Devotional Writing from 1Kings from The Message

1 Kings

April 25, 2006

1Kings 1: King David grew old.

First and Second Samuel have displayed for us the stories of two kings. Saul failed miserably and David became Israel's greatest king. Now we come to the stories of all the rest, all falling somewhere between Saul and David. Their stories start with "King David grew old." It is interesting to be reminded that even great people grow old. Our days are numbered and, while it is a blessing to live to old age, it isn't really much fun to get there! Physically, David is wasting away. His circulation is not good and he is cold all the time. His aids come up with an interesting solution for keeping his warm at night. They recruit the young and beautiful Abishag who serves as a sort of "electric blanket" for "poor" old David. It brings a smile to our faces now, but even the Bible writer notes that David's advanced years assure that their relationship is purely platonic. The more serious issue for Israel is that there is jostling among his surviving sons as to who will to take the throne. Throughout David's 40 years on the throne of Judah and then Israel Absalom's effort to take the throne has been the only serious threat to Israel's stability. Now, King David grows old and national unity is threatened once again. David has just one more thing to do. He has to name his successor. Once that is done the burden of leadership will be lifted from his frail shoulders. I can't feel sorry for David. He has lived such a robust life. If anyone ever "grabbed the gusto" it was David. Now though, even though he is bigger than life, it is life (or maybe better, death) that is winning. So it is for all of us. There is only one alternative to getting old and that isn't a very good choice. With that in mind, I want to live as large as I can; to serve God right now with all my strength. Then, when my turn comes I want to be able to look back on a life lived all out for God.

April 26, 2006

1Kings 2: Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you.

The transition of the throne from David to Solomon will not be bloodless, but considering the day and age, it comes close to it. David calls for Solomon to come to him and they have a father-son (or maybe better, a king-king) talk. Some of what David says is lofty, truly uplifting. He encourages Solomon to walk in God's ways. If he does that, the Lord will lead and bless him. Some of what David says sounds cold and calculating. There are some people who have acted in ways intended to promote their own agendas rather than his but for various reasons they were never brought to justice. From his deathbed, David lists them for the new king. He doesn't tell him what to do in each case, but he reminds him that he thinks something should be done. At its worst, this is just plain old revenge. At its best, it is a cold reminder of reality. This, I think sums up David's life. On one hand, he was a hard pragmatist who will unflinchingly kill a man who he thinks is a threat to the kingdom. On the other hand, we have a man who loves God with all his heart -- a man who can write soaring poetry and lift the spirits of all those around him. One thing is certain: there is nothing lukewarm about David and we clearly see it in his final appearance in the Bible.

April 27, 2006

1Kings 2: The final verdict is God's peace.

On his death bed David reminds Solomon of some unfinished issues that need attention. Solomon's response is to initiate some executions. This is not pleasant devotional reading, but there is at least an insight into why David sets this agenda for his son. When Joab is executed we reminded that Joab has killed some innocent people. Then we read, "Responsibility for their murders is forever fixed on Joab and his descendants; but for David and his descendants, his family and kingdom, the final verdict is God's peace." We see there that these executions are not for revenge but rather for justice. David believes that if the crimes committed by these people are left without response, that he and his descendents will share in the responsibility for what happened. The concept here can only be carried so far and it is very important to remember that Solomon is not acting here is a vigilante -- he is acting as the government. But let's step away from the specific of executions and also lay aside the role of the government in capital punishment. When I do that I am still left with a reminder that, if I say, "It is none of my business" and stand by while some wrong is done I become a part of the wrong. That works not only for government, but for individual citizens as well.

April 28, 2006

1Kings 3: God give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil.

Solomon begins his reign with a great worship celebration and it pleases the Lord that he has done so. Because of this, God asks Solomon what he can do for him. His answer is a life changing one. He asks for a "God-listening heart," or "wisdom." Since we are told elsewhere in the Bible that "the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord" describing Solomon's request as asking for a "God-listening heart" is insightful and reasonable. If wisdom is anything, it is hearing the voice of God, especially in dealing with the gray areas of life. We also see that Solomon's request for wisdom is a wise one! The Lord likes his request and agrees to grant it, and, in addition, to bless him in every way possible. This is all interconnected. When I base my life on having a "God-listening heart" it opens the way for God to work fully in my life, blessing me and blessing others through me.

May 01, 2006

1Kings 3: They were all in awe of the king, realizing that it was God's wisdom that enabled him to judge truly.

The most famous example of the wisdom of Solomon is how he dealt with two women claiming to be the mother of the same child. He relied on the love of a mother for her baby to reveal which of the two women was baby's mother. It was a pretty impressive display of wisdom, but only the first. In the pages to come we repeatedly find statements about his capable wisdom. Clearly, God kept his word and gave Solomon the wisdom he so wisely asked for. I like this statement that says people were in awe of Solomon, but it was because they realized his wisdom was directly from God. In the New Testament it is James who talks about wisdom. He says that if I lack wisdom I should ask God who will freely give it. I don't know if James was thinking about Solomon or not, but as I put these two things together I conclude that God is in the wisdom giving business, willingly helping me make good decisions as I cooperate with him. I think this is a pretty good deal. I find myself in need of wisdom and am reminded that there is a Source of wisdom available.

May 02, 2006

1Kings 5: What's important is that you live the way I've set out for you and do what I tell you.

Solomon has an aggressive agenda. He has already built palaces, cataloged information about plants and animals, and amassed an impressive and well-equipped army. His reputation has spread across the face of the earth and he has forged alliances with other nations. Now, he turns his attention to the building of the Temple. You might say that everything else he has done has been practice for this, his most memorable accomplishment. As construction gets underway Solomon hears a word from the Lord. He is reminded that living in daily obedience to God is even more important than constructing buildings to his glory. For Solomon, and for all those who call on the Name of the Lord, this is a vital concept. It is so easy to confuse the things we do for the Lord with being in a right relationship with the Lord. More than sacrifices, more than building projects, more than well organized church programs God desires that I concentrate on having a genuine connection to himself. All the rest is to flow out of that relationship. It is a vital matter of priorities and it was important to Solomon and it is important to me.

May 03, 2006

1Kings 7: Hiram was a real artist -- he could do anything with bronze.

Solomon presided over some of the most impressive building projects imaginable. Beautiful palaces and an impressive gold-inlaid Temple. He was the architect, the mastermind, of these great projects. But he wasn't the workman. He recruited a man named Hiram from Tyre to do the bronze work. This guy, and some other key people, was a craftsman with extraordinary ability. Under his expert guidance durable, functional, and beautiful artifacts were created. I thank God for people like Hiram: people with practical knowledge and skill, people who have God-given gifts, people who willingly give these abilities to the work of the Lord. As a person who isn't a carpenter or plumber or electrician, and who honestly isn't even a very good handy man, I have come to appreciate those who bring these abilities as an offering of love to God and his Church.

May 04, 2006

1Kings 8: The glory of God filled The Temple of God!

The painstaking work of constructing the Temple is complete. It is a truly impressive structure with every detail perfect. This house of worship is one of the wonders of the world. But that is the least of the story. What really matters is what happens next. As the dedication service is about to begin God's glory falls on the place. His glory is so powerful that it is almost tangible. The Presence of God flows into and through the structure to the extent that the priests, who have assumed their assigned positions of service are driven out! Like a cloud, God's glory has descended and the people are in reverent awe of the Lord. I have been in church services in my life in which God came in glory and majesty. The scale was much smaller, but I have tasted just enough to imagine what this was like on this day. In less public moments God has touched my life, these are my most precious spiritual memories. I thank him for such wonderful encounters with the divine. Beyond that, I hunger for God to pour his glory out on me and on the church I pastor. Passages like this both warm my heart and rekindle a hunger for God in the depths of my spirit.

May 08, 2006

1Kings 8: Can it be that God will actually move into our neighborhood?

Solomon is praying his great prayer of dedication of the newly constructed Temple. He understands that, while the Temple is a truly impressive house of worship, that God is bigger than any one place, even as beautiful a place as this is. With the thought in mind that God is the God of the universe and can't be contained in any one place, Solomon prays that God will always be attentive to the worship done, the prayers prayed, at this new Temple. He is a wise man, after all God is too big to really live among us, right? Well, not quite! Many years into the future God will do exactly what Solomon imagines being impossible. God will come to us. He will indeed move right into our neighborhood. As he does this, human beings will encounter God in a whole new way. And the story won't end with the pages of the Gospels. God will come to us in the Person of the Holy Spirit, and in doing so, he will move right into the temple that is the heart of every human being that will allow it. He will not only be "with us," but God, the Holy Spirit will be "in us." As impressive as the Temple is, and as lofty as Solomon's prayer of dedication is, we have the privilege of God actually moving into the neighborhood of our lives today.

May 09, 2006

1Kings 8: May he keep us centered and devoted to him.

Solomon concludes his beautiful prayer of dedication of the new Temple. He then stands to bless the great congregation that has gathered. His words, "may he keep us centered and devoted to him" are important and powerful words in any setting. How we need God's help in this! There are so many voices calling to us, so many distractions, so many opportunities to turn our hearts from God. If I am not careful the Lord is pushed from the center of my life to some secondary role. Many things lay claim to "first" in my life. Some of those things are worthy in and of themselves: family, health, relationships. Others are just plain pretenders: comfort, entertainment, security. The thing is that when my life is centered on God everything else tends to land in its proper place. That includes both those that are pretty important and those that only seem to be important. My prayer for myself today is Solomon's prayer for his people, "May he keep me centered and devoted to him."

May 10, 2006

1Kings 9: Everything that had to do with The Temple he did generously and well; he didn't skimp.

I know that there are huge differences between our church buildings and the Temple and I am not getting ready to make an argument for the construction of large, extravagant places of worship. Still, Solomon's commitment to the Temple impresses me. He took no shortcuts in anything he did related to the Temple. While I have great respect for the house church movement, I also believe that there is an ingrained desire within human beings to have sacred space, places set aside for the express purpose of worship. I think that the place where we worship should be clean and uncluttered. There should be evidence of loving attention to detail. That doesn't mean that I don't think worship can take place in other settings, but that there is a feeling of "rightness" when worship is done in a place set aside for that purpose. Note that these attributes can be said of a plain Quaker meeting house or a mega-church with a large campus. Solomon's commitment to God was reflected in his commitment to the place where God was worshipped. I think this is a reasonable concern today.

May 11, 2006

1Kings 11: King Solomon was obsessed with women.

It is too bad that Solomon's story can't end with chapter 10. That whole chapter is about his achievements and fame. I read it and can't help but be impressed with all he did. Then, I turn the page and there is "King Solomon was obsessed with women." Even as he was over the top in his achievements, he was over the top with his obsession. He collects women in the same way he collected wealth and fame. And it is his downfall. The Bible is always up front with us when it comes to the failures of its heroes, and that is the case here. Even as I read that Solomon made silver as common as rocks in Israel, I read that he sinned against God by marrying women from the surrounding pagan nations and allowing them to influence him away from God. His willingness to be "unequally yoked" brought about his great failure. No doubt infatuation with the opposite sex has been the downfall of many throughout history, the larger issue here is that God requires my first allegiance. Anything that comes between God and me becomes my god. To obsess over anything is to deny his Lordship in my life.

May 13, 2006

1Kings 11: Solomon faithlessly disobeyed God's orders.

Solomon accomplished much in God's name. He has built the lavish Temple, made Israel a world force, and stabilized the nation. He has amassed knowledge and written proverbs that are filled with good common sense. But, because of his lack of self-control in relation to the opposite sex he becomes a miserable failure before God. Some in our society think that God keeps a sort of balance sheet on our lives. They think the goal is to do more good things than bad things, and if we attain that goal, we will make it to heaven. Solomon's story ought to teach us better. Solomon's failure isn't that he destroys the Temple or begins writing bad proverbs, it is that he disobeys God. One act of disobedience destroys a lifetime of obedience. We all stand in need of God's grace, and if we make it to heaven it will be because of that grace. Still, God always requires obedience. A lifetime of accomplishment can't atone for even one act of disobedience.

May 16, 2006

1Kings 11: He hasn't lived the way I have shown him, hasn't done what I have wanted, and hasn't followed directions or obeyed orders....

God's epitaph of Solomon's life gives me insight into what it is that God wants. He wants me to live as he has shown me to live, to do what he wants me to do, and to follow his directions and obey his commands. If I build impressive church structures and amass great wealth yet fail at these key points God will not only be disappointed in me, he will take action against me. Sometimes I think we tend to think that all this "obey God" business is kind of theoretical, just an ideal understanding of life. What we really think is that we can pretty much do what we want and tip our hat to God once in awhile and he will be satisfied with that. In this passage I see that no matter how much I do in the Name of the Lord, I never get beyond the requirement of simply living the way he has shown me to live. If I ignore that, then all the "Temples" I might build are meaningless in his eyes.

May 17, 2006

1Kings 12: If you will be a servant to this people...they'll end up doing anything for you.

Solomon gets all the credit for his impressive and massive construction projects, but he probably never did an ounce of actual labor. The common people did the hard work. Now that Solomon's son Rehoboam is assuming the throne the people ask for relief. I know how this turns out, but I can't help but note the wisdom of his father's senior advisors in this. They recommend that Rehoboam be a servant to the people, that he respond with compassionate consideration, showing them respect. The result, they say, will be that he will get his own way -- they will work themselves to death for him. Centuries before Jesus tells his disciples that the greatest should be servant of all, these advisors tell Rehoboam the same thing. This principle applies across the spectrum. It works at national leadership levels, in business, and, yes, in the church as well. Rehoboam didn't get it and ended up with a rebellion on his hands. The same thing happens in other applications as well. The best leaders are servant-leaders.

May 18, 2006

1Kings 12: God was behind all this...

I am a firm believer in the God-given gift of free will. As someone said, "In his Sovereignty, God granted human beings the freedom to choose." There are plenty of scriptures that speak to this concept, but this one sure doesn't! Just to set the story: Solomon sinned against God and, because of that, the Lord said that he would rip the larger portion of Israel from his descendants' rule. Then, when his son Rehoboam assumes the throne he foolishly follows the wrong advice that brings about a split in the nation. At that point we come to the statement that "God was behind all this." This leaves me playing defense on the topic of free will. Did God cause Rehoboam to do something stupid to bring about the split between Judah and Israel? And, if that is the case, was Rehoboam responsible for what God caused him to do? Did God suspend free will in this specific circumstance? I don't have a sweeping answer to these questions, but I don't think God over-ruled himself on the topic of free will. Maybe this can work if I think in terms of "influence" rather than direct cause. For instance, God knew Rehoboam's heart -- his stubborn selfishness. He knew that his friends were like him. It didn't take God's pulling strings like a puppeteer to get Rehoboam to go along with the bad advice he got. A slight suggestion would accomplish that. Once I start thinking in terms of "influence" I can see how this can also work in positive ways. If my desire is to please the Lord in all I do, it shouldn't take much of a nudge from God to get me moving in the right direction. This approach doesn't solve all the "free-will verses God's sovereignty" issues, but I think it is a step in the right direction.

May 22, 2006

1Kings 12: It's too much trouble for you to go to Jerusalem to worship.

Jeroboam is now king of Israel with Rehoboam left with only the tribe of Judah. Jeroboam immediately realizes that Rehoboam holds one powerful trump card -- he has the Temple. Even though the people have made him king, they will still go to Jerusalem to worship, and when they are there, they will be reminded of David and Solomon, and when that happens, they will remember that Rehoboam sits on the throne of these two great men. He solves this problem by turning his back on God and the Temple. How does he convince these worshipers of Jehovah to abandon worship at the Temple built in his Name? He tells them that it is too much trouble to travel to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple. By keeping them from the Temple he keeps them out of Judah, and by doing that, he keeps them away from Rehoboam's influence. Of course it is a blatant sin. Still, the people go along with his suggestion. I understand the temptation because, like them, I like convenience. I like having a remote control for my TV, a microwave oven, a garage door opener. I even like having my church less than a mile from my house. Still, there are some things that are worth inconvenience. I'll drive extra distance to see the doctor in whom I have confidence and I will go out of my way to spend some time with my grandchildren. Am I willing to be inconvenienced to truly worship God? Do I want a worship experience that isn't too much trouble, or do I want to truly connect with God Almighty? What value do I place on having a genuine worship experience? Thanks, but no thanks, Jeroboam, I think I'll just go on making that trip to Jerusalem!

May 23, 2006

1Kings 13: An angel came to me with a message from God...but the man was lying.

Jeroboam, in an effort to secure his hold on Israel, has diverted the people away from God by creating shrines and alternative holy days. This is a serious sin with real consequences. God sends a prophet to declare his judgment. The man is faithful to the task, accomplishes his mission, and is on his way home when another man catches up to him, inviting him to stay and eat. The reply is that he can't do that. God gave him specific orders about this: "don't eat a crumb and don't drink a drop." The reply is that the prospective host has received a word from the Lord too -- that it is okay for the prophet to come to his house for some hospitality. We are told that "the man was lying." Hard to imagine isn't it...that anyone would say, "the Lord told me" when they just want to get their own way. Well, honestly, it isn't hard to imagine at all! People do it all the time. Sometimes they are religious fanatics who are perverting God's Word. Sometimes they are well meaning people who simply have a hard time telling the difference between what they want and what God says. In this case a good man, a prophet of God listened, and as a result, lost his life. On one side of this issue, I want to be careful I don't attach "God says" to what "Scott wants." It is okay for me to have opinions and desires, but I need to be honest with others and myself and not use God's name "in vain" by saying "God told me" when I am just saying what I want. On the other side of the issue, I need to get used to hearing God's Voice in my life. Once I learn to listen to what he is saying others who say, "God told me to tell you..." won't easily sidetrack me.

May 24, 2006

1Kings 15: His heart was in the right place, in tune with God.

Both Israel and Judah are traveling down the same miserable road of spiritual failure. Jeroboam, the first king of Israel, messes up royally and God tells him he is going to toss him out like the garbage. Rehoboam, son of wise Solomon and grandson of faithful David, also fails. He follows Jeroboam in selling out to the worship of the idol Asherah. Meanwhile the precious Temple is raided by Egyptian forces and much of its wealth carried off even as Judah and Israel make war with one another. After Rehoboam's son, Abijah, rules for just three years, his grandson, Asa, comes to the throne. Finally there is some good news. Asa picks up where his ancestor David left off some 60 years earlier. He isn't quite the man David was, but he is like David where it matters most: "his heart was in the right place." As we learned way back when we saw David being anointed as king, God looks on the heart. Today, my relationship with the Lord is not performance based. I certainly want to be pleasing to the Lord in all I do, but that isn't the bottom line. More that proper performance, God wants, in me, a heart that is right. My prayer is for a heart that is in tune with God.

May 25, 2006

1Kings 15: He was openly evil before God, walking in the footsteps of Jeroboam, who both sinned and made Israel sin.

The writer of the books of the Kings gives us only snapshots of the parade of kings of both Judah and Israel. Sometimes there is just one highlight (or "low light") mentioned. Over in Israel, Jeroboam dies and his son Nadab comes to power. Nadab lasts for just two years before he is assassinated and replaced by Baasha. Baasha surely knew that God had rejected Jeroboam and his family because of Jeroboam's sin, but that didn't stop him from following the same path. He rules Israel for 24 years, but his legacy is his own spiritual failure and his leading Israel farther away from God. We aren't surprised when we see that God rejects him and sends word that he is going to reduce Baasha and his regime to cinders. While I am a strong believer in free will, I see here that God held Baasha responsible for the sin of Israel. Leadership has privileges but it also comes with a hefty helping of responsibility. God expects leaders to not only be righteous in themselves, but to influence those who follow them to greater righteousness. That is true of pastors and churches, but, as we see here, it is true for national leaders and their subjects too.

May 27, 2006

1Kings 16: Ahab son of Omri did even more evil before God than anyone yet -- a new champion in evil!

Kings of Israel rise and fall, most die violent deaths. Zimri assassinates Elah, but only reigns seven days before his is killed by Omri. Omri lives an "empty-headed, empty-hearted life" but does purchase a hill upon which he builds the new capital city, Samaria. It is his son Ahab who so fully sells out to evil that he is given the dubious title, "champion of evil." The other kings are nothing to be proud of, but their spiritual failure is minor in comparison to his. He marries the wicked Jezebel, builds a temple for the worship of the idol Baal, and becomes an enemy to the remaining people of God. The long slide away from God and to paganism is nearly complete under Ahab's leadership. However, God isn't finished yet...here comes Elijah!

May 30, 2006

1Kings 17 Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab.

To say that Elijah "appeared" is a great understatement. This spiritual giant storms onto the stage. The dreary story of one failure after another by the kings of Israel has given us a feeling of gathering darkness. Elijah, God's man, changes all that. We have no record of his ancestry and his home is nearly as obscure. Ahab is feeling pretty secure in his sin when this unknown man appears to confront him of his sin. God is going to move directly into what they believe is Baal's territory. No more rain until Elijah, in the Name of the Lord, permits it. For the rest of his life, all eyes of Israel are going to be on Elijah, and beyond his life, he will challenge and inspire generations. This is God at work, moving when it seems all is lost. I pray that God will raise up some "Elijahs" for our day too.

May 31, 2006

1Kings 17: The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty....

The drought brought about by the judgment of God was a hardship for everyone. Elijah went into hiding and for a time God sent ravens to feed him. Now, as the drought brings famine to the land, the man of God is sent to Zarephath for long-term lodging. The widow there is nearly out of food and about to surrender to starvation when Elijah shows up. He makes the startling promise that so long as the drought continues she will not run out of oil or flour. And that's how it is. For the duration of the ordeal God supplies the need. It is good to know that God is the Way Maker in our lives. Only he can make something out of nothing. We must be careful to not be so blinded by our circumstances that we count God out. Generally speaking, he works through the normal course of life to bless us, but he is not limited to that. If necessary, he can work his purposes by suspending the laws of Creation and performing miracles. That's the God I serve!

June 01, 2006

1Kings 18: So it's you, old troublemaker!

Ahab has looked everywhere he can for Elijah, but without success. Elijah had appeared out of nowhere, announced God's judgment, and then disappeared for three years. Now he is back and Ahab's first words to him are, "So it's you, old troublemaker." Elijah responds with the truth, he isn't the troublemaker, it is Ahab with his Baal-worshipping, God-insulting leadership of Israel. It is human nature to want to blame others for our failures. Sometimes failure is blatant, as was Ahab's and other times it is unintentional, the result of human misunderstanding. Either way, the first thing we do in such circumstances is to look around for someone to blame. Ahab could have allowed the three years of drought and hardship to soften his heart. He could have realized that Baal couldn't make it rain, and wasn't worthy of his worship. It was his sin that brought about the famine and his repentance could have ended it. Instead, he became angry with Elijah for standing up to him. On one hand, I don't want mirror Ahab's refusal to see the truth when it was right before me -- to, instead, find someone else to blame for my own failures. On the other hand, I need to remember that sometimes I may be called by God to serve in Elijah's position, as one who is used to accomplish his purpose in the life of someone. In that case, being called an "old troublemaker" isn't necessarily a bad thing.

June 05, 2006

1Kings 18: How long are you going to sit on the fence?

No doubt, Elijah has everyone's attention. The drought and resultant famine has seen to that. Now he calls for a meeting and a confrontation. Their divided loyalties have created a pitiful situation. Historically, they have worshipped Jehovah, but for generations now worship of Baal has grown like a cancer in their number. Now, it appears that Jehovah worship is going to be only seen in the history books and they will align themselves with Baal. Yet, somehow, they are having a hard time fully committing themselves to Baal. The recent drought has caused some doubts. Why couldn't this fertility god answer their prayers for the rain necessary for them to grow crops? The result of their doubt was that they are terrible followers of Jehovah God, but not very good followers of Baal either. Elijah says it is time for a decision -- to follow the God who answers prayer, who has power in this world. Our nation has more in common with these ancient Jews than we might think. We too are on the fence. We sing "God bless America" and put "In God we trust" on our currency. We open sessions of Congress and the Supreme Court in prayer. At the same time, we ignore God's Law and seek to isolate him from secular society. We tip our hat to God but really want to serve, not Baal, but ourselves, and in so doing, adopt a religion of materialism, secular humanism, and pleasure. Will God send an "Elijah" to challenge our nation? Does the Church even want that to happen?

June 06, 2006

1Kings 18: The god who answers with fire will prove to be, in fact, God.

Elijah proposes a sort of contest between Baal and Jehovah. An animal sacrifice will be prepared but will lack one thing: the fire. Baal's prophets will call out for their god to send fire, and then Elijah, God's man, will call out to his God for fire. Whichever one sends fire will be the One they will worship. The people agree to the proposal, calling it "a good plan" and the contest begins. I think it is, indeed, "a good plan." Why serve a god that can't answer? If Jehovah God can act, if he can move in this world and in our lives, it makes perfect sense to serve him. That is one side of the story. The other is a reminder that we have no authority to set up hoops and demand that God jump through them if he wants us to serve him. Not only has he already answered with fire in this story, but also he continues to work in this world every day. The very fact that the sun came up this morning is proof that he is God. Don't you think that the fact that you are reading this right now, even as you have had questions about the reality of God is evidence that he is real and that he is reaching out to you? Tell you what, if you will respond to this offer of fellowship from the Lord, you will experience something a lot more impressive than fire falling from heaven as God moves on your heart and life. And, it can happen this very hour!  Want more information?  Check out http://www.alvinnazarene.org/abc.shtml.

June 07, 2006

1Kings 18: Reveal to this people that you are God...and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.

The "god-contest" is about over. Baal's priests have prayed for hours. They have cried out and they have offered their cruel god their own blood. But there has been no answer. The lone prophet of Jehovah God steps up. Now, it is his turn. There is no shouting and Elijah doesn't cut himself to get his God's attention. Instead, he cries out for God's mercy: "Show them that you are giving them another chance" he prays. I am glad today that God is the God of Second Chances. Even when we mess up in stupid ways, God offers us second chances to repent and turn. Note that this isn't about God turning a blind eye to their sin, offering to take them back on their own terms. The "second chance" is the chance to repent and change their ways and return to him. It’s a great offer that gives those of us who have crossed over the line away from God the opportunity to return. In this story, the falling fire on the sacrifice is a minor thing in comparison with the mercy of God that fell on these backslidden Hebrews.

June 08, 2006

1Kings 18: Oh yes, a cloud! But very small....

Revival has come to the famine, drought stricken land of Israel. The people have turned from Baal back to Jehovah God. Now Elijah, God's man, turns his attention to the drought. He begins to pray for rain. Six times he stops praying and sends his servant to scan the horizon and six times there is a negative report. Elijah never gives up and continues calling on God to send rain. Then, on his seventh reconnaissance mission, the servant reports a very small cloud rising out over the sea. That is enough of Elijah. He stops praying and starts preparing for a rainstorm! This incident causes me to think about prayer. I wonder why it was that Elijah could pray one 30-second prayer resulting in fire falling from the sky, but then has to pray seven intense prayers to get rain to fall from the sky. I find myself thinking of my own (much less spectacular) prayer life in which some prayers are answered quickly and others, after years, are still unanswered. I also think about the power of prayer. Many years later James will use this incident as his example of what happens when just one man prays a fervent prayer. I find it interesting that Elijah didn't contact everyone he knew (the country is filled with newly committed followers of God) and ask them to join him in praying for rain. I might have posted the need on the Internet and started the church prayer chain. He just shouldered the task and went alone to pray this important prayer. Then there is Elijah's response to the cloud the "size of a man's hand." For me, that would be encouragement to hang in there and keep praying, but for him, that was answer enough. In this case, his ceasing prayer was more of an act of faith than his continuing in prayer. For those of us who are "prayer learners" this is interesting reading indeed.

June 11, 2006

1Kings 19: When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life.

It has been a banner day for Elijah, the man of God. First, he challenged the prophets of Baal to a "god-contest" and won a decisive victory when, as a result of his prayer, fire fell from heaven. The people have been convinced that "the Lord is God." Then, he turns his attention to the three-year drought. He prevails in prayer and, as a result, the rain comes in a great storm. Finally, empowered by the Spirit of God, Elijah outruns the chariot of Ahab, racing down the mountain into the city. Tell you what, I call that a good day's work! Ahab arrives home in the midst of the welcome storm, but the news for his Baal-worshipping, God-hating wife Jezebel is not good. All because of Elijah Baal has been defeated and his prophets executed. Jezebel never hesitates; she sends word to Elijah that he will be next. In a surprising twist, her words terrify Elijah! This is the guy who prayed down fire on the altar and rain from the sky. This is the guy who saw to the execution of hundreds of false prophets. Now, because of the threats of one woman he runs for his life. It seems that Elijah would just pray down a bit more fire and take care of this wicked woman then and there. So the question is why is it that Elijah is scared witless by Jezebel. I think the answer is that he simply was out of gas. Intense praying, especially intercession requires of us all our energy. Sometimes prayer is pictured as a tranquil respite from the pressures of life, and, happily, sometimes it is. But not always. Sometimes prayer is the hardest work we will ever do, and it is worth doing even though there is an emotional, spiritual, and even physical price to be paid. In this, we are soldiers in the army of God. We are on active duty, not on vacation.

June 12, 2006

1Kings 19: Exhausted, he fell asleep.

To tell the truth, if all we had from Elijah's story was his confrontation with Ahab, Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal I think I would be impressed by him, but he wouldn't be one of my favorites in the Bible. In fact, he just might scare me a bit as a bigger-than-life prayer warrior and miracle worker. It is his humanity that draws me to him. This man prayed down fire, out-ran the chariot of the king, and then, in fear, ran for his life out to the loneliness of the desert. It is there that he collapsed in the shade of a bush and gave notice to God that he was ready to die. While I am in awe of his power on Mount Carmel, I just feel sorry for him out there past Beersheba, alone in the desert. As a look at him there I see that he isn't some kind of superman at all. He is an ordinary man who trusted God with all his heart and, in so doing, got way out of his comfort zone! Doing all that stuff took everything he had. Then, with nothing left, he first ran, then cried out to God that he had had enough. It is when I see that doing all those impressive things was terribly hard for this man that I more fully appreciate what he did.

June 13, 2006

1Kings 19: Elijah, what are you doing here?

More than a month has passed since Elijah fled Jezebel and asked God to take his life. During that time the angel of the Lord came and ministered to him and he has traveled 40 days across the wilderness to Horeb, the mountain range that includes Sinai where Moses met God and was given the Law. In other words, Elijah has retreated to holy ground. Here, even as Moses encountered God, Elijah will have an encounter of his own. This meeting though, starts very differently. For Moses, there had been earthquakes and thick smoke. For Elijah, things start with God asking him a question, "So, Elijah, what are you doing here?" With that, Elijah begins to state his discouragement, loneliness, and fear. The big stuff is still coming, but I am taken with just this today. I know that prayer should generally start with words of worship and reverence. Sometimes, though, we are so broken and confused that we can hardly bring ourselves to pray at all. Sometimes we have to travel out into the wilderness for awhile, possibly ending up at some place that is significant to us. And then, it isn't us, but it is God who starts the conversation, a conversation that doesn't begin with "Our Father who art in heaven" but instead with words of pain. Know what? That is okay with God: notice who it is who asks the opening question here.

June 14, 2006

1Kings 19: ...a gentle and quiet whisper.

After hearing the voice of God there on the mountain Elijah is told that God is coming in person and he is to prepare himself for it. Then, as Elijah awaits this event in a cave things start happening outside. There is a great wind, strong enough to break rocks, then an earthquake, and then a fire. We are told that God isn't in these things. Clearly, God sends them, but God does not inhabit them. What the Lord has for Elijah is yet to come, and it is only after the wind, earthquake, and fire that the Lord comes to Elijah in the gentle and quiet whisper. It isn't that God never comes in spectacular ways. He met Moses on this same mountain and then there were plenty of fireworks. The central issue in encountering God is not the accompanying display; it is God, himself. That was so with Moses when it wasn't about smoke and claps of thunder but was about God. It was so with Elijah as we see here. It was so on the Day of Pentecost when it wasn't about the sound of wind, the tongues of fire, or other languages being spoken but was about God, the Holy Spirit, filling their lives with himself. It is so in my life and in my encounters with God too.

June 15, 2006

1Kings 20: And you'll know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am God.

Ahab is about as pitiful a king as Israel could have. He is weak and wicked, dominated by Jezebel. When he had a first hand demonstration of God's power on Mt. Carmel he was unmoved and remained fully committed to the sinful life he was living. It would have served him right had God swatted him like a fly and moved on. But that isn't what happens. When war comes to Israel the Lord takes the initiative, sending word that he will work on Israel's side to bring victory. The reason is that the Lord wants Ahab, who already saw fire fall and consume the sacrifice and altar when Elijah prayed, to finally come to believe in God. This is mercy and grace beyond imagination. God reaches out to one who is not only lost, but is stubbornly lost. Ahab isn't going to respond, but it won't be because the Lord didn't give him sufficient opportunity to do so.

June 17, 2006

1Kings 20: Their god is a god of the mountains.

Israel has already soundly defeated Ben-Hadad and his forces once, but he is ready to go to battle a second time. After some reflection, he thinks he understands what happened. It was their God who engineered the defeat. It had to be something like that because he knows that he has the superior army. Know what? He is absolutely correct! The only reason he lost the first battle was because of the God of Israel, otherwise, there was no way that Israel could have survived, much less came away victorious. Ben-Hadad needs a battle plan that will not only over-power Israel, but will somehow circumvent their "God advantage." His solution is to draw the Israelite army out of the hill country and onto the plain. He thinks that God is a limited God, whose power is concentrated in the mountains. If he can fight Israel out on the plains he will level the playing field (pun intended) and easily defeat Israel. Know what? He is totally mistaken! This underestimation of Jehovah God will lead to an even more humiliating defeat than before. God is not a territorial God and no place is beyond his authority. Right down to this day God is still Lord of all. There is no part of my life that operates beyond the reach of God. The religious stuff? Sure! But everything from my every day coming and going and the big, unexpected life changing stuff too. The God of the mountain is also the God of the plain.

June 19, 2006

1Kings 21: So help me God, I'd never sell the family farm to you!

Naboth the Jezreelite makes his only appearance in the Bible, not as a hero or a villain, but simply as a man with principles. His story is told, not to inspire us, but to show us what an evil man Ahab is. Naboth owns a vineyard that Ahab wants and when Ahab offers to buy or trade for it, Naboth refuses to sell. This is more than a pure business deal. The ownership of land carries with it strong religious undertones. God gave the land to families, and it is to be passed from generation to generation. To some extent, this concept is still true today and we see it as a key component in the struggles between Israel and Palestine in our daily news. Naboth responds to Ahab's offer with shock and refusal. No matter how good a deal Ahab might offer, he will never give up his families' inheritance. This is the only insight we gain so far as Naboth is concerned because the focus immediately moves to the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel and how God deals with them. Still, what we do see of Naboth causes us to see him as more than a victim of Ahab's greed. This is a guy who has some principles and, because of that, he is willing to stand up to the powerful king. These days our post-modern culture views life as pretty much adrift on the "ethical sea." "Right" and "wrong" are relative terms. What works for you may not work for me. The Ten Commandments are not really binding, and there are many different paths to God. We Christians are being pulled in that direction too and if we aren't careful we will sever the ropes that hold us steady in our faith and drift away from the firm truths of God. Naboth's principled stand both encourages and challenges us today.

June 20, 2006

1Kings 22: As surely as God lives, what God says, I'll say.

I am drawn to little known people in the Bible, people who only make one appearance, but who make a good showing in their only appearance on the stage of history. The prophet Micaiah is one such man. King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah are discussing the possibility of joining forces for a campaign against Aram. Jehoshaphat wants to hear from God on this issue and Ahab, anticipating that, has a crew of hired prophets standing by. They tell the two kings that they will be wildly successful if they go to war against Aram. However, Jehoshaphat is unconvinced. His question reflects a genuine spirituality in his own heart and a lack of confidence in the hired prophets of Ahab. He asks for a real prophet of God! It is here that we meet Micaiah, unknown to us, but apparently well known by Ahab! The King of Israel says that there is one guy who can speak for God, but he hates him because he never says anything good about him! Never the less Micaiah is called and as he comes, he is warned that anything negative he might say will, to put it lightly, not be well received. Micaiah starts off in pure sarcasm: "sure, go for it, you will win a great victory." It is so obvious that he is making fun of the hired prophets that Ahab presses him for the truth. So Micaiah gives it to him, right between the eyes! All of his hired prophets are liars and God is going to use this war to be rid of Ahab once for all. Our glimpse of Micaiah ends with his being drug out of the presence of the kings while shouting, "If you ever get back in one piece, I'm no prophet of God." Then he adds, that when everything happens just as he said he wants everyone to remember this event. Some people play big roles in the history of God's work in this world and I thank the Lord for them. Others have just a bit part, but I can't help but be impressed when they come through with flying colors. Today, I tip my hat to Micaiah, the prophet of God.

June 21, 2006

1Kings 22: No detours, no dead ends -- pleasing God with his life.

We first meet Jehoshaphat when he insists that a prophet of God be called in when a decision to go to war is being made. That alone speaks well of this King of Judah. Now we find his short biography in the closing paragraphs of 1 Kings. His father was King Asa who also received high marks and now we are told that his son Jehoshaphat was a "chip off the old block." He sought to please God in all his life and he refused to drift off the road the Lord laid out for him. When Jehoshaphat insists to Ahab that he hear from God before committing to war, he is simply making decisions in the way he always makes decisions. When I read that Jehoshaphat pleased God because he was single minded in obeying the Lord and when I see the example of this in the meeting with Ahab I am challenged to listen carefully to, and obey fully, the guidance the Lord gives me in my life.