Victory in Christ

The short book of Obadiah is the prophecy that God gave to him to share.  It begins with talk about what will happen to Edom.  “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 1:3)  There are many instances in the Holy Scripture that explain to us God’s dislike for a haughty attitude.  “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” (Proverbs 16:5)  “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)  It is easy to get an arrogant attitude sometimes, but James lets us know what a reward will be for staying humble.  “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)

Today’s reading: Obadiah; Psalms 82-83

Joash became king when he was very young and he was influenced in a positive way by the priest.  “And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” (2 Chronicles 24:2)  But it proved that Joash’s faith was rooted in that of Jehoiada.  “Now after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. And wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.” (2 Chronicles 24:17-18)  Unlike Joash, each of us should have our own faith in Lord.  Paul tells us to check that faith and make sure it is strong and well grounded.  “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Today’s reading: 2 Chronicles 19-23

The prophet Micaiah made it clear where his words would come from. “And Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, whatever my God says, that I will speak.” (2 Chronicles 18:13 NKJV) We also should follow and not modify the words of our Lord. “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2 NKJV) 

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18

Even though he was a king and had great material blessings, Ahab went to his room and pouted when he was not able to buy a vineyard that he coveted. “So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.” (1 Kings 21:4 NKJV) We have a strong warning from Jesus about letting material items become too important to us. “And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15 NKJV) 

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 20-21

Elijah received a threatening message from Jezebel.  He was afraid and asked God to let him die.  Letting him die was not in God’s plan.  An angel was sent to take care of Elijah and get him going again.  Later Elijah was trying to hide in a cave and God asked him what he was doing.  “He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”’ (1 Kings 19:10)  At times we may feel like Elijah did and think we are alone in following God.  We may want to give up, but God has work for us to do like He did for Elijah.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 17-19

Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sent a threatening message to Hezekiah, king of Judah.  “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.'” (2 Kings 19:10)  The message listed many other countries that had been taken by Sennacherib and basically said that Judah was next on his list.  Hezekiah did the best thing that he could have done and went directly to prayer.  “So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone.” (2 Kings 19:19)  After this prayer Isaiah brought words from God telling how He felt about Sennacherib’s attitude and actions.  “But I know your sitting down and your going out and coming in, and your raging against me.  Because you have raged against me and your complacency has come into my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came.” (2 Kings 19:27-28)  No matter what may threaten us, if we are like King Hezekiah and take it to our Heavenly Father first, we can rest assured in Him.  “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28) “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 17

Jehoshaphat appointed judges and gave them instructions on how they were to judge.  “Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.” (2 Chronicles 19:7)  Paul also told us thru his letter to the Colossians how we should act toward our just God.  “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.” (Colossians 3:23-25)

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13-16

With all the knowledge that he had, Solomon recognized that there were still things only God knew.  “then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind,” (2 Chronicles 6:30)  It is easy for us to think we know someone’s heart or motive, but Jesus also said that only God can do that.  “The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:14-15)

Today’s reading: 2 Chronicles 10-12

Elijah had the power of God behind him when he challenged the prophets of Baal.  His challenge was for each to take a bull, place it with wood on an altar and let their god provide the fire.  After Baal was not able to start a fire on their altar, Elijah had his altar soaked in water before he made his request to God.  “Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”  Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.  And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God.” (1 Kings 18:37-39)  Even though God does not work in this manner today, His awesome power is still evident in our daily lives as the One True and Living God.  “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Today’s reading: 1 Kings 12-14

We receive blessings from our Heavenly Father that are too numerous to count.  Some of these blessings are intended to help others.  “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16)  “Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:9)  No matter how great we are blessed in this life, it will not compare to the life we can have with Him in Heaven.  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)  Jesus warns us that love for God and love for money cannot go together.  “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)  Trusting in the riches of this world and not trusting in God will sooner or later cause us great disappointment.  “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Today’s reading: Proverbs 30-31