"He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."
Daniel 2:21
Daniel 2:21
Before you think you woke and missed several months of reading, let me ease your mind, you did not. We are still reading in 1 Kings but the Lord lead me to this verse as I was reading the rise and fall of the various kings of Israel and Judah. I had to pause and saw "Whew. I am glad I only have one King."
Our King is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We don't have worry about any changing of kingship or rules. We can completely rest in His consistency. His power is proven faithful in all regards. His wisdom is beyond words. His rule is right and justice is just. The fear of Him causes the enemy to fall. Even the ravens obey Him and all creation displays His splendor. We can rest in His leadership because He causes those who lead to rise and fall. We can trust His promises to come true.
P.S. Don't be discouraged, read slowly. Write down every time the kingship changes and their place of rule. You can do it!
Aren't you glad we don't have to keep a notebook recording changes of those in power today? One Ruler. One Leader. One King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
P.S. Don't be discouraged, read slowly. Write down every time the kingship changes and their place of rule. You can do it!
10 Comments:
A quick prayer request my friends,
I am 6 months pregnant with our first child. I did the initial glucose screening test and came out high. I am off to do the more extended test today. Say a prayer everything comes out normal (they are screening for gestational diabetes). Many thanks,
Jodie
Wendy,
Thanks for the recap of Kings yesterday and your cute pictures. What are you talking about no make up - you looked great. Glad your travels were safe. Also Thanks for telling us to right each king change down. I had stopped taking notes as I read and this got me started again. It really helps to paint the picture instead of being this long reading that is easy to get lost in. Wow what a difference.
I noticed God kept getting angry because of their sins and them leading others to sin against Him by worshiping other idols. A Golden Calf seems ridiculous, but I'm sure TV, Computers, Eating, Shopping and the things that can draw our attention away from God seem ridiculous to others. I'm not so quick to point fingers any more. Once I was wanting to point fingers at the 11 day journey taking 40 years, and God so gently said .. Lynn how old are you ... 41... and when did you really start committing all your ways to me?... Okay Lord, Sorry.
So today as I reflect on the Kings that were led away from the Lord by the desires and lusts of their flesh, it is a good time of reflection for me too, to also do inventory and make sure I am not loosing focus and being drawn away from my awesome God.
Happy day and Blessings to all.
Lynn - OR
PS Jodie you are in my Prayers!
Good morning All,
Thanks for sharing your pics Wendy, the weekend seemed very peaceful and relaxing.
As I was reading today's scriptures it amazed me to see how many kings it took before one realized (Jehoshaphat)that the curse had to be broken and that nothing would have succeeded without God being in the midst of it.
We see so much disorder today in family relationships, marriages, churches, politics, schools, work places, etc. As generations change, values also seem to change and old traditions are no longer acceptable. We must be careful not to follow the 'norm' if it disregards God's word. When that happens, evil reigns and history repeats itself.
Be blessed all!
Chanan, Bahamas.
Happy Wednesday!
Thank you so much Wendy for your encouragement this week! Keeping the notes on these Kings is helping me to stay focused.
As I was reading about Israel I saw how this nation had turned to idolatry and sin as one immoral king after another plotted for power and control of the 10 tribes of Israel.
When King Solomon married an Ammonite, he became "liberal" and "tolerant" of other religions. Rehoboam followed in his footsteps, as his mother was an Ammonite. Women have a very strong influence over their family!
As the nations sinned we see God taking His blessings and protection away. Lynn, I too was thinking about the "idols," of today. Help us to seek God and desire His Will for our lives. We know what to do; just keep reading His Word, day-after-day, while earnestly seeking to know and love Him more as each day passes.
Elijah, was a bright spot at the end of the reading! Praise the Lord, for a man who dares to be bold for God!
Praying for you Jodie today.
Love you all! Lori - AZ
Hey Girls,
Just popping back in to see if any of you have tried the new, Dannon, Light & Fit WATERMELON yogurt...[limited time only]...It's divine!
Also, was pondering over a devotional from Proverbs 10. It talked about how we "love" our treasures and how easy it is to love what we shouldn't love. Yet in obedience we are to love God with our whole heart. In Jeremia-29:13, it says "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."
What we don't seek and love with our heart, we will not love with our soul or strength. Since we will love God only to the degree that we have "found" him, we must intensify our search. We must
***persist in asking God to reveal himself to us.
Lord, show me one part of me that is not entirely committed to loving you. Pour your strength over me so that I can change my areas that are not entirely committed to you.
What commandment is the most important to Jesus? "...you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength."
Blessings - Lori - AZ
PS We're having unseasonably cool weather here in the valley---90's. I'm praising God for this.
I want to share the "golden nugget" that popped out to me this morning that precisely spoke to my convicting heart. Right in the midst of reading about King after King who happen to be either in or out of relationship with God I find this verse:
When King Asa grew old his feet became diseased. "Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the LORD's help but turned only to his physicians."
I had knee surgery in March and continue to have pain. The Dr is perplexed as I am about why and what is causing the pain. But he is moving forward with trying some things to see if I can get some pain relief.
Wow! out of this reading pops a verse that speaks convictingly to my heart! Who is the great physician of them all? Who saw me knitted in my mother's womb and knows me inside and out? Who has healilng powers above anyone else? Sometimes I come to God last instead of first. It was the duh moment of the day for me. I pray for others with these types of circumstances so why do I hesitate when it comes to praying for myself?
The Lord works hand in hand with our physician...just need to remember to ask! Thanking God for answered prayers!
And I am still in awe and wonder of how He speaks to us through His word!
Enjoyng the day in Illinois...Debbie
Hi all...I'm still here reading along...just very busy with Vacation Bible School this week. We are doing "Backstage With The Bible" by the Go Fish Guys. It is a wonderful program, and puts the gospel message out there plain as day for the kids.
Deb, I noticed the same verse as you...asked myself would I turn to the "great physician" first if I was in medical need? Great reminder.
Prayers to you Jodie...that first baby is such a blessing (they all are, but 1st time pregnant was fun for me)...all the new experiences of being PG. Prayers to the "great physician" for your health during your last trimester.
Morgen - MN
Praying for you Jodie. I delivered my first born 6 weeks early and was on strict bed rest prior to that. We did just fine, but I know how you feel. Lean on the Lord and do what the doctor says.
Lifting you up,
Diane
Jodie, wondering how your tests came out today. Praying for you.
Lynn, I also related to that verse re: idols and made personal application.
Deb, I highlighted that verse too. So thankful I know the Great Physician.
My focus today was 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."
God is constantly looking for hearts that are abandoned and surrendered. Fully committed. No compromise. Completely His.
As His eyes move to and fro, do they stop and consider me?...or you? Does my life receive His pause? He longs to show Himself strong on my behalf. “It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him.” (Henry Varley to D. L. Moody)
I long to capture His attention and pray my heart reflects my unwavering love and devotion.
Lord, choose me...choose me,
Joy
I loved that verse in Chronicles too Joy. I also highlighted it! It's an awesome thought to know his watches over us.
I love the gospel song, "His eye is on the Sparrow"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GsfCnBQGf4
May you all have a peaceful night's rest knowing he watches over each one.
Love, Debbie in Illinois
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