198th Week, I Kings Chapters 15-19 ( Clink of Title for Video Intro)

 Click on Title for Video Introduction

Monday, I Kings Chapter 15

I Kings 15

Verses 9-24

Heather Williams

Verses: 9-14

THOUGHT

When I first read through this, I thought, “Phew, finally someone got back on track.” As it says in verse 11, “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done.” It sounded like Asa was on the right track. However, as I read more about Asa and his profile, I started to see things a little different. 

As is noted, there was lots of fighting between Asa and Baasha. We read in verses 18—22 that Asa bribed King Ben-Hadad to help him. He relied on God only to a certain point. He was getting tired with the fighting. God had promised peace to those who were obedient, and Asa was being obedient, but not seeing peace. His pride got the best of him, and he took things into his own hands instead of relying on God and God’s way. 

I can definitely relate to that in my life. I know there’s plenty of times I get tired of waiting for God’s way and think I can do better by taking things into my own hands. I learned the hard way that my way is definitely not the best. Thankfully God offers us His grace and forgiveness.

PPRAYER

Almighty God and Father, we admit that we often become prideful and take control of our lives. Lord, help us to submit to You and Your Ways. I pray that we would turn to You and seek You and Your guidance in our lives and the paths that we should take. AMEN

Tuesday, I Kings Chapter 16

I Kings 16

Verses 5, 19, 26

Heather Williams

Verse 5:  As for the other events of Abijah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?  There was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

Verse 19:  “Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father.  See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold.  Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”

Verse 26:  He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, walking in the ways of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.

THOUGHT

I guess the thing that stuck out the most to me in this chapter was how these kings who did evil in the eyes of the Lord were referred to as “walking in the ways of Jeroboam”. I know in past devotions we’ve discussed legacies, but this was the thought on my mind when reading this. Each of these Kings followed after Jeroboam and ended up following in his bad steps. Obviously a King definitely leaves behind a legacy and a reputation, but so does everyone else. 

Each one of us will leave a legacy behind to our family. It makes me think about what a huge responsibility that is. We have so much to learn from those that came before us. Hopefully we learn more about what to do than what not to do. I’m so thankful for the wonderful family legacy I follow after. My only prayer is that my future family would have a wonderful legacy to follow as well.

PRAYER

Lord, through this scripture we are reminded of legacies. We pray that You would help teach us and lead us to live and leave a legacy after Your own heart. Thank You for the amazing legacy You have left for us.  We pray that we would follow after You and provide a Christian and holy legacy to leave our families. In Your Holy Name. AMEN

Wednesday, I Kings Chapter 17

I Kings 17

Verses 7-24

Heather Williams

THOUGHT

I’ve been having problems focusing in on one verse for this week, so again I will focus on a section of the chapter. This story about the widow really amazed me. Here was a widow, not just a woman, who had a child and was about to have her last meal. Both she and her son were about to die, and yet, she listened to Elijah and gave him her food first. That is an amazing testimony of faith. Her faith and obedience did pay off as the Lord did bless her and her son with food each day. However, just when you think things are bad enough for her, they get worse. 

This was a reminder to me that we always need to rely on the Lord. Even when things seem to be good (or in her case, better than they were), we need to remember the Lord and how much we need Him.  My study Bible brought out a point I hadn’t thought about. I’m going to share from it as I thought this was an interesting point. 

“In a nation that was required by law to care for its prophets, it is ironic that God turned to ravens (unclean birds) and a widow (a foreigner from Jezebel’s home territory) to care for Elijah. God has help where we least expect it. He provides for us in ways that go beyond our narrow definitions or expectations. No matter how bitter our trials or how seemingly hopeless our situation, we should look for God’s caring touch. We may find His providence in some strange places.” 

That is so true. How many times do we see that through the Bible?  God uses people that you would least expect time and time again. God has such an amazing, caring way for us all.

PRAYER

Father God, You are an amazing Lord. Time and time again You come to our rescue and assist us in our need in such surprising ways. Thank You for loving us and caring for us. We may not understand how or why things happen the way they do, but we pray for obedience in our faithfulness to You. AMEN

Thursday, I Kings Chapter 18

I Kings 18

Verses 36-38

Heather Williams

Verses 36-38:  At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

THOUGHT

This story amazes me each time I hear it. The thing that really stuck out to me this time was that Elijah stood there alone against 450 false prophets. What faith and obedience he demonstrated.  It is one thing to stand up to Ahab, but to also invite 450 other prophets along, was courageous. 

What stuck out to me was in verse 37, where he called on the Lord, so that he could turn their hearts back again. And what follows is that the prophets immediately recognized God as the true God once the fire was lit. However, it was too late, as they were slaughtered.

I know I mentioned this earlier this week, but God is super creative. He will make resources available to us in creative ways that we may never even consider to accomplish His purpose. We need to have faith that whatever God calls us to do, He will provide what we need to complete it. I challenge you to take a closer look at your life and walk with the Lord, and I’m sure you will see times where He provided resources for you, that were different and more surprising from what you were expecting. However, HE DID PROVIDE.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, Almighty God, You are so creative. You amaze me with the ways that You provide for each one of us. You meet us when we need You in the most perfect, but unexpected ways. Lord, I pray that each of us would have the faith to trust that You will provide. Open our eyes to see Your work in our lives. AMEN

Friday, I Kings Chapter 19

1 Kings 19

Verses 3-5

Delores Little

Verses 3-5:  Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said, “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.  Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.”

THOUGHT

Now in the chapter before Elijah had such victory over the Baal worshiper, and how bold he was.  Now he is running. We too are the same way. Wow, how great it feels when we see things clearly and are in a victorious time of our life. However, when something goes wrong or happens in our lives we do not like, do we run like Elijah did, or even think death would be easier?

Now after Willie died, I did ask God to take me home, as Willie and I prayed to go together.  It didn’t happen, and when I asked God why He left me here, He said to my heart, “I AM THE GREAT I AM”.  It was like a loud voice in my ears, and I thought not to fool with God. He is in control.

Look how God had food bought to Elijah, and for 40 days he traveled on to the mountain and spent the night. The next day God began to talk with him and ask him questions. Elijah, like us, tries to give God the answers we feel are the right ones. God says, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

What happened? A very strong wind came, but the Lord was not in it.  Next an earthquake and a fire, but He wasn’t in them either.  Then next came a gentle whisper. Isn’t that just like our Father? He is so gentle in how He speaks to us.  So many times we miss it.

We read where God is going to be taking Elijah home soon and tells him what he is to do to get others ready. Salt Shakers, are we ready for what God has next for us? Let us live each day as if it is our last day on earth desiring to have Our Lord as our guide along the path. He makes no mistakes, and His timing is perfect.

PRAYER

Father, forgive us when we run away, but thank You for bringing us back with Your gentle leading and voice, as we read Your Word allowing it to speak to our hearts. Bless everyone near and far in this world and let Your Word go forth. Bless this week for us all. In Jesus Name. AMEN