Our God: A Trusted Adviser – 2 Kings 20 (RBHW)

Feasibility studies, in any undertaking, represent the search for certainty; seeking the reassurance that the best decision is being made. This concern dominates the boardrooms of major corporations; it also dominates the most serious deliberations in parliaments around the world. It is a concern that occupies the mind of the young high-school student who is faced with decisions about career choices, and must decide on the most appropriate path to pursue. In seeking help, people go after reputable and credible consultants/advisers who boast a high success rate in their projections.

There is a universal concern that everyone has to contend with at one time or another... death. Do we really have to die? Is that it when we die; what happens after death? Is there a way to prevent death? But here's the clincher, who do we turn to for the answers to these questions on death?

Our God is the most trusted Adviser. Jesus declares of Himself in John 14: 6, "I am the Way the Truth and the LIFE." The wise man Solomon counsels us in Proverbs 3: 5, 6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path."

The beauty of being guided by God is that we can benefit from His foreknowledge; all that He says is well founded and certain. "The testimony of the Lord is SURE, making wise the simple." Psalm 19: 7.

Now because He sees the end as well as He sees the past and the present His suggestions often seem premature and out of place to us of limited vision. That's probably why we complain as much as we do at times, and would persuade Him to adjust His suggested course. Were it up to us, whenever we suffer the loss of a loved one, we'd have it reversed. But as time progresses we learn the wisdom of God's insistences. In many things He allows us to choose our course; with Israel getting and king, and now with Hezekiah getting an additional 15 years. If we insist on a preferred course, God won't insist on His.

Father in Heaven, thank you for the extension of Your wisdom that is offered to guide our lives. Our deepest desire is to be guided thereby. Lead us we pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

On Being Parents and Meeting a Genie (only better!)

The assessment of the commandment to "Honour your father and your mother," as recorded in Exodus 20: 12 seen through the lens of 2 Kings 13: 2, 6, 11, "He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, but walked in them" (verse 11), explains the clause that appears in its rendition in Ephesians 6: 1, "Children, obey your parents IN THE LORD, for this is right."  It's not just obedience that is right, but obedience "in the Lord."

Those granted the privilege of parenthood are strongly admonished in verse 4 of Ephesians 6, "And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

The nurturing of a young one, whether in the home or in the Church, is not just what you do, but what you don't do as well. When, for example, work (even the Lord's work) takes you away for long hours (days/weeks) from those under your care, you have less impact on the habits they are likely to develop (especially from television). Parents must take responsibility for those crude habits formed from the evil influence of television and music that children are exposed to in the home, and even outside the home in some cases. Childrearing is a full-time engagement.

The last part of the chapter features an interesting exchange between the dying Elisha, and the faithless Jehoash, king of Israel.  In a fashion of capture in fairy-tales Elisha (the genie) grants Jehoash what really appears to be an open cheque of blessings – wishes if you please.  “Strike the ground,” Elisha told Jehoash.  He does; but only three times.  Perhaps he didn’t understand the implications of the command, but had he really been connect to God, he would have.  And so as Elisha said, “you should have struck it five or six times;” he did it only thrice and that meant he would completely crush a life-long enemy.  Do we stop short in striking the Devil out of our lives; are our repentances half-hearted?  Perhaps that’s why many of us still struggle for years with the same sin(s), or why our lives seem void of significant successes.

So let's get it straight, God is way better than a genie.  In fact there really is no comparison.  But get this, life and the things to sustain it are gifts from God; anything extra comes only in response to our asking Him, "According to your faith, be it unto you." Matt. 9: 29. "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." 2 Cor 9: 6.  If you want three wishes, then three wishes it is; if five, five. If you want death, then death it is; if life, life.

Father in Heaven, we choose life this morning, not just for the sake of living, but that we can live for Your glory, praise and honour.  Be exalted in our lives, be exalted in all the earth we pray, in Jesus' name, amen.

The Litmus of Sarcasm: 2 Kings 10 (RBHW)

Especially based on the first letter written by Jehu, I'd title this chapter, "The Litmus of Sarcasm"

At the risk of appearing trivial, and to appear as if I have a bone to pick I'll ask a question that will take us down an unexpected path perhaps. But is this where so many of our womenfolk learned this ploy of setting verbal traps for their menfolk? I’ve seen it happen so often where when a woman feels threatened by another, she would go down a route of “complimenting” her “rival” in the presence of her mate – just to see what he will say. And MERCY if you’re not forthright, as a man, in affirming her (your wife/special friend) at that point. Better yet, it would be most helpful if you could also articulate why it would be less than a good deal to be with the “threat.” Sometimes the male may not even get an opportunity to raise a defence; he’s just attacked, because a potential rival just walked by.

Rationale for this behaviour

Sometimes this happens because of the history between the two persons.

It could be that it happened to a friend, and she just wants to make sure about her situation.

This could also be baggage from a previous relationship, where her mate cheated constantly.

What do you do as a man?

If you’re guilty, quit cheating. Easier said than done, but with God it is possible.

If you’re innocent, just understand that she needs reassurance – give it lavishly; don’t judge her, just love her anyway. A good thing would be to also not wait on her to ask for reassurance, give it even when she doesn’t ask. When you’re apart, talk as often as is possible (given the constraints of work, etc).

Ladies:

Don’t be nagging – dripping water can drive a good man insane. Don’t drive him away, especially if he’s innocent.

Don’t make accusations on assumptions. Mind you, if you have uncertainties you must seek answers. Just be civil about it.

Relationships are more than dollars and cents, but that is an important dimension. Make sure that, as far as possible, you enjoy a certain level of independence, which means that you don’t have to take “crap” from any man.

Do not allow any man’s disrespect of you to cause you to lose self-respect. Know your qualities, know your value, do not be reduced by anyone.

I’m a firm believer that reconciliation is the result of the union of forgiveness and repentance. Be willing to forgive, but know that true reconciliation can only occur when he truly repents. Look for fruit, meet for repentance.

When all this is said and done, there is the relationship with God that must be considered. Our freedom of choice is His gift to us. And even though it gives us the right to choose our preferred way, it doesn’t mean that any choice that we make is RIGHT. There are those who often misunderstand that the defence of ones right to make certain moral choices, does not translate into support of the actual choices that that one does make. For we all must know that we are accountable to God for the use of this particular faculty. So it is good advice to remember that, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.” Don’t be misled by this idea of freedom; every choice brings a consequence.

Father in Heaven, our desire today is to choose, much like those elders and leaders in Samaria who chose to side with Jehu, to cast our support on Your side in this Great Controversy. We do it, not out of fear of dying, but out of love for You. This we pledge in Jesus’ name, amen.

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