175 - "It was the Time Kings Go Out To War" 1 Chronicles 22

David did not join in the season and his heart is captured by his surroundings.  May we be at the right place at the right time with blinders on to this world of ours tugging at the skirts of our hearts.

Quicken my heart to be as swift a runner as this seasoned heart of David, the king after Your very own heart.  Oh God!  Change me!

" I Chronicles 22:1 shows this restored community that everything, even their failures, points them to the priority of putting Me first in their lives.  My Son made that possible.  He is your ticket to the party.  You will enjoy that hope only in the temple."  66 LL.  And where is the Temple today?  I Cor. 6:19-20 says our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  Not our own!  Bought with a price!  Therefore glorify God and worship Him alone~

"When you feel empty tomorrow, when life's troubles and disappointments continue, you will be tempted to devote more energy to making your life better than to drawing closer to Me.----- [Wait!  I feel awfully empty today wrestling with those who don't want to be in my presence]---- It is not easy to practice the priority of rebuilding the temple over rebuilding your life.  And it's difficult even to know when you're violating it."  So, what captures my energy?  Am I trying to make my life better or more concerned about drawing near to God?

"Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would. May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave..." I Chron 22:11

If we set our face like a flint.  If we surrender in sweat and tears.  If we humble ourselves to look within.  If we live in the moment not the past or future.  If we abandon control and trust braving the wind. That is so many "if's" and I can't keep them all.  All I can do is try to live courageous.  And never let fear or discouragement define my life.  Because the Lord is with us, we can build our houses and follow Him pushing through the fear and discouragement.  

 No big people and no little people in His Kingdom.  Keep the charge this day, no matter where you are.  David kept on building the temple.  Keep on keeping on building this temple in which we live---to our dying day.  For etched in David's mind was I Chronicles 22:19:  Set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God.  Arise and Build.

PHOTO:  The Gulf of Mexico where I've dropped a few tears and longed to draw closer to Him. 

174 - "Stumbling Down Paths Never Meant To Be" 1 Chronicles 20-21

I've sinned greatly by doing this.
I beg You, my God, to take away my guilt.
I have done a very foolish thing: to number my fighting men.
I Chronicles 21:8

Ownership!
Oh! That we all respond like this king of old when we stumble down paths that were never ever meant to be.  Joab tried to talk David out of numbering his fighting men.  Joab knew it was wrong; David knew it was wrong.  But, the King's word overruled his subject.  Trumped by an evil thought. Stunned by a very Good God, David responded with a swift surrendered heart.  And, it was the time when kings go out to war.  David did not join in the season and his heart is captured by his surroundings.  May we be at the right place at the right time with blinders on to this world of ours tugging at the skirts of our hearts.

DEAR GOD, PLEASE CHANGE ME IN ONE OF MY 10,000 MOMENTS IN THE SEASON WHEN KINGS GO OUT TO WAR:  Quicken my heart to be as swift a runner as this seasoned heart of David, the king after Your very own heart.  Oh God!  Change me!

PHOTO:  Sitting on the rocks. Contemplating staying where I am and letting go and not letting life run me over. 

173 - 1 Chronicles 16-17

I just sat at this riverbank to watch the metallic sun set,

and I asked this question of the God we adore:

Who am I, O Lord God, that you have brought me this far?

I Chron 17:16

I so want things to be different than they are.

I've hit a place I never expected to be.

As I sat and listened to the God Who creates out of nothing,

I heard t.h.i.s.

Hope in me, not the change in circumstance.

Live in the Mystery of My Metallic Love.

Seek the Lord and His strength;

Seek His face continually.

I Chron 16:11

Not His Hand.

His Face.
He understands.

PRAYER FROM PSALMS
Psalm 105:4 ~ Seek the Lord and His Strength.  Seek His Face.
Psalm 27:8 ~ My heart says of you, Seek His Face!
Then, Your Face will I seek.  All we have is this moment.
This new day.  This new year.  Let's start over again and never stop loving You.
No matter what pain, no matter what gain.
Psalm 24:6 ~ Such is ... the generation of those who seek Him.
So grateful to have heart friends who understand in the midst of all that blows our way.

172 - 1 Chronicles 14-15

"As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”  So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army. 1 Chron 14:15

It would seem beautiful to know that all we had to do was listen to the tops of the poplar trees.  God calls us all to faith, not sight.  Even in this text.  What did David do?  He inquired of God about the attacking Philistine army.  May that direct us in all our ways to acknowledge Him who directs our paths, our every step.  "In distress, fly to Him; when wronged appeal to Him; and when we know not what to do, ask counsel at His oracles to put ourselves under His direction and beg of Him to show us the right way."  Matthew Henry.

And may the sound in the tops of the going in the tops of the mulberry trees, direct us "to attend to God's motions both in His Providence and in the influences of His Spirit." 

171 - "The Measures of Success or The Measures of My Heart" 1 Chronicles 13

I Chronicles 13:4 The entire assembly agreed that it was the right thing to do to bring the Ark of God back.  Did the soon-to-be King listen to the people rather than his God?  God makes it known in this book that David sinned in how he worshipped his God.  His drive to do it right, to be efficient and effective was stronger than his desire to please God.  I keep thinking about how he had 300,000 eager, seasoned warriors following him to defend him and make him a king.  Verse 15 says that one of them was worth 100 lesser men; the best of them were worth a thousand.  Verse 36 says: His band of men seemed as large as God's own army. Did he struggle with pride in being able to lead all these valiant men of God?

One cannot "cave in" to the best way to carry out God's plan.  Easy to say.  David was too busy rebuilding their lives not the temple.  I find myself this very day way-too-occupied with taking care of my life and health problems.  Good health.  Good success.  Good conversation. Good health.   Good connection.  Good responses.  Good health.  Good Night!!!  "Ever since Eden, we no longer desire relationship with God on His terms above every other good."  66 LL.  Well, that's it for me.  Do I want Him more ... or is experiencing my well-being, my highest good this day?  I walk in for diagnostic tests in a few hours to see where I am with cancer this day.  "Since Eden's failure, we are all narcissists, willfully self-centered to the core, often sociably well-disguised but still obesessed more with ourselves than with anyone or anything else." 66 LL.  Have Mercy, God!  May we not claim this day the right to define our lives and write our own scripts.  "So many 'goods' seem more desireable than the good of knowing, honoring, revealing, serving, and pleasing God." 66 LL.  So what will I value this day?  I will soon find out what my goals really are by the way I live today.  My prayer for you and me---make us holy as You Are, for you are holy and we are not.

170 - "Another Counselor Comes" 1 Chronicles 12

Still waters.

Like glass.

No ripples there.

How can I learn to live still?

Don't explain life away.

Trust God in this current circumstance,

a Good God Who is working, moving, silently.

"What help came in to him in Hebron,'

 to make him king over all Israel, seven years later."

  I Chron 12:23.

David waited patiently to become king.  

He did not push for what was not his.  

And when the time came, what help was there.  

God does not leave us helpless.

But sends Another Helper.

A Counselor.

May we wait on a Mighty Presence.

An always Available Help in Present Times.

PRAYER FROM PSALMS
May we live still and wait patiently for You, O God, to act in our behalf.

169 - "Wait Patiently for The Lord" 1 Chronicles 11

This is the view out of my window

at the high school where I teach.

Seems like I'm waiting on some things to happen,

or am I waiting on God?

Thinking this night of fishermen and shepherds

who were doing what they were called to do.

Waiting on God, not on circumstances to change.

I Chron 11:3 ~ The elders of Israel came to David.  Samuel had prophesied a long time ago that David would be king.  David waited on no man to move.  David waited on God.  They crowned him at just the right time in history.  Tonight, I asked a friend about what God could possibly be doing in my life.  Her response staggered me.  Just trust in the pain.  How an we figure out God and what He is up to.  Love the truth that David lived in the present moment, not trying to figure out the best position to become a king.  Oh God, help us all find You this present hour.  

PRAYER FROM PSALMS

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way or even because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.  Rest, Bev.  God is doing you good through even t.h.i.s.  Help me, God, to see things from your perspective.  Psalm 37:7

168 - "I Want To Be Greater Than David" 1 Chronicles 9-10

The valiant men stripped Saul of his head and armor. I Chronicles 10:8.  On a mount separating two unfriendly regions. And Saul's body is hung on the fence.  No more breath. I stood there on Mount Gilboa where you can see as far as the eye stretches both east and west. I stood at the spot where they hung Saul's body. And I so wondered as I stood there what it would have been like to have a father-in-law that wreaked so much havoc on you; and I wondered what it was like to live in those days.  Did they struggle with being invisible or independent.  Did they try to manage their lives to just make things work.  And the words of Saul haunt me---you remember the dancing in the street party where the women sang to Saul and he contemplated:  "They have ascribed unto David ten thousands but to me they have ascribed thousands."  I Sam 18:6-9.  From that day and forward to his very death, Saul never dealt with what really went on in his own soul.  May I deal this day with these misgivings that plague me. I struggle with everyone having a place, a space, an ace in the hold.  Things are not that tidy for me.  May we be a people known for surrender.  May I repent of anything that is not dependence on my Lord. 

I wrestle today, my LORD, with this mantra of Saul. Someone I trusted with my heart once told me: We will see who is right by the results of your life and church growth. I didn't think it was right then nor now. We are here for your glory, not numbers and prestige. Saul wanted to be somebody better and greater than David.  Father, help me to put on the full armor of God not just a shiny armor of protection.  Clothe me in this chink that I may learn to think better than this.  Thank you for detaching us from anything that makes us want to look for credit and praise for ourselves. 

The crowd comes to Capernaum in John 6 with a calm and pleasant passage by sea.  Not so for the disciples tossed to and fro.  What can we learn from that?  John 6:26 says they found Jesus on the other side of the sea.  Christ will be found by those who seek Him.  Search for Him for more than what this crowd wanted.  One commentary says: Have more to show for your love of Christ than running after preaching and prayers and pages of affection.  This crowd wanted a show.  Christ uncovers the corrupt principles they acted on to follow Him. John 6:26. Christ knows why we do what we do. The crowd followed because Jesus fed them. Maybe some had not eaten a good meal in a good while. John 6:27 Labor for meat that endures. 

PHOTO:  Reminds me of Mount Gilboa where you could see forever.  Something contemplative about miles and miles.  Something going on in my heart where I feel invisible and have found Something far better and I was looking for the wrong thing. 

167 - "God Takes Notice of You" 1 Chronicles 7-8

    

Took a long walk tonight along these tracks behind our high school

thinking hard about life.

Wondering about these lists of people.

Wondering about my own life.

Does God notice? 

Do we go from sea to sea to follow Him?

Do we cross the river and go to the ends of the earth?

And why do we come?

Do we follow Him for loaves or love?

My life is not mine to control;

it is not for me to direct my steps.

Come Lord Jesus,

walk with us and help us leave our names on the Good List.

Disgrace.                                                                                                                                                      Idolatry.                                                                                                                                              Fruitfulness.                                                                                                                                       Faithfulness.
Men of Might. I Chron 7:2
Honorable kings.
First fathers.
Sons of Jacob.
Minglers.
Inconveniencers.
Great breaches.
Great wealth.
Strong cities.
God's Providence.
God's Promises.
Burdens carried old.
Houses of mourning.
Shattered families.
Sure promises.
Virtuous women.
Mighty militia.
Chief of princes.
Illustrious men.
Buried in oblivion.
Low ebbs in time.
Swords of injustice.
Pedigree higher
Numerous issues
One man's posterity
Covenants forever
Place in the sacred
Taken notice by God.

PHOTO:  Sauntered on these railroad tracks behind the high school where I taught. We lived a stone's throw down the tracks. So powerful when the train bursts through yet no one notices me. 

166 - "For What Do I Wait?" 1 Chronicles 6

It's terribly Quiet here at the Quarries.

For what do I wait this night?

Psalm 39:7

Do I wait for things to turn around?

I'm at the Hyde Park Track Banquet setting things up for the season awards.  By myself.

I am feeling worse as days progress.  

I hit an all-time low today. 

Here is the tribe of Levi in today's reading. I Chron 6:1. It's a long chronicled list.  Here are names we recognize astonishingly with such respect:  

Aaron and Moses---instruments in God's Hand to deliver Israel.  Faith.  Forbearance.  Foreshadowing.  Moses the Prophet.  

Aaron the Priest.  And we know them.  

And they are right next to Abihu and Nadab in the genealogy---your remember the terror they brought, the very strange fire. 

One rebuilt the temple and lived for God; the other tried to rebuild their lives---and lived for themselves.   "Devote your first energies to rebuilding the temple, not your lives." 66LL.   To the exiled but still proud community in this list, God underlined sin.  To the restored but discouraged community in this list, God aroused hope.  66LL.  

That's it, God.  Arouse my hope.  I have it. 

We come down so hard on ourselves for being discouraged, but I wonder if the real question is this---do we have hope this day?  

We are no longer exiles. 

We are living in hope. Delivered. Adopted. Beloved. 

PHOTO:  Megan and Hannah have meant so much to me over their high school career.  We are all letters written not with ink but with heart. 1 Cor 3:2.  As the ink dries on this track season, may God pass on things from our lives that matter for Eternity.

165 - "How To Win The War on Souls" 1 Chronicles 5

109 You may be a brave warrior, a famous person, or a head of a successful family---all the reasons for success in our world today. But what did you do with your soul? #60000thoughts #talkingtomyself 

                                                              

Warriors.  The Famous.  The Heads.  They all look good on paper.  But God looks at their hearts.  And He is looking at my heart and yours.  This very day.  

I may not know all the right things to win the battle but I know how to win the war on my soul.  Satan has no hand, no snatch, no grip, no clutch.  None.  May that Warrior Spirit from within rise up to fight our battles this day, forward!

I am reminded of the NT verse: What does it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? 1 Chronicles 5:24-25. "But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land."

PHOTO: Outside my classroom window of 14 years where I stopped to pray each day. I walked away from it May 2022 because of the stress of it all in a 10-hour per day job with no breaks. I have missed it way more than I dreamed but not for the reasons I left. This year has been one of the hardest years of my life. May I not ask for a thing before I utter the awe in prayer.  They were brave warriors, famous men, and heads of their families. All the measures of success in the eyes of this world.  But what did they do with their souls? 

164 - "The Annals of Eternity" 1 Chronicles 3-4, John 14

He had 19 sons.  

Some were a joy:  Solomon and Nathan (probably named after the mentor that changed his life, Natha).  

Some were a grief:  Absalom, Amnon, and Adonijah.  I Chron 3:3.  

And from this family came the Christ.  It seemed good to God.  

He uses broken people, you know.  

From one son Nathan came the Christ---hearts for God, no matter what.

From one son Solomon came kingdoms---17 descents in this family.

May our own years go down in the annals of Eternity.  

Doing what seems Good to God, for His Glory.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers... Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let your hand be with me,
and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. I Chron 4:9-10. 

Yes, the request was granted to an already honorable man---that God would intervene in a troubled man's life and reverse the painful conditions whatever they may be.  And we know, sometimes God does not reverse our conditions, for we must suffer through.

This prayer, not as lofty as most have heralded, is sandwiched in the midst of an ordinary listing. It makes alive the lives surrounding it. Makes it so personal. 

Father, I do not want to miss out on what you have as we roll through this life.  David has faced much opposition in his life already but it's about to come from his sons, now.  Nothing worse. Rejection.  Distance.  Misunderstandings.  All so hurtful.  May we find deeper love, fuller trust, greater grace.  

PHOTO:  Rolling through the Hill Country of Texas.  Oh! May we stop long enough to reflect on the Grace of Your Word.  Make our day fall into the annal of Eternity.

163 - "Draw Near to God for the Joy of Encounter before we Ask For A Thing" 1 Chronicles 1-2

 163 Utter the awe at the Divine Patience before I utter a prayer request. "May our prayers draw us nearer for the sheer joy of encounter before we ask for a thing." L. Crabb #60000thoughts #talkingtomyself

                                                                

Genealogies. What do they really mean?  In a day where the seams of my heart are ripping apart, what can I take-away from this Word of God today. 

 God put these chronicles of men in the Bible for a good reason.  Profitable to us.  That's what the Bible calls every single word. So, we should read and not skip.  Therefore, don't leave it out.  This pedigree is attached to places; these people are attached to God. The Providence of God.   Keeping up generations of men.  Preserving degenerate scores of men.  God could "ease the burden under which it groans, but the divine patience lets the trees that cumber the ground not only grow, but propagate."  .
Matthew Henry

I think it so "off" that holy people have unholy children.  But here it is.  Josiah and Jehoakah.  One generation of holiness passes ... and another generation of despicable horror ensues.  There are times, I've felt so responsible.  But, here it is.  Holiness isn't passed down like jewels.  Holiness is bought with a pearl of great price.  And John 5:28-29 says all who are in their graves will hear His Voice one day calling them to rise in resurrection, in judgment. Those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.  

"We are now come to the register of the children of Israel, that distinguished people, who were to dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations. But now, in Christ, all are welcome to his salvation who come to him; all have equal privileges according to their faith in him, their love and devotedness to him." There is no better thing than a life spent to His Glory. M. Henry

May our prayers draw us near to God for the sheer joy of encounter before we ask Him for a thing. L. Crabb

PHOTO: Outside my classroom window of 14 years where I stopped to pray each day. I walked away from it last May 2022 because of the stress of it all in a 10-hour per day job with no breaks. I have missed it this year way more than I dreamed but not for the reasons I left.  This year has been one of the hardest years of my life. May I not ask for a thing before I utter the awe in prayer. 

162 - “Stand by the Pillar and Surrender” 2 Kings 23

 

The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord

to walk after the Lord, and

to keep His commandments and His testimonies, 

and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul

to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book.

 II Kings 23:3.  

And all the people entered into the covenant.  King Josiah had just heard from his God that he could not stop the ruin of Jerusalem.  All we can deal with is what is happening in our own soul. We can lead people but we cannot make them follow God, not even our own children.  We lay them in the lap of our LORD.  We can invite, intrigue, engage, entertain in sober ways what is holy and what counts in life.  Josiah led his people to abolish idolatry, serve God in righteous living, find true repentance.  Many of those he led were compliant hypocrites who will stand before God, alone.  While Josiah could rein in the wickedness, he couldn't change their very souls.  

Judah and Jerusalem overflowed with wickedness. Would our forefathers have thought that America could do the same and evolve into such an evil place?  I grew up with broken people who never locked their doors, fearing no break-ins.  No more.  We all live behind bars and locks and gates.  In Josiah's 18 years of exemplary service, he lived from a humbled heart.  Yet, he could not change his nation.  "The records of God's word teach that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ." M.Henry

Through Passion and Passover, revival broke out under the good hand of Josiah. The Mighty Hand of God.  God rained on them His Presence, His Favor.  Josiah must have been beside himself.  But, it only lasted until the traitors cut off the life of Josiah to raise up the next king.  Evil reigns again.  And the point of the passage is t.h.i.s. ~ We must take care of our own souls to stand next to the pillars in our own lives, make a covenant, keep His Word, carry out His Words. And when we can't; when we don't; when we won't, take care of your soul and repent under the Holy Hand of a very Good God Who is always doing us good. Colossians 1:29. 

God of Jacob, such is the generation of those who seek your Face not your Hand.
May we be a generation of people who deal with what stirs in our own soul.
May we seek your Face not our own ambition, safety, personal peace.
May our decisions never be made apart from Your Face.
Psalm 24:6

Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. 2 Kings 23:16

Never before or after---a king like him---yet his own son, Jehoahaz, could not be influenced.  I remember telling words about a decade ago spoken to me in angst.  "We will see who was right by the size of your ministry."  I didn't believe it then.  I don't believe it now.  Josiah's own son couldn't be swayed by the strongest of kings.  We will all individually give account to God for our lives not for how our sons and daughters and followers turn out. 

161 - “Tender Humble Hearts” 2 Kings 21-22

 

Set this beautiful world aright for us.

Answer our humble prayers from tender hearts.

O God, ride the heavens to our help.

O God, turn our worlds right side up.

II Kings 22:19 - No better way to live than with a heart that is tender and a life that is humbled before God.  

Hezekiah knew.  

He became mortally ill. Isaiah told him to set his house in order for he was not going to make it. Yet Hezekiah replied to the God He trusted: Remember now, O LORD, I beseech you, remember how I've walked before you in truth with a whole heart ... and he wept bitter tears. There is no one like the God of Jeshurun who rides the heavens to our help ~ Deut 33:26.

And God changed His Mind, instantly. No waiting on this one.  

I heard your prayer.  

I saw your tears.

I will heal you.

We just don't know in this life what God will send, reverse, bless, re-direct. Our goal is not to control our circumstances, never to demand that we think we know what our Good God should do. God give us tender hearts, humbled under Your Mighty Hand. II Kings 22:19. Our ambition is God Himself.

Psalm 20:5 - God, would you fulfill our petitions. May we lift up our banner in Your Name Alone and put an end to this ambition 

Image: US National Archives

160 - "I Am In The Battle for Your Soul 2 Kings 20

                                                  

I AM IN THE BATTLE FOR YOUR SOUL. 2 Kings 20 may have been written thousand of years ago, but this chapter about a prophet and a king deeply stirs places in my heart this day, this moment.  King Hezekiah hears the threatening report and goes into the sanctuary of his God.  He sends his administrators to the prophet to ask for prayer.  Prophet Isaiah responds with God's Message:  "I personally will take care of your enemy."  Isaiah was in the battle for Hezekiah's soul.  Am I in the battle for my children's souls, my friends' souls? 

God marked these words. God said:  "Haven't you gotten the news that I've been behind this all along? This is a longstanding plan of mine.  Can I see that what happens in my life is always God's Plan A?  "I've got My Hand on this city.  I've got My Hand on your life! The Angel of God arrived and struck the Assyrian camp— 185,000 Assyrians died.  Then Sennacharib was murdered by his own sons. Unbelievable.

In Isaiah 38, God said:  You're going to die.  You're not going to get well."  Hezekiah turned to God:  Please, I beg you.  Hezekiah wept as he prayed---painful tears in 2 Kings 19.  Remember me.  God said through the prophet:  "I've heard your prayer.  I've seen your tears. Spread out this day before our God and that thing that disturbs you. Live for the bended ear. Just as it happened in Isa 38:5. God heard Hezekiah's prayer for his health. He was knocking on death's door. God saw his tears and words. God changed His mind and added 15 years to his life.  "I have My Hand on this city."  Whatever time I have left, it seems it was good for me to go through all those troubles. Throughout them all you held tight to my lifeline. You never let me tumble over the edge into nothing. And my sins I let go of, threw them over my shoulder—good riddance! 

PHOTO: Small town in California where people once fought for their independence. 

159 - "Spread Your Dilemma Before the Lord" 2 Kings 18-19

 

This picture of Hezekiah going to God with his problems is cemented in my heart. 2 Kings 19:14. I'll go looking for Hezekiah in heaven to tell him just how much his story of spreading his problems before God's Eyes meant to me over my lifetime.  I've smoothed out sheets and asked God to sit in the hospital bed next to me.  I've smoothed out paper and invited Him to write a different script.  I've smoothed out sin-sick souls and sat next to them and wept.  Whatever we face, spread it before the One Who is the Author of all.  Isaiah 37:14 - Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord:  “O Lord of hosts, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see..."

Spreading before the LORD what concerns us this very day. Oh God, incline your ear.

Romans 5:3-5 Rejoice in Suffering...How do you do that?
And God moves...
Endurance
Character
Hope 
Love poured into our hearts.

PHOTO: California. Whether cemented in splendor or surreal or surprise or senseless, spread it out before the Lord.

158 - "Longing Hearts Embrace the Wrong Satisfaction" 2 Kings 16-17

We can appear religious and be far from it.  "Even though the Israelites were worshipping God, they were far from God. They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger." 2 Kings 17:16-17

These Israelites were dead serious!  

Reminds me of today's suicide bombers with ISIS.

Selling themselves.

Sacrificing their sons and daughters.

Oh my!

The Israelites followed kings not the King. 

They became faithless not full of faith.
They practiced secrets not surrender/

"And the people of Israel did secretly against the Lord their God things that were not right."  2 Chron 17

2 Chronicles 28:3 Infamous Ahaz —incredibly! indulged in the outrageous practice of "passing his sons through the fire."  That is unbelievable.  Verse 19 says:  Arrogant King Ahaz, acting as if he could do without God's help, had unleashed an epidemic of depravity. I have been thinking a lot about our moral choices.  We read the Charity chapter in Mere Christianity in class on Friday.  When I led the discussion, one student responded that Lewis' words proved "love is a choice."  But we must always allow God to reveal the motives and intentions of our hearts as we love.  Sin is way more than just making a wrong choice to not love or do the wrong thing.  

It brings to mind a quote from Crabb:  "Sin is more than wrong choices, more than bad behavior, more than wrong understanding.  And it is not a reaction to felt need that deserves tender compassion and patience.  Sin cannot be explained, but it can be defined.  Sin is defiantly walking past the living water God provides in relationship with Himself and proudly digging wells with one's own resources in the futile and foolish hope of providing for oneself the water needed for a meaningful and secure life."  Jeremiah 2:9 -13

John Piper calls it "sweet idolatries in which the longing heart embraces the wrong satsifaction."  What are my deep satisfactions this night?  Is it my children responding right to me?  Is it my husband not "missing" me?  Is it my friends responding like I want them to?  Is it my God coming through for me?  What do I most want?

PHOTO:  The Hill Country of Texas. 

157 - "They Honored God But Not Exclusively" 2 Kings 14-15

                                                                    

These kings in their palaces!  Ruthless.  Out-of-control.  Massive murderers.  

Yet, they did exactly what they wanted to do.  I just read a quote from C.S. Lewis:  "In each of us, there is something growing up which will of itself be Hell unless it is nipped in the bud.  It's not a question of God 'sending' us to hell.

Such a telling thought to throw a woman out of the window to her death.  God moves and works in ways we don't understand.  Wondering what they thought of this story in that day?  Wondering what we think of this forcible forthright dealing with sinful natures.

May we not take lightly the things we do.

2 Kings 15:1 - What is it that these kings continually failed to get rid of the sex-and-religion shrines that were popular with the people...wonder what these kings wanted more than the love of their God---their own popularity?? 

II Kings 15:16 - Menahem ripped open the pregnant women because the town didn't welcome him with open arms.  II Kings 16:3 They even indulged in outrageous practices of  burning their own children. 
These are really bad people..."all kinds of things on the sly."  "They threw out everything their God had told them." "They prostituted themselves to every kind of evil available."  In a lot of ways, it sounds familiar in some respects in our own country.  How incredibly sad!  II Kings 18:32 - "They honored God but not exclusively."  

All I keep thinking about is the quote from 66 LL that says that in the midst of evil times, God's Plan is moving ahead.  "Above all else, seek to know Me better and represent Me well in every circumstance, no matter how you feel...You must understand the deceptive nature of evil.  [Evil today doesn't rear its head in outrageous practices in most Christian lives---it's more the deceptive evil that leads us astray. I will not be about burning my children but there's still cancer in my soul.)  Evil hides itself and does its destructive work slowly, beneath the disease of necessity, reasonableness, efficiency, pragmatism, even morality, even goodness."  So what is evil about my necessity, my efficiency, my morality, my goodness?  Praise God HE will show us this very day where we are out of His Will.  "I have a Plan to restore the Beauty of Eden, to create a community of men and women who live their lives in rhythm with My Holiness, who dance with Me into joy."  HE is a Beautiful God in charge and HE chose you!

PHOTO: A Castle. Courtesy of The Commons. 

156 - "Evil Hides Itself In ... " 2 Kings 12-13

A man passing through died and they threw him in a grave.

It was the grave of Elisha.

When the dead man's bones touched the bones of Elisha, 

he was raised to new life.

II Kings 13:22

When we read the Bible, the Bible actually reads us.

What stirs in you as you listen?

These prophets dealt with their souls & never let go of God.

Elisha assured King Jehoash to depend on God's Power not his own.  With trembling hands over Jehoash's hand, the dying prophet symbolically shoots an arrow out of his window.  His dying words leave this king with the hope that Divine Providence holds us in His quiver.  "Evil hides itself and does its destructive work slowly, beneath the disguise of necessity, reasonableness, efficiency, pragmatism, even morality, even goodness." 66LL.  This is the line of David and God will preserve them and the power of evil will not stop God's purposes.  We must recognize and deal with the evil in our own hearts.  There is no peace in sin.  Is our heart right with God? 

PHOTO: Credit: Stock Photos. A grave. 

155 - “Something Growing Up in Each of Us” 2 King 9-11

 

These kings!  Ruthless.  Out-of-control.  Massive murderers.  Yet, they did exactly what they wanted to do.  I just read a quote from C.S. Lewis:  "In each of us, there is something growing up which will of itself be Hell unless it is nipped in the bud.  It's not a question of God 'sending' us to hell."

It's all about who we make covenants with.  2 Kings 11:17 "Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He smashed the altars and idols to pieces.  And the whole town became calm.  

May righteousness stir within us all. 

Jezebell asked the question to Elijah in 2 Kings 9 and so did others:  "Have you come in peace?"

Elijah didn't answer them, the perpetrators of evil.  He let them be. Had no mercy on their wicked ways.  

Such a telling thought to throw a woman out of the window to her death.  God moves and works in ways we don't understand.  Wondering what they thought of this story in that day?  Wondering what we think of this forcible forthright dealing with sinful natures.

May we not take lightly the things we do.  

Maybe, we think that we are doing all the right things.

Ministering.  Missional.  Madmen. 

How do we know we are right?

How do we know that what we do this day is really for God?

Jehu was anointed by God.  A madman ran in and told Jehu ... and ran right out.  Sometimes prophets are called a little out of their mind.  Jehu's life tells a compelling story---he destroyed the house of Ahab---so zealous for God. But there's so much more than living a zealous life, a successful life, a missional life.  We are here for God, not to build our do-good world.  There's a telling verse about Jehu, II Kings 10:31, reveals "Jehu wasn't careful to walk in the law of the LORD with all his heart."  Oh, how this makes me want to finish well.  Sin is never the way of peace ~ Isaiah 57:21.  

And the verse I take away from this passage and will hold dear:
It's a quote from the life of Jehu desiring to walk with his friend in unity.
It's a question we must ask ourselves.
“Is your heart right, as my heart is with your heart?”   II Kings 10:15

They bowed to starry hosts.

God never intended for us to worship nature more than Him.

They followed the practices of their peers.

God never intended for us to look sideways for direction.  Look up.

They even sacrificed their sons and daughters.

We may look very religious but are we doing it for ourselves?

In secret, they did things against their Lord, their God.

Things that were not right.

Do we?

Am I?

God, change us this moment as I reflect on what I do in secret.  Thoughts that may turn wild in motion, against the grain.  May I bring them captive to You.  May I look to You first, not my peers, never sideways.  Take these widdershin thoughts of mine and make them smooth as iron.  May I find You in this these 10,000 moments.  

Image:  Library of Congress. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsc.07478

154 "God Eclipses Our Story For Good" 2 Kings 7-8

What are the chances of seeing a total solar eclipse in your lifetime?  

What are the chances of walking in on a King having a conversation about your son?

And you haven't lived in that town for 7 years.

God eclipses our story for Good---outshines, outlasts, outdoes.

There is nothing said in this life that God does not hear.
There is nothing done that God does not know.
Our Advocate may be silent or storming. 
His Eyes, His Ears are here today.  

The Shunammite woman took Elisha's advice in the midst of famine.
She sojourned in the land of the Phlistines for seven years.
Went to the familiar for help, for food, for life.
She took her son restored from the dead.
Nothing out of God's Knowing.

Upon her return, she appeals to the king to inquire about her house.  
She enters and the King is talking with Gehazi about Elisha.
Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.
She speaks up: Elisha restored my son.
And so the king restores her land.
7 Years Worth---here it is.

There are no insignificant events in this life.  
A simple conversation can turn into a deep blessing.  
A mundane moment can produce holy hope if God is in the midst.
So keep on ploughing in reverence and in repentance.
Be present. Nothing is out of His Knowing.

153 - "But I Thought" 2 Kings 5-6

But, I thought.

But, I thought it would happen this way.
But, I thought it should look like this.
But, I thought.

Naaman did not like the way that the prophet, the man sent of God, spoke.  2 Kings 5:11
Naaman thought Elisha should wave his hands and call upon the name of the Lord on behalf of Naaman's monstrous condition---leprosy.  The drama wasn't enough for Naaman.  The ordinary wasn't enough either.  Sure, he wanted to be cured.  But, he thought it had to look a certain way.  And don't we default every day and balk that God has not answered or performed a healing His Way. 

If only we could see what others see.
If only we could see what God sees.
And if only we could see what true love is.
And if only we would treat others to bread and water, not the strikes or put downs. 2 Kings 6:20-22             

In 2 Kings 6:16-17 - Elisha commented on the predicament he was in --- being chased down by evil.  They wanted his head, but he says:  "Don't worry about it—there are more on our side than on their side ... and, Elisha prayed, 'O God, open his eyes and let him see.'  2 Kings 6:20. The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!"  

PHOTO:  California. But, I thought things would be different. But, I thought life wouldn't end this way. But, I thought God would heal me but not like this. But, I thought. 

152 - "Where Is The God of Elijah" 2 Kings 1-3

He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.  2 Kings 2:14

I'm beside myself with the evening Christian news.  Woe and behold if you focus on "sin."  People seem to want entertainment more than holy living. May we focus on what is true and right and holy.  

As we strike the waters to walk on dry land, may we call upon the Sovereign, the One Who sustains and carries us, even to our old age.  I won't see my children as mature adults in this world.  But I can pray for them this very day that they find the God of Elijah.  May the cloak fall on all of us as we read this holy Word.

God Who owned Elijah owns you.  The God Who provided for Elijah provides for you and yours.  The God Who loved Elijah loves you.  And He is near to you.  The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in Truth.  Psalm 145:18.  Keep on calling.  Keep on praying.  And Elisha prayed to God to fill the valleys with water overnight.  2 Kings 3:17.  God did just that.  May God fill all your valleys.

PHOTO:  At an Ironman triathlon with a sun creeping up to start a new day. I have been given miracles from the King of Kings. What will I allow to take away that peace this waking morning of how those miracles are being delivered? Something is going to happen. Something is going to try. Find rest in this power of the rising sun, my soul.

151 - All Is Well In Love & Loss" 1 Kings 22

Either we are moving toward good, toward God, or away.                                                                           All these kings.  May we see how we are taking matters into our own hands.                                         These chapters show the intentions of their hearts.  That Still Small Voice from yesterday, Today.  May we move toward Goodness.  The Lord longs to be good to each of you.  But if we do not want His Goodness . . .  What do we really want?  Jezebel admonished her husband, the king who was sullen over a failed business deal.  The king who possessed no natural force of character as to move to openly rebel and seize the land. This landowner meant no disrespect---he followed his conscience---he couldn't sell his inheritance. Yet. This is not how we act as king, the obdurate Queen Jezebel derided.  Cheer up!  It's all good, as they say today.  Be positive.  And she goes on to say:  I'll take care of it and seal the deal, even if it means killing someone over it.  And Jezebel seals her ignominous fate. Yes, she did---Jezebel took a life.  And her king husband responded to Elijah's stern rebuke over such evil.  And God deferred the punishment to the children.  Oh my.  What do we want?

The sun rises on this brand spanking new day. 
It's a gorgeous view outside of the window where I sit, trusting.
Do you need Courage to face some things today?
In any personal or public matter, anything that bothers you, seek help from God first.  My default is to try to fix it.  No! Give it up.  Go to God.  Whatever the loss, God is doing us good.  Appeal to God first.  "Our trials will prove our gain."  M. Henry

"Let us be thankful for any losses which may have prevented the loss of our immortal souls.  Let us praise the LORD Who sought after us, and left us not to perish in our sins."  M. Henry
I am so beautifully "taken" with this quote---lifted up to the One Who allowed such loss in my life.  All is well in the manner of loss and Love.  

Thank you God that you armed me with Strength for battle.  
You have subdued, 
You have humbled,
Those who are against me and I do not even know it.  I trust you, God!
Psalm 18:39

Either we are moving toward good, toward God, or away.                                                                           

All these kings.  May we see how we are taking matters into our own hands.      

Do you need Courage to face some things today?

In any personal or public matter, anything that bothers you, seek help from God first.  My default is to try to fix it.  No! Give it up.  Go to God.  Whatever the loss, God is doing us good.  Appeal to God first.  "Our trials will prove our gain."  M. Henry

Jehoshaphat in full regal armor went to battle yet was protected by God.  
King Jehu who went disguised---who thought he was protected---an arrow slipped right into the joint of his armor.  You cannot outweigh outguess outdo our God.  Surrender and he will surround you.

PHOTO:  The sun rising from my window Today. The Son rising in my heart Today.

150 - "Take Notice of What You Are Doing" 1 Kings 21

“Have you noticed 
how Ahab has humbled himself before me?" I Kings 21:29

"Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day ...  "
Do we really notice what we are doing, what others are doing, what is happening around us, what is happening within us.  Are we curious about all that?  Are we taking a good look at deep within?  Just like Elijah who has gone before this day, a man of Truth.  Are we spending our lives more concerned about what is happening within us than what is happening to us?  

Make me want to live for another country, not this place we call home.  

Teach us what it truly means for us to humble ourselves before You and before others.  And whatever the promptings this day, may we fully obey like these kings of old who followed You.

PHOTO:  Be vigilant.  Photo cred:  Commons



 

149 - "How To See Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands" 1 Kings 20

                           

Either we are moving toward good, toward God, or away.                                                                           

All these kings.  May we see how we are taking matters into our own hands.      

These chapters show the intentions of their hearts.  That Still Small Voice from yesterday, Today.  May we move toward Goodness.  The Lord longs to be good to each of you.  But if we do not want His Goodness . . .  What do we really want?  

Jezebel admonished her husband, the king who was sullen over a failed business deal.  The king who possessed no natural force of character as to move to openly rebel and seize the land. This landowner meant no disrespect---he followed his conscience---he couldn't sell his inheritance. Yet. This is not how we act as king, the obdurate Queen Jezebel derided.  Cheer up!  It's all good, as they say today.  Be positive.  And she goes on to say:  I'll take care of it and seal the deal, even if it means killing someone over it.  And Jezebel seals her ignominous fate. Yes, she did---Jezebel took a life.  And her king husband responded to Elijah's stern rebuke over such evil.  And God deferred the punishment to the children.  Oh my.  What do we want?

PHOTO: Who will I be today---not what will I do? As the sun rises on my story, will I be the obdurate queen?

148 - "The Low Whispers of God" 1 Kings 17-19

 

God listens to Elijah - I Kings 17:22
And, Elijah witnessed breath poured into the son.

Elijah listens to God - I Kings 19:13 
And, Elijah found God in the "low whispers."

The common natural way of providing for the earth---rain.
It dried up.
The uncommon Providential way of providing for Elijah---ravens.
Never dried up.

Do I realize that the Providential Hand of God is moving in uncommon ways in my life this very day?

The vilest of creatures took care of Elijah, not the kings.
And Elijah was on a shelf for more than a year
The man who could breathe life into sons.
Patiently waiting on a Good God!!!
Eating from mouths of birds.
Trusting God's timing.
Under the Care.

Such a moving story to know God uses the lowly widow. She took Elijah at his word even before feeding her own family in famine. And that one act opened the jar for Elijah to feed the widow's family for more than two years. 

If I cannot see you and can only hear you, you exist for me not in space but in time where hearing happens. If I see you and can walk around you, I experience you as an object—-I can inspect you from all angles. Buechener says something of “extraordinary importance occurs when I more fully take you into myself by hearing you. “Hearing you speak brings me by the most direct of all routes something of the innermost secret of who you are.”  Buechner, Frederick Whistling in the Dark

He was the prophet who called down fire and rain. He knew. Yet, he hurt and wondered and just wanted to die in midst of glory and ministry.

And Elijah records: I have had enough, Lord. 1 Kings 19:7.  And I feel the same.  Problem is my testy circumstances matter in no kingdom.  

May I care about those things that touch Eternity. 

“I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” I Kings 19:10

And God responds: “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

And this spent seeking prophet finds his God in a gentle Whisper. God will do His Work in his time by His Spirit, a sweet and gentle blowing of the Spirit of God. Whisper by me. 

 The news was dismal.  The King of Assyria was lethal.  Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.  And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. 2 Kings 19:17. 

This so moves me.  Take the letters of your life.  Take your Instagram posts.  Take all the words you hear that don't move you.  Take the bitter biting silence from your family and friends.  And spread that letter of life.  Spread it out on your bed.  And don't wail from your bed.  Just cry from your heart.  It's the Living Lord listening. 

But He always comes.

And He is always asking:

What are you doing here?

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. I Kings 19:12. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

What am I doing here?

PHOTO:  I heard an audible Voice one day as I walked this beach.  A young lady stopped my stroll and said:  "I came up to this beach to read my Bible.  And God just told me to stop you and tell you that this thing you are going through is from Him.  He is with you.  You are going to be okay."  She could have never known.  I faced the biggest crisis, the Greatest Divide, of my life.  And matching the grandeur of the skies and sea, I heard an audible Voice from a mouthpiece of God. More than a match.

147 - "Holiness Over Effective Management" 1 Kings 16

              Kings 16:26 

Empty-headed, empty-hearted lives...not true hearted.  Oh! to be truehearted!  The lessons to be learned from these wicked men:  "Leadership without a priority concern for personal holiness over effective management at best produces only outward success.  It fails to engage the real battle in the human soul, between losing your life for Me or gaining your life without Me." 66 LL.  
.
I love the story in I Kings of Elijah meeting a woman whose son died.  I cannot imagine what she was going through.  Elijah lies on top of the boy and asks God "Why have you brought this terrible thing on this widow...why have you killed her son?"  It's so amazing to me that God responds to our requests.  We can ask for the impossible.  God had already told this widow that her jars of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil never empty until she needs it no more.  The woman hung on tight to her life lessson, close to her bosom.  Elijah took the widow's only son and asked God to put breath back into the boy.  God did!  And this mom's response:  "you're a holy man, Elijah."  For all that is dead in our lives, may we hear God's voice.  Come alive!

PHOTO:  Be truehearted twins! The real battle of life is within your soul.