Scripture Nugget 5.6.2016

“He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like his ancestor David; in all things he did as his father Joash had done. But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.”

Well the first of this statement sounds pretty good and in comparison to those kings “who did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” one might argue that this is much better and even good enough. Two little three letter words ‘yet’ and ‘but’ are indicators that a leader doing right as an individual isn’t enough. A leader has a responsibility to those he/she leads. Leaders are to give the hearts to God, to desire to have a heart like God’s. Leaders remove temptations thereby reducing the number of choices to good ones. In our time, making excuses for, pardoning and in some cases making legal, actions God deems are sins is much the same as leaving the high places in place, allowing the people to sacrifice and make offerings to false gods. Worship and sacrifice are wasted on idols, and those of us who go to the high places separate ourselves from God. “Separated from God we get picked off” (Tuttle). It is a king’s (leader’s) responsibility to protect those he/she leads, not allow them to wander away. Israel and Judah are deteriorating before our very eyes as we read through 1 and 2 Kings. Look around at the world today, governmental “leaders” are no better now. We need God, (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and we need to do away with the ‘yets and buts’ in our lives! O Lord lead me not into temptation and deliver me from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory!

Scripture Nugget 5.5.2016

“Now when Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she set about to destroy all the royal family. But Jehosheba, King Joram’s daughter, Ahaziah’s sister, took Joash son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s children who were about to be killed; she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus she hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not killed; he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the LORD, while Athaliah reigned over the land.” 2 Kings 11:1-3

Thank God for aunts who are willing to protect their nephews and nieces from an evil grandmother! Thank God for an aunt who knew the perfect place to hide a young boy so as to allow him to grow. What better place to hide a child than “in the house of the LORD”! This hits home for me. Just this week I was told of a young mother who is having to run from the abusive father of her children, she is hiding out so the kids can finish the school year and not be abducted then taken out of state. Can you imagine the trauma, the unsettled feeling of sleeping with one eye open, looking over your shoulder never knowing if evil is going to catch up with you? If only she would seek help and accept help from the Body of Christ – hide her children and herself in the house of the LORD. Where do you run to, where do you attempt to hide from evil? O that I would always hide in the shelter of the most high God!

Scripture Nugget 5.4.2016

“Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused Israel to commit – the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan (1 Kings 12:25-33). The LORD said to Jehu, ‘Because you have done well in carrying out what I consider right, and in accordance with all that was in my heart have dealt with the house of Ahab, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.’ But Jehu was not careful to follow the law of the LORD the God of Israel with all his heart; he did not turn from the sins of Jeroboam, which he caused Israel to commit.” 2 Kings 10:28-31

Jehu wiped out one false god and all those who worshiped Baal – that’s a big deal, a huge to blow to idol worship and could lead to increased worship of God. God was pleased with this and graced Jehu by promising his family would rule Israel for four more generations. Note that four generations is not permanent, four earthly generations is but a blip in time to God, even though most of us imagine four generations is a long time and we will not see the children of the fourth generation that follows us. Jehu did not worship God, he did not give his whole heart to God, and he did not love God first! He continued in the sins of Jeroboam who placed golden calves in Bethel and Dan and lead his followers to worship them there instead of worshiping God in the Temple in Jerusalem. Jehu wiped out one idol and worshippers of it only to encourage worship of another idol. Jeroboam died in his sin, as did Jehu. God lives – who/what do I/you worship! O God, that I not do good deeds for you only to worship a false god in hopes that my works will overcome my sins. O that I would wipe out false gods, wipe out false worship then through my example lead others to love you first, to worship only you with our whole being (heart, mind, soul and strength).

Scripture Nugget 5.3.2016

“Now the company of prophets said to Elisha, ‘As you see, the place where we live under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, and let is collect logs there, one for each of us, and build a place there for us to live.’ He answered, ‘Do so.’ Then one of them said, ‘Please come with your servants.’ And he answered, ‘I will.’ So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his ax head fell into the water; he cried out, ‘Alas master! It was borrowed.’ Then the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick, and threw it in there, and made the iron float. He said, ‘Pick it up.’ So he reached out his hand and took it.” 2 Kings 6:1-7

Leadership requires presence with the lead. Leaders provide vision and guidance. Leaders supervise. Leaders provide resources. Leaders solve problems. Leaders provide focus, and attention to detail. An axe is only an axe when the head is securely fastened to the handle, capable of being swung with force to cut and chop wood. A handle alone is useless as an axe; the head alone is useless as an axe, but the two together become a formidable tool for shaping wood. Sometimes followers need their Leader to remind them of the purpose of the tool, to fix a broken tool, returning it to its original design. It is expected that borrowed tools will be returned in their original condition, not in pieces, unable to be used. Leaders, as resourcers assist in that process. Leaders help keep things (equipment, doctrine, guidance, people) whole, pure and in their original condition. Unless present leaders are unable to provide focus to ensure the assigned task is accomplished. Unless present leaders are unable to identify and solve problems, to over-come brokenness, provide focus and prevent deviation/distraction from mission accomplishment. Leaders enforce standards, leaders uphold laws, and leaders set an example whether present or not. O God that I be present for the flock you assign me to, that assist them to follow you, to worship you, to stay within the boundaries of your truth.

ScriptureNugget 5.2.2016

“‘Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel.’ So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, ‘I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?’ He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, ‘Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean?’ So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean. Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, ‘Not I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.’” 2 Kings 5:8c-15c

Naaman, Commands the army of the king Aram. He is a successful commander, has won many battles by the will of God though he doesn’t realize it (2 Kings 5:1). Naaman suffers from leprosy, a skin disease that keeps him apart from society and the soldiers of the army he commands. He suffers from the disease and being cutoff. His wife’s servant, a young Israeli girl suggests he go to a prophet in Israel. With his king’s permission he presents himself to the king of Israel, not a prophet, with a letter asking for healing. The king of Israel, who obviously has not clue about God’s power is shaken by the request. The prophet Elisha sends word for Naaman to come to him. Naaman is greatly put off by the lack of reception and recognition of who he is and even more that the instructions he receives are so simple. Yet, with encouragement from his aide he goes and washes in the Jordan River, is cleaned of the skin disease and most importantly recognizes the healing comes from God even though at first he was not impressed with the simplicity of the instruction delivered by a messenger from, at that point, an unseen prophet.O, that I/we would always “trust what God can do in even the most mundane places through the most ordinary people” instead of denying the fullness of the potential of possibilities available from God.

Scripture Nugget 5.1.2016

“Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay injured; so he sent messengers, telling them, ‘Go, inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.’ But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, ‘Get up, go meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron?” Now therefore thus says the LORD, “You shall not leave the bed to which you have gone, but you shall surely die.”’” 2 Kings 1:2-4

Praise God I/we am able to pray directly to him. God listens for prayer, for request for healing, for request to provide comfort during times of illness and injury. He listens and is prepared to take action. He hears our prayers, he also hears and sees when we seek answers from make believe gods. These kings we continue to read about, continue to violate God’s covenant desires which separates not only these kings but the people of their kingdoms from God. The separation will eventually lead to exile. Sin, individual and corporate, separates one and all from the relationship God desires. As a seminary professor of mine often says, “singled out you get picked off.” O God, that I would always turn to you I times of plenty and times of need, that I never rely on myself, not count on myself but always rely on you. That I never separate myself or lead others away from you. This is my prayer this morning.

Scripture Nugget 4.30.2016

“But a certain man drew his bow and unknowingly struck the king of Israel between the scale of armor and the breastplate; so he said to his driver of his chariot, ‘Turn around, and carry me out of the battle, for am I wounded.’ … So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; they burned the king in Samaria. They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; the dogs licked up his blood and prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the LORD that he had spoken.”

Earlier God spoke to King Ahab through the prophet Elijah, who told him, “Thus says the LORD: In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, dogs will also lick up your blood.” (1 Kings 21:19b) Naboth is the man killed via Ahab’s wife Jezebel’s conspiracy to acquire Naboth’s vineyard. The arrow shot that killed King Ahab might be considered random if not for the prophecy. Fulfilment of the prophecy causes us to look at that shot as guided by God’s providence. While creation is not robotic fully under God’s command, each of us has the ability to choose what we do when we do it; however we are under God’s control. While we are given freedom to maneuver, ultimate outcomes are designed by God. We are given the freedom to say yes and no; eventually God will use all the no responses for the good of His kingdom. It was not a coincidence that the arrow of a certain archer slipped between the scales of the evil king’s armor. O God that I live inside your promise of eternal life with you, believing and having faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, so that I am part of your promise and prophecy in John 3:16.

Scripture Nugget 4.29.2016

“Then he sent messengers into the city to King Ahab of Israel, and said to him: ‘Thus says Benhadad: Your silver and gold are mine.’ The king of Israel answered, ‘As you say, my lord, O king, I am yours, and all that I have.’ The messengers came again and said: ‘Thus says Benhadad: I sent to you, saying, “Deliver to me your silver and gold, your wives and children”; nevertheless I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants, and lay hands on whatever pleases them, and take it away.’ Then the king of Israel called all the elders of the land, and said, ‘Look now! See how this man is seeking trouble; for he sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold; and I did not refuse him.’ Then all the elders and all the said to him, ‘Do not listen or consent.’ So he said to the messengers of Benhadad, ‘Tell my lord the king: All that you first demanded of your servant I will do; but this thin I cannot do.’” 1 Kings 20:2-9a

My (our) enemy(ies) will demand I give them what belongs to me in what amounts to extortion. Giving in to those demands, in an attempt to keep peace, to avoid confrontation, in hopes the enemy will go away only leads to more demands. The demands at first may not be as unrealistic and over the top as Benhadad’s to Ahab, but if I first feed those desires I am only providing fuel for those desires to grow. A little isn’t enough, a lot isn’t either, as my/our enemy wants it all. It’s one thing to give generously to help another in need; it is something entirely different to give into threats and bullying. God will exhort but never extort. O that I always remember God is with me and stand up to the threats and demands of the enemy and never give in nor give up anything that belongs to God. That I stand firm wearing the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and sturdy shoes proclaim the gospel of peace to the enemy who confronts me.

Scripture Nugget 4.28.2016

“For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth.” 1 Kings 17:4

“Over the Horizon Faith”, faith that God will provide for our needs well into the future. “Just in time logistics”, is what we called it in the Army. I have much more faith in God than I did in those logisticians to deliver. But do I always? Do you? Do I give only from the overflow, or do I give generously, in faith knowing and believing the jar and the jug will not run dry.

Scripture Nugget 4.27.2016

“Go tell Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because I exalted you from among the people, made you leader over my people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David to give it to you; yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my sight, but you have done evil above all those who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods, and cast images, provoking me to anger, and thrust me behind your back; therefore, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free in Israel, and will consume the house of Jeroboam, just as one burns up dung until it is all gone.’” 1 Kings 14:7-10

By God’s hand Jeroboam becomes king of Israel, he then selfishly squandered the opportunities to lead positively. We read in 13:33-34, “Even after this event Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but made priests for the high places again from among all the people; any who wanted to be priests he consecrated for the high places. This matter became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth.” Careless disobedience is expensive, not only is Jeroboam punished personally but causes future generations to pay the price as well. When one is chosen by God to lead God’s people does not free the chosen one to do anything they so desire. The if/then (see 4.26.2016) covenantal situation still exists, the rules still apply, and one is obligated to obedience not freed to sin. As we will read over and over as we progress through 1 Kings, the people of God in both Israel and Judah are blind to the cycle of sin they are experiencing and those chosen to lead are numb to the long term consequences of those sins. O God as a leader, (husband, father, friend, pastor) give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart and mind willing to follow you in obedience; as those you sent me to lead, follow me, ensure they only follow after me because I follow you and am obedient to you. Let them speak up if I turn the wrong way and allow me to receive correction.