Pastor Bob DuPar
June 19, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

1 Kings 20:1-21:29; Acts 12:24-13:15; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 17:16.

Observation

If a prophet told me to strike him with a weapon I don’t think that I would obey either. I would think it was a trick. Yet, the man who disobeyed this request in 1 Kings 20:35-36 was dismembered by a lion as punishment.

Ahab’s wife cracks me up. She rebukes Ahab for his moodiness and says, “Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up!” I can hear Cher in Moonstruck saying, “Snap out of it!” Yet, Jezebel’s advice and actions turned out to be very costly for Ahab. Elijah’s words to Ahab before he died echo with authority and a sense of warning to all generations:

“I have found you because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord.” (21:20)

Ahab’s last minute contrition and humility helped save his sorry self from judgment; but, what a bummer for his progeny – since they would bear the punishment for his evil and sinfulness.

Finally, I love Saul’s (Paul’s) boldness in setting Elymas the sorcerer straight. Saul’s words are biting and direct:

“You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! (That’s a good opening line, and pretty comprehensive at that!) You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10)

Application
The words of Acts 21:20 hit me the most today. When we sin, our sin finds us out. God in fact leads people to us, to expose us and hold us accountable. The phrasing of the charge is so graphic and condemning as well: “you have sold yourself to do evil.” I wonder if we/I would sin as much if we thought of sin in those terms – “selling ourselves to evil.” For, that is in fact what it is, and what we do!

Prayer

“Lord, I’m reminded of Your challenge in Deuteronomy 30:19-20, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days,” Help me to choose life. Help me to express my love to You through obeying Your voice. Help me to hold fast to You. Please hold fast to me and never let me go!”