Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 17, 2025

“Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble …?” – “cling to Him.” – “be content.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 14:1-16.  Here is a link to this Scripture –  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2014&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel, Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah became king.  He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem.  And his mother’s name was Jehoaddin of Jerusalem.  He did right in the sight of the LORD, yet not like David his father;  he did according to all that Joash his father had done.   Only the high places were not taken away;  the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.  …

He killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt 10,000 and took Sela by war, and named it Joktheel to this day.

Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face each other.”  Jehoash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’  But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trampled the thorn bush.  You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud.  Enjoy your glory and stay at home;  for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you?”

But Amaziah would not listen.  So Jehoash king of Israel went up;  and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which belongs to Judah.  Judah was defeated by Israel, and they fled each to his tent.  Then Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Beth-shemesh, and came to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, 400 cubits.  He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils which were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasuries of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.”  2 Kings 14:1-4 and 7-14.

———–

Amaziah king of Judah had become proud having defeated Edom.  Instead of going home being satisfied, Amaziah tried to pick a fight with neighboring Jehoash king of Israel.  Jehoash king of Israel rightly warned Amaziah king of Judah.  “You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud.  Enjoy your glory and stay at home;  for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall, and Judah with you?”  Verse 10.

What a great lesson for us!

We can also become proud.  We can be tempted with successes that we have in the world.  We can even be tempted by our spiritual successes and think that the LORD will bless us even when we provoke trouble with others.

First, we will look at a specific temptation and command.

“29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.” Proverbs 3:29-30.

Second, we will look at a more general warning and instruction.

“18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.” Proverbs 16:18-20.

Third and finally, we will look at application of humility to our spiritual life.  

Are we humbly content with all the spiritual gifts that we receive from God?  

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”  Ephesians 1:3. 

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:2-3. 

“For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  1 Corinthians 4:7.

Or, so to speak, do we want to leave our home and go out into the world to prove our own righteousness?

“But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  James 4:6.

“You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him;  and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.”  Deuteronomy 13:4.

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”    1 Timothy 6:6-8. 

“…  for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOW WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5.

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8.

“O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
2 Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
3 O Israel, hope in the LORD
From this time forth and forever.” Psalm chapter 121.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 16, 2025

“But the LORD was gracious to them”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 13:10-25.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2013&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Hazael king of Aram had oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz.  But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now.

When Hazael king of Aram died, Ben-hadad his son became king in his place.  Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken in war from the hand of Jehoahaz his father.  Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.”  2 Kings 13:22-25.

—————

The LORD was not gracious to everyone.  The LORD did not have a covenant with everyone.  “But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion on them and turned to them because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them or cast them from His presence until now.”  Verse 23.

The LORD chooses.  We see the LORD’S choice throughout Scripture.

The LORD chose David.

The LORD chose Israel to be His people. 

The LORD chose those people whom He would save through Christ.

We claim the right to choose in our daily lives. Then, why do we vainly try to stop the Sovereign, Almighty, All-Wise, and All-Good LORD from His choice?! 

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.

Why then do so many despise or dismiss election which the Canons of Dordt calls “the fountain of every saving good”?!

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,” Ephesians 1:4.”  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

“Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them.  And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today.  Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below;  there is no other.”  Deuteronomy 4:37-39.

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God;  the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

“The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”  Deuteronomy 7:6-8.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7. 

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 15, 2025

“The LORD gave Israel a deliverer” – “God has chosen … But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 13:1-9.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2013&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel at Samaria, and he reigned seventeen years.  He did evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, with which he made Israel sin;  he did not turn from them.  So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and He gave them continually into the hand of Hazael king of Aram, and into the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael.  Then Jehoahaz entreated the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him;  for He saw the oppression of Israel, how the king of Aram oppressed them.  The LORD gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Arameans;  and the sons of Israel lived in their tents as formerly.  Nevertheless they did not turn away from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, with which he made Israel sin, but walked in them;  and the Asherah also remained standing in Samaria.  For he left to Jehoahaz of the army not more than fifty horsemen and ten chariots and 10,000 footmen, for the king of Aram had destroyed them and made them like the dust at threshing.  2 Kings 13:1-7.

————–   

“The LORD gave Israel a deliverer …”  Verse 5. 

Q. 15.  What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

A.  For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous;  and yet more powerful than all creatures;  that is, one who is also very God.

Q. 16.  Why must He be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

A.  Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which hath sinned should likewise make satisfaction for sin;  and one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others.

Q. 17.  Why must He in one person be also very God?

A.   That He might, by the power of His Godhead, sustain in His human nature the burden of God’s wrath;  and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Q. 18.   Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God and a real righteous man?

A.   Our Lord Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 14, 2025

“having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 12:17-21.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2012&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Hazael king of Aram went up and fought against Gath and captured it, and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.  Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred things that Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own sacred things and all the gold that was found among the treasuries of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, and sent them to Hazael king of Aram.  Then he went away from Jerusalem.”  2 Kings 12:17-21. 

————-

“The fury of a king is like messengers of death,
But a wise man will appease it.” Proverbs 16:14.

“Therefore He said that He would destroy them,
Had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him,
To turn away His wrath from destroying them.” Psalm 106:23.

Jehoash king of Judah saved Jerusalem by his gift of gold and the other treasure which turned away the wrath of Hazael king of Aram and his intention to attack Jerusalem. 

This reminds us of Jesus saving God’s elect by His sacrificial death for them which turned away God’s wrath from destroying them.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father;  and I lay down My life for the sheep.”  John 10:14-15. 

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”  1 John 4:10.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt from SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby.

Article 2.  Since therefore we are unable to make that satisfaction in our own persons, or to deliver ourselves from the wrath of God, he hath been pleased in his infinite mercy to give his only begotten Son, for our surety, who was made sin, and became a curse for us and in our stead, that he might make satisfaction to divine justice on our behalf.

Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father; that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death;  should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man;  though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”  Romans 5:6-11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 13, 2025

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 12:1-16.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2012&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem;  and his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba.  Jehoash did right in the sight of the LORD all his days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.  Only the high places were not taken away;  the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

Then Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the sacred things which is brought into the house of the LORD, in current money, both the money of each man’s assessment and all the money which any man’s heart prompts him to bring into the house of the LORD, let the priests take it for themselves, each from his acquaintance;  and they shall repair the damages of the house wherever any damage may be found.”

…

They gave the money which was weighed out into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of the LORD;  and they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the house of the LORD;  and to the masons and the stonecutters, and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the damages to the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.  But there were not made for the house of the LORD silver cups, snuffers, bowls, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver from the money which was brought into the house of the LORD;  for they gave that to those who did the work, and with it they repaired the house of the LORD.  Moreover, they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to pay to those who did the work, for they dealt faithfully.”  2 Kings 12:1-5 and 11-15.

————  

The temple was repaired. This is surprising, because it seemed from prior Scripture that Judah had gone through a stretch of bad kings leading the people astray.

What is happening?!  Was there a general “spiritual revival”?! Or, did the LORD specifically intervene because He was so concerned about “the house of the LORD” which was mentioned eight times in today’s Scripture?

Whatever the specific purpose of the LORD was, the LORD was at work.  We can reasonably refer that the LORD was at work both giving the will to King Jehoash to repair “the house of the LORD” and working within King Jehoash to make all the specific decisions and the specific commands to get it done for the good pleasure of the LORD.  And, we can reasonably refer that the LORD was at work both giving the will to all those who did the work and the supervisors who had the oversight to do the work and working within all of them to accomplish all the repairs (even without an accounting) for the good pleasure of the LORD.

The general lesson for us Christians is to look more to the LORD and to trust the LORD more to give us the will to do His will and to trust the LORD more to work within us to accomplish His good pleasure.  (As a quick side note, the lesson is not that we should never require an accounting.  We should not be careless in whom we hire to do work for us.  We should not be careless in our own work.  “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”  Colossians 3:23-24.) 

Today is Monday, and many of us Christians are going to work after a weekend of recreation, worship, and rest.  Rather, than be overwhelmed with all the work that we face on this Monday and the next five business days, let us first turn our attention to the LORD, meditate on His word including the closing verses to this devotion, pray, and trust the LORD more. 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 12, 2025

“There will be no end to the increase of His (Christ’s) government or of peace, On the throne of David”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings chapter 11.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2011&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal offspring.  But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom.  So they hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death.  So he was hidden with her in the house of the LORD six years, while Athaliah was reigning over the land.

…

Then he brought the king’s son out and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony;  and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”

When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people in the house of the LORD.  She looked and behold, the king was standing by the pillar, according to the custom, with the captains and the trumpeters beside the king;  and all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets.  Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason!  Treason!”  And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks, and whoever follows her put to death with the sword.”  For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD.”  So they seized her, and when she arrived at the horses’ entrance of the king’s house, she was put to death there.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they would be the LORD’S people, also between the king and the people.  All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and tore it down;  his altars and his images they broke in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.  And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.  He took the captains of hundreds and the Carites and the guards and all the people of the land;  and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guards to the king’s house.  And he sat on the throne of the kings.  So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet.  For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king’s house.

Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.”  2 Kings 11:1-3 and 12-20.

—————-

By saving Joash (probably later also known as Jehoash) and putting him on the throne, the LORD may have been protecting the line of descendants and fulfilling His word and covenant to David that would ultimately be fulfilled by Christ.  But, we do not see Joash’s name in the geneaology of Jesus in Matthew chapter 1.  In any event, it is profitable to read the following Scriptures, particularly the closing Scripture of Isaiah 9:6-7 which does refer to Christ. 

First, here is the LORD’S word and covenant to David.

“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.  He (Solomon) shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.  I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me;  when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you.  Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever;  your throne shall be established forever.”’”  In accordance with all these words and all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.”  2 Samuel 7:12-17.

Second, here is the LORD’S word and covenant to Solomon.

“As for you (Solomon), if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’”  1 Kings 9:4-5.

But, there was also the immediately following warning of the LORD to Solomon.

“But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight.  So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples.  And this house will become a heap of ruins;  everyone who passes by will be astonished and hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’  And they will say, ‘Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them, therefore the LORD has brought all this adversity on them.’”  1 Kings 9:6-9.

The LORD fulfilled this word and warning to Solomon too.  

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.  Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!” 

Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.  And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”   Matthew 23:37 to Matthew 24:2

Ultimately, the LORD’S word and covenant with David would be fulfilled through Jesus Christ. 

“6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 10, 2025

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 10:18-36.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2010&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Jehu gathered all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little;  Jehu will serve him much.  Now, summon all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests;  let no one be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal;  whoever is missing shall not live.”  But Jehu did it in cunning, so that he might destroy the worshipers of Baal.  …

Then it came about, as soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the royal officers, “Go in, kill them;  let none come out.”  And they killed them with the edge of the sword;  and the guard and the royal officers threw them out, and went to the inner room of the house of Baal.  They brought out the sacred pillars of the house of Baal and burned them.  They also broke down the sacred pillar of Baal and broke down the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day.

Thus Jehu eradicated Baal out of Israel.  However, as for the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin, from these Jehu did not depart, even the golden calves that were at Bethel and that were at Dan.  The LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in executing what is right in My eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in My heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.”  But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart;  he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel sin.

In those days the LORD began to cut off portions from Israel;  and Hazael defeated them throughout the territory of Israel:  from the Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites and the Reubenites and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan.”  2 Kings 10:18-19 and 25-33.

—————  

Jehu did somethings well.  “But Jehu was not careful to walk in the law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart;  he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, which he made Israel sin.”  Verse 31.  The LORD provided that his sons to a certain extent could be king.  But, “the LORD began to cut off portions from Israel”.  Verses 32-33.

Today’s Scripture teaches us that we should be careful to walk in the law of the LORD with all of our heart and that we should not be satisfied that we can neglect to do so because we may do some things well.

But, there is hope!

Our hope is not in our will nor in our works.  Our hope is not that we will try harder.

Our hope is in God and His works.  Our hope is that God chose us to be holy and blameless.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6. 

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  Jude 1:24-25.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 9, 2025

“Know then that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 10:1-17.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2010&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria.  And Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria, to the rulers of Jezreel, the elders, and to the guardians of the children of Ahab, saying, “Now, when this letter comes to you, since your master’s sons are with you, as well as the chariots and horses and a fortified city and the weapons, select the best and fittest of your master’s sons, and set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.”  But they feared greatly and said, “Behold, the two kings did not stand before him;  how then can we stand?”  And the one who was over the household, and he who was over the city, the elders, and the guardians of the children, sent word to Jehu, saying, “We are your servants, all that you say to us we will do, we will not make any man king;  do what is good in your sight.”  Then he wrote a letter to them a second time saying, “If you are on my side, and you will listen to my voice, take the heads of the men, your master’s sons, and come to me at Jezreel tomorrow about this time.”  Now the king’s sons, seventy persons, were with the great men of the city, who were rearing them.  When the letter came to them, they took the king’s sons and slaughtered them, seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent them to him at Jezreel.  When the messenger came and told him, saying, “They have brought the heads of the king’s sons,” he said, “Put them in two heaps at the entrance of the gate until morning.”  Now in the morning he went out and stood and said to all the people, “You are innocent;  behold, I conspired against my master and killed him, but who killed all these?  Know then that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for the LORD has done what He spoke through His servant Elijah.”  So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men and his acquaintances and his priests, until he left him without a survivor.”  2 Kings 10:1-11.

——————–

Today’s Scripture continues the theme that the LORD fulfills His words.  

In today’s Scripture, we read: “Know then that there shall fall to the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spoke concerning the house of Ahab, for the LORD has done what He spoke through His servant Elijah.”  Verse 10.  And, we see the fulfillment of the word of the LORD:  “So Jehu killed all who remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men and his acquaintances and his priests, until he left him without a survivor.”  Verse 11.

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

The Word of the LORD is personified in Jesus Christ.  As the following Scripture states:  “His name is called The Word of God.” And, “in righteousness He judges and wages war.”  He is “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” 

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.  His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems;  and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.  He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.  From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron;  and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.  And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 8, 2025

“So will My word …; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 9:14-37.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%209&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“When Joram saw Jehu, he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?”  And he answered, “What peace, so long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?”  So Joram reined about and fled and said to Ahaziah, “There is treachery, O Ahaziah!”  And Jehu drew his bow with his full strength and shot Joram between his arms;  and the arrow went through his heart and he sank in his chariot.  Then Jehu said to Bidkar his officer, “Take him up and cast him into the property of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite, for I remember when you and I were riding together after Ahab his father, that the LORD laid this oracle against him:  ‘Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will repay you in this property,’ says the LORD.  Now then, take and cast him into the property, according to the word of the LORD.”

…

When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it, and she painted her eyes and adorned her head and looked out the window.  As Jehu entered the gate, she said, “Is it well, Zimri, your master’s murderer?”  Then he lifted up his face to the window and said, “Who is on my side?  Who?”  And two or three officials looked down at him.

He said, “Throw her down.”  So they threw her down, and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall and on the horses, and he trampled her under foot.  When he came in, he ate and drank;  and he said, “See now to this cursed woman and bury her, for she is a king’s daughter.”  They went to bury her, but they found nothing more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands.  Therefore they returned and told him.  And he said, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘In the property of Jezreel the dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel;  and the corpse of Jezebel will be as dung on the face of the field in the property of Jezreel, so they cannot say, “This is Jezebel.”’”  2 Kings 9:22-26 and 30-37.

—————–

The theme of this devotion is that the LORD fulfills His words.  See 1 Kings 21:17-24 for “the word of the LORD, which He spoke by His servant Elijah”.

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 7, 2025

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” – “in righteousness He judges and wages war.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 9:1-13.

“Now Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Gird up your loins, and take this flask of oil in your hand and go to Ramoth-gilead.  When you arrive there, search out Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi, and go in and bid him arise from among his brothers, and bring him to an inner room.  Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the LORD, “I have anointed you king over Israel.”’  Then open the door and flee and do not wait.”

So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.  When he came, behold, the captains of the army were sitting, and he said, “I have a word for you, O captain.”  And Jehu said, “For which one of us?”  And he said, “For you, O captain.”  He arose and went into the house, and he poured the oil on his head and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I have anointed you king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel.  You shall strike the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.  For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male person both bond and free in Israel.  I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.  The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her.’”  Then he opened the door and fled.

Now Jehu came out to the servants of his master, and one said to him, “Is all well?  Why did this mad fellow come to you?”  And he said to them, “You know very well the man and his talk.”  They said, “It is a lie, tell us now.”  And he said, “Thus and thus he said to me, ‘Thus says the LORD, “I have anointed you king over Israel.”’”  Then they hurried and each man took his garment and placed it under him on the bare steps, and blew the trumpet, saying, “Jehu is king!”  2 Kings 9:1-13.

——————-   

This is an example of the LORD exercising justice and righteousness on the earth, and we are exhorted by the following Scripture to understand and know the LORD, including these qualities of the LORD.  The LORD caused Jehu to be anointed king over Israel for the purpose of destroying the whole house of Ahab.  Verses 7-10.

And yet, the god of other doctrine is some type of Santa Claus figure who loves everyone and wants to save everyone.  There is too little preaching and teaching thereunder of the LORD exercising justice and righteousness on the earth. 

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Psalm 97:1-2.

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:5. 

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.  His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems;  and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.  He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.  From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron;  and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.  And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16. 

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

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