Author: Larry Soape

Larry Soape is the Associate Pastor for Median & Senior Adults, and Missions at FBCSA.

Day by Day

Re:Verse passage – Judges 3:31  and Acts 2:42-47 (day four) 

The Apostles were constantly proclaiming the gospel…repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  They recognized though that it was not the power of their preaching, but God’s calling the people to Himself.  Three thousand souls in one day…what a revival!  With so many new converts, the church was necessarily thrown together to learn what the Holy Spirit had to teach them.  Verse 47 says, “the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Two things we can learn for the church today:  1) There must be a constant flow of the gospel message going out to the people.  We are all witnesses!  2)  It is God who calls the people to Himself.  We must ask God to call people to our church and Himself.  Wouldn’t it be awesome to see the gospel spread across the world like a pandemic.  What would we do with three thousand new believers in one day?

One Way

Re:Verse passage – Judges 3:11-30 (day four)

The sons of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.  Were they content to be enslaved?  Did the Israelites just resign themselves to be oppressed?  At what point did they cry out to God for deliverance?  Scripture does not tell us how long God took to raise up a deliverer for them.  One point is certain though… God raised Ehud up for a specific task.  Moab had been used of God to discipline Israel, but now God brought deliverance through His servant, Ehud.

Like Israel, we often get settled into our sin.  We become content for a period of time in our punishment and consequences.  Finally, we begin to recognize that being in relationship with God is much better than slavery to a culture of sin.  When we cry out to God, He is faithful to hear and answer our prayer.  When Ehud called the Israelites to battle, they responded.  Their obedience led to victory and to eighty years of peace.  This lesson is one that Israel faced over and over…never successfully for very long.  Exactly the reason God had to send His Son to break the power of sin.  The Messiah was the only way!

God Has Spoken

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2:11-20, 3:5-11 (day four)

Moses led the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt.  In the process, he delivered the Word (Law) of the Lord.  In Deuteronomy 27:9, Moses told the Israelites, “this day you have become a people of the Lord your God.”  With this pronouncement, came responsibilities.  Standing before Mt. Gerazim and Mt. Ebal, Moses warned what would happen if Israel followed other gods.  Now…in one lifetime (Joshua’s)…they failed to heed the warning.  God had told them what would happen and now they found out He meant it.  Everything that God warned would happen…did!

In our Re:Verse this week, in verse 15, it says everywhere they went, God was against them…”as the Lord has spoken.”  What was true in Israel is true today.  If we read the news today, it is as if we are in the time of the judges.  Everywhere we go, it seems God is against us.  We…as a nation…as a world…have followed after other gods.  Look to our own hearts…are we receiving the rewards of obedience or disobedience?  Question:  What is this thing called repentance?

Seek First

Re:Verse passage – Judges 1:1-2, 8-13, 20 (day four)

Israel made a lot of mistakes when it came to their relationship with God.  They did get one thing right though…before they proceeded after the death of Joshua…they inquired of the Lord.  Knowing God’s direction and moving in His power and provision is critical to being a conqueror.  Israel did not always follow God’s direction (i.e.- “completely drive out the inhabitants so they don’t turn you away from Me”).

What we do with God’s Word when we gain understanding of it is essential to victory.  Obedience must follow His commands.  Seeking God first, before anything else, is key to success…obedience to His direction is key to blessing and victory.  Many times we fail to stop and seek God before we launch off on some task or adventure.  Remember to approach God first in prayer to gain His Perspective and Will…then move forward in obedience to His direction.  Be a conqueror!

True Wisdom

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 9:13-31 (day four)

This is our last passage in our study of the life of Solomon.  We’ve seen him from crowning as king to death…the whole of his rule.  Solomon was blessed by God for his desire to rule the Israelites with wisdom.  God blessed him far beyond his request.  To look at Solomon’s life from start to finish, it would appear that he was very successful.  Unimaginable wealth, palaces, kingdoms…materially, he had it all.  To read other biblical writings though, gives a troubled picture of the struggles Solomon faced.  All of his wisdom, all of his empire, all of his wealth, could not buy his happiness and peace of mind.  His earthly success could not provide the joy of a vibrant relationship with God.

Where are you looking for your peace of mind…for your joy…for your fulfillment in life?  Material possessions, fame, power and influence…none of these can provide these things.  Solomon was distracted from obedience to God…but if he could tell you today…he would say, “keep your heart and eyes on the Lord.”  This admonition comes from the wisest man in history!

From the Ends of the Earth

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 (day four)

The Queen of Sheba came from the ends of the earth to see if all she had heard was true.  She had heard of the vast wisdom of Solomon and how God had poured out His blessing on Israel.  The report was so astounding she had to see for herself.  She was seeking answers.  What she found was that the report she had heard did not tell the half of it.  God had blessed Solomon and Israel beyond measure.

In the gospel accounts, the Queen of the South was referenced as a witness of the truth (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31).  Jesus cited her as an example or judge against the Pharisees who would not acknowledge Christ.  She recognized the glory of God without knowing Christ.  She traveled far and was richly rewarded for her diligent searching.

Does your life and witness point people to Jesus?  When people meet you, do they see God at work far beyond your abilities? The Pharisees recognized that Peter and John had understanding and wisdom and noted that they “had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13)…they just did not turn that recognition into relationship. Pray that your life will attract people from the ends of the earth and lead them to Christ!

Blessing or Curse?

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 (day four)

God’s promises and warnings throughout history have always been predicated on man’s response to Him.  Blessing would follow obedience, curse would follow disobedience.  In the Garden of Eden, on Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal, now with Solomon…blessing will follow relationship, judgment will follow sin.

What story will history tell of America?  One nation under God…a nation founded upon a relationship with the Creator God…they were blessed for many generations.  Not only was America blessed, but other nations were blessed by them.  But the nation turned away from God!  Judgment and discipline were pronounced upon the nation.  Prayer was removed from the schools and public forums, obedience to the Word of God was shunned and ridiculed, worship was discouraged and honor was refused God.

Do we really believe that we can ignore Almighty God and not pay the consequences?  …and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Fire

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 7:1-10 (day four)

Fire is often used in Scripture to represent the presence of God.  Moses saw God in the burning bush and received instructions from Him.  During the exodus, the children of Israel followed the pillar of fire by night.  Elijah called down fire from heaven when he dealt with the prophets of Baal.  David experienced the presence of God on the altar when He responded with fire.  Now, we see the presence of God manifested to Solomon through fire.

In New Testament times, the Holy Spirit was depicted as tongues of fire.  And, in Revelation, we see God’s ultimate judgment coming as fire.  The dramatic display of power under control through fire has signaled the presence of God from the beginning.  What is it in your life that signals the presence of God to the world?  Is the awesome display of God’s power visible in you?  Do others see the Holy Spirit working in your life?  Let your light so shine before men…

Prayer

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 (day four)

Solomon left no stone unturned…what a prayer of dedication and commitment!  Solomon acknowledged God’s covenant keeping relationship with His people.  He prayed for His lovingkindness…His favor…His justice…His forgiveness.  He asked for restoration…for provision and relief when needed.  Solomon sought proclamation…salvation…the presence of God.  The king seemed to foresee every situation that might come up in the life of Israel.

Israel did not know what their needs would be in the future, but they had a king who interceded for them with the Father.  Often, we do not know how to pray.  We are overwhelmed with life and can only groan before the Father.  Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;”  The Spirit prays for us according to the will of God.

Intercession on our behalf is a blessed gift.  What a privilege we have to do the same for others. Who do you know that you can pray for right now?

The Temple

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 6:1-11 (day four)

It was always about God!  The Temple would be a place for God to dwell.  It was a place for His covenant with man to reside.  It was holy because of the presence of God.  The elaborate décor was to honor the God of all the universe.

It was never about man!  As extravagant as it was, the Temple was never to bring honor to Israel.  Even though David had dreamed of its glory, he was not allowed to build it.  Solomon could not claim glory for it…it was planned and provided for before he was even born.  As treasured and valuable as it was, men could not have conceived the holiness that inhabited the Temple.

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.”  1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Our bodies are intricate and amazing…prepared for before we were born…designed to bring glory to God…and filled with the Spirit of God.  We are His temple!