Today, read 2 Kings 4: 8 - 37
What a rich story! We will spend two days of study with her. We see again the care that God has for women. This woman stands in contrast to the widow we met in verses 1 - 7. This lady is wealthy and far from physically destitute. She makes room in her life for God's prophet - providing him with food and lodging whenever he is in the area of Shunem. As we remember the gross idolatry and Baal worship that permeates Israel at this time ... it is no small thing that she welcomes a prophet of God. I see her standing against her culture. She not only welcomes Elisha, she goes the "extra mile" by providing a place for him in her own household.
This woman exudes the beautiful and gracious gift of hospitality. When Paul describes sincere love in Romans 12 ... listen as he says, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Romans 12:13) The apostle Peter, in his letter to believers, says "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4: 8 - 9)
The Greek word used in these 2 references means: generous to guests; showing care to strangers. In the definitions of the English word, hospitable, we find: "being receptive and open".
We often fall into the trap of equating hospitality to wonderful party-giving. That is a wonderful gift and if you have it - by all means use it!! It is a blessing to your guests. But that is not the sense of this word and concept. Believers, we are to be hospitable people - all of us! And it has nothing to do with size of home or resources available or cooking skills. It has everything to do with heart - with how I receive people. My question for myself (and for you) is: Am I hospitable? If not, why not? How can I practice hospitality this week?
Another interesting point about hospitality before we close today ... Peter told us to practice this gracious gift "without complaint". Why did he go that far!? If I take that instruction to heart, then I must deal with heart attitude. How about you? I did some tracking on the word that Peter chose for "complaint". I had hoped it meant loud, boisterous, negative comments - because, that is not me. What I found was this: the word means "murmuring, muttering, a secret debate, a secret displeasure not openly avowed." Ouch! Hospitable - without complaint. Yes, we see again that God is more concerned with our hearts and our attitudes. The behaviors will follow.
So ... this week ... how can you be hospitable to everyone you interact with? Everyone you meet? Your family members with whom you live?
Practice hospitality ... without complaint ... Lord, help us see our own hearts in this matter. Help us know when we are ... and when we are not. You are our stellar example. The way you welcomed and cared for people ... all kinds. More like You, Jesus ... more like You.
March 31, 2010
March 29, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 9, Day 1
You have moved past the half-way point in our study! I want to thank you for your diligence and for your desire to know God better through a study of His Word. I continue to pray for all of us that God, in His mercy, will teach us the things we need for this day. And I continue to pray that each of us will respond in faith and obedience to what we learn. Keep on ...
Our reading today is 2 Kings 4: 1 - 7. As you read, make note of the things that stand out most dramatically to you.
A couple of historical elements before we consider some lessons ...
First, in L. Ginzberg's, The Legends of the Jews, he says that Jewish tradition identifies this nameless woman as the wife of Obadiah. Do you remember reading in 1 Kings 18 about the prophet who hid 100 faithful prophets of God in caves, hiding them from Jezebel? Legend says this is the man. Scripture does not identify him for us and it does not change the lessons from the story ... but it's interesting, don't you think?! He says the debt was most likely accumulated when Obadiah had to borrow money to feed all those men. Perhaps ...
Secondly, in the ancient Near East, the lawful custom was for creditors to conscript labor for unpaid debts. However, it was not to last forever. Exodus 21:2 "When you buy a male Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, but in the seventh he shall go out a free person, without debt." We read more of those laws in Leviticus 25: 39 - 41.
Let's consider lessons for us ... I would love to hear what yours are! What appears to me is:
1. Elisha is ready to help this marginalized woman. He reflects the heart of God because Jehovah is always concerned about those who are the "least" in their world. Another reading from Exodus says: Exodus 22: 22 - 23 "You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry". Jesus himself continually reached out to those His society had no use for ... those who were expendable. In the New Testament letters, James says "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27) Yes, Elisha was ready to help. Am I? Are you? Keep eyes open for the "least" that God places in your path. And respond.
2. I love that this woman was to use what she had. God could have made pots appear in her house. God could have made FULL pots appear in her house. But there is value is using what is in our hands. What has God given you? What is in your hand? What resources? What talents? What spiritual gifts? Will God's work be done with or without you? Yes ... it will. However, you will miss the thrill of participating with God in His miraculous work! Don't miss it!! Offer what you have ... and watch God multiply and supply.
3. Did you wonder why the closed door? I wonder about the significance of that little fact. Perhaps that is no significance ... but I can hear Jesus saying "When you pray, go into our room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6) There is intimacy in the closed door. This woman cannot credit Elisha with this provision ... it is from God ... it happened behind a closed door with no one else there. It is the same with you and I as we take our needs to God. Sometimes He will use another person to meet a need but the work of faith and the work of peace and the decision for obedience is first done "behind the closed door".
Have you spent time "behind the closed door" with your God today?
Our reading today is 2 Kings 4: 1 - 7. As you read, make note of the things that stand out most dramatically to you.
A couple of historical elements before we consider some lessons ...
First, in L. Ginzberg's, The Legends of the Jews, he says that Jewish tradition identifies this nameless woman as the wife of Obadiah. Do you remember reading in 1 Kings 18 about the prophet who hid 100 faithful prophets of God in caves, hiding them from Jezebel? Legend says this is the man. Scripture does not identify him for us and it does not change the lessons from the story ... but it's interesting, don't you think?! He says the debt was most likely accumulated when Obadiah had to borrow money to feed all those men. Perhaps ...
Secondly, in the ancient Near East, the lawful custom was for creditors to conscript labor for unpaid debts. However, it was not to last forever. Exodus 21:2 "When you buy a male Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, but in the seventh he shall go out a free person, without debt." We read more of those laws in Leviticus 25: 39 - 41.
Let's consider lessons for us ... I would love to hear what yours are! What appears to me is:
1. Elisha is ready to help this marginalized woman. He reflects the heart of God because Jehovah is always concerned about those who are the "least" in their world. Another reading from Exodus says: Exodus 22: 22 - 23 "You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry". Jesus himself continually reached out to those His society had no use for ... those who were expendable. In the New Testament letters, James says "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27) Yes, Elisha was ready to help. Am I? Are you? Keep eyes open for the "least" that God places in your path. And respond.
2. I love that this woman was to use what she had. God could have made pots appear in her house. God could have made FULL pots appear in her house. But there is value is using what is in our hands. What has God given you? What is in your hand? What resources? What talents? What spiritual gifts? Will God's work be done with or without you? Yes ... it will. However, you will miss the thrill of participating with God in His miraculous work! Don't miss it!! Offer what you have ... and watch God multiply and supply.
3. Did you wonder why the closed door? I wonder about the significance of that little fact. Perhaps that is no significance ... but I can hear Jesus saying "When you pray, go into our room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:6) There is intimacy in the closed door. This woman cannot credit Elisha with this provision ... it is from God ... it happened behind a closed door with no one else there. It is the same with you and I as we take our needs to God. Sometimes He will use another person to meet a need but the work of faith and the work of peace and the decision for obedience is first done "behind the closed door".
Have you spent time "behind the closed door" with your God today?
March 26, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 8, Day 3
Today's reading: 2 Kings 3: 1 - 25
Three kings together to wage war against Moab. Why? Israel seems to be weakening as a national presence in the region and Mesha, the king of Moab, decided to take advantage of the situation. He stops paying tribute. Joram, king of Israel, recruits the help of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. King of Edom probably doesn't have much choice since Edom is subject to Judah at this time. After 7 days of marching in the wilderness, the water is gone. Desperation sets in.
Two responses to crisis. We have seen them before. We have experienced both in our own lives. This passage gives us a clear picture of the human response to difficulty. Joram blames God. Isn't it interesting that this king who does not worship God - he is a Baal and a calf worshiper - blames God. It is so like us ... to blame God when things go awry in our lives.
In contrast to this response we see Jehoshaphat desiring wisdom from God. He wants to inquire of the Lord. It may be a bit after the fact. We do not have record of any consultation with the Lord and/or His prophets before the campaign began. However, that is quite like us as well. Have you ever forged forward with a plan ... only to hit a wall down the path ... and then decided to seek God's wisdom? I'm getting better about asking first. Praying first. Are you?
God does speak to them through Elisha - out of respect for Jehoshaphat, not Joram. And He reveals His plan for their victory over Moab. I wish I could know what the words from the mouth of Joram were when he heard the instructions. I wonder if he argued. I wonder if said it was a stupid thing to do. I wonder if he complied because the other two kings gave him no option and no voice. We don't know. What we do know is that the instructions from God were followed. Dig ditches ... all over the valley floor. Make space for the water that was going to come. And the water came.
Again we see the hand of God responding to the obedience of people.
Three kings together to wage war against Moab. Why? Israel seems to be weakening as a national presence in the region and Mesha, the king of Moab, decided to take advantage of the situation. He stops paying tribute. Joram, king of Israel, recruits the help of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. King of Edom probably doesn't have much choice since Edom is subject to Judah at this time. After 7 days of marching in the wilderness, the water is gone. Desperation sets in.
Two responses to crisis. We have seen them before. We have experienced both in our own lives. This passage gives us a clear picture of the human response to difficulty. Joram blames God. Isn't it interesting that this king who does not worship God - he is a Baal and a calf worshiper - blames God. It is so like us ... to blame God when things go awry in our lives.
In contrast to this response we see Jehoshaphat desiring wisdom from God. He wants to inquire of the Lord. It may be a bit after the fact. We do not have record of any consultation with the Lord and/or His prophets before the campaign began. However, that is quite like us as well. Have you ever forged forward with a plan ... only to hit a wall down the path ... and then decided to seek God's wisdom? I'm getting better about asking first. Praying first. Are you?
God does speak to them through Elisha - out of respect for Jehoshaphat, not Joram. And He reveals His plan for their victory over Moab. I wish I could know what the words from the mouth of Joram were when he heard the instructions. I wonder if he argued. I wonder if said it was a stupid thing to do. I wonder if he complied because the other two kings gave him no option and no voice. We don't know. What we do know is that the instructions from God were followed. Dig ditches ... all over the valley floor. Make space for the water that was going to come. And the water came.
Again we see the hand of God responding to the obedience of people.
Trust ............................................. and obey.
Trust ............................................. and obey.
Where are you needing to trust, and obey the word of the Lord in your own life right now?
Casandra ends her lesson this week with the following statement. Read it slowly, carefully, thoughtfully ... and place your circumstances in the middle of it ...
We need to learn to measure our problems and struggles not against our own strength,
but against the power and might of our God.
March 24, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 8, Day 2
Today read the strange encounter found in 2 Kings 2: 23 - 25. As you read, remember that Elisha is being confirmed as God's resident spokesperson and prophet in Israel.
To understand this very strange encounter, there are a couple of the words that we need to get a clear picture of.
The first is the word translated "youths" (NIV). The way we use this word in modern English indicates a kid. That is not the Hebrew word. In fact, this is the same word used in Genesis 41:46 describing Joseph and he is 30 years old at the time. So to try and understand these verses, we need to understand that we are reading about a gang of men, probably middle years rather than old. It is a large gang ... 42 of them are mauled and that seems to read as if that was not all of them.
The second word is the one translated "jeered" (NIV). This word is also translated "mocked" in the Old Testament. It is prideful derision. This is not an incidence of middle-school boys being stupid and name-calling. It is much more serious than that. Their words reek with rebellion. Their words echo blasphemy.
In the book of Habakkuk, God describes the Babylonians with these words ...
"that ruthless and impetuous people ... they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor ... they fly like a vulture swooping to devour ... they all come bent on violence ... they deride kings and scoff (our same word!) at rulers ... guilty men whose own strength is their god." (from Habakkuk 1: 6 - 11) These "youths" coming out against Elisha were not just teasing!
That helps me get a better sense of what is going on in these verses. And derision against Jehovah God will not go on forever. God stops this instance ... dramatically!
There is an interesting passage in Leviticus 26. The chapter is all about rewards for obedience and punishments for disobedience. Then tucked away in verses 21 - 22 ... "If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve. I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted." It proved very literal for these men!
Lessons for us? My attitude toward God MATTERS! There is no room in my heart for any seeds of disrespect or dishonor toward God. Now, take it further. My attitude toward God's people MATTERS! There is no room in my heart for any disrespect or dishonor toward God's people. That piece is harder, isn't it? What about those with whom you disagree? What about them? What about those you just don't like? What about them?
Close your reflection time today with 1 Peter 2:17
To understand this very strange encounter, there are a couple of the words that we need to get a clear picture of.
The first is the word translated "youths" (NIV). The way we use this word in modern English indicates a kid. That is not the Hebrew word. In fact, this is the same word used in Genesis 41:46 describing Joseph and he is 30 years old at the time. So to try and understand these verses, we need to understand that we are reading about a gang of men, probably middle years rather than old. It is a large gang ... 42 of them are mauled and that seems to read as if that was not all of them.
The second word is the one translated "jeered" (NIV). This word is also translated "mocked" in the Old Testament. It is prideful derision. This is not an incidence of middle-school boys being stupid and name-calling. It is much more serious than that. Their words reek with rebellion. Their words echo blasphemy.
In the book of Habakkuk, God describes the Babylonians with these words ...
"that ruthless and impetuous people ... they are a law to themselves and promote their own honor ... they fly like a vulture swooping to devour ... they all come bent on violence ... they deride kings and scoff (our same word!) at rulers ... guilty men whose own strength is their god." (from Habakkuk 1: 6 - 11) These "youths" coming out against Elisha were not just teasing!
That helps me get a better sense of what is going on in these verses. And derision against Jehovah God will not go on forever. God stops this instance ... dramatically!
There is an interesting passage in Leviticus 26. The chapter is all about rewards for obedience and punishments for disobedience. Then tucked away in verses 21 - 22 ... "If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve. I will send wild animals against you, and they will rob you of your children, destroy your cattle and make you so few in number that your roads will be deserted." It proved very literal for these men!
Lessons for us? My attitude toward God MATTERS! There is no room in my heart for any seeds of disrespect or dishonor toward God. Now, take it further. My attitude toward God's people MATTERS! There is no room in my heart for any disrespect or dishonor toward God's people. That piece is harder, isn't it? What about those with whom you disagree? What about them? What about those you just don't like? What about them?
Close your reflection time today with 1 Peter 2:17
Show proper respect to everyone:
Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
This leads me into prayer ... for forgiveness ... for wisdom ... for God's eyes and Spirit to direct my relationships with His people ... in all their variety of form and style ... in all their variety of opinion and thought! Join me?
March 22, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 8, Day 1
Read 2 Kings 2: 19 - 22.
Elijah has gone in a "flaming chariot" into the heavens and was seen no more. This particular human being, this man "just like us", was extraordinarily spared walking through physical death. And we left Elisha holding Elijah's mantle and commission to the work of God's prophet and spokesperson to Israel. We know God has honored the request for this "double portion" of His spirit to rest on Elisha ... first sign of that? Elisha parted the waters of the Jordan and walked on dry land!
These verses we read today happen most likely soon after because he is still is the region of Jericho. The men who come to him with the problem are from Jericho. The problem? Bad water in the springs of the area were resulting in unfruitfulness. This unfruitfulness seems to be two-fold. The land is unproductive. The interesting piece is that the word for "unfruitful" is the Hebrew word shakol. This word means barren, or childless, or miscarriage. So it seems that the women of Jericho suffered much from inability to carry or take pregnancy to completion. Nothing is thriving in Jericho. These men, maybe the elders or leaders, of the city bring the problem to Elisha.
A new bowl and salt? And God does a miracle through His prophet. I think there is symbolism that we can benefit from. Consider ...
1. A new bowl ... God is going to do a new work. I think the new bowl symbolizes that fact. After all, Jericho was under a curse. Back in the days of Joshua, when the Israelites were victorious over Jericho, he pronounced a curse on that city. (Joshua 6:26) We revisited that a few weeks ago when we were in 1 Kings 16:24. Well ... God is about to do a new thing. That curse is going to be lifted. A new work requires newness. Lessons? Don't be afraid of new things. Jesus said "No one sews a patch of unshrink cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Matthew 9: 14 - 17) Each generation brings new things to the table of the practice of religion. YES - hang everything beside the plumb line of scripture. But if a new thing hangs straight ... don't be afraid of newness. Celebrate it!
2. Salt. I would not have chosen salt to put in water to make it better. As He does so often, God uses a method that we would not choose - things that make no sense to us. Salt in Elisha's day was a precious commodity - useful for preservation. But there is more to it than that. In Leviticus 2:13, God says to this fledgling people just out of slavery, "Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings." And God directs Elisha to dump it in the spring! Can you hear Jesus saying centuries later, "You are the salt of the earth"? Our world needs us ... dumped in - all the way - permeating every aspect of this crazy, dark, mixed-up world. Be salt.
And a miracle happened. God purified that water. The writer of 2 Kings said that it was still good when he wrote the book. It is still good in 2010. Elisha's Spring outside Ain es-Sultan (the site of Jericho) is still sweet water. If you travel there ... taste it! You see, when God purifies something ... it is PURE!
Close today by letting 1 John 1:7 settle into your inner self ...
"If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."
Elijah has gone in a "flaming chariot" into the heavens and was seen no more. This particular human being, this man "just like us", was extraordinarily spared walking through physical death. And we left Elisha holding Elijah's mantle and commission to the work of God's prophet and spokesperson to Israel. We know God has honored the request for this "double portion" of His spirit to rest on Elisha ... first sign of that? Elisha parted the waters of the Jordan and walked on dry land!
These verses we read today happen most likely soon after because he is still is the region of Jericho. The men who come to him with the problem are from Jericho. The problem? Bad water in the springs of the area were resulting in unfruitfulness. This unfruitfulness seems to be two-fold. The land is unproductive. The interesting piece is that the word for "unfruitful" is the Hebrew word shakol. This word means barren, or childless, or miscarriage. So it seems that the women of Jericho suffered much from inability to carry or take pregnancy to completion. Nothing is thriving in Jericho. These men, maybe the elders or leaders, of the city bring the problem to Elisha.
A new bowl and salt? And God does a miracle through His prophet. I think there is symbolism that we can benefit from. Consider ...
1. A new bowl ... God is going to do a new work. I think the new bowl symbolizes that fact. After all, Jericho was under a curse. Back in the days of Joshua, when the Israelites were victorious over Jericho, he pronounced a curse on that city. (Joshua 6:26) We revisited that a few weeks ago when we were in 1 Kings 16:24. Well ... God is about to do a new thing. That curse is going to be lifted. A new work requires newness. Lessons? Don't be afraid of new things. Jesus said "No one sews a patch of unshrink cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Matthew 9: 14 - 17) Each generation brings new things to the table of the practice of religion. YES - hang everything beside the plumb line of scripture. But if a new thing hangs straight ... don't be afraid of newness. Celebrate it!
2. Salt. I would not have chosen salt to put in water to make it better. As He does so often, God uses a method that we would not choose - things that make no sense to us. Salt in Elisha's day was a precious commodity - useful for preservation. But there is more to it than that. In Leviticus 2:13, God says to this fledgling people just out of slavery, "Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings." And God directs Elisha to dump it in the spring! Can you hear Jesus saying centuries later, "You are the salt of the earth"? Our world needs us ... dumped in - all the way - permeating every aspect of this crazy, dark, mixed-up world. Be salt.
And a miracle happened. God purified that water. The writer of 2 Kings said that it was still good when he wrote the book. It is still good in 2010. Elisha's Spring outside Ain es-Sultan (the site of Jericho) is still sweet water. If you travel there ... taste it! You see, when God purifies something ... it is PURE!
Close today by letting 1 John 1:7 settle into your inner self ...
"If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."
And when God purifies ... it is PURE!
March 17, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 7, Day 3
Read again 2 Kings 2: 1 - 18, slowing down in verses 10 - 18.
Elijah is convinced of the commitment, determination and dedication of Elisha. Therefore, he asks Elisha what else can he do for him before he is taken from this earth. And Elisha asks for a "double portion of Elijah's spirit". What is he asking for?
The Hebrew word for spirit is ruah. "In Old Testament terms, the ruah is not an individual soul or spirit. Rather, it is the creative energy of God." (The Renovare' Spiritual Formation Bible) It is sometimes translated 'wind'. This is the same word used in Genesis 1: 1 - 2 which says, "The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." It is that creative 'wind' that broods over the waters of chaos.
Psalm 104: 29 - 30 says, "When you take away their breath (ruah), they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit (ruah), they are created and you renew the face of the earth." Ruah is the very breath of life.
It seems that Elisha recognizes this energizing spirit in Elijah and knows it is the life of God. And so he asks for it - only in a double portion.
Before Jesus left this earth, He told His disciples "Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:4-5) In Acts 2, on the day of the Pentecost celebration in Jerusalem, this gift from the Father was realized. Do you remember the sound that accompanied the gift? A rushing wind! The creative wind that broods over the waters of our chaos. Peter preaches powerfully to the multitude that gathered that day - miraculously empowered by the spirit. As the crowd reacts to his words Peter says, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39)
Elijah is convinced of the commitment, determination and dedication of Elisha. Therefore, he asks Elisha what else can he do for him before he is taken from this earth. And Elisha asks for a "double portion of Elijah's spirit". What is he asking for?
The Hebrew word for spirit is ruah. "In Old Testament terms, the ruah is not an individual soul or spirit. Rather, it is the creative energy of God." (The Renovare' Spiritual Formation Bible) It is sometimes translated 'wind'. This is the same word used in Genesis 1: 1 - 2 which says, "The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." It is that creative 'wind' that broods over the waters of chaos.
Psalm 104: 29 - 30 says, "When you take away their breath (ruah), they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit (ruah), they are created and you renew the face of the earth." Ruah is the very breath of life.
It seems that Elisha recognizes this energizing spirit in Elijah and knows it is the life of God. And so he asks for it - only in a double portion.
Before Jesus left this earth, He told His disciples "Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:4-5) In Acts 2, on the day of the Pentecost celebration in Jerusalem, this gift from the Father was realized. Do you remember the sound that accompanied the gift? A rushing wind! The creative wind that broods over the waters of our chaos. Peter preaches powerfully to the multitude that gathered that day - miraculously empowered by the spirit. As the crowd reacts to his words Peter says, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39)
Elisha witnessed the difference it made in a life to have this spirit of God, the very breath and life of God, flowing through a human being. Have you witness that miracle? Have you experienced that miracle? If you belong to Christ and answer "no" to those questions ... then I must ask, Why not?!
Perhaps it is time ... even past time ... for you, for me to ask for a double portion. Perhaps it is time ... even past time ... for the church to ask for a double portion. However, as I think on these things ... the issue is not getting more of the Spirit of God ... the issue is surrendering myself more fully so that the Spirit of God is free to work in and through my life.
I want to be like Elisha today. Lord, show me how to be more for You. How to have more of You. How to be more of Your woman in my little world today. Give me You ...
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 7, Day 2
Today, read 2 Kings 2: 1 - 18.
The prophetic ministry to Israel is passing from Elijah to Elisha. So we are witnesses in this passage of Elijah's final training mission with Elisha. The final tests of readiness and commitment. Did you wonder why Elijah seemed to be trying to shake Elisha loose? I suspect it was a commitment test. After all, Elijah knew first hand the difficulty of being God's spokesperson in a country as idolatrous and rebellious as Israel was at that time. Elisha would have to be fully sold out to the task. And Elisha is. He repeatedly tells his mentor that he will not leave him. It reminds me of the cartoon of the chicken and the pig discussing giving breakfast to the farm family. The pig's comment: "Fine for you to offer. For you it is a gift. For me it is total commitment!" For Elisha ... it was total commitment.
Today, let's learn from the geography in this chapter. If you are keeping a notebook, list the 4 geographical sites mentioned. They begin in Gilgal (v.1) - go on to Bethel (v 2) - next to Jericho (v. 4) - and finally to the Jordan River (v. 6) I believe that Elijah chose these particular locales because of their significance in Israel's history. Remember ...
1. Gilgal (Joshua 4: 19 - 5:12) Such an important place! It marks the first camp that was set up on the Promised Land side of the Jordan. It is where the first monument was established in the Promised Land. What was the monument for? "So that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God." (Joshua 4:24) This is the location where circumcision was re-instituted as the sign of the covenant between God and this people. This is where the manna was stopped because now they could eat the produce of Canaan. Gilgal was the place to remember covenant - to remember the powerful deliverance of God. Do you have any memorial stones in your life? The moments or events that point you to a mighty God? Visit them often! Go to your own Gilgal.
2. On to Bethel. We are first introduced to this locale with the patriarch, Jacob. (Genesis 28:10-22) Jacob is running away from home because his brother is out to kill him. Why? Jacob stole his birthright - the privilege of the first born. Jacob is scared, alone and isolated. It was in Bethel that God appeared to him in a dream ... a dream of a ladder opening up into heaven. God reminded Jacob of the covenant that God had made with Abraham, his grandfather. God reconfirmed His promises to Jacob at Bethel. He reminded Jacob that He, the LORD, was indeed still the God of Jacob. Do you ever need those reminders? Do you ever doubt God's promises are for you? Do you struggle with believing God when bad things happen in your life? Or when God's time frame and yours do not match? Go to Bethel.
3. Next stop was Jericho. (Joshua 5: 13 - 6:27) This is the site where the Israelites learned, Joshua learned, beyond a shadow of doubt, that God is a holy God. The is the site where the Israelites learned beyond a shadow of doubt, that God fights for His people. What are you doing battle with right now? Are you remembering the holiness of your God? Are you remembering to show honor and worship to Him? Remember Jericho.
4. Finally, Elijah goes with Elisha to the Jordan River. (Joshua 3) This was the place of cross-over. This was the entrance point into Canaan for the Israelites. They had to trust God to step into that flood-swollen river! But when they did trust ... when they did obey ... those waters parted and they walked across on dry ground. God will make a way - always. He goes before and behind us. Will you trust Him with your life and your circumstances? That's the message of the Jordan.
Apply each of these locations to your own life right now.
The prophetic ministry to Israel is passing from Elijah to Elisha. So we are witnesses in this passage of Elijah's final training mission with Elisha. The final tests of readiness and commitment. Did you wonder why Elijah seemed to be trying to shake Elisha loose? I suspect it was a commitment test. After all, Elijah knew first hand the difficulty of being God's spokesperson in a country as idolatrous and rebellious as Israel was at that time. Elisha would have to be fully sold out to the task. And Elisha is. He repeatedly tells his mentor that he will not leave him. It reminds me of the cartoon of the chicken and the pig discussing giving breakfast to the farm family. The pig's comment: "Fine for you to offer. For you it is a gift. For me it is total commitment!" For Elisha ... it was total commitment.
Today, let's learn from the geography in this chapter. If you are keeping a notebook, list the 4 geographical sites mentioned. They begin in Gilgal (v.1) - go on to Bethel (v 2) - next to Jericho (v. 4) - and finally to the Jordan River (v. 6) I believe that Elijah chose these particular locales because of their significance in Israel's history. Remember ...
1. Gilgal (Joshua 4: 19 - 5:12) Such an important place! It marks the first camp that was set up on the Promised Land side of the Jordan. It is where the first monument was established in the Promised Land. What was the monument for? "So that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God." (Joshua 4:24) This is the location where circumcision was re-instituted as the sign of the covenant between God and this people. This is where the manna was stopped because now they could eat the produce of Canaan. Gilgal was the place to remember covenant - to remember the powerful deliverance of God. Do you have any memorial stones in your life? The moments or events that point you to a mighty God? Visit them often! Go to your own Gilgal.
2. On to Bethel. We are first introduced to this locale with the patriarch, Jacob. (Genesis 28:10-22) Jacob is running away from home because his brother is out to kill him. Why? Jacob stole his birthright - the privilege of the first born. Jacob is scared, alone and isolated. It was in Bethel that God appeared to him in a dream ... a dream of a ladder opening up into heaven. God reminded Jacob of the covenant that God had made with Abraham, his grandfather. God reconfirmed His promises to Jacob at Bethel. He reminded Jacob that He, the LORD, was indeed still the God of Jacob. Do you ever need those reminders? Do you ever doubt God's promises are for you? Do you struggle with believing God when bad things happen in your life? Or when God's time frame and yours do not match? Go to Bethel.
3. Next stop was Jericho. (Joshua 5: 13 - 6:27) This is the site where the Israelites learned, Joshua learned, beyond a shadow of doubt, that God is a holy God. The is the site where the Israelites learned beyond a shadow of doubt, that God fights for His people. What are you doing battle with right now? Are you remembering the holiness of your God? Are you remembering to show honor and worship to Him? Remember Jericho.
4. Finally, Elijah goes with Elisha to the Jordan River. (Joshua 3) This was the place of cross-over. This was the entrance point into Canaan for the Israelites. They had to trust God to step into that flood-swollen river! But when they did trust ... when they did obey ... those waters parted and they walked across on dry ground. God will make a way - always. He goes before and behind us. Will you trust Him with your life and your circumstances? That's the message of the Jordan.
Apply each of these locations to your own life right now.
Gilgal: Surrender again to your covenant with God today.
Bethel: Believe the promises of our Faithful God.
Jericho: Worship the holiness of God and allow Him to be the general in your battles.
Jordan River: When God says, step out ... do it. Trusting ...
March 15, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 7, Day 1
Our lesson this week is from 2 Kings 1:1 - 2:18.
Today ... read 2 Kings 1.
We learn at the end of 1 Kings 22 that Ahaziah, son of Ahab, takes the throne at his father's death. How we wish he had learned something from Ahab's end of life repentance. But it does not seem so. He steps into the path of idolatry, of arrogance, of following the Baals that had been modeled for him by his parents all of his life. (Learn that lesson well!) Israel as a nation is weakening on the world scene. Moab rebels against its subjugation to Israel. And King Ahaziah has a serious fall that threatens his very life. Crisis all around!
Question - what was the last crisis that hit you or your family and when was it? Or are you in the midst of a crisis right now? Ahaziah is in crisis.
Crisis in our lives offers opportunities for reflection, for re commitment, sometimes for repentance. At the least, they cause us to stop dead in our tracks and look around. I have a young friend that has just lost his sister - shouldn't have, too soon, no rational reason. Crisis. I have a brother who buried a daughter a season ago - excellent mountain climber, caught in an avalanche, tragedy. Crisis. I have a friend who lost her eyesight as an adult - unfair, now dependent. Crisis. I can go on. But you can make your own list. Crisis hits - never expected, always harsh and cruel. What do you do ...
We have 2 negative illustrations in this chapter - 2 examples of what NOT to do when crisis sinks its talons into your skin and life.
1. Don't run for advice from the wrong sources. Ahaziah sends messengers to seek the counsel from Baal-zebub ... not the God of Israel ... the god of the Philistines. What foolishness! Has he learned nothing from his mother and father's experiences and their deaths? Obviously not. When crisis comes into your life, seek counsel from the true and living God - through His Word, through those who trust in Jehovah, the living Way, Truth and Life.
2. Be careful about your own anger. It will tend to lash out ... watch out where it lashes! Ahaziah lashes out in vindictive anger against Elijah - the one who delivered the message from God. And his anger was brutal. He wanted to kill - to destroy. When crisis comes into your life, know that anger will come. Be ready for it so that there will be no uncontrolled lashing out at those closest to you - particularly little children!
The chapter closes with King Ahaziah's death. This is all we know of him. We do learn some things from this king ... but the learning is from the negative side, the warning side. May our legacies have more positive examples than negative ones!
Today ... read 2 Kings 1.
We learn at the end of 1 Kings 22 that Ahaziah, son of Ahab, takes the throne at his father's death. How we wish he had learned something from Ahab's end of life repentance. But it does not seem so. He steps into the path of idolatry, of arrogance, of following the Baals that had been modeled for him by his parents all of his life. (Learn that lesson well!) Israel as a nation is weakening on the world scene. Moab rebels against its subjugation to Israel. And King Ahaziah has a serious fall that threatens his very life. Crisis all around!
Question - what was the last crisis that hit you or your family and when was it? Or are you in the midst of a crisis right now? Ahaziah is in crisis.
Crisis in our lives offers opportunities for reflection, for re commitment, sometimes for repentance. At the least, they cause us to stop dead in our tracks and look around. I have a young friend that has just lost his sister - shouldn't have, too soon, no rational reason. Crisis. I have a brother who buried a daughter a season ago - excellent mountain climber, caught in an avalanche, tragedy. Crisis. I have a friend who lost her eyesight as an adult - unfair, now dependent. Crisis. I can go on. But you can make your own list. Crisis hits - never expected, always harsh and cruel. What do you do ...
We have 2 negative illustrations in this chapter - 2 examples of what NOT to do when crisis sinks its talons into your skin and life.
1. Don't run for advice from the wrong sources. Ahaziah sends messengers to seek the counsel from Baal-zebub ... not the God of Israel ... the god of the Philistines. What foolishness! Has he learned nothing from his mother and father's experiences and their deaths? Obviously not. When crisis comes into your life, seek counsel from the true and living God - through His Word, through those who trust in Jehovah, the living Way, Truth and Life.
2. Be careful about your own anger. It will tend to lash out ... watch out where it lashes! Ahaziah lashes out in vindictive anger against Elijah - the one who delivered the message from God. And his anger was brutal. He wanted to kill - to destroy. When crisis comes into your life, know that anger will come. Be ready for it so that there will be no uncontrolled lashing out at those closest to you - particularly little children!
The chapter closes with King Ahaziah's death. This is all we know of him. We do learn some things from this king ... but the learning is from the negative side, the warning side. May our legacies have more positive examples than negative ones!
March 12, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 6, Day 3
1 Kings 21
Today our focus is on verses 17 - 26
I would love to know what stood out to you as you read this chapter. Was it Ahab's 2 year old fit because he did not get his way? Was it Jezebel's willingness to do whatever it took to get what she wanted - even at the cost of a man's life? Was it the way she followed the "letter of the law" by calling a fast, by honoring the requirement of 2 witnesses even as she plotted with nothing less than evil intent? Was it sobering to you to see that Naboth's physical life was not protected? There is much drama in these events!
God calls Elijah back into action to confront King Ahab. God is still trying to reach this king. He is still trying to call Ahab back into relationship with Him. Amazing. But that is our God - ever desirous of His people's hearts! Did you notice that Ahab is held accountable for Naboth's life even though he was not specifically the one to set it all up? He can't say "She made me do it" before God. By the way, neither can we pass blame for our sin on to others. Ahab seems to have reached a point in his life when the pronouncement of his doom is finally heard. And he is humbled. He repents. He "went around meekly" (verse 27). The lesson that screams off the pages to me is "Do not be slow to repentance!" God has called out to Ahab on numerous occasions - we have read many of them in this study. Why did it take him so long to respond? What keeps us from responding when we hear a message from God? Have you ever experienced a conviction in a sermon, or a lesson, or from a friend? Did you ignore? Did you bury it - deciding that the things of God are really not all that pressing? What a warning we have from this king! My friends, respond now. Turn now.
Ahab repents and God relents. The consequences for his sin will still be experienced ... but God honors the repentance of this wicked king. I gave up on Ahab several chapters ago! He was a hopeless case in my mind. But God is relentless in His pursuit of His people. Would you have still tried to reach out to Ahab? Now ... are there people in your sphere of influence that you have written off, given up on? That is the lesson that I see for me. NEVER give up on people. NEVER give up on that family member that seems so impossibly far from God. NEVER give up on that one-time friend that has abandoned his/her relationship with God. NEVER give up. Continue to pray ... continue to reach out when you can ... continue to pray ... continue to pray.
How do we shine in this dark world? We never give up on people. That fact alone will make you stand out from the masses in our world. People matter. People have value - all people. Commit with me today ... I will not give up on ___________ (fill in your blank!) In fact, stop and take that person to prayer right now. That one matters!
Today our focus is on verses 17 - 26
I would love to know what stood out to you as you read this chapter. Was it Ahab's 2 year old fit because he did not get his way? Was it Jezebel's willingness to do whatever it took to get what she wanted - even at the cost of a man's life? Was it the way she followed the "letter of the law" by calling a fast, by honoring the requirement of 2 witnesses even as she plotted with nothing less than evil intent? Was it sobering to you to see that Naboth's physical life was not protected? There is much drama in these events!
God calls Elijah back into action to confront King Ahab. God is still trying to reach this king. He is still trying to call Ahab back into relationship with Him. Amazing. But that is our God - ever desirous of His people's hearts! Did you notice that Ahab is held accountable for Naboth's life even though he was not specifically the one to set it all up? He can't say "She made me do it" before God. By the way, neither can we pass blame for our sin on to others. Ahab seems to have reached a point in his life when the pronouncement of his doom is finally heard. And he is humbled. He repents. He "went around meekly" (verse 27). The lesson that screams off the pages to me is "Do not be slow to repentance!" God has called out to Ahab on numerous occasions - we have read many of them in this study. Why did it take him so long to respond? What keeps us from responding when we hear a message from God? Have you ever experienced a conviction in a sermon, or a lesson, or from a friend? Did you ignore? Did you bury it - deciding that the things of God are really not all that pressing? What a warning we have from this king! My friends, respond now. Turn now.
Ahab repents and God relents. The consequences for his sin will still be experienced ... but God honors the repentance of this wicked king. I gave up on Ahab several chapters ago! He was a hopeless case in my mind. But God is relentless in His pursuit of His people. Would you have still tried to reach out to Ahab? Now ... are there people in your sphere of influence that you have written off, given up on? That is the lesson that I see for me. NEVER give up on people. NEVER give up on that family member that seems so impossibly far from God. NEVER give up on that one-time friend that has abandoned his/her relationship with God. NEVER give up. Continue to pray ... continue to reach out when you can ... continue to pray ... continue to pray.
How do we shine in this dark world? We never give up on people. That fact alone will make you stand out from the masses in our world. People matter. People have value - all people. Commit with me today ... I will not give up on ___________ (fill in your blank!) In fact, stop and take that person to prayer right now. That one matters!
March 11, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 6, Day 2
We are in 1 Kings 21 and our focus today is verses 4 - 16. Read through them again and then come back ...
My question for us today: Are you, am I, an "Ahab"? We may quickly shout out "NO!" I am not an overt idolater. I do not ignore the Word of God. I do not seek to kill anybody - much less a prophet from God. I am not a king or in any way politically powerful. However, do I ever sulk when I don't get my way? Ahab did ...
Are you prone to pouting when you don't get your way? I suspect that most of us will have to admit to that tendency. It begins in early childhood ... and I fear that we carry the it into adulthood. It happens when we are disappointed. And so we pout ... we feel sorry for ourselves ... we sulk ... we throw a personal, private, pity party for ourselves. So did Ahab ...
Examine yourself. How do you respond to the disappointments in your life? The dictionary definition of "disappoint": to fail to satisfy the hopes or expectations; leave unsatisfied.
Every one of us, at some point, must deal with disappointment - when something does not go the way we planned or when we do not get something (or someone) that we want. What to do.
1. Acknowledge it aloud to God. Tell Him what the disappointment is, how it feels to you and what your expectation was. This is done through prayer. But, be brutally honest! It's important so that you hear the words yourself.
2. Hear the Lord say to you, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9) That is the way that God responded to Paul when he was mightily disappointed over a denied healing. God's grace was sufficient for Paul ... and it is sufficient for you and I.
3. Recognize the role our culture has played in defining satisfaction for us. Then hear the words of Psalm 90:14 "Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." God's unfailing love for you is THE source of satisfaction.
4. Praise the Lord. Read aloud before Him the words of Psalm 103: 1 - 5:
My question for us today: Are you, am I, an "Ahab"? We may quickly shout out "NO!" I am not an overt idolater. I do not ignore the Word of God. I do not seek to kill anybody - much less a prophet from God. I am not a king or in any way politically powerful. However, do I ever sulk when I don't get my way? Ahab did ...
Are you prone to pouting when you don't get your way? I suspect that most of us will have to admit to that tendency. It begins in early childhood ... and I fear that we carry the it into adulthood. It happens when we are disappointed. And so we pout ... we feel sorry for ourselves ... we sulk ... we throw a personal, private, pity party for ourselves. So did Ahab ...
Examine yourself. How do you respond to the disappointments in your life? The dictionary definition of "disappoint": to fail to satisfy the hopes or expectations; leave unsatisfied.
Every one of us, at some point, must deal with disappointment - when something does not go the way we planned or when we do not get something (or someone) that we want. What to do.
1. Acknowledge it aloud to God. Tell Him what the disappointment is, how it feels to you and what your expectation was. This is done through prayer. But, be brutally honest! It's important so that you hear the words yourself.
2. Hear the Lord say to you, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:9) That is the way that God responded to Paul when he was mightily disappointed over a denied healing. God's grace was sufficient for Paul ... and it is sufficient for you and I.
3. Recognize the role our culture has played in defining satisfaction for us. Then hear the words of Psalm 90:14 "Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." God's unfailing love for you is THE source of satisfaction.
4. Praise the Lord. Read aloud before Him the words of Psalm 103: 1 - 5:
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits -
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Jack Hayford says that the most important way to deal with disappointment is to change the "d" at the beginning of the word to an "h". And 'disappointment' becomes 'His appointment' for you. Hayford says to do that ... "Then, stand still and watch Him keep His appointment with your destiny." No pouting, no pity ... instead, praise.
March 10, 2010
A Light in the Darkness: Lesson 6, Day1
Our lesson this week is 1 Kings 21. If you are following along in the Casandra Martin study guide, we are in Lesson 6.
I must begin our week with an apology for the lack of continuation in our study last week. My daughter got married last weekend and my week was a whirlwind of activity, preparation, family and friends. I am a strong believer in prayer. If you are as well, send up a prayer for this new marriage that was created before God last Saturday night ... for their union to bring glory to God and for them to "shine" as Christ followers in this dark world. And I thank you!
As we return to our study, our focus today will be on 1 Kings 19: 1 - 3. We are introduced to a man, Naboth. This is the only place we have record of this man. I see a powerful lesson emerge from this brief encounter. King Ahab offers him a good deal - either a better field in a trade or money for his existing field. Sounds like a great offer ... however ...
First, Naboth understood that "land" for an Israelite was more than just property. It was inheritance from God. It was to stay in the tribe. It represented the promises of God. Naboth stood for what he knew to be the will of God - even before the existing king of the country. That took courage! How many times God says to His people, "Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid." I need to hear that so often! Naboth was not willing to compromise even in the face of political pressure and power. Do you ever find yourself dealing with the temptation to compromise what you know to be right? You are on common ground if you answer, yes. Are you being tempted to compromise right now? Naboth answered with, "God forbid ...". God forbid that we compromise our faith in the finished work of Jesus by thinking we can earn our way to heaven. If you are a believer, God forbid that we compromise our Christ-life by sexual immorality. God forbid that we desecrate the covenant of marriage that we made before Him. God forbid that we yield to the temptation to worship ANYTHING other than Him. God forbid that we place Him in any position other than FIRST. Learn from the courage of Naboth.
Secondly, Naboth seems to be content in his circumstances, with what he has. He could make money off this deal. But this piece of land is his inheritance from his fathers, and he rests in contentment there. Contentment seems to be such an illusive quality. In our classes on this subject, we had good discussion about the difference in contentment and apathy. They are definitely NOT the same thing.
Before Jesus began His public ministry, John the Baptist was preaching and creating quite a stir! People were flocking to him to hear his messages and to seek his wisdom. Some soldiers came to him asking what they should do. John's response was threefold - "Don't extort money, don't accuse people falsely, be content with your pay." (Luke 3:14) Paul writes to Timothy and says, "godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6). That's what we seek. That kind of contentment - not continually grasping and fighting for "more" - being at peace with God in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. The apostle Paul learned that ...
Read Philippians 4: 4 - 13.
Did you see in verse 11 that Paul said he had "learned" that? His language convinces me that this is a learned skill. We can learn it as well. But it will take practice. It does not come naturally. The question then arises: How? I believe the answer lies in these verses from Philippians.
1. Rejoice in the Lord - practice it, daily. Trace the hand of God in every day, regardless of what happens in that day.
2. Exhibit gentleness - practice it - in the way you deal with people, in the way you react to circumstances. Why? Because the Lord is near. Most of us behave better when we are in the presence of someone we greatly respect. The Lord is near. He is present.
3. Be a woman of prayer - practice it - daily - in everything - with requests - with thanksgiving. It will pull you closer to God. It will provide a release of the pressure, the tensions.
4. Watch what you "think on". Practice training your mind to look for the things Paul commends to you. Look for ... the true, the noble, the right, the pure, the lovely, the admirable, the excellent, the praiseworthy. Look for those things in your relationships and your circumstances. It takes practice. We are much more prone to critique and see the negative, the ugly, the sordid, the painful.
Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Life is a great bundle of little things."
Thomas Brooks said, "He who is not contented with little will never be satisfied with much." (Can't you see Ahab illustrating this principle?!)
Learn from Naboth and pray for a spirit of contentment to permeate your life. Your spirit will be calmer. Your husband will be grateful. Your children will learn from you. Your God will be honored!
Godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN!
I must begin our week with an apology for the lack of continuation in our study last week. My daughter got married last weekend and my week was a whirlwind of activity, preparation, family and friends. I am a strong believer in prayer. If you are as well, send up a prayer for this new marriage that was created before God last Saturday night ... for their union to bring glory to God and for them to "shine" as Christ followers in this dark world. And I thank you!
As we return to our study, our focus today will be on 1 Kings 19: 1 - 3. We are introduced to a man, Naboth. This is the only place we have record of this man. I see a powerful lesson emerge from this brief encounter. King Ahab offers him a good deal - either a better field in a trade or money for his existing field. Sounds like a great offer ... however ...
First, Naboth understood that "land" for an Israelite was more than just property. It was inheritance from God. It was to stay in the tribe. It represented the promises of God. Naboth stood for what he knew to be the will of God - even before the existing king of the country. That took courage! How many times God says to His people, "Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid." I need to hear that so often! Naboth was not willing to compromise even in the face of political pressure and power. Do you ever find yourself dealing with the temptation to compromise what you know to be right? You are on common ground if you answer, yes. Are you being tempted to compromise right now? Naboth answered with, "God forbid ...". God forbid that we compromise our faith in the finished work of Jesus by thinking we can earn our way to heaven. If you are a believer, God forbid that we compromise our Christ-life by sexual immorality. God forbid that we desecrate the covenant of marriage that we made before Him. God forbid that we yield to the temptation to worship ANYTHING other than Him. God forbid that we place Him in any position other than FIRST. Learn from the courage of Naboth.
Secondly, Naboth seems to be content in his circumstances, with what he has. He could make money off this deal. But this piece of land is his inheritance from his fathers, and he rests in contentment there. Contentment seems to be such an illusive quality. In our classes on this subject, we had good discussion about the difference in contentment and apathy. They are definitely NOT the same thing.
Before Jesus began His public ministry, John the Baptist was preaching and creating quite a stir! People were flocking to him to hear his messages and to seek his wisdom. Some soldiers came to him asking what they should do. John's response was threefold - "Don't extort money, don't accuse people falsely, be content with your pay." (Luke 3:14) Paul writes to Timothy and says, "godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6). That's what we seek. That kind of contentment - not continually grasping and fighting for "more" - being at peace with God in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. The apostle Paul learned that ...
Read Philippians 4: 4 - 13.
Did you see in verse 11 that Paul said he had "learned" that? His language convinces me that this is a learned skill. We can learn it as well. But it will take practice. It does not come naturally. The question then arises: How? I believe the answer lies in these verses from Philippians.
1. Rejoice in the Lord - practice it, daily. Trace the hand of God in every day, regardless of what happens in that day.
2. Exhibit gentleness - practice it - in the way you deal with people, in the way you react to circumstances. Why? Because the Lord is near. Most of us behave better when we are in the presence of someone we greatly respect. The Lord is near. He is present.
3. Be a woman of prayer - practice it - daily - in everything - with requests - with thanksgiving. It will pull you closer to God. It will provide a release of the pressure, the tensions.
4. Watch what you "think on". Practice training your mind to look for the things Paul commends to you. Look for ... the true, the noble, the right, the pure, the lovely, the admirable, the excellent, the praiseworthy. Look for those things in your relationships and your circumstances. It takes practice. We are much more prone to critique and see the negative, the ugly, the sordid, the painful.
Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Life is a great bundle of little things."
Thomas Brooks said, "He who is not contented with little will never be satisfied with much." (Can't you see Ahab illustrating this principle?!)
Learn from Naboth and pray for a spirit of contentment to permeate your life. Your spirit will be calmer. Your husband will be grateful. Your children will learn from you. Your God will be honored!
Godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN!
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