Reading: I Kings 12 - 16
My Verse: "And Asa did right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father" (15:11).
So, because Solomon turned from You, LORD God, You told him, "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, Because you are doing this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely rend the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant!" (11:11) The consequence of Solomon's disobedience was a dividing of the kingdom of Israel into two nations - Judah and Israel. Each would have its own king. In these first four chapters of the divided kingdom there are 6 different kings between the two countries. Sadly only one of those six kings did the right thing - "Asa did right in the eyes of the LORD." King Asa alone stood for You, LORD God.
All the other kings did evil - their kingdoms were tumultuous and short. Asa's lasted the longest - 41 years. Bravely Asa "put away the sodomites" and "removed all the idols that his fathers had made." He even removed his own mother from her position as Queen Mother because she "made an abominable image for Asherah." What courage and steadfastness!
Oh, LORD God, how encouraging it is to read about a man like King Asa. A man who would stand up bravely for You. A man willing to do whatever it takes to do "right in the eyes of the LORD." Even if it means being alone in the crowd. I think of Noah and what that must have been like to be so alone in his fallen messed up world. He had to withstand mockery and ridicule to obey You. I think of Nicodemas and Joseph of Arimathea stepping forward to claim Your body LORD Jesus. I think of Paul who was willing to leave all - his status and friends, for You when he realized that You, LORD Jesus were the truth he was seeking! Thank you for the examples of these followers of You.
So many believe that Christianity is a crutch and only for the weak. That is so much a lie, perpetuated by the father of all lies! Taking a stand for You, Lord God, requires the utmost courage. And we are not able to do "right in the eyes of the LORD" without Your help.
As a Christian one can very easily get discouraged by the events of the world, of family and friends. I have thought this was wrong or a defect and yet You, LORD God speak to this need so very often in Your Word. This tells me that feeling down is not necessarily wrong. "Why are you cast down, O my inner self? and why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God" (Psalm 43:5). Yes, it is how I deal with difficulty and sadness that is key. Like every decision I make I must allow You to keep me, to lift me up and carry me. I must not, like all the those many kings, let myself go with the world and do evil in Your eyes.
Help me LORD God to "Wait and hope for and expect the LORD; be brave and of good courage and let (my) heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the LORD" (Psalm 27:14).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "And Asa did right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father" (15:11).
So, because Solomon turned from You, LORD God, You told him, "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, Because you are doing this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely rend the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant!" (11:11) The consequence of Solomon's disobedience was a dividing of the kingdom of Israel into two nations - Judah and Israel. Each would have its own king. In these first four chapters of the divided kingdom there are 6 different kings between the two countries. Sadly only one of those six kings did the right thing - "Asa did right in the eyes of the LORD." King Asa alone stood for You, LORD God.
All the other kings did evil - their kingdoms were tumultuous and short. Asa's lasted the longest - 41 years. Bravely Asa "put away the sodomites" and "removed all the idols that his fathers had made." He even removed his own mother from her position as Queen Mother because she "made an abominable image for Asherah." What courage and steadfastness!
Oh, LORD God, how encouraging it is to read about a man like King Asa. A man who would stand up bravely for You. A man willing to do whatever it takes to do "right in the eyes of the LORD." Even if it means being alone in the crowd. I think of Noah and what that must have been like to be so alone in his fallen messed up world. He had to withstand mockery and ridicule to obey You. I think of Nicodemas and Joseph of Arimathea stepping forward to claim Your body LORD Jesus. I think of Paul who was willing to leave all - his status and friends, for You when he realized that You, LORD Jesus were the truth he was seeking! Thank you for the examples of these followers of You.
So many believe that Christianity is a crutch and only for the weak. That is so much a lie, perpetuated by the father of all lies! Taking a stand for You, Lord God, requires the utmost courage. And we are not able to do "right in the eyes of the LORD" without Your help.
As a Christian one can very easily get discouraged by the events of the world, of family and friends. I have thought this was wrong or a defect and yet You, LORD God speak to this need so very often in Your Word. This tells me that feeling down is not necessarily wrong. "Why are you cast down, O my inner self? and why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God" (Psalm 43:5). Yes, it is how I deal with difficulty and sadness that is key. Like every decision I make I must allow You to keep me, to lift me up and carry me. I must not, like all the those many kings, let myself go with the world and do evil in Your eyes.
Help me LORD God to "Wait and hope for and expect the LORD; be brave and of good courage and let (my) heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the LORD" (Psalm 27:14).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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