If you're feeling lost in the shadows and low on hope, please make sure to take a moment and listen to the song with this blog by clicking here! God bless! Observe - 1 Kings 17-19 include some of the most famous stories about the prophet Elijah. It begins with a drought ordained by the Lord upon the land of Israel as judgement against their idolatry under king Ahab. For years on end there is no rain, and a great famine settles over the land. In that time, Elijah is commanded to stay with a widow and her son in Zarephath. He arrives and asks her for bread and water, but she tells him she only has a little flour and oil that are about to run out, after which she expects her and her son to die. Elijah promises that neither the flour nor the oil will run out until the Lord sends rain upon the earth, and it is so. Shortly after, the widows son dies and the woman beseeches Elijah who cries to the Lord, who raises the son back to life. After three years staying with this widow, Elijah is commanded to show himself to Ahab, after which rain will return to the earth, but not before there is judgement on the people of Israel, especially those 450 people who have become prophets of Baal under Ahab and the 400 who had become prophets of Asherah under Jezebel. All of Israel gathers to see a contest in which the prophets of Baal and Asherah slaughter a bull and offer it on an unlit altar, seeing if they would light the altar fire in an act of divine might. Elijah also slaughters a bull but fashions the altar as it ought to be done in Israel, out of 12 unmarked stones and offered to the one true God. The false prophets cry out to their gods and dance and cut themselves with swords until their blood flowed in an act of worship, but no god responds. Elijah mocks them, and, just for good measure, pours three large jugs of water over his offering. He then cries out to the Lord of Heaven who pours out a mighty tongue of fire, consuming the offering, the water, and the very stones themselves. All of Israel rallies to Yahweh and the false prophets are put to death according to the law. Rain then returns to the land. After this, Jezebel is out for Elijah’s blood, who flees to the wilderness. Elijah, full of doom and gloom, is told to take a nap and have a snack provided by an angel. After this, he decides things aren’t too bad and continues on his journey. There is a moment when the Lord passes by Elijah, but is said not to be in the great wind or earthquake or fire that follows, but in a soft whisper that speaks to the prophet, saying that the Lord will leave a faithful remnant of Israel alive after a change of regime in Israel and after indicating that a man named Elisha will take Elijah’s place as a prophet in Israel. Interpret – How shall we interpret these passages? There are many lessons to be learned, such as relying on divine provision, the judgement and justice of God, and the folly of idolatry (plus the Biblical suggestion that a nap and a snack can do wonders for ones spirit!). The thing that stands out most to me is the up-and-down resolve and courage of Elijah throughout his ministry. He is remarkably called and provided for in divine ways, being rescued miraculously by the Lord and His servant, the widow. But Elijah shows such grief and bewilderment at the death of the widows son, expressing doubt in the goodness of God by seeing such a death, though it is short lived as the son rises later that day. We see it again in chapter 18 when God works mightily in the presence of all Israel, judging false prophets and ending the famine by sending rain from the sea. Even so, Elijah in the desert despairs of life himself, asking God to take away his life, as if none of these things happened. Later he shows himself in a piteous state, bemoaning the fact that Jezebel is seeking his life. At first glace, we wonder how a man who saw and was a part of such divine works could ever doubt the goodness or provision of God, but I encourage all of us to remember – whether things are good or going absolutely terrible, whether we are celebrated or oppressed, included or marginalized, the Lord is always good, always faithful, always sure, always a refuge. Our feelings or circumstances do not impact God’s closeness nor do they change His love for us. They cannot negate any of His promises or stop any of His plans. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! Whether on the mountain top or in the valley, our God is the same! Apply – Try and bring to mind the last time you felt desperate. Some of us are feeling desperate one way or another right now. Think of the ways in your life that things feel out of control, delayed, or not going the way we want. What I strongly encourage each of us to do today is offer these feelings, these emotions, and circumstances up to the Lord in prayer in absolute surrender. Take a moment to meditate on what it really means to be in the Hands of God. Take a moment to consider the fact that He has a plan for your life and has never left your side, even in the darkest, longest, driest places you’ve ever been. Take a moment to think how He wants you to depend on Him not only when things are good or a bit of a challenge, but in the desperate moments and the darkest night. He operates in His own time and is faithful to continue sanctifying and growing you even in and with the chaos of life. Praise God that all things work together for good for those who love Him! Tell him your anxieties and sadness, for He is your heavenly Father who is always and forever close to you. Application question – What does it look like to depend on God when things are rough? Do you give Him your burdens, or take over control when things are going bad? How would it make a difference to seek peace in your life instead of change? Prayer – Father, you did not even spare your own Son from suffering, but put on Him the wrath that we all deserved. Thank you for being a God who knows our pain and grief, and thank you for always being close to us, no matter how we feel. Help us to depend on you no matter what and remember all the ways in which you have sustained and blessed us, so that more and more, we might continue to build our lives on Christ the solid rock. Song - Highlands (Song of Ascent) - Hillsongs United Text: 1 Kings 14 – 16
Observation: Through the disguise of his wife, Jeroboam, king of the northern tribes of Israel, seeks a second word from the Lord from the prophet Ahijah, regarding his son who is very ill. The word of the Lord given reprimands Jeroboam for choosing evil and idolatry instead of being faithful to the God who raised him up and gave him the opportunity to be king over Israel with a lasting dynasty (this was the first word given by Ahijah to Jeroboam). Consequently, Jeroboam is told that not only will his son die, but God will also raise up a new king who will cut off his entire family line. Meanwhile, Judah, under the reign of Rehoboam, has fallen so deep into idol worship that all the original practices that were detestable to the Lord were re-instituted as if Israel had never driven them out in the previous generations. Egypt attacked Jerusalem and the treasures of the temple and Solomon’s royal palace were lost. Rehoboam dies and the next king of Judah reigns only 3 years, continuing in evil. For the sake of God’s promise to David, the Lord allows the family line to continue. Asa then rises to power and pleases the Lord, ridding the land of male shrine prostitutes and idols and even deposing his grandmother, the queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa’s heart was committed to the Lord and he reigned 41 years over Judah. War continued between Israel and Judah and Asa used the last of the treasuries to successfully bribe Ben-Hadad to break his alliance with Baasha, king of Israel. Flipping back to Israel, we learn how Baasha came to the throne by plotting against Jeroboam’s son Nadab. As soon as he was in power, he killed all of Jeroboam’s family, according to the word of the prophet Ahijah. But Baasha also did evil in the eyes of the Lord and we see the exact same pattern of events unfold in his family as with Jeroboam. Again, foretold by a prophet, Jehu, Baasha’s son Elah is plotted against by Zimri, who destroys the whole family of Baasha and takes the throne. But Zimri’s reign lasts only 7 days and Omri, commander of Israel’s army is made king instead. Omri builds the city of Samaria and fathers the evillest of Israel’s kings so far: Ahab, who marries Jezebel, who introduces Israel to Baal worship. Ahab does more to provoke the Lord’s anger than all the kings of Israel before him. Interpretation: After the glory days of David and Solomon, Israel is split into 2 kingdoms (Israel in the north and Judah in the south). In todays reading we see a pattern emerging in the northern kingdom. Through a prophet (first Ahijah, then Jehu), God gives an opportunity to a person to begin reigning as king (first Jeroboam, then Baasha). If the person agrees to follow the Lord like David, God promises to keep their family line going (just as we see in the southern kingdom of Judah). Unfortunately, both Jeroboam and Baasha follow after idols and the detestable things of the nations around them instead of being men after God’s heart, like David. So God raises up new kings to quench their family lines (first Baasha, then Zimri). But none of the kings coming into power are surrendered to the God who brought them out of slavery in Egypt. Each new king plunges the people of Israel deeper and deeper into idol worship, first with gods introduced by Solomon’s wives: Ashtoreth, Molech, Chemosh, continuing with the golden calves and shrines set up by Jeroboam, and adding in a temple and altar to Baal in the reign of Ahab. This pattern stands as a stark contrast to what we have read about David. He too had been presented with the opportunity to reign in place of the current king and we have read about his faithfulness to God and God’s continuing faithfulness to him by allowing his offspring to remain in power, despite Judah’s wavering hearts. In King Asa we see a reflection of David. Application: Through all the evil and rejection committed by God’s chosen people, can we see God’s heart is still to bless? He wants to have 2 kingdoms, both with leaders following His heart. But we see in the lines of Israel’s kings the reoccurring rejection through idol worship that pushes God away and denies His authority and Lordship. God’s heart is always looking to bless and strengthen the people who are faithful and committed to Himself. Israel’s kings grossly miss their opportunity to live in the blessing of God. Reflect: Think about your life. Is there anything you have not surrendered to God? What opportunities might you be missing by not allowing God to be King over your heart? Prayer: Lord, you are good! And you long to bless your people as they walk in faithfulness to you. Help me to surrender every part of my life to you and help me follow your leadership today. Amen. Song: King of My Heart (Kutless) Observe:
Wow, there are so many massive shifts that take place in 1 Kings 11-13. First of all, Solomon, in the pride of his wealth and status, directly disobeys the Lord and His statutes and takes many wives for himself from among the surrounding nations. Over 1000 wives and concubines in total. Sure enough, after he had made himself wealthy in every way, he forgot the Lord and went after the gods and goddesses of the Sidonians, Ammonites, and Moabites. This understandably sparks the Lords ire, who promises Solomon that He will tear his kingdom away from the hands of his son, though not all of the kingdom for the sake of David. God proceeded to raise up adversaries of Solomon, such as Jeroboam, about whom it was prophesied that he would tear apart the kingdom of Israel – the Lord was to give him ten tribes. Solomon tries to kill Jeroboam, but he escapes to Egypt until the time of Solomons death, at which point his son, Rehoboam, takes his place on the throne. Rehoboam went to Shechem for his coronation and is met by the congregation of Israel who say that their burden of work was made far too heavy under Solomon, that they will serve Rehoboam if he lightens their burdens. Rehoboam consults with his elderly advisors who say that the king should make himself friendly to his people, then his people will serve him all their lives. Rehoboam things this advice is dumb and consults younger, more rash advisors who tell him to actually make life harder for the Israelites so as not to appear weak. Unfortunately, Rehoboam listens to the latter group. Upon hearing this, Israel rebels, saying they have no portion in David anymore. The people of Israel hear of Jeroboam returning to the land and make him king over the ten tribes of Israel, their capital being in Shechem. At this point, Jeroboam rules Israel in the north and Rehoboam rules the cities of Judah (mainly Jerusalem) in the south. It is only Judah that still holds true to the house of David. Jeroboam then sets up two golden calves as a pseudo-temple, harkening back to Leviticus 32 and the sin of Israel at Sinai. After this comes a confusing story of a prophet declaring the destruction of these idols erected in Shechem, which comes to pass, but who then is tricked by another prophet who successfully tempts this man to break the commandment given him by the Lord. He ends up being torn apart by lions. Interpret – Where to begin! There is so much to unpack in each chapter, let alone each paragraph or verse. We would never be able to touch on everything given our limitations in these blogs. Suffice it to say that the root of all this chaos that ensues, the very ripping apart of Israel as a nation, came about by the steady decline of the loyalty of Solomon to the Lord. Just one more concubine, one more wife for political gain, one more great building, one my symbol of wealth, and this king of untold wisdom was reduced to being no better than the pharaohs of Egypt! His women, wealth, ships, tributes, and luxuries became his God before he ever bowed down to any idol. Solomon went from the height of wisdom, forsaking all else to know Her, to a wretched idolater who acted in rebellion to the very God who gave him all these things. Moses warned of the people going after foreign gods when they had become comfortable, fat, and sleek. It was the sin of idolatry, the sin of putting self and possession before God Almighty, that led to the downfall of an entire kingdom. There have been character flaws in Saul and David that led to great calamity in the land of Israel, chaos through the reign of judges, but nothing that rivaled the consequences of the sin of Solomon who was supposed to be wisest of all men. Submission to God is not a one-time event, dying to self is not a one-time occurrence either. We all must give up our own way, pick up our cross, and follow Christ each day, as Jesus instructs us in Matthew 16:24. This requires our attention and discipline, and we must not become conceited, arrogant, or aloof of that which God commands us! We are God’s very temple, so let us remember Him in everything we do. Application – I would like to challenge each of us to take time out of each day to be face to face with God, to recall who He is, and to preach to our own stubborn hearts the beauty and joy of dying to ourselves and following Christ. Let us each continue to be mindful of those sins which cling so tightly so that we may walk the narrow path without stumbling! The Lord will keep and protect, though we must be vigilant at the gates of our hearts and minds to fight the tempter. We must dutifully don the armor of God and by doing so extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one. In our readings this evening or tomorrow morning, or whenever you may do them, let us acknowledge our sins and wickedness and seek the loving grace and forgiveness we have in Christ, so that we may always respond to His call with love and carry our cross with Him. Application question – What do you need to be on guard for today? Prayer – Thank you, Lord, that nothing can get in the way of your love. I pray that I might fight the good fight and put to death that which is evil in me. I pray that I might keep in step with the Spirit and offer myself as a vessel for honourable use. May I not cling to anything but Jesus Christ, who is my righteousness and hope and strength. Amen! Song - Build My Life (Pat Barrett) Text: I Kings 8 -10
OBSERVATION
INTERPRETATION
APPLICATION
QUESTION When was the last time you promised God you would seek his will for your life and you would follow him to the best of your ability, and with God’s help? The last time we did this as a church was Easter Vigil and again Easter Sunday morning when we renewed our baptismal vows. PRAYER Lord God you have made us for yourself, to enjoy Your presence. Please forgive our tendencies to wander away from you and keep us on the Way of the Cross which leads to the Way of Life. Song: Great is they faithfulness Also available on the St. Aidan’s playlist. 1 Kings (Chapters 1- 7)
OBSERVE: We read in the early chapters of 1 Kings that it is Solomon (David’s Son) who will be the one to build the temple for God. We also see that this was no quick or easy task. It took Solomon seven years to build God’s Temple with a labor force of 30,000 men from all over Israel. During the construction, the Lord gave a message to Solomon. “Concerning this Temple you are building, if you keep all my decrees and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father, David. I will live among the Israelites and will never abandon my people Israel“(1 Kings 6: 11-13). INTERPRET: But God’s people did not obey all his commands, so eventually the Lord withdrew his presence from the Temple, and “Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard and an official of the Babylonian king, arrived in Jerusalem. He burned down the Temple of the Lord” (2 Kings 25: 8-9). The temple was rebuilt after God’s people would return from exile, but it never regained its former glory over the next 400 plus years. APPLICATION: By the time Jesus came, Herod’s reconstructed Temple had become a place where empty religion and profiteering replaced true worship and prayer. This angered Jesus, and when he drove out those who perverted his Father’s house, the religious leaders responded: “What are doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.” ‘All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy the temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” “What!” they exclaimed. “It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?” But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. After he was raised from the dead his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said. (John 2: 18-22) Jesus’ opponents, obsessed by the old order, could think only of the bricks and mortar. But the Temple in Jerusalem had always been a preview of the temple to come in Jesus himself. It was his body, the True Temple that was raised in three days to give us life for all the days to come. CHRIST IS RISEN! HALLELUJAH! REFLECTION / QUESTION: What does the Resurrection mean to you? PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are the true temple, you are everything to me. I pray for a heart that chases passionately after you all the days of my life. AMEN. SONG: Christ is Risen (By Phil Wickham) Today we’ll take a moment from our regular readings to observe the significance of Good Friday. As we’ve seen in our readings from the beginning of humankind in Genesis up until the waning days of King David in 2 Samuel, all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Even the most upright and heroic figures in the Old Testament are worlds away from what God originally created.
Adam and Eve deliberately disobeyed God out of their pride; Noah became drunk and did acted shamefully; Moses lost his temper and dishonoured God; Saul was prideful and arrogant; David was lustful and deceitful. Israel had been promised the Messiah who would come and bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, and even those people who started out most promising ended up making a mess of it all. All the covenants that God made with His people were broken, and His people were unable to repair them. We all needed new hearts, we all needed to be saved from our sins. There was a debt to pay that none of us could afford. Finally, in the fullness of time, Jesus dwelt among us and brought with Him the Kingdom of Heaven. In His perfect life He became the one by which all former covenant requirements were met. In His perfect life, a good and flawless example was given – our King who never sinned nor stumbled. In His perfect life, He showed us what it was like to love God and love our neighbours as ourselves. He gave his time, His heart, His care, and eventually, His life. This Lamb of God came to take away the sin of the world. This High Priest acquits us by His death. This spotless Lamb’s blood was smeared on the lintels of the cross and saves those who gather beneath it from the shadow of death. God sent His son to pay the price for our rebellion. He was scourged and humiliated, mocked and left to bleed His precious blood onto the cracked dirt of our own stubborn hearts. This God of endless glory took on human frailty and did for us what we could not have done for ourselves. Today is the day in which we reflect most solemnly on our Saviour’s precious life and death and look forward to His resurrection! Apply: Take a moment and genuinely try to imagine what life would be like if Christ had not given Himself for our sins. What emotions does this evoke in you, knowing that “if Christ had not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins”? The season of Lent is that of reflection, and Good Friday is that more than ever before. Let us not take lightly the life and death of our Saviour, for it is by His life that we live, by His resurrection we are raised up, and by His wounds that we are healed! No matter what happens in life, you have a friend and Saviour in Jesus Christ who, at the end of all days, will bring you to your true, eternal home. Thanks be to God! Pray: Father God, we thank you for the infinitely amazing gift of Christ crucified. Let it always be the center of our hearts and Him the cornerstone of our lives. We pray that this weekend we might fully have the weight of this life-changing event impressed on our hearts. May we treat this day with reverence and bring others to the cross so that all might worship and glorify the Lamb who was slain. Song - His Mercy Is More (Matt Boswell) Text: 2 Sam 16 – 18 (Ps 91)
Observe: David and his servants, fleeing Absalom, reach the Mount of Olives. Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, meets him with generous gifts of food, transportation – and a lie, claiming Mephibosheth intends to restore the house of Saul. With possible second thoughts about Mephibosheth after the kindness shown him, David hands over his charge’s goods and property to the conniver. Enter Shimei, cursing David, accusing him of bringing the house of Saul to ruin and murdering Saul, lobbing stones at his men as he follows beside them, seething with resentment at David’s assuming Saul’s kingship, yelling that Absalom will take over the kingdom. Yet David reacts graciously to the insults, believing the Lord has permitted the curses but will ultimately bless. (His problem was Absalom, not Shimei.) Reaching the Jordan, he and his exhausted men rest. Enter Absalom with Hushai and Ahithophel as his counselors-with-agendas. Hushai, David’s friend turned spy, pretends to side with Absalom, but intends to frustrate Ahithophel’s advice. Ahithophel, tarnishing his reputation as a Godly counselor, urges Absalom to have sex with David’s concubines, thinking to so humiliate David that Israel would turn to Absalom. Public blatant immorality and treason against the king, his father, display Absalom’s hubris. Ahithophel advises Absalom to immediately muster troops and pursue David. Hushai, however, offers delaying tactics to give David and his men time to escape across the Jordan. Absalom chooses to heed the latter’s advice. Hushai sends warning to David, though putting Zadok and Abiathar, the messengers, in danger; they are hidden but soon alert David, enabling him to prepare for a showdown. Ahithophel¸ his advice spurned, hangs himself. David, urged not to go with his men to fight, wisely heeds this advice. David’s army, and the forest, devour the enemy. But Joab disobeys David’s order to be careful of Absalom. After a fruitless attempt to coerce others to kill him, Joab murders him in cold blood, with ‘ten young men’ finishing him off -- bitterness (14:30) becoming revenge. The hunting down of Absalom, the bizarre event that left him ‘hanging between heaven and earth’ (18:9)[LM1] , the grisly murder and careless burial, corroborate the ungodliness that fills these chapters, surely[LM2] some of the saddest in this entire sad history. Interpret: These complicated chapters reveal the worst of the human heart. Again, sinful humanity takes God’s words and twists them into unrecognizability. The author of confusion is at work behind these chapters, but God counters his lies by His power and truth – and prevails. The Lord through Hushai saved David’s life, and his forces emerged victorious through His outworking. At great cost, David is still the king. The “man after God’s heart” is a changed man. Humbly, David endures Shimei’s abuse, seeing God behind his weird behaviour. He implores his three captains (Joab, Ittai, Abishai), to protect Absalom. On hearing of his death, his deep sobs reveal a father’s grief over his lost yet loved son – though wrongly-placed love. He perhaps recognizes his own flaws: his spoiling Absalom, their power struggle, pride. In Psalm 3, David realizes that God’s glory gives him life, not acclaim or pursuing a son’s love. Apply: Jesus, “great David’s greater Son” endured curses, beatings, insults, humiliation, death. This costly love is revealed: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). We consider the depth of His love for flawed humanity, created to love God and love others but insistently playing God and hurting others. He desires to forgive and restore as He grieves for His lost children. We repent and seek His forgiveness, by His grace making restitution where we can. Ask: Do I dare look, really look, into my heart? Do I have the courage to admit my flaws, to face dark things I harbour in my hidden self, hoping no one sees? Can the Lord forgive me despite my constant failures? We must ask hard questions, then rely solely on Jesus as the answer we so need. Pray: It’s too much, Lord. I am utterly dismayed at what is in my heart. I need Your grace and strength, so I run to Your cross to unburden myself. Restored by Your grace, I joy in Your glorious mercy -- until the next times when I run to You, repentant yet again, asking for Your mercy yet again. Oh, my Lord, yet again ... praise You. “Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.”
2 Samuel 14: 14 2 Samuel 13-15 (Psalm 90) Observe
Interpret Connecting with previous chapters we see the consequences of sin developing in David’s life. He has been forgiven but the fulfilment of Nathan’s prophecies of denunciation begin (2 Sam. 12: 11-12). Amnon clearly does not ‘love’ Tamar as he refuses to listen to the solution of marriage. Absalom’s words to Tamar suggest that this is not the first time Amnon has acted in this way (2 Sam. 13: 20). His further response highlights his intention of revenge. Sin begets sin, begets sin. Murder follows through a very non-subtle plan. It appears Absalom wants David to know what he has done; anger at David’s inaction? He subsequently flees. David’s heart aches for his son but he can’t just allow him home. The wise woman details Joab’s parallel story, which works on David. Connecting back to our thoughts on the book of Ruth, we remember that one of the roles of a kinsman redeemer was to redeem the blood of a murdered relative; another was to make restitution for the sin of a kinsman. In a sense David is encouraged to fill both roles; Absalom is allowed home but is not fully welcomed, he remains separated from his father. Sin grew in Absalom’s heart and a conspiracy for the throne began. His considered plot and length of time devoted to his conspiracy identifies a man with a heart for himself and capable of great deception. In contrast David’s desire for God’s outcome, whatever that may have been, suggests a contrite and broken heart; one that has been humbled by his own sin and God’s forgiveness (2 Sam. 15: 25-26). It was during this period of his life that David wrote some of his most beautiful Psalms (3, 4, 62 & 63). Application We see, again and again, how sin gives rise to more sin and that even when forgiven, there are consequences for our actions. Today’s Psalm (90) talks of our iniquities and secret sins; they are before God and bring about His wrath. We are banished from His presence. But as we see in 2 Sam. 14: 14, God devises ways to bring us back into His heart. We can be reconciled in and through Jesus Christ, our ultimate and only kinsman redeemer. God will always make a way; our part is to submit a contrite and broken heart to Him in genuine repentance, faith and belief. The Question of Application Are there unconfessed sins in your life; what impact are they having on you and others? Ask God for forgiveness, offer forgiveness to others, and witness the path of reconciliation that God will reveal. Prayer Dear Lord, we confess our sins and secrets sins. We ask your forgiveness. Help us to use our time aright with your wisdom in our hearts. Show us your unfailing love each morning that we may sing for joy. May your favour rest upon us and establish the work of our hands for your glory. Amen From Psalm 90 Praise Salvation belongs to our God sung by Jeremy Fisher Psalm 90 sung by The Choir of Westminster Abbey OBSERVATION
INTERPRETATION
APPLICATION It seems apparent that one of the applications is to Stop sinful thought before it leads to action, and or to Stop sinful action at whatever stage it is. And to repent before God (and before God’s messenger) and determine to do right from then on. We are given assurance that God forgives, And God keeps his promises – to bring us to maturity and to fill us with the presence of God the Holy Spirit. QUESTION Reflect on your walk with God, especially during this time of Lent, and farther back – during this time of pandemic. Have you been drawn aside from the way of the cross by your own appetites or by listening to the lure of escapism? Confess your sins and be restored to Christ’s presence. Abide in Christ. Live according to the Holy Spirit’s bidding. PRAYER Lord God you have made us for yourself, to enjoy Your presence. Please forgive our tendencies to wander and keep us on the Way of the Cross. Song: Come Thou Fount of every blessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebelr6d8D70 Text: 2 Samuel Chapters 1-8
OBSERVE: After King David had been given rest from all his enemies in Canaan, and after he had finished building his famed cedar palace, he told the prophet Nathan that he wanted to build a house for God. Nathan’s first reaction was to applaud and encourage David’s plans. But later that night, God warned the prophet Nathan that what he had told David was his own opinion and not a divine instruction. So Nathan then delivered a word from God that was decisive. “The Lord declares that he will make a house for you – a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house – a temple – for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever” (2 Samuel 7: 11-13). INTERPRET: As we examine this passage, we see on one hand God was declaring David’s son Solomon to be the one to build a house for God. But Solomon can’t be the only son referred to here, because his kingdom did not last forever. There must be another descendant, another offspring, whose throne will be secure forever. Far beyond Solomon, who would build a house made of stone, God was promising a future descendant, Jesus, who would build a house made of living stones. Peter wrote to those coming to Christ, “You are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple” (1 Peter 2: 5). APPLICATION: God was giving David much more than he could have ever imagined. Instead of having David build a “house” for the Almighty, God planned to make a “house” out of David. David was part of the same promise and plan that had been given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is the builder and he is the one who will build the eternal home through a descendant of David (Jesus). God promises a spiritual house, an eternal home, for people from all nations and all times. “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are member of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself” (Ephesians 2: 19-20). QUESTION / REFLECTION: Are you trying to build God into your house (life) or are you allowing God to build you into his spiritual house? PRAYER: Holy God, I don’t deserve to be a part of the house you are building, but you have made me into a living stone, into a part of your grand plan for the world. Help me from trying to build a house for you within my own kingdom and instead seek to build my life upon your foundation, where Jesus is the cornerstone in which I find my purpose and eternal security. SONG: Build My Life (Pat Barrett) |
Preachers BlogIn 2024, each week's blog is a follow-up reflection written by the preceding Sunday’s preacher to dig deeper into the sermon topic and explore engaging discussion questions. Archives
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