1 Kings 22:1-53 ~ Acts 13:16-41 ~ Psalm 138:1-8 ~ Proverbs 17:17-18
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Old Testament - Today we finish the book of First Kings! Second Kings begins tomorrow! Ahab is not happy about the Arameans occupying Ramoth-gilead at the beginning of today's readings. A good location-profile of Ramoth-gilead is at this link. Ramoth-gilead was on a hilltop that could have looked something like this:
King Jehoshaphat of Judah wisely suggests that they should consult God before going into battle against the Arameans. At which time King Ahab of Israel trots out his 400 yes-men "prophets" who say they should definitely go to war and that they will be victorious. I love Jehoshaphat's reaction to these 400 yes-men in verse 7: "But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of the LORD around, too? I would like to ask him the same question."" Ahab's reaction in verse 8 is quite telling... "There is still one prophet of the LORD, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah." This verse really stands out for me in a big way in our world today. I wonder if sometimes we - you and me - look for supposed "prophets" of the Lord that are yes-people to our particular likings - instead of looking for Truth. Meaning... and I'm just putting this out there, so bear with me. Do we sometimes maybe even decide to attend a particular church because it tells us basically what we want to hear? It keeps us in our comfortable place... we get yes-messages... When, instead, should we be okay with attending a church that will give us some challenging and convicting messages on occasion? Biblical messages mind you - which surely can be challenging to our modern ears at times. I heard somewhere once before that church should be a place that "comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable." I like that... Now, don't get me wrong. I am not saying we need to be in super-strict churches per se. I just think we should really watch for churches that are giving a yes-message all the time to our particular likings verses churches that teach the Truth. I don't think church is the only area of where we might default to looking for yes-messages. I think this can happen in books we read, TV we watch, or even with friends or with work. Are we listening to 400 yes-people in our lives or are we okay with 1 Micaiah coming in and sharing a perceived "bad-news" message? (which may ultimately be very good news if we'll just listen to it... if Ahab had really listened to Micaiah's message in today's readings, think he still would have rushed out to battle?) Below is an image of Micaiah and the false prophets before Jehoshaphat and Ahab:
New Testament - Acts 13 is a great sermon from Paul today! Really... this is about as good as it gets for a solid Gospel presentation. Go Paul. I love how he starts off in verse 16: "So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. "People of Israel," he said, "and you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel, listen to me." You'll note that Paul delivers this message to both Jews and Gentiles - he is preaching the Gospel for the world! Are you really listening to Paul's message to you in today's readings in Acts?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Acts titled "Putting the Past in Perspective" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 138 is an awesome Psalm of thanksgiving and praise to God from David! You'll note that the word Temple is used in verse 2 - and of course the Temple was built by David's son Solomon. It is thought that David used the word Temple in reference to the tent holding the Ark of the Covenant. Some have also thought that this Psalm possibly was written after David's time, in the post-exile period. Either way, it is a beautiful Psalm of praise. Psalm 138 begins a final collection of eight "Davidic" Psalms, which are framed by songs of Praise in Psalm 138 & Psalm 145 - and Psalms 139 through 144 are six prayers.
In Psalm 138 today, verse 3 stood out to me - "When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need." Do you believe that God answers your prayers? Maybe not exactly in the way you'd expect, but that they are answered? Do you believe that God answers your prayers through encouragement and by giving you strength?
Verse 7 stood out to me as well - "Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will preserve me against the anger of my enemies. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me."
Do you believe that Jesus' power will save you in times of trouble? Or do you rely on your own power and maybe forget about Jesus during times of trouble? Will you rely on Jesus, realizing that only His power will ultimately save you?
Proverbs - Proverbs 17 verse 17 is fantastic: "A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." The thing I think about here is that Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that we are his friends. That is an amazing thing to think about. As a friend, do you believe Jesus is always loyal to us? Conversely, are we as Jesus' friends, always loyal to Him? Then, in the second half of the Proverb, as brothers and sisters in Christ, I do believe that we are to help each other in a time of need - much like a family brother or sister would help us. Through Jesus, we become a spiritual family. A family of brothers and sisters that is born to help each other in a time of need. Are you available to help your brothers and sisters - both in your birth and spiritual family - during their time of need?
YouTube: Today's Proverb of course reminds me of Michael W. Smith's song "Friends!"
Do you believe a friend is a friend forever? Click here for Forever!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1 (NIV)
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
Like Mike pointed out,Jehoshaphat was quick to see through the phoney prophets...guess it wouldn't have been so hard if it's mentioned one of them held on to a horn(a god?)who knows what the others had in their hands....Micaiah chickened out at first and told Ahab what he wanted him to hear.It's very obvious Ahab knew Micaiah was truly a messenger from God...and maybe deep down he knew he wasn't right with God...He realised Micaiah was lying...some people are terrible liars...when I was unsaved I stuck to the truth because when I lied my guilty face gave me away,wonder if that's what happened to Micaiah...
Jehoshaphat was a man of peace,godly...was he also "unwise" or was it faith....Jehoshaphat was right with God,heard when the prophecy was given...it didn't say he was going to die....so maybe he went out believing God was on his side....yet it does seem like he's tempting the Lord by doing so....
Ahab was given several occasions to see God's power but also His mercy....yet he refused to permanently repent....seems the fasting and ashes scene didn't have any permanent effect as he quickly went back to his old ways......
It just struck me why David was a man after God's heart....yes he had his many faults...but did he ever refuse to listen to God or his prophets....don't remember seeing that.Paul had a revelation from God about David'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
I pray we all do what God says so that we like David may be people after God's own heart.
God bless you all.
Posted by: Anka | June 19, 2009 at 07:18 PM
1 Kings 22:1-53
As I read this section of I Kings, Paul’s words came to mind:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)
I know this verse is usually applied to marriage relationships; however, its application is relevant to any and all relationships. Jehoshaphat, a godly king, Ahab---well Ahab is a man given over totally to evil by his choice. I think, like Jehoshaphat, we are susceptible of forming dangerous alliances because many a time things appear to be good but is not and we set ourselves up for death.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJVR) What the “world” tells us to do to achieve success must be measured by the yardstick of God’s Word.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
Posted by: Ramona | June 20, 2009 at 09:00 AM
I Kings 22 (NKJV)
8
So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the LORD; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say such things!”
NOTE: I like this challenge and question: “I wonder if sometimes we - you and me - look for supposed ‘prophets’ of the Lord that are yes-people to our particular likings - instead of looking for Truth.”
Honestly, the temptation to do what I want instead of what God wants is there all the time. So, I must be equipped with intimacy with the Lord Jesus and spiritual weapons in Jesus’ Name to overcome in this spiritual battle.
Yet, THANK GOD!… that the core of the spiritual battle is REST in the Lord.
Psalm 37 (NKJV)
4
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
If I “delight” in the Lord and really focus on praising Him—I will find Him to be my delight. He, as God—as the most High—is the One who can save me from sin, Satan, temptation, and deception.
Oh… to delight in and trust in the Lord with all of my heart!
~~
I Kings 22 (NKJV)
23
Therefore look! The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has declared disaster against you.”
NOTE:
What I have in my heart will determine my destiny. When we do not consistently and persistently seek the Lord and depend on Him because of God’s mercy, then we will be given over to the desire in our hearts.
God will give me over to what I want in my heart—whether good or evil. So I must persistently decide wisely.
Acts 13 (NKJV)
38
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39
and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
NOTE:
THANK GOD!… for grace. I am drawn back to the verse I quoted above from Psalm 37 (NKJV):
4
Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
THANK GOD!… that I do not have to save myself through my works, through the law. THANK GOD!… that I can love the Lord with all my heart as I give myself to Him in worship and praise. God will give me the desire and ability to obey.
IN HIM is my salvation! This leads me directly to the wonderful Psalm reading today.
Psalm 138 (NKJV)
1
I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You.
7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.
8
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.
GOD IS FAITHFUL!
Vance
Posted by: Vance | June 20, 2009 at 03:14 PM