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A Clean Heart

Daily Reading

1Kings 15-17

Daily Thought

While Asa reigned forty-one years king of Judah, and did right in the eyes of the Lord, six kings ruled over Israel to the north: Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, and Ahab. The reigns of the kings lasted from 7 days (Zimri) to 24 years (Baasha), but no matter, each life was summed up in a phrase, by their relation to God, and these kings did evil in the eyes of the Lord. (It doesn’t actually say Elah did evil. He was too drunk and too dead within two years to cause too much trouble.)

That each king of Israel did evil was shared by one other trait, they walked in the sinful way of Jeroboam. Jeroboam slipped off the path toward idolatry and each successive king strayed farther, until Omri did more evil than all who were before him (1Kings 16:25), and Ahab more evil still (v 30). Judah’s king Asa, on the other hand, did as David his father had done. “David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite” (1Kings 15:5).

Wait a minute! That is quite an exception. David had sex with Uriah’s wife, then murdered Uriah. This is no small sin, but God weighs not the act, but the afterward. David ends up right in God’s sight and Jeroboam wrong because when confronted, Jeroboam did not repent, David did. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (A Psalm of David 51:3-4). As towering as David’s sin, God’s grace soars above, and David is forgiven, renewed, and restored.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
~Psalm 51:10, 12

Daily Prayer

My God, blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Thank You, God, for Your grace.

Amen

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Force, Fear, or Faith

Daily Reading

1Kings 12-14

Daily Thought

There are three ways to rule.

By faith. Rehoboam sought advice from the wise old men who had counseled his father, Solomon, while he had been king, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever” (1Kings 12:6-7).

By force. “But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him” (1Kings 12:8). Rehoboam preferred strength, and said to his people, “My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions” (1Kings 12:10-11). Little wonder many rebelled and turned to Jeroboam.

By fear. Anointed by God, Jeroboam nevertheless was afraid that “if this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah” (1Kings 12:27). The Temple was in the south at Jerusalem, so Jeroboam made religion convenient to the north. Rather than travel to the Temple, he brought God to the people in the likeness of two golden calves, placed close to home in Bethel and Dan. Pleasing the people, he set up altars throughout the land and chose priests from any tribe, not God’s chosen tribe of Levi. By convenience and accommodation, faith was made weak.

There are three ways to rule, by force, by fear, or by faith. Only one unites. By faith, Israel would be one nation under God, but Rehoboam ruled by force and Jeroboam  by fear, “and there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually” (1Kings 14:30).

Daily Prayer

God, may You always be first place in my life. May You be my first love, my full devotion. With all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, may my love never waver or cease. May I seek Your Word, Your ways, Your will.

Protect me from the weakness of fear, and guard me against finding strength in position or popularity or power. May I, instead, at all times seek Your pleasure.

Amen

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Devoted or Divided

Daily Reading

1Kings 10-11

Daily Thought

The Queen of Sheba visited the kingdom of Solomon. When the Queen of Sheba says something like, “Behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard” (1Kings 10:7), you know you have all you need and more. It was not just the wealth, but the women. Many foreign women. God said, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods” (1Kings 11:1). He did and they did. Having everything you want is not always best.

Remember the nursery rhyme, Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the kings horses and all the kings men–”Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem (1Kings 10:26)–they couldn’t put Solomon together again. Solomon’s father, David, had been fully devoted. Solomon was fully divided. The kingdom would be divided as well.

If Satan cannot ruin you with failure, he will try to ruin you with success. He is not partial to either.

Daily Prayer

God of Love, I only know what love is because of You. My kind of love leans toward selfishness. What is in it for me? But You, the God of all creation, considered me, the one You created, better than Yourself. Even while I had my back turned to You, You died for me. Your love is sacrificial. It is good. It is life.

God, I have one first love and that is You. Above all else and all others. What is amazing is I am able to love others better because I love You fully. Thank You for loving me first.

Amen

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Built To Last

Daily Reading

1Kings 8-9

Daily Thought

An Episcopal church in Manhattan, The Church of the Holy Communion, opened its doors in 1844 as a place of worship and a help to the needy. It had a good run, but by mid-20th century, neglect began taking its toll. In 1983, The Church of the Holy Communion was converted into the Limelight Nightclub, the once reverent spot into a house of decadence. Yet, it would sink lower still. In the Spring of 2010, the Church turned Nightclub was reborn as the Limelight Marketplace, with 35 upscale boutiques and restaurants, complete with stained-glass windows. What had become of the house of worship?

God warned Solomon there could come a time when, “Everyone passing by the Temple will be astonished and will hiss, and they will say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ Then they will say, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord their God who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them'” (1Kings 9:8-9).

The first Temple, 960-586BC, Solomon’s, was destroyed by the Babylonians. The second, 516BC-70AD, by the Romans. Why then exert the effort, take the time, pay the price to build a house for God? Not because God needs the Temple, but because the Temple and its people need God. These temples lasted a long time, but they did not last forever. No building of man can.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1Corinthians 3:16). That “you” is plural, not singular. The Christian life is community. Do not go it alone. This is the Church, the people of God. You are that house. Built to last, because the Church is not a building of man, but the handiwork of God.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are holy and righteous. I am not. You made me in Your image, so deep inside I have always known what I should be like. But, on my own, I wouldn’t do anything to change. Thank You for seeking me and inviting me to follow You. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus said, “Follow Me.” God, I commit to following You with all that I am. Help me keep that promise. Do not allow me to chase after empty religion, but may my religion be the kind of religion that You embrace, that I will keep myself pure, unpolluted by the world, and that I will look after and serve the poor, the marginalized, the orphans and widows. You are, and shall always be my first love. With all of my heart, with all of my mind, with all of my strength, I will love You, follow You, and serve You.

Amen

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You Are That Temple

Daily Reading

1Kings 6-7

Daily Thought

God is at work in creation. Day one, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), and there is day and night. Day two, God separates the sky from the ocean surface, then parts the seas and brings forth dry land, day three. On day four, he places the sun, moon, and stars; on day five, he fills the oceans and skies with creatures that swim and fly; on day six, he creates the animals on earth, then he creates man; and each day was good. Then God rested. We know when he rested, he ceased working, but what had he built? Rest also means to reside, to take residence, and God had built His temple, a God-sized house, the heavens and the earth. From the prophet Isaiah, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?'” (Isaiah 66:1).

A temple does not contain God. No temple can, not even the heaven and the earth. A temple is that place where God resides to meet us, and for Adam and Eve, that temple was all that God created. From Adam and Eve sprang many people, and God chose one, Israel, to call his own. “Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, ‘Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel’” (1Kings 6:11-13).

Solomon would build him a temple, “The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?” (2Chronicles 2:5-6). Solomon built a temple not to contain God, no temple can, but a place for God to reside so his people could meet him.

Now, God has chosen the church, those who trust and follow his son, Jesus Christ, and said, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1Corinthians 6:19-20). A temple does not contain God. No temple can. It is that place were God resides, so his people can meet him. You are that temple.

Daily Prayer

My God, I am home for Your Name, a place of Your residence. You created all things, You are God, the only God, the Maker of heaven and the earth, and You have made me Your temple, my heart Your home. That is hard to get my head around, the God of the universe knows my name. It is amazing and it is wonderful.

God, clean house, sweep out the sin and rearrange my priorities. Make Yourself first in my life and take all of me, heart, soul, mind, and strength. Leave no corner untouched. I will follow You, only You, the only God, and I will love You with all that I am. Live in me so fully that others will see You are home.

Amen

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Wishes

Daily Reading

1Kings 3-5

Daily Thought

My oldest was 4-years old when Disney’s Aladdin premiered in the theaters. I asked her what she’d ask for if a genie appeared offering her “three wishes, to be exact. And ixnay on the wishing for more wishes.” Not a problem for my 4-year old. Abby said, “I’d wish for three more genies.” Abby was clever.

God said to Solomon, “Ask what I shall give you” (1Kings 3:5). It is the same offer without conditions. What would you ask for? God anticipated a request for long life or wealth or for some tortuous death of a particularly awful enemy, but no; “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1Kings 3:9). Solomon asked for wisdom. Solomon was already wise.

Two women approached Solomon, each having given birth, but one child died, and whose the live child belonged to was in dispute. Solomon pulled a sword and threatened to divide the child, half to each mother. The false mother thought that fair, but the true gave her son away, if only to keep him whole. “And so the king knew the true mother, and all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice”

Do you think the wisdom of Solomon obvious? Who would dare take a sword to their child. It is common sense, but there are few things less common than common sense. The debt we take as a family or a nation, who pays the price? We take a sword to our children. What ought to be delightful words, “You are expecting,” threaten our independence and we take a sword to our children, literally. There is more, but you get the idea. The children suffer our sins and we need the wisdom of God to do justice.

Daily Prayer

Righteous God, You are just and good. You promise wisdom if I ask for it, but You warn me to ask with a pure and faithful heart. God, may I love You with all my heart, with all my strength, with all my mind. No division. May I seek You and You alone.

May I have the heart of Your Son, Jesus, who considered others better than Himself. Better than Himself! He is God. Your Son. Yet He washed the feet of His followers. Father, break into my heart. Teach me the humility of Christ. Let my love for You be displayed in my care and compassion for others. Give me wisdom to serve.

Amen

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The Throne

Daily Reading

1Kings 1-2

Daily Thought

The first words of the books of Kings, “Now King David was old and advanced in years” (1 Kings 1:1), remind us our time is temporary. The reign of David would pass on to another, to his son, Solomon, and David instructs his successor, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn’ (1Kings 2:2-3). Kings come and go because the throne is never truly their own, but God’s. 

Pay attention, though, because God promised David that, although he could not keep the throne, he could keep the throne in his family, “if your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel” (1Kings 2:4). Some did, most did not. One of two oft repeated obituaries are recorded in Scripture at the passing of a king, “he did evil in the eyes of the Lord,” and less often, “he did what was right.” Rulers do well to remember they lead at the pleasure or displeasure of God, and will be judged accordingly. Eventually, the record goes silent and the throne is empty.

Until another is born, Jesus Christ, son of David” (Matthew 1:1), Son of God. His will be an obedience “to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8), “and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33). The promise is fulfilled. 

Daily Prayer

God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, I know that You are good and You made this world good. When I follow You, I am blessed. Your discipline is good. It comes from Your love and Your desire to see me live a life of righteousness and peace.

Your correction is painful, at times, but I am glad for it.It puts me back on the right track.Do not let me become blind and deaf to the consequences of evil, but help me remember the joy of walking with You, so I will always long for it. It is good to be a citizen of the righteous and wonderful King of kings forever.

Amen

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One God

Daily Reading

2Samuel 22-24

Daily Thought

“So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, ‘Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.” (2Samuel 24:2). David’s purpose in his census was to know the size of the nation’s army and its ability to win wars. He wanted to know how strong he was. “And Joab gave the sum of the numbering of the people to the king: in Israel there were 800,000 valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were 500,000” (2Samuel 24:9).

“As for me, I said in my prosperity, I shall never be moved,” from a song of David, Psalm 30:6. King David was a song writer and his lyrics revealed his heart, both good and evil. This was evil. 

David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people and David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done” (2Samuel 24:10). What David had done was count his soldiers. David believed he had measured the strength of Israel, but it was the wrong measure. David needed only count one. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). 

We collect many gods in this world, gods of power, of status, of fame, of possessions, but I count my God and there is One. Any more would be less.

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.”
Another song of David, 2Samuel 22:2-4

This is good.

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, You are my strength. With you, I am are more than a conqueror. When I act on my own strength, I act on my own. Either I fail or my head gets big. Keep me from thinking I can handle the troubles and temptations of this world on my own. I can’t.

I must remember that when I am weak, that is when You go to work. I am strong, not because of what I am capable of, but because You are almighty.

Amen

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The Door

Daily Reading

2Samuel 19-21

Daily Thought

David mourns the loss of his son, crying aloud, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2Samuel 18:33; 19:4). Who can fault a father his grief, but it lingers too long and too loud, and Joab are pointedly true, “You have made it clear today that commanders and servants are nothing to you, for today I know that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased” (2Samuel 19:6).

Death is grievous, and should be. It is the last enemy (1Corinthians 15:26). But there is a particularly awful agony in the loss of a son you never really had, whose death was as pointless as his life. King David the father mourns the life and death of his rebellious, disobedient son, and in doing so, pours scorn on the faithful people who had well-served their king.

What a contrast to the death of another son of David, “who humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death–even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8). God the Father celebrates the life and death of his righteous, obedient Son, who in dying provides salvation to the sinful people who crucified their King.

To a life lived for today, death closes the door, but to a life lived for Jesus, death is the door into eternity.

Daily Prayer

God, Your salvation is amazing. I, a sinner, was not looking to be saved, but rather, I was a self-seeking man, longing to be self-satisfied. I could not, however, find satisfaction, contentment, peace, love, purpose in my pursuits. I needed a Savior.

Your Son left His place by Your side and became like me to show me who You are. He  sought me, saved me, and showed me true love. He laid down His life to give me mine. No greater love.

Thank You

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A Name Remembered

Daily Reading

2Samuel 16-18

Daily Thought

Absalom, the son of David, was pretty and proud, and, for a moment, stole the hearts of the people and his father’s crown. “Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head (for at the end of every year he used to cut it; when it was heavy on him, he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head, two hundred shekels by the king’s weight (2Samuel 14:25-26). The custom of royalty was to drench one’s hair in fragrant oils, braiding in gold dust and jewels and piling it high above the head as a crown of glory. Absalom had an abundance of glory on his head. That glory would be his downfall.

“Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself the pillar that is in the King’s Valley, for he said, ‘I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.’ He called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s monument to this day” (2Samuel 18:18). Absalom desperately wanted his name remembered, and it is. Mention to a Sunday School class the name Absalom and they will tell you about David’s son, and they will tell you about his his long and beautiful hair, and then they will giggle, because he got it stuck in a tree. “Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on” (2Samuel 18:9). 

While he dangled, David’s soldiers discussed what to do until Joab “took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak” (2Samuel 18:14). Thus the crown returned to the rightful king David. Absalom wanted his name remembered, and it is. How it is remembered should have mattered more. 

Daily Prayer

Father God, protect my heart from seeking my own benefit. Whenever I seek my own, it costs somebody something. May I learn to live completely content with the riches I have in You, so that I will be someone who seeks to serve rather than be served.

I have learned love, the highest love, sacrificial giving love, from You. You who knew no sin became sin so that I might be brought into Your family. You delight in me. There is nothing I can add to Your worth or Your wealth. You have no need of my offerings or my sacrifices. All that I am, God, comes from You. I am happiest when I pursue what You have created me to do. Take my desires God and shape them to Your will. You delight in me. I long to delight in You. May I desire You fully forever.

Amen