There Is One Prophet of the Lord, "But I Hate Him" (6/29)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18.

When Ahab wished to go up and fight against Ramoth-gilead, he asked the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, if he would join him. Before committing to this, Jehoshaphat wanted to first consult one of the Lord’s prophets.

Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, ‘Please inquire first for the word of the Lord.’ Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, ‘Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?’ And they said, ‘Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.’

“But Jehoshaphat said, ‘Is there not yet a prophet of the Lord here that we may inquire of him?’ The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla’” (2 Chronicles 18:4-7).

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Justice and Its Source (6/18)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Proverbs 27-29.

Civil authorities have a role to play in handing down justice to men. Justice is one of the key components necessary to having stability and peace in a country.

The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it” (Proverbs 29:4).

But what is the basis of this justice? How should we (or the rulers) determine what is just in a given situation?
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Punishment for Dishonesty (4/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 2 Samuel 1-4.

After the death of Saul, “a man who came out of the camp of Saul” (2 Samuel 1:2), yet identified himself as an Amalekite (2 Samuel 1:8), came to David to report to him of Saul’s death. Yet he was not completely honest in his report.

The young man who told him said, ‘By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and behold, Saul was leaning on his spear. And behold, the chariots and the horsemen pursued him closely. When he looked behind him, he saw me and called to me. And I said, “Here I am.” He said to me, “Who are you?” And I answered him, “I am an Amalekite.” Then he said to me, “Please stand beside me and kill me, for agony has seized me because my life still lingers in me.” So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown which was on his head and the bracelet which was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord’” (2 Samuel 1:6-10).

This man had Saul’s crown and bracelet, so he had obtained them somehow. Yet his story was not accurate. Saul fell on his own sword, killing himself (1 Samuel 31:4). When the Philistines found him, “They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons” (1 Samuel 31:9), yet nothing is said of his crown and bracelet. What likely happened was that this man found the dead king before the Philistines did, took these two items, and was now bringing them to David.
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The Christian’s Walk

Walking

In the Scriptures, the term walk is often used to describe the way in which we conduct our lives. God expects His people to conduct their lives in a certain way. Paul wrote to the brethren in Colosse about this: “So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects” (Colossians 1:10). How do we walk in a worthy manner?
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"The Word is Very Near You" (3/21)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Deuteronomy 30-31.

For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14).

Many people spend a lifetime searching for truth. They do not know where to find it, so they explore the myriad religions and philosophies from around the world as they move along their journey toward enlightenment.
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“Surely I Am More Stupid Than Any Man”

Man looking away

Agur described himself as being “more stupid than any man” (Proverbs 30:2). Yet this man demonstrated that he possessed valuable insight and wisdom that we would do well to learn.

Surely I am more stupid than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man. Neither have I learned wisdom, nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!

Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar” (Proverbs 30:2-6).

In these first few verses of this chapter, there are several bits of wisdom we should consider. Notice some of the things which this “stupid” man understood.
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"What the Lord Speaks, That I Will Speak" (3/5)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Numbers 23-25.

Balak, king of Moab, feared the Israelites. He saw what they had already done to the Amorites and sought help from Balaam to curse the people. But in three attempts, Balaam blessed the Israelites each time instead of cursing them.

Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, ‘I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times! Therefore, flee to your place now. I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the Lord has held you back from honor.’

Balaam said to Balak, ‘Did I not tell your messengers whom you had sent to me, saying, ‘Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything contrary to the command of the Lord, either good or bad, of my own accord. What the Lord speaks, that I will speak’?” (Numbers 24:10-13).

Balaam is more known for his faults than his virtues. Yet his attitude here is commendable. He told Balak that no matter what the king offered him, he could not speak anything but what the Lord revealed to him.
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