The High Places

“The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.”  1 Kings 2:3-5

As we read through the history of Judah and Israel in 1st and 2nd Kings we notice a glaring point that, in my mind, rises above all others. Judah had a number of obedient kings but they remained guilty of one particular sin: “They didn’t destroy the High Places”

So, why is this worth noting 31 times throughout these two books? Before the temple was built, the high places were not absolutely contrary to the law, provided only Yahweh was worshipped there.

Well, the ancient Pagans worshipped their idols upon “high places”; hills, mountains, and artificial elevations. Under the judges, they seem to have been tolerated by Israel in some exceptional cases. Samuel offered sacrifice in several places where the ark was not present. Even in David's time, the people sacrificed to the Lord at Shiloh, Jerusalem, and Gibeon. Eventually the Israelites were commanded to destroy these places of idol worship, but they didn’t. Instead, they imitated the heathen. “At first they worshipped Jehovah in high places and after the Temple was built...worshipped idols.” The high places were much frequented in the kingdom of Israel; and on these hills they often adored idols, and committed a thousand abominations.

And...we serve a jealous God.

We see from the beginning of the kingdom that “worship in High Places” was not Yahweh’s design. God never wanted to live apart from His people and still doesn’t. He wants to live “with, and in” His people. “The people were still sacrificing on the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD.” So, King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem...in the heart of the kingdom...as a monument to God and as a permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant. It was the only place where Jews were allowed to worship.

One of the obstructions against cultivating a spiritually prosperous life is our human tendency to love the “high places,” the places we can worship our own gods in our own way. And, their names are given to us in scripture. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16). It is upon the altars of these high places that we can worship sex, money, fame, self...or any of the gods we can imagine. It’s our human condition. God still loves us and credits us with loving Him in the midst of our idolatry. Yet, He will not allow it to go unpunished. We see each of these kings who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” suffer varying consequences for their failure to destroy the high places.

The question is simple...am I struggling to achieve the peace and prosperity God designed for me? I should take a look at the landscape of my life. Notice any high places?  They need to be torn down. Also, I should take a look at the “Temple of Yahweh” that the Holy Spirit has built in my heart. Does it need any restoration or...at least...a good cleaning?

You know that I’m talking about.

Live boldly out there today...

A Prophesy

This is what the Lord says...

“I have lavished blessings upon you and you say ‘look what I have done!’

I have designed plans to prosper you and you say ‘I choose another way!’

I have given you a land of liberty and you say ‘I despise it!’

I have told you to do justice and you say ‘I will decide what is just!’

I have told you to love mercy and you say ‘I will decide who deserves mercy!’

I have told you to love one another and you say ‘I will only love those I choose!’

I have appointed leaders for and you say ‘I will destroy them!’

I have told you what is good and you say ‘I am good!’

I have said love God with all your heart and you say ‘I am God!’

You say ‘I am God’ when you see my handiwork and ask ‘who is Yahweh that I should bow to Him?’ You say ‘I am God’ when you hear my words and ask ‘who is Yahweh that I should follow His ways?’ I alone...without your help...have laid the foundation and set the boundaries of creation. I have designed your world with such precision and intricacy that my presence cannot be denied. The work of my hand is clear to all who will see and listen. Yet, you are blind and deaf. Otherwise, how does the blind say ‘I am God’ but claim to see? How does the deaf say ‘I am God’ but claim to hear?

So, I offer you this choice but you must decide before it is too late...

If you humble yourselves and return to me I will restore all that you have lost. I will repair all that you have destroyed. I will bring peace where you have created conflict. But, if you refuse, I will let you be your own god and you will lose everything you still have. Everything around you will crumble. Wars and famine will plague you. You will replace the leaders I have chosen for you and the ones you appoint will be far worse than you can imagine. Your world will die. And then...what will you do?

I take no pleasure in telling you the truth. It is not arrogance...it is my design. The perfect world I gave you is now dying because of your destructive obsession with yourselves. You told me you wanted to do things your way and I said OK. What did you think would happen? Did you think this creation would maintain itself? I have the knowledge to sustain it with just a word from my mouth. Do you? You see, you are not God. And, what is not properly maintained will die. I am the author of thermodynamics...It is my gift to you, my way of warning you you are in way over your head....

It is my love that warns you. I have created you and know you intimately. I know what will fulfill you. And...it is my love that offers you a way home. You have eyes...open them. You have ears...open them.

‘Live boldly out there today...

Micaiah and Ahab - “Mark my Words”

“But Micaiah said, As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.” 1 Kings 22:14

Israel enjoyed years of peace—no fighting with Syria, Israel’s nemesis. It didn’t mean King Ahab was content. In fact, when his colleague Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, came to visit Ahab took the occasion to address an old score he wanted to settle. Years earlier the king of Syria had taken the city of Ramoth (one of Israel’s Cities of Refuge) in Gilead and the situation was eating at Ahab. 

“Do you realize that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us, and we’re sitting around on our hands instead of taking it back from the king of Syria?” Ahab proclaimed. He turned to Jehoshaphat and asked “Will you join me in fighting for Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat said, “You bet. I’m with you all the way—my troops are your troops, my horses are your horses.” He then continued, “But before you do anything, ask God for guidance.”

Good advice...

King Ahab got 400 prophets together—and asked: “Should I attack Ramoth Gilead?

“Go for it,” they said. “God will hand it over to the king.” One of them, Zedekiah, had even made a set of iron horns, and brandishing them called out, “God’s word! With these horns you’ll gore the King of Syria until there’s nothing left of him!” 

And all the prophets chimed in, “Yes!”...

But Jehoshaphat dragged his heels: “Is there another prophet of God around here we can consult?” Ahab told Jehoshaphat, “As a matter of fact, there is still one such man—Micaiah son of Imlah—but I hate him because he never has anything good to say.”

“You shouldn’t talk about a prophet like that,” said Jehoshaphat.

So Ahab ordered one of his men to get Micaiah...The messenger said to Micaiah, “The prophets have all said Yes to the king. Make it unanimous—vote Yes!” But Micaiah said, “As surely as God lives, what God says, I’ll say.” So, Ahab  asked him, “Micaiah—do we attack Ramoth Gilead, or do we hold back?” “Go ahead,” he said. “An easy victory. God’s gift to the king. Since Ahab never heard a good word from Micaiah he got curious. “How many times have I made you promise under oath to tell me the truth and nothing but the truth?”

“All right,” said Micaiah, “since you insist, I saw all of Israel scattered over the hills, sheep with no shepherd.Then God spoke: ‘These poor people have no one to tell them what to do. Let them go home and do the best they can for themselves.’”

Ahab turned to Jehoshaphat, “See! What did I tell you?” 

He never has a good word for me from God, only doom.”

”Wait!” Micaiah said: “I’m not done yet; listen...

I saw God enthroned, and all the angel armies of heaven

standing at attention ranged on his right and his left.

And God said, ‘How can we seduce Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead?’ Some said this, and some said that. Then a bold angel stepped out, stood before God, and said,

“I’ll seduce him.”

“And how will you do it?” Asked God.

“Easy,” said the angel, “I’ll get all the prophets to lie to him.”

“That should do it,” said God, and that’s what happened. 

Ahab had heard enough and said: “Get Micaiah out of here! Lock him up in jail; keep him on bread and water until I’m back in one piece.’”

Micaiah said, “If you ever get back in one piece, I’m no prophet of God. MARK MY WORDS!”

Ahab was killed in battle and was brought home. They washed down the chariot at the pool of Samaria where the town whores bathed, and the dogs lapped up the blood, just as God’s word had said.

“Mark my words...”

As I contemplate this story I recall that Ahab was the most evil King Israel ever had. I’m not surprised a prophet of Yahweh would not have any encouraging word for him. So, Ahab hired several phony priests who would tell him what he wanted to hear. This is a huge problem. I suspect Jehoshaphat had an inkling of this and that’s what prompted him to ask for a second opinion.

We should never accept advise simply because it’s what we want to hear. We can always find somebody who will try to curry favor by telling us exactly what we want to hear. Some of us quit reading the Bible because we don’t like what it says. Some of us quit going to church because we don’t like what the pastor says. Many of us go “church shopping” until we find one that “tickles our ears,” even when, deep in our hearts, we know better.

That’s what Ahab did. It didn’t end well...

We need to be Jehoshaphat. We need to ask “isn’t there a prophet of the true God around here? That’s a start. Of course. The next step is to heed what that prophet says. MARK MY WORDS!

Live boldly out there today...

Elijah on Mount Carmel - time to make a decision

“How much longer will you waver, between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” 

1 Kings 18:21

The famine had become so severe in Samaria, because of the drought Elijah had prophesied, that King Ahab was forced to scour every hill and valley in hopes of finding enough grass to save at least some of my horses and mules.

In the third year of the drought, the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and tell King Ahab that I will soon send rain!”

Obadiah, a devoted follower of the Lord, saw Elijah coming toward him while he was out searching for provisions. He recognized Elijah and bowed before him. Elijah said. “Go and tell your master, Elijah is here.” 

When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?”

“I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.” 

So Ahab summoned everyone to Mount Carmel. Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” 

But the people were completely silent...they were genuinely torn between the two choices.

Elijah said, “bring two bulls.” The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” 

And all the people agreed...

The prophets of Baal prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. They called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply. 

So they shouted louder, and cut themselves until they bled. They raved until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no response.

Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” He took twelve stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord. Then he dug a trench around the altar, piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he had the people pour water over the offering and the wood Until it ran around the altar and even filled the trench.

Elijah walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.”

Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! When all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”

And...then it rained.

How often do we endure spiritual drought and famine in our lives because we are stuck in the middle...between the God of heaven and the god of this world? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob will send spiritual rain upon our lives if we will simply get off the fence. He will even go to great lengths to make the decision crystal clear for us.

We are told in John’s first epistle, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (2:15-17). There is a reason why churches in many cities across our nation  named themselves “Mount Carmel ______Church”. They are saying...at least by name...they have made a decision. 

How long will it take us to decide between what will last and what will perish? It just doesn’t seem that complicated but...there are hundreds of false prophets out there encouraging us to make the wrong choice. Let’s be careful who we listen to.

Live boldly out there today...

Elijah - Speaking Truth to Power

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”  1 Kings 17:1

Now, because Solomon drifted away from God in his later years as king, God took the kingdom away from his son Rehoboam and divided it. Solomon’s son maintained a small part of the kingdom...called Judah. The remaining tribes (still called “Israel”) revolted and named Jeroboam (a former leader under King Solomon) their king.  

Nearly none of the kings from either kingdom pleased God...so Israel and Judah were constantly at war. Ahab, king of Israel was the worst...he “did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all the kings before him.” In part, because he was influenced by his wife Jezabel. We will recall, Jezebel was a pagan and incited King Ahab to abandon the worship of Yahweh and promote worship of the Baal and Asherah. She also persecuted the prophets of Yahweh and organized the execution of Naboth, a law-abiding landowner, after Ahab coveted his land.

Along comes Elijah...and his boldness before Ahab is stunning. He doesn’t say “this is what the Lord says...” although, his words surely were from God. Instead he says “as surely as the Lord lives...there will be no rain until I say so.” The simple caveat being I answer to God “before whom I stand” and not you.

It is becoming increasingly more difficult to speak Biblical truth. The hostility is palpable and retribution is often visited upon those who dare attempt it. 

Wikipedia summarizes, for, us, the incident with Masterpiece Cake Shop. In 2012, a same-sex couple from Colorado made plans to be lawfully married in Massachusetts and return to Colorado where same-sexy marriage was prohibited.  The couple visited Masterpiece Cake Shop to order a wedding cake for their return celebration. Masterpiece's owner Jack Phillips, who is a Christian, declined their cake request, informing the couple that he did not create wedding cakes for marriages of gay couples owing to his Christian religious beliefs, although the couple could purchase other baked goods in the store. The couple promptly left Masterpiece without discussing with Phillips any of the details of their wedding cake.

While another bakery provided a cake to the couple, they filed a complaint to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission under the state's public accommodations law, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, which prohibits businesses open to the public from discriminating against their customers on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. The case was decided in favor of the plaintiffs; the cake shop was ordered not only to provide cakes to same-sex marriages, but to "change its company policies, provide 'comprehensive staff training' regarding public accommodations discrimination, and provide quarterly reports for the next two years regarding steps it has taken to come into compliance and whether it has turned away any prospective customers."

Masterpiece appealed the decision and refused to comply with the state's orders, instead opting to remove themselves from the wedding cake business. The state's decision was upheld on the grounds that the act of making the cake was part of the expected conduct of Phillips' business, and not an expression of free speech nor free exercise of religion.

Masterpiece Cakeshop petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for review of the following question: Does applying Colorado's public accommodations law to compel Phillips to create expression that violate his sincerely held religious beliefs violate the Free Speech or Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment.

The Court issued its ruling on June 4, 2018, ordering a reversal of the decision made by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The opinion stated that a State decision “in which there is religious hostility on the part of the State itself”  violates the "State’s obligation of religious neutrality" under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution.

For six years Masterpiece created no custom cakes...at the cost of 40% of his business and the threat of losing his business entirely. As we “stand before God”, we are required to do no less...regardless the cost. We are evened warned by Jesus Himself: “No servant is greater than his master. If they hate me, they will hate you.” (John 15:20). 

Mr Phillips is now hated by millions of Americans who disagree with his allegiance to Biblical truth. Had he pursued a more “accommodating’” path he could have remained virtually anonymous and been admired by all his patrons. Buckle up...it won’t be a smooth ride!

Live boldly out there today...

Solomon - Effective Prayer

“Now, Lord my God...give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 

1 Kings 3:9-13

Prayers are often “give me” conversations with God...

“Lord, “give me” a good job, or a loving spouse, or obedient children, or  a better car, or...whatever we want at the time. Generally we phrase it in a less demanding way. Like, “I need...” or, “if it be your will...” If we learn anything from this incident with Solomon it should be “Lord, give me” is not a problem for God. No need to be obsequious with God because He perfectly discerns our motives and agendas. 

Just come out with it...

Like Solomon did...“Now, Lord my God...give your servant a discerning heart.” I suspect Solomon was overwhelmed by his new responsibilities and knew he was not up to the task. If God didn’t step in, he would fail. In effect, he was saying, “I have no idea what I’m doing so...since you gave me the task...give me the tools.” And, “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.”God said “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself...I will do what you have asked...Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor.”

There are some important lessons here...

1. Effective prayer is predicated on Our relationship with God. Solomon demonstrated his love for God.  Solomon showed he loved the Lord by following the commands his father David had given him, except many other places of worship were still used to offer sacrifices and to burn incense. King Solomon went to Gibeon to offer a sacrifice, because it was the most important place of worship. He offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 

2. Effective prayer is predicated on our regard for God’s authority. When God came to Solomon and offered to fulfill his desires Solomon said “You were very kind to your servant, my father David. He obeyed you, and he was honest and lived right. You showed great kindness to him when you allowed his son to be king after him. Lord my God, now you have made me, your servant, king in my father’s place.” In other words, God, this entire situation is your doing...not mine.

3. Effective prayer is predicated on our dependence upon God. In this case, Solomon understood he was faced with a daunting responsibility that had been placed upon him By God, Himself. While he was at Gibeon, the Lord appeared to him in a dream during the night. God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”Solomon answered, “You were very kind to your servant, my father David. He obeyed you, and he was honest and lived right. You showed great kindness to him when you allowed his son to be king after him. Lord my God, now you have made me, your servant, king in my father’s place. But I am like a little child; I don’t know how to do what must be done.”

4. Effective prayer is predicated on our  bringing God pleasure. The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked this. So God said to him, “You did not ask for a long life, or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies. Since you asked for wisdom to make the right decisions, I will do what you asked. I will give you wisdom and understanding that is greater than anyone has had in the past or will have in the future. I will also give you what you did not ask for: riches and honor.”

The obvious question we need to ask is...does my experience with prayer compare with Solomon’s? For most of us the answer is a resounding “no.” Yet, we somehow tend to put that responsibility on God, rather than ourselves, and end up thinking prayer is largely a waste of time. It’s not. God finds pleasure in answering our prayers but on His terms, not ours. James 4:3 says “when you pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons.” God also knows what we need and is prepared to provide it. Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.”

We can go through life grumbling, with disappointment over how God failed us or we can align ourselves with God’s design for accessing His benevolence. It shouldn’t be a difficult choice.

Live boldly out there today...

Successful Leadership: David’s Charge to Solomon

When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go. 1 Kings 2”1-3

We know good leadership does not fall to people by pedigree. Neither does good leadership fall to people through opportunity. David’s first three sons, Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah were royalty...tall, handsome and privileged...and positioned for greatness. Each failed because of of their unwillingness to subordinate their own aspirations to God’s will. King David was eager for his son Solomon to succeed and he knew what that would take because God had told him when Saul’s kingdom passed to him. 

So...he passed this charge to his son Solomon: “I am going where every man on earth must some day go. I am counting on you to be a strong and worthy successor. Obey the laws of God and follow all his ways; keep each of his commands written in the law of Moses so that you will prosper in everything you do, wherever you turn. If you do this, then the Lord will fulfill the promise he gave me, that if my children and their descendants watch their step and are faithful to God, one of them shall always be the king of Israel. Now listen to me. Then David died and was buried in Jerusalem. Solomon became the new king, replacing his father; and his kingdom prospered.

We all face challenges on a regular basis and often lack confidence as to the proper way to address them. I thank God He gave me a father who was always willing to offer godly advice when I asked. It made life much easier. We all don’t enjoy that blessing so, gleaning some general principles from David’s conversation with his son may be helpful. His advice is an exposition on the command God gives us in Micah 6:8

1. Do Justice:  Joab murdered my two generals. You are a wise man and will know what to do. Remember Shimei cursed me You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him.” There are activities and actions in the community that cannot go unaddressed. Failure to exact justice for wickedness send a message to the entire community that people will not be held accountable for their actions. This creates an atmosphere of fear and vengeance. Chaos results. You and I are not given authority to punish others but...we have a responsibility to speak out against activity that violates God’s laws. In a democracy (of the people, by the people, for the people) we have an obligation to demand our elected officials support and defend justice by establishing laws that punish wrong-doers. Within our family structures we must train and discipline our children to do what is right according to God’s expectations.
2. Love Mercy: Be kind to the sons of Barzillai for they took care of me when I fled from your brother Absalom. It takes a strong and confident person to show mercy and charity to folks who may have offended us. All it takes to punish somebody is the power to do so. Mercy requires a level of grace that can only be understood in the context of our own sinfulness...and forgiveness. Experience with human nature offers an important lesson here; power engenders fear while mercy engenders love. Any successful leader will tell us devotion (love) is a far more dependable emotion than fear. Devotion implies a desire for our leaders to thrive. Fear constantly seeks avenues of escape. 
3. Walk obediently with God: “Obey the laws of God and follow all his ways; keep each of his commands written in the law of Moses so that you will prosper in everything you do, wherever you turn. If you do this, then the Lord will fulfill the promise he gave me.” God’s activity in our lives appropriately reflects our obedience to Him. God is always active. Sometimes we want to claim He is absent because we fail to credit His activity to Him. We call it fate, karma, luck, coincidence or anything other than God’s hand. We can not escape God. We can ignore Him but He is still knocking. But the “if...then” formula is as certain anything we know. If we ignore, or defy. God His activity in our lives will be designed to achieve repentance because “the Lord disciplines those whom He loves” (Heb 12:6).

We all have relational responsibilities...Family, church, friends, work. And, every relationship has an element of leadership requirements attached to it. The quality, satisfaction with, and sustainability of these relationships is as much our responsibility as someone else’s. If we aren’t finding joy in our relationships, if we aren’t feeling God’s pleasure in our relationships it may mean we have failed to step up to our responsibilities. Just remember...leadership doesn’t always look like a hammer. Sometimes it looks a lot like humility.

We may have the pedigree via our education and the opportunity via our professional contacts but those only put us in a position to demonstrate success or failure. The outcome will be determined by God alone. Is He satisfied with our efforts?

Live boldly out there today...

Nathan Intercedes for Solomon

Then Nathan asked Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, “Have you not heard that Adonijah, has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it? 12 Now then, let me advise you how you can save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. 1 Kings 1:11, 12

It’s not uncommon that people intend to intervene, disrupt or control our lives without our knowledge. When that happens we are defenseless because “without knowledge people perish.” (Hosea 4:6).

It’s what happened to Solomon. His brother, Adonijah, determined to become the king even though His father...who was not yet dead...had promised his throne to Solomon. In Adonijah’s defense, he was next in line for the throne if tradition were followed. Even so, Adonijah had not discussed this with his father. In fact, he did not confer with anybody who was loyal to king David. He simply went ahead with his plans and held a big coronation party with all his friends.

Far from Jerusalem, or course...

Had Adonijah been successful he would have turned his father’s plan for future leadership of Israel on its head. Since the throne of Israel was given, by Divine covenant, to David...Adonijah’s theft was a pretty big deal. 

God noticed...

Enter Nathan...

It occurs to me that we all need a Nathan in our lives...somebody who has the ear of God and can keep us apprised of the dangers and tricks that threaten to derail God’s fondest hopes for our lives. Our greatest threats, however, do not come from our brothers or our acquaintances. They come from the father of lies...Satan himself. And he never tells us his plans to deceive us. He simply does it...constantly. I have found I am most often tripped up by the Devil when I am least tuned in to the voice of truth. And, sadly, I am often caught completely unawares. I’d like to be smarter but I’m not. If we aren’t vigilant and heed the voice of our Nathan our lives can crumble.

However, Nathans are difficult to find...

So...God has given us His Spirit to live in us. “When the Spirit of truth comes to us He will guide us into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell us what he has heard. He will tell us about the future.” (John 16:3) I assure you of this: The only way the devil can steal God’s dreams from us is if we fail to listen carefully and constantly to His Spirit. And sometimes He will find a Nathan to speak His words. But...if not...we can never say “nobody told me...”

Who is speaking to you?

Live boldly out there today...