Worshipping the Lord

1st May: 2 Samuel 1:1-27 'How are the mighty fallen!' (19,25,27). The tragedy of Saul was there for all to see. He had made a right mess of things! What are we to think when we read of this tragic figure? He started out so well. He ended so badly. There were high hopes – but it all came to nothing. Do we not see ourselves in Saul? – This could happen to me, if I'm not careful. The danger signs are there. Satan is at hand. He is ready to sweep in. He will sweep the feet away from us, if we don't watch out. We are very weak, but the Lord is 'able to keep us from falling' (Jude 24-25). These are things we must never forget – our own weakness and the strength of the Lord. Disaster threatens. Tragedy looms. Jesus draws near. He speaks His Word – 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness' (2 Corinthians 12:9). By grace , we shall stand! 2nd May: 2 Samuel 2:1-32 It was a new beginning. There was a new king. Saul was go...

1st June: 1 Kings 1:1-53 David's reign was coming to an end. He would be replaced by Solomon (30). No one goes on forever. Every day takes us one day closer to the day of stepping down and handing over to someone else. We must pray that the future will be 'greater' than the past (37,47). Some kings reign for a long time. Some reign for a short time. The important thing is not the length of time. It's the quality of the leadership. Have the people been brought closer to the Lord? This is what matters more than anything else. In all the changes of life, we must learn to say, 'Blessed be the Lord' (48). We do not trust in this man or that man. We trust in the Lord. David's time was almost gone. Solomon's time would come and go. When all God's servants have slipped into the past, one thing will remain true – 'the Lord lives' (29). 2nd June: 1 Kings 2:1-46 God's purpose does not stand still. It moves forward. This was a new beginning...

1st July: 2 Kings 1:1-2:13 'He took up the mantle of Elijah' (2:13). Elijah's ministry had ended. Elisha's ministry was about to begin. It was the beginning of a new era. This may have been a new ministry. It was not, however, a new message. Both men preached the Word of the Lord. Elisha continued Elijah's work. He took up where Elijah had left off. He brought the Word of the Lord to the people. Elisha was not exactly the same as Elijah. He was Elisha – not Elijah! There was, however, continuity. The second ministry built on the work done during the first ministry. The laying of the foundations – This is what Elijah's ministry had been all about. Now, Elisha would build on this good foundation. He would take the work of God forward. Into the future, on to the second stage – This is what Elisha's ministry was all about. 2ndJuly: 2 Kings 2:14-3:27 'Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?' (2:14). Elijah was no longer there – but God was still ...

1st August: 1 Chronicles 1:1-54 What are we to make of this long list of names? - A waste of space? Are we wasting our time looking for God's Word here? No! God has a very important message for us! Do you ever feel insignificant - just one among so many? Here`s God's Word for you - You are important. A lot of people are named here - God considered every single one of them important enough to be included in this list! Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? To every believer, Jesus says, 'Rejoice' - 'Your name is written in heaven' (Luke 10:20). 'Rejoice' - Your name is included in 'the Lamb`s book of life' (Revelation 21:27). Jesus calls us 'by name', He gives us His Name - 'the Name above every name', the Name of our salvation. 'Believing in His Name', we become 'sons of the living God' (John 10:3; 20:31; Philippians 2:9; Acts 4:12; Romans 9:26). 2nd August: 1 Chronicles 2:1-55 More names - lots of the...