TCN's Biblical Journey April 2

Today's reading is 2 Kings 13-17

Israel took God's gift and then forgot God.

I am accustomed to reading the stories in the Bible and especially in the book of Judges how God brought a deliverer and at least for a time, the people turned their hearts at least somewhat back to the Lord. However, here in chapter 13 we read how God answered the prayers of the people. God sent a savior/deliverer (KJV, NIV) who brought freedom and the people never changed.

I don’t know why but as I write this my heart breaks. I am nearly moved to tears as I think about a people who have taken the gift God gave them and then went back to living as if God didn’t do anything.  I realize that this isn’t anything new and that it still happen today. There are people who come to God and come to church begging for deliverance. Once they receive what they wanted they are gone.

What I see here though isn’t just the lack of gratitude, but the wonderful grace of God given to a people who not only don’t deserve it but don’t appreciate it after the fact. This shows God’s love even to those whom we would have written off. This doesn’t let them off the hook, but it does remind us that God isn’t going to just throw us out if we stumble. He is in the Savior business. 

Photo by LinedPhoto on Unsplash

TCN's Biblical Journey- March 30

Today's reading is 2 Kings 8-12

Don't choose poorly.

Jehoshaphat was a good king, but he spent a lot of time with the disobedient kings of the northern tribes. It was probably on one of these trips that he picked up a wife for his son from the daughters of Ahab, Israel’s most wicked king. This may have been a diplomatic move, but whether it was Jehoshaphat’s choice or Jehoram’s it was a horrible choice. 

Scriptures tell us in verse 18 of chapter 8 that Jehoram followed in the way of Ahab because his wife was one of Ahab’s daughters. It is said that a good woman can make a man, and it can be true, however, a bad spouse can bring down a man or a woman. If a person isn’t careful a spouse who is against God can be their downfall. I am not advocating that a person gets a divorce if their spouse isn’t saved. Scripture clearly teaches that if the unsaved spouse is willing to live peaceably then to stay with them (1 Corinthians 7:12-13) and Jesus is very clear on his dislike of divorce (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:8-9).

What am I warning?

First, if you’re married then to guard your heart, keep it centered on Christ. Secondly, if you’re not married don’t get married to a non-believer. Obey scripture and marry a believer. Where an unbelieving spouse may lead you could be disastrous for you and your family.

Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash

TCN's Biblical Journey- March 29

Today's reading is 2 Kings 3-7

In 2 Kings 3:15, a musician's music help Elisha get an answer from God.

Elisha said, "As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. 2 Kings 3:14.

Who is Elisha speaking to? The King of the Northern Tribes of Israel. This wasn’t some person who was safe to ignore this was the person who could have you killed and not give it a second thought, yet Elisha wasn’t impressed. Why? Because Elisha was there to serve the Lord, not an earthly king. Elisha definitely did not feel he was obligated to give God’s wisdom to those who were not serving God, but since there was a person there who was at least trying to serve God Elisha relented and sought God’s assistance.

When I look at this story I am reminded that we are not here to solve the world’s problems just, so they can continue doing what they are doing. However, when we see a fellow Christian in a fix we need to consider giving them a hand. There are many people who think Christians should just give help because they are able to, but what I see here is a reminder that we are not called to give help just because someone is powerful or in need. We need to give help because God calls us to or because there is a fellow believer in need. 

Photo by Hailey Reed on Unsplash

TCN's Biblical Journey- March 28

Today's reading is 1 Kings 20-22 and 2 Kings 1-2

Direction is only good if you don't throw it away

Asa’s son, Jehoshaphat, was a good king and seems to learn from his father what needed to be done. Yet he was willing to try and work with the wicked kings of Israel. He continued some but not all the reforms which God would have required in the nation. In today’s world, he would be an average second-generation Christian, which is sad.

Here in chapter 22, he could recognize that Ahab brought forth prophets which he could tell were false and asked to hear a prophet of God. Ahab, against his own judgment, brought forth Micaiah. Micaiah’s interaction is priceless but ultimately fruitless. Jehoshaphat who called for a true prophet of God didn’t listen and barely escaped with his life.  

One can only guess why Jehoshaphat called for a true prophet and then didn’t listen. I guess that he was looking for God to confirm what he had already planned to do and when God didn’t, he did it anyway. The lesson to learn is if we ask God for direction, we need to make sure we want it and not just want God to back up our plans. God needs to be our leader not our confirmation after the fact. 

Photo by Andrew Krueger on Unsplash

TCN's Biblical Journey- March 27

Today's reading is 1 Kings 15-19

Asa removed his mother as queen.

Following God at times means there will be division in the family. Jesus said “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.  From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

When we look into 1 Kings 15:13, we see that Asa removed his own mother from being queen because she made an idol. Asa was determined to serve the Lord even if it meant he had to choose to depose his own mother. Jesus doesn’t like division in families, but He knew that the choice to follow him would cause this because others in the family would refuse.

It must have been a tough decision for Asa, but he chose God over his family. Throughout history people have been forced to choose, some had to do like Asa, others have been put out of there family, and others lost their lives. Choosing God may have negative ramifications in this life but the eternal rewards are worth it. 



Photo by Mark Skeet on Unsplash

TCN's Biblical Journey March 26

Today's reading is 1 Kings 10-14

Women were Solomon's problem.

BUT, this is how chapter 11 starts. I have often said that when you add a “but” to the end of a sentence, it negates everything before it. Chapters before this record the wisdom and wealth of Solomon and his mighty deeds, it seems like God was giving Solomon all that he wanted, and all that God promised. However, there was a problem: women.

God specifically told the children of Israel not to intermarry with other nations. God warned what would happen if people started intermarrying, they would turn from the Lord to follow the gods of their wives. This is exactly what happened. With Solomon, the problem wasn’t one wife bringing in a false god, but hundred of wives.

God would have some mercy on Solomon because of David (here again we see the positive influence of others changing the world even after their death). However, God promised to take the most of kingdom from David’s line. Some may argue it was God who brought conflict into Solomon’s kingdom, however, I happen to believe that it was Solomon’s own actions which brought it about. Solomon might have seen his mistakes if he had been serving God, but he wasn’t and so adversity came.

David’s obedience made the way for Solomon’s long rule. Solomon’s disobedience insured that his descendants would be in near constant warfare between the northern tribes and the southern tribes. We may never see how our actions play out, but they always change the world around us.  

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash

Note: I am sure these ladies are not representative of the type Solomon surrounded himself with. 

TCN's Biblical Journey March 23rd

Today's reading is 1 Kings 5-9

In Kings 5, we see the preparations for the building of the temple. It is amazing to see the manpower and the work going into this project. However, I noticed something in the first verse which caught my attention and therefore I am going to focus on it.

When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David. (1 Kings 5:1 NIV, emphasis added)

Solomon’s first ally was not based on anything he had done. His first ally was there because of whom Solomon’s father had been. We see because David had friendly relations with Hiram, Solomon was given the benefit of friendly relations back. Solomon responded wisely, and a relationship was built between Solomon and Hiram but the groundwork was already laid by David.

I have heard it said to be careful and don’t burn bridges behind you. The idea is you may have to cross them later, but here I see that a bridge David built was one which Solomon was able to cross. This is a reminder our actions don’t just affect our lives but the lives of those who come after us. Look around we see the effect of actions done by those who came before us still affecting us today. The effects of slavery and Jim Crow still impact American society today. Before we go pointing at Western Culture, we need to remember that every society has a past which affects them and there is plenty of blame to hand out. However, our job isn’t to point blame but to allow God to transform us. This scripture reminds us that the good we do also have an impact on the lives of those that come after us.

We may need to deal with the past we have been left, but we need to be thankful for the blessing we have received also. We also need to remember that our actions today can have a positive influence on those who come after us.