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Good morning brother,
Day two: God will work through what appears to be random actions to accomplish his will. 2 Kings 22:34-40
The point is that if you resist the Lord, you do so to your own destruction. Please think about this. Ahab was specifically told that he would die in battle if he went up to Ramoth-gilead. Ahab did not believe it. He disregarded what God said and died. Ahab thought he could even try a disguise to get away with what he wanted to do. But that did not matter either. Ahab died and it was completely avoidable. None of this had to happen. He just had to listen to the word of the Lord this disaster would have never happened.
Thoughts: What does it mean that God will work all things together for our good. And the same for those doing evil, how does that reap a whirl wind? What does it mean that God is Sovereign and control of every detail good and bad?
We can see how angry the king of Syria was, by his instructions to his captains. The king of Syria ordered his men to aim at King Ahab. At first, they thought that Jehoshaphat was Ahab. They were confused because only Jehoshaphat was wearing royal clothes. But then Jehoshaphat shouted his battle cry. From this they knew that he was not Ahab. One man shot an arrow. Tradition says that this man was Naaman from Syria (2 Kings chapter 5). We do not know. He did not have a particular purpose but the arrow hit Ahab.
At first, King Ahab left the battle. Then however, he stayed in his chariot and he encouraged his men to attack. That evening he died and the Israelite soldiers were without their leader. They had to escape to their homes.
Ahab’s officials buried the king in Samaria. So Ahab’s body had a proper grave, unlike the bodies of his descendants (1 Kings 21:24; 21:29). Ahab’s officials washed the chariot in a pool. But there was much blood on this chariot. The blood attracted dogs. The dogs licked the king’s blood. So Elijah’s prophecy came true (1 Kings 21:19). Ahab’s death was in 853 B.C.
Gods grace and mercy will follow you all the days. But his justice and vengeance will find you in the most random day of judgement.
God you are the Victor!
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”
1 John 2:3-4
The Spirit of Jezebel is a negative.
How often do we live off communion with you Jesus? Enjoying relationship with you as eat the bread and the cup.
We are free from sin and death. Fulfill the the law of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. Hebrews 13:7-9
Bread was a staple in Bible times and is used metaphorically throughout Scripture. In Judges 7:13, God uses barley bread to picture Gideon and his 300 men destroying the camp of Midian. Jesus uses the imagery of leavened bread to typify the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Matt. 16:6). He also likens bread to the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 6:32) and refers to himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:35). And of course, bread symbolizes Christ’s broken body in communion (1 Cor. 11:24).
Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you! Isaiah 30:20-22
“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. John 6:47-48
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51
For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. John 6:33
Here are three ways he gives us the bread of adversity.
1. To Sanctify Us
Hebrews 12:7–11 reminds us that adversity, in the form of the Father’s loving discipline, will “yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” We’re refined in adversity, and made more like Christ. As C. S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity, “Every Christian is to become a little Christ. The whole purpose of becoming a Christian is simply nothing else.” But often, due to our soul’s grave condition, becoming like the Bread of Life can only be achieved through consuming the bread of adversity.
2. To Combat Pride
Proverbs 18:12 states, “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” Humility brings pleasure to God. The Son humbled himself “even unto death,” and we should follow his example (Phil. 2:3–11). Pride keeps us from God; but when we’re counted as his children, he will give us whatever we need to kill the pride that crouches in our hearts.
3. To Equip Us to Help Others
The most meaningful ministry comes from those who have lived what they’re preaching. When I share my experiences, I am able to edify and encourage others. I have seen God most clearly in the lowest points of my life, after all, and I take joy in helping others see Christ’s sufficiency in the throes of their adversity.
In fact, Jesus was given the bread of adversity precisely so we could relate to him:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).
This is good news for us all: the Bread of Life ate the bread of adversity so that we could break bread with him in eternity.
God Gives Us What We Need
John Piper takes this bread metaphor a little further. In his poem “The Stone and the Snake,” Piper contends that if we ask for bread, but our need is for a stone or a snake, God will provide for the need, not the request:
If you should need an anchor for your boat,
But, lured by hunger, ask for bread,
I’ll mark your need, and lest you seaward float,
Give you a heavy stone instead.
Or if you need to drain a viper’s fang,
A healing antidote to make,
But ask for useless fish to ease the pang,
I will discern, and give the snake.
God is faithful to give us what we need, whether it’s white Italian bread, whole-wheat bread, a stone, or even a snake. Though we might not like the latter gifts, we know that the Giver is good, and that each gift will ultimately benefit us if it comes from his kind hand.
Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you! Isaiah 30:20-22
Paul and Silas even in chains and adversity were given the grace to eat the bread of adversity and praise God through it.
We would rather eat scant portions than luxury’s and lust of this world.
Let us find you in the midst of affliction.
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Psalms 105:1-7
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2
“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”
1 John 2:3-4
Thank you for another great day of Zoom Battle prayer.