1 Kings 15:25-17:24
Acts 10:24-48
Psalm 134:1-3
Proverbs 17:9-11
If you were in a position of power and authority, and people looked up to you, what kind of leader would you be? As we continue to learn in the Old Testament about the division of Israel, the reigns of the kings who sought power over God's laws quickly ended in failure. These kings went against God by creating false idols and misleading the people who trusted in them. They were seeking power and control over the people of Israel, even if it meant drawing them away from God. With each ruling, Israel moved further away from God. The kings were so wrapped up with their own ambitions that they didn't acknowledge the failing cycle of the leaderships that preceded them. God was infuriated each time by their disobedience, leading to several kings deaths and entire families being wiped out. Not only was their reign terminated, but lineages were as well. Their tunnel vision prevented them from seeing the repercussions of their actions.
As we are reading, from our vantage point, it is obvious that what these kings were doing was wrong. They put themselves first instead of God, and they were destroying a nation as a consequence. Like all stories in the Bible, we can apply these lessons to our own lives. While you may not be ruling a nation like the kings, your actions still affect those around you. Look at Elijah and Peter, for example. Elijah visited a widow, and because of her faith, God was able to provide food for Elijah, her and her son during the drought. Then, the Lord showed her mercy by bringing her son back to life. The Lord also favored the God-fearing Centurion, and sent the Holy Spirit upon him and the others that were listening while Peter was there speaking to them. In both accounts, faith took precedence over self-interest.
In our own lives, whether we are aware of it or not, we have the ability to influence others. This can occur in the work environment, at home and even in personal relationships. Sometimes we may think our actions are harmless, and we're so caught up in our own personal interests that we forget to take a step back and assess whether or not we are truly serving God in the situation. If you find that what you're working toward achieving is pulling you away from God, stop and look at yourself as objectively as you look at the kings from the Old Testament. Don't create a failing cycle in your own life as they did. Instead, seek God in all that you do.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the wisdom that you provide us with by reading your Word. Please help us to become aware of any ways that we are not positively serving you, and help us to shift our focus away from self-interest and toward the betterment of your kingdom. Amen.
-Amanda and Anthony
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