God Speaks
Evil Kings in Israel Contrasted with God-honoring King Jehoshaphat in Judah
Verse of the Day:
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 1 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 17:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1 Kings 16
1. God will take appropriate action against people who provoke Him to anger because of their sins.
2. People, especially rulers like Omri, often not only sin themselves but cause other people to sin as well.
2 Chronicles 17
1. God supplies the forces needed to defend nations whose leaders take actions to purify their people’s worship of YHWH and to teach their people about Him.
2. People need leaders, like Jehoshaphat, who will set good examples of purity of worship, management of wealth, study of the scriptures and supervision of military defenses.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 1 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 17?
Gracious and Almighty God, please take whatever action is necessary to keep me from sinning and provoking You to anger. Keep me also from causing others to sin. Help me to set a good example to those around me of purity of worship, management of wealth, study of the scriptures and godly living. Since I live in a nation where people are given the opportunity to choose their rulers, help me and other believers to do our part in backing people who will lead in righteousness and wisdom. When we do so, we will bring You glory, LORD, AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 1 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 17?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will confess my sins to the LORD and (with the help of the Holy Spirit) turn away from them.
- I will ask the LORD to forgive my sins and turn His justifiable wrath away from me.
- I will pray and vote for statesmen (and women) who will set good examples of purity of worship, management of wealth, study of the scriptures and supervision of military defenses.
- I will personally work at setting a good example to those around me of purity of worship, management of wealth, study of the scriptures and godly living for the benefit of others.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.