Why it Matters - Godly Counsel

Readings for today: 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18-20

i have often asked God for dreams and visions. Inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Ideas that can only come from Him and be accomplished by Him. The problem is I often don’t know what dreams are God-inspired and what dreams are inspired by my own ego. This is where godly counsel comes in. It’s so important to have godly men and women in your life who are not afraid to dream God-sized dreams with you but who are also not afraid to tell you “no.” I think of the mentors I’ve had in my life or the elders I serve alongside or the friends and colleagues I meet with on a regular basis who’ve played this role. Certainly my wife is a key figure in helping me figure these things out.

Ahab had a big dream. He wanted to recapture a city from the Syrians. He invited Jehoshaphat to join him. But Jehoshaphat wanted confirmation the dream was from the Lord. He asked for godly counsel. Ahab brought hundreds of prophets in to make the case. Unfortunately, they were on his payroll. They didn’t want to tell the king anything he didn’t want to hear. Jehoshaphat sees right through their facade. He asks for a second opinion. Ahab relents by sending for Micaiah, a man notorious for being willing to speak God’s truth to Ahab and tell him “no.” Micaiah comes and tells the kings what the Lord has decreed. In their arrogance, they charge into battle and it costs Ahab his life. The Lord used Ahab’s arrogance to bring about His judgment for the way he lived his life. Imagine how different things might have been had Ahab been willing to listen to godly counsel.

What about you? Do you have godly counselors in your life? Men and women who will pray with you, seek the Lord with you, discern with you, and have the courage to confront you? Do you have men and women who can “test the spirits” with you to see if they are from God or a projection of your own ego? These kinds of relationships are the key to living a godly life.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 1-4

Why it Matters - Evangelism

Readings for today: 1 Kings 20-21

God desires all to be saved and come to a knowledge of His truth. All means all. Every single person on the planet. The Lord is actively pursuing them. Actively reaching out to them. Actively showing His love to them. This is what it means when we say God is missional. Missional is not just something He does, it’s who He is. It’s a part of His divine nature and character. He is the first missionary. He is the first evangelist. He makes Himself known to us in all sorts of ways. He is the God who sees. He is the God who hears. He is the God who knows.

Consider how He pursues King Ahab. Literally the worst king in Israel’s history. “There had never been anyone like Ahab, who was firmly committed to doing evil in the sight of the Lord, urged on by his wife Jezebel. He was so wicked he worshiped the disgusting idols, just like the Amorites whom the Lord had driven out from before the Israelites.” (1 Kings‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NET) And still God loved Him. Still God pursued Him. Still God delivered Him. Why? So He might come to know the Lord as God. He gives him victory over the Syrian armies. He gives him victory a second time against overwhelming odds. And even when Ahab compromises by refusing to kill the Syrian king or hardens his heart in bitterness and anger over Naboth’s vineyard, the Lord still shows mercy when he repents. “The Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Have you noticed how Ahab shows remorse before me? Because he shows remorse before me, I will not bring disaster on his dynasty during his lifetime, but during the reign of his son.” (1 Kings‬ ‭21‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NET‬‬)

If God shows such divine forebearance with a man as wicked as Ahab, imagine what He shows you. Me. Any one of us who resist His will and His love. God is still on a mission. God is still making Himself known. God is still seeking to win our hearts. Turn and embrace Him as your Lord and Savior today.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18-20

Why it Matters - Chaos

Readings for today: 1 Kings 15:25-34, 1 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 17

Chaos was woven into the fabric of creation by humanity when she fell into sin at the beginning. From that point forward, every time chaos increases it is a sure sign of God’s curse and disfavor and is the logical consequence of disobedience. Thankfully, God is not afraid of our chaos. He is not surprised by it nor is He helpless before it. Just as His Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning of time, so His Spirit still hovers over the chaos of our lives.

Consider our reading today and the chaos that plagued the northern kingdom of Israel because they refused to obey God in worship. King after king continued to serve the detestable idols set up by Jeroboam and come under God’s judgment. “This happened because of the sins he committed. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and followed in Jeroboam’s footsteps and encouraged Israel to continue sinning.” (1 Kings‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬ ‭NET) The result was chaos. Assassinations. Kings reigning for days before being destroyed. Entire families massacred. Bloodlines ended. It was a brutal and violent time. Sadly, I’ve seen similar dynamics in play in nations where there is no rule of law and corruption runs rampant.

Where are you experiencing chaos in your life right now? Chances are that area of your life is not aligned with God. It’s worth taking time to reflect and ask yourself where you may be following short. Praying and asking God to show you where you remain double-minded and half-hearted. It’s not always obvious but nothing remains hidden to the Holy Spirit if we will simply open up our hearts and minds to Him.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 17-19

Why it Matters - Revival

Readings for today: 1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16

Revival flows from repentance. The two concepts are intimately related in Scripture. In fact, you can’t have one without the other. When God’s people repent of their sins and turn from their wicked ways, God promises to respond. He promises to hear their cries and heal their hearts and restore their nation. Repentance is more than feeling convicted. More than feeling guilty. More than feeling the closeness of God’s Spirit. More than a spiritual high or emotional moment. It always results in godly action. The tearing down of the idols in one’s life. Freedom from addiction to sin. Seeking the righteousness of the Kingdom of God for ourselves and for our neighbors. Justice in our communities and nation.

Asa led a revival in Judah. Following the reigns of his father and grandfather who were half-hearted in their devotion to the Lord, Asa set a godly example for his people to follow. He trusted in the Lord with all his heart. He tore down the idols his people had made. He even removed his own grandmother from her position because she worshipped false gods. He called on God to lead him in battle against overwhelming odds. The result was revival. Many people coming from all over to join his kingdom. He placed the worship of the Living God at the center of his life and the lives of his people and it resulted in tremendous blessing. The land had peace for many years.

As Christians, we look for revival. We pray for revival. We long for revival. But revival flows from a repentant heart. A heart dedicated to God. A life sold out to God. There is nothing God can’t do with a person who fully surrenders to Him.

This week, I have the privilege of spending time with Hal Donaldson and his team from Convoy of Hope. They are a remarkable group of people dedicated to spreading the gospel through humanitarian relief and community development. They have grown from humble beginnings into one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. All because they keep their focus on serving Christ and serving the poor, the hungry, and the hopeless in our world. Hal will tell you his is the most unlikely of stories and yet God is doing a great work through him. In fact, I would argue that the revival of hearts and lives and communities that Convoy fosters is a great example of what happens when repentance gets put into action.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 15:25-34, 1 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 17

Why it Matters - Example

Readings for today: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26

There is nothing more powerful than a godly example. Godly parents setting an example for their children. Godly grandparents setting an example for their grandchildren. Godly employers setting an example for their employees. Godly pastors setting an example for their churches. Godly political leaders setting an example for their people. We tend to admire godly people even if we don’t always agree with their beliefs. Their manner of life and humility and willingness to serve is applicable no matter if you are a person of faith or not. I think of the godly men and women I have known over the course of my life. They come from all different backgrounds and life experiences. Some of them were highly educated and some had little formal education. Some were very wealthy and some didn’t have much in the way of material resources. Different ethnicities. Different nationalities. Different languages. I have been blessed by a diversity of godly mentors and friends.

At the beginning of his reign, Solomon set a godly example for Israel. “Then Solomon offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord on the altar of the Lord which he had built in front of the temple’s porch. He observed the daily requirements for sacrifices that Moses had specified for Sabbaths, new moon festivals, and the three annual celebrations - the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Temporary Shelters.” (2 Chronicles 8:12-13 NET) He followed the prescribed way of life God had established for his people at Mt. Sinai and Israel flourished as a result. The Lord blessed them with great wealth and influence in the region. Most of all, the Lord gave them peace. Peace with their neighbors. Peace with their friends. Even peace with their historic enemies. This was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Solomon. “I have answered your prayer and your request for help that you made to Me. I have consecrated this temple you built by making it my permanent home; I will be constantly present there. You must serve with integrity and sincerity, just as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. Then I will allows your dynasty to rule over Israel permanently, just as I promised your father David, ‘You will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’” (1 Kings 9:3-5 NET)

Why is it so hard for us to follow God’s commands? Especially when He guarantees they are the path to an abundant life? Abundance in love. Abundance in joy. Abundance in peace. Abundance in friendships. Abundance in community. Abundance in resources. Abundance in success. This is not a “health and wealth gospel” nor is it “name it and claim it theology.” We cannot manipulate God, force His hand, put Him in our debt, or do anything else to make Him bend to our will and bless our selfishness and vain conceit. Rather, this is simply the reality of what it means to walk with open hands and an open heart before Him. As we walk in “integrity and sincerity” and authentically and passionately seek Him and His will for our lives, He blesses us. He honors those who honor Him.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Prayer

Readings for today: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalms 11

All Scripture is God-breathed. All Scripture is God’s Word. All Scripture carries divine weight and authority. However, I do believe there are some Scriptures worth coming back to time and again. Some Scriptures that are particularly useful and instructive for us as believers. The prayer of Solomon is one such Scripture. It is a powerful prayer combining themes of praise, petition, confession, mission, and hope for Israel’s future. It’s a model prayer worthy of emulation in our own lives. When I am struggling in prayer, I find myself coming back to Solomon’s words for inspiration and renewal. It keeps my prayers from becoming self-absorbed with anxiety and worry. It directs my attention upward and outward rather than purely inward. I commend to anyone seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Solomon begins with praise. He praises God for His uniqueness. He praises God for His covenantal faithfulness. He praises God for His steadfast love in fulfilling His promises. God alone is worthy of our praise. He alone is worthy of all honor and glory. He deserves our full attention. He deserves our single-minded devotion. He alone is to be worshipped for He has created all things and He sustains all things and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. But He is not just transcendent. Not just a divine potentate. He is a loving Father who sits on the throne and who guards our lives and watches over us in love. This is why we praise Him.

Solomon continues with petition. He brings His requests before the Lord full of confidence. He knows God will deliver on His promises. He knows God is faithful. He is fully convinced God is able. There is nothing like petitioning God in full faith. Nothing like coming before the Lord with a confident heart, knowing we will find mercy and grace and help in our time of need. It may not come in the way we would expect. God may have greater plans than us. Different plans than us. But His lovingkindness never fails. His mercies are new every morning. And if we walk with open hands and an open heart before Him - as Solomon does - His promise is He will provide.

Solomon offers seven confessions and requests for forgiveness. He covers a range of topics. Everything from false accusations to military defeat to drought and famine to the general sins of God’s people as they turn from the Lord and go astray. The time will come. The time will come. The time will come. It’s a repeated refrain. An acknowledgement that God’s people are not perfect. They will fail and fall. They will need God’s forgiveness in the future. They will need God’s Spirit to move them to repentance. They will experience God’s discipline as He corrects them and draws them back to Himself. He calls on God to be just and righteous. He calls on God listen from heaven. He calls on God to forgive sin and heal their land.

Solomon turns the focus of his prayer outward in mission. He calls on God to recognize the foreigner who come seeking Him. Gentiles who are not part of God’s chosen people. Pagans who hear about God’s mighty deeds and God’s righteous reputation who will come to pray to Him. He calls on God to hear their prayers so that the nations of the earth will acknowledge His Lordship and turn to Him just as God’s people have turned to Him.

Finally, Solomon ends his prayer with hope. Hope is not wishful thinking. Hope is not blind faith. Solomon grounds His hope in God’s faithfulness. He asks God to continue to be attentive to His people, hear their prayers and cries for help, and respond to them. He grounds His hope in God’s election of Israel. God chose them out of all the nations of the earth to bear His great name, to be His special possession, His chosen race, and a royal priesthood. Solomon knows His hope will not be in vain because it rests on God’s promises.

What an incredible model for us to follow! I would encourage you to begin using this framework for prayer in your own life and see what happens. God is still faithful, friends! He still answers prayer! He is with you and He longs to have the same relationship with you that He did with Solomon.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Chronicles 4-7, Psalms 134, 136

Why it Matters - Time and Place

Readings for today: 1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3

History matters to God. Time and place matter to God. The covenantal relationship God has with His people maps out in real historical events. This is what separates Judaism and Christianity from other ahistorical, human religions. It’s what separates the truths of Judaism and Christianity from the myths of other religions. We can actually look back to a real timeline, connected to real historical events that happened in real historical places. Places we can visit to this day.

“In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites left Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, during the month of Ziv (the second month), Solomon began building the Lord’s Temple.” (1 Kings 6:1 NET) The Temple is not just another one of Solomon’s many building projects. It is a unique building, representing the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Israel. In the Book of Exodus, God hears the cries of His people. He delivers them from slavery. He leads them and provides for them in the wilderness. He gives them victory after victory in their conquest of the Promised Land. And now He gives them a secure and permanent sanctuary where they will worship Him. As such, the Temple represents something bigger than Solomon and his ascension to the throne, it represents the culmination of God’s saving acts throughout Israel’s history.

“Solomon began building the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David prepared at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” (2 Chronicles 3:1 NET) Mount Moriah was not just a random spot chosen by Solomon. It was deeply connected to Israel’s history. It was here that the plague was stopped when David built an altar and offered sacrifices in the wake of his sin. God had sent the plague in judgment because David had sinfully called for a census but David repented and God showed mercy. Traditionally, Mount Moriah is also the place where Abraham took Isaac to sacrifice him but the angel of the Lord stayed his hand and provided a ram instead. These events associate the Temple with faith and obedience as well as repentance and sacrifice and it’s why Mount Moriah was the most appropriate place to build. God had chosen to reveal Himself on this very spot time and time again and would continue to do so into the future.

We cannot and should not overlook the times and places in our lives where God makes Himself known. God is a God who intervenes in human history because He is a God who desires to have a relationship with His people. The promise associated with the Temple is that this will be the location where God will place His name and fill with His presence in order to dwell with His people. Those same promises hold true for us today through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Every believer in Christ has now become a living Temple, God making Himself known to us and through us for the sake of His glory.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalms 11

Why it Matters - Discernment

Readings for today: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalms 72

“So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong.” ‭‭(1 Kings‬ ‭3:9a NET‬)

We suffer from a lack of discernment in our world today. We no longer seem able to discern right from wrong, good from evil. The ends almost always justify the means, no matter how corrupt. The influential and powerful can get away with just about anything because we lack a strong moral foundation. We live in a post-truth world. Truth is no longer objective. It gets twisted beyond all recognition. Rather than depend on facts and evidence, we only consider those things that support our pre-determined position. We seem to love half-truths and lies. We no longer seem bothered by all the deceit that runs rampant. Our political leaders are brazen in the way they mislead people. Social media throws gasoline on this fire. We are in real trouble.

One of the things we will see as we read through the Kings is how the character of a leader shapes the nation. The fortunes of Israel rise or fall largely on the godliness of the kings who serve her. When godly kings are in power. Kings who are wise. Discerning. Those who know right from wrong and good from evil. Israel flourishes. When ungodly kings are in power. Kings who are corrupt. Foolish. Narcissistic. Those who could care less about right or wrong as long as they acquire more power. Israel falls. That’s why Solomon’s request of God is so remarkable. Most people who inherit a throne would ask for riches and honor and power and authority. Most people would have asked God for great victories in battle and the expansion of their territory. Most people would have asked God for a long, prosperous, peaceful reign. But Solomon wasn’t focused on himself. He did not see himself as someone to be served but as someone called to serve so he asked for wisdom. Discernment. The ability to determine right from wrong so he could foster justice and righteousness among his people.

Imagine if our leaders believed the same. Imagine if their platitudes about public service were actually statements of faith. Imagine if, instead of using their offices to accumulate more power and enrich themselves, they made sacrifices for one another and for our nation. Imagine if, instead of greed and corruption, our leaders were marked by generosity and righteousness. Imagine if, instead of lies and deceit, our leaders were committed to telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In a democracy, you get the government you deserve which means change starts with us. Starts with each person and each vote. It means the electorate must hold our officials accountable and stop settling for the lesser of two evils. It means we must only support those leaders who exhibit the kind of godly character we need. Now, more than ever, we need godly leadership at the helm of our nation. Now, more than ever, the character of our leaders matters. May God raise up for us leaders like Solomon who know good from evil and can lead us with wisdom.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 119:89-176

Why it Matters - Transitions of Power

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 1-2, Psalms 37, 71, 94

When reading the Bible, it’s important to remember that some things are “descriptive” rather than “prescriptive.” While it is all God’s Word, that doesn’t mean God approves of everything human beings do. Even human beings like David who was a “man after God’s own heart.” As David ends his reign, he uses his final days to settle old scores. He encourages Solomon to “be strong and become a man.” In other words, take whatever steps are necessary to secure his throne. David encourages him to take revenge on Joab for his murders of Abner and Amasa. He singles out Shimei for judgment, signaling he never forgot how Shimei treated him while he was fleeing from Absalom. He also rewards the sons of Barzillai for their father’s help during the civil war. Solomon follows in his father’s footsteps. When his brother continues to conspire against him, he has him killed. He retires Abiathar and replaces him with Zadok. He fulfills his father’s wishes regarding Joab and replaces him with Benaiah. Shimei is also executed on the king’s command. The final verse of the chapter says it all. “So Solomon took firm control of the kingdom.” (1 Kings 2:46b NET) Note there is no mention of God in these chapters.

Sadly, these dynamics are all too familiar. I’ve seen them in many of places I go around the world. Leaders who achieve their power through military action. In order to secure their rule, they eliminate any political opposition. They make sure to reward those who follow them with position and wealth and power. They surround themselves with supporters and tolerate no dissent. They often rule for decades until they die or until they no longer have enough power to keep those underneath them under control. Peaceful transitions of power are impossible because their track record of violence eventually catches up to them.

It makes me thankful I live in the United States where we have a long track record of peaceful transitions of power. While there may be some irregularities, elections are largely secure and legitimate. The system created by our Founders remains strong and effective, protecting the interests of the minority over and against the will of the majority. Representative democracy continues to be a blessing for us even though we are currently straining it significantly by our extreme partisanship and gerrymandering. As always, our only hope is to turn to the Lord. To trust in Him and His ways. I love how Psalms 37 puts it, “The godly will possess the land and will dwell in it permanently. The godly speak wise words and promote justice. The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.” (Psalms 37:29-31 NET)

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 119:1-88