June 30

Obadiah 1
This is an interesting prophecy concerning Israel.  However, this little morsel in verses three and four can easily be applied to anyone: “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’  Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.”  In our modern world where the sky isn’t even the limit, there are those who turn their backs on the Lord, those who refuse to believe the Creator of all the universe.  We have reached the stars and returned to earth.  Our technology keeps advancing, producing miracle-like results.  We have become so self-sufficient that many believe we can control the functions of nature that God has set in place.  It is from this high and lofty position that He will take us down.  Let us who follow the Lord beware, lest we fall into the same prideful trap.

June 29

2 Chronicles 19-23
Judah goes through a series of wicked leaders who didn't keep God's commands or follow His ways. Instead, they followed the gods and ways of the nations around them, in opposition to the Lord. Naturally, God was not happy. In fact, His first inclination is to destroy the people of Judah. Yet, we read in 2 Chronicles 21:7, "Nevertheless, because of the covenant the Lord had made with David, the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever." There was a good king coming. Ultimately, the King of the universe would come through this line. The point is that God remains faithful, even when we aren't.

June 28

1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18
Ahab didn’t like Micaiah because he didn’t prophesy the way he wanted him to, so he had Micaiah put into prison and ignored the truth of his prophecy.  Isn’t this what many do?  If the preacher doesn’t preach as they like, they reject him and the truth he brings.  I remember an older preacher once telling me that he agreed with a lot of the controversial beliefs I taught, but he wouldn’t teach them, because churches would not hire him to come and preach for them.  He was wise in knowing what would be rejected, however, he was also to be pitied because he refrained from teaching the truth.  There are a number of Christian folk today who reject certain parts of the Bible because it doesn’t fit in with what they want to believe or practice.  I have found this to be true concerning abortion and homosexuality.  In an online discussion, a young woman who ministers at her local church told me that the Bible was written by men, for men.  Therefore, she rejected its teachings against homosexuality, and chose to follow her own feelings instead.  There are a lot of Ahabs in the world today.  Let’s choose to not be one of them, but rather to follow the truth of God’s word, even when it goes against popular opinion.

June 27

   
1 Kings 20-21
Ahab was a wicked king over Israel. He not only failed to obey God's commands, he also followed other gods and allowed his evil wife, Jezebel, to influence him into committing grievous sins, including murder. Yet, when God pronounced judgment upon him, Ahab repented and humbled himself before the Lord. Because of his humility, God, being the benevolent Master, extended grace and mercy toward him. It never ceases to amaze me when I see how forgiving our Lord is. Time after time, He relents from displaying deserved wrath in favor of reconciliation. He desires our friendship, wanting to have a positive relationship with us. His commands are not burdensome, and are only put in place for our benefit. He only asks that we be as committed to this relationship as He is. Then we will enjoy the full riches of His blessings!

June 26

1 Kings 17-19
A lot takes place in these three chapters.  However, the primary theme is the rise of Elijah the prophet.  Here is a man of God willing to go up against hundreds to demonstrate that his God is the only true God.  The Lord honors his efforts and is with him in all of his exploits.  To what extreme are we willing to go for the Lord?  Are we ready to go against the flow?  Do we speak out, even when our opinion is unpopular?  There are currently many issues that the world embraces that are counter to God’s will.  Do we maintain His truth in the face of the world’s convincing arguments?  Or, do we cave, and take on the prevailing view?  I have met Christians who will justify that which God clearly condemns simply because our society condones the action.  It takes courage to stand for what is right when the majority is saying that you are wrong.  I’m no Elijah, yet, because I take a stand for Biblical truth I have been called names and scorned.  However, I know that God is with me, and that He will prevail.

June 25

1 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 17
There is a sharp contrast in the leaders of Israel and Judah.  There are those, such as Jehoshaphat, who follow the Lord, against those, such as Zimri, who commit murder and follow after other gods.  In every instance where there is a leader who follows the true God, the nation prospers and the leader is blessed.  One would think that witnessing such as this would cause other leaders to emulate the good leaders, and follow the Lord.  However, the primary fall of man being pride, there are many who believe they can do it better than God.  They become a god in their own eyes, exalting themselves above the only Jehovah God.  There are many prideful leaders.  Their pride leads to their own destruction.  Unfortunately, they often take the nation down with them.  We would do well to take heed and learn the lessons provided through both types of leadership.

June 24

1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13-16
We have a bright spot in the beginning and through most of Asa’s reign.  He chose to have Judah serve God as they had done under David’s reign.  Thus, Judah prospered and enjoyed peace.  Unfortunately, when all was well, Asa turned away from the Lord and suffered physical ailments because of his unfaithfulness.  Even though he was ailing, he relied on his physicians and didn’t call upon the Lord.  Who, or what, do we rely on in place of the Lord?  I know that there have been many times when things are not going as they should, and I seek out every possible solution using my own efforts.  Finally, it dawns on me to call upon the Lord.  Why is it that He is often our final solution, instead of our first choice?  Lord, help me to remember to call upon you first, to know that all things are possible through you, and that you are always ready to intercede.  Help me to be more faithful.  Amen.