Today’s Reading:  Amos

Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. – Amos 3:7

God used MANY prophets during the days of the kings to warn His people of what was ahead, an attempt to draw them out of their sin and back to Him.  Amos was one of those men, only he would not have considered himself a prophet.  Amos was simply a shepherd with a heart open to doing anything God asked him to do, even if he felt unqualified for it.  Here is what Amos had to say about his call from God:

“I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one.  I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore fig trees.  But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’ – Amos 7:14-15

I love his heart!  I love how Amos was just minding his own business, doing his thing, when God called him away to do His work, and Amos responding with a willing heart.  This is in direct contrast to what was happening among God’s people at that time.  Amos’ call was to speak of God’s judgment on His people.  Here was God’s accusation against His people.

The behavior of God’s people, the nation of Israel & Judah as well as six other nations, could be narrowed down to three words – arrogance, selfishness, and pretense.  They put their own selfish desires for luxury before the needs of others around them.  They were abusive and oppressive to those who had less than they did – the weak, the needy, and the poor.  They ignored the needs of others and filled their hunger for earthly possessions.  Because of this, God’s judgment was going to fall HARD on these people.

This should be of significance for those of us who have been blessed with so much.  God was clear in Amos’ prophecies that He was done with the arrogance of a nation who felt they were better than others.  He was going to punish this selfish generation who put their own needs ahead of the needs of others.  He was bringing judgment on those who continued to go through the motions of worship and the rituals of sacrifice but who were not living a lifestyle of sacrifice and worship.

God did not choose judgment before first drawing His people to Himself, but they would not listen.

“I brought hunger…but still you would not return to me…

I kept rain from falling when your crops needed it the most…but still you would not return to me…

I struck your farms and vineyards…but still you would not return to me…

I sent plagues…but still you would not return to me…

I destroyed some of your cities…but still you would not return to me…

THEREFORE I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced.  

Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!” – Amos 4:6-12

God is not part of this world and cannot be manipulated by it.  He determines how people can come to him.  Attending church regularly, paying tithe and going through the rituals of being a believer are not substitutes for a GENUINE heart.  

“I hate all of your show and pretense – the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.  I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.  I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.  Away with your noisy hymns of praise!  I will not listen to the music of your harps.  Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. – Amos 5:21-24

“You sing trivial songs to the sound of a harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David.  You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions.  You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.  Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives.  Suddenly, all your parties will end.” – Amos 6:5-7

God declares – THE PARTY IS OVER!  God’s people had a false notion of privilege.  They continued to live a life of self-indulgence and spoke of how they were looking forward to the day of the Lord but they did not realize the Lord was coming not to absolve their sinfulness but to punish them.  They believed the covenant God had made with His people allowed them to live as they pleased – arrogance, selfishness and pretense – but God required righteous living.  They lived as if God owed them salvation and eternal life because of a decision made a long time ago.  But God does not ignore sin (7:8).  This is His call to His people:

“Come back to me and live!…

Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live!

Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed.

Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.” – Amos 5:4b,14-15

Lord, forgive us for our moments of arrogance when we think too much of ourselves and too little of others.  Forgive us for living comfortably with all you have blessed us with while others around us are in need.  Forgive us for our attitudes of privilege and expectations of rewards because of a decision we made a long time ago, when we have stopped living the righteous life you have called us to.  Open our eyes and call us out of our own agendas for today.  We desire to respond to your call on our lives and do whatever you are asking us to do.  Thank you for being a God who loves us enough to draw us to yourself.  Thank you for your love and for your justice.  Amen.  

Today’s Reading:  Jonah

God used many prophets during the reign of kings over Israel and Judah, sending some of his prophets even to the enemy nations to preach repentance.  Some prophets went willingly and some struggled to reflect God’s mercy toward sinners.  One of those struggling prophets, probably the first one that comes to your mind, was Jonah.

The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai:  “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”  But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. – Jonah 1:1-3

Why do we think we can outrun God?  Seriously.  Why do we think we know what is best?  He creates this perfect plan for our lives and we whine, complain and argue that there is a better way.  We expect God’s plan to look one way and then there is, what seems to be, a change of plans and we rebel.  We were content doing what He had asked us to do, where He had asked us to do it, but now He is moving us to a new ministry, a new job, a new home, a new call.  We hope to escape from what He is asking us to do but God pursues us because He loves us!

But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. – Jonah 1:4

God stood between Jonah and Jonah’s alternative plan, and God got his attention – not in a quiet whisper but with a violent storm.  After trying everything else, the crew on the ship threw Jonah overboard at his suggestion, for all of them knew that Jonah was running from the Lord.  God had a plan, God intervened in Jonah’s life and now God had a way to get Jonah back on track.  Granted this was probably not the way Jonah would have chosen, but Jonah was the one who was on a side track from the Lord’s will and this new plan was a consequence of Jonah’s own willful disobedience.  

Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. – Jonah 1:17

Jonah recognized God’s intervention and prayed from inside the belly of the fish.  Jonah was still not where he wanted to be and still not in a comfortable place in life, yet he knew God was at work and thanked Him for hearing his cry for help.  He promised God that he would once more look toward God’s holy temple instead of running the opposite direction.

“I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble,
    and he answered me.
I called to you from the land of the dead,
    and Lord, you heard me!
You threw me into the ocean depths,
    and I sank down to the heart of the sea.
The mighty waters engulfed me;
    I was buried beneath YOUR wild and stormy waves.
Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence.
    Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ – Jonah 2:2-4

The Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.  As Jonah promised, he obediently went to Ninevah and preached a message of judgment on the city of Ninevah.  The people, including their king, started fasting and putting on burlap to show how sorry they were for their sins.  God again changed the plan on Jonah.  He forgave the people of Ninevah and did not destroy the city.

This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” – Jonah 4:1-4

Once again, Jonah whines and complains and even argues with God, because he is not happy with God’s plan.  He is more consumed with how this change in plans will make him look, more disappointed that the people will not be punished, than he is thankful for God’s redemption.  He goes outside of the city and sits under the shade of a plant to pout but God sends a worm and the plant dies, which angers Jonah.  God asks him a very direct question, a question that is good for me today – a question for all of us.

Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”

“Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”

Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly.  But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” – Jonah 4:9-11

Oh the heart of a God who loves His creation!  Lord, fill us with this same kind of love for others.  Bring us to our knees in prayer for those who are lost.  Fill our hearts with your mercy.  Get our attention.  Forgive us when we whine and complain over your plan because we like our plan better.   You are Lord and we have no right to be angry with you when we don’t get our way.  Bring our hearts to a point of submission – your will, your way, in your time!  We love you, Lord.  Amen.

Today’s Reading:  2 Kings 10-17; 2 Chronicles 23-26; Psalm 78

For he divided the sea and led them through, making the water stand up like walls!

In the daytime he led them by a cloud, and all night by a pillar of fire.

He split open rocks in the wilderness to give them water, as from a gushing spring.

He made streams pour from the rock, making the waters flow down like a river.

Yet they kept sinning against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert…

Despite his wonders, they refused to trust him…

When God began killing them, they finally sought him.

They repented and took God seriously.

Then they remembered that God was their rock, that God Most High was their redeemer.

But all they gave him was lip service; they lied to him with their tongues.

Their hearts were not loyal to him.

They did not keep his covenant

Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all…

Again and again they tested God’s patience… – Psalm 78:13-17a,32b,34-38a,41a

Have you ever known someone you would quickly describe as “fickle”?  Do you have a friend, coworker or family member who is quick to change their loyalty, affection or interest?  It is difficult to keep up with fickle friends.  They speak and live one way today, and seem like a different person wanting different things out of life tomorrow.

The history of God’s people at this time displays their fickle hearts.  They would worship God for a time and then go back to their selfish, evil ways.  They would turn their hearts to God but not wholeheartedly.  They would keep things in their life that would cause them to be distracted and disloyal. This pattern led to the eventual decline and exile of the people of Israel, as well as the destruction of Jerusalem.

Elisha sent a young prophet to anoint Jehu the next king of Israel.  The call God had on Jehu’s life was to destroy the family of Ahab.  Jehu accomplished what God had commanded him to do, also destroying every trace of Baal worship from Israel, but he did not destroy the gold calves at Bethel and Dan.  

Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with ALL his heart.  He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit. – 2 Kings 10:31

King Jehoahaz did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and experienced the result of God’s anger.  He prayed for the Lord’s help and the Lord heard his prayer.  The Lord rescued Israel from their enemies and allowed them to live in peace again.  BUT they continued to sin during the reign of King Jehoahaz and the next king – Jehoash.  So God allowed the king of Aram to oppress Israel.  

But the Lord was gracious and merciful to the people of Israel, and they were not totally destroyed.  He pitied them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. – 2 Kings 13:23

It was during the reign of King Jehoahaz that Israel and Judah once again went to battle against each other – brother against brother.  After his death, King Jehoahaz’s son, Jeroboam II, ruled over Israel and King Amaziah’s 16-year-old son, Uzziah, ruled over Judah.  Jeroboam II did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord (14:24), but Uzziah did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight.  Well, almost.  Uzziah did not destroy ALL the pagan shrines, leaving opportunity for the nation to once more sin against God (15:4).  

The pattern of unfaithfulness in Israel:

Zechariah did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, refusing to turn away from sin.  

Shallum became the next king of Israel until he was assassinated by Menahem, who also did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.  

His son, Pekahiah, followed in his father’s evil footsteps and was assassinated by the son of the Commander of his army, Pekah.  

Pekah reigned for 20 years, until he was assassinated by Hoshea, who reigned for nine years until he was captured and imprisoned by the king of Assyria.  

This disaster came upon the people of Israel because they worshiped other gods.  They sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them safely out of Egypt and had rescued them from the power of Pharoah, the king of Egypt…The people of Israel had also secretly done many things that were not pleasing to the Lord their God…Yes, they worshiped idols, despite the Lord’s specific and repeated warnings.

Again and again the Lord had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah…But the Israelites would not listen.  They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the Lord their God.  They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors, and they despised all his warnings.  They worship worthless idols, so they became worthless themselves. – 2 Kings 17:7-15

Because of their idolatry and rejection of God’s covenant, the Lord swept them away from his presence.  He punished them by handing them over to their enemies, banishing Israel from the presence of the Lord.  So Israel was exiled from the Promised Land to the land of Assyria (17:23).

God made it clear generation after generation – “Do not worship any other gods or bow before them or serve them or offer sacrifices to them.  But worship only the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm.  Bow down to him alone and offer sacrifices only to him.  Be careful at all times to obey the decrees, regulations, instructions, and commands that he wrote for you.  You must not worship other gods.  Do not forget the covenant I made with you, and do not worship other gods.  You must worship only the Lord your God.  He is the one who will rescue you from all your enemies.” – 2 Kings 17:35b-39

Lord, would you please reveal anything I have kept in my life that is becoming a distraction from serving you with my whole heart?  Shine your light on any traces of disloyalty or fickleness in my life.  Fill my heart with the strong desire to obey and serve you wholeheartedly.  Reveal anything in my life today that has taken priority over my covenant relationship with you.  

Lord, I long to serve you with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength and with all my mind.  I long to dwell in your presence and worship you – the God who has brought me out of my Egypt with great strength and a powerful arm.  Today, I choose to worship you and only you!  I want to be faithful and not fickle.  Amen.

Today’s Reading:  2 Kings 7-9; 2 Chronicles 22; Psalm 19, 51

The king of Aram had great admiration for the commander of his army, Naaman, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories.  But although Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. – 2 Kings 5:1

Even though God was doing great things through Naaman, even though Naaman was a mighty warrior, there was still something in his life that he was suffering with – something he needed God to heal in order to be whole.

The king sent Naaman to Elisha for healing and Elisha sent a messenger out to Naaman with this message:  “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River.  Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”   

But Naaman became angry and stalked away.  “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said.  “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me!  Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers in Israel?  Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?”  So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. – 2 Kings 5:11-12  

How do we react when God tells us to do something we do not want to do?

Are there times when pride gets in the way of following God’s instructions?

What is my response when God answers my prayers but in a different way that I thought He would?

Naaman’s officers reasoned with him and Naaman went down to the muddy waters of the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, just as the man of God had instructed him.  His skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child and he was healed! (2 Kings 5:13-14)

This story reminds me of our own stubborn behavior.  We want God to heal us or to make us whole but we have a preconceived idea of how He should do that.  What God desires is obedience and complete surrender to whatever He tells us to do – for physical healing or spiritual cleansing.  

Let’s dip into the words of King David as he asked God to cleanse him from his unrighteousness after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba.  Let’s allow Psalm 51 to wash over us in complete surrender to the God who heals and makes us whole again.  Perhaps God is doing mighty things in your life and through your life, but you need Him to remind you today that you have been forgiven and He has washed you clean.  Let’s dip seven times in the river of God.

Dip #1:  Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.  Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.

Dip #2:  Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Wash me clean from my guilt.  Purify me from my sin.  For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.

Dip #3:  Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Against you and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.   You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Dip #4:  Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.  Oh give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice.  Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

Dip #5:  Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit with within me.  Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Dip #6:  Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.

Dip #7:  Create in me a clean heart, O God.  You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.  You do not want a burnt offering.  The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.  You will not reject a broken and repent heart, O God.

“Go in peace,” Elisha said.  So Naaman started home again (2 Kings 5:19).

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?

Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

Keep your servant from deliberate sins!

Don’t let them control me.

Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:12-14

Today’s Reading:  2 Kings 1-6; 2 Chronicles 21; Psalm 86

Elijah knew God was about to take him to heaven and so he asked his assistant Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”  Without hesitation, Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double portion of your spirit and become your successor” (2 Kings 2:9).  In other words, I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE!  

God saw the desire of Elisha’s heart.  He saw that this request was not for his own glory or to boost his own pride, but that he wanted to live the kind of life that would make an impact on those around him.  He felt God calling him and was praying for God to richly equip him for his calling.  His prayer was very similar to the prayer of King Solomon, asking God to give him wisdom to fulfill God’s purpose in his life (king). Elisha had been watching God work in a mighty way through Elijah and he desired for God to use him in the same way.  And that is exactly what God did.

Elisha asked for a double portion of the Spirit and he was able to do miraculous things:

Just as Elijah had done, Elisha was able to part the waters of the Jordan River by striking it and walk across on dry land (2 Kings 2:14).

Elisha came to the city of Jericho, which did not have a clean water source, causing death and infertility as well as the land to be unproductive affecting their food supply.  Elisha placed salt in the water supply and healed the water, breathing new life into the town (2 Kings 2:19-21).  

Elisha heard from the Lord and told the Kings of Israel, Judah and Edom that God would provide water for their men and animals, as well as victory over the King of Moab.  By having a double portion of the Spirit, Elisha was able to enter God’s presence and hear from God.  God spoke through Elisha (2 Kings 3:15-18).

There was a widow of one of the prophets whose sons were about to be sold as slaves in order to repay her debt.  Elisha was able to take the only thing she had left, a flask of olive oil, and make it a source of income for her by filling every available jar in the village with olive oil.  By doing this, God provided for the widow and her two sons (2 Kings 4:1-7).

Elisha wanted to thank a woman who had been kind to him and provided him with a place to stay.  He inquired as to what she needed and found out that she did not have a son.  Elisha prophesied, “Next year at this time you will be holding a son in your arms,” and that is exactly what happened (2 Kings 4:8-17).

When that same boy died and his mother grieved heavily, Elisha was able to stretch himself out across the child and bring him back to life (2 Kings 4:18-35).

When poisonous fruit was mistakenly added to a stew being prepared for the prophets during a time of famine, Elisha was able to add flour to the stew and heal it so that the group would have something to eat (2 Kings 4:38-41).

During this same time of famine, Elisha was able to bless a sack of bread and have it feed a large group of people with food leftover – sounds familiar doesn’t it? (2 Kings 4:42-44)

When Naaman, the commander of the Aramean army, was struck with leprosy, Elisha instructed him to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times and Naaman was healed. Through his healing, Naaman came to believe in the one true God (2 Kings 5:1-15).

Elisha was able to retrieve a borrowed ax head that had fallen into the river by breaking a stick and throwing it in where the ax head had landed, causing it to float to the surface.  To us that may seem like a small miracle but to the man who would have been unable to repay the one from whom he had borrowed the ax head, it was huge (2 Kings 6:1-7).

Elisha was able to save the Israelite army from ambush time and time again by revealing to them where the Aramean army was waiting to attack them.  When the king sent his troops to seize Elisha, he was able to speak the word and the entire Aramean army was blinded.  At the same time, he was able to speak the word and allow his servant to see the heavenly troops and chariots of fire surrounding them to protect them from their enemy (2 Kings 6:8-18).

So what stops us from asking God for a double portion of His Spirit so that God can use us in a mighty way in the lives of those around us?  

With the Spirit in our lives, dry ground can be walked upon, water can be healed, God can be heard, needs can be provided, wombs can be filled, the dead can be raised, the hungry can be fed, the sick can be healed, the lost can be found and enemies can be defeated.  

If we are not living that kind of life, perhaps it is because we have not asked God to do those kinds of miracles around us.  Perhaps we are not living the kind of faith that expects God to move mightily ahead of us.  Or perhaps our prayer needs to start by asking God to change the desires of our heart – to send His Spirit to create in us a desire to do what God desires to do today.

I know I need a double portion of His Spirit just to make it through a full week of responsibilities, patience with others, and wisdom to make godly decisions.  I need the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) in order to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I want to do more than just survive my week.  I want to be used by God in a powerful way through the infilling of His Spirit.  

Today as we celebrate our Risen Savior, this is what I am going to ask of God – May I have a double portion please? May I have more of your Spirit than I have ever had before. Dear God, I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE!  Lord, I give you my heart and ask for you to make it beat in unison with yours.

You are my God…

I give myself to you…

You are great and perform wonderful deeds.

You alone are God.

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.  

With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.

I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is great. – Psalm 86:2,4,10-13a

Today’s Reading:  2 Chronicles 18-20; 1 Kings 20-22; Psalm 21

We have seen over the last few days how our God is the God who provides.  When Elijah needed a place to hide, God provided safety by Kerith Brook.  He sent ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat every morning and every evening.  Then God allowed the brook to dry up because He needed to use Elijah in the life of a widow and her son, who were about to eat the last of their food.  God showed up and provided more than enough.  Then the widow’s son died and God heard Elijah’s prayer, raising her son from the dead.

When Elijah needed to prove to the nation that there is only one true god, God provided evidence of His existence and His power.  He provided fire for Elijah’s sacrifice and He provided the much needed rain for His people.  When things got rough for Elijah, God came through again, providing His presence to remind Elijah that He is always with us and that we can always trust Him.  In today’s scripture, we find the faithfulness of God providing victory for His people over and over again.

“…the battle is not yours, but God’s.” – 2 Chron. 20:15b

As I read through the accounts of the Kings of Judah and Israel, it is encouraging to me how often God fought the battle for His people.  All they had to do was position themselves, committed fully to Him, sit back and watch the victory.

When Judah realized that they were being attacked from the front and the rear, they cried out to the Lord for help.  Then the priests blew the trumpets, and the men of Judah began to shout.  At the sound of their battle cry, GOD DEFEATED Jeroboam and all Israel and routed them before Abijah and the army of Judah. – 2 Chronicles 13:14-15

This is what the Lord says, “Do not be afraid!  Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.  Tomorrow, march out against them…But you will not even need to fight.  Take your positions; then stand still and WATCH THE LORD’S VICTORY.  He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem.  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” – 2 Chron. 20:15b-17

But the Israelite army looked like two little flocks of goats in comparison to the vast Aramean forces that filled the countryside!  Then the man of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says:  The Arameans have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ SO I WILL DEFEAT THIS ARMY FOR YOU.  Then you will know that I am the Lord.”  

The two armies camped opposite each other for seven days, and on the seventh day the battle began.  The Israelites killed 100,000 Aramean foot soldiers in one day.  The rest fled into the town of Aphek, but the wall fell on them and killed another 27,000. – 1 Kings 20:27b-30a

Some time later, however, King Ben-hadad of Aram mustered his entire army and besieged Samaria.  As a result, there was a great famine in the city…

Now there were four men with leprosy sitting at the entrance of the city gates.  “Why should we sit here waiting to die?” they asked each other. “We will starve if we stay here, but with the famine in the city, we will starve if we go back there.  So we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army.  If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway.”

So at twilight they set out for the camp of the Arameans.  But when they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there!  FOR THE LORD HAD CAUSED the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and the galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching.  “The king of Israel has hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us!” they cried to one another.  So they panicked and ran into the night, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys and everything else, as they fled for their lives… – 2 Kings 6:24-25a; 7:3-7

In the 39th year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease.  Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord’s help but turned only to his physicians.  So he died in the 41st year of his reign. – 2 Chron. 16:12-13

You may face a giant battle ahead of you, but the Lord says, “Do not be afraid! Stand still and watch the Lord’s victory.”

You may feel outnumbered, but the Lord says, “I will defeat this army for you.  Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

You may have lost all hope but the Lord can cause the enemy to panic and run – The Lord can provide for your needs.

You may be fighting a battle against disease or sickness – do not rely ONLY on physicians but seek the Lord’s help as well.

And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear.  This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us! – 1 Samuel 17:47

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. – Proverbs 21:31

Position yourself, sit back and watch the victory!

How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!

He shouts with joy because you give him victory.

For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested.

You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.

You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.

He asked you to preserve his life, and you granted his request.

The days of his life stretch on forever.

Your victory brings him great honor, and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.

You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence.

For the king trusts in the Lord.

The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. – Psalm 21:1-7

Today’s Reading:  1 Kings 19; Psalm 5-6, 11, 16-17, 20

I am worn out from sobbing.

All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.

My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.

Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.

The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.

May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.
May they suddenly turn back in shame. – Psalm 6:6-10

I trust in the Lord for protection.

So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!” – Psalm 11:1

Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. – Psalm 16:1

WE SERVE THE GOD WHO PROVIDES AND THE GOD WHO STRENGTHENS.

As we look at what happened after Elijah faced off with the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, when God provided the fire and when God provided the rain, we see that Elijah is once again in need of God’s providence and strength.  

Ahab’s wife Jezebel was very unhappy when she heard the prophets of Baal were dead and she vowed to kill Elijah.  Elijah ran in fear from his enemy, becoming so discouraged he prayed that he might die.  But God provided once more for Elijah – He provided sleep, food and water.  Then He provided strength saying, “Get up and eat some more, for the journey ahead of you will be too much for you” (1 Kings 19:7b).

GOD DID NOT SPARE ELIJAH THE JOURNEY BUT STRENGTHENED HIM FOR WHAT WAS AHEAD.

“The journey ahead will be too much for you.” This journey would take 40 days and 40 nights.  His destination:  the mountain of God.  God was about to provide one more thing for Elijah – His presence.

When Elijah arrived, God asked him a very important question:  “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  Elijah was seeking God and God gave Elijah the opportunity to say exactly what he wanted God to do for him.  Then God gave Elijah the most precious of gifts – time in His presence.

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him.  And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain.  It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. – 1 Kings 19:11-13

And now, as Elijah stood in His presence, God asked once more, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  And for the second time, Elijah answered, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty…and now they are trying to kill me, too.”  (19:14)

This reminds me of the many times I have complained to God that I am going through a difficult time in spite of the fact that I have served Him.  I have in essence whined to God unnecessarily.  God knows our heart and He knows when we have been faithful and when we have not.  

HE DOES NOT ALWAYS SPARE US THE JOURNEY, BUT HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO STRENGTHEN US FOR WHAT IS AHEAD.    

2 Chronicles 16:9 – The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

I encourage you today to find time to enter into His presence.  Imagine God asking you, “What are you doing here?”  What will you say?  What do you want the God Who Provides and the God Who Strengthens to do for you today?  It’s time for me to finish my morning coffee and do the same.

“O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty!  Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone.” – 2 Chron. 14:11a

The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him!  Whenever you seek him, you will find him…whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him…Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul…They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. – 2 Chron. 15:2,4,12,15

My steps have stayed on your path;
I have not wavered from following you.

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.  

Bend down and listen as I pray.

Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.

By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies.

Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings. – Psalm 17:5-8

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.

Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love. – Psalm 5:11-12

In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.

May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from harm…

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed…

May the Lord answer your prayers.

Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.

He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power.

Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. – Psalm 20:1,4,5b-8

Today’s Reading:  1 Kings 18; Psalm 4, 65, 68

By the time we get to 1 Kings 18, Israel has experienced three years of drought.  The drought has now caused famine – as was the situation with the widow God used to provide for Elijah.  The people of Israel were running out of food and at a point where they were ready for some relief from someone.  This was part of their problem.  They were not just looking for relief from God.  They were looking to other sources than the God who provides.  

Looking to other sources than the God who provides – that sounds like something we are guilty of at times.  Perhaps we can benefit from what happened on Mount Carmel:

So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel.  Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow Him!  But if Baal is God, then follow him!”  But the people were completely silent. – 1 Kings 18:20-21

Just as we sometimes are, the people of Israel were pulled between the things of this world and the One True God.  Right before their eyes, a battle ensued between the false prophets of Baal and the prophet Elijah.  Each side had everything they needed to prepare a sacrifice – everything but the fire they were to ask their god to provide.  As the prophets of Baal tried hard to produce something from a false god unable to give them what they needed, Elijah mocked them with humor:  

“You’ll have to shout louder for surely he is a god!  Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself.  Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be awakened!” – 1 Kings 18:27

I think it is time for us to be awakened!  There is a battle ensuing before our eyes – a battle between serving a world that daily lies to us saying it has everything we need to find true happiness vs. serving the God who is able to provide everything we need.  We need to see the ridiculous humor of trusting in the world for what we need.  We need to see God respond in a powerful way as the people of Israel did and then we need to respond as they did.  

Now, as you read this, remember they were at the end of three years of drought.  Water was in short supply and used sparingly, yet Elijah asked for water to be poured over his offering and the wood.  They used so much water that it ran around the altar and even filled the trench.  Then Elijah called upon the God who had provided for him over and over again.  Elijah prayed with confidence that his God would provide again (1 Kings 18:30-37).

Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust.  It even licked up all the water in the trench!  And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord – he is God!  Yes, the Lord is God!” – 1 Kings 18:38-39

Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent.

Free me from my troubles.  Have mercy on me and hear my prayer…

You can be sure of this:  The Lord set apart the godly for himself.

The Lord will answer when I call to him…

Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord. – Psalm 4:1,3,5

God, I lay my life before you as a sacrifice.  God who provides, please send fire down from heaven to burn up my sacrifice along with the wood (the things of this world I use to try and start my own fire), the stones (the heavy burdens), and the dust in my life (the corners of my life that need cleansed).  Lick up all of the “water” or things of this world that I have depended on for sustenance and leave me with only the living water that comes from you.  Rain down on me.  Show me even a small cloud in my life today as evidence that you are about to end the drought.  Amen.

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”  

So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.

Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.”

The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.”

Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.  Finally the seventh time his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”

Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home.  If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!”

And soon the sky was black with clouds.  A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel.  Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah.  He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel. – 1 Kings 18:41-46

…When you marched through the dry wasteland, the earth trembled, and the heavens poured down rain before you, the God of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land.

There your people finally settled, and with a bountiful harvest, O God, you provided for your needy people. – Psalm 68:7b-10

I pray you see the small cloud today – the evidence that the drought is over and God is pleased with your sacrifice.  May you know God to be the God who provides generously and may that knowledge cause you to shout and sing for joy!

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our Savior.

You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas.

You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength.

You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations.

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders.

From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.

You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile.

The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so.

You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges.

You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.

The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy.

The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain.

They all shout and sing for joy! – Psalm 65:5-13

Today’s Reading:  1 Kings 12-17; 2 Chronicles 9:29 – 17:19; Ps. 91, 121

“At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.”  These are the words of the Lord to Solomon in 2 Chronicles 7:13.  God showed His strength in this way to King Ahab generations later as He took away all dew and rain for several years.  But for Elijah, who was faithful, God provided.

Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River.  Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.”  So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan.  The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook.  But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. – 1 Kings 17:4-7

SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WHAT GOD PROVIDES IS GONE?

Have you ever asked yourself that question?  Have you ever wondered when God’s overflowing provision in your life will end?   Perhaps you question what is ahead or whether or not God will provide for you in the future, despite the fact that He is providing for you right now.  When the brook God provided Elijah dried up, He faithfully provided another source.  

Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon.  I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”  

So he went to Zarephath.  As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring a little water in a cup?”  As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”

But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house.  And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug.  I was gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” – 1 Kings 17:8-12

Oh, but Elijah knew His God!  He knew that he served the God who provides!  God had already told Elijah that He would provide for the widow – that there would ALWAYS be enough!   She trusted in Elijah’s words and made bread for him first, and what God promised came true – there was ALWAYS enough!

SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE WANT MORE THAN “ENOUGH”?

The widow’s son became sick; the son whom she was raising so that he could one day provide for her in her husband’s absence died in her arms.  Can you imagine her grief and worry?  Elijah took the child and did what most of us would do in this same situation – He asked God “Why?”  

Elijah begged God, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.”  God heard Elijah’s prayer and the life of the boy returned and he revived!  The child was placed back in the arms of his mother, who responded, “Now I know for sure…” (1 Kings 17:21-24).

NOW I KNOW FOR SURE!

Maybe that is why God allows events in our life that cause us to ask “why?”  Like the widow, we need to know for sure that we serve the God who provides – that we can trust God for all of our tomorrows.  

Think of all the times when God has provided generously for you.  Stop and speak it out loud.  Now think of the ways in which you need God to provide for you again.  Are you in a situation where you find yourself asking God why He is allowing something in your life?  The answer may be floating in your morning coffee – so that you can KNOW FOR SURE and so others around you can KNOW FOR SURE that you serve a God who provides!

So, next time God provides and then what God provided is taken away from you, what will be your response?  Are you willing to let God take you on a journey that leads to the land of KNOWING FOR SURE?  Can you trust God that there will always be enough?

I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. – Psalm 121, NLT

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord:  

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him…

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me, I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer;

I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them.

I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” – Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Today’s Reading:  Ecclesiastes 7 – 12; Psalm 73

Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?

Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.

Remember that nothing is certain in this life. – Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

Why do bad things happen to good people?  We hear this question asked often.  I heard it again this weekend in the new movie “Miracles From Heaven”.  Or sometimes we hear the question – Why do the wicked prosper?  They are valid questions.  When we watch a godly person battle cancer or a child die suddenly and seemingly without purpose, we find ourselves asking God “Why?”

So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper?

But what a difficult task it is! – Psalm 73:16

King Solomon struggled with this same question and it is beneficial for us to follow his line of thinking and see where his journey for understanding took him.  When we do not understand what or why, we can trust in the wisdom God gave to Solomon when he reached the following conclusion:

Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen?…None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. – Eccl. 8:7-8a

I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other.  I have seen wicked people buried with honor.  Yet they were the very ones who frequented the Temple and are now praised in the same city where they committed their crimes!  This, too, is meaningless.  When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.  But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know those who fear God will be better off.  The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God.  Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.

And this is not all that is meaningless in our world.  In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good.  This is so meaningless!

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life.  That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun…there is ceaseless activity, day and night.  I realized that no one can discover everything, no matter what they claim. – Eccl. 8:9-17

The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad…Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God are treated like people who don’t.

It seems so tragic that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate.  That is why people are not more careful to be good.  Instead, they choose their own made course, for they have no hope…

I have observed something else under the sun.  The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle.  The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy.  And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives.  It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.

People can never predict when hard times might come.  Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy. – Eccl. 9:2-3, 11-12

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. – Eccl. 11:5

…REJOICE in every day of life. – Eccl. 11:8

Young people, it’s wonderful to be young!  Enjoy every minute of it.  Do everything you want to do; take it all in.  But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.  So REFUSE TO WORRY, and keep your body health… – Eccl. 11:9-10

Don’t let the excitement of your youth cause you to forget your Creator…REMEMBER HIM…

That’s the whole story.  Here now is my final conclusion; Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.  God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. – Eccl. 12:1-2,13-14

Remember Him, fear Him, obey Him…  King Solomon is not giving his readers permission to participate in what the world defines as fun.  When he says to “enjoy life”, he is not giving us permission to forget holiness and serve our sinful nature.  Those who choose their own course, who are not careful to do what is good, have no hope.  FIND JOY TODAY, enjoying every minute of it.  There is no joy is choosing sin.  There is joy in trusting God – fearing and obeying a God who loves us and knows everything about us.

Trust God.  It is what it is.  I have never really understood that statement but it seems to be what Solomon is saying.  It does no good to worry about what will happen in life.  Instead relax in God’s plan and enjoy what He gives you today, not worrying about tomorrow.  Remember Him, fear Him and obey Him.  There may be sinful people around you who seem to be having a better life than you, but you know where you will spend eternity.  You know there will be a day when you give an account to God for everything you do in this life.  

Remember Him and rejoice in every day of life.  Don’t spend your youth worrying about what you have no control over.  It is what it is, but that is okay because God is who He is and we can trust Him with whatever comes our way.