Almost Like Heaven
Praise the Lord for the great day that we had yesterday here at the church. We had a full house both Sunday morning and Sunday evening with two men baptized at the evening service. Pray for Brian Lara and Ernest Prempeh as they grow and serve the Lord.
Today’s Reading – 2 Kings 4 – 6
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. (1 Kings 4:20)
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:25)
This is about as close to heaven as you could possibly get while still living here on the earth. Notice that Israel had the complete protection of God; and the abundant provision of God. And in these early days of Solomon’s reign the people were busy serving God by building His temple, which took about seven years to complete. So it seems that God is on His throne and the people are dwelling safely. It sort of reminds me of the history of America. We had to fight some battles in the early days; but God eventually gave us abundant provision and protection from our enemies. We are still the most blessed nation in the world.
Unfortunately, we will see in the upcoming chronicles of Israel’s history that all of this prosperity, which was given by God, will eventually cause the people to forget about God. I think we can safely say that America is in the same boat. The people in this “land of the free” have forgotten that it was God who gave them their freedom and all of the prosperity that comes with it.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Thanks Pastor! I take for granted all the things that He has done for me and is doing for me. I really needed the reminder to recognize God in all the things around me and to thank him for His blessings.
“…though I fail, He blesses anyhow…”
Its a shame how often we take for granted all that we have here in America, it seems lately everyone is so caught up in all the complaining about our government and our President that they are overlooking all the amazing things that God has blessed us with in our country. By looking at all the things we dont have; like a new car, or a bigger house, or more money, we completely forget how blessed we really are. Lately i’ve been thinkng alot about that, there are so many things that I want and so many things that I think I need and I don’t look around and see all the amazing things that God has provided for me. I get so caught up in “wanting” that I don’t thank God for everything He has already given me.
But when I really look around, there is no need that God has not met, and I am so over blessed that I have no reason to complain at all.