Month: July 2025

The only queen to rule in the southern kingdom, Athaliah is still another proof that those who disregard God’s Word, will bring God’s discipline on themselves and on those they lead. She was the daughter of Arab and Jezebel and as such, was a worshiper of Baal. God’s patience for her came to an end after she thought she could end the line of Judah through murder and corruption. But, God will not be mocked. He rules and reigns in the heavens and His will was displayed when He saved the true son of Judah’s ancestry, Joash. He was raised by the high priest in all the ways of the Lord and will serve the Lord all the years that Jehoiada lived. 

Satan may try to usurp God’s will but God’s ways are not our ways. He rules, He raises up even a little child to fulfill His will. 

Children love the story of Naaman and the servant girl. But, this is not just a story to entertain, it has far reaching spiritual truths. Isaiah wrote that God’s ways and His deeds are not like our deeds, …for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so His deeds are superior to our deeds and His plans superior to our plans. [Is 55:8 paraphrase]

Naaman hearing about the prophet Elisha and his power to heal, came to the him to be healed of his leprosy. He came with a retinue of many, gifts galore but Elisha said go and wash in the River Jordan. He left in a huff saying the Jordan was dirty. It took one of his soldiers to say to him:  if Elisha told you to do something hard, would he do it?  Why not then do something simple? Naaman humbled himself and lo and behold he was healed! 

The little captured girl, name unknown except to God, taught Naaman this principle through her faith in God’s ways. Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 18:4

One of the things we learn is that whom God calls, He empowers. That was true for Elijah and Elisha. Both were used to impact the Israelites at time when they had gone astray spiritually. Both Elijah and Elisha were used by God to reveal His truth and His power and to change lives for eternity. How about us? Are we bold like these two men? Are we challenging wrong beliefs so men will turn to God?  

God raised up Elijah to confront King Ahaziah and his security in the idol Baal instead of Jehovah. Sometimes when we are so hardened He has to reach down into his bag of humor to try to touch the heart. King Ahaziah did not want to do it God’s way, so God used a humorous but tragic story to get his attention, but even with that Ahaziah did not repent. What scripture does not tell us but is inferred is that the King’s unbelief reached not just the palace staff but his army commanders as well. Two groups of 50 were annihilated by the fire of God when they tempted Elijah with caustic words. Yet, it seems that the third commander humbled himself instead of challenging Elijah. Was his heart turned? We may never know until eternity. One thing we can learn from this story is that God is extremely patient to draw men to Himself. The two commanders and their company died as did the king, but the one commander and his troupe did not die. Humility in the face of God is what He seeks and desires.  

Where is your pride getting in the way of your need for repentance? The principle is clear: Pro 29:23 A person’s pride will bring him low, but one who has a lowly spirit will gain honor.  

Pro 16:18 Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. 

We have no idea who the author of Obadiah is, but his message to Edom is very clear: “you should not…” and then he recounts the awful pillage of Judah and Jerusalem by them. No wonder God said: “I have hated Esau.” We see through the eyes of Obadiah exactly what Edom did when the Babylonians came to conquer them. When someone ridicules a believer or seeks their demise, God’s righteous anger is front and center. He will not stand idle when this takes place. He foretold the end of Edom and it happened just as Obadiah wrote. “Because you violently slaughtered your relatives, the people of Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will be destroyed forever.” 

Asaph wrote Psalm 79 and echoed the thoughts of God regarding those in trouble because of their enemies “Defend the cause of the poor and the fatherless. Vindicate the oppressed and suffering. Rescue the poor and needy. Deliver them from the power of the wicked.”  But, Edom did not and so God’s patience wore thin and He promised their destruction.

What is the lesson for us today from these passages? It is what Asaph wrote: defend the poor, vindicate the oppressed and suffering. Today we have ample opportunities to do just that. Where is your money going ? Where are your talents being shared? Are you and I seeking how to be a servant to those in need?