Wednesday, May 17, 2023

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JEHU

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 10

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

 

On display at the Archaeological Museum of ancient Corinth in Greece is a gold ring and many other artifacts. As far as we know, there are no golden calves, as in today’s reading.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Kings 10:29

However, Jehu did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin, that is, from the golden calves that were at Bethel and Dan.

Surely Jehu or some of the advisers and priests knew about the judgment of God on those who practised worship of the golden calf at the foot of Mt. Sinai shortly after the deliverance of the Children of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 32). Jehu most certainly knew the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-6). They knew these things, but Jehu did not know them in his heart, the core of his being where decisions are made for right and wrong. Verse 31 in today’s reading tells us that “Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel WITH ALL HIS HEART.” The disintegration of the northern tribes began as a result. Syria took over the territories of three of the tribes on the east side of the Jordan River, from its source south to Galilee. This is the border territory today between Syria and Israel. Our reading informs us that God wanted the destruction of the altars of Baal, but no instructions from God to do the same with the golden calves. Could it be that the Lord always leaves a test in place to see whether or not we will decide for Him or otherwise?

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I decide for You 100%. May I be granted grace, intelligence, and a heart that is true to You in all things. I pray that I will put out of my life all idols, those things that take priority ahead of You. I realize that to worship is to ascribe worth to someone or something. I worship You, Lord God; all else fades away in the focus of my life on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In the late 1970s I took my sons out of high school for the month of March and we back-packed throughout Israel. However, when we arrived at Vered Hagalil, a dude ranch just above the Mount of Beatitudes north of the Sea of Galilee, we rented horses for a day and rode across the hillsides and back for 20 miles or so. By the time we arrived at the northern stretch of the Jordan river, I realized that while I was doing fine walking and carrying a large back pack, I was not in shape for long periods in the saddle. I was very sore on a certain part of my anatomy! I remember jumping into the river, clothes and all, propping my feet against a fallen tree trunk and lying upstream into the current. The fast flowing waters of the Jordan provided the best and most refreshing massage imaginable. When my spiritual muscles and joints are tired and sore, I picture myself doing the same as I lie back into the river of prayer and worship. It’s amazing how refreshed I am after doing this. I’m ready to mount up and go again.

Yours for the refreshing streams of God’s Presence,

David

P.S.  Below are pictures from our backpack & horseback trek across Israel in 1978, including the northern Galilee region and the rushing Jordan River.

My sons Reynold & Ron with me backpacking around Israel in 1978.

 

Riding across the hills north of the Sea of Galilee. Reynold (left) was 16 and Ron (right) was 14.

Me lying upsream in the Jordan having a blessed massage that I needed after a long horseback ride.

My boys next to a rushing Jordan River in Northern Israel.

9 thoughts on “Wednesday, May 17, 2023”

  1. Thank You, Father, for caring about us and the doings of society. True reform comes at the very depths of our beings, not just in our external behaviours, so please transform us from the inside out.
    Help all Your followers love and serve You with all our hearts. Help us proclaim Your gospel throughout the world, in Jesus’s great name, amen

    Reply ↓

  2. Amen Rob. May we walk closely to the Lord and not get sidetracked with the cares and uncertainty of our society. Please continue to pray for the fires in Alberta and parts of BC. Thank you. Blessings all.

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  5. Amen to all your prayers!

    Sometimes I feel ‘puffed-up’ within, with what I think is Faith and then, sometimes, like last night when a small group (non-Christians) were discussing abortion, politics, sexual orientation, my faith and words were seemingly weak powerless, and ineffective- not even alive like a ‘mustard seed.’
    Sometimes the world swoops in and doubts and faithlessness blanket the Spirit within.
    Lord have Mercy.
    In my weakness, I pray for God’s strength to abound.

    Reply ↓

  7. I was trying to think of the words to express what Joyce stated so well.”We are weak,but He is strong”.Even when we are weak His Holy Spirit is busy working ‘in’ us. “6….he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
    Philippians 1 New International Version
    I think sometimes the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to keep our mouths shut which might make a bad situation worse?God bless

    Reply ↓

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