Living Without Forgiving

The story we read today, 1 Kings 1:28-48, really needs to begin at verse 1. This entire chapter paint a picture of family dysfunction. King David's family had challenges and troubles, much like your family and mine. Not that this fact is a comfort, but it does point to the reality of our broken world. A world that has been broken from the beginning. From Adam and Eve.

The first 27 verses in 1 Kings 1 relate the story of one of David's sons, Adonijah, Solomon's brother. The King, David, his father, was dying. His life nearing its end and Adonijah decided to get a jump on things. He declared himself king and began to plan his coronation and all the pomp that goes with it.

Nathan, the prophet, got wind of what was happening and went to Bathsheba. The two then went to the King to tell him. David immediately rectifies the situation by telling Bathsheba, “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.” (1 Kings 1:29-30 NIV)

I wish I could say that everyone lived happily ever after, but when we read on in 1 Kings, we see that is not so. More bloodshed and retribution took place. But isn't that the way it is even now? Too often, family transgressions are not easily forgiven nor forgotten. Brothers don't speak to brothers, sisters ignore sisters, holding grudges for years.

Jesus came to change all this; He came to forgive us so we can forgive others. Jesus's suffering and death was the hardest thing He had to so. It stands to reason that the act of forgiving others may well be the hardest thing we do too.

Dear Jesus, give me a heart to forgive. Help me overcome my fear of rejection and do the right thing. Amen.

1 Kings 1

God Most High

Genesis 14:18-19 (NIV)
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
and he blessed Abram, saying,

"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth. Creator of heaven and earth.
And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand."

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
The first temptation for this writer when praying about what God wanted written on these verses, was to address the mystery of Melchizedek. I must admit I did do a little research and was fascinated by some of what I read, but, this text isn't about the enigmatic person of Melchizedek. The readings this week are all about God Most High.

God delivered Abram's enemies into his hands and Abram returned as conqueror. Kings turned out to celebrate Abram's return and the king of Sodom was among them as was Melchizedek the king of Salem, a priest of God Most High.

Abram was God's servant and he gave God the honor and glory for the victories he and his armies enjoyed. We all need to practice this type of humility. When God fights for us and gives us triumphs we must point to Him and not to ourselves. My accomplishments in this life are not because of who I am, but because of whose I am.

Humility takes the focus off of us and our deeds, so that when people look at us they will see what God has accomplished in our lives.
Genesis 14:17-24

If You Want Something Done Right ...

If you want something done right, do it yourself.

Although perhaps a bit cynical, that is a statement we probably have heard before. And if you are like me, you can relate to it as well.

Today’s reading is Ezekiel 34:7-16.

The Destruction of Jerusalem

God had promised to protect his people and give them everlasting life. To help keep his promise, God delegated certain responsibilities to kings and priests. The kings were the secular leaders who protected the people from invasion and administered punishment for transgressions of the law. The priests were the spiritual leaders who looked after the temple and the spiritual welfare of the Israelites.

Over time, both sets of leaders neglected their duties and put their own interests before the Lord's.

 Ezekiel lived during the Babylonian captivity. Like so many other prophets before him, he had warned Israel’s leaders that they were leading God’s people down the road of destruction. And he reminded them that their current predicament is the consequence of their lack of faith.

 Fortunately, Ezekiel had more to say.

 God loved his people so much that he was not going to let the failures of its leaders condemn them to eternal torment.

 Ezekiel reminds the Israelites that their leaders will be held accountable, but he also continues that God himself will come and “search for his sheep.” God will bring his people to their land and he will take care of his people.

Ezekiel, of course, is foretelling that Jesus will be living on earth to set up his kingdom and save his people.

Israel’s leaders were incapable of saving Israel. Men are not able to save other men. Only Jesus can save mankind from the consequences of sin. Men have failed God; God came to earth and did the job himself.

We all are guilty of not obeying God. None of us are able to save ourselves, let alone someone else.

Fortunately for us, God is in control of our ultimate destiny. He loves us: he sent his Son to die so that we will live forever.

Fortunately, God wanted something done right!