Category Archives: Provider

Giving, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Money / Finances / Wealth, Provider, Thankfulness

Honor the LORD Joyfully and Generously

Let us remember to honor the LORD joyfully and generously with what He has given us. It helps to remember that all we have was provided by Him. We are simply giving some of it back to honor and glorify Him. Let us do so in celebration and not resentment. Let us do so willingly and not reluctantly or out of obligation. Consider the attitude of David and his leaders under him when preparing the temple. It is reminiscent of the generous donations that the people were bringing to Moses when building the Tabernacle.

1 Chronicles 29:1-22a

Offerings for the Temple

      1Then King David said to the entire assembly, “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is still young and inexperienced and the work is great; for the temple is not for man, but for the LORD God. 2“Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, onyx stones and inlaid stones, stones of antimony and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones and alabaster in abundance. 3“Moreover, in my delight in the house of my God, the treasure I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, over and above all that I have already provided for the holy temple, 4namely, 3,000 talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and 7,000 talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the buildings; 5of gold for the things of gold and of silver for the things of silver, that is, for all the work done by the craftsmen. Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?”

      6Then the rulers of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with the overseers over the king’s work, offered willingly; 7and for the service for the house of God they gave 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, and 10,000 talents of silver, and 18,000 talents of brass, and 100,000 talents of iron. 8Whoever possessed precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, in care of Jehiel the Gershonite. 9Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.

David’s Prayer

      10So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, “Blessed are You, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12“Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 13“Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

      14“But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. 15“For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. 16“O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours. 17“Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You. 18“O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers, preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You; 19and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision.”

      20Then David said to all the assembly, “Now bless the LORD your God.” And all the assembly blessed the LORD, the God of their fathers, and bowed low and did homage to the LORD and to the king.

Sacrifices

      21On the next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. 22So they ate and drank that day before the LORD with great gladness.

David and his leaders are inspirational. It is important, however, to remember we are called to be good stewards of what the LORD has given us (Matthew 25:14-30). That means we should not blindly give our resources to someone in God’s name, but rather test and use discernment and seek counsel to ensure we invest wisely in the kingdom. It often is not just writing a check to the local church.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for all You provide for me and for Your people. Help me to be joyful in giving to honor You. Help me remember that all I have comes from You, even my life itself. Let me have an attitude of celebration when giving and not one of obligation. Help me to be a good steward and choose carefully where I invest in Your kingdom. For those who receive gifts and resources in Your name, please help them to use them wisely to bring honor and glory to You and not to themselves.  Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Compassionate, Miracles, Miracles, Provider

Moved by Compassion

It is easy to breeze by the miracle of feeding 4000 plus women and children at the end of Matthew 15. We have previously read about the feeding of 5000 and there is already a lot to absorb in this chapter. Don’t overlook it. Sometimes we face situations where there seems to be no way to accomplish something. Our God can make a way. It is never beyond His reach. Trust in Him.

Do not overlook that it was compassion that drove Him to feed the crowds. He sees people in need and does not simply pity them or expect them to help themselves. he does not focus blame on them for foolishly bringing nothing to eat. He has compassion on them to meet their needs. I want this kind of compassion.

Matthew 15:32-39

Four Thousand Fed

      32And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” 33The disciples said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?” 34And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35And He directed the people to sit down on the ground; 36and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 37And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full. 38And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

      39And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your love and compassion for Your people, for me. Help me to have that kind of compassion for others. Help me to see them through Your eyes. Also, help Your people be encouraged that nothing is beyond You. There is no obstacle You can not overcome. All praise and honor be to You. Amen. 

Shalom,

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Obeying God, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Provider, Thankfulness

What Can We Learn from the Levitical Priesthood?

Typically sections of scripture about the Levitical priesthood and the temple are often overlooked by Christians as they are taught they are somehow obsolete or do not apply. This is simply not true. There is much to learn.

Comparing the role of the Levites to the priests, sons of Aaron, we can quickly call to mind that it is at the LORD’s discretion to divide us how He sees fit and assign us each what responsibilities He chooses. Ours is not to covet what the task or mission He assigns to someone else, but to focus on doing our own well to glorify His name. Sometimes we will be in a supporting role and not a lead role, like David supporting Solomon to build the temple through his preparations.  Do that supporting role well.

There are some more interesting nuggets of information and details in the following scripture. See what grabs your attention and we will discuss.

1 Chronicles 23

Solomon Reigns

      1Now when David reached old age, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. 2And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel with the priests and the Levites.

Offices of the Levites

      3The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000. 4Of these, 24,000 were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and 6,000 were officers and judges, 5and 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 were praising the LORD with the instruments which David made for giving praise. 6David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Gershonites

      7Of the Gershonites were Ladan and Shimei. 8The sons of Ladan were Jehiel the first and Zetham and Joel, three. 9The sons of Shimei were Shelomoth and Haziel and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ households of Ladan. 10The sons of Shimei were Jahath, Zina, Jeush and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11Jahath was the first and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they became a father’s household, one class.

Kohathites

      12The sons of Kohath were four: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 13The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was set apart to sanctify him as most holy, he and his sons forever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to Him and to bless in His name forever. 14But as for Moses the man of God, his sons were named among the tribe of Levi. 15The sons of Moses were Gershom and Eliezer. 16The son of Gershom was Shebuel the chief. 17The son of Eliezer was Rehabiah the chief; and Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. 18The son of Izhar was Shelomith the chief. 19The sons of Hebron were Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth. 20The sons of Uzziel were Micah the first and Isshiah the second.

Merarites

      21The sons of Merari were Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli were Eleazar and Kish. 22Eleazar died and had no sons, but daughters only, so their brothers, the sons of Kish, took them as wives. 23The sons of Mushi were three: Mahli, Eder and Jeremoth.

Duties Revised

      24These were the sons of Levi according to their fathers’ households, even the heads of the fathers’ households of those of them who were counted, in the number of names by their census, doing the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from twenty years old and upward. 25For David said, “The LORD God of Israel has given rest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26“Also, the Levites will no longer need to carry the tabernacle and all its utensils for its service.” 27For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28For their office is to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God, 29and with the showbread, and the fine flour for a grain offering, and unleavened wafers, or what is baked in the pan or what is well-mixed, and all measures of volume and size. 30They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening, 31and to offer all burnt offerings to the LORD, on the sabbaths, the new moons and the fixed festivals in the number set by the ordinance concerning them, continually before the LORD. 32Thus they are to keep charge of the tent of meeting, and charge of the holy place, and charge of the sons of Aaron their relatives, for the service of the house of the LORD.

  •  1Now when David reached old age, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. 2And he gathered together all the leaders of Israel with the priests and the Levites.

Those in the service to the LORD are of high significance. They were explicitly called together as part of making Solomon king.

  •  3The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000. 4Of these, 24,000 were to oversee the work of the house of the LORD; and 6,000 were officers and judges, 5and 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 were praising the LORD with the instruments which David made for giving praise. 6David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Overseeing the work of the house of the LORD was a significant effort. 24,000 people were involved.

The Levites also served as officers and judges, presumably to help the people know and follow the ways of the LORD.

The need for so many gatekeepers is interesting. Sounds like they needed to maintain proper control around the temple.

Having 4,000 for praise and worship and the fact that this is assigned as a specific task for a large group is a good reminder that this is an important.

  • 28For their office is to assist the sons of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and in the chambers and in the purifying of all holy things, even the work of the service of the house of God, 29and with the showbread, and the fine flour for a grain offering, and unleavened wafers, or what is baked in the pan or what is well-mixed, and all measures of volume and size.

The Levites are called to assist, but this does not make their role less important.

We are reminded that there is such a thing as becoming unclean or impure and that separates us from God. We need to be purified to be in His presence. We are purified through the blood of Christ.

The showbread is highlighted as a highlight here as well as grain offerings and a few others aspects. Most of us don’t really understand the significance as it is not taught in Christian churches.  A quick (and incomplete) study indicates it may represent Yahweh’s provision for His people by providing the very bread needed to live. Similarly we may see it foreshadows a picture of Yeshua, the bread of life. Yeshua is holy before God, He provides true sustenance, and He is always present. “Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry’” (John 6:35). Clearly He was indicating more than simple physical hunger, but a spiritual hunger that runs much deeper.

  • 30They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening, 31and to offer all burnt offerings to the LORD, on the sabbaths, the new moons and the fixed festivals in the number set by the ordinance concerning them, continually before the LORD.

Time is set aside to thank and praise the LORD daily and offer any offerings He requires. Though we can clearly not provide offerings Biblically any more as there is no Levitical priesthood or temple, we can set aside time to thank and praise the LORD and observe the sabbaths, new moons, and fixed festivals (e.g. Moedim or appointed times). Read more at Celebrating God’s Appointed Times (Moedim).

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to accept and embrace fully whatever role You assign to me. Lead me in clarity and discernment. Let me not covet what others are doing, but do what I am assigned well to bring honor and glory to Your name. Help open my eyes to the fullness of meaning in all of Your Biblical text, even those that may often be overlooked. Help me to remember to regularly thank and praise You. Lead me in a desire to more fully research and understand Your appointed times including sabbaths and new moons. Open my eyes to how I can live more fully according to Your ways instead of the traditions of men which are taught today. Amen. 

I would encourage you to also take a few minutes and give Him praise and thanks. Be specific where you can. Take your time.  Repeat at least daily. Better if you do more frequently.

Shalom.

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Thankfulness

The LORD helped David Wherever He Went

As we read 1 Chronicles 18, let us put ourselves in David’s place. He is experiencing victory after victory. He could easily assume this is all his own doing and miss out on  role Yahweh played in granting him victory. David did not miss God’s hand in his success. Two key verses stick out.

  •  And the LORD helped David wherever he went. (1 Chronicles 18:12b)
  •  11King David also dedicated these to the LORD with the silver and the gold which he had carried away from all the nations: from Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, and from Amalek. (1 Chronicles 18:11)

1 Chronicles 18

David’s Kingdom Strengthened

     1Now after this it came about that David defeated the Philistines and subdued them and took Gath and its towns from the hand of the Philistines. 2He defeated Moab, and the Moabites became servants to David, bringing tribute.

      3David also defeated Hadadezer king of Zobah as far as Hamath, as he went to establish his rule to the Euphrates River. 4David took from him 1,000 chariots and 7,000 horsemen and 20,000 foot soldiers, and David hamstrung all the chariot horses, but reserved enough of them for 100 chariots.

      5When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed 22,000 men of the Arameans. 6Then David put garrisons among the Arameans of Damascus; and the Arameans became servants to David, bringing tribute. And the LORD helped David wherever he went. 7David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8Also from Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a very large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze sea and the pillars and the bronze utensils.

      9Now when Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer king of Zobah, 10he sent Hadoram his son to King David to greet him and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and had defeated him; for Hadadezer had been at war with Tou. And Hadoram brought all kinds of articles of gold and silver and bronze. 11King David also dedicated these to the LORD with the silver and the gold which he had carried away from all the nations: from Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Philistines, and from Amalek.

      12Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah defeated 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 13Then he put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became servants to David. And the LORD helped David wherever he went.

      14So David reigned over all Israel; and he administered justice and righteousness for all his people. 15Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 16and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was secretary; 17and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and the sons of David were chiefs at the king’s side.

It is not unusual for us to naturally turn to the LORD when we are in trouble, beyond our own ability to manage something. However, how glorious to also turn to the LORD when we are having great victories and recognize His hand in our success.

In what ways has Yahweh given you victory in your lifetime? recently? How have you acknowledged that help and given thanks and praise to Him and His name?

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your hand helping me in my victories as well as comforting and supporting me in my challenges. Please help me to see Your hand at work in my life and not simply assume every victory is mine alone or after every defeat that I have to solve it on my own. Praise Your holy name! You and You alone are God! There are none like You! Amen. 

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Fear / Reverence for God, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Strong in Our Weakness, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Let Us Neither Seek Nor Define Greatness On Our Own

David served Yahweh and Yahweh established David as king over Israel. David became greater and greater because the LORD was with him.  We should seek a similar approach. Seek first the kingdom of Yahweh. If we are serving Him, then He is more than capable of establishing us and helping us achieve what He calls us to do. We should take caution not to try to do it all on our own, in our own power and control, though clearly action is required on our part.

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

David Made King over All Israel

      1Then all Israel gathered to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 2“In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel; and the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be prince over My people Israel.’” 3So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD through Samuel.

Jerusalem, Capital City

      4Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. 5The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David captured the stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David). 6Now David had said, “Whoever strikes down a Jebusite first shall be chief and commander.” Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. 7Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. 8He built the city all around, from the Millo even to the surrounding area; and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to focus on You first, above all things. Lead me to submit to You and Your will over my own. Help me to seek Your help in whatever I achieve and to seek to achieve whatever You call me to do. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Blessed, Curse, Faithful, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Strong in Our Weakness, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Our Relationship With YHWH Should Be a Clear Focal Point in Our Lives

We don’t need to be familiar with the concept of the birthright of the firstborn in order to understand from Biblical history that those who live in opposition to the LORD can lose what would otherwise be rightfully theirs. We need not understand all the battles and locations in 1 Chronicles 5 to understand that the LORD may bring victory to those who trust in Him. Likewise, we can learn from the historical record that those who act treacherously against YHWH and pursue other gods may bring about His wrath, and it may have lasting implications for generations and across a nation. It is not just an impact on a single person who has sinned.

1 Chronicles 5

Genealogy from Reuben

      1Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; so that he is not enrolled in the genealogy according to the birthright. 2Though Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came the leader, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph), 3the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel were Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi. 4The sons of Joel were Shemaiah his son, Gog his son, Shimei his son, 5Micah his son, Reaiah his son, Baal his son, 6Beerah his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away into exile; he was leader of the Reubenites. 7His kinsmen by their families, in the genealogy of their generations, were Jeiel the chief, then Zechariah 8and Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who lived in Aroer, even to Nebo and Baal-meon. 9To the east he settled as far as the entrance of the wilderness from the river Euphrates, because their cattle had increased in the land of Gilead. 10In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand, so that they occupied their tents throughout all the land east of Gilead.

      11Now the sons of Gad lived opposite them in the land of Bashan as far as Salecah. 12Joel was the chief and Shapham the second, then Janai and Shaphat in Bashan. 13Their kinsmen of their fathers’ households were Michael, Meshullam, Sheba, Jorai, Jacan, Zia and Eber, seven. 14These were the sons of Abihail, the son of Huri, the son of Jaroah, the son of Gilead, the son of Michael, the son of Jeshishai, the son of Jahdo, the son of Buz; 15Ahi the son of Abdiel, the son of Guni, was head of their fathers’ households. 16They lived in Gilead, in Bashan and in its towns, and in all the pasture lands of Sharon, as far as their borders. 17All of these were enrolled in the genealogies in the days of Jotham king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

      18The sons of Reuben and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, consisting of valiant men, men who bore shield and sword and shot with bow and were skillful in battle, were 44,760, who went to war. 19They made war against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish and Nodab. 20They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. 21They took away their cattle: their 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys; and 100,000 men. 22For many fell slain, because the war was of God. And they settled in their place until the exile.

      23Now the sons of the half-tribe of Manasseh lived in the land; from Bashan to Baal-hermon and Senir and Mount Hermon they were numerous. 24These were the heads of their fathers’ households, even Epher, Ishi, Eliel, Azriel, Jeremiah, Hodaviah and Jahdiel, mighty men of valor, famous men, heads of their fathers’ households.

      25But they acted treacherously against the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. 26So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul, king of Assyria, even the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away into exile, namely the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and brought them to Halah, Habor, Hara and to the river of Gozan, to this day.

Think about how your actions may affect how God blesses you, your family, your nation because of your righteousness. Reflect also on how your unrighteousness may impact the same in a very bad way by bringing about YHWH’s wrath and punishment. Truly our relationship with our Creator should be the most central and important things we spend time on to try to get that right. Let us seek Him in study of the Bible, worship, prayer, and rejoicing. Let us bring thanks before Him and take quiet time to listen to what He may wish to tell us. Let us honor Him in how we live.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please draw me in to right relationship with You. Help me to focus on You first, above all else. Let me not be distracted by the earthly things around me. Please bring Your blessings upon me, my family, and my nation so that Your name would be glorified. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Blessed, Faith / Trusting God, Hope, Loving / Kind, Money / Finances / Wealth, Provider, Submitted / Servant

There Are Rewards for Those That Follow Yeshua

There are rewards for those that follow Yeshua. We can be encouraged to know this, especially as we sometimes have to walk away from other things we value today. As a caution, I might also emphasize that should not be our primary motive for following Him. If it is, then we are following selfish motives and not really given our heart to Him.

Matthew 19:27-30

The Disciples’ Reward

      27Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30“But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

Scripture says we will receive many times as much as we had to leave behind to follow Him and inherit eternal life. What an encouraging reminder for those who face persecution or are having strife in their family because they choose to follow Christ and walk in His statutes and commandments.

As a side note, we also see that we should pay close attention to context to understand which promises apply to all believers and which apply to His closest disciples when He was in His earthly ministry. Notice not everyone is promised to sit on thrones of judgment. There are only twelve referenced here. Verse 29 is more broad, and emphasizes “everyone…”.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank you for encouraging me with knowledge that I will gain more than I lose by following you. It should be obvious to me, but often I can be so focused on my wants and desires and needs today, in the short term, that I can lose focus on eternity. I ask you to help me and all those who are called by your name to be encouraged by your word and promise of reward, but let us follow you out of love and not for personal gain. Please help me to live my life putting you first, above all other things and people. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Interceding for Others, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Repenting from Sin, Strong in Our Weakness

Trust in the LORD Alone to Be Your Shield and Provider

Almost every historical record about the prophet Elisha is intriguing. He was bold and passionate for the LORD. He asked for a double helping of what Elijah had, and received it from the LORD. His death was no less dramatic or impactful for Israel.

2 Kings 13:14-25

Death of Elisha

      14When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.” 18Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. 19So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.”

      20Elisha died, and they buried him. Now the bands of the Moabites would invade the land in the spring of the year. 21As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.

      22Now Hazael king of Aram had oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. 23But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now.

      24When Hazael king of Aram died, Ben-hadad his son became king in his place. 25Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken in war from the hand of Jehoahaz his father. Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.

This chapter can be a bit confusing. There are actually two Kings that are referred to as Joash, one who ruled Judah and one who ruled Israel. (For more context, Who Was King Joash in the Bible? on GotQuestions.org.) Both did evil in the LORD’s sight.

I find it a bit challenging to understand why the LORD through Elisha granted victory to Joash over Aram as it is not mentioned that he was repenting or walking in the ways of the LORD. In fact, given how Elisha treated other kings of Israel who were wicked over the preceding chapters, there seems to be a significant difference in how he treats Joash of Israel. However we can see Joash humbled himself in desperation and came to the LORD’s prophet on behalf of the suffering people if Israel. In the end it comes back to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These are God’s people.

23But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now.

I also think it is interesting that Joash was supposed to know how many times to strike the ground with the arrows. Maybe that was an indication of his heart not fully trusting in the LORD? However, scripture does not say that explicitly.

How about the miracle that is just seemingly thrown in on top of the rest of the action, where someone is thrown on the bones of Elisha and gets raised from the dead? Wow! Let us not get confused and put upon Elisha’s bones any supernatural power. It is always Yahweh who has the power and He must have done this for His glory by highlighting the importance and power shown through His prophet.

This is an action packed chapter.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help your people to turn to you in good times and bad. Help us to humble ourselves and bring our supplications before you. Lead us to give thanks as well. Bring forth more powerful leaders to help the people draw near to you and walk in your statutes and your commands. Let your people not rely on kings or presidents or congress (e.g. government of any kind), but upon You and You alone. For the sake of the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, please restore righteousness to your people, all those who have been grafted into Israel through accepting Yehsua as Messiah. Let us not suffer at the hands of the wicked who wish to transform our nation to grow further from you. Cast out the wicked and lift up the righteous in those who govern and throughout the nation(s). 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Faith / Trusting God, Guide, Obeying God, Provider, Submitted / Servant

Are You Ready to Walk Away from What Is Important to You, If the LORD Asks?

Sometimes we may be instructed to walk away from all or some of what we have. Though it may be very hard, if we are sure we are hearing from YHWH, then we should try to embrace the instruction and do as we are told. He may not, but we know that He can, restore all that we walked away from back to us in His own timing.

2 Kings 8:1-6

Jehoram Restores the Shunammite’s Land

      1Now Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, “Arise and go with your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn; for the LORD has called for a famine, and it will even come on the land for seven years.” 2So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God, and she went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3At the end of seven years, the woman returned from the land of the Philistines; and she went out to appeal to the king for her house and for her field. 4Now the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, “Please relate to me all the great things that Elisha has done.” 5As he was relating to the king how he had restored to life the one who was dead, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and for her field. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, this is the woman and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.” 6When the king asked the woman, she related it to him. So the king appointed for her a certain officer, saying, “Restore all that was hers and all the produce of the field from the day that she left the land even until now.”

Reflect on what it is that he LORD may be calling you to walk away from in order to serve Him or simply for your own good. Are you willing to trust and obey? Do not do it on a whim. You must believe you are hearing from the LORD.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Anger (unrighteous anger), Bitterness / Resentment, Consequences of Sin, Discipline / Guidance From God, Fear / Reverence for God, Murder, Patient, Protector / Deliverer, Provider, Seeking God, Selfishness, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

When Things Get Really Bad, Seek the LORD More Fervently!

Sometimes we face situations so dire, it seems hopeless. We call upon the LORD but His help does not come in the way or timing in which we expect or hope. We may grow desperate. Remain faithful. Do not turn from the way of the LORD.  In these situations it is Him and Him alone who can deliver us.  When things get really bad, seek the LORD more fervently and do not turn away from His ways!

2 Kings 6:24-33

The Siege of Samaria—Cannibalism

      24Now it came about after this, that Ben-hadad king of Aram gathered all his army and went up and besieged Samaria. 25There was a great famine in Samaria; and behold, they besieged it, until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a fourth of a kab of dove’s dung for five shekels of silver. 26As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall a woman cried out to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!” 27He said, “If the LORD does not help you, from where shall I help you? From the threshing floor, or from the wine press?” 28And the king said to her, “What is the matter with you?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ 29“So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him’; but she has hidden her son.” 30When the king heard the words of the woman, he tore his clothes—now he was passing by on the wall—and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth beneath on his body. 31Then he said, “May God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on him today.”

      32Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. And the king sent a man from his presence; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and hold the door shut against him. Is not the sound of his master’s feet behind him?” 33While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him and he said, “Behold, this evil is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

2 Kings 7

Elisha Promises Food

      1Then Elisha said, “Listen to the word of the LORD; thus says the LORD, ‘Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’” 2The royal officer on whose hand the king was leaning answered the man of God and said, “Behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” Then he said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.”

Four Lepers Relate Arameans’ Flight

      3Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die? 4“If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, we will but die.” 5They arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Arameans; when they came to the outskirts of the camp of the Arameans, behold, there was no one there. 6For the Lord had caused the army of the Arameans to hear a sound of chariots and a sound of horses, even the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us.” 7Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents and their horses and their donkeys, even the camp just as it was, and fled for their life. 8When these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they entered one tent and ate and drank, and carried from there silver and gold and clothes, and went and hid them; and they returned and entered another tent and carried from there also, and went and hid them.

      9Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent; if we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king’s household.” 10So they came and called to the gatekeepers of the city, and they told them, saying, “We came to the camp of the Arameans, and behold, there was no one there, nor the voice of man, only the horses tied and the donkeys tied, and the tents just as they were.” 11The gatekeepers called and told it within the king’s household. 12Then the king arose in the night and said to his servants, “I will now tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know that we are hungry; therefore they have gone from the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, ‘When they come out of the city, we will capture them alive and get into the city.’” 13One of his servants said, “Please, let some men take five of the horses which remain, which are left in the city. Behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it; behold, they will be in any case like all the multitude of Israel who have already perished, so let us send and see.” 14They took therefore two chariots with horses, and the king sent after the army of the Arameans, saying, “Go and see.”

The Promise Fulfilled

      15They went after them to the Jordan, and behold, all the way was full of clothes and equipment which the Arameans had thrown away in their haste. Then the messengers returned and told the king.

      16So the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. Then a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. 17Now the king appointed the royal officer on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate; but the people trampled on him at the gate, and he died just as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. 18It happened just as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, “Two measures of barley for a shekel and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, will be sold tomorrow about this time at the gate of Samaria.” 19Then the royal officer answered the man of God and said, “Now behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?” And he said, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.” 20And so it happened to him, for the people trampled on him at the gate and he died.

This is miraculous even if Elisha had not predicted it. How much more so that he prophesied that it would happed and then it did, just as he said!

We can certainly debate why the LORD did not act sooner or why it was only when Elisha’s life was in danger that he acted. That will lead us to speculation and more questions. It is fine to explore there. However, my focus for today is that, recognizing the LORD’s ways are different than ours and we may not always understand them, we should always put our faith and trust in Him. There is no situation for which He is not prepared or by which He is surprised. He knows all. He is all powerful.

I would point out that there was no message accompanying this miracle. Perhaps it was simply intended to bring about glory to the name and reputation of YHWH. Perhaps it was discipline for His people or their king. Elisha did not exactly compliment the king to call him a son of a murderer. Also, the king would not seek to kill or punish the prophet of God if he was close to God himself.

To recap where we began, when things get really bad we should seek the LORD more fervently and not turn from Him or His ways!

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.