Listening to the Word

Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7 “…and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:3-6 Solomon points us to God as the Source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. More specifically, he calls us to a relationship with God where we listen to God’s Word to us. How is this possible? God reveals himself in relationship to the seeker, not a casual inquirer. We are challenged to “call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding” and to search for God’s presence like hidden treasure. When a relationship with the living God becomes the most valuable aspect of our lives, we honor his presence and listen and obey his Word. In a life of submission to the Lord, obedience and worship are birthed as we live with the fear of the Lord. This is t...

1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6   “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.” 1 Kings 10:23, 24 Where did Solomon’s wisdom come from? Did it come from learning from the greatest thinkers in Egypt or Babylon? No. Solomon’s wisdom came from God and was put in his heart by the Holy Spirit. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians was that they would receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation from their glorious Father so that they would know him better. Wisdom is required to apply knowledge effectively. Solomon’s wisdom gave him influence throughout the world. What would happen if the Church, the Bride of Christ, lived in the fear of the Lord and his wisdom? We would also have influence in every nation because of living by God’s ways. If Paul prayed for the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so can we. Will we regularly ask God to fill us with the spirit ...

1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalms 136; Romans 5   “…who struck down great Kings, His love endures forever , and killed mighty Kings – His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:17, 18 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:3-5 God’s love is strong and faithful. It endures forever.   But what kind of love destroys kings and kingdoms, allows suffering, and brings death? The love of God is not just an emotion that changes like the weather. God’s love is rooted in his character and his very nature which is also marked by justice and righteousness. In love, God has defeated the power of sin and death through the suffering and death of his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is our example of God’s love redeeming suffering unto life. As God pours out hi...

2 Chronicles 6-7; Psalms 135; Romans 4 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant…Your name, O Lord, endures forever, your renown, O Lord, through all generations. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.” Psalm 135:3, 13, 14 Why is it “pleasant” to praise God’s name? We were created by God to know him and worship him. This is our life’s purpose. When we spend our life trying to make a name for ourselves through our skill, beauty, wealth, or achievements we find our life is empty and these idols don’t satisfy. The Psalmist invites us to instead worship the living God whose name reveals his nature and character. As we worship God each day, all day, with our words and life, we find the pleasant, peaceful beauty of the Lord gracing our lives with his presence. When brothers and sisters in God’s family dwell together in unity, it is also pleasant. Why? - Because we enjoy in the unity of the Spirit, God’s presence...

1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalms 99; Romans 3   “…We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin…There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:9, 22-24 The covenant between God and Israel at Mount Sinai was to set Israel apart from the nations as God’s holy people so that they would be a witness to the nations of God’s covenant-ways and the blessing of walking with him. The covenant with Israel renewed God’s promise to Abraham that he was ‘blessed to be a blessing’. Israel’s failure to live by God’s covenant-ways illustrated to the world the power of sin, made clear by their failure to obey God’s laws. Paul’s gospel emphasized that all, Jews, and Gentiles alike, are under the power of sin, and all need the atoning sacrifice of a Savior. All have sinned and all are justified freely by God’s grace, through faith in Ch...

1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalms 98; Romans 2   “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth…Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:1, 2, 4 Justice and righteousness are the foundation of God’s throne. After outlining God’s judgment of our rebellion, perversion, and sin in Romans 1, Paul warns us not to play god and judge others. We are all guilty of violating God’s ways and we all fall short of his holiness; yet, we know our desperate need for God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness should fill us with compassion and mercy toward others. When we judge others, we show contempt for the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience toward us. It i...