Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

May 4th What Should Hezekiah Do?

Today’s Reading – 2Kings 17 & 18

In chapter 17 of today’s reading we see the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel.  God had warned them for years that if they would not  listen to Him and turn from other gods; and also turn from their wicked ways, that He would judge them.  The powerful Assyrian nation came down from Ninevah and took captive all of the people of the northern kingdom and assimilated them into other cities of the Assyrians; and by doing so completely immersed them in the Assyrian culture.  It seems that Israel not only got what she deserved; but also received what she wanted.  Israel did not want to be a nation of God; they followed the heathen nations; and now they were part of a heathen nation.

In chapter 18, however, we see the same impending doom heading south to the nation of Judah and the city of Jerusalem. At this time Hezekiah is the king.  The difference between Judah and Israel is, however, that Judah, under the direction of Hezekiah, is a very godly nation at this time in their history.  They are following the Lord, and they are separating themselves completely from the heathen nations around them; and they are trusting in God to deliver them.  But here in this chapter they are facing the same threat that Israel faced and were defeated by.  Will God deliver them?  What will they do?  Will God save them if they call upon Him?  Tune in tomorrow to chapters 19 & 20 to find out.

May 3rd Now You’ve Gone Too Far

Today’s Reading – 2 Kings 15 & 16

In chapter 16 of today’s passage we read the story of Ahaz, the king of Judah.  He was a wicked king who, the Bible tells us, “made his son pass through the fire”.  He did not follow the example of David, but rather walked in the ways of the kings of Israel.  But the thing that he did in vv 10 – 16 went beyond anything that any of the other kings of Judah had done before him.  The Bible tells us that, while visiting Damascus in Syria, Ahaz saw a heathen altar, and was so impressed with it, he wanted it duplicated back in Jerusalem.  He also takes some of the instruments of worship from God’s temple and incorporates them in his new pagan temple; and he commands the priests to basically forsake God’s house, and perform all of their worship at this new altar that he had built.

I have two thoughts on this.  First, we can see clearly that Ahaz is not a man that has any kind of a relationship with the God of the Bible.  Because he does not know God, he is not seeking God’s direction for his life, or for the nation.  He is doing what seems right in his own eyes.  He is making all of his own decisions without any concern for the will of God.  How often do I do that today?  I have a relationship with God, but so many times I find myself doing and saying things that originate with me, and not with God.  we need to seek God’s principles through the word of God, and the specific will of God through prayer.

The second thought I had was this: Ahaz had forsaken God’s house a placed all of his sacrifices on this pagan altar that he had built.  God expects us today to give our lives as a living sacrifice, yet so often we lay our lives at some other altar, rather than the altar God intends.  Most often it is at an altar of our own making and design which would mean that we are the god of our own lives.  Let’s get back to God.  If we are truly God’s people, let us recognize that we are “bought with a price” and that we no longer belong to ourselves, but to Him.  Let us lay down our lives at the altar of God’s choosing; not seeking to fulfill our own desires, but rather seeking the perfect will of God for our lives.

May 2nd God Gave Them a Saviour

Todays Reading – 2 Kings 13 & 14  

And Jehoahaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them.(And the LORD gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime.2 Kings 13:4-5 

This will possibly be the briefest devotion that I will ever post on this site; not because the passage lacks importance; not because it lacks depth; but because it is so simple and beutiful and speaks entirely for itself. 

Jehoahaz, a bad king  from a nation that was an ungodly nation, was in a bad way:  they were facing imminent destruction from another ungodly nation.  However, in his distress he “besought the Lord”, and the Lord sent him a saviour. 

It kind of reminds me of another guy I know, who was not (and still is not) a good guy; and comes from a wicked nation; and is in a bad way, facing imminent destruction of life and soul.  Yet this guy “besought” the Lord also; and the Lord sent him a Saviour, Jesus Christ.  That guy is me, and maybe it is you too, if you have “called upon the name of the Lord” for your salvation.   

Praise the Lord for His wonderful mercy and grace upon sinners like me who deserve Hell! 

May 1st Spring Cleaning

Today’s Reading – 2 Kings 11 – 12 

And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD. And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’S people; between the king also and the people. (2 Kings 11:17 & 18)

The Kingdom’s of Judah and Israel were the same way.  A good king would come along and clean the nation out spiritually, and morally.  However, years would go by; people would perhaps let down their guard; and slowly, gradually, all of the junk of the world and the devil would creep back in.  The situation would get so bad that God’s people would realize how far away they had gotten; and they would have a good “Spring Cleaning”. 

My spiritual life and the spiritual life of my family is the same way.  It needs a good cleaning periodically.  Thank the Lord that He allows us to come to Him whenever we fail and confess our sins to Him; and we are cleansed.  However, we also need to remove some of the weights from our life that cause us to get “cluttered” in the first place.  What junk do you have in your spiritual garage that needs to be taken to the dump? 

Apr 30th Be Careful About Bad Company

Today’s Reading – 2 Kings 9 & 10

In these two chapters of Scripture we see the final destruction of all that remained of King Ahab’s family.  God had told Ahab that because of all his wickedness, that God would judge, not only him, but his family.  Remember Ahab had married  Jezebel, the daughter of a heathen king; and perhaps was the most wicked woman recorded in all of Scripture.  Together, Ahab and Jezebel had slaughtered many of the prophets of God.  These were not God’s people.  Ahab’s family reaped here in chapters 9 & 10 what they had sowed throughout their reign in the kingdom.

However, I want to bring your attention some other folks that were affected by this judgment.  King Ahaziah from Judah, who was the grandson of  King Jehosaphat , was also killed along with the King of Israel.  The Scripture tells us that Ahaziah was also a wicked king as was his father, Jehoram.  However, the grandfather King Jehosaphat was a good and godly man.  So how did this good king’s family get mixed up with this bad king from Israel?  The answer is this: though King Jehosaphat from Judah was a man that wanted to do the right thing, he had no problem fellowshipping with King Ahab from Israel, who clearly was a wicked man.  This lack of separation destroyed his sons, as they became attracted to the wicked king’s ways (and his daughters).

The people of God need to be very careful about who they close to:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?…   Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:14 & 17)

The Bible is clear that we should stay clear of ungodly people.  We are to love them; we are to pray for them; we are to feed them if they need help; but we are not to get close to them, and we are not supposed to let their counsel influence us.  It is also a good policy to steer clear from professing Christians who are trying to influence you away from the will and word of God.  Be careful!!  Your children’s and your grandchildren’s futures are at stake.

Apr 29th Windows in Heaven

Todays Reading – 2 Kings 7 – 8 

Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. (2 Kings 7:2) 

In today’s passage we see the the city of Samaria surrounded by an overwhelming army of the Syrians.  This massive host from Syria had the city surrounded for some time, which caused the Israelites to run completely out of food on the inside of the city; with no way to get out to get more food.  Things got so bad the people were actually buying and selling dove’s dung to eat.  Some had even killed and ate children.  Pretty hopeless situation. 

Along comes the man of God and tells them that at the same time the next day the situation would be reversed, so much so that food that was very expensive the previous day would be sold for next to nothing on the next day.  But one of the lords (princes) of Israel doubted the Word of God through the mouth of the prophet, and stated basically that this is impossible, even if God were to open the windows of heaven. 

You can read the story for yourself; but God did exactly what he said he would do.  The Syrians heard the sound of chariots, and assumed that their enemies from Egypt or maybe the Hittites were coming to help Israel by attacking them.  They flee, leaving all of their food and goods behind.  Israel discovers that the Syrians have left, and they come out of the city and spoil the camp of the Syrians. 

It looks like God truly opened up the windows of heaven.  We have a promise from the word of God regarding those same windows in heaven: 

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (Malachi 3:10) 

God has promised us that if we will  keep him first in our lives that he will keep those windows open.  He doesn’t promise that we will all live in mansions on this earth and eat caviar; but praise the Lord, we won’t have to eat dove’s dung either. 

Apr 28th Open My Eyes Lord

Today’s Reading – 2 Kings 5 – 6

It was hard to choose this morning what to write about from these two chapters of scripture: they are both full of great truths surrounding the ministry of the prophet Elisha.  In chapter 5 we see the mighty captain of the host (army) of Syria, Naaman, stricken with leprosy.  Even though he is no doubt very wealthy, and very powerful, he is powerless to change his physical condition.  God heals him through the prophet Elisha.  It is interesting to note that Elisha would not even come out of the house and meet with him personally; but sent his messenger.  Elisha was obviously not too impressed with the captain’s power and position.

In chapter 6, however, I am awestruck by the inability of the servant of Elisha (and many of us today) to see the spiritual battle that is taking place all around us.  Elisha has to ask God to open his eyes (6:17); and when his eyes were opened he saw that God had a greater host of angels fighting for them than the earthly host of the Syrians. 

We need to ask God to open our eyes as well to the things that are eternal.  We need to realize that this world that we live in is just for a season, and there is a far greater world and life beyond this that are eternal with the Lord.  We need to strive to “seek those things which are above”; and “set [our] affection on things above”.  We need to live our lives for the eternal and not for the temporal; and we need to make all of our decisions keeping the eternal unseen world in mind. 

Open my eyes Lord that I may see you more clearly; and that I will be able to easily see your plan for my life.  I want my life to impact not only this earth; but also eternity.

Apr 27th There’s A New Sheriff in Town

Todays Reading – 2 Kings 2 – 4

In chapter 2 of 2 Kings we see the account of Elijah, the mighty prophet of God being translated by God up into Heaven.  Can you imagine what it must have been like for Elijah, and even for the people who witnessed it, to see the chariot of fire come down to pick him up.  Wow!  Before Elijah left, however, he passed his mantle (garment, robe) to Elisha and with the mantle came a “double portion of [Elijah’s] spirit”.

I have a couple thoughts regarding this transition.  First I think that it is a marvelous thing that Elijah took the time to diligently mentor young Elisha.  He did not just teach him, he demonstrated through his life a man that knew God, walked with God, and was greatly used of God.  He made serving God look good.

Secondly, I think about Elisha who did not squander the training and the mentoring he received from Elijah.  He took the foundation that was given him and he used it and built upon it.  I haven’t checked it myself, but I’ve heard other preachers say that Elisha performed twice the number of recorded miracles than did Elijah. 

I remember as a young Christian there were men who took time to mentor me.  There were actually many men that had a part in my training, but one man stands out above all of the rest.  Pastor Rick Wedemeyer spent time with me.  He was very patient with me.  He let me get close to him; he let me see first hand the love he had for his family and for the people of his church.  He still is a great friend and counselor to me today.  I wonder if some young Christian will say some day about me that I was a great mentor to them.  I hope so.  Why don’t you find someone, maybe a new convert, maybe a kid on the bus; and pour your life into him.  Now this is going to cost you some time and you might want to straighten yourself out first as you wouldn’t want to be the wrong kind of influence; but if you’re willing to do this, your life will continue to live on through the person you mentor after your gone.

And you young Christians:  why don’t you find some older, spiritual saint of God, and latch on to him for a while, and take what he gives you and give it to the next generation.

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

2 Timothy 2:2

Apr 26th Ear Tickling Preachers

Todays Reading – 1 Kings 22 – 2 Kings 1

In chapter 22 of 2 Kings we see Ahab, the king of Israel; and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah planning together a battle with Ramoth-gilead.  Jehoshaphat was a good man and a decent king, and he wanted to make sure that God was with them; so he asks Ahab to check with the prophets of God to find out whether God would bless them.  Ahab calls 400 of his prophets, which were apparently on his payroll, because they told Ahab exactly what he wanted to hear.  Paul warned us about these kind of preachers in 2 Timothy:

 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (2 Timothy 2:3)

Jehoshaphat smelled a rat however and asked Ahab if there were any other prophets that they could ask.  Ahab reluctantly calls for Micaiah, a real man of God who told them the truth:  Ahab was going to die, and Israel was going to lose the battle.  Ahab decided to listen to himself rather than God and went off to fight the battle, and was killed in the battle.

As New Testament Christians, we should demand that the preachers and teachers in our churches will boldly tell us the truth.  We don’t need anybody tickling our ears; we need somebody that will tell us what God really said.  We ought to cheer the faithful preachers on as they deliver us the word of God, no matter how unpleasant it can be at times.

Apr 25th A Little Humility Goes A Long Way

Todays Reading – 1 Kings 20 & 21

Ahab was probably the worst king in Israel’s history.  He tolerated all kinds of immorality and idolatry in his kingdom and even promoted it.  He married a woman (Jezebel) whose name has become synonomous with wickedness.   Together, Ahab and Jezebel were responsible for the slaughter of many of the prophets of the Lord in Israel.  These were bad people. Ahab was a bad man and an even worse king.

Notice, however, in the last part of chapter 21.  Ahab humbled himself before the Lord.  Now don’t misunderstand, this was not a complete turnaround.  He didn’t surrender to go to the mission field or anything like that; but he did humble himself before the Lord; and as a result, God spared him some of the judgment that he had planned for him.  Apparently, a little humility went a long way for Ahab.

I don’t think there are too many people reading this that are as wicked as old King Ahab; but it would do us well to follow his example in just this one instance.  Let’s kill some of the pride in our lives and humble ourselves before the Lord.  Let’s surrender to Him and submit ourselves to His will for our lives.  Let’s allow him to correct us when necessary.  It may just be that a little humility before the Lord will go a long way in our lives as well.