Finish Strong

Today’s reading is 1 Kings 11-15.

I’ll admit it almost doesn’t seem fair. The man of God who confronted and rebuked Jeroboam in 1 Kings 13 did mostly what God said, properly rebuking Jeroboam and refusing to eat with him. In fact, he only disobeyed God because another prophet lied to him. Yet, we need to recognize how this story fits in the context of Israel and Judah. Isn’t this exactly what happens to king after king and to the nations themselves? The nation started well under David and several of the kings started well, including Solomon. But, at some point they allowed false voices, sometimes even false prophets, to sway them. The God Filled don’t have room for other voices. We must rely completely on God and always go back to what God says no matter what the other voices say. No matter how we started, we must finish strong in the LORD.

Tomorrow’s reading is 1 Kings 16-20.

A Prayer for Us Adapted from Solomon

Today’s reading is 1 Kings 6-10.

A prayer for the God Filled:

“Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less these hearts that we have within us. Yet have regard to the prayer of your servants and to our plea, O LORD our God, listening to the cry and the prayer that your servants pray before you this day, that your eyes may be open night and day toward us, the people of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servants offer toward You. And listen to the plea of your servants and of your people, your church, when we pray to You. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.”

Adapted from Solomon in 1 Kings 8:27-30, ESV.

Praise the LORD!

Tomorrow’s reading is 1 Kings 11-15.

Wisdom’s Call

Today’s reading is 1 Kings 1-5.

What would you ask for if the God of the Universe promised you anything? Please, don’t say you’d ask for more wishes. Solomon asked for wisdom to govern God’s people well and discernment to tell the difference between good and evil. What more can we want? We can have all the riches of the world, but if we do not have wisdom, it will slip through our fingers. We can govern the greatest nation in the world, but if we do not have wisdom, it will be broken in pieces. Listen for wisdom, she calls you. “Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?” (Proverbs 8:1, ESV). “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she cries (Proverbs 9:4, ESV). Will you heed her call today?

Tomorrow’s reading is 1 Kings 6-10.