1 Kings 21:11 "And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them."
Here again we see a crisis of leadership in Israel. These men of the city, the elders and nobles knew better than to kill a man based on false accusations. In this story, it is easy to blame Jezebel and Ahab all the whole forgetting that neither of them actually carried out the wicked deed.
Evil people rarely act alone. And evil leaders rarely sully their own hands with the actual dirty work. Through fear, intimidation, lies or unity of thought, they convince others to help them and assist them in their wicked deeds.
Imagine if one of those elders had stood up for what he knew was right. What if one of those men had said, "No, that's wrong. I will have no part in it and I will oppose anyone who takes part in it."? How vastly different that story would have ended.
Yet no one did stand up for what was right. They went along, knowing it was the best way to maintain their position and their life. And as a result, an innocent man died.
Would I be willing to risk all to stand up for what is right?
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Dost Thou Now Govern Israel?
1 Kings 21:7
"Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
Jezebel's question is a rhetorical one in which you can hear the thinly veiled scorn. She was pointing out his weakness and mocking him for it. Then she volunteers to do what Ahab, the king, cannot do for himself.
Here we see a clear example of what the world thinks a leader is. As in most things, God's perspective is vastly different.
The world sees a leader as someone powerful who can accomplish their will no matter the obstacle. On the other hand, a true leader knows that he is only a leader because God has put him there. A true leader realizes the Source of all authority and sees his position as a stewardship, not power to be used for personal benefit. A true leader seeks to benefit his followers at his own expense. This is what Jesus meant by servant leadership, demonstrated vividly by the washing of the disciples' feet.
What kind of leader am I? If I don't see myself as a leader, that is a problem since we are to be leading others to Christ through our lives.
"Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
Jezebel's question is a rhetorical one in which you can hear the thinly veiled scorn. She was pointing out his weakness and mocking him for it. Then she volunteers to do what Ahab, the king, cannot do for himself.
Here we see a clear example of what the world thinks a leader is. As in most things, God's perspective is vastly different.
The world sees a leader as someone powerful who can accomplish their will no matter the obstacle. On the other hand, a true leader knows that he is only a leader because God has put him there. A true leader realizes the Source of all authority and sees his position as a stewardship, not power to be used for personal benefit. A true leader seeks to benefit his followers at his own expense. This is what Jesus meant by servant leadership, demonstrated vividly by the washing of the disciples' feet.
What kind of leader am I? If I don't see myself as a leader, that is a problem since we are to be leading others to Christ through our lives.
Ahab and the Rich Young Ruler
1 Kings 20:43 "And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."
Notice that Ahab, after failing to do as God had instructed, went away sorrowful, but there is no indication of repentance or sorrow over his sin. What we see is a man upset because of the consequences of his actions, not because his actions were an affront to a Holy God.
This is how you can tell true repentance from being "sorry". True repentance results in a chance in behavior and pleas for forgiveness. Being sorry merely means that the results of your actions upset you. The rich young ruler, confronted by Jesus with his sin, did not seek forgiveness or repent, rather like Ahab, he went away sorrowful.
What is my response when I sin? Do I repent or am I merely sorry?
Notice that Ahab, after failing to do as God had instructed, went away sorrowful, but there is no indication of repentance or sorrow over his sin. What we see is a man upset because of the consequences of his actions, not because his actions were an affront to a Holy God.
This is how you can tell true repentance from being "sorry". True repentance results in a chance in behavior and pleas for forgiveness. Being sorry merely means that the results of your actions upset you. The rich young ruler, confronted by Jesus with his sin, did not seek forgiveness or repent, rather like Ahab, he went away sorrowful.
What is my response when I sin? Do I repent or am I merely sorry?
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Don't Underestimate the Creator
1 Kings 19:27-28
"And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD."
Underestimating the power of God has been a fatal mistake for many. Israel, like a little herd of sheep, was going up against an army that filled the country. Yet that day, God proved He was ruler of all.
Many pagan religions assign certain "gods" to certain elements of nature. One "god" rules the plains or water while another rules the mountains or sky. Yet we know the One True God rules over everything, as Creator and sustainer.
Knowing the great works God has accomplished through flawed humans, plus knowing His omnipotence ought to embolden us as His beloved children to attempt great things from God while expecting great things from God. Am I doing that today?
"And the children of Israel were numbered, and were all present, and went against them: and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids; but the Syrians filled the country. And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD."
Underestimating the power of God has been a fatal mistake for many. Israel, like a little herd of sheep, was going up against an army that filled the country. Yet that day, God proved He was ruler of all.
Many pagan religions assign certain "gods" to certain elements of nature. One "god" rules the plains or water while another rules the mountains or sky. Yet we know the One True God rules over everything, as Creator and sustainer.
Knowing the great works God has accomplished through flawed humans, plus knowing His omnipotence ought to embolden us as His beloved children to attempt great things from God while expecting great things from God. Am I doing that today?
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Even the Wicked
1 Kings 20:13 "And, behold, there came a prophet unto Ahab king of Israel, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD."
Ahab was not a righteous king. He was not even a good king. And yet God decided to use him.
"The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." Proverbs 16:4
God used Ahab in a great way, beating crazy, impossible odds. The reason God used him was so Ahab would know who the true God was. Imagine if Ahab had lived a life of surrender to God instead of wanton idolatry. What things might God have used him for?
Most decisions we make are a result of weighing the costs and benefits. Apparently Ahab decided forsaking God would benefit him more than following God. We know however how wrong he was. Getting a firm hold of what God can accomplish through a committed individual will propel us to live a life of surrender.
Do I see the benefits of living a surrendered life? Or am I allowing myself to be distracted by the pleasures of sin that last for a short season and leave me with nothing but death?
Ahab was not a righteous king. He was not even a good king. And yet God decided to use him.
"The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." Proverbs 16:4
God used Ahab in a great way, beating crazy, impossible odds. The reason God used him was so Ahab would know who the true God was. Imagine if Ahab had lived a life of surrender to God instead of wanton idolatry. What things might God have used him for?
Most decisions we make are a result of weighing the costs and benefits. Apparently Ahab decided forsaking God would benefit him more than following God. We know however how wrong he was. Getting a firm hold of what God can accomplish through a committed individual will propel us to live a life of surrender.
Do I see the benefits of living a surrendered life? Or am I allowing myself to be distracted by the pleasures of sin that last for a short season and leave me with nothing but death?
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
God's Battle
1 Kings 19:18
"Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."
God is empathetic to how Elijah feels however He does not allow him to wallow in self pity. Instead God does battle with Elijah's doubt by presenting truth.
The first truth is that God is in control of nature. The wind, fire, and earthquake were powerful demonstrations that nothing happens in the natural world that is out of God's control.
The second truth is that God is in control over man. God sets up kings and tears them down. He truly is the King of kings.
The third truth is that we are not alone as we think. Elijah felt powerless because he felt alone. But God points out that Elijah does not know what he is talking about. Elijah is not alone in the fight for God. There remain 7,000 allies, and Elisha whom God will use powerfully in Israel.
Do I believe today that no matter what happens, God is in control and I am never alone? How will a true belief in this influence my actions today?
"Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."
God is empathetic to how Elijah feels however He does not allow him to wallow in self pity. Instead God does battle with Elijah's doubt by presenting truth.
The first truth is that God is in control of nature. The wind, fire, and earthquake were powerful demonstrations that nothing happens in the natural world that is out of God's control.
The second truth is that God is in control over man. God sets up kings and tears them down. He truly is the King of kings.
The third truth is that we are not alone as we think. Elijah felt powerless because he felt alone. But God points out that Elijah does not know what he is talking about. Elijah is not alone in the fight for God. There remain 7,000 allies, and Elisha whom God will use powerfully in Israel.
Do I believe today that no matter what happens, God is in control and I am never alone? How will a true belief in this influence my actions today?
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
What Doest Thou Here?
1 Kings 19:9
"And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?"
God is all knowing, all present, and all powerful. He has no need to ask Elijah anything. This question is not for God to gain knowledge, but, like most questions God asks, it is designed to cause us to ponder.
"What are you doing here?"
The answer may at first have seemed quite obvious, Elijah was fleeing for his life from an insane, evil queen. But still God asks. The surface reason is rarely the true reason.
We see that Elijah answers God immediately with a very specific reason. Elijah has apparently given it some thought. But was that the real reason?
Is God asking me a question similar to this? He does not need an answer, He already knows. He is asking to show you something. What might that be?
"And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?"
God is all knowing, all present, and all powerful. He has no need to ask Elijah anything. This question is not for God to gain knowledge, but, like most questions God asks, it is designed to cause us to ponder.
"What are you doing here?"
The answer may at first have seemed quite obvious, Elijah was fleeing for his life from an insane, evil queen. But still God asks. The surface reason is rarely the true reason.
We see that Elijah answers God immediately with a very specific reason. Elijah has apparently given it some thought. But was that the real reason?
Is God asking me a question similar to this? He does not need an answer, He already knows. He is asking to show you something. What might that be?
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