2 Kings 5

WEEK  20                                         2 Kings 5

MONDAY  Reflections

Expectations can rob us of many a blessing. We looked at this in 2 Kings 4 and we see it here too. The only expectations that were right were those of the little Israelite servant girl and, of course, Elisha. Both of these trusted that God could do a miracle. The king of Aram expected that sending Naaman to the king of Israel would get Naaman healed, wrong.  The king of Israel thought the king of Aram was picking a fight, wrong. Naaman thought he should be healed a certain way, wrong. Gehazi thought no one would know he took a reward for God's gift, Oh so very wrong. Everyone who had wrong expectations suffered in some way, if only in getting angry. Yes, we don't see the king of Aram's response but I'm sure if he would have been there he wouldn't have been happy either. Watch out for wrong expectations.

 

There is a reason we pray, “thy will be done.” We are submitting our expectations to God. When we trust God we can rest. When we don't we will probably be disappointed. Thankfully when we, like Naaman, come to our senses God can do great things.  

2Ki 5:1-27
(1)  Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.
(2)  And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
(3)  And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.
(4)  And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.
(5)  And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.
(6)  And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
(7)  And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.
(8)  And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.
(9)  So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.
(10)  And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.
(11)  But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
(12)  Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
(13)  And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
(14)  Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
(15)  And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
(16)  But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
(17)  And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
(18)  In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.
(19)  And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.
(20)  But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
(21)  So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
(22)  And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
(23)  And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
(24)  And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
(25)  But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
(26)  And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
(27)  The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

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Lamentations 5

WEEK  19                                      Lamentations 5

SATURDAY  Reflections

I suggest you listen to Lamentations 5. Don't just read it. Picture what the author is saying. For me, these last lamentations give the clearest picture. As it ends they ask the question, “God is still angry?.” This to me is not an accusation against God but more of a question of self-examination.

 

The author admits they had sinned as a people. Now perhaps he is asking is there something else we are doing wrong? It is the question we all should ask when bad things happen, "Do I deserve this?" We may not want to admit it but yes we did sometimes and we still might. It's like the man who had a heart attack because he didn't do what the doctor said and is now still not obeying his doctor. Or maybe it is the person who was innocent but now refuses to forgive. They were innocent but their current issues are a result of their actions in response to what has happened. Maybe we need to ask, God are you still angry with us?

Lam 5:1-22
(1)  Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.
(2)  Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
(3)  We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers are as widows.
(4)  We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us.
(5)  Our necks are under persecution: we labour, and have no rest.
(6)  We have given the hand to the Egyptians, and to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.
(7)  Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.
(8)  Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand.
(9)  We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.
(10)  Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.
(11)  They ravished the women in Zion, and the maids in the cities of Judah.
(12)  Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured.
(13)  They took the young men to grind, and the children fell under the wood.
(14)  The elders have ceased from the gate, the young men from their musick.
(15)  The joy of our heart is ceased; our dance is turned into mourning.
(16)  The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!
(17)  For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim.
(18)  Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.
(19)  Thou, O LORD, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation.
(20)  Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time?
(21)  Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.
(22)  But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

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Amos 7

WEEK 19                                                   Amos 7

FRIDAY  Reflections

How does intercession work? How is it that our prayers can change what will happen, move God or stop the enemy? There is a lot of speculation. Some give too much power to the believer as if God and his angels can't work in this world if we aren't praying. Others look at prayer as only us reaching out to God but it can't change anything in this world. I believe both are true, to some degree. This chapter gives a perfect example.

 

God shows two forms of destruction that could be brought on the northern tribes of Israel. Amos prays to God and God says he will not do them. Amos’ intercession is amazing because he was a citizen of the southern tribes, Judah, and so it wasn't his country that would be harmed, yet he prayed for mercy for Israel. God, though he says he will not send locust of fire from the sea (a volcano would be my guess), says he will still judge Israel because of their sins. To me, this means we can get some mercy at times for people but ultimately they will have to answer to God for their sins.

 

How does intercession work? The only way I can picture it is if you put yourself in front of what is coming, God's grace for you stops or at least pauses it. As we saw in Jeremiah, there does come a time when God says, even if Moses and Elijah prayed for them I will not remit. In that case, the person/nation has gone so far you might picture it as their sins push you out of the way. If this picture doesn't help ignore it, just know God does listen to our prayers, but at the end of the day, it will not save the unrepentant. 

Amo 7:1-17
(1)  Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.
(2)  And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.
(3)  The LORD repented for this: It shall not be, saith the LORD.
(4)  Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.
(5)  Then said I, O Lord GOD, cease, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.
(6)  The LORD repented for this: This also shall not be, saith the Lord GOD.
(7)  Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.
(8)  And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:
(9)  And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
(10)  Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words.
(11)  For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land.
(12)  Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:
(13)  But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.
(14)  Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
(15)  And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
(16)  Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
(17)  Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

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Matthew 19

WEEK  19                                          Matthew 19

THURSDAY  Reflections

There has been much controversy over divorce in the church. Some allow it without repercussions on church activity, others have it like the unpardonable sin. Jesus makes it clear that divorce was never God's plan. Jesus speaking to a patriarchal society addresses the man’s side of the issue but I believe his words are true for both parties.

 

One, divorce isn't what God wants, but like the consequences of sin, it is the result of the hardness of our hearts. Often people say the hardness of the heart is when someone doesn't forgive and take the person back, I think it has to do with the sin and not necessarily the result of unforgiveness.

 

Second, unfaithfulness is grounds for a Christian divorce. Does unfaithfulness cover more than just adultery? This can be argued, but I believe abuse is also unfaithfulness (1 Corinthians 7:13). We need to realize divorce isn't what God wants, but he also does not want abuse or unfaithfulness either. Yes, divorce might be unavoidable, but it should never be desirable. 

 

Third, marriage isn't everyone's destiny. Those who feel they shouldn't get married, should not feel required to do it. Jesus says some don't choose marriage so they can do ministry better. I would add others just have no desire for marriage and that is okay.  

 

Side note: Forgiving unfaithfulness (adultery/abuse) doesn't necessarily mean you should stay married. Forgiveness doesn't equal trust, it's good when people can be reconciled but it isn't always the right thing to do.

Mat 19:1-30
(1)  And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
(2)  And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
(3)  The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
(4)  And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
(5)  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
(6)  Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
(7)  They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
(8)  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
(9)  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
(10)  His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
(11)  But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
(12)  For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
(13)  Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
(14)  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
(15)  And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
(16)  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
(17)  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
(18)  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
(19)  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(20)  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
(21)  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
(22)  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
(23)  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(24)  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
(25)  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
(26)  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
(27)  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
(28)  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
(29)  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
(30)  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

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Psalm 89

WEEK   19                                            Psalm 89

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

This psalm begins with praise toward God and His great faithfulness but ends with a call for mercy. This psalm reminds me of many a Sunday morning service. It begins with praise and worship but then follows prayer where often we ask in different words the question, "How long, Lord?" Then our prayers and our services return to us acknowledging that God is faithful and he will work it all out. I have heard some say that worship has really changed over the years, looking at this I wonder if it has changed as much we may think. 




Psa 89:1-52
(1)  Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
(2)  For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
(3)  I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
(4)  Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
(5)  And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.
(6)  For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
(7)  God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
(8)  O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?
(9)  Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
(10)  Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.
(11)  The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
(12)  The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
(13)  Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.
(14)  Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
(15)  Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
(16)  In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
(17)  For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
(18)  For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.
(19)  Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
(20)  I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:
(21)  With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.
(22)  The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
(23)  And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.
(24)  But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
(25)  I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.
(26)  He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
(27)  Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
(28)  My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
(29)  His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
(30)  If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;
(31)  If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;
(32)  Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.
(33)  Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
(34)  My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
(35)  Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
(36)  His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
(37)  It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
(38)  But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.
(39)  Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
(40)  Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.
(41)  All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
(42)  Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
(43)  Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.
(44)  Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.
(45)  The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
(46)  How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?
(47)  Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
(48)  What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.
(49)  Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?
(50)  Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
(51)  Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.
(52)  Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

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