Sun.’s Devo - The New Has Come!

Read: 1 Kings 2:1-3:3; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25 It was David’s time to die and he called in Solomon to give him his last words. He commanded him to be strong and to walk in God’s ways, following his commandments so that he would prosper. Then, there would always be one of David’s sons to sit on the throne of Israel. *** David gave Solomon commands about three people he needed Solomon to attend to after he died. Joab was the first. He had murdered Abner and Amasa in revenge. He was not to let him die in peace. *** Solomon was to honor the sons of Barzillai and let them always eat at his table for all the loyalty they showed to David. *** Then there was Shimei, the one who had cursed him when he was running from Absalom. David had promised not to kill him, but Solomon was to find a way to punish him by death. *** David died who had reigned seven years in Hebron and 33 in Jerusalem. *** Adonijah, the son of David who had tried to pronounce himself the king, tried to weasel his way back into the kingship. He would start with marrying David’s concubine, Abishag. He used Bathsheba to do it. He went to her and tried to convince her to ask Solomon if he could marry Abishag. *** When she brought Adonijah’s request to Solomon, he saw right through the facade and had Benaiah kill Adonijah. *** Solomon told Abiathar the priest who had sided with Adonijah to go home to Anathath. His honor was taken away as the priest just like the Lord had said would happen to Eli’s sons. *** When Joab heard that Solomon had killed Adonijah, he knew he was next. He ran and took hold of the horns of the altar. Solomon sent Benaiah to kill him. When Joab refused to leave the altar, Solomon had him killed right there. He was buried in the wilderness. Benaiah was put in charge of the army in place of Joab. *** Next, was Shimei. Solomon told him to build a house in Jerusalem and he was to promise never to leave Jerusalem or he would die. Shimei promised, but three years later two of his servants fled to Gath. He went to bring them back. He was brought before Solomon and rebuked and killed for breaking his promise. *** Now, Solomon’s kingdom was established. He made a marriage alliance with the Pharaoh of Egypt and married his daughter. He brought her into the city of David while he built his own house and the Temple. *** Solomon loved the Lord and walked with him, but sacrificed at the high places. *** In Acts, we had just learned that Barnabas had sold a piece of land and given all the proceeds to the apostles. Ananias also sold a piece of property. He and his wife conspired to keep some of the proceeds from the land, but tell the apostles they were giving all the proceeds to them. Ananias came alone and gave the money to Peter. Peter discerned that he was lying and confronted him. He told them that it didn’t matter that they withheld the money because it was their money, but it did matter greatly that he lied about it. He had lied to the Holy Spirit. When Peter said these things to Ananias, he dropped dead. They took him out and buried him. *** Three hours later, Sapphira his wife came, not knowing what had happened to her husband. They asked her about the land and she gave the same lie. She dropped dead also and was buried beside her husband. Great fear of the Lord fell on the church. *** The apostles were doing many signs and wonders adding many new converts. The people would bring their sick and lay them on mats in the streets so that Peter’s shadow might fall on them. People brought their sick and demon-possessed to the apostles and they were healed. *** All of this attention made the high priest very jealous. He and his followers were Sadducees who didn’t believe in the resurrection. They arrested the apostles and put them in a public prison, but during the night, an angel of the Lord opened their prison door and told them to go and stand in the temple and speak to the people about eternal life through Jesus. *** So the next day, when the high priest sent for them to be brought to them from the prison, they couldn’t find them and their was no evidence of a jail break. Someone reported that Peter and John were standing in the temple teaching the people. They had them peacefully arrested again and brought in for questioning. *** The council questioned them and asked them why they were doing what they had charged them not to do. Peter told them they had to obey God rather than them. God had raised Jesus, who they had crucified, and made him the Savior. Through him all sin can be forgiven. They were his witnesses to this great news. *** When the council heard their answer, they were so angry and wanted to kill Peter and John. But, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was honored by the council had Peter and John taken out of the room. Then he warned the council about how they handled these men. He reminded them of Theudas who rose up and claimed to be someone great and got many followers. When he was killed, his followers dispersed and it all came to nothing. Then there was another named Judas the Galilean who rose up and drew people after him. He also died and nothing came of his followers. So, he counseled them to leave Peter and John alone because if what they are doing is in their own power, it will die with them. But, if this is the Lord, they will not be able to fight it and win. They took his advise and had the apostles beat and told them to stop preaching about Jesus. *** Peter and John left rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. They continued to preach in the temple and in homes that Jesus was the Christ. *** Lord, this reminds me of what is going on right now. Nothing can stop what You are doing. The devil has no power over you or your children. We are witnessing the fall of Satan’s kingdom on earth. Hallelujah! May your kingdom come to earth.