So much to glean

Mom's Toolbox

It’s amazing how much the Lord teaches us in the Old Testament. Many times I think we forget. This past week I read through 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings. I’m a bit behind (not quite two days) but I know I’ll be caught up again soon.

Things I’ve gleaned this past week:

• 2 Samuel 14:14 “Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, he devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from him.”
• 2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” (David’s song of praise.)
• 1 Kings 8:27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, ever the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” (Solomon is speaking.)
• 1 Kings 8:57-58 “May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep the commands, decrees and regulations he gave our fathers.” (Solomon speaking at the temple dedication.)
• 1 Kings 8:60-61 “…so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other. But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his command, as at this time.”
• 1 Kings 17:1-6 The LORD always provides for those who love him. Elijah prophesied against Ahab – the most sinful of kings up to that point. God tells Elijah to hide by a brook. Elijah drank from the brook and God sent ravens with bread and meat twice a day to feed him.
• 1 Kings 17:7-15 The widow was preparing to starve to death with her son. God continued to provide enough flour and oil to make food for her, her son, and Elijah.
• The Lord did amazing things with Elijah!
• 1 Kings 18:16-46 Elijah sends out a challenge to the Baals. He had the priest prepare a sacrifice and they spent all day calling out to their gods to take it. Elijah then built an alter to God, soaked it in water, God came and took it by fire.
• 1 Kings 18:46 “The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.” Elijah ran ahead of Ahab who was riding in a chariot!
• Even Elijah became weary. 1 Kings 19:4 Elijah prayed for God to take his life. God sent food to strength him instead.
• Elijah is to have the presence of the LORD pass by him. 1 Kings 19:11-13 “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face, and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” God was in the “gentle whisper” – the “still small voice.”