Daily Encouragement

April 4, 2010 - Enemies From God

God's judgment upon Solomon for his departure from Him was to raise up three enemies to oppose him. They created many problems for him and his kingdom.

The first one was from the south of Israel- Hadad was a descendant of the king of Edom. The second one was Rezon who led a band of raiders and reigned in Damascus. They are from the north of Solomon. Then from Israel herself, a man of the tribe of Ephraim was touched by God to lead ten tribes to split the kingdom from the son of Solomon. Jeroboam was a mighty and industrious man appointed by Solomon to oversee the labor force of the house of Joseph. But one day a prophet confronted him to predict his future kingship but warned him to follow the law of God.

Solomon certainly knew the need to lead his people to repent and humble themselves before the LORD so his nation would be healed by God. (2 Chronicles 7:14) But it seemed like he never did. And his kingdom was split into two later. May we never get any enemy from God by departing from Him.

April 5, 2010 - Taxes, Taxes, Taxes

Meditation on 1 Kings 12

The apparent cause for the division of the kingdom of Israel was taxation. Jeroboam, the representative of the ten tribes came to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon to ask for lessening of the hard services that Solomon placed upon them for it had become a heavy yoke upon the countrymen.

Rehoboam listened to the counsel of the young leaders of his nation to levy even harsher labor on the people rather than listen to the old officials who urged him to serve the people and grant them their petition. As a result, the ten tribes made Jeroboam to be the king over Israel and rebelled against Rehoboam. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David. (v. 21)

This history teaches us that citizens do not like heavy taxation. Neither should leaders of an organization demand too much on the workers. Otherwise the morale would be low. And there may even be rebellion. May we always consider others' burden.

April 5, 2010 - God Feeds His Servants

Meditation on 1 Kings 17

Elijah had told the wicked king, Ahab of the Northern Kingdom of Israel that there would not be rain in his land if Elijah would not pray for it. Looked like that famine was coming. Time and again God told Elijah where to go and where to get food and who was going to provide food for him. God would provide the physical need of his servants as they serve Him faithfully. In the next chapter, it was also recorded that God used another person to protect and provide for one hundred prophets.

Moreover, the widow and son who sacrificed their own food to feed Elijah by faith were rewarded by God to experience a miraculous provision for a long time. Those who feed God's servants would be fed by God also.

Jesus said that we should not be worry for tomorrow what we will eat or will drink or will wear. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you, He assured us. (Matthew 6:25-33) As God had cared for his servant Elijah, he does care for everyone of those who seek to serve Him, including those who serve his servants.

April 7, 2010 - The Incredible Grace

Meditation on 1 Kings 20

The Northern Kingdom of Israel had just experienced a famine under King Ahab. Then this weak nation faced the attack of the alliance of thirty-two kings under Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria. Ben-Hadad demanded Israel to surrender and would take away any women and treasurers and anything they pleased in Israel capital, Samaria.

We know that King Ahab was a very wicked man with a very wicked wife, Jezebel who led the nation to worship idols and false religions. She even vowed to kill Elijah after he killed her prophets and brought the nation for a revival to worship the LORD.

But in light of the critical circumstance, God still had mercy upon the people of Israel. He sent his prophet to instruct Ahab how to fight the enemies. It was the 232 young leaders who led a seven thousand army to defeat the great amount of Syrians. In the following year, the little group of soldiers of Israel (so weak like two little flocks of goats, v. 27) had again destroyed the overwhelming numbers of Ben-Hadad's armies. There was no doubt that this was the work of God because of His powerful grace.

There should be no reason that God should help a king like Ahab. But His incredible grace still was showered upon His people some of whom looked to Him.

We should learn to turn to Him with all our hearts and not to abuse His grace like Mr. and Mrs. Ahab who eventually met a tragic end. (1 Kings 22:37 and 2 Kings 9:30-37)

April 8, 2010 - Your Path To Ministry

Meditation on 2 Kings 2

Elisha was being tutored to do God's ministry by Elijah before the teacher went to heaven. The first thing we notice was that Elisha consistently stuck with his mentor. Then The Bible showed us that the place they started their journey together was Gilgal. This was the famous location where Joshua commanded all the sons of Israel to be circumcised. Gilgal meant "roll away". It was a sign that God had rolled away all their shame from Egypt. So it is today, all those who wanted to serve the Lord should have their sins rolled away by the circumcision of Christ. (Colossians 2:11)

From Gilgal, they went to Bethel, meaning the house of God. This signifies that a Christian must have the experience of going to the house of God for worship without which he or she is not ready to be a minister for Jesus.

The next place, they traveled to, was Jericho. This was the famous place where the Israelites circled the giant fortress for seven days until the wall came down. All disciples have to struggle with huge obstacle in the progress of Christian life. We must win through obedience, prayers and total dependence of the Lord.

The final place they came to was Jordan meaning descending. It was the place the Israelites had to cross to enter into the Promise Land under Joshua's leadership. It gives us the idea that all believers must descend into the death of the flesh, old nature in order to enter into the rest in Christ. We must die with Christ in order to be raised with new life in Him. (Romans 6:3-6) And we will be filled with the Spirit.

As we have gone through this spiritual journey, we will be ready to be a minister for Christ as Elisha was ready to be used by God with power from on high. All Christians are called to serve Him. (1 Peter 2:9)

April 9, 2010 - Do Not Keep Silent About Good News

Meditation on 2 Kings 7

In this account, God had done something great for the nation of Israel so that their enemies had departed from their capital, Samaria. The lepers who had to stay outside the city by law knew about it. Yet they did not notify the citizens inside the city.

Finally 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." (v. 9 NASB) Of course this was predicted by the prophet, Elisha already. And it was the lepers who brought to the people such good news.

We as Christians do have the good news today that Jesus has delivered us from the captivity of sins and its punishment. We can enjoy the benefit of eternal life and freedom in Christ. It would not be right if we do not share such good news with our loved ones and friends. God would hold us responsible for not sharing. May we witness for the gospel right away.

For those who refuse to believe God's word and the good news we share, they will meet ill fate like the official at the gate of Samaria. (v. 17-20)

April 10, 2010 - Personal Ambition Prevents Spiritual Reformation

Meditation on 2 Kings 10

Jehu, the only king who was anointed in the Northern Kingdom of Israel had done his assigned task for God faithfully. He killed the whole house of the most wicked king Ahab. Also he did his best to eliminate all the worshipers of Baal with their idols in his country. Even those who had any relationship with Ahab and idol worship were destroyed by his force.

However, there was one thing he did not purge in his nation. That was the golden calves used in the worship centers at Bethel and Dan. The first king of his kingdom, Jeroboam built those images there to encourage the people to worship God there instead of going to Jerusalem. In reality, these images still had become a form of idolatry which was forbidden by the Ten Commandments.

We can understand why Jehu allowed this practice since he certainly worried about the control and loyalty of his people if they leave his country to attend worship at Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom of Judah who was his rival. His ambition of being a king had caused him not to obey God's law wholeheartedly. Thus, God said that his kingdom would only last for four generations. (v. 29-31)

Jehu should trust God for his future and success completely by obeying all God's commandment. If he had taken away the golden calves also, the spiritual reform for his country would have been complete. And his kingdom would have last a lot longer, I believe.