Decline and Demise

May 5

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 10 – 11

Verse of the Day: 1 Kings 11:1 – “Now king Solomon loved many foreign women…”

As we continue on in our reading through the Old Testament, we begin to see things changing in Israel. It starts here with Solomon’s compromise, failure, and rebellion against the ways of God. Like his father David, his moral compromise eroded his life and kingdom from the inside out. We might say – “Like father, like son.”

Too often in Scripture (and history) we can see that people and nations start out in line with God and as they prosper they stray away from Him. This begins an inner corrosion that will bring that person (or nation) down. Here we see the hinge that the book turns upon. Compromise and failure will lead to a loss of blessing and can set a downward spiral in place unless a person comes in repentance to God.

Prayer: God of grace we come to You today in repentance for taking control of our life. Mold it in Your purpose and plan. Amen. 

Infinite vs. Finite

May 4

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 8 – 9

Verse of the Day: 1 Kings 8:27 – “But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded!”

How often do we think about what great things we have done for God? Believe it or not, some people think and act like God is lucky to have them working for Him.

Solomon, after building a magnificent Temple, understood that all that he had accomplished was small in comparison to God Himself. All of the heavens are too small to contain God – so how could a building (not matter how large or beautiful) could not contain God. Compared to God, Solomon humbly dedicates his work as an offering to the One who deserves all praise and worship.

Prayer: Majestic and Magnificent God, I come humbly before You today offering what my small hands can bring. May You accept the praise and glory for all I do. Amen.

Priorities right?

May 3

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 6 – 7

Verse of the Day: 1 Kings 7:1 – “And Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.”

Some have faulted Solomon in spending more time in building his house than God’s Temple (1 Kings 6:38 – “So was he seven years in building it.”). Yet we need to remember two things – first, Solomon made building the Temple the priority and finished it before starting his own palace. Second, David had gathered most of the building materials and supplies before he died. So, in a sense Solomon had a “leg up” on the construction of God’s House.

We need to stop and look at our own lives. Do we put God’s things before our own? Are we more concerned about His Kingdom than our desires? Can we honestly say that God’s plan and kingdom takes top priority in our thoughts and lives? Ponder this today.

Prayer: Master, help me put You and Your kingdom before my own desires today. Amen.

A discerning mind

May 2

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3 – 5

Verse of the Day: 1 Kings 3:9 – “Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?”

In this passage, we see that of all the things that Solomon could have asked for, he asks for discernment. In its simplest definition, discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. In other words, the ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think biblically.

To think biblically, one must know God personally and know His Word. Take time today to read and meditate on what God teaches. Let Him immerse you in His truth.

Prayer: Lord God, as Solomon prayed and received, I ask you to give me Your discernment and wisdom. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Study to Obey

May 1

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 1 – 2

Verse of the Day: 1 Kings 2:3 – “and keep the charge of Jehovah thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself.”

David is following Middle Eastern custom of passing on instructions to his son as he faced death. It reminds us of Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites and Yahweh’s challenge to Joshua (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). 

As we meditate upon this passage today, let us remember that God’s goal is that we be people who obey His Word, not merely study it. Our call is to yield our wills in greater obedience, not only to expand our minds with greater knowledge. Go out and obey today.

Prayer: God, today help me to accept Your call to obey. May what I read expand my mind and my obedience to your service. Amen.