to move in that wisdom before he even prayed then the full measure of wisdom would come.
His brother Adonijah asked for David's maid Abishag for his wife, knowing me I would have said okay, because of the hurt brought upon my brother for not becoming king. Solomon knew though that by giving Abishag to Adonijah would be giving over the kingdom to Adonijah and his supporters Joab and Abiathar the priest. Both of those men were on David's hit list so to say.
The King sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada to strike down Adonijah and Joab, Because Abiathar carried the ark of the Lord Solomon spared His life. In eastern cultures it would be clear to Solomon that Adonijah sought to be king, many heads have been lost chasing a crown.
After the retribution of Joab and Abiathar Solomon put Benaiah in charge of the army and Zadok in charge of the Priesthood. The last verse(46) ends with The kingdom was now firmly established in Solomon's hands.
In conclusion what it says to me is that firm decisions out way a plea that should never have been pleaded. It's often at work when a customer asks me to break the rules to get them a better deal that it always turns out bad and they don't really appreciate the product anyways. Bugging the clerk for better deals at most major chains is putting the employee at risk for trouble with management, there are appropriate ways of getting a better deal but bugging the salesperson is not one. The stores have a Store operating manual that explain what is exceptable and what is not, some people live by the moto rules are meant to be broken. Well as christians we live by a Store Operating Manual called the Bible how often do we say regarding the scriptures "rules are meant to be broken."?
"Step by step you'll lead me and I will follow you all of my days."
Yesterday I left off with David's final charge to Solomon regarding cutting off the people who would cause trouble for the kingdom. As a good son and wise leader, Solomon followed through with wisdom to carry out David's orders. King solomon in the next chapter prays for wisdom and he was given it, I believe this is an example of the foreshadowing of wisdom and that he began to move in that wisdom before he even prayed then the full measure of wisdom would come.
His brother Adonijah asked for David's maid Abishag for his wife, knowing me I would have said okay, because of the hurt brought upon my brother for not becoming king. Solomon knew though that by giving Abishag to Adonijah would be giving over the kingdom to Adonijah and his supporters Joab and Abiathar the priest. Both of those men were on David's hit list so to say.
The King sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada to strike down Adonijah and Joab, Because Abiathar carried the ark of the Lord Solomon spared His life. In eastern cultures it would be clear to Solomon that Adonijah sought to be king, many heads have been lost chasing a crown.
After the retribution of Joab and Abiathar Solomon put Benaiah in charge of the army and Zadok in charge of the Priesthood. The last verse(46) ends with The kingdom was now firmly established in Solomon's hands.
In conclusion what it says to me is that firm decisions out way a plea that should never have been pleaded. It's often at work when a customer asks me to break the rules to get them a better deal that it always turns out bad and they don't really appreciate the product anyways. Bugging the clerk for better deals at most major chains is putting the employee at risk for trouble with management, there are appropriate ways of getting a better deal but bugging the salesperson is not one. The stores have a Store operating manual that explain what is exceptable and what is not, some people live by the moto rules are meant to be broken. Well as christians we live by a Store Operating Manual called the Bible how often do we say regarding the scriptures "rules are meant to be broken."?
"Step by step you'll lead me and I will follow you all of my days."
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Old sins not forgotten
Today as I read on in 1st kings chapter 2, I'll go into a compelling part of God that has always intrigued me. First we read out of the amplified bible 1kings 2:5-10:
5You know also what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, whom he murdered, avenging in time of peace blood shed in war, and putting innocent blood of war on the girdle on his loins and on the sandals of his feet.
6Do therefore according to your wisdom, but let not his hoary head go down to Sheol (the place of the dead) in peace.
7But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite and let them be among those who eat at your table; for with such kindness they met me when I fled because of Absalom your brother.(A)
8And you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan [on my return], and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put you to death with the sword.
9So do not hold him guiltless; for you are a wise man and know what you should do to him. His hoary head bring down to the grave with blood.
10So David slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David.
Delving in, David's previous dying words explored in verses 1-4 are a lot more upbeat and challenging. The latter half he finishes with what would seem to be vengence and retribution, He doesn't tell Solomon what exactly to do but to rather use his wisdom to take care of things. I don't know about you but this is epic, here we have a king who served with all his heart and fought many battles and is still concerned on his death bed about taking care of the kingdom. There was innocent blood that was calling out for retribution, I believe David was making sure that even though he could not perform justice he was clearing his conscious before death so that he would not be held accountable. He also wanted to help secure his sons rule of the kingdom by removing the traces of sin and the last remnants of David's enemies.
I titled this devotion old sins not forgotten, but I am not implying that Jesus does not forgive all sins. There is a remnant of our flesh that needs wisdom to deal with, what have I done to cut off the things that would potentially harm the kingdom of God? Are there attitudes in your life which are hindering other christians, as Pastor rose says you do not sin in a bubble. In addition we come together as a body every week and we bring our offering just as we are. What are we bringing to church with us every week? Are we held accountable for the people that we've turned away from Jesus because the way we treated them in and out of church? I'll let each of you answer that.
I can delve much further but if I can leave anything it is this, what would life be without Jesus? The sins of man that have carried on generation to generation is astonishing but Jesus paid for it all and wants everyone to come to him so that he can wash the guilty stain form our lives.
what can wash away our sins? what can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood, nothing but the blood of Jesus
5You know also what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, whom he murdered, avenging in time of peace blood shed in war, and putting innocent blood of war on the girdle on his loins and on the sandals of his feet.
6Do therefore according to your wisdom, but let not his hoary head go down to Sheol (the place of the dead) in peace.
7But show kindness to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite and let them be among those who eat at your table; for with such kindness they met me when I fled because of Absalom your brother.(A)
8And you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite of Bahurim, who cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan [on my return], and I swore to him by the Lord, saying, I will not put you to death with the sword.
9So do not hold him guiltless; for you are a wise man and know what you should do to him. His hoary head bring down to the grave with blood.
10So David slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David.
Delving in, David's previous dying words explored in verses 1-4 are a lot more upbeat and challenging. The latter half he finishes with what would seem to be vengence and retribution, He doesn't tell Solomon what exactly to do but to rather use his wisdom to take care of things. I don't know about you but this is epic, here we have a king who served with all his heart and fought many battles and is still concerned on his death bed about taking care of the kingdom. There was innocent blood that was calling out for retribution, I believe David was making sure that even though he could not perform justice he was clearing his conscious before death so that he would not be held accountable. He also wanted to help secure his sons rule of the kingdom by removing the traces of sin and the last remnants of David's enemies.
I titled this devotion old sins not forgotten, but I am not implying that Jesus does not forgive all sins. There is a remnant of our flesh that needs wisdom to deal with, what have I done to cut off the things that would potentially harm the kingdom of God? Are there attitudes in your life which are hindering other christians, as Pastor rose says you do not sin in a bubble. In addition we come together as a body every week and we bring our offering just as we are. What are we bringing to church with us every week? Are we held accountable for the people that we've turned away from Jesus because the way we treated them in and out of church? I'll let each of you answer that.
I can delve much further but if I can leave anything it is this, what would life be without Jesus? The sins of man that have carried on generation to generation is astonishing but Jesus paid for it all and wants everyone to come to him so that he can wash the guilty stain form our lives.
what can wash away our sins? what can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Monday, September 22, 2008
Show yourself a man
This weeks study will be in 1st Kings starting in chapter 2. from the amplified version we read:
1 Kings chapter 2, verses 1 to 4
1WHEN DAVID'S time to die was near, he charged Solomon his son, saying,
2I go the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man;
3Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may do wisely and prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,
4That the Lord may fulfill His promise to me, saying, If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and mind and with all their soul, there shall not fail you [to have] a man on the throne of Israel.
Written here is the words of a great King who hasn't much time left here on the earth. There was trouble brewing for solomon, his brother Adonijah had self proclaimed himself as King. There was going to be some tough measures to be taken place and Solomon was going to have to rely on God for his strength to firmly establish His rule. Although Solomon's kingdom would reign in peace there was a condition to be met. For david to put a condition on his blessing is very remarkable, it is because He knew that it was God that has established the rule of solomon, and God was going to do great things, but he also knew you have to do it God's way or everything will fall apart. Solomon was different then David's other sons, Solomon was not nearly aggressive Adonijah who just took the kingdom by assumption (He was wrong he died) or Absalom who tried to take the kingdom by force (He was wrong he died). Solomon did not need the aggression but the most important thing was to do what's right and He would live. Not only would He live but if his sons kept the Lords commands there would be a dynasty unlike any other.
Eventually that dynasty lead to Jesus. Everything the Lord has established has and will reign forever.
So my challenge to myself and to anyone who reads this is, how important is it for You to keep the charge of the Lord, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies?
1 Kings chapter 2, verses 1 to 4
1WHEN DAVID'S time to die was near, he charged Solomon his son, saying,
2I go the way of all the earth. Be strong and show yourself a man;
3Keep the charge of the Lord your God, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may do wisely and prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,
4That the Lord may fulfill His promise to me, saying, If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and mind and with all their soul, there shall not fail you [to have] a man on the throne of Israel.
Written here is the words of a great King who hasn't much time left here on the earth. There was trouble brewing for solomon, his brother Adonijah had self proclaimed himself as King. There was going to be some tough measures to be taken place and Solomon was going to have to rely on God for his strength to firmly establish His rule. Although Solomon's kingdom would reign in peace there was a condition to be met. For david to put a condition on his blessing is very remarkable, it is because He knew that it was God that has established the rule of solomon, and God was going to do great things, but he also knew you have to do it God's way or everything will fall apart. Solomon was different then David's other sons, Solomon was not nearly aggressive Adonijah who just took the kingdom by assumption (He was wrong he died) or Absalom who tried to take the kingdom by force (He was wrong he died). Solomon did not need the aggression but the most important thing was to do what's right and He would live. Not only would He live but if his sons kept the Lords commands there would be a dynasty unlike any other.
Eventually that dynasty lead to Jesus. Everything the Lord has established has and will reign forever.
So my challenge to myself and to anyone who reads this is, how important is it for You to keep the charge of the Lord, walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, His precepts, and His testimonies?
Monday, September 15, 2008
A Punn of God
Again this morning I find another great example of the Humor of God as written in the book of Jeremiah.
In Jeremiah 1:11-12 we read:
11 The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?"
"I see the branch of an almond tree," I replied.
12 The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching [a] to see that my word is fulfilled."
Have you ever wondered what the little [a] was? The footnote it is referring to says the Hebrew word fro watching sounds like the Hebrew word for almond tree. The message makes a great paraphrase:
11-12God's Message came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?"
I said, "A walking stick—that's all."
And God said, "Good eyes! I'm sticking with you.
I'll make every word I give you come true."
The Lord had spoken to Jeremiah when times were great under the king Josiah, but because of the great sin of Israel there was a debt that needed to be paid and things were going to change drastically. All situations change in time, some for the good and some for the bad. What is important is that we seek the Lord in the moment we are in. In that moment we are required to listen and watch for God.
By: Joe Graham
Tell me what do you get from this passage?
In Jeremiah 1:11-12 we read:
11 The word of the LORD came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?"
"I see the branch of an almond tree," I replied.
12 The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching [a] to see that my word is fulfilled."
Have you ever wondered what the little [a] was? The footnote it is referring to says the Hebrew word fro watching sounds like the Hebrew word for almond tree. The message makes a great paraphrase:
11-12God's Message came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?"
I said, "A walking stick—that's all."
And God said, "Good eyes! I'm sticking with you.
I'll make every word I give you come true."
The Lord had spoken to Jeremiah when times were great under the king Josiah, but because of the great sin of Israel there was a debt that needed to be paid and things were going to change drastically. All situations change in time, some for the good and some for the bad. What is important is that we seek the Lord in the moment we are in. In that moment we are required to listen and watch for God.
By: Joe Graham
Tell me what do you get from this passage?
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