Friday, May 1, 2015

SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY (Luke 12:27)

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 9-10

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

The Timna Valley is located in southern Israel in the southwestern Arabah, approximately 30 km north of the Gulf of Aqaba and the port city of Eilat, where Solomon built his fleet of ships for international trade. The area is rich in copper ore, and has been actively mined for at least 3,000 years, from the time of Solomon onward. These great rocks are known as Solomon’s Pillars.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 9: 6 & 7a

But if you or your sons at all turn from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight.

The first years of Solomon’s reign were glorious. He was busy leading his people into great prosperity, international fame, and peace in the then known world. In Europe, Greece and Rome were just beginning to emerge into prominence. Solomon had it made, except for the matter of obedience to God. God, knowing what would happen, was driving home the absolute necessity of obedience. In this most important matter, Solomon was a failure. Yes, we know that he loved God. In 1 Kings 3:3 we are told that Solomon “loved the Lord.” His actions in these early years would seem to prove that. However, there remained the issue of full obedience.
We do not obey God to get admission to Heaven; we obey God because our entrance into Heaven is secure by God’s grace through faith. Jesus made it totally clear that those who really love Him are those who obey Him. He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Let’s take a moment for a New Testament reading in John 14: 8-21.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I have sinned and come short of Your Glory. Forgive me for my disobedience. I humbly ask for more grace to obey You more fully than ever. In and through the One who always obeyed fully, my Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

When I visit Solomon’s Pillars (pictured above), my imagination is fired up with the thought of those early miners and the open smelters which were refining copper and other metals. When I visit Solomon’s chariot city of Megiddo, I can almost see the great stables full of huge war horses (pictured below).

Yours for obedience in doing all God has purposed, now and throughout eternity,

David

P.S. Below are pictures of Elat (“Elath”in our reading -1 Kings 9:26) and a model of Solomon’s chariot city of Megiddo.

Standing in Elat, Israel, looking across the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aqaba). Just beyond the hotel, which is in Israeli territory, you can see the mountains of Moab in Jordan.

Model of ancient Megiddo.

 

 

13 thoughts on “Friday, May 1, 2015

  1. Amazing photos and reconstruction–especially Solomon’s Pillars. Thank You Jesus, for Your promise of living and breathing in us through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are nothing without You and everything with You–all for Your glory. Amen! Blessings dear saints!

  2. O let me hear Thee speaking
    In accents clear and still,
    Above the storm of passion
    The murmurs of self-will;
    O speak to reassure me,
    To hasten or control;
    O speak, and make me listen,
    Thou Guardian of my soul.

    John E. Bode
    1816-1874

  3. The Lord has been preparing the way for such a time as this. I have to thank you David for listening & obeying our precious Lord.
    I would ask you all to pray for my daughter Rachel ,who is 34 never been married has no children lives at home with her dad & I ,these last 4 yrs. because she can’t get a decent job. She has her degree in Social Sciences + other qualifications.
    Last week simultaneously she heard that she has lymphoma ,then she heard she had got a full time job at the church as the office administrator . Praise the Lord. Many other things I could mention ,that I see the Lord has been preparing the way for such a time as this.
    Please pray as she goes to London for a biopsy on Monday.
    I have no doubt that the Lord with us & whatever the outcome we will give GOD all the Glory He said he will never leave us or forsake us . God is good indeed.
    Pray also for Amanda her friend whom she works with at a homeless shelter. She is going on Saturday with Rachel & our church to help with “habitat building a home.” praying she will see the love of JESUS in these precious saints and will want to come to church & except JESUS into her heart. Then the door opens for all her family HELILUJAH I can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do .what Satan meant for evil GOD WILL MAKE FOR GOOD.
    thank you precious saints for your prayers.
    God is doing great & wonderful things.

    • Deane, praying for the needs of Amanda and her friend, that God in His Sovereign power will minister to them and His plan for them will prevail. His grace is sufficient!!

      Thank you Jesus that Your Spirit strives with us.

      Blessings dear saints.

    • John 14: 14 Jesus said, “whatsoever you ask in My Name, I will do it”. Lord Jesus, in Your Name we ask for Your Ministry to these two ladies. May Your Perfect Will be done in their lives. Amen.

    • PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! Yes God is at work, `just like that` He is always there, ready to show up in His time! May God continue to bless Rachel and Amanda, May God heal all illnesses and may they walk boldy and serve the Lord and be blessed above and beyond their wildest season! Yes, God is doing great and wonderful things in all our lives! AMEN AMEN AMEN

  4. Thank you for the amazing photos…and illustrations of them…

    It is hard to believe that a man blessed with such great wisdom and blessings of the Lord would fail to follow the words and warnings spoken to him so directly. And yet so did Adam and Eve fall. The need for us to be in God’s Word is so important, for we cannot do it on our own, without Jesus we can do nothing.
    Lord I pray keep me on Your straight path daily, on paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. I pray this in Your Mighty Holy Name Jesus!! Amen!!!! Covered by Your Precious Blood!!!! In the Palm of Your hands!!

  5. Thank you Beverlee for the anointed poem!

    Deane I join in prayer for your daughter’s healing and a good report and for the salvation of her friend and friend’s family. Lord God I pray this in agreement with Deane, Jesus in your Holy Mighty Name. Amen

  6. Praying for Rachel and Amanda that God’s Will be done
    in their lives. God is good. His mercies endureth forever, Amen!

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