Tuesday, May 4, 2021

JUDGMENT

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 13-14

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

 

You can still see the enormous cut rocks that were thrown down onto the street from the upper walls of the Temple Mount by the Roman soldiers during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

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

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 14:22

Now Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done.

“Here we go again.” This was a defining line spoken by candidate Ronald Reagan to President Jimmy Carter in an election debate in 1980. As President, Reagan used the word “evil.” The chattering class was incredulous. An American President had actually used that word to describe the relationship between North Korea and Iran. He also used that word to describe the Soviet Union, calling it “the evil empire.” As Governor of California and before that as a young actor, he had benefited from the outstanding Bible teaching of a solid evangelical by the name of Henrietta Mears, as well as one of those she mentored, Reagan’s Pastor at the Bel Air Presbyterian church, Rev. Don Moomaw. Another one she mentored well was Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ. Reagan learned to tell it like it is, as the Bible does. In our reading today the “here we go again” cycle begins. But let us not be discouraged; every once in a while we’ll read stories about kings like Asa, who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” Imagine, a man with the fortitude to remove his own grandmother from the position of Queen Mother because she had created and erected a pornographic image of a pagan goddess. We’ll keep watching for the good guys in upcoming readings.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, the wheels of justice grind our deeds, as the saying goes, “exceedingly fine.” As Job 23:10 tells me, when You have tested me, may I “come forth as gold.” Grant me the grace to obey You as Job did, and most of all as Jesus, who lives within me, did. In His all-sufficient Name I pray, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

One story in my latest book is about my last grandson, Nathaniel Shaheen. The account is longer than I have space for here. You may be interested in ordering my book by calling Crossroads at 1-800-265-3100. He was born in the Hadassah hospital on Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, in November of 2000. A serious bowel restriction almost took his life at birth, but his Dad, Nizar, and his Grandma, Norma-Jean, took a handkerchief, poured oil on it, and had our tour group, who were visiting Israel at that time, lay hands on the cloth and pray. At least one of our group touched God, because as the hanky was laid on Nathaniel, he began to improve. Five months later, his mother, Ellen, travelled to Canada to visit us, and Nathaniel was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis. He was dying. He was rushed to McMaster Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery. As the surgeon came into the waiting room following the operation, I said, “Doctor, just before you tell us the results, take a look at the TV. There on the screen was a repeat of 100 Huntley Street which I had hosted earlier that day. The children in the studio audience were joining me in prayer for Nathaniel and his surgeon. Doctor Walton’s first words were, “Well it worked! I was able to remove the dead bowel tissue and connect perfect pink tissue. He will be fine.” Click here to see that video from 2001 (I want to thank Joan Rock of our Crossroads/CTS team for digging out the video from our archives).

Yours for knowing a personal God who cares about us all,

David

P.S. Below are photos of Nathaniel Shaheen as a baby and as a 14-year-old young man. Here, he was quarterback for his high school in Burlington, Ontario.

Nathaniel Shaheen

Nathaniel Shaheen, age 14.

 

7 thoughts on “Tuesday, May 4, 2021

  1. Praying David’s prayer, this morning. Happy 20th Birthday, Nathaniel Shaheen! I looked back to track your current age. Certain you are feeling the presence of your grandpa David, in heaven, with you, today. He must be very proud of you. His blessings upon you all, fellow saints in the Lord. May you have a beautiful day. Amen.

    With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:11 NIV

    Pat Barrett ~ Sing To The Lord (Banner) Lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69OEHJOEvuA

  2. Amazing how God spoke directly to people and more amazing that some did not follow the directions that God gave. May we follow His leading to a “T”. (I just remembered that saying but I really don’t know what the “T” is)! We need to be wise & obedient, being aware of Satan’s intent to sidetrack us. Lord, please help us to see clearly and obey You. Amen

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