Seize the Moment – Day 828

HomeDevotionsSeize the Moment – Day 828
23
Jun '22

Seize the Moment – Day 828

Posted on Jun 23, 2022 by Jerry Ingalls in Devotions, General |

23
Jun '22

The Way of Kings!

1 Kings 15

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, June 23.

 

What is the way of kings? According to 1 Kings 15, it is war. Listen to three passages that demonstrate how three different sets of kings spent their kingships waging a civil war between the northern ten tribes of Israel and the southern two tribes of Judah:

 

  1. “There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life” (1 Kings 15:6; cf. 1 Kings 14:30).
  2. “And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam” (1 Kings 15:7).
  3. “Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days” (1 Kings 15:16, cf. 1 Kings 15:32).

 

God’s people were divided after the death of Solomon, and, from that time forward, the way of kings was the sword. Jesus warned Peter in Matthew 26:52, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.” So, while the way of kings is war, the way of the King of Kings is peace.

 

Jesus not only commanded Peter to put away the sword, but He commanded all His followers to work as peacemakers in a world caught in a perpetual cycle of violence (Matthew 5:9). In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus gave us one of the hardest commands we are to follow,
 
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

 

Just as violence breeds violence, so love begets love! Jesus gave Himself over to violent men as the eternal solution to the way of kings. He invites us to follow Him (Mark 1:17). You must choose for yourself: the way of kings or the way of the King of Kings.

 

Seize the moment and walk in the way of Jesus – the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)!

 

God bless you!
 
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.

^