Category: faith

When God Speaks Through the Fire

1 Kings 17-18

Psalm 62

1 Corinthians 15

-Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

The spiritual darkness in Israel had deepened dramatically.

King Ahab and Queen Jezebel aggressively promoted Baal worship, persecuted God’s prophets, and led the nation further from the LORD. Baal was supposedly the god of storms, rain, and fertility. So when drought struck the land at Elijah’s word, it was not random.

It was a direct challenge.

1 Kings chapters 17–18 introduce Elijah suddenly and powerfully. He appears almost out of nowhere and boldly announces that there will be no rain except at his word.

Then God begins teaching lessons through unlikely places.

He feeds Elijah through ravens.
He sustains a poor widow during famine.
He raises the widow’s son back to life.

Again and again, God demonstrates that He is not limited by human weakness, economic hardship, or impossible situations.

One of the most beautiful parts of these chapters is the widow’s story.

She believed she was preparing her final meal before death. Yet when she trusted God’s word through Elijah, the flour and oil did not run out.

Sometimes God asks people to trust Him when circumstances appear hopeless.

Not because He enjoys watching people struggle, but because dependence often reveals where our faith truly rests.

Then comes Mount Carmel.

It is one of the most dramatic moments in Scripture.

Elijah stands alone against hundreds of prophets of Baal and asks the people a piercing question:

“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him…”

That question still echoes today.

Many people want spiritual neutrality.
A little truth.
A little compromise.
A little worship of God mixed with whatever else the culture values most.

But divided loyalty never leads to peace.

The prophets of Baal cried out desperately all day, yet nothing happened. No fire. No voice. No answer.

Then Elijah prayed simply and confidently.

And fire fell from heaven.

The moment was not merely about spectacle. It was about truth.

The people needed to know that the LORD alone was truly God.

Our modern world may not bow before carved idols named Baal, but idols still exist. People still worship power, pleasure, politics, money, fame, comfort, and self. Human hearts naturally attach ultimate value to something.

And whatever sits in God’s place becomes an idol.

Yet there is another important truth in these chapters: God is patient.

For years Israel drifted. For years God sent warnings. Even on Mount Carmel, Elijah’s challenge was ultimately an invitation for the people to return.

That invitation still exists today.

The God revealed in Scripture is not merely looking for outward religion or emotional moments. He desires wholehearted faithfulness and trust.

And ultimately, Elijah’s victory points forward to an even greater future day when God will fully remove false worship, injustice, and spiritual darkness from the earth.

One day His Kingdom will come completely, and truth will no longer compete with deception.

Three Things to Remember
  1. God often works through impossible situations.

The widow’s empty jars became a testimony of God’s provision.

  1. Divided loyalty leads nowhere.

Elijah challenged the people to stop wavering between God and idols.

  1. Truth will ultimately prevail.

The fire on Mount Carmel revealed who truly held power.

The people on Mount Carmel wanted visible proof before committing themselves.

But the deeper issue was never lack of evidence.

It was the condition of the heart.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did God work in and through Elijah’s life? In what ways would you like to be more like Elijah? (check out James 5:17 for some inspiration)
  2. Where have you seen God work through impossible situations?
  3. Consider your worship of God. Do you ever waver between two opinions or dilute full faithfulness? Could it ever be said of you that you displayed “A little worship of God mixed with whatever else the culture values most”? Are there any changes that need to be made?

    Prayer

    Dear God – I praise You for being a God of power, truth and patience. Thank you for all the times You have provided just what I needed exactly when I needed it. There is NO God but YOU. Give me an undivided heart that trusts and looks to You in all things, at all times. Help me to boldly proclaim You and Your way, Your Son Jesus and Your Coming Kingdom.

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    A Nation of Halfheartedness

    *1 Kings 15–16

    Psalm 62

    1 Corinthians 14

    -Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

    As these chapters unfold, the kings begin to blur together.

    One ruler rises.
    Another falls.
    One dynasty begins.
    Another ends violently.

    1 Kings chapters 15–16 read almost like a tragic cycle repeating itself over and over again. Many of the kings are summarized with painfully similar words:

    “He did evil in the eyes of the LORD…”

    Again and again, leaders repeated the same sins, especially the idolatry introduced by Jeroboam. The nation became spiritually unstable because its leaders continually drifted away from wholehearted devotion to God.

    Yet in the middle of this decline, a few bright moments appear.

    King Asa of Judah was not perfect, but he genuinely sought reform. He removed idols, confronted corruption, and tried to turn the nation back toward God. Scripture says:

    “Asa’s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life.”

    That phrase stands out.

    Not because Asa was flawless.
    But because his heart belonged to God.

    There is a profound difference between perfection and faithfulness.

    Some people become so discouraged by their failures that they stop pursuing God altogether. Others excuse their sin by claiming nobody is perfect anyway. But Scripture repeatedly points us toward something deeper: a sincere heart that keeps turning back toward God even after stumbling.

    Unfortunately, most of Israel’s kings did not do that.

    Instead, spiritual compromise became normalized. Idolatry became politically convenient. Corruption became routine. Violence became common. Kings assassinated one another, families were wiped out, and power struggles consumed the nation.

    One of the saddest realities in Scripture is how quickly people can become accustomed to spiritual darkness.

    What once shocked the conscience slowly starts feeling normal.

    That danger still exists today.

    A culture can slowly lose its moral compass.
    A family can drift spiritually one compromise at a time.
    A believer can become numb to things that once troubled the heart deeply.

    And usually, it happens gradually.

    That is why these chapters feel so repetitive. The repetition itself is part of the warning.

    Sin unaddressed tends to multiply.

    By the end of chapter 16, Ahab rises to power — and Scripture describes him as worse than the kings before him. He married Jezebel, aggressively promoted Baal worship, and led the nation even further into rebellion.

    The spiritual condition of Israel was collapsing.

    Yet even then, God had not abandoned His larger plan.

    Prophets would still speak.
    Truth would still be proclaimed.
    And God’s promise of a coming righteous King still remained alive.

    Human governments repeatedly fail because human hearts are broken. But the Bible points forward to a future Kingdom ruled by a King who will not tolerate corruption, injustice, or idolatry.

    That future hope matters in a world where compromise often feels normal.

    Three Things to Remember
    1. Faithfulness matters more than perfection.

    Asa was flawed, but his heart remained committed to God.

    1. Sin becomes dangerous when it feels normal.

    Spiritual compromise often grows gradually over time.

    1. God’s plan continues even in dark times.

    Corrupt leaders could not stop God from moving history toward His coming Kingdom.

    The repeated failures of Israel’s kings remind us of something important:

    Humanity does not merely need better politicians, better systems, or better laws.

    We need transformed hearts.

    And ultimately, we need the righteous King that God has promised.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Who do you know whose heart could be described as Asa’s – “fully committed to the LORD all his life”?
    2. What about your heart? What percentage of your heart would you, or those closest to you, say is committed to the LORD? Is there one certain part of your heart that has difficulty becoming or remaining fully committed to the Lord?
    3. What can be done to increase your faithful commitment to the Lord? What could be helpful in creating this change?
    4. What assurance do you have when going through dark times?

    Prayer

    Dear Great & Mighty God, You are worthy of my whole heart. Forgive me for the days I come to You with halfheartedness. Help me hold nothing back but be fully committed to You, Your Son and Your wonderful plan.

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    When Truth Becomes Inconvenient

    *1 Kings 13-14

    Psalm 61

    1 Corinthians 13

    -Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

    These chapters are strange, tragic, and deeply sobering.

    1 Kings chapter 13 introduces an unnamed “man of God” sent to confront King Jeroboam. Jeroboam had established false worship in the northern kingdom, creating golden calves and counterfeit religious practices to keep people politically loyal to him.

    God sent a prophet to warn him.

    And at first, the prophet stood courageously.

    He delivered God’s message directly to the king. When Jeroboam stretched out his hand against him, the king’s hand shriveled instantly until the prophet prayed for his healing. It should have been a moment of repentance.

    But Jeroboam’s heart remained unchanged.

    Then comes one of the most heartbreaking twists in the story.

    God had specifically commanded the prophet not to eat or drink in that place and not to return the same way he came. But an older prophet lied to him, claiming an angel had given new instructions. The younger prophet listened to the false message instead of obeying the clear word God had already spoken.

    And it cost him his life.

    It is a difficult story, but its lesson is painfully relevant.

    Not every spiritual voice is trustworthy simply because it sounds religious.

    People can speak confidently and still be wrong.
    People can claim spiritual authority and still deceive others.
    Even sincere believers can drift if they stop carefully testing what they hear against what God has already revealed.

    That is why truth matters.

    Not harshness.
    Not arrogance.
    Not winning arguments.

    But truth.

    The world often pressures believers to reshape God’s commands into something more convenient, popular, or culturally acceptable. Jeroboam did exactly that. He created a religion that was politically useful and easier for people to embrace.

    And many people gladly followed it.

    Counterfeit worship is often attractive because it asks less of us.

    But convenient religion cannot save us.

    Chapter 14 continues the tragedy. Jeroboam’s household faced judgment because he continually led the nation into sin. Yet even in the middle of judgment, Scripture notes something remarkable about Jeroboam’s sick child:

    “In him there is found something pleasing to the LORD…”

    Even in dark times, God notices sincere hearts.

    That truth still matters today.

    Our culture is filled with competing voices claiming to represent truth. Some are loud. Some are persuasive. Some are comforting. But faithfulness requires more than emotional reactions or popular opinion.

    It requires humble obedience to God.

    And ultimately, these chapters remind us why humanity desperately needs a better King than Jeroboam, Solomon, or any other flawed ruler. Human leaders repeatedly fail. Human religion repeatedly drifts.

    But God’s future King will lead with perfect truth and righteousness.

    One day false worship, deception, and divided hearts will finally end when God’s Kingdom fully comes and the earth is restored under His rule.

    Three Things to Remember
    1. Not every spiritual voice speaks truth.

    The prophet was deceived when he ignored God’s clear instruction.

    1. Convenient religion is spiritually dangerous.

    Jeroboam created worship that was politically useful but spiritually corrupt.

    1. God still notices sincere hearts.

    Even in a corrupt generation, God recognized what was good in Jeroboam’s child.

    Faithfulness is not always easy.

    Sometimes obeying God means standing against culture, pressure, convenience, or even respected voices around us.

    But truth does not become false simply because it is unpopular.

    And error does not become true simply because it is persuasive.

    Reflection Questions

    1. How can you tell if you are listening to lies or to the truth from God? How can you tell if you are speaking lies or the truth from God?
    2. When were you led astray by listening to someone who was not speaking the truth? What happened?
    3. What can you think of today that may be politically useful but spiritually corrupt?

    Prayer

    Dear God, You are giver of all truth. Help me to discern what is truth coming from You and what is not. Teach me what is Your voice and what is deception. May I not fall for what is convenient or popular but strive to always please You with authentic, sincere love, worship and truth. Please give me Lord, a true, undivided, faithful heart loving and serving You the only true God and Your Son Jesus, til his glorious return.

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    When the Glory Filled the Temple

    1 Kings 7-8

    Psalm 60

    1 Corinthians 10

    -Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

    After years of planning and construction, the temple was finally complete.

    1 Kings chapters 7–8 describe the finishing details, the furnishings, and finally the moment when the ark of the covenant was brought into the temple. Then something extraordinary happened:

    “The cloud filled the temple of the LORD… for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.”
    — 1 Kings 8:10-11

    It was a visible reminder that God was truly present among His people.

    What a moment that must have been.

    The musicians played.
    The priests stood ministering.
    The nation gathered together.
    And suddenly the glory of God filled the temple so powerfully that the priests could not continue their work.

    Yet Solomon understood something critically important. During his prayer of dedication, he asked:

    “Will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you…”

    Solomon recognized that the temple was never meant to shrink God down into a building. God is greater than any structure humanity could ever create.

    That truth still matters today.

    People often become attached to religious places, traditions, or outward appearances while neglecting the condition of the heart. Church buildings can be beautiful. Traditions can be meaningful. Worship gatherings can be emotional.

    But none of those things automatically guarantee genuine faithfulness.

    God has always desired more than outward religion.

    He wants hearts that seek Him sincerely.

    One of the most beautiful parts of Solomon’s prayer is how often he asks God to hear people when they repent and turn back toward Him. Solomon understood that the people would fail. He knew there would be sin, hardship, exile, drought, conflict, and brokenness.

    But he also understood that God is merciful.

    Again and again throughout Scripture, we see this pattern:

    People drift.
    God calls them back.
    Mercy remains available.

    That does not mean sin has no consequences. Israel would eventually experience painful judgment because of rebellion. But even judgment never completely erased God’s promises.

    The temple itself pointed forward to something greater.

    The prophets later described a future age where God’s presence would fully dwell with His people in peace and righteousness. The Bible’s ultimate hope is not escape from creation, but restoration of creation under God’s Kingdom.

    One day the earth itself will be filled with God’s glory.

    No more corruption.
    No more idolatry.
    No more death.

    That future reality is far greater than even Solomon’s magnificent temple.

    Three Things to Remember

    1. God is greater than any building.

    Even Solomon knew the temple could not contain the fullness of God.

    1. God desires sincere hearts, not empty religion.

    Outward worship means little without inward faithfulness.

    1. God’s ultimate plan is restoration.

    The temple pointed forward to God dwelling fully with His people in His coming Kingdom.

    The glory filling the temple was breathtaking.

    But it was only a glimpse of something even greater still to come.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Why do you think God’s plan included a tabernacle, then temple, then church? What similarities might there be between being a part of a church today and going to the temple of Solomon’s day? What is your favorite part of being a part of a church?
    2. Consider your own heart. Are you more concerned with outward appearances, traditions and religious places than with a sincere, faithful heart of love? How can you tell what the health of your heart is towards God? What can be done to create a more faithful heart?
    3. What is your experience with glimpsing the glory of God? Where? When? Do you look for it? What are you looking forward to most about when His full glory will be revealed?

    Prayer

    Dear God – I praise You for giving life and love. I thank You for Your mercy towards me. I thank You for Your plan of salvation and Your plan for the ages, that we can look forward to a time when we are surrounded by Your full glory on display. Until then, I pray for a heart totally devoted to You. I thank You for the church. Help us to use it to draw ourselves and others closer to You and Your Son, but never to replace You. In Your son’s name, I pray

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    A House for God

    1 Kings 5-6

    Psalm 59

    1 Corinthians 9

    -Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

    Solomon began building the temple.

    For generations, Israel had worshiped in the tabernacle — a movable tent that reminded the people that God traveled with them through the wilderness. But now the kingdom was established, the enemies were subdued, and Solomon prepared to build a permanent house dedicated to the LORD.

    1 Kings describes enormous effort, careful planning, costly materials, and incredible craftsmanship. Cedar from Lebanon. Gold overlays. Carved cherubim. Skilled laborers. Massive stones carefully prepared before they ever arrived at the building site.

    One detail stands out powerfully:

    “No hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.”
    — 1 Kings 6:7

    The stones were shaped beforehand.

    Quietly.
    Carefully.
    Intentionally.

    That image says something profound about how God works.

    Most of God’s shaping happens long before anyone sees the finished result.

    We often want instant transformation.
    Immediate answers.
    Quick spiritual growth.

    But God usually builds people the same way the temple was built — through quiet preparation over time.

    Difficult seasons shape us.
    Disappointments shape us.
    Waiting shapes us.
    Faithfulness in ordinary moments shapes us.

    And much of that shaping happens where nobody else can see it.

    But there is an even bigger lesson in these chapters.

    As glorious as the temple was, Solomon himself understood that no building could fully contain God. Later, he would openly admit that “the heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain” Him.

    The temple was never supposed to reduce God to a location. It was meant to remind people of His presence, holiness, and covenant.

    Sadly, many people still confuse religious structures with genuine faith.

    A beautiful church building is not the same thing as obedience.
    Religious activity is not the same thing as a transformed heart.

    God has always wanted more than ceremonies.
    He wants faithful people.

    The temple also pointed forward to something greater.

    Throughout Scripture, the ultimate hope is not merely access to a building, but restored fellowship with God Himself through His appointed King and the coming Kingdom of God.

    One day, according to the prophets and the teachings of Jesus, God’s presence will fully dwell with redeemed humanity in a restored earth where death itself is defeated.

    That is the destination toward which the temple pointed.

    Not just architecture.
    Not just ritual.
    But restoration.

    Three Things to Remember

    1. God often shapes us quietly.

    Much of the Lord’s work happens in hidden seasons before the final result is visible.

    1. Religious structures are not enough.

    God desires obedient hearts, not merely outward ceremonies.

    1. The temple pointed toward a greater future.

    The Bible’s story moves toward resurrection, restoration, and God dwelling with His people forever.

    Sometimes we become discouraged because we do not yet see what God is building in our lives.

    But the stones of the temple probably did not understand the blueprint either.

    Still, the Builder did.

    And He still does.

    Reflection Questions

    1. Where have you seen pieces of God’s plan for you prepared beforehand? What pieces might God be molding right now for future presentation?
    2. What sort of boxes/buildings/separate activities do people sometimes try to keep God in? Why is this not God’s desire? What does He deserve instead?
    3. Take a step back and look not at your schedule today but God’s Big Picture Plan. What are you most excited about the Coming Kingdom and pieces building up to that? What still needs to be done? How can you mold your schedule today better in anticipation of what God is planning for the future?

    Prayer

    Dear God – You are an awesome God with an awesome plan. Thank You for including me in Your plans. Help me build only what You want me to build with the days that You have given to me. May I see You at work and do what is pleasing to You.

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    Finishing Well Matters

    1 Kings 1-2

    Psalm 58

    1 Corinthians 7

    -Devotion by Brian Froehlich (IL)

    David was old. Weak. Near death. And yet the future of the kingdom still depended on what happened in those final moments.

    1 Kings opens with confusion, ambition, and uncertainty. Adonijah tried to take the throne for himself while David was still alive. He gathered supporters, hosted public celebrations, and acted like the kingdom already belonged to him. But God had already chosen Solomon.

    There is an important lesson here: Not everyone who promotes themselves has been appointed by God.

    Adonijah looked impressive. He sounded royal. He had influential friends. But appearances are not the same as obedience.

    Meanwhile, David gave Solomon final instructions before his death. He did not simply tell his son how to rule politically. He told him how to live spiritually:

    “Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands…” — 1 Kings 2:3

    David understood something many people never learn: success is not measured merely by how long we live, how much we accumulate, or how powerful we become. A life is measured by faithfulness to God.

    Even David himself was a reminder of that truth. His life had victories and failures, courage and sin, repentance and heartbreak. Yet through it all, David still trusted the promises of God. He died looking ahead to a kingdom he would not fully see in his lifetime.

    That hope matters.

    The Scriptures repeatedly point beyond temporary kingdoms toward the coming Kingdom of God — a kingdom ruled by the promised Son of David. David himself knew he would one day rest in the grave awaiting resurrection and restoration under God’s final King.

    That is our hope too.

    Not escape from earth. Not floating away forever somewhere distant. But resurrection, restoration, and life in God’s coming kingdom.

    The beginning of Solomon’s reign reminds us that every generation must choose whether it will submit to God’s wisdom or chase its own ambitions.

    And the ending of David’s life reminds us of another truth: Starting well is good. Finishing well is better.

    Three Things to Remember

    1. Self-promotion is not the same as God’s calling.

    Adonijah exalted himself, but God had already chosen someone else.

    2. The condition of the heart matters more than outward success.

    David’s final concern was Solomon’s obedience to God.

    3. Our ultimate hope is still future.

    Like David, we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises and the resurrection of the dead. The world teaches us to chase comfort, status, and recognition now. But Scripture constantly points us forward.

    Toward a better King. A better kingdom. And a better future than this world can offer.

    Reflection Questions

    1. How do you tend to measure success in your own life or in the lives of others?
    2. “A life is measured by faithfulness to God.” How is your life measuring up?
    3. What have you started well that still needs to be finished well? What steps can you take toward that purpose?
    4. Who has shared spiritual wisdom with you? What spiritual wisdom have you gained thus far that you can pass along?
    5. What evidence can you find regarding David’s view of death? How is it like or unlike yours?

    Prayer

    Dear God – I thank You for the wisdom found in Your book and in Your people. Help me grow in wisdom, seeing what is most important, and faithfully living in obedience to You. Thank You for the promises You give, including the coming resurrection and kingdom with the Son of David (who is Your Son, too). In his name I pray.

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    Still Fighting Giants

    and David grew weary 2 Sam 21 15 ESV

    2 Samuel 21–22

    Psalm 57

    1 Corinthians 5

    -Devotion by Melissa New (AR)

    This passage surprised me the last time I read it. We all know the account of young David fighting the giant, Goliath. But we don’t always notice that David was still fighting giants late in life. There were other giants in Gath besides Goliath, and it’s not hard to imagine that some of them remembered what David had done.

    David is older and has been king a long time. He has fought many battles. And he’s seen so many things; victory, failure, betrayal, grief, and mercy. But even near the end of his life, the giants are still coming.

    In 2 Samuel 21, David and his servants are fighting the Philistines “once again.” One of the descendants of the giants, Ishbi-Benob, sees his chance and thinks he can kill the king. We know he is a giant because he’s a descendant of Rapha, and the Scripture tells us his bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels (quite heavy for just a spearhead). He is also armed with a new sword. Ishbi-Benob appears battle-ready and dangerous.

    During the battle, David became exhausted. But Abishai comes to David’s aid and strikes the giant down. Abishai is the brother of Joab and also one of David’s nephews. David is still David, but he’s not as strong as he once was. The man who once stood alone before Goliath now needs someone else to step in and help him.

    There are seasons when God gives us strength to stand and fight. There are also seasons when God sends someone else to stand beside us because our strength is almost gone. David had once been the young man delivering Israel from a giant. Now another man is delivering David.

    After this, David’s men tell him that he should no longer go out with them to battle, “so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” They aren’t dishonoring him. They are protecting him. The king of Israel would be a target for any enemy, but you wouldn’t want to see the king who came to prominence by defeating a giant meet his end at the hands of a giant either.

    It can be hard for us as we get older to realize that we aren’t as strong as we once were. There is wisdom in seeing where others are more able. Sometimes faithfulness means letting others help. The battles will still come up, but our role in the battle changes.

    The chapter tells us that “in the course of time” another giant needed to be defeated.  Sibbecai the Hushathite killed the next giant, Saph. Sibbecai is named as one of David’s commanders who led 24,000 Israelite men in 1 Chronicles 27:11.

    Then there is another battle at Gob. In this battle, Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. This was an unusually large and heavy weapon. (In 1 Chronicles 20:5 the giant fought here is described as being Goliath’s brother, Lahmi.) Elhanan was probably another of David’s elite fighting men, very likely one of the Thirty mentioned in 2 Samuel 23.

    Then there is another battle in Gath where a giant with “six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot” is fought. Jonathan, the son of David’s brother Shimeah, killed this unnamed giant who was also a descendant of Rapha in Gath.

    In seven short verses we see four more giant encounters! David went out with his men to fight Ishbi-Benob and the Philistines, but his men convinced him that they can handle the giants now.

    What a legacy that David is able to see for himself! David showed his men how to have the courage and faith to defeat Israel’s enemies. He had men under him who were also capable of killing giants. Some were part of his mighty men and some were his very own nephews.

    This is definitely a victory in David’s life. He did not just defeat a giant. He helped raise up men who could keep fighting when more giants came. We often think that one great victory will settle everything. We think if we defeat one giant, we should be done with giants. But life does not usually work that way.

    Life is full of battles, unfortunately. Jesus told us we would have trouble. (John 16:33) There are battles we thought we had already settled and won, but they come back up. There are battles that come when we are tired. There are battles that come when we are wounded. There are battles that come when we may need others around us to step up and help us get through it. (It is good to have “mighty men” and faithful family nearby. And they don’t have to be blood-related. Our church family is so important!)

    David’s story reminds us that faith is not proven only in one dramatic moment. Faith must keep trusting God after the famous victory is over and when we don’t feel as strong as we want to feel.

    In 2 Samuel 22, David sings.

    “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” He ends the song with, “The LORD lives! Praise be to my rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!” (2 Samuel 22:47)

    Let’s not forget to sing and praise God for what He does for us either!  All the “giants” or “battles” we find ourselves up against are another opportunity for God to show how very faithful and good He is.

    We want to be like David; a leader who surrounded himself with faithful men who could help and advise him in times of need. But we want to be like David’s mighty men and nephews too. Do you know of someone who could use help in their battle? Maybe God has placed us near them for that very reason.

    Reflection Questions

    Do we acknowledge that we will face many battles and also prepare ourselves for them?

    Do we let others help us when don’t feel strong enough to get through it on our own?

    Are we training our children and younger family members to walk with God, so that one day they can help strengthen us and others when battles come?

    Do we pay attention to the needs of others and help them with their battles too?

    Prayer

    Dear Heavenly Father – I praise You for Your goodness and faithfulness. I am thankful that You are a God of strength and might and You do not grow tired and weary. Show me where and when I would be wise and faithful to offer and give aid and also where and when I ought to accept or ask for help. Help me be strong and wise for every task You are preparing for me to do, and also know what is the job for another. Help me intentionally and effectively raise up workers for Your kingdom. In Your Son’s name I pray.

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    The Temple of God

    2 Samuel 17-18

    Psalm 56

    *1 Corinthians 3

    -Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

                In today’s 1 Corinthian 3 reading, there is a beautiful imagery and phrasing that really helps to understand many things.  There was a devotion recently about “The Temple” (March 28) that gave some interesting facts about the importance of the Temple to the Jews, and some historical information that helped give context to some scriptures, but it didn’t really talk much about the layout and function of the temple itself.  Today, we’ll partially correct that (with the understanding that due to brevity and space limitations, we’ll probably not ever get a full and deep understanding without branching off and digging vigorously).

                So as far as the Temple, here’s how it was laid out.  The whole complex in it’s entirety was about 500 x 500 cubits (that’d be about 750′ or 229(ish) meters per side) encompassed by a stone wall and then separated into distinct “courts” by a stone retaining wall (called the “soreg”).  This fence separated the sacred inner areas from the Court of the Gentiles, beyond which Gentiles and the ceremonially unclean were forbidden to enter.  Inside the soreg, the layout progressed through increasingly sacred zones:  the Court of the Women: (the outermost court accessible to Jewish worshippers, featuring four corner chambers for storage and ritual purification). Then the Court of the Israelites: (a strip for men, separated from the priests’ area by slats, containing the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Laver for ritual washing).  Then the Court of the Priests: (the innermost courtyard where priests conducted sacrifices, containing the Hall of the Priests and the Chamber of the Hearth).

                The temple building itself, known as the Hekal, sat at the western end of the complex and consisted of the Vestibule, the Holy Place (housing the Menorah, Table of Showbread, and Altar of Incense), and the Holy of Holies (or, the Sanctuary). Unlike the First Temple, the Holy of Holies in the Second Temple was empty of the Ark of the Covenant, containing only the exposed foundation stone, and was separated from the Holy Place by two curtains rather than a solid wall (those were the curtains that were torn from top to bottom when Jesus was crucified, and were about 30′ tall). Whenever God’s presence was in the Temple, He was always in the Sanctuary or “Holy of Holies”.   That was a long way to go to get here, but the point I was working at is: God was in the Sanctuary (the Holy of Holies), which was separated in layers going from the most sacred (closest to God) and working out to the least sacred (furthest from God).

                In our reading of 1 Corinthians 3 today, after being told to make sure that our foundation in building is Jesus, the Christ, Paul goes on to say (in 1 Cor 3:16): “Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (NASB).  The translation here doesn’t do it justice, because the literal translation would read “that part of the temple where God himself resides”: the sanctuary, or “Holy of Holies”.   Think about that for a moment, and then allow me a moment to wax poetically.

                When God removed the temple, he replaced the temple of stone with a temple of flesh.  YOUR flesh, if you are submitting to God’s authority.  I speak often of “letting God sit on the throne of your heart” and this gives it an entirely new and deeper meaning to me, if I am the Sanctuary of God: of course he should, because that’s where God lives when he comes to the temple.  WE are the temple.

                In 1st Peter 2:4-5 we are described as “living stones” being formed into a spiritual house (or, temple).  This tracks perfectly with what Paul is telling us here.  To take that a little further, when we go through trials and tests, that is God smoothing the edges of His stones so they’ll fit better.  Whenever we are tested in the fire, that is the kiln of God, strengthening us to make His temple stronger.  We are just pieces of the master building that God is currently constructing, of which Jesus is the cornerstone, and the spirit of God is dwelling in each of us.  When it is completed, and joined together and solid, imagine what a beautiful temple God will have.

                There are some warnings and considerations though, think it through.  God is a master builder, He will try to smooth our edges so we fit in properly, and strengthen us in the kiln, but if we are not fit to build with structurally we will be discarded.  Good builders don’t use sub par materials, it puts the whole structure at risk.  This is clearly told to us in the parable of the vine in John 15 where the vines that do not bear fruit are thrown into the fire and burned up.

                If we allow God to sit in the Sanctuary of our heart, and His spirit to dwell within us, we will be found worthy, strong and able to bear a load.  With God leading us, we will endure and persevere as the rough edges are smoothed and we are chiselled into the shape of His desiring.  With the spirit of God dwelling inside us, the heat of the furnace will only strengthen us.  If the Lord wills it, we will at the end of  days be found to be pleasing and strong stones, built and mortared firmly together as a dwelling place for the Most High God, and built upon the strong cornerstone of His anointed king, Yeshua (Jesus).  The imagery is so beautiful to me, I pray that I may not be found wanting and that I may honor the unwarranted favor which I’ve been shown.  I pray the same for you.

    REFLECTION QUESTIONS

    Did you ever understand that when we had trials, God was shaping us? (See James 1:2-4)

    What rough edges do you have left to smooth?

    What particular fires are you going through now that will strengthen you?

    How can we all grow stronger, and more suited to become the Temple that God desires?

    PRAYER

    Father God, break me, mold me, form me, fill me.  Help me to become the thing which You wish me to be, to become a servant who is pleasing to You, and to fully submit to and appreciate the efforts and purpose to which I am being formed.  Please grant me your wisdom and strength, so that the fires of life do not break me, but strengthen me.  Forgive me when I fail you, and please teach me to be better at doing Your will.  Thank you for everything You have done for me, may the lips of all of Your creation offer You praise.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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    A First Century Jew

    2 Samuel 9-10

    Psalm 54

    *Romans 15

    -Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

                I really like Paul, he just strikes me as the kind of guy who has what they used to call “grit”; he’s feisty, and blunt to the point of offensive at times.  When he’s writing the book of Romans (@ 56 AD, give or take a couple years) it seems like he’s writing to folks he hadn’t actually met yet (Rom 1:8-15) but considers fellow believers, is praying for them, and hopes to visit them soon (he’s arrested in Jerusalem before that can happen).  This letter was most likely written from Corinth, around the time of his 3rd missionary voyage. 

                Paul was a “Jew’s Jew” (Phil 3:5, it actually reads “Hebrew’s Hebrew”), the guy was fiercely zealous for God and initially saw believers in Christ as a threat to Judaism (see activities just prior to his conversion: Acts 7:57-8:3, Phil 3:4-6, and Gal 1:13-14), but after he is converted he brings that same feisty zeal to the service of the Christ.  He was a Pharisee (1 of the 4 Jewish “philosophies”, more on that later), a student of Gamaliel (a renowned rabbi), a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, and a Roman citizen (he was born in Tarsus, a city in the province of Cilicia that held the status of a “free city” within the Roman Empire, which granted legal Roman citizenship).

                I was very surprised (and amazed) that some modern day “apologists”  on YouTube have recently begun to claim that Paul espoused doctrines that weren’t even existant until the 4th century.  Here’s the thing: Paul was a Jew, not just that but a “Jew’s Jew”,  and ALL of the Jewish people (since the time of the return from the Babylonian captivity) have been FIERCELY monotheistic.  According to Sir Anthony Buzzard, to even begin to comprehend scripture properly it must be examined through the lens of a 1st century Jew.  I agree.  Saying anything different is just not doing your homework, and stating that a 1st century Jew such as Paul believed in a speculation that didn’t even exist in any form until the 4th century is clearly an anachronism (and a prime example of  ‘confirmation bias’, and shoddy homework).

                We can see Paul’s theology in the first chapter of Romans, it’s very clear, as it is in most of his letters.  In Romans 1:1-4 he refers to the promises of God made in advance through His prophets  about The Messiah (or Christ) as being a Jewish man descended from David genealogically, and designated as the son of God in power (Gen 3:15, Deut 18:18, 2 Sam 7 to name just a few of those prophecies).  Romans 1:7 states “…Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the **Lord Jesus Christ.”, as he does similarly in most of his letters, showing a clear delineation in Paul’s thinking between the two.  Paul did have a radical change in thinking, but it was from the Pharisee’s view of “the messiah is yet to come”  to his post vision understanding that “The Messiah has come, this man Jesus who was a descendant of David.” (not any of the later speculations from the 4th century).  **=Please note that the translation “Lord” here in “Lord Jesus Christ” is accurately “my lord“ (no caps) and not “THE LORD” (all caps), and every time you read “Christ” in scripture it is the title of a man whom God has anointed as King (and not somebody’s last name).  “THE LORD” (all caps) is a later textual corruption done with good intentions (and bad results),  mistranslating the name of God (which occurs about 7000 times in the old testament as “YHVH” or “YHWH”).

                If Paul had somehow, against all logic and reason, ever changed his fiercely monotheistic Jewish understanding of God there would have been a VERY clear and direct dissertation on it to at least one of his many churches, more realistically a whole lot of dissertations to all of them; Paul wasn’t what I’d call a “subtle” guy, he was very direct.  We would have entire books devoted to explain this new “doctrine”, and that just never happened.  Quite the opposite.  The only real doctrinal controversy Paul ever chimes in on is “should the gentiles be circumcised“ (he says not).  Paul was probably, however, the single greatest (human) force in bringing the gospel that was delivered originally exclusively to Jews (by Jesus and then his apostles) over to the gentiles.  In our reading today in Rom 15:16, we can see Paul (despite being a devout Jew himself) has now self-identified as a minister of the Messiah Jesus to the Gentiles (non-Jewish folks), a priest to them.

                Even when he is ministering to the Gentiles, though, he constantly refers to the scriptures that the Jews were familiar with at the time: what we call the Old Testament.  These were just the scriptures that a first century Jew had available, and the vast majority of the intended audience at this point were also first century Jews (keep in mind the New Testament wasn’t compiled in it’s entirety until later); numerically there were just fewer gentiles at this point in the development of Christianity than there were Jews, and they had a much clearer and simpler understanding of these scriptures.  The later believers’ “complex” problems were of their own devising, and didn’t occur until after the (then numerically superior) gentiles brought their mythology and speculation in to the church around the 4th century.  We see clearly in todays reading Paul’s reliance upon and belief in the ancient Jewish scriptures in the Old Testament.

                In Romans 15, Paul quotes Jewish scripture (that’s the Old Testament to you gentiles) 4 times in this one chapter, with the intention of unifying “God’s people” (the Jews) and Gentiles (we who were “grafted on”).  In v9 he (Paul) quotes 2 Samuel 22:50 (or Psalm 18:49), where David rejoices that God has mercy on the Gentiles.  In v10 he quotes  Deuteronomy 32:43, urging the Gentiles to rejoice with God’s people. In v11 he quotes Psalm 117:1, calling all nations to praise the Lord, and in v12 he quotes Isaiah 11:10, describing the root of Jesse who will rise to reign over the Gentiles, in whom they will hope.  His whole point here in chapter 15 is to encourage the Jews and the Gentiles to “accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God” (Romans 15:7, LSB).  I honestly don’t doctrinally agree with most of the mainstream Christian folks out there right now, but I do try to accept them as brothers (and sisters) in Christ, because after all who am I to judge the servant of another (Rom 14:4)?

                I’ve heard a lot of  folks take the stance that the Old Testament doesn’t matter, because that was for the Jews and we are “Christians”, and I disagree (in love).  The New Testament didn’t in any way negate the Old Testament, it just clarifies it; all together it is just one long and unbroken story of the love that God has for His creation, and the overwhelmingly beautiful character of our God.  Jesus, the servant of God (Acts 3:13), quoted extensively from the Old Testament.  Paul, the servant of Jesus, who was the servant of God, quoted extensively from the Old Testament.  We, who strive to be grafted on to the branch of God’s people (the Jew’s), by right of belief in the “root of Jesse who will rise to reign over the Gentiles” (the son of David: Yeshua, Jesus), should humbly acknowledge that the branches die without the root.

    REFLECTION QUESTIONS

    1. Do you read the Old Testament or the New Testament more often, and why?
    2. Have you ever allowed doctrinal differences to cause you to view any of your brothers or sisters in Christ in a negative light? Why?
    3. Have you ever allowed doctrinal differences to cause you to view any of  your fellow Children of the Book (Jews and Muslims) in a negative light? Why?
    4. Do you think that what you believe or how you behave is more important in terms of your entry into God’s kingdom, and why?

    PRAYER

    Father God,  Creator and Sustainer of all life, thank you for my life.  Please lead me, and allow me to humbly be a servant who pleases my master.  Teach me wisdom, Father, and whisper in my ear.  Help me to seek the old ways, and to know the truth about You.  Please grant me Your spirit so that I can love my fellow creation and faithfully follow the instructions of my King, the one whom You sent for us.  Father God, have mercy upon me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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    Prophecies of the Messiah

    *2 Samuel 7-8

    Psalm 54

    Romans 14

    -Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)

                Today’s reading in 2 Sam 7 is one of the most critical prophecies in scripture to understand, if you want to understand about the nature of Jesus, and also get a glimpse into the character of God.  This is one of the clearest passages of scripture that is written about the requirements of The Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ or “Ha Meshiach” in Hebrew, which is where we get the term).  When the ancient Jews were told about The Messiah, this is one of the “go to” scriptures that lists and explains what the expectations should be.  Always go to the “original sources” when you are trying to understand something, and this is one of the best original sources about the Messiah that there are in scripture.  Victor Gluckin has an amazing series on Restitutio.org in the form of podcasts on this that’s better than anything that I could ever do, search for “Victor Gluckin, Restitutio, Son of David” and listen.

                As we start to read in 2 Sam 7:1-11, a lot of the character of David and then God is revealed.  David says to Nathan (a prophet), “Hey I live in a nice house here, but God’s in a tent.  I should build Him a nice house too”.  Nathan replies, “Sure, do it.”, but then God talks to Nathan and tells him to go back to David and tell him “Oh, you think you’re going to build ME a house?  Nah man, I’m going to build YOU a house.” (this is all obviously and painfully paraphrased, but read the scripture, the gist is true).  What we see from this is that God is a rewarder of those who seek to please Him, and that David was trying to please Him.  This is important background to know going in to the next section of scripture, where the meat of the prophecy is.  This is a direct response by God to his servant, David

                First though, know that each one of the gospels (and really the rest of the NT as well) was written for the express purpose of explaining that Jesus (יֵשׁוּעַ )  of Nazareth was this prophesied Messiah(Or, Christ.  Messiah=Christ=”Anointed One”, they all mean the same thing: Christ is not a last name, it is a title of authority).  This is detailed in each of their thesis statements (Matt 1:1, Mark 1:1, Luke 1:30-32, John 20:31).  Jesus himself explains to the samaritan woman that he is, in fact, the Messiah that has been foretold (John 4:25), and commends Peter for getting the correct answer in Matt 16:15 when he asks “but who do you say that I am?”.  He is the Christ, the Messiah.  Every time you see “Christ” in the new testament, it is a confirmation that Jesus of Nazareth is The Christ (Greek for “anointed one”),  or, The Messiah (Hebrew for “anointed one”): they mean the same thing: the man anointed to be king.  What does that mean, though?

    THE CRITERIA OF THE MESSIAH (or, Christ).  These are requirements, these MUST all be fullfilled in order to claim the title of The Christ

    • REQUIREMENT 1– (2 Sam 7:12-13)- “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, ***I will raise up one of your seed after you, who will come forth from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom.  He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kindgom forever.”(LSB).  The Messiah MUST BE a human descendant of David, there is not an option for a different understanding because this is the promise God made to David (and God always, always, always keeps His promises). 
    • REQUIREMENT 2– (2 Sam 7:14-15)- “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will reprove him…but My lovingkindness shall not be removed from him…” (LSB)  The Messiah MUST BE the son of God.  Keep in mind that scripturally, the “sons of God” could refer to heavenly beings (Gen 6:2, Job 1:6, Ps 89:6) and that the term is also used metaphorically to refer to humans or groups that have a special relationship with God (as in Ex 4:22 , Ps 82:6, or Mal 2:10).  In the instance of Jesus of Nazareth, both the literal and metaphoric explanations could be fully applied (because of his miraculous conception, but either would have been sufficient to fulfill this prophecy).
    • REQUIREMENT 3– 2 Sam 7:16: “And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”  To be The Christ you MUST establish a kingdom that will endure forever.  We as Christians believe that when Jesus returns, this requirement will be fulfilled.  In Jesus’ day, his disciples asked “So, uh, is this when you’re going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6, paraphrased).  He explains to them “I don’t get to pick that, only God knows when that’s going to happen” (Acts 1:7, also paraphrased: See also Matt 24:36).  We believe that when Jesus ascended and was sat at the right hand of God, this was our clear indication that our King had been chosen by God for this future kingdom,  which we all strive to enter and be a citizen of as our core desire and primary reward.  We know that even though this hasn’t been completely fulfilled yet that God always, always, always keeps his promises, and we see many clear prophecies and sermons about this kingdom which will be established on the earth.

                ***NOTE: This is actually an example of “progressive revelation” about the Messiah: Gen 3:15 states the “seed of the woman” will crush the serpent (a human), Deut 18:18 says God will “raise up one of your brothers from among you” (speaking to the Israelites, so now we have an Israelite human), and then 2 Sam 7:12-13 clearly shows it will be a descendant of David so the progressive revelation reveals that the Messiah will be (in order): (1)Human, (2)Israelite Human, (3)Israelite Human of David’s genealogical line.  Note that in progressive revelation the base information never actually changes, it is simply clarified.  This is important, so pay close attention here: you can’t just make something up new and call it progressive revelation.  When you make up something new and add it to scripture, that’s called fabrication and it’s something else entirely.

                So why does this matter?  Firstly, we need to know that our gracious, merciful, and loving God is a rewarder of those who seek Him.  While God certainly didn’t need David to build Him a nicer house (See Psalms 24:1), He respected and reciprocated the intent to please Him.  We need to believe that there is a God, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently (Heb 11:6).  Secondly, men are not only confusing but confused.  If someone is teaching you any doctrine that opposes what the scripture clearly says, this scripture, stop listening to them and go back to the original source; even if a majority of people say you’re wrong, because God is greater than man.  It’s important for you to understand the scriptures you read, just as it’s important for you to submit yourself to God and receive the holy spirit, because God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).  He will find you, if you seek in spirit and truth!

    REFLECTION QUESTIONS

    1. Did you ever really give deep, serious thought to what “Jesus (the) Christ” actually meant?  Do you feel as if this scripture helped clarify some?
    2. Do you think a working knowledge of the Old Testament is relevant to you as a Christian? Why, or why not?
    3.  Are you trying your absolute hardest to please God, or are you more focused on pleasing yourself?  Why?  What is your expected outcome for either?
    4. What does is say of God’s character, that when we try to please Him he repays us a thousandfold, as seen in this scripture today?
    5. Why do you think God gives us such an abundance of prophecy in the scriptures? Discuss.

    PRAYER

    Father God, Creator of all things, thank you so much for telling us of the things which are to come.  Purify us so that we can be holy.  Please teach us your ways, grant us wisdom, and help our eyes to see and our ears to hear.  Help us to circumcise our hearts and walk humbly before you, and to do the things that please you.  Thank you Father, most of all, for sending us the Christ.  Please grant that we may listen to all that he has spoken, and obey in truth and spirit.  In Jesus’ name, Amen

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