But certainly not how prosperous we are and how well we are doing in our jobs and what brand of cars we are driving and how sophisticatedly we are living.
If we adopt wicked schemes to nurture our souls, and satisfy our desires, to improve our image to the world, God will certainly not let us go unpunished, and will destroy us, through the similar methods we have adopted.
'' Psalm 145 :20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.''
In this context let us meditate on the Scriptures in 1 Kings, about Ahab, king of Israel who was destroyed by the Lord for his wicked ways.
Ahab, the king of Israel, tries to take the vineyard belonging to Naboth, by murdering him.
His wife Jezebel uses lies against Naboth, and gets him stoned to death, so that her husband Ahab can possess Naboth's vineyard.
'' 1 Kings 21 : 7 - 10 Jezebel his wife said, '' Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat ! Cheer up.I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. ''
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name , placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him. In those letters she wrote :
'' Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king.Then take him out and stone him to death.'' ''
Ahab and his wife killed Naboth using '' lies.''
Now, when the time came, God used the same '' lying spirits '' to enitce Ahab, to proceed towards his death, by attacking Ramoth Gilead.
And though the prophet Micaiah prophesied the truth, God made him believe and act on the lies spoken through the other prophets.
Its our obedience, faith and reverence that He looks at, at every turn He allows in our lives: in poverty and in riches, in sickness and in sound health, in hunger and in overflowing abundance.
So dear precious people of God and my fellow believers, hold on to the ways of God and delight in Him.
Hold on to the instructions of Jesus Christ, His Son.
Do not give in to willful sins due to the fear of your circumstances.
Keep yourselves holy and blameless, in every situation HE is allowing in your lives.
The very hairs of our head are all numbered....
'' Proverbs 2 : 21-22
For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. ''
If we adopt wicked schemes to nurture our souls, and satisfy our desires, to improve our image to the world, God will certainly not let us go unpunished, and will destroy us, through the similar methods we have adopted.
'' Psalm 145 :20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.''
In this context let us meditate on the Scriptures in 1 Kings, about Ahab, king of Israel who was destroyed by the Lord for his wicked ways.
Ahab, the king of Israel, tries to take the vineyard belonging to Naboth, by murdering him.
His wife Jezebel uses lies against Naboth, and gets him stoned to death, so that her husband Ahab can possess Naboth's vineyard.
'' 1 Kings 21 : 7 - 10 Jezebel his wife said, '' Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat ! Cheer up.I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. ''
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name , placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him. In those letters she wrote :
'' Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king.Then take him out and stone him to death.'' ''
Ahab and his wife killed Naboth using '' lies.''
But when Naboth is dead, the word of the Lord comes to Elijah to inform Ahab about the destruction the Lord is going to bring on him for what he has done:
'' 1 Kings 21:17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: ''Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria.He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, 'This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?'
Then say to him, 'This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood -- yes, yours! ' ''
'' 1 Kings 21:17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: ''Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria.He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, 'This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?'
Then say to him, 'This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood -- yes, yours! ' ''
Now, when the time came, God used the same '' lying spirits '' to enitce Ahab, to proceed towards his death, by attacking Ramoth Gilead.
'' 1 Kings 22 : 19 - 25
Micaiah continued, '' Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left.And the Lord said , ' Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?'
'' One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ' I will entice him.'
'' ' By what means?' the Lord asked.
'' 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets, ' he said.
'' ' You will succeed in enticing him,' said the Lord. ' Go and do it.'
'' So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours.The Lord has decreed disaster for you. ''
Then Zedekiah son of Kanaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. '' Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you ? '' he asked.
Micaiah replied, '' You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room. ''
God sent lying spirits to entice Ahab to march against Ramoth Gilead.
Micaiah continued, '' Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left.And the Lord said , ' Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?'
'' One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ' I will entice him.'
'' ' By what means?' the Lord asked.
'' 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets, ' he said.
'' ' You will succeed in enticing him,' said the Lord. ' Go and do it.'
'' So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours.The Lord has decreed disaster for you. ''
Then Zedekiah son of Kanaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. '' Which way did the spirit from the Lord go when he went from me to speak to you ? '' he asked.
Micaiah replied, '' You will find out on the day you go to hide in an inner room. ''
God sent lying spirits to entice Ahab to march against Ramoth Gilead.
And though the prophet Micaiah prophesied the truth, God made him believe and act on the lies spoken through the other prophets.
And Ahab was finally killed in the battle, as prophesied by Elijah.
In the same place where dogs licked Naboth's blood, dogs licked Ahab's blood.
'' 1 Kings 21 : 34 - 38 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, '' Wheel around and get me out of the fighting . I've been wounded. ''
All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariots facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. As the sun was setting, a cry spread through the army : '' Every man to his town; everyone to his land!''
So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him there. They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria ( where the prostitutes bathed), and the dogs licked up his blood, as the word of the Lord had declared. ''
Dear people, be careful about the ways you chose to accomplish your goals and fulfill your desires.
If we chose evil ways, then we will find ourselves destroyed by similar evil methods that we have chosen to fulfill our desires.
All we should ensure every moment is to keep ourselves blameless in the sight of the LORD. Then God Himself will satisfy our every desire.
In the same place where dogs licked Naboth's blood, dogs licked Ahab's blood.
'' 1 Kings 21 : 34 - 38 But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told his chariot driver, '' Wheel around and get me out of the fighting . I've been wounded. ''
All day long the battle raged, and the king was propped up in his chariots facing the Arameans. The blood from his wound ran onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. As the sun was setting, a cry spread through the army : '' Every man to his town; everyone to his land!''
So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried him there. They washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria ( where the prostitutes bathed), and the dogs licked up his blood, as the word of the Lord had declared. ''
Dear people, be careful about the ways you chose to accomplish your goals and fulfill your desires.
If we chose evil ways, then we will find ourselves destroyed by similar evil methods that we have chosen to fulfill our desires.
All we should ensure every moment is to keep ourselves blameless in the sight of the LORD. Then God Himself will satisfy our every desire.
'' Psalm 145 : 17 - 20
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. ''
God watches those who love him. And those love him are those who fear Him and keep His commands.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all He has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. ''
God watches those who love him. And those love him are those who fear Him and keep His commands.
And whom He loves, He answers and gives the desires of their hearts.
So, allow God to supply you, all your desires.
Do not adopt wicked, rebellious ways, in order to satisfy your desires.
What always counts, in the sight of God is doing His commands.
God seldom bothers about the circumstances we are in when it comes to observing His decrees.
'' 1 Corinthians 7 : 17-19
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
Was a man already circumsised when he was called ? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumsised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumsision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. ''
Do not adopt wicked, rebellious ways, in order to satisfy your desires.
What always counts, in the sight of God is doing His commands.
God seldom bothers about the circumstances we are in when it comes to observing His decrees.
'' 1 Corinthians 7 : 17-19
Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
Was a man already circumsised when he was called ? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumsised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumsision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. ''
All God intends for us, is that we honor Him Holy, in all that He takes us through.
Whatever situation God has put us in, we must humbly accept it, and revere God with our fearful hearts by keeping His ways, in those situations.
'' Philippians 2 : 12-18 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -- not only in my presence , but now much more in my absence -- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. ''
Whatever situation God has put us in, we must humbly accept it, and revere God with our fearful hearts by keeping His ways, in those situations.
'' Philippians 2 : 12-18 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -- not only in my presence , but now much more in my absence -- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. ''
All we must work out, all the time is our salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose.
God wants us to hold out His word and be blameless and pure children without fault.
For it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose.
God wants us to hold out His word and be blameless and pure children without fault.
Its our obedience, faith and reverence that He looks at, at every turn He allows in our lives: in poverty and in riches, in sickness and in sound health, in hunger and in overflowing abundance.
So dear precious people of God and my fellow believers, hold on to the ways of God and delight in Him.
Hold on to the instructions of Jesus Christ, His Son.
Do not give in to willful sins due to the fear of your circumstances.
Keep yourselves holy and blameless, in every situation HE is allowing in your lives.
''Matthew 10 : 28-31
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.''
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.''
The very hairs of our head are all numbered....
Nothing can harm us by any means. So let not any insecurity or threat of the enemy, lead you into wicked schemes.
''Psalm 121:5-8
The Lord watches over you -- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.''
The Lord watches over you -- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.''
Do just what the WORD tells you to do, irrespective of your physical abilities and physical conditions.It is then that we can see the Glory of God manifesting in our lives.
Our God will turn around our small, minute, tiny little pools into overflowing torrents, if He is pleased with our ways.
'' Proverbs 2 : 21-22
For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. ''
'' Psalm 19 : 8 -14
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb,.By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.Keep your servant also from willful sins;may they not rule over me.Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. ''
May God grant our hearts complete submission to do His will and to keep His commands.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb,.By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.Keep your servant also from willful sins;may they not rule over me.Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. ''
May God grant our hearts complete submission to do His will and to keep His commands.
Let's Pray..
Father, thank you for speaking to me, and to your people through your word this hour.
Grant us to humbly do your will, without complaining or arguing about our circumstances, but always celebrate and be glad in your presence, for this is your will for us in Christ Jesus.
I pray may your grace abound all your people to be joyful always and heartfully keep your ways all through the days of their lives, through all the situations.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Father, thank you for speaking to me, and to your people through your word this hour.
Grant us to humbly do your will, without complaining or arguing about our circumstances, but always celebrate and be glad in your presence, for this is your will for us in Christ Jesus.
I pray may your grace abound all your people to be joyful always and heartfully keep your ways all through the days of their lives, through all the situations.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
God Bless You.
