Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
Once more, God's word is seen to be fulfilled. We're learning that just as his word about Jeroboam's son was fulfilled (14v18), and his word about Jeroboam himself (15v28-30), so his word about the northern kingdom being conquered with its people shipped beyond the Euphrates (14v15), as we will see in chapter 17. It brings home the seriousness of idolatry and the inevitability of its punishment. The assessment of each king before God is not their military prowess or building projects, but whether they were "fully devoted to the Lord" like David and so whether they "did right in the eyes of the Lord." We would do well to assess ourselves the same way. To turn from the Lord and not display such faith is to bring down his outrage at sin, as the kings of both north and south discovered in this period. By contrast, although Asa could have gone even further in taking down the high places so worship was focused on Jerusalem, and although his reign wasn't without its trials, he is commended. As you read note the sins being committed.
1 Kings 14:1-15:32
1 Kings 14:1-15:32
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.