Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 7, 2024

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 15:1-7.

“Now in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah.  He reigned three years in Jerusalem;  and his mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Abishalom.  He walked in all the sins of his father which he had committed before him;  and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, like the heart of his father David.  But for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to raise up his son after him and to establish Jerusalem;  because David did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.  There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.

Now the rest of the acts of Abijam and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?  And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.”  1 Kings 15:1-7.

————-

There is also hope for us that a Son shall be given to us, namely Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  In the following well-known and well-loved Scripture, we see His eternal and almighty qualities revealed by His name and what He will do for us.

“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.

Comments Off on “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 6, 2024

“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all” – “for all have sinned … being justified as a gift by His grace”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 14:21-31.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Kings 14 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Now Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel to put His name there.  And his mother’s name was Naamah the Ammonitess.  Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked Him to jealousy more than all that their fathers had done, with the sins which they committed.  For they also built for themselves high places and sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and beneath every luxuriant tree.  There were also male cult prostitutes in the land.  They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD dispossessed before the sons of Israel.”  1 Kings 14:21-24.

————-

It seems as if Rehoboam, king of Judah, was as bad as Jeroboam, king of Israel.  We may point our fingers at others thinking that we are naturally better than others.  But, what does Scripture state?

“What then?  Are we better than they?  Not at all;  for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;  as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
13 “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14 “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15 “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”
18 “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;  because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;  for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”  Romans 3:9-20.

But, there is hope!

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;  for there is no distinction;  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;  whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.  This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;  for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Where then is boasting?  It is excluded.  By what kind of law?  Of works?  No, but by a law of faith.  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.  Or is God the God of Jews only?  Is He not the God of Gentiles also?  Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.”  Romans 3:21-30.

Comments Off on “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all” – “for all have sinned … being justified as a gift by His grace”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 5, 2024

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

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 14:1-20.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Kings 14 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why do you pretend to be another woman?  For I am sent to you with a harsh message.  Go, say to Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight;  you also have done more evil than all who were before you, and have gone and made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back—  therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone.  Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs will eat.  And he who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat;  for the LORD has spoken it.”’  Now you, arise, go to your house.  When your feet enter the city the child will die.  All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.  Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam this day and from now on.

“For the LORD will strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water; and He will uproot Israel from this good land which He gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the LORD to anger.  He will give up Israel on account of the sins of Jeroboam, which he committed and with which he made Israel to sin.”

Then Jeroboam’s wife arose and departed and came to Tirzah.  As she was entering the threshold of the house, the child died.  All Israel buried him and mourned for him, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke through His servant Ahijah the prophet.”  1 Kings 14:6-18.

——————-

“11 God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows fiery shafts.” Psalm 7:11-13.

“2 … Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:2-3.

“3 “The LORD is a warrior;
The LORD is His name.
…
6 “Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.” Exodus 15:3 and 6.

“And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.” Exodus 15:7.

“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.

But, there is hope!

“10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.” Proverbs 9:10-12.

“7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

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 2:7-12.

Comments Off on “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 4, 2024

“be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 13:11-34.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2013&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now an old prophet was living in Bethel;  and his sons came and told him all the deeds which the man of God had done that day in Bethel;  the words which he had spoken to the king, these also they related to their father.  Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?”  Now his sons had seen the way which the man of God who came from Judah had gone.  Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.”  So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.  So he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak;  and he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?”  And he said, “I am.”  Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.”  He said, “I cannot return with you, nor go with you, nor will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place.  For a command came to me by the word of the LORD, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water there; do not return by going the way which you came.’”  He said to him, “I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’”  But he lied to him.  So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house and drank water.

Now it came about, as they were sitting down at the table, that the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back;  and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have disobeyed the command of the LORD, and have not observed the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, but have returned and eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which He said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water”;  your body shall not come to the grave of your fathers.’”  It came about after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, for the prophet whom he had brought back.  Now when he had gone, a lion met him on the way and killed him, and his body was thrown on the road, with the donkey standing beside it; the lion also was standing beside the body.  And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body;  so they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived.”  1 Kings 11:11-25.

————–

The old prophet lied and misled the one who prophesied in front of King Jeroboam.  

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”  Matthew 24:11-14.

Previously, that one (who prophesied in front of King Jeroboam) had rejected the offer of Jeroboam and the temptation to disobey the LORD at that time.  See 1 Kings 13:7-10.  But, because he fell to this second temptation, we see in today’s Scripture that he suffered the consequences of being killed by the lion.  

Here are two lessons that we learned from today’s Scripture.  First, just because we avoid falling to one temptation, it should not make us smug and careless.  We can fall to a second temptation.  Second, just because someone appears to be a prophet a/k/a teacher or preacher and appears to be trustworthy, that person can be telling a lie and trying to mislead us.  When we know that we receive the word of God, we should not trust someone more than the word of God that we received.   

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  which is really not another;  only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!  As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God?  Or am I striving to please men?  If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”  Galatians 1:6-10.

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”  1 Corinthians 10:12.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  1 Peter 5:8.  

But, there is hope!

“But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.  After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  To Him be dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 5:9-11.  

Comments Off on “be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 3, 2024

“Calling … The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 13:1-10.

“Now behold, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, while Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense.  He cried against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name;  and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’”  Then he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign which the LORD has spoken, ‘Behold, the altar shall be split apart and the ashes which are on it shall be poured out.’”  Now when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.”  But his hand which he stretched out against him dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself.  The altar also was split apart and the ashes were poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.  The king said to the man of God, “Please entreat the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.”  So the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and it became as it was before.  Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”  But the man of God said to the king, “If you were to give me half your house I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place.  For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came.’”  So he went another way and did not return by the way which he came to Bethel.”  1 Kings 13:1-10.

—————-    

The LORD was concerned about the idolatry.  Jeroboam was only concerned about his hand.

More generally, the LORD was concerned about the lack of spiritual health of Israel.  Jeroboam was only concerned about the lack of his physical health.

Regarding Jeroboam, we remember that Jeroboam was willing to sacrifice the spiritual health of Israel for his own physical health.  “Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David.  If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah;  and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.”  1 Kings 12:26-27. 

But, there is hope!

Through God’s grace, there are those who sacrifice their physical health for the sake of the spiritual health of others.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.  For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;  for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.  Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”  2 Timothy 1:7-14.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  preach the word;  be ready in season and out of season;  reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.   But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;  in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day;  and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:1-8.

“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.

Comments Off on “Calling … The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 1, 2024

“flee from idolatry.” – “immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 12:25-33.

“Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there.  And he went out from there and built Penuel.  Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David.  If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah;  and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.”  So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem;  behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt.”  He set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan.  Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan.  And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.  Jeroboam instituted a feast in the eighth month on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast which is in Judah, and he went up to the altar; thus he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves which he had made.  And he stationed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.  Then he went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised in his own heart;  and he instituted a feast for the sons of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense.”  1 Kings 12:25-33.

————

Today’s Scripture leads us to consider idolatry which can be “devised in his own heart”. 

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

“Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.  Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My sabbaths;  I am the LORD your God.  Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods;  I am the LORD your God.”  Leviticus 19:1-4.

“Now after Amaziah came from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought the gods of the sons of Seir, set them up as his gods, bowed down before them and burned incense to them.  Then the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of the people who have not delivered their own people from your hand?”  2 Chronicles 25:14-15.

“Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit;  even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be put to shame.  Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol to no profit?  Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are mere men.  Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up, let them tremble, let them together be put to shame.”  Isaiah 44:9-11.

“3 For the customs of the peoples are delusion;
Because it is wood cut from the forest,
The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.
4 “They decorate it with silver and with gold;
They fasten it with nails and with hammers
So that it will not totter.
5 “Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot walk!
Do not fear them,
For they can do no harm,
Nor can they do any good.”

6 There is none like You, O LORD;
You are great, and great is Your name in might.
7 Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?
Indeed it is Your due!
For among all the wise men of the nations
And in all their kingdoms,
There is none like You.
8 But they are altogether stupid and foolish
In their discipline of delusion—their idol is wood!” Jeremiah 10:3-8.

“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.”  Colossians 3:5-7.

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”  1 Corinthians 10:14.

But, there is hope!

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:16-24.

Comments Off on “flee from idolatry.” – “immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 31, 2024

“for this thing has come from Me.” – “Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. … surely I will do it.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 12:16-24.

“When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying,

“What portion do we have in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse;
To your tents, O Israel!
Now look after your own house, David!”

So Israel departed to their tents.  But as for the sons of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.  Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death.  And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem.  So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

It came about when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, that they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel.  None but the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.

Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.  But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the rest of the people, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “You must not go up and fight against your relatives the sons of Israel;  return every man to his house, for this thing has come from Me.”’”  So they listened to the word of the LORD, and returned and went their way according to the word of the LORD.”  1 Kings 12:16-24.

—————–

The theme for today’s Scripture is the sovereignty of God which is stunningly similar to the theme of yesterday’s devotion.   

Yesterday’s devotion on the sovereignty of God was based on 1 Kings 12:15.  “So the king did not listen to the people;  for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”  1 Kings 12:15.  

Today’s devotion is also based on the sovereignty of God and is based on verse 24.  “‘Thus says the LORD, “You must not go up and fight against your relatives the sons of Israel;  return every man to his house, for this thing has come from Me.”’”  So they listened to the word of the LORD, and returned and went their way according to the word of the LORD.”  Verse 24.

This is not coincidence.  This is God’s providence.  

Note the similarities.

1.  Compare the causes:  “for it was a turn of events from the LORD” to “for this thing has come from Me.”

2.  Compare the the sovereignty of God over the will of man, even over whether they do not listen or whether they do listen:  “So the king did not listen to the people” to “So they listened to the word of the LORD”.  

3.  Compare the purposes of God “that He might establish His word” to “according to the word of the LORD.”

“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.

“… Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:11.

Comments Off on “for this thing has come from Me.” – “Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. … surely I will do it.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 30, 2024

“for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 12:1-15.

“Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.  Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, he was living in Egypt (for he was yet in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon).  Then they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, “Your father made our yoke hard;  now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.”  Then he said to them, “Depart for three days, then return to me.”  So the people departed.

King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?”  Then they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”  But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.  So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”  The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’  But you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!  Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’”  

Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.”  The king answered the people harshly, for he forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him, and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke;  my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”  So the king did not listen to the people;  for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”  1 Kings 12:1-15.

————-   

Today’s Scripture shows the sovereignty of God even over the will of man.  “So the king did not listen to the people;  for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”  Verse 15. 

“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed;  all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.  It shall come about that just as all the good words which the LORD your God spoke to you have come upon you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the threats, until He has destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.  When you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.”  Joshua 23:14-16. 

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.

“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.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“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.  For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:15-18.

Comments Off on “for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 29, 2024

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 11:26-43.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2011&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also rebelled against the king.  Now this was the reason why he rebelled against the king:  Solomon built the Millo, and closed up the breach of the city of his father David.  Now the man Jeroboam was a valiant warrior, and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, he appointed him over all the forced labor of the house of Joseph.  It came about at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road.  Now Ahijah had clothed himself with a new cloak;  and both of them were alone in the field.  Then Ahijah took hold of the new cloak which was on him and tore it into twelve pieces.  He said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces;  for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes (but he will have one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel), because they have forsaken Me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the sons of Ammon;  and they have not walked in My ways, doing what is right in My sight and observing My statutes and My ordinances, as his father David did. … Solomon sought therefore to put Jeroboam to death; but Jeroboam arose and fled to Egypt to Shishak king of Egypt, and he was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and whatever he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David, and his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.”  1 Kings 11:26-33 and 40-43.

—————-

At first, today’s Scripture seems so sad.  “…  for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes”.  Verse 31.

But, there is hope!

“(but he will have one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel),”.  Verse 32.

The hope is based on God’s choice.  

God could certainly have given all of Solomon’s kingdom to Jeroboam, “because they have forsaken Me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the sons of Ammon;  and they have not walked in My ways, doing what is right in My sight and observing My statutes and My ordinances, as his father David did.”  Verse 33.

Why then do so many scorn God’s choice in salvation?!

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt in the section titled FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 1.  As all men have sinned in Adam, lie under the curse, and are deserving of eternal death, God would have done no injustice by leaving them all to perish, and delivering them over to condemnation on account of sin, according to the words of the apostle, Romans 3:19, “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”  And verse 23:  “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  And Romans 6:23:  “for the wages of sin is death.”

Article 2.  But in this the love of God was manifested, that he sent his only begotten Son into the world, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  I John 4:9.  John 3:16.

Article 3.  And that men may be brought to believe, God mercifully sends the messengers of these most joyful tidings, to whom he will and at what time he pleaseth;  by whose ministry men are called to repentance and faith in Christ crucified.  Romans 10:14, 15:  “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?  and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach except they be sent?”

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.  Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us;  we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14.

Comments Off on “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 28, 2024

“Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.” – “The works of His hands are truth and justice”

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings 11:14-25.  Here is a link to this Scripture – 1 Kings 11 NASB1995 – – Bible Gateway

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the LORD raised up an adversary to Solomon, Hadad the Edomite;  he was of the royal line in Edom.  …  

God also raised up another adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah.  He gathered men to himself and became leader of a marauding band, after David slew them of Zobah;  and they went to Damascus and stayed there, and reigned in Damascus.  So he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, along with the evil that Hadad did;  and he abhorred Israel and reigned over Aram.”  1 Kings 11:14 and 23-25.

————–   

Even though we do not read of battles or war started by these adversaries in today’s Scripture, the mere raising of adversaries to Solomon causes us to tremble in fear at the almighty sovereign power of the LORD.

But, there is hope!

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

“7 The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.
9 He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:7-10.

“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.

“O LORD, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul,
“There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.

3 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 I was crying to the LORD with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the LORD;
Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.” Psalm chapter 3.

Comments Off on “Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling.” – “The works of His hands are truth and justice”

Posted in Uncategorized

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories