I Kings 19:9 — “There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” Elijah—the prophet who had just called fire down from heaven—now crawls into a cave. The same man through whom God publicly humiliated four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, the same man whose prayer ended a three-year drought, now finds himself hiding in the dark, far from where God last spoke clearly. This is not the story we expect. Moments earlier, Elijah stood at the epicenter of divine power. God answered him with fire. God answered him with rain. God answered him with unmistakable authority. The nation saw it. The prophets of Baal were exposed. The victory was complete. And then one woman speaks. Jezebel sends ... Read More about What Are You Doing Here, Elijah? And Why That Question Still Matters
A Half Heart or a Whole Heart; It Makes a Huge Difference
I Kings 11:9-10 “And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded.” How many times would God or the Lord Jesus have to appear to you and speak specifically to you in order for you to faithfully follow Him? Are any of you like me? I’ve thought several times that if God would just speak to me I would be faithful to Him all my life. If I could have just seen the miracles of Jesus I would always trust in Him. God actually appeared to Solomon twice in his life and spoke to him (I Kings 3 and 9). Three times if you count God confronting Solomon with his sin here in I Kings 11: ... Read More about A Half Heart or a Whole Heart; It Makes a Huge Difference
Ordinary Hands, Eternal Impact
I Kings 7:13–14 tells the story in almost passing fashion: “And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram of Tyre… a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze.” It is remarkable how little space Scripture gives to a man who would shape the visible glory of the Temple. Hiram of Tyre is not a king, not a prophet, not a warrior. He is not the famous King Hiram, David’s ally. He is simply a craftsman. The son of a Jewish widow from Naphtali and a Gentile bronze worker from Tyre. A man of mixed heritage, an ordinary tradesman who learned his skill in his father’s shop and earned his living by the work of his hands. Before Solomon summoned him, Hiram’s days were likely indistinguishable from any other artisan’s. Casting metal. ... Read More about Ordinary Hands, Eternal Impact
Obedience: God’s Love Language
I Kings 6:11-13 “Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, ‘Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Isreal and will not forsake my people Isreal.’” Four hundred and eighty years after Israel was delivered from the chains of Egypt, a defining moment in redemptive history began to unfold. Solomon, son of David and king of Israel, commenced the construction of the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem—a permanent dwelling place for the name of God among His people. Solomon spared no expense. Towering cedars from Lebanon were felled, bound into rafts, and floated to Israel. Massive stones were ... Read More about Obedience: God’s Love Language
Too Precious to Drink: What Gives a Gift Its True Value
II Samuel 23:16–17 “Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water from the well of Bethlehem by the gate. They carried it and brought it to David, but he would not drink it. Instead, he poured it out to the Lord and said, ‘Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?’ Therefore, he would not drink it.” Before David was a king, he was an exile. Hunted by Saul, he hid in the cave of Adullam—thirteen rugged miles southwest of Bethlehem. From the mouth of that cave, David could not see the city of his youth, but he could see the plain where it rested. And with that view came pleasant memories. He remembered a well near Bethlehem’s gate. In David’s mind its waters were cool, ... Read More about Too Precious to Drink: What Gives a Gift Its True Value
When God Uses Giants to Draw Us Closer To Him
“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” —II Samuel 22:4 II Samuel 21:15–22 gives us a rapid but sobering account of four brutal battles between David and the Philistines. These were not routine skirmishes. They were desperate, exhausting wars—and each one marked by the presence of a giant. The enemy was relentless, and the cost was high. In the first battle, David himself faced Ishbi-benob, a massive warrior armed with a heavy bronze spear and a new type of sword. This was not the young shepherd who once ran toward Goliath without fear. David was older now. The years of war had taken their toll, and in the heat of battle he grew weary. For the first time, David was vulnerable. Ishbi-benob pressed his advantage and nearly killed David. He ... Read More about When God Uses Giants to Draw Us Closer To Him