SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 21
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death. [1 Kings 21:10] As a follower of Jesus, I am committed to the truth, to telling the truth and to living according to the truth. This is how Jesus lived, this is how I want to live. Today’s reading has a sulking king and a scheming queen, with death and misery as the result. How does a person come to this, so wrapped up in self, prepared to lie, cheat, steal and hurt others for selfish gain. Sadly, history provides many examples of self-absorbed government leaders, prepared to do anything – even sell themselves to evil.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, `I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ [Matthew 26:59-61] Can I imagine myself getting to this point? Here we have the religious leaders, those committed to God and His truth, looking for false evidence. Anything to get rid of this Jesus. Sadly, they are not unique as self-absorbed religious leaders either; history provides many examples of religious leaders, including those claiming to follow Jesus, ready to lie, cheat, steal and hurt others for selfish advantage.
How can this happen? Though each person’s story is different, behind them all are two common denominators: sinful hearts and the father of lies. All of us live have a spiritual heart condition, a propensity toward selfishness. And Jesus talks about Satan as the father of lies, and challenges the religious leaders for following Satan rather than God: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [John 8:44] The same could be said of Ahab and Jezebel.
Who do I listen to? In my heart I want to be committed to Jesus and the truth. I have not sold myself to evil, like Ahab did. But am I allowing compromise? I don’t imagine that the religious leaders began this way; I am certain they started with good intentions, even good commitment. But little by little, they compromised. Slow, subtle, and insidious. The only protection is a daily renewal of commitment and determination to Jesus and the truth, as well as admitting every time I compromise! Today again, I commit myself to Jesus, and to living with honesty and integrity for Him!
PRAYER:
Lord, help me be true, honest and fair. Help me be like You!
LORD, in these scriptures we see corruption, misuse of power, twisting of the law to get one’s way, justification of one’s actions. LORD, this is no different in our world today.
Father, what do I chase after? What is important to me? If we hungered, lusted and chased after Godly things as we do after worldly things, how our lives would be so different. There are things of this world that we want so badly to have and why?
Father, give me a hunger, an unsatisfiable hunger for You, for an intimate relationship with You, for a life that is built upon You, a life that is fully devoted to You, a life of service and love for You and Your Kingdom.
LORD, give me eyes to see and understanding to know when my prioriites are less than You desire for me. Help me to humble myself before Your throne so that I might have a teachable heart for Your ways. Thank You LORD for Your mercy and grace that is so readily available when I mess up. Thank You LORD for Your unending, unfailing forgiveness.
Purify my heart, touch me with Your cleansing fire. Take me to the cross; Your holiness is my desire. Breathe Your life in me; kindle a love that flows from Your throne. Oh, purify my heart; purify, my heart. Thank You Jesus!