DIVISION
Suggested Reading: 1 Kings 12
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Beyond the security fence, looking from Israel into Palestine, you can see the area that was ancient Bethany. It is now the present day Arab village of Al-Ezareyya, the Arabic name for Lazarus, the one Jesus raised from the dead in Bethany. This area is situated on the Eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Kings 12:13
Then the king answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him…
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Yes, Lord, I pray right now for the peace of Jerusalem. Only You, Lord God, fully understand all the issues involved. Please give wisdom to the leadership of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas. There is nothing impossible for You. Just as You gave David and Solomon the wisdom to bring about decades of peace, please do it again. In the Name of Jesus, the One who is the Prince of Peace, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In my latest book to be published in June, God willing, I have a chapter on the peace negotiations between Prime Minister Begin of Israel and President Sadat of Egypt. What happened at that time gives me cause to hope in the present standoff. President Carter was the catalyst for that miracle, and God used me to help. Is your curiosity up? Don’t miss getting my book by writing, phoning, or e-mailing 100 Huntley Street in a month from now.
In yesterday’s blog, I mentioned the wisdom that can be found in the diligent study of God’s Word. People who have shown themselves to possess wisdom should also be read and studied. Another of my heroes that I’ve mentioned before is the late Rev. Tom Johnstone. He was what you would call “self-educated.” He was a voracious reader who had a brilliant mind, but he did not leave us his thoughts in books. It’s a pity. One time I was visiting the Shepherd Village in Toronto, calling on some of my “old” friends. I noticed a very distinguished looking man around 50 years old who was just leaving the building. I said to Joan Telford, the administrator, “Who is that man?” She said, “Oh, he’s a professor of Mathematics from the University of Toronto. He’s been visiting Tom Johnstone.” Tom would’ve been about 95 then. She went on to say, “There are a number of professors who visit him regularly to learn from him.” Why was I not surprised? He had learned deeply in many subjects. I visited him also, as a friend who had been like a Grandfather to my children, and also to sit at his feet. There is great and wise advice found in James 1:1-7.
Yours, asking for wisdom from God, knowing that according to James, I will not be turned down,
David
I have also heard it stated that if we do not learn from our mistakes of the past, we will be doomed to repeat those mistakes in the future. History could be a wise teacher, if we would only listen. Have a blessed day everyone!
I have also heard a version of the definition of insanity to be repeating the same actions and expecting a different result each time. Compromising our relationship with Christ is sure to diminish our faith and “toss us about.” The good news is that our ego does not rule, but our faith in the truth and understanding in the One above, creator of all things. Enjoy this day, in His Holy Name, Jesus Christ!
Amen!
Psalm 107:43: Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
Psalm 19:7: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Ecclesiastes 7:25a: I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things.
There is no secret.
We can arrive to Jesus, any time of night or day;
Just by reaching out and holding onto His cloak.
He will never leave us, nor forsake us;
As long as we don’t let go.
Beverlee Kay, 2013
Be still and know! God in action! Perfect peace!
Psalm 55:22–“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved .”
Good morning David- thank you so much for your daily devotional. After I read them I pass them on to others here in St Thomas and also to a friend in New Zealand. I have one comment about today’s devotional- you wrote a bout praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Have you read or heard about the book Isralestine by Bill Salus? He writes about the Israeli Defense Forces subjugating all the surrounding Arab nations- Jordan, Syria, Lebannon, part of Saudi Arabia, Egypt. in fulfillment of the prophecy of Ps 83. These people are descendents of Esau who were always against Jacob and his descendents.
God bless you DAvid with health and strength and His blessing as you continue to s erve our Lord. Ruby Sykes.
“Why do not I call on His name? Why do I run to this neighbor and that when God is so near and will hear my faintest call? Why do I sit down and devise schemes and invent plans? Why not at once roll myself and my burden upon the Lord?
“Straightforward is the best runner–why do not I run at once to the living God? In vain shall I look for deliverance anywhere else; but with God I shall find it; for here I have His royal shall to make it sure.
“I need not ask whether I may call on Him or not, for that word “Whosoever” is a very wide and comprehensive one. Whosoever means me, for it means anybody and everybody who calls upon God. I will therefore follow the leading of the text, and at once call upon the glorious Lord who has made so large a promise.
“My case is urgent, and I do not see how I am to be delivered; but this is no business of mine. He who makes the promise will find ways and means of keeping it. It is mine to obey His commands; it is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver.”
C. H. Spurgeon, from Streams in the Desert, Cowman, pp. 146-7.
Thank you Scott, David, Connie and Beverlee Kay for your comments. Psa.111:10 say The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom all who follow His instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever! God bless each one today.
Thse who call upon the Lordand hope inthe Lord willrenew thrir strength they willwill soar on wingslike eagles they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be faint. may we all take this scripture to heart and stand on the Lord ‘s
promises. ….R…
Dear David and fellow bloggers
Amen and Amen to each and everyones comments I leave you with a little part of a very beutiful worship song of Paul Beloche that you can find on youtube entitled My Hope :
Nothing will change
If all the plan I make go wrong
Your love stays the same
Your light will guide me through it all
I am hanging on Iam leaning to you
Nothing can reach the end of all your faithfulness
Your Grace is with me
Through every shadow every test
I am hanging on Iam leaning in to you
I dont know where you will take me
But I know you are always good
My hope is building nothing less
Than your great love your rightiousness
I will not walk another way
I trust your heart I trust your name
I am holding on to you.
Have a blessed day.
I love this song and I’m a big fan of Paul Baloche. Saw him in concert and he’s a super nice guy.
Sorry the above scripture is found in Isaiah 40:31. May you all have a blessed
day ,Thank you all for your comments to the blog, thank you David M.
I apprecite this blog so much….R…
I did not get to meet Tom Johnstone but I have heard about him. I did make a marvellous find though. Last week at a garage sale I found an 850 page hard cover book which is the complete book of Smith Wigglesworth’s sermons (1914 – 1945)! It is brand new. Whoever had it did not read it. I am thrilled with it – a prized possesion.
I used to ask God for wisdom (in a prayer) every day before work at the alarm company where I used to work!! He helped me greatly!!
Nancy