(334) 30 November : Proverbs 19v1 / 1 Kings 20-21 / Psalm 77v5-11

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

Proverbs 19:1

Understanding to grow in

Desire is the cause of sin. And the love of money, in particular, "a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Tim 6v10). So in grace, God gives the wicked Ahab victory over Aram, proving that he is the LORD. Yet, having seen such proof that the LORD is God, Ahab disobeys him by making a treaty with the enemy king for the sake of material gain. Similarly, he shows a lack of concern for God's law with respect to property, in seeking to buy Naboth's vineyard, and being more than happy to take it when his wife arranges his murder. Both times he is rebuked by prophets - a warning to us of the seriousness of disobeying God's word for the sake of money. This might be, as here, in making contracts deceptively, or gaining for self at the expense of others. But there are all manner of other ways greed shows itself. However, there is hope here too, if we have sinned in such a way. Hearing a stark word of judgment against him, Ahab repents, and the gracious God of Israel responds. As you read note what leads Ahab to sin.
1 Kings 20-21

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.

Psalm 77:5-11

·       For introductions to the various Bible books click here.

·       To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here