Tues.’s Devo - The Price of Disobedience and the Power of God

Read: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24; Acts 10:23b-48; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 17:9-11 Israel’s kings fell into a pattern of sin and death. Jeroboam’s son Nadab reigned over Israel while Asa was in his second year of ruling Judah. (Asa was a good king who honored the Lord.) Nadab walked in wickedness and sin like his father Jeroboam. Baasha of Issachar killed Nadab while they were fighting against Gibbethon and reigned in his place. Baasha had all the family of Nadab killed just like the prophet had said. *** In Asa’s third year of ruling Judah, Baasha reigned over Israel and he was evil just like Jeroboam. Nadab died and his son Elah came to power. God sent Jehu the prophet to tell him that because his father had led Israel to sin and idolatry, he and his house would be killed just like his father had killed the household of Nadab for the same reason. *** Twenty-three years had passed since Asa became king in Judah and Elah only ruled two years in Israel. In Asa’s 27th year of ruling Judah, Elah was killed by his servant Zimri who was one of his chief army commanders. Just like the prophet had said, Elah killed all of Nadab’s household. Zimri reigned only seven days because the troops who were fighting for Israel didn’t like what Zimri had done by killing their king. Led by Omri, the army of Israel went to Tirzah where Zimri was and besieged the town Tirzah. When they took the city, Zimri went into the citadel of the king’s house and set it on fire with him in it. *** Israel was divided - half of them supported Tibni as king and the other half supported Omri. Omri’s side won and Tibni was killed. Asa had now reigned 31 years in Judah when Omri became king of Israel. He reigned over Israel for 12 years, six in Tirzah and six in Samaria which he bought for 2 talents of silver. *** Omri was a very evil king who led Israel into the idolatrous sins of Jeroboam. When he died, his son Ahab became king. Asa had now reigned 38 years in Judah. Ahab reigned for 22 years in Samaria. He took foreign wives and introduced Israel to the worship of Baal and Ashterah. These practices included child sacrifice and all manner of sexual perversion. He did more to provoke God’s anger than any other king had so far. *** A man named Hiel of Bethel went to rebuild Jericho but his firstborn died when he laid the foundation and his youngest son died when he set up the gates, just like Joshua had prophesied. *** Elijah the prophet from Tishbe told Ahab that there would be no dew or rain until he said it would come. Then Elijah went and hid himself by the brook Cherish. God told him that the brook would supply his water and the ravens would bring him meat and bread. He stayed there till the brook dried up. Meanwhile, in the whole land of Israel, there was no rain. *** When the brook dried up, God told Elijah to go to Zerephath because there was a widow there who would feed him. But, when he found her, she had enough flour to feed her and her son and then she was planning to die. Elijah told her to prepare the bread and feed him first, then feed them because her flour and oil would always be full. She obeyed his word and fed Elijah and it was just as Elijah said. *** Time went by and the widow’s only son became very ill and died. She blamed Elijah. Elijah took the dead son up in his chamber and laid him on the bed. Then he stretched himself on the child three times and the child came back to life an Elijah presented him to his mother. She was a total believer in Elijah’s words after that. *** In this reading, God keeps reminding us of what is going on in Judah while there is so much overturning and unrest in Israel. Asa was a God-fearing man so there was peace in Judah, where Israel’s kings had abandoned the Lord and their lives were filled with chaos, murder and deceit. That is the way it is in our lives. When we live our lives for ourselves and leave God out, our lives quickly turn to chaos, but when we honor the Lord first, He brings peace and order even in the midst of chaos in the world. *** In Acts, Peter had agreed to go with Cornelius’ servants to meet him at his house. When they arrived, Cornelius had invited his whole family to come and hear what Peter had to say to them. Cornelius fell on his knees before Peter when he arrived, but Peter quickly told him he was just a man and told him to stand. *** Peter told them about his vision, and Cornelius shared his. Peter realized that God’s plan was to save people of all nations. Then Peter told them the whole story of Jesus and what he did. He explains that all who believe in him will receive forgiveness of their sins. While Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit fell on all who were there. Peter’s men were amazed as they saw them speaking in tongues and exalting the name of Christ. Peter commanded them to be baptized. They stayed there for several days fellowshipping and teaching them of the way of Christ. *** Acts, is the most exciting book and it is my belief that we are about to enter days much like the days in Acts. People will seek out those who walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and just like God’s Word says, the whole earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. *** Lord, may we prepare our hearts for those days. May we have an answer for the hope we have in you. May your signs and wonders follow us and bring many to know you and your power.