The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Proverbs 25-26
God’s promise that the house of David would forever have an heir on the throne did not mean Solomon could presume on God’s grace. Solomon failed to obey God’s commands, and his foolish son split the kingdom. The mighty temple that was dedicated to God was just a building without God’s presence and blessings. Any building built by human hands is destined for destruction and decay. God’s grace does not empower rebellion. Rebellion against God brings the judgment of God. How could it be otherwise? Imagine a parent who funds his own child’s life-destroying addiction. This is not love, and it is not mercy. God is not going to bless and empower his people as they walk away from him. Sometimes his mercy is a severe one. He brings severe mercy in the form of judgment on sin. God is all-wise and loving. In his wisdom and love, God responds to us according to how we respond to him. We, too, are to respond to those who live in folly in ways that are appropriate to their situation.
Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness
or you’ll be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4,5
These twin verses are complementary, not contradictory. Whether we verbally respond to folly or choose to restrain our words depends on the situation. The type of fool (folly) we are dealing with determines the proper response. Wisdom for the Christian is to emulate God’s perfect situational awareness. We are not to pretend to sit in judgment on people; that is God’s prerogative. We are, however, to respond to people in line with God’s grace, wisdom, and justice.
“If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words…”
1 Peter 4:11
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for those in our church who are sick. Pray especially for Bruce Brown and Wendy Paige. Ask God to heal them. Pray that they would experience God’s nearness in this trial.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.