The central purpose of First Kings is contrast the lives of those who live for God and those who refuse to do so through the history of the kings of Israel and Judah; whilst that of Second Kings is to demonstrate the fate that awaits all who refuse to make God their true leader.
On Monday, we learn from 1Kgs 3 that God Gives Us Wisdom. On Tuesday, we learn from 1Kgs 8 that God Declares & Fulfils His Plan On Wed, we learn from 1Kgs 19 that God Speaks In Varied Voice. On Thursday, we learn from 2Kgs 4 that Music Facilitates Hearing God. On Friday, we learn from 2Kgs 6 to Pray for Divine Vision & Strength. On Sat, we learn from 2Kgs 17 to Seek & Worship the Lord.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Hear You: For God Gives Us Wisdom and that Music Facilitates Hearing Him; For God Speaks In Varied Voice and thay You Delare & Fulfil Plan; And we Pray for Divine Vision and Strength as well as Seek and Worship the Lord. Amen.
Time is running out for the nation of Israel. Though God’s patience with His wayward people is deep, His hand of judgment is poised and will not be stayed much longer. Following the death of Elisha, Israel’s downward spiral accelerates. Despite the able rule of Jeroboam ll, the kings who succeeds him lead the people ever deeper into idolatry and immorality. Not a single one of the last nine monarchs looks to God for direction. At last Assyria captures and disperses God’s disobedient people and brought the northern kingdom to an end.
Lord, we pledge to Worship You: In the ninth year of King Hosea’s reign, Samaria fell and the people of Israel were exiled to Assyria. The disaster came upon the nation of Israel because the people worshipped other gods, sinning agst the Lord their God (2K17:6-7) Then they… sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him. So the Lord was very angry with Israel (v17-18). They feared the Lord, yet they served their own gods, according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away… They do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow the law… which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob (v33-34).
Lord, we learnt from 2 Kings 13-17 that whilst You’re patient & merciful, ever wanting your people to repent; You are also holy, just & sovereign. Help us not be concern of outward radiance; but be watchful of moral corruption and spiritual bankruptcy. Help us to remain faithful to You; help us to pledge worship only You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Dear Loving Lord, I pray You will keep me fr having a divided heart. I don’t want to weaken allegiance to U God by showing any allegiance to the false gods of this world. Help me Lord to stay in close touch with You through regular meditation of Your holy word & constant prayer. And unite my heart with Yours Lord so that it won’t stray fr You. Amen
Lord, we know a day is coming when You will pour out Your anger on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead lead wicked lives. But we also know that You poured out Your anger on Christ so that all who find refuge in Him will not be swept away from Your presence but will be brought home to You. Draw our friends & loved ones into Your fold; and we purpose to have no other gods before You. Amen.
Backgrounder on 2 King 4-8: Elisha, the great miracle worker of God performs eight miracles in these 5 chapters, including providing an oil well for a widow, giving new life for a deaf boy, multiplying bread for hungry crowd, curing a leprous army captain and enabling a servant to see angels. In each case, God’s power at work shows His readiness to do the same in the nation He has called His own.
Lord, Grant us Eyes of Faith: When the king of Syria was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers: We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place. But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel: Do not go near that place, for the Syrians are planning to mobilise their troops there (2 Kings 6:8-9). When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning, there were troops & chariots everywhere. What will we do now? Elisha’s servant cried out to Elisha (v15). Don’t be afraid ! Elisha told him. For there are more on our side than on theirs! Then Elisha prayed: O Lord, open his eyes and let him see! The Lord opened his servant’s eyes and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire (2Kings 6:16-17).
Lord, grant me the light to see in the unseen realm how Your strength is greater than any foe. Remind me of Your awesome power and unlimited resources. Open my eyes Lord, let me look through the eyes of Faith and show me Your resources. And let me take courage because You are fighting for me. Amen.
Almighty God, open my eyes to see the truth about my situation. Give me clear understanding, especially when I am facing challenges, of all You are doing in the midst of my situation. Enable me to see things from Your perspective so that I can stand strong and courageous. Help me Lord to trust Your hand of protection. In Jesus’ mighty name.
Lord, In difficult circumstance, I purpose not to fear for You are my God and You are with me. You will Strengthen me, You will help me and You will uphold me with Your righteous right hand. For You God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of Power. And I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me. Amen
Delivering the people from Egyptian bondage is only the first step in God’s plan to bring the Israelites to the Promised Land of Canaan. Many obstacles lie ahead. Pharaoh, whose heart is again hardened, sends his armies in pursuit of Moses and the people. Trapped bet the Red Sea & rapidly approaching chariots of Egypt, the people Cry Out in desperation and God answers miraculously.
Lord, we’ll Pray, Listen & Act: Order the Israelites to… camp… along the shore… I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh & his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD! (Exo 14:1-4). So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots… And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid and the children of Israel Cried Out to the Lord (Exodus 14:9-10). Moses said to the people: Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord…(He) will fight for u…And the Lord said to Moses: Why do you Cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to Go Forward. Lift up your rod & stretch out over the sea & divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground thru the midst of the sea (v13-16).
Peter writes to scattered Jewish Christians who are undergoing intense persecution for their faith. God has wbegotten us again unto a living hope. So don’t be surprised when suffering comes your way; prepare & respond to it correctly. Purpose to do what is right and imitate Christ in submissive spirit. And God will richly reward you when the trials of life are over.
Lord, we will reflect Your Grace: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in all your prayers. Most of all, continue to show deep love for each other; for Love Covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:7-8). Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, minister it to one another as Good Stewards of the manifold grace of God (v9-10). If anyone speaks, they should do it as one who speaks the Very Words of God so that God may be praised. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory… rests upon you… Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator (v11-14,19).
Lord, I confess a lack of love & need for Your unfailing love toward some. Help me to yield to Your Spirit and experience deep intimacy with You and Your love for me. May Your love Lord so fill me that others may sense from the overflow. And in those relationships that are toughest, grant me Your Love which covers a multitude of sins. Amen.
Lord, sometimes we neglect relationships & erect boundaries due to distrust and bitterness. We also confess of commitment phobia and sins of the flesh that block us from Christlike love. Grateful Lord for the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to us. Help us to use them well to minister grace & to serve one another. Amen.
Lord, let me declare Your Words, and let me recognise them in others. We often ask You to speak to us, and it only make sense that You will use people to do so. So help me Lord to be watchful and hear Your words in season for me. And help me Lord speak forth Your thoughts for Your people graciously. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Backgrounder: While Jeremiah was prophesying in Jerusalem that the city would soon fall to the Babylonians, Ezekiel was giving the same message to the captives who were already in Babylon. Like those in Jerusalem, the captives stubbornly believed that Jerusalem would not fall. Ezekiel warned them that punishment was certain because of their sins and that God was purifying his people. He also brings a message of hope; for a remnant will survive and return to the Land of Promise.
Lord, You Promise Fresh Start: Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. So turn and live (Ezek 18:31-32). Profane My holy name no more… For on My holy mountain… there all the house of Israel… shall serve Me; there I’ll accept them (Ez20:39-40) I gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered… Then you shall know that I am the Lord.. There u will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves. Then you shall know that I am the Lord (who) dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways (Ezek 20:41-44)
Lord, take away everything in my heart that is not right before You. And help me Lord to get rid of bad attitudes and wrong thinking. Show me anything that has taken root in my heart that should not be there so that I can free myself of it before there’s a serious price to pay. Help me Lord to clear the slate and begin again with a new heart and a right spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, praise be Your holy name; and forgive me for the times when I profane it carelessly or willfully. Fill me with Your love and help me to keep my heart from wandering away from You. Make my heart to be undivided and take away any hardheartedness within me. Take charge of my mind and emotions; and help me to give complete control to You. Amen. Lord, I don’t want to look back over my life and feel bad because of the things I have done wrong. Help me Lord to quickly recognise, confess the sin and to repent of it. Enable me to live in such a way that I don’t have regret over my words, thoughts or actions. Help me to fully repent so that I will reflect You appropriately. Amen
The purpose of the prophetic book of Isaiah is to call the nation of Judah back to God and to tell of God’s salvation thru the Messiah. The 27 chapters in the second half of Isaiah generally bring a message of forgiveness, comfort and hope. This message of hope looks forward to the coming of the Messiah more than does any other OT prophet. He describes the Mesiah as both a suffering servant & sovereign Lord.
On Mon, we learn from Isa 40 that God Comforts & Renews Strength. On Tues, we learn from Isaiah 43 that God Makes Way Through Trial. On Wed, we learn from Isaiah 46 that God Cares and Sustains Us. On Thurs, we learn from Isaiah 53 that My Saviour Bleeds at the Cross. On Friday, we learn from Isaiah 58 that Great Jehovah Guides Me. On Saturday, we learn from Isa 61 that God Turns Ashes to Beauty.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are worthy of our Praise as Our Saviour Bleeds at the Cross as well as Comforts & Strengthens; For You are Worthy of our Thanks as You Make Way through Trial as well as Cares & Sustains Us; For You Great Jehovah Guides Me and that God Turns Ashes to Beauty. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
On Monday, we learn from Ps 42 that God of My Life Spurs Longing. On Tuesday, we learn from Ps 46 that God Is Our Refuge & Strength. On Wed, we learn from Psa 48 that the Everlasting God Guides & Leads. On Thu, we learn from Ps 55 that God Bears Burdens & Gives Rest. On Friday, we learn from Psa 62 that Rock of Ages we Can Rely On. On Sat, we learn from Psalm 70/72 that God Helps Those In Need.
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You as God of My Life Spurs Longing; and as the Everlasting God Guides as well as Leads me; For You are worthy of our Praise as You are Our Refuge & Strength and Rock of Ages we Can Rely On. For You are worthy of our Thanks as You Bear Burdens & Gives Rest and Help Those In Need. Amen.
The purpose of 2nd Samuel is to record the history of David’s reign; to demonstrate effective leadership under God; to show the qualities that please God; to depict David as an ideal leader of an imperfect kingdom and to foreshadow Christ, who will be the ideal leader of a perfect kingdom.
On Monday, we learn fr 2 Sam 1/2 that God Gives the Direction. On Tuesday, we learn from 2Sam 5 that God Provides the Direction. On Wed, we learn from 2Sam 8-10 that Working w God Brings Success On Thursday, we learn from 2Sam 12 to Thank God for Forgiveness. On Friday, we learn from 2Sam 15 that God Cares of our Challenges On Sat, we learn from 2Sam 22 that God Is My Rock & My Salvation)
Let us humble ourselves and pray and seek His face. Help us O God be Christ’s disciples who Adore You: For You are concerned of our Challenges and Give us Direction; For You are worthy of our Thanks as You forgive our shortcomings & working with You brings success; For You are worthy of our Praise being our Rock and salvation. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3vmTkXNpwzs&feature=You’re for
